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Friday’s Fixin’s: Swiss Chard Wraps

If you are looking for a super easy, gluten free, vegan rocket blaster of energy, boy oh boy, do I have just the treat for you! While at the grocery store last week, I picked up the (free!) magazine, Delicious Living. Well, there sure is a lot of deliciousness in it (Silver Lining)! My favorite is the Swiss Chard Raw Wrap. I’ve been munching on these tasty treats all week.  I hope that you enjoy them as much as I do…and as much as Buzz would like to! Swiss Chard Raw Wrap This may look complicated, but it’s really easy peasy (because it’s the only way I roll!). The only step that takes forethought (besides the shopping) is soaking the almonds overnight. The rest is a breeze, and it’s a fun snack, even for kids. Ingredients: 2/3 cup almonds, soaked overnight in 2 cups water 1 ½ tablespoons flaxseed oil …

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Friday’s Fixin’s: Dandelions!

Recently, I had the great, Silver Lined experience to attend an Italian cooking class led by Chef Jane Biscarini. As an aside, I simply looooove Italian food!  There is somethin’ somethin’ about it (and the Italian people by the way) that just makes my heart so happy. At this particular class, we made sautéed dandelions. Never done that before! As you know (especially if you have spent anytime in the Midwest!) dandelions are a common weed that grows widely (rampantly?!?) throughout the northern hemisphere in pastures, meadows and lawns, mostly in temperate climates. The name “dandelion” means “lion’s tooth”—a reference to the jagged, tooth-like edges of the plant’s leaves. They definitely feel like a lion’s tooth when accidentally stepping on them with bare feet. Just sayin’… Despite the havoc that they have wreaked over the years on my feet, I’m a HUGE new fan of eating & drinking them! There are MAJOR Silver …

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Friday’s Fixin’s: Mushroom Soup

After my surgery last year, I went into this never-before-experienced place where unless someone nudged me, I literally forgot to eat.  Never even entered my mind. Until then, I never believed all of those skinny girls who would say (in high pitched voices):  ”I forgot to eat!”  Yeah, right, WTF?  Who “forgets” to eat?  I thought the notion ridiculous!  I found myself eating those words (pun intended). The only thing I was inclined to eat (when reminded) was soup. I had never really been a soup person, but last year my body started asking for soup and never really stopped. Even though these days I have NO PROBLEM remembering to eat (and, in fact, need to cut back a tad!), I still love soup. It is nutrient dense, delish, low fat and filling (Silver Lining). I’m a big fan of mushrooms…and cooking classes. So when I was invited to a cooking …

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Friday’s Fixin’s: The Perfect Spring Salad

Are you all ready for the most PERFECT spring salad? My friend (and chef extraordinaire) Maili shared her super special salad with me and encouraged me to share it with you (Silver Lining).  Oh my gosh, I literally can’t stop eating it!  Hope that you enjoy it as much as I do! Maili’s Perfect Summer Salad Ingredients: 1 bunch of Asparagus 1 bunch of radishes 1 cup of mint leaes 1, 5-ounce container of arugula 2 bunches of water cress 1, 5-ounce container of mixed greens 1/4 cup olive oil (as you know, Lucini is my favorite!) for the dressing and 2 tablespoons for the asparagus 1 lemon 1 teaspoon whole grain mustard 1/2 teaspoon Maldon salt freshly ground pepper Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 Cut off the ends of the asparagus (at an angle) and place it on a baking sheet Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil on the …

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Herbal Aloe Juice: The Ultimate Plumber

One of the particularly unsavory side effects of my experience with FBC was/is digestive plumbing issues (that is the most ladylike way I could come up with to say constipation!). Gross, I know. But, hey, you all know by now that I’m definitely not the girl who shy’s away from reality (though I admit to days when I try!). Anyhoo, since the time of my first surgery, my plumbing has all but stopped working. So, the last year has turned me into a little old crotchety lady who is obsessed with bathroom activities. I’ve tried it all types of remedies (that seem to work for other people), e.g., acupuncture, laxatives, softeners, meditation, exercise, standing on my head. You name it, I’ve tried it. But, NOTHING has worked. Until…drum roll, please…Herbal Aloe Force, The Herbal Answer. In addition to the HIGHLY EFFECTIVE and blissful (yes, blissful. When you’ve been as backed up …

