Sometimes I feel like I have so many random tidbits to tell you at once, there’s no way I could fit everything into one cohesive post.
So I decided to start something new.
Each Monday I’ll be featuring a Mosaic Mondays post where I share a few current happenings, favorite finds, and exciting announcements. It’ll be a post where we can just dish without having to make a dish, although I will always still include food (who am I kidding…these posts will mostly likely be centered around food). I’m excited about this, especially since the idea has been a while coming! Without further delay, here is the scoop for this week…
Homemade Peach-Vanilla Soft Serve
1. Lately I’ve been staying cool with homemade fruit soft serve, which goes far beyond just banana. Peach-vanilla is my new favorite flavor and it’s super easy to whip up: wash, chop, and flash-freeze 1 medium-large peach; process it in a food processor with 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, 1 pinch sea salt, and enough peach nectar (or other liquid) until it’s smooth like soft serve ice cream (I used about 5 tablespoons of peach nectar); serve immediately.
2. I know a lot of people who eat vegetarian and/or gluten-free and are always looking for new healthy recipe ideas. If this sounds familiar, then you are in for a treat. Calvin (from The Gluten-Free Chef blog) released an e-book called Cooking with Fibromyalgia: A Young Man’s Guide to Simply & Delicious Vegetarian, Gluten, and Dairy-Free Meals, which is chock full of lovely recipes. I’d even go as far as to say that this book is for anyone, vegetarian or not, gluten-free or not, and dairy-free or not. No matter what you’re used to eating, if you enjoy nourishing your body with wholesome foods, this book is for you. And even though the title says it’s a young man’s guide, I think young (or older!) ladies out there will adore it too…really, who would refuse a beautiful bowl of Honey Vanilla Granola, Spicy Black Bean Soup, Parmesan Pasta Salad, or Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Mousse?
Cinnamon-Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding
3. Has anyone else been using chia seeds like it’s going out of style lately? Chia pudding is always a favorite, but I’m dying to try something new (to me), like Chia Seed Jam (mmm, blueberry!) on Going Home to Roost or Lemon Chia Seed Pancakes on Peachy Palate. And P.S., I have been thoroughly enjoying Health Warrior’s Coconut Chia Bars!
4. Raise your hand if you’ve been dabbling in (or are curious about dabbling in) paleo! I have, and I’ve been loving it. Treats like Coconut Flour Cake Donuts take my breath away.
5. Do you have the perfect peach pie recipe? Mike requested a peach pie…I want it to be fabulous and since it’s something I’ve never made before, I could use a little help. (Please leave a recipe link in the comments below if you know of a good one; otherwise, I will probably go with this stunning Peach Pie recipe from Wives with Knives.)
Fried Eggplant with Garlic and Parsley Dressing
6. Any idea what you’ll be making for Labor Day next week? Not that I have given it much thought (haha!), but I’m thinking about beef kebabs; zucchini feta cheese chopped salad; bulgur wheat salad with cucumber, red pepper, chickpeas, lemon, and dill; fried eggplant with garlic and parsley dressing; and pomegranate spritzers.
7. Last but not least, I moved across the world. Approximately 6,500 miles. To Kuwait. I will be bringing you more details on that soon, but for now, suffice to say that the hubs and I are starting a whole new chapter of our lives. We are excited to explore our new home (check out my Instagram photos of the Kuwait Towers and the view of the Persian Gulf from our balcony), and make the most of being much more centrally located to places in Europe and Asia where we want to travel. I can’t wait to share more with you as we explore!
Kuwait?!!! Wow! What a change! What an adventure! I wish you both the best and hope that you get to experience many new things. Please keep us all updated. I’m wondering if this was because of a job or just a planned move to experience another culture. Please post lots of pictures.
Teresa
Kuwait sounds interesting. I love random posts..and yes, I’ve been using chia like crazy..
All the best for everything.
Wow,Faith.I hope you have a wonderful new adventure.
I’m so excited about your move! I moved to Saudi last year, so I guess we are practically neighbors now! I’m looking forward to seeing how your recipes change and to see how you use the local spices and vegetables. I know in Saudi, I can’t get some of the kitchen staples (unless I want to pay a fortune for imported goods) that I used in the States and I have had to adjust the way I cook. It can be difficult, but I think it made me a better cook. Since you are already a skilled cook, I’m sure it will be easy and fun for you. Hope you enjoy exploring the sights and flavors of the Kuwaiti culture!
Khadijah, Thank you very much for your kind comment! Yes, we are definitely neighbors now. :) I’m looking forward to exploring my new home…and hopefully at some point you and I can share tips! :)
You have made a hugely exciting move to a most interesting part of the world: DO hope you will be very happy. We certainly shall be if you have time to send news likely to be very new to most of us! Am certain we’ll enjoy Mosaic Mondays also: I do something similar with many on my lists, sending them what I term ‘bullet letters’ which work just about the same :) !
How fun, I love this series idea! Congrats on your move, I’m in awe that you’ve been able to keep up your blogging pace – looking forward to hearing more!
Whoa, that’s quite a move! I can’t believe you were able to keep blogging/schedule enough blogs to last through what had to be quite a long and tiring move. Yay for traveling and exploring! I’ve only made one peach pie but it was so good, I would recommend it: http://veronicascornucopia.com/2011/08/19/brown-sugar-peach-pie/
Wow, what a move. How exciting! That news kind of blew all the other (interesting) comments! Speechless.
Ev, Lol, I figured it would, which is why I saved it for last! Who would read the rest of the notes if I listed the move first, right? :)
Love this!!!! I can’t wait to hear and see the new ingredients and inspiration you find in Kuwait – such an adventure :)
I love random posts like these and congrats on the move. I cant wait to hear more about it <3
Omg, congrats on your move! I saw your pics on IG but figured you were just vacationing. How completely exciting – it sounds like a grand adventure. Can’t wait to hear more about it.
Great. I’m looking forwards to your future Mosaic Mondays posts.
Congratulations on the move!
Cheers,
Rosa
WOW! What a move! I’m excited to hear more about living there. The fruity soft serve sounds fantastic
Congrats on your new move! How exciting!