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Honey Oat Banana Muffins
With the warm flavors of honey and oats, these banana muffins are dairy-free and can be made with your choice of healthy oils. If opting for olive oil, make sure to select one that is mild and more fruity than peppery to complement the delicious banana flavor. I love these for breakfast and also with an abundant lunch salad full of seasonal produce. They’re so versatile I know you will find plenty of ways to enjoy them. Bananas should be allowed to ripen fully before baking with them, which means having a highly speckled to almost entirely darkened peel. This will lend the maximum amount of natural sweetness. If you…
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Make Your Own Ornament Garland for the Holidays
Handmade touches make the holidays so cozy and festive. Many of us have plenty of ornaments that never make their way to the tree but are still loved. I like to find new ways to showcase them such as on this garland. The best part about this project is that no glue gun is required, and you can pick so many beautiful ribbons. This year I went for a spruce green velvet main ribbon and a cheerful plaid for the accent, but you can customize all the colors and patterns to match your holiday style. With the champagne glass balls, this one glows during dinnertime – especially in candlelight. Gather…
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Pumpkin Granola
Autumn makes me think of hot mulled cider, cozy evenings, and baking with pumpkin. If you’re craving everything that tastes like the season, this pumpkin granola recipe will be on rotation in your kitchen as it is in mine. With pumpkin puree, seeds, and pie spices, it’s the perfect snack or breakfast. Mostly, I grab handfuls of it whenever I’m in the mood for something toasty, and lightly sweetened with maple syrup, during the day. As the perfect morning treat, this pumpkin granola recipe makes a great yogurt topping, and in the evening, it’s delicious over ice cream – think vanilla, caramel, or pumpkin itself! Also try it over baked…
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Potato Leek Soup
Simple goodness in a soup bowl – what could be more comforting in any season? I love this velvety potato leek soup for lunch, but it’s also the perfect starter for your evening meal. Rich, buttery Yukon Golds lend exceptional flavor and cook up rather quickly. Once tender, there are a couple of options for turning them into your desired level of smoothness. Fresh herbs and edible flower petals along with a drizzle of heavy cream turns this soup into a classic spring dish. During fall and winter, consider topping with frizzled shallots or deeply roasted mushrooms. Whenever you make this potato leek soup recipe, let your garnishes reflect the…
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Mindful Living: The Allure of the Present
The blue of a delphinium is the most extraordinary you will find anywhere. This morning a few were just right for welcoming indoors along with some ultra-fluffy peonies. I have been watching their spikes for weeks. Proud lithe stems emerged from a cluster of dense but delicate leaves. As they strengthened, tiny buds stayed for quite a while before popping into the color for which I wait all year. In my meditation classes, I guide others on how to live vibrantly in the present, where beauty and inner wisdom often are found. My love affair with the delphiniums had me focused on more than the gorgeous blues. I felt respect…
