Sometimes things go wrong.  Sometimes that’s hard for me to manage.  I have a fairly sunny disposition and try not to let things get me down.  Take for example, today’s post.  The treat is delicious and should not be at all foreshadowed by the following, but the photo shoot was riddled with problems.  The biggest problem was that after I had what I considered to be a reasonable group of photos from which to choose, I deleted them all.  I can’t even explain how.

So I gathered up the treats that had not been eaten and rushed back to the workshop to take some more pictures.  Unfortunately, it is too late for the process pictures.  Despite all of that, here you will find a very delicious treat that is quite simple.  It will take some freezer time, though... plan appropriately.

 
A friend once told me that there are few things in life that can’t be improved by covering them in chocolate. I wonder...

savour... chocolate-dipped

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A good lasagna is hard to beat. There is a time commitment involved, but the result is more than worth the effort. It is a dish that is sure to please. When executed properly you get a good, thick, meaty sauce and lots of gooey cheese with each bite. The noodles will be cooked but not too soft. That is dining heaven.

This is the kind of dish that has lots of steps, but easy steps. Therefore, I find it the perfect time to get the family involved. Gather your family (or friends) around to assist in the assembly. Food is best when prepared together. It helps kids understand how things are made and appreciate the work that goes into a good meal.

When it's done start with a small salad and some crusty bread. Then bring on the lasagna and a glass of red wine (for the adults, of course). This meal and some conversation around the table simply says "home".

savour... classic comfort

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A few months ago a dear friend of mine told me she had an old settee that she was tossing.  Thankfully, she gave me an opportunity to see it before she did because I instantly loved it.  I could see that the basic shape was going to be lovely when covered in something other than burnt orange vinyl.  I graciously snapped it up and threw it in the back of the jeep.

Coincidently, I had been looking at cowhides online and had a chair that I had considered reupholstering.  After I got the settee home I knew that cowhide was the way to go.  I put my nimble keyboard fingers to work on eBay and won an auction for a beautiful, very large cowhide.  I paid $200 for it.  It was worth every penny.  The hide provided enough material to recover the settee and enough scraps to make a very cool rug (details on that in another post). 

savour... one man's trash

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If you’ve been following along at home, you already know of my love for Mediterranean foods.  Nothing illustrates this more than my addiction to all things pasta.  Living in Italy as a young man I had pasta with nearly every dinner... sometimes as the side, sometimes as the meal (always delicious).

Believe me when I tell you that I have eaten more than my fair share of dried, boxed pasta.  However, there is something so good about homemade pasta.  It has little to do with the taste as far as I am concerned.  I find that pasta mostly tastes like pasta plus whatever you are putting on it.  The texture, on the other hand, is different.  It is still toothsome, but softer, if that makes sense.

Of course, I could be completely wrong.  It might just be the satisfaction of knowing that you made it... with your own hands, with your own stuff, in your own kitchen.  If you are lucky enough to have great kids with an appreciation for food and cooking you get the added bonus of family time.  And that’s a seasoning you can’t buy in a jar.

savour... al dente

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We conclude the July FitFood FitTip series with quinoa stuffed zucchini. This is a fairly simple dish to prepare and it is loaded with goodness. Beyond the texture and slight crunch that the quinoa adds, it also brings a great deal of health benefits.

While there is a noted absence of meat here, there is protein in the quinoa. It is considered one of those "superfoods" as are the almonds in the stuffing.  However, if you are someone who has to eat meat with your meal, use this as a side dish and serve it up with a baked chicken breast.

FitTip

The FitTip for this week may seem a bit obvious, but it is the road block for many trying to manage their body fat/weight and those trying to stay healthy... rest. Our bodies need sleep. For the majority of us leading this modern life, we simply are not getting enough. 8 hours is just about right. This doesn't mean 9 hours one night and 7 the next. It means a routine 8 hours each night.

What you should know:

Most of us don't get past the first couple stages of sleep. The last stages are the most important ones because they contribute to healing, repair, and growth.

When your body is in these repair and growth stages it uses FAT to get its energy. That might be reason enough to get the right kind of sleep.

The best way to get to these last stages of sleep is to go to bed prepared to sleep - relax, stretch, meditate. Calm your mind and turn off the TV at least 30 minutes before you plan to go to sleep.

Get your body used to a healthy routine and stick to it with few exceptions.

Proper rest improves so many aspects of our lives.  Fitness is at the forefront because it, in turn, improves even more aspects of our lives (including overall mood and stress level).  Form the right habits and your body will thank you.  Those around you might thank you, too.

savour... ZZzzzzzzz

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We continue our ice cream themed treat of the week this week with a new flavor.  There are a few more steps to this ice cream than the others we have posted this month, but I promise you it is well worth the effort.  The taste is lightly sweet and tart at once.

During the summer months I seldom drink coffee after breakfast.  The weather keeps me from popping into Starbucks for a warm pick me up.  When I do happen into Starbucks during the summer it is for one thing... passion tea lemonade.  Passion tea is good on its own, but it's made even better when paired with cool, refreshing lemonade.  This is the perfect summer drink.

Here we have translated the tart and fruity flavor of the tea and lemon into the perfect summer ice cream.  The candied lemon peel takes it to the outer limits.  While you could enjoy this without the sauce, I think it adds just the right touch (not to mention, the color is spectacular).

savour... grande delicious

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The subject of today's Artful Nest post is not new, but it might be new to some readers.  For those of you who are not familiar, I would like to introduce you to Detour Design DVD.  This company has been around for some time.  They offer what is sometimes referred to as flatscreen ambient art.  You might just call it cool, modern, graphic art that moves on your TV.

I purchased my first selection from them years ago and I play it every time I have a get-together or dinner party.  It draws attention without stealing it.  I have received compliments every time I play it.  Paired with a little light music (maybe some vintage jazz or Brazilian), it creates an ideal backdrop for cocktails and conversation.

The company currently offers 4 different selections - Wallflowers, Wallflowers 2, Op Art 1, and Modular Moves.  They range from 60-75 minutes running time, but can be set to loop continuously.  Some of the selections are now available on blu-ray disc.  At around $25 this is an excellent way to bring some beauty to your gathering.

Here are a few of the images from the programs.

Get a look at some of the demos here on the Detour DVD website.

savour... artful moves