Saturday, August 13, 2011

Why, Lulu, Why?

Lately I've gotten into yoga, emphasis on lately, and I was doing just fine thank you in my Old Navy yoga pants. Fine, that is, until a very generous and well-meaning party gifted me some lululemon yoga pants. And now I'm royally screwed. Because the material, the fit, and the feel of my lulu's are all so superior to whatever the heck shmut I was wearing before that now I'm ruined and can never go back. Except that I have to go back because the price of my lulu's was ridonk.
So I say why? Why, lulu, why? Guess I'll be living for the days when my lulu's are clean.

P.S. Turns out I'm a Wunder Under Crop girl. In case, you know, you were wondering.

Happy Campers

Another missing piece of our springtime puzzle was that the kids and I got to go tent-camping for the first time over Memorial Day weekend!  It was quite the adventure.  I think my favorite part was being all cozy and cuddly with my bundles in the tent at night.  Not enough to start co-sleeping on a regular basis mind you, but it felt really sweet being the mama bear protecting my warm, little cubs all night long.  Nothing separating us from the night but a thin sheet of canvas.  So now that I've done it, for anyone interested in doing the same I would recommend the following:

Don't go alone.  Go with a pack of fun, experienced, and most importantly, organized neighbors whose kids play well with your kids, and whose Mad Libs skills will have you cackling like hyenas around the campfire until beddy-bye time.  It helps when they have mad cooking and bartending skills too!

If you can, try to camp at the Orange County Fairgrounds during the annual Scottish Festival. That way bagpipes will serenade you from morning until night, you can gnaw on turkey legs all day in case you forgot to pack some in your cooler, and you'll be in awe of some very cool people holding on for dear life to some very cool traditions from the Old Country.

And finally, make sure there's a Target and/or Old Navy nearby. Just in case.  I picked up a bikini on the trip.  Go fig!  Happy camping!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Summer Stew

The Food section this morning featured this cafe dish, which seems to embody the light, flavorful, and vegetarian cravings that are so common in the summer months.  I know that's the kind of food I've been jonesing for lately.  Actually, meat is taking less and less of a center stage for me in general.  I just can't seem to get enough of the veggies.  My mom must have done something right!  Anyway, if this dish is as easy to make and delicious to eat as it looks, I could see it becoming a summer staple.  Let me know if you try it!

Tunisian Chickpea Stew (Serves 4 to 6)

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced carrot
1 diced, seeded jalapeño pepper
2 chopped cloves garlic
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon turmeric
1½ cups diced potato
2 cups cooked chick peas (garbanzo beans)
4 cups diced tomato
1 cup fresh arugula
3 cups vegetable stock
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil over medium heat in large saucepan. Add onion, carrot and jalapeño and sauté for 5 minutes. Add fresh garlic, cumin, chili powder and turmeric. Sauté an additional 30 seconds. Stir in potatoes and remaining ingredients; bring to a boil and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Serve with couscous or steamed rice.

Garnish options: Toasted almonds, sun-dried apricots

Photo via The U-T