Just Call me Cellulite Sally

OK so since I found out I get to go to the states this summer I am having a major dilemma.  The thing is, in England there is rarely a need to let the sun even see your legs, not to mention get into a swimsuit!  You might say I've let myself go.  And this is bad news my friends, because you see I must get my thunder thighs into a rather form fitting bridesmaids dress and a bikini for all those pool days I am planning on!  Lucky for me Deliciously Organized  posted a Summer Cleanse on their blog.  Hallelujah!  This is just what I need!

I started on Monday with the no caffeine, no gluten, no animal products, and no sugar diet.  You can read more about it here.  I can tell you that it has been hard, I'm not having too many problems coming up with things to eat, but I feel pretty rough, like I'm having a very mild hang over all the time.  Apparently this is my body getting rid of junk - and get rid of junk it has!  I've lost about half a pound a day so far.

Anyways if you're interested, holler at your girl!  I'd love to see recipes you come up with and hear your results!  If you're not interested now you might be after I tell you about this delicious thing I concocted the other night....

Peach Salsa

Ingredients

• 4 peaches
• 2 medium tomatoes
• 1 small onion
• handful of parsley
• 1 fiery red pepper (sorry I bought them at the market and they had no name)
• 1 scant tablespoon sea salt

Chop it all up, throw it in a bowl and call it a day!  The flavors do get better if you let it sit though, so you might want to make it up a little while before you're planning on eating it.

We had enough of this to use two nights in a row, and it was so dang good.  The first night I had it with some baked tofu, while Nick made himself a piece of chicken (yeah I don't cook that stuff, but I tolerate it as long as he doesn't kiss me after dinner).  

But the second night we put it to even better use. Check it out....

A bed of lettuce, wild rice, black beans, peach salsa, and fresh guacamole.  This is my kind of meal.  Totally fresh, clean and packed full of flavors.  You should eat this whether or not you're on some crazy cleanse.

Look out for more detox recipes as the week goes on.  My friend, Sarah, is coming to visit tonight though and I think I might slip up when shes here!  Eeeek wish me luck!

Radish Leaf Pesto

Dear Friends,

Fat camp is going OK.  I'm learning how to eat healthy and seasonal food.  Yesterday I made radish leaf pesto.  I thought I hated radishes, but I gave them a try anyways.  Here is the recipe in case you were wondering...

Radish Leaf Pesto

• 2 large handfuls of radish leaves, stems removed
• 30 grams of hard cheese, like pecorino 
• 30 grams pine nuts
• 1 stalk of wet garlic, or one clove garlic
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar

Then you just blend all the ingredients in a food processor.  And its done like - bingo, bango, bongo.

Tony Perkins said you can eat it with radish chips or thin it out with vinegar and oil and use it as a salad dressing.  Or you could make crepes with mushrooms and goat cheese and serve it like this...

It is surprisingly delicious.

In other news, it's been raining here so we haven't gotten to go off the blob yet.  But it was OK this morning and we went hiking.  I've also been doing arts and crafts. I will have to show you soon.  Hope all is well where you are.

Love,

Kelly

PS.  Send chocolate.

The Egg Saga Continues with Aioli

So the other day after reading all your fabulous suggestions I was really craving some egg based dessert.  However, I embarrassingly shared with you that problem I have about my thighs touching and I told you I should make something savory and a little on the healthier side.  Umm yeah about that... I did make something savory, but it is a far cry from healthy.  I almost don't want to tell you, but I will because I feel like we're friends...

I MADE MAYONNAISE!!! 

Oh my gosh I'm really embarrassed now.  I always wanted to be a bangin hot housewife but looks like thats not going to happen.  Just call me Cellulite Sally from now on, OK?   I just love mayo.  It's the ultimate spread.  I'm guilty of using a bit more than is necessary on just about every sandwich I've ever made in my life.  I hear some people think this stuff is disgusting.  WTF?  I wish I was one of them.  And you know what makes mayonnaise even better?  Adding garlic and calling it aioli.  

I screwed this recipe up twice before it came out right.  The first time I put all the ingredients in a blender at the same time.  Big no no.  You need to pour your oil into the food processor in a slow steady stream.  The second time I used olive oil, instead of a lighter oil.  It just made it taste extremely strongly of olive oil and not in a good way.  But the third time it all came together and so I will share this with you.  I know I'm not the only mayo fan out there.... 

Ingredients

• 1 whole egg plus one yolk at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 cup Sunflower oil (or peanut oil)
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• Salt

In a food processor, add one egg, one yolk, a pinch of salt, and a teaspoon of mustard.  Turn it on and slowly add 3/4 cup of oil.  Add the lemon juice and minced garlic.  Done.

 

I served this over roasted asparagus and roasted potatoes with rosemary.  It was good.  The husband was happy, I was happy, and the dog wanted in on the mayonnaise action.  Hellman's got nothing on this!  I will say it wasn't as thick as regular mayo - maybe I needed to blend it longer?

Sorry this picture sucks but we were too hungry to make it look pretty!  Oh and by the way,  since I screwed up so many times I ended up with a lot of egg whites.  I'm sure you know I didn't let those go to waste!  Will share that with you soon....