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Friday’s Fixin’s: Blueberry Oatmeal

About five days a week (or so) I begin my day with gluten free oatmeal and blueberries. It is my first choice when it comes to a delicious, filling and healthy (Silver Lining trifecta!) breakfast. There are lots of health benefits of oatmeal! It: Is low in calories and high in fiber. Stabilizes blood sugar. Lowers bad cholesterol. Counteracts heart disease Helps memory Helps in the digestion department (yes, that means it keeps you regular which is no small feat for me. I’m just sayin’…). The reasons to eat blueberries are pretty fantastico! They: Aid in reducing risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Are the highest antioxidant capacity of all fresh fruit. Neutralize free radicals which can affect disease and aging in the body. Slow down vision lost (e.g., macular degeneration, cataract, and myopia, etc.) Enhance brain health Aid digestion and decrease constipation Have anti-cancer properties Did you know that the deeper …

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Friday’s Fixin’s: Knife Know How

Last week, I was emailing with my friend Maureen Abood author of the ever-charming Rose Water & Orange Blossoms blog. Maureen is one of those super inspiring people who followed her dreams in life by becoming a chef.  I fondly remember a dinner that we had in Chicago a few years ago during which she was contemplating whether or not to do quit her very lucrative job and go to culinary school. Of course you can imagine what I said to her… I was so thrilled when I learned that she followed her passion and is now doing what makes her heart sing (Silver Lining). Anyhoo, I asked Maureen about how to buy, use, and sharpen knives. I come from the camp of: “Oh let me use this knife to open the J.Crew box and then to cut a tomato.” And I wonder why knives don’t seem to work.  Hey, please …

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Friday’s Fixin’s: Apple “Cupcakes”

When Valerie Rice of Eat Drink Garden and I caught up this week, I asked if she had any super great recipes that she’d like to share with The Silver Pen readers.  She asked for my parameters (clearly, she is an excellent chef as evidenced by her insight to even ask for parameters!). I told her vegetarian (ideally vegan) and EASY. With a wave of her magically talented wand, she suggested her famous Apple Cupcakes.  Um….YUM! The Silver Lining of these cupcakes is that not only are they super delis, but she makes them as an after-school snack for her young girls. A serious win-win! Hope you enjoy them! Valerie’s Apple “Cupcakes” Step 1: Two choices, either core your apple first and then slice in half or slice in half and use a melon ball tool to scoop out the seeds. If you go the melon ball route your kids will …

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Friday’s Fixin’s: ginnybakes!

Since we have been away this week and eating out (at some pretty fabulous spots!) in San Francisco, I thought I’d take the opportunity to tell you about an amazing company called ginnybakes founded by my dear friend Ginny Simon. After my most recent surgery, the ever-thoughtful Ginny sent a box of Ginnybakes goodies to help me recover. Boy, oh boy, did they do the trick (Silver Lining!). And can I just  say that our whole family is crazy about her products. Oh, and last week, at a small dinner party, I brought out 4 different types of her cookies for one of our gluten-free guests. As it turns out, ALL of the guests devoured them!  They are that delicious! Ginny is an amazing woman. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, Ginny met her adorable and wonderful husband Steve when she was fresh out of college on a Spring Break vacation in Florida.  They …

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Friday’s Fixin’s: Lentil “Meat” Balls

A few months ago, in order to get my noodle (i.e., brain) working after the carnage of chemotherapy, I decided to take French lessons.  I took French in high school for two years and loved it.  I think that secretly I am a francophile. Actually, I just out’d myself, so I’ll say it proudly:  I love any and all things French! In addition to spirited cours de français, my wonderful professeur de français gave me a recèpe for boulettes de lentilles (meatless méat balls).  They are SO GOOD…and healthy (Silver Lining…Doublure Argentée!) Because I am trying to watch my weight, I really enjoy them on a bed of arugula with a little reduced balsamic drizzled on top. They would be outrageously delish on a bed of pasta with “The Sauce“!  I hope that you enjoy them either way. Boulettes de Lentilles Ingredients: 3 cups of cooked lentils (I like the precooked ones from Trader …

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