What to do...

Since begin back, I haven’t quite decided what to do with this blog…

I am not going to stop altogether, I mean I have put so much work into this thus far!, but I cannot continue to go on blogging as much as I have… or so I think…

For those of you who don’t blog, it takes A LOT of time… A LOT!

SO, for my piece of mind, I am going to try and do my best to post interesting feats about the cookbook and other fun—ny endeavors Pegs and I get into here in Manhattan Beach.

Just because we don’t have the ambiance of a quaint mountain town doesn’t make this any less precious. I promise.

Megs and Pegs will still be doing lots of cooking, lots of writing, and lots of shenanigans—we are back in action… just at home!

The Original Family Dinner

Today began with the usual Sunday breakfast in the Curry Farms family nook. Annie was in town for soccer with two of her friends (Annie—yup, she also has a friend named Annie—and Hayley—just as cool) and Sam came off her bluff to greet ME*; with almost the whole gang there.

Pegs made the original pancake, waffle, eggs, hashbrowns, and sausage breakfast. After we finished, Annie, her friends, and Pegs all went to USC to watch UCSB dominate USC’s girls club team (minus “our” Annie playing).

For Sam and Me, it was another veg-day.

Slowly as the day progressed everyone came back to the house: Dad returned from a weekend playing tennis with the boys in Palm Springs; Alex got back from Oktoberfest in Lake Arrowhead; cousin Emily graced us with her presence while recovering from the night before, and Annie and Pegs made it back from the ghetto safe and sound!

We had the whole gang, plus two fine men (Jeff and Derek), for BBQ burgers. It was the perfect welcome home party :)

Long Ways Home

Friday-Saturday 10/14-15:

The Megs and Pegs mountain adventure had to end at some point, and unfortunately today was the day. Friday the 14^th we began our long drive home. We left at 630am and got into Zion National Park around 330pm.

I drove the first 9 hours and Pegs not quite 2.

We attempted to hike around when we got into Zion. However, after driving through a freakishly small dark tunnel and my camera dying Pegs and I decided we should continue journeying on to Vegas.

I drove the following 3hrs it took from Zion to Las Vegas where we ate at a delicious vegan, vegetarian, non-vegetarian restaurant called Red Velvet Café. Pegs and I shared vegetable curry, chopped salad, and veggie stir-fry.

After we finished eating, I started feeling sick… not fun. Pegs and I then went to Melissa’s house where we spent the night.

In the morning, I woke up feeling even worse than the night before. All the driving really took a toll on me. So after taking Melissa to breakfast, Pegs and I promptly hit the road.

I drove the first 2 hours to Barstow (cruuuuising) and Pegs did the last 2-hour leg to Manhattan Beach.

By the time we got home, I was beat. I posted up on the couch and vegged until I went to sleep.

I cannot believe we are home and that our time in Steamboat has come and gone. It feels like yesterday Pegs and I were flying out there. Now we are home with a great foundation to finish our project!!

I'm an Adaptatarian

I finally broke my pescatarianism…

The Allen’s had Pegs and I over for an Elk dinner tonight. If I were going to eat red meat again (which it had been over 6 months), this would be it. Both Tom and Kris caught their Elks with bow and arrow locally in Steamboat. Robin made double-baked potatoes while Todd grilled onions, asparagus, and PORTABELLOS—yumMmM. We laughed, Pegs cried, and she almost peed her pants while watching our one and only favorite show, Modern Family. To make the night even sweeter, Robin baked her famous chocolate chip pan cookies (Gluten Free :). It was a scrumptiously fun farewell dinner.

Although I made my own rules the entire time I was not eating land-meat, it was nice while it lasted. This does not mean I will continue to eat meat with feet, just that I now have to call myself an Adaptatarian ;)

*I adapt to what my body wants, listening to its needs... My body rules yO!

Rainy Daze

It was a gloomy here in Steamboat today, which was nice because it kept us busy working inside (upsetting because it was raining—and cold).

