Before the Snow

Before the our first snow came last week, I went to the park, camera in hand. I love this place; it is beautiful in all seasons. It is so deeply alive - it always changes, yet it never loses its majesty. It is a stunning place.

Holiday Guacamole

If you celebrate Thanksgiving, how was it? Did you have lots of food? I bet you have lots of leftovers. Make use of leftover cranberries (or cranberry sauce) with this Mexican-inspired dip. It's perfect for a light lunch. I'll post a sweet cranberry recipe soon.

HOLIDAY GUACAMOLE
Cranberries and lime juice give this chunky dip a kick. Serves 2.

• 1 avocado
• 3 heaping tablespoons fresh cranberries, chopped
• 3 heaping tablepoons raw jicama, chopped
• 3 heaping tablespoons baby carrots, finely chopped
• 1T lime juice
• 1/8 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/8 tsp. chile powder
• salt & pepper, to taste

Using a large spoon or fork, mash together the avocado, seasonings & lime juice. Stir in the jicama & carrots, adding the cranberries last. If it is too tart for your palette, reduce the cranberries or add more jicama.

A Mitzi Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving, we always spend the day as a family. Our cat, Mitzi, whom most you are already familiar with, is definitely a part of the family. She makes us laugh so hard we almost cry; this cat is crazy, random, silly, unusual & absolutely hilarious. I hope she brings half as much joy to you as she brings to me!

Gratefulness

I have realized that when you are thinking gratefully, it is difficult to be negative. I am thankful for so many things...my family & friends, my home, my healthy body, the blogosphere, my food-blogger friends. So let's toast to being grateful and enjoy this lovely Thanksgiving day!

Speaking of gratefullness, Fleur & Virginia both passed on this award to me...Thank you both so very much!!

Clif Bar & Company, for a Variety of Tastes

A big thank-you to Emily from Clif Bar & Co. for these fabulous samples! I
enjoyed every one of them. I really loved the variety of bar types...no one is
alike! These delicious samples (as well as Jenn's reviews)
convinced me that I need to get my hands on some of their seasonal flavors.


Blueberry Z-Bar: Great texture and a nice, authentic blueberry taste. Very appealing as a snack or lunchbox treat.

CLIF Cool Mint Chocolate: It's like an energy candy bar. This bar really perfects the mint-chocolate flavor combo.

MOJO Dipped Fruit & Nut: Wow! This was my 1st MOJO bar, and I loved it!

LUNA Chocolate Raspberry: Mmmm Luna Bars just make me feel good inside. This flavor is not too sweet and would be good any time of day.

CLIF Nectar Lemon Vanilla: This bar has a subtle, lemony flavor that I enjoyed a lot. The texture is great, too.