Simple Saturday: Kale Salad

Well hello, weekend.

Hello sleeping in late.

Hello celebrating the summer's best ruby red and misshapen tomatoes with BLTs loaded with crisp, salty bacon.

Hello balancing that bacon overload with banana, soy milk and almond butter smoothies.

This Simple Saturday, I'm sharing a throw-together, easy kale salad recipe that's perfect for a weekend lunch or dinner when you're looking for a health cleanse and pick-me-up.

Dinner Parties and Lumpia

How fun are dinner parties?

We all love them right?

And they're even more fun when you get to attend one and someone else hosts.

It's such a sweet privilege to be hosted in someone's home and eat their food and even better when you get to learn how to make their food!

This was the premise of a recent church group ladies night that I got to be a part of.

Guest Post: Tomato & Goat Cheese Tarts

Today, I'm going to suggest that you click on over to Back to the Source to check out my guest post on some delicious summer/French-inspired eats.

And while you're there, check out the helpful healthy food and living tips and recipes that Elsie offers there.

Happy Monday!

Simple Saturday: Stuffed Peppers

So, what are you doing this weekend?

You probably have some free pockets of time, right?

And you're going to get hungry at some point, probably soon, I'd bet.

Well, here's what you need to do:

Go to your farmer's market and buy some beautiful, fresh bell peppers (bonus points if they're in varying, crazy colors). Then, come home and make some of these easy, tasty stuffed peppers for you and/or the people you love.

Tastings Around Town: 28 Springs

A little over a week ago, Jason and I finally (after many months of drooling looking at the tasting menus) got to go to a Bar Tasting at 28 Springs in Siloam Springs.

Now, I've already sang 28 Springs' praises here on the blog and after many wonderful dinners out and a beyond-comparison Valentine's meal there, this place has quickly become one of our absolute faves in the area.

We don't even blink an eye about driving 45 minutes to get there. So worth it!

And a few times a month, they do a Bar Tasting that features a type of drink (cocktails, wine, scotch, etc.) perfectly paired with a 4-course menu.

Tastings Around Town: Savoy Tea

This week, I have a really special treat for you.

This week, I am sharing some of the great things that are going around in my area of the country (Northwest Arkansas) and businesses and restaurants that are giving patrons a chance to learn about and enjoy their specialties.

First off, we're taking a trip to Savoy Tea Co. right off the Fayetteville square.

Simple Saturday: Risotto Balls

Have you ever had an appetizer that you absolutely fell in love with?

I'm talking about one of those dishes that even though it's just a starter, you'll go back to the restaurant just to order it.

An item that makes your mouth water just thinking about the flavors and textures.

After the first time I tasted arancini  (risotto balls), I quickly came to adore their mix of crunchy/creamy textures, the Italian seasonings and that you can totally make risotto even better by rolling it in breading and frying it!

Savoring the Season

You're never going to guess what this recipe contains that I'm sharing.

It's something sweet.

It's something seasonal.

Yep, it's berries!

2.5 Days in Nashville

A few weekends ago, we took advantage of the Fourth of July holiday days off and took a trip to visit my husband's Grandmere (French grandmother) in Nashville.

It was my first trip to Music City and I really loved it.

Other than exploring and eating through the city, it was such a treat to spend time with Grandmere and learn more about her and also introduce her to other fun things in town.

We hit up quite a few culinary highlights during the trip, so I'll try to give you a snippet of each:

Out and About: Apple Blossom Brewing Company

There's a new brewery in town...and it's within walking distance of our apartment.

Need I say more?

Apple Blossom Brewing Company just opened last Thursday and is already making a big splash!

It's in a part of town where there aren't any restaurants (aka lots of free parking) and is steps from Veterans Park and right on the bike trail.

Cocoa for Coconut Oil

All throughout school, I looked forward to getting my report cards.

I was a very competitive student and always looked forward to seeing what my grades were and how I could get them higher.

Report cards were also exciting because it meant that if I had done my best in all of my classes, I would get a trip to Sonic or Dairy Queen with my dad.

Although I probably switched my choice of treat up from report card to report card, I remember getting a Reese's blizzard about 75% of the time. I have always loved the combination of peanut butter and chocolate and mixed with ice cream, it makes sugary bliss.

But now I'm an adult and sometimes I want to treat myself with something that isn't going to make my stomach curdle from refined sugar overload.

Which leads me to these Healthy Peanut Butter Fudge Cups.

They're sugar free and definitely high fructose corn syrup free. And they use coconut oil, which is a fantastic and healthy oil option. And it makes these little cups taste a bit coconut-ey and exotic.

The rich flavor of the coconut oil and cocoa powder makes them like a refined, adult fudge pb cup and I'm always a fan of natural peanut butter in anything!

I've said it once and I'll say it again, TREAT YO'SELF!

 *Click on recipe card to enlarge and save.

Random Acts of Foodness

Happy Monday!

Here's another round of Random Acts of Foodness (aka good news about food) to start your week out on a positive, tasty note.

1. Potato Pickin'
Yesterday, Tri Cycle Farms here in Fayetteville had a "Potato Harvest" event from 7-10 am. Get updated on similar events in the future by liking their Facebook page. I definitely want to help out with something like this soon!

2. Gardening for Dummies
Here's a really cool Kickstarter project that needs some support from non-green thumbs like me.

3. AgFunder!
Speaking of Kickstarter, there's going to be a place soon where solely agriculture-based projects can get a boost.

4. Chicken-less eggs? They're real and may help our growing planet.

5. Aaaand food that looks like animals. How cute is this?!


Go spread the good news and have a great week!

Simple Saturday: Quick Jam

And here we are, back to talking berries.

I just know that they're only here for a few months, so I want you and me to be prepared to use them to the fullest.

Jam was something that I had never made until I tried this simple, 15-minute recipe. I'm not one to spend hours over the stove making things, so this recipe was perfect!

Two For One: Backyard Treats

As an apartment renter, sometimes I miss having a yard.

I love when I go to my parent's house and sit on the front or back porch and just listen to the dozens of different bird calls and smell the earthy grass and trees.

I find that backyards are a great place for quiet as well as good conversation.

I look forward to having a house and yard again one day (and my husband can't wait to get a grill), but right now I feel privileged to be invited to people's homes for cookouts and pool parties.

I treasure time in a backyard spent eating, laughing and hanging out with new and old friends.

Splurging on Mac & Cheese

I just got back from a long Fourth of July weekend visiting my husband's Grandmere (aka French grandmother) and exploring Nashville, Tennessee.

And boy was it a blast. Shopping at their new H&M, going out to fancy dinners and lunches in East Nashville and buying way too many things at Trader Joe's...I mean, what could be better? (P.S. Stay tuned for a special Nashville food post in the next week or two.)

It was definitely a weekend of splurging, but now it's back to cheap stir fry dinners and rice and beans for lunch.

I think we can all agree that sometimes you just need a splurge, whether it's a special occasion or you just want to make a normal day more exciting.