I am almost embarrassed to claim this as a food I love but it is seriously so true. When I am not drinking fresh squeezed juice or a green smoothie for breakfast this has become a favorite.  I am totally guilty of craving it. It definitely satisfies that savory craving with way less fat and calories than say….biscuits and gravy…and gives you a good amount of energy that sustains you through to lunch.

ingredients:

• 3 1/4c. water
• 1 cup – Bob’s Red Mill – Gluten Free Mighty Tasty Breakfast Cereal
• jennie-o turkey sausage

the following are to taste:

• 1/2 tsp – onion salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• sprinkling of cayenne (optional)
• tabasco

method:

• brown the sausage on medium heat and sprinkle with a little cayenne if you like some kick.
• add the cereal to boiling water and stir in then turn burner down to low, cover and stir occasionally (about 10 minutes)
• once the cereal is done add the onion salt, pepper, and tobasco
• cut sausage into disks and stir in

When there is left overs it is really good with an over easy egg on top. I know it sounds crazy but don’t knock it until you try it.

I have to thank the boyfriend for this recipe.  He manages to get me to like things I would otherwise say um, no thanks.  

next up: Sara Tegman | St. Louis, Missouri Photographer | homemade pizza

• San Carlos, Ca morning
• To the city.  In the city
• Walk.  Don’t walk
• Olea brunch to be found on the corner of California and Larkin. Yum.
• Bart. Dog on bart.
• The window. Planet olive
• Super duper burger in the marina. portabella burger.
• Scenic drive. Bay bridge
• Floor 2. Going up.
• Yes, do more of both of those things.

After you scroll through my photos head on over to Miss Mary Collier | Central Washington Family Photographer has put together for her 10. There is another link at the bottom.

We have two new additions this month with pals Rachel Devine and Ketti Phillips.  Glad to have these great gals in the mix.

Up next: Mary Collier | Central Washington Family Photographer

I’ve gone gluten free vegan for this one.  It’s a quick, easy , tasty and your body will love it too.  Be sure to scroll down and read about all of the health benefits of the ingredients.  The power of the food we put in out bodies is remarkable.

You can catch up on previous Lazy Susan food posts here and be sure to click through all the links found at the bottom of each post to find more tasty meals with 7 ingredients or less. Basic things like EVOO, salt, and pepper don’t count.

Up Next: The fabulous Bree Hester of Baked Bree.  You know she’s cooked up something good.

But first….

Lemon Mushroom Miso

Lemon Mushroom Miso

serves 2

prep time: 10 minutes

cook time 15 minutes

You need:

• 1 tsp – grape seed oil (or evoo)
• 2 cups – sliced mushrooms
• 2 green onion stalks
• 1/2 juicy lemon (to taste)
• 1 tbs – tamari (to taste)
• 4 cups water
• 1 tbs + 1tsp mellow white miso
• good handful fresh cilantro – chopped
• sesame seeds

optional:

• chili paste
• 1 tsp – sesame oil
• salt/pepper to taste

method:

• In a large skillet sauté mushrooms in grape seed oil over medium heat .
• add most of the onions and squeeze in the lemon. saute for a minute or two.
• add 1 1/2 cups of the water and the tamari. let simmer  while you prepare the miso
• pour remaining 3/4 cups of hot water in a separate glass mixing bowl and dissolve the miso with a whisk (never boil miso because it’s alive!)
• Remove mushroom broth from heat and let stand for a minute.
• combine mushroom broth with the miso.
• add cilantro
• add remaining green onion
• sprinkle generously with sesame seeds

enjoy.

health properties:

grape seed oil:

Grape-seed oil can be used in homeopathic treatment of asthma. The oil can help reduce inflammation of the airways, and the antioxidants help to inhibit mucus-production in the lungs. Additionally, grape-seed oil can help control the allergic reactions and triggers that may prompt an asthma attack since it is known to suppress the production of histamine which occurs during an allergy attack. Read more

sesame oil:

Sesame oil contains Vitamin E. Vitamin E is considered an antioxidant and may be helpful with lowering cholesterol levels in the body. Sesame oil also contains magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc and vitamin B6. It also is known to contain copper. Sesame oil is a natural alternative medicine with beneficial healing properties for many ailments and symptoms. Read more

green onion:

Green onions offer many of the same health benefits of their mature onion counterparts that have been shown to help in lowering blood sugar, high cholesterol and blood pressure, the risk of colon and other cancers, and inflammation. Quercetin, the most famous antioxidant found in all onions, offers anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine benefits. You’ll find the essential trace mineral chromium packed into green onions that can regulate glucose levels too. Green onions are also a rich source of vitamin C, fiber, manganese, vitamin B6, potassium, and copper, all integral to our overall health and wellbeing. Read more

lemon:

