Funny-slash-weird

   Today was one of those days where I needed a laugh. I had a long day at work, and then a meeting that lasted until almost ten. By the time I got home, I had been done 14 hours, missed a happy hour with friends, and was starving. So I started heating up leftovers.
   When I walked over to the sink to wash my hands, I noticed something sticking out of the disposal on the other side of the sink. Which was odd, because nearly 100% of my food waste goes into the compost bin. My first thought was that I had absent-mindedly shoved some celery remnants in there while I was making soup.
   Upon closer inspection, I realized that it was a SPROUT that was GROWING out of my disposal! Of course it totally grossed me out initially, as I was thinking it was a fungus. Ugh! So I bravely reached my hand down there and pulled out... a large handful of PUMPKIN seeds that must have been washed down there when Dave & I carved pumpkins 3 weeks ago, each with a 6-8" sprout!

   So if you need a pumpkin for Halloween next year, feel free to stop by. I'm growing them inside of my sink.

The Yin and Yang of Cooking

   It's barely 60 degrees here, which feels COLD after the heat wave we've had all summer. But it's nice, because it was a great night to stay in and make chili... Sweet potato-black bean-chicken chili, to be exact. With fresh spinach, split peas and lentils. And topped with feta. One of those dishes that is so easy & delicious that you think to yourself, "There is no WAY that this could be good for me!" But, oh yes, it IS!

   ...As opposed to the chocolate chip banana bread with toasted pecans. Full of butter and sugar... but I wanted to take something really yummy for the Honey Crew this morning, and this recipe's a proven winner. So I baked up a double batch late last night, so it would be fresh. Double batch? Yep, I saved a little for myself for breakfast this week. And dessert tonight. And... I should probably eat some more chili!
   While I was cooking, the pups snuggled up in their beds and enjoyed the warmth in the kitchen. So cute and snuggly...

Food Porn

   I don't wanna brag, but I grill a damn good steak. And the corn and roasted Brussels sprouts with pancetta aren't so bad, either!

Chicky dinner

   My plan was to roast a chicken for dinner, but inexplicably, the grocery store was out of chickens! I already had all the other ingredients in my basket, so I looked until I found little Cornish hens... you know, the Jen-sized chickens!

Copious amounts of produce

   The gang from my Leading Edge team at work is coming over tomorrow to finish up work on our group project, which we'll be presenting to our NALT (North American Leadership Team) on Wednesday. Generally we're in very good shape, but have plenty to pull together before then, and have some time to practice. I went shopping this afternoon and bought a ton of fresh produce to make my chicken & veggie soup. With garlic bread. Mmm...

Homegrown produce

   I've spent the last couple of nights at Allyson & Scott's house, treated to an amazing BBQ dinner courtesy of Scott's smoker, and then haunted-housing. And they graciously sent me off with a bagful of goodies from their garden: super-spicy peppers & a giant clump of cilantro! Can't wait to add some to my chicken & veggie soup, and to make some Thai spring rolls! Thanks for everything, guys!

Sunday cooking

   Tonight I had some leftover produce & chicken to use up, so... perfect time to make my favorite soup. (And thanks to Kelley for teaching me the recipe!)

It smells SO GOOD when the veggies start to soften & caramelize!

I recommend serving with garlic bread, which I have a profound weakness for.

   Check out this photo set from the French Laundry that Israel sent to me. The food is art. But I cracked up when I read some of the names of the dishes: Compressed Summer Melons, Salad of Toybox Tomatoes, Fairytale Eggplant? Well in that case, you can call my soup "Terrine of Earthly Delights & Wilted Spinach with Crackbread."

French Laundry Menu

Logo design for Beans & Greens

On Friday afternoon I was contacted by the sister of a friend from MSIR, who needed a logo design on a super-quick turnaround. Here's what I came up with yesterday. I think there are some fun options, so hopefully she'll see something that works. The program is really cool & I'd be so thrilled to be involved with it!!!

"Beans and Greens is a new three year pilot program created to assist low-income families in purchasing locally grown fruits and vegetables at Kansas City area farmers’ markets.  The program seeks to make locally produced nutritious fruits and vegetables more affordable and available to neighborhoods within our community that have a significant degree of food insecurity.  Additionally, the program aims to foster relationships between lower income shoppers and the farmers who produce and sell the food at the neighborhood farmers’ market."

Who knew?

   It turns out that I LOVE brussels sprouts. That one time my mom made them when I was a kid & I turned up my nose in disgust... well, I admit I was wrong. Tried roasted brussels sprouts as an appetizer at Pizza Bella downtown last weekend, and liked them so much I had to figure out how to make them. So I made them tonight to accompany my bison-quinoa meatballs & pasta. They come out of the oven all carmelized & delicious (not surprisingly, adding pancetta—or any bacon-like substance—makes everything good).

I predict a brussels sprout shortage at my local grocery store.