Pegs and I made a lot of progress on the book. I have been reading Maria Rodale’s Organic Manifesto, which has been inspirational. Maria’s way of viewing our current food crisis evokes honesty and a need for change with our nations skewed reality. I highly recommend anyone and everyone to read it!

After a long and successful day, Pegs and I went on a date to Harwigs ~ L'Apogee / Grill. Our dinner was delicious, with the most flavorful abalone mushrooms and Turkish style octopus. We have concluded that our new favorite wine is a Riesling for its “fun” crisp flavor. Our absolute favorite was Willamette Valley Vineyards Riesling ‘09 at Café Diva the other night (it sparked our love affair). Pegs and I are definitely going to buy a case of this when we get back to California… and we usually don’t even like or drink wine!

Final Countdown

Pegs and I woke up feeling extra tried this morning. Either going to bed late is getting to us, or the idea of having to leave this town in becoming such a reality it is draining all our energy… maybe both!?

Anywho, after our morning class at the club we headed home to work...

Pegs and I have finally gotten the book to a great place, and we are confident in our progress. We really only have 2 more days to work on the book before we have to start packing up, so it was important for us to see our accomplishment.

I am still shocked at how quickly these weeks flew by. I know they say “time flies when you are having fun”, but this is a whole new sense of it! (Granted we have the book and this blog for confirmation)

I hope the weather stays as nice as it has been the past two days so we can fully appreciate the mountains and their glory!

**for dinner I made us a Niçoise salad**

The Last Supper

Today marks the last Sunday Pegs and Megs will be in Steamboat, unbelievable... So in continuing our tradition, we had the neighbors + Kathy + Bridgette & her son Jack over for our last family dinner. Everyone brought a dish and it truly was a magnificent feast.

Pegs and I made yellow rice, salad, and used the crabapple sauce we made earlier this week for the chicken. Betsy and Herb made thanksgiving style baked sweet potato and squash mash, chocolate cake, and hot apple cider. Amanda made broccoli with almonds, and Bridgette & Jack brought bread with the most delicious homemade tomato bruschetta sauce.

Before Pegs and I started cooking, we went on a long hike up Spring Creek with Amanda, Kathy, Val and Sam. It was as picturesque as ever!

Everyone showed up around 6 and all the dishes came together brilliantly! We all sat around and enjoyed the simple pleasure of eating a nice family meal together.

A few hours later, and stuffed to the brim, everyone began to disperse. It was decided that when we return we are going to continue the tradition, but make it outdoors/BBQ style! I can only imagine the crowd we will assemble!!

At-one-ment

Pegs and I were pleasantly surprised when we woke up this morning to Steamboat’s first real snow day! It snowed a day or two ago, but it never really stuck to the ground. So we opened the curtains and joyfully watched the snow pile up in the front garden. While enjoying the weather in bed, we practiced meditating.

Once we finished our silent prayers, we then bundled up and headed to temple to repent our sins with the Jews of Steamboat.

Peg and I arrived at the temple a little late (no surprise) due to our private prayer session this morning, but got there right before the rabbi started Peg’s favorite part of the service.

Last night the rabbi had everyone write down a “confession” to share anonymously with the congregation about a sin they have committed to themselves, to their family/friends, to our planet earth, and to God. We shared our personal confessions the night before, and had planned to share the rest today. Pegs loved this.

The special facet about this exercise was recognizing another persons’ sin as your own. If no one had shared it aloud it might never have come up in your prayers.

Later on in the service, I had my first Aliyah during the Torah reading. The rabbi called up any person who went through a milestone this year, and having just graduated Pegs insisted I go up for this Mitzvah. It was a very special moment ending a very special Jew-year for me—having gone on my Birthright to Israel earlier this year, being named by the Jews Me’ira (which means “to shine”), getting Bat-Mitzvah’d at the Western Wall, and finally beginning to understand my religious heritage.