Health benefits of lemon are due to many nourishing elements like vitamin C, vitamin B, phosphorous, proteins, and carbohydrates present in it. Lemon is a fruit that contains flavonoid, a composite that holds antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. It helps to prevent diabetes, constipation, high blood pressure, skin care, fever, hair care, dental care, indigestion and many other health problems. Studies conducted at the American Urological Association highlight the fact that lemonade or lemon juice can cure kidney stones by forming urinary citrate, which can prevent formation of crystals. Read more…

tamari: 

Scientists have given particular attention to the high concentration of “brown pigment” in tamari because of its strong anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties. Tamari is said to aid in the digestion of grains and vegetables while being rich in several minerals.Tamari is a fermented soy food, and it shares many of miso’s medicinal and nutritional properties while avoiding the problems associated with unfermented soy foods.

miso: 

• Contains all essential amino acids, making it a complete protein.
• Stimulates the secretion of digestive fluids in the stomach.
• Restores beneficial probiotics to the intestines.
• Aids in the digestion and assimilation of other foods in the intestines.
• Is a good vegetable-quality source of B vitamins (especially B12).
• Strengthens the quality of blood and lymph fluid.
• Reduces risk for breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers.
• Protects against radiation due to dipilocolonic acid, an alkaloid that chelates heavy metals and discharges them from the body.
• Strengthens the immune system and helps to lower LDL cholesterol.
• High in antioxidants that protects against free radicals.
• Read more about great things that can be done with miso.

Head on over to Baked Bree to see what she has done with 7 or less items.

I really want to preface this post by saying that  I am always so thankful for my clients.   2011 was a great year and I really owe it all to my people.  Thank you for supporting my vision,  letting your guard down, and allowing our time together go where ever the light and the kids lead us. xoxo. New and exciting stuff coming up. What’s up 2012!?

She is one of those friends. You now the type….the one where 10 years passes and you pick right up where you left off.  You can’t help but love the girl.  Welp, she was recently diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer.  One lymph node over the line for stage 2.   She has already gone through radiation and had surgery the other day to remove the funk. Things are looking good.  She starts chemo sometime very soon. She’s a feisty little sprite and I she will get through it. Unfortunately, the poison that is chemo is going to make things worse before things get better.  So, if you would, put her on your care bear stare line up and for those of you that prefer to pray, rub a buddah belly, hollah to allah, rub your rosary beads…whatever. Pick your poison. Anything goes.   Just put the good healing energy out there.  After all, we are all connected.

A few days before Christmas I took shryner to his vet in Mission Viejo and then we headed out to Brea for a long over due hang out sesh.  Pretty light out there by the way.  We hung out for a good old fashion run around the park. I’m glad I had my camera and I am also glad this happy little meet up turned out to be my 2011 closer.  Cutest little girlies ever.

xoxo – amy

PS.  Make it your NY resolution to save your dollars, sell that ugly expensive hand bag on ebay, Spend $20 less at Target each time you go, give up the starbucks habit, buy from the bulk section at the grocery, get the refined sugar out of your diet and hire a photographer. Preferably a good photographer with a vision, that you connect with and pays their taxes like you and I.  muah. xo

• Jucie:  Apple, carrot, celery.   The kale actually went into the vitamix.
• Shryner loves carrots.  I think he can smell them as soon as they come out.  He gets all the little tops and a today he got little extra bits for the sake of photos.  Lucky boy.
• Brunch: apple, carrot, celery juice. Kale, spinach, frozen cranberries, frozen banana, and a ice.  A little “greener” than usual but had been making them with almond milk instead of the juice.  Still tasty.
• Black berries:  On sale at Henry’s this week for 69 cents a carton.  WHAT?  I should go back and get more.  They are actually good even though it’s Dec.  Not sure how that works but ok.  nom nom.
• I cut an onion when I made lunch.  It was pretty inside.
• The best meyer lemons on.the.entire.planet grow about 25 yards from my front door.  No seeds. Compliments of rad neighbors.  Thankful.
• Shryner, what was that?
• He’s a very very serious ball player, competitive, and uh, flexible.
• Love this perspective.  Took a similar iphone shot the other day wishing it could be a real photo.  Thank goodness for the hill he was on today and some eye contact.  Good boy.  New favorite.
• The MOON!  Holy cow it was huge.  It was just peeking up from behind the mountain as I walked up the driveway. CF card – 00.  50mm.  not cool.  rushed in side.  Whiney dog wanting ice.  Slapped on the 70-200 + a new card and shot this from my back yard.  This weird refraction thing happens where the sun goes behind the mountains in the west and shines light on the hills even after they have been completely shaded. Trips me out.  Not sure exactly how that works but it was pretty fantastic.  I don’t think my photo really does it justice.  The moon sure was fat though.

Next up Amy Lucy | Minneapolis Photographer

Be sure to follow the circle all the way around until you end up here again. You are sure to run across something good.

]]> http://www.aboringphoto.com/blog/2011/12/10/10-on-10-december-2011/feed/ 8 http://www.aboringphoto.com/blog/2011/12/01/lazy-susan-december-moms-famous-carmel-corn/ http://www.aboringphoto.com/blog/2011/12/01/lazy-susan-december-moms-famous-carmel-corn/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:00:14 +0000 aboring http://www.aboringphoto.com/blog/?p=6884 This month, for our second edition of Lazy Susan, we have a bounty of sweet treats. Be sure to follow the links found at the bottom of each post all the way through to complete the circle.  If you are coming from Tara’s blog, thanks for stopping by. There is bound to be something that strikes your fancy sweet tooth somewhere along the line.

When Shannon suggested a cookie/candy exchange  for December my  mom’s  famous caramel corn immediately came to mind.  I realize this goes against all of my recent sugar and dairy excluding ways but tradition wins this time. Bring on the corn syrup! I got shot down at first and thought for sure I was going to have to come up with something else because this woman had a serious death grip on this family favorite. Rightfully so. Fiddle Faddle ain’t got nuttin’ on my mama.

For the last several Christmas’ there has been a large clear cereal tupperware container under the tree, complete with shimmery bow, stocked with a double batch of the this family tradition for each of us kids. (and don’t forget the airtight handy dandy container for future use…score!) Then just like clockwork the afternoon phone call from my oldest brother in Florida claiming that he got twice as much as the rest of us. Funny guy. Sorry brother…. looks like Christmas came early this year.

When I arrived the other day I walked in to  “I set up the ingredients like your friends did on their blogs.”  and then she Vanna White’d the Orville Redenbocker.  Classic!

Love you mom.
You’re hired.

Next up….Chenin with a concoction she refers to as Christmas Crack.

But first….Move on over Cracker Jack, Ma Boring is in town.

Ingredients for a single batch:

• 13 cups popped popcorn (7 tbs kernels)
• 1 cup light brown sugar-packed down
• 1/2 cup or 1 cube butter
• 1/4 light (clear) corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup peanuts or nut of your choice (optional)

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• Heat oven 200˚
• pop the corn, divide between two ungreased cookie sheets, 13x9x2
• In a sauce pan add brown sugar, 1 stick butter, corn syrup,& salt.
• Stir ON LOW, watch close, when it starts to bubble around edges, cook 1-2 minutes more
• Remove from heat, add baking soda, stir until foamy.
• Divide sauce between two trays of popped corn. Stir to coat best you can.
• Place in 200˚ oven for 1 hour.
• Toss and coat every 15 min.
• Remove, store in tight container.

Listen to your mother:  Don’t turn oven passed 210˚ or it will get sugary, dry….and gross.

and now for a chemistry lesson.  it totally poofs it up like 3x.  fancy!

…..and just to give you an idea of how much two cookie sheets makes…. chomp.

Now you can head on over to Chenin’s blog for her Christmas Crack.  

Friday night I got this phone call….

“Amers Ann…”

Yes, father?

“I am calling to remind you to be on the field at 7am.  do.you.think.you.can.get.there.by  7am?”  

“uh, I’ll try.”

“You’ll try?”

“Um, ya, I’ll be there…..hopefully.”

I actually did make it on time and it was still dark, foggy, and cold.  I even had a starbucks.  I could have gotten there at 8 and still had time for a danish and a cup of coffee.  You see, my dad is a morning person.  It’s how he rolls.  He’s just a sunrise kind of guy.  It’s like he can’t get out the door fast enough to step into the 43˚ blackness.  It spills into long distance travel and I have followed suit on that.  Not so much for recreation.  This is his territory.

The sun is barely up and The boys were trying to coax him into “giving them a 3 bird handicap” in some pool they were gambling on. Fat chance. Borings play to win.   The other team of  friends heckled him while we shot. “Oooooh, there’s a hunter.”  and a hearty ” booooo, when he missed.”   They all laughed.

So,  once a year I go and I pretend I know how to shoot this gun and and have some good old fashioned quality father daughter time with pa Boring. I may not be as skilled as my dad but I certainly can hold my own for shooting once a year.  I beat some of the of the guys and got a pat on the back from pops for my efforts.  This year I shot  32/50.  More than half. Eh, I’ll take it.

Once you scroll through my photos  follow the leader all the way through the links and see what the others have captured.  Up next: Kristin M. Young | Gainesville, Central Florida Photographer 

So this is how the day went.  I didn’t shoot any photos of us actually shooting because when you are shooting, you’re shooting and you aren’t allowed to hold up the rhythm. It’s a big no no round these parts.

 Up next Kristin M. Young | Gainesville, Central Florida Photographer 

Join us on the first of each month as this talented and diverse group of food lovers share their favorite recipes, tips and tricks inspired by the seasons.

November: Thanksgiving

If you came here from Chenin’s post I’m sorry to tease you with the “apples” part.  I was clearly being an over achiever having never made neither apple sauce or cranberry sauce previous to this. I am certainly inspired to come up with my own version of this with less sugar.  Since this is Thanksgiving I am willing to let it slide….this time.  To enjoy the other 8 recipes this month be sure and follow all of the links leading to the next Lazy Susan post.  There is much inspiration to be had and your taste buds will thank you.

Thankful?  Indeed.  I am especially thankful for the inspiration of all of the ladies involved in this project along with many other things.  I have to say that  right in this moment I am so very thankful for  a nicely textured, savory cranberry sauce with some zip.  It’s delicious.

Spiced cranberry sauce with agave nectar

1 3/4 cup cranberry juice cocktail
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 cup agave (or 3/4 c. honey)
2 whole cloves
1 tbsp orange zest
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (to taste)
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper (to taste)
1 tsp fresh minced ginger
3/4 tsp ground corriander
1 bay leaf
12 oz cranberries

Very easy and the house smelled awesome.

• Combine 1 1/2 cups of the cranberry cocktail and the agave over medium heat until agave dissolves.  set 1/4 cups of the juice aside.
• Add the reast of the goodies minus the cranberries and let simmer for 5 minutes or so.
• add the cranberries and simmer on medium heat until the berries burst and the goodness is nice and thick
• remove bay leaf
• remove from heat and add remaining cranberry juice.
• It will thicken once it’s cool.
• can be made up to three days in advance.
• keep refrigerated

I was super pleased with the way this recipe, originally appearing, on Epicurious came out.  It’s definitely tart but I would take it confidently to a gathering.   I can’t wait to tweak it a bit more than I did to make it more my own.  I was  slightly concerned when I tasted it while it was still hot.  I thought that it was going to be super spicy with the peppers.  Nope. Once it sat overnight it blended together really nicely.  Go for it.

Up next  Amanda Prince,  aka The Sunny Vegan,  for her take on green beans.  Keep on truckin’ through the line up. You will eventually end up here again.

Enjoy!

Amy

Monday morning update: homeboy is back to his normal self. quiet but normal.

have a great week.

10 on 10 ?  What’s that you ask?  Every month on the 10th day of the month a group of us zany photographers take photos throughout the course of our day and show them as a series. We link to each other in a circle and if you follow along you will eventually end up right where you started.  Be sure to check it out. We have some talented ladies in the house!

This is my second go round.  See my first month HERE and when you are done here hop on over to see what my new friend  Sarah Robertson of Image Bearers Photography | los angeles documentary wedding photography has cooked up.

morning dew on our red cabbage plants.

the view from morning yoga at my friend maggie’s place.

after yoga we chatted over  hot tea, passion fruit and oranges picked fresh off their trees = heaven. (ps. not my hand)

mailboxes.

new car. old necklaces.  the shorter one was a gift from my oldest brother from a trip to Greece a bazillion years ago.  the longer one was an etsy find that just happened to end up there.

I spent several hours in the kitchen washing and preparing food for the rest of the week.  It’s so nice to have everything washed and ready to grab right out of the fridge.

Shryner playing guard dog.

More of what I cooked up.  Roasted red pepper garlic hummus…..

to go with the best homemade flax crackers ever.  Recipe found HERE.

and the boy and I.  The oddball bw photo of the bunch. Siimply because it was too dark out for decent color…..and I kind of got a little sunburned during yoga…not cute in the color department.

Now head on over to Sarah Robertson of Image Bearers Photography | los angeles documentary wedding photography for some more visual snacks.

xo, amy b.