When temple finished, Pegs and I headed home to spend the rest of the day reading, cooking, and laying in bed. We had decided earlier we would properly break fast for ourselves in a gluten free zone; although it would not be with a group of family or friends, it was a very peaceful and rewarding experience for us both.

I am incredibly blessed to have been able to experience this High Holiday with my mom in such an intimate setting. The temple, the service, and all the people we met along the way were beyond encouraging and supportive of our current endeavors.

L’Chaim!

Yom Kippur

Tonight was the beginning of Yom Kippur, the Jew* holiday for repenting sins, and today was the perfect foundation.

*I say "Jew" instead of "Jewish" because we are not Jew-"ish", but Jews (I picked this up on Birthright when we discussed American-Jews)

Before starting my day I meditated for the very first time. Meditation is something I have wanted to try for a long time, and now was the time. Every morning Pegs and I read her daily word, and today’s word was “Now” (I would say “ironic”, but if I have learned anything while being here it is that everything happens as it should).

After meditating, Pegs and I got into a long conversation about life and living in the present. I read a quote last night from the Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, answered:

"Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."

This really spoke to me. Since being in Steamboat, Pegs has made a point to appreciate everyday and what it has to offer. From the changing of leaves to the drop in temperature, she just cannot get enough! Her enthusiasm for living in the present has made me realize how often I do not. Whether it is thinking about what was accomplished yesterday or that we are leaving so soon, I very seldom take the time to relish in the “now”. Like any skill, this requires practice.

My intention for the New Jew Year is to actively acknowledge the present; and in doing so, live life to the fullest!

Proper Nourishment

I woke up today feeling a lot better, and was determined to make-it-up to myself by properly nourishing my body. I drank a lot of tea and water, and ate two simple meals.

For breakfast I wanted something warming (since the weather has dropped significantly), so in changing up the normal Oatmeal I made creamed quinoa. My recipe made enough for 1 serving:

¼ C Quinoa

¾ C Coconut milk

½ Apple, cubed

1 TBSP Cinnamon

** If you want sweetener, add 1 TSP of honey or agave after it has cooked **

I added all the ingredients into a small pot. I brought it to a boil, and then simmered on low for 15 minutes. I let it sit for 5 minutes before enjoying.

This is a great meal for a cold morning, if you are not feeling well, or love cinnamon and apples!

For dinner, Pegs and I had some roasted pumpkin squash, yellow squash, red onion, and beet salad. We cut up the veggies and roasted them for 45 minutes at 350° for perfection. To keep the dressing simple, all we did was squeeze some lemon juice with olive oil and mixed together.

Both simple, nourishing, and satisfying meals :)

Sugar + Detox = TOXIC

^the culprit^

When you detox, there is always the possibility you won’t properly ease food back into your system... And that is what I did today… And let me tell you, it is NOT pretty!

I had been planning to make granola for my friends and finally got around to it. Over the course of mixing and cooking all the ingredients, I grazed. I picked out some of the delicious coconut shreds, pecans, licking the honey that dripped, what ever I desired.

After I put the granola into the oven, I decided to make some of Pegs “hippie” cookies to send to my friends as well. That too I unconsciously grazed over!

Having not eaten sugar, or anything really for that matter, the past two days I shocked my system.

I started getting nauseous when Pegs and I had finished dinner. Pegs badgered me asking if I had eaten a lot of the granola, and I insisted no! My body was saying otherwise.

That bit of grazing took a serious toll on me. By the time I got into bed, I was back out, and in the bathroom… no bueno

So for those of you who are attempting to do this detox, take this as fair warning. Do not let my foolish mistake happen to you!!

DETOX

Along with fun comes drinking, and that we did this weekend. So for the past two days I have been “cleansing” myself with a modified version of the Master Cleanse.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Master Cleanse, it is a fairly simple concoction. The ingredients are roughly:

-1 freshly juiced lemon

-1 TSP 100% organic Maple Syrup

-A pinch of Cayenne pepper

*all mixed into a Liter or so of water.

I have modified this cleanse by allowing myself to eat blanched broccoli and chard for an early dinner. Since these veggies are natural detoxifiers, it won’t affect my results of this cleanse. (It also makes it way easier for me to execute!) I usually do this for 1-3 days. After this "fasting" I slowly reintroduce more veggies, fruits, grains, and then proteins back into my body over the following day or two.

If you have had a long weekend, are feeling yucky, or just want to feel refreshed… I recommend this modified cleanse! It is very good for your body, liver, and overall health!!

Papa Curry Rocked the 'Boat

The fun has left the ‘Boat along with Papa C. It was so nice having him around and just playing all weekend; however, it made Pegs and I realize the amount of work that needs to be done on this book!

I cannot believe it has already been over a month since we first got here. Now, with only 10 days left until our departure back to Manhattan Beach, we are feeling the pressure.

Don’t get me wrong, we have done A LOT already. But we have set high expectations for where we want to be with this book before leaving!

For the next week or so we are going to be strictly business. Luckily (for now and the sake of the book) the weather is finally cooling off and fall has arrived! This should keep us in doors for the coming days… hopefully!

*until next time*

House Party!

When I got home from my run in the morning, Pegs was making lemon pancakes and eggs for my dad after church.

After we finished eating, I began cooking for our dinner party. Pegs had invited everyone from our dinner last Sunday along with 9 other people; it was going to be a full house. So in order to prepare (and a primary rule of cooking), Pegs and I started early.

I was making another hummus dip for our potluck, Pegs was making another salad and told Amanda she could cook her BBQ chicken. Additionally, Amanda brought a tossed caprese salad. Betsy and Herb brought kale chips. Lori and Danny brought Antelope steak and a quinoa salad. Kathy brought a broccoli dish. Sarah and Scott brought wine and beer. And for dessert, Pegs made banana bread and I made another fruit crisp—this time adding a peach and pear with the apples from our tree.

After the salad was prepped and the crisp was done, Pegs and I took dad on a bike ride down River Road. We had only been on the road for ten minutes when it started to rain. Being very familiar with Colorado weather, and no shelter in sight, I headed back home solo. Five minutes later, the rain turned into hail. All of us laughed.

By the time Pegs and dad got home, the clouds had passed and I had started to make the hummus. Everyone arrived around 6 and stayed until 9. It was another successful Sunday night dinner… but this time a party!

Seasonal Fruit Crisp

In the past few days I have made three crisps, and I’m starting to think of myself as the “Crisp Queen.” So I felt it was appropriate to share with you how simple and delicious it is to make one!

Ingredients:

¾ C baking flour

¼ C coconut flour

1 C Oats

¾ C brown sugar

2 TBLS cinnamon

1 stick of butter

*Seasonal fruit: enough to fill a Pyrex dish half way (approx. 6-8 apples)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Measure and mix all dry ingredients in a bowl.

Next, thinly slice apples (or other desired fruit) and layer in a Pyrex dish leaving enough room for the crisp topping.

Lightly sprinkle dry ingredients onto of fruit slices. Then place in oven for 40-45 minutes. And WHA-LAA—easy peasy scrumptious crisp!!

Mandell Lakes Hike

After Kathy, Sam, Pegs, and my failed attempt to complete our Ute-Heart Lake hike, we all were seeking redemption. So the four of us plus Dad, Sam’s wife Val, Robin, and her husband Todd all attempted another hike today that Kathy found… We should have known better… ;)

Although the forecast warned this weekend would bring thunderstorms, the morning conditions in Steamboat showed nothing of the sort. So at 9am sharp, the consistently punctual Allen’s arrived at our door to take us never-so-punctual Curry’s to Yampa.

Lucky for the Curry’s, Sam is similarly on our time. However, getting a ride with Robin & Todd, we waited enough time for all of us to use the restrooms and get in a good stretch at the designated meeting point (Antlers Cafe) before Sam arrived with Val, Kathy, and their dogs.

“Assumingly” way past half-way into the hike, the clouds released a chillingly pleasant hailstorm. With three of us ill prepared (forgetting rain coats), we all sought cover under a grove of pine trees just off the trail.

What began as a ten-minute pause to wait out the storm, slowly transformed into our hiking destination. After two “ten more minute” waiting periods, Todd started a fire and we all broke into our lunches.

Now many would think this would have been a worse case scenario… yet we are not many (except for maybe Val’s Chihuahua Pippy). Making light of our current situation, we determined we had made a solid dent into the trail and were confident in our decision to head back to Antlers for beer.

We were easily the loudest group at Antlers for the following hour laughing and continuing to share stories, even with a group of 15+ bikers.

But day didn’t end there… We continued the party back at our house with pizzas and beers with Robin and Todd before Jacuzzing at Kathy’s. Glorious day :)

Papa Curry in the 'Boat

DAD IS "HOME"!!! After our morning club routine, Pegs & I drove to Hayden airport to pick up our man of the hour (well, weekend really)! It was another beautiful day, with the sun shinning.

When we got back to the house, we made some brunch before tending to the yard. Dad cleared the brush and pruned the trees, as Pegs weeded the garden and I picked the crab apples. We were quite the sight for family bonding.

*helping dad prune the crab apple tree*

Once outside became a tidier place, and deserving a break, we all went for a bike ride. Pegs and I chose our favorite route to show dad all of autumns’ glory; and his timing could not have been better! The trees lining the bike path were peaking, and the mountains looked like a rust, orange, and yellow Monet.

*re-u-nited and it feels so goOod*

*the happy couple*

We then headed home to prepare our dinner with the Allen’s. Pegs & I made chicken and halibut fajitas with a zucchini hash and an apple crisp for dessert. It was a satisfying day to say the least!

*rainbow colored Bell Peppers for the Fajitas*

*Halibut Fajitas*

*Chicken Fajitas*

Tashlikh

Not enough of our day...
....working in the garden

L'Shanah Tovah

Tonight marks the beginning of the new Jewish year, Rosh Hashanah. And after a long day of working on the book, Pegs & I decided to make a celebratory meal for the high holidays! We lit-up the Shabbat candles, said our prayers, and graced our pallets with this delectable dish you should try for yourself :)

Wild Rice Pilaf

Ingredients:

½ C Sprouted Brown rice

¼ C Wild rice

*For faster cooking time:

- ½ C Basmati rice

- ¼ C quick cooking Wild rice

6-8 Shiitake mushrooms

½ of a Yellow onion

2-3 cloves of Garlic

2-3 pieces of Celery

1 bunch of Parsley

2 TBLS Olive oil

1 ½ Vegetable (or chicken) broth

Start by prepping your ingredients. Slice the onion, celery, and shiitakes in half and then chop into smaller pieces. Continue by dicing the parsley and garlic.

Pour the olive oil into a medium sized pot, and then add the rest of your prepped ingredients with the rice. After you mix it all together, add a pinch of Salt & Pepper with the vegetable broth to bring it to a boil.

Once it boils, place on a low heat to simmer. Leave the rice covered for about 50 minutes (with Sprouted/wild rice) or 20 minutes (with Basmati/quick rice) for it to absorb all the liquids.

We enjoyed the rice with roasted chicken, squash, asparagus, and a salad. Delish!

Busy Bodies

Today was what I would call a successful business day. I finished organizing all 120+ recipes that will prospectively go into the book and Pegs finished her introduction! This task was not easy for me, seeing as Pegs’ form of computer document “organization,” is well… not organized. So I was very pleased it only took me two days to find them!!

For our mid-day break, Pegs & I did a never-ending hike that conveniently is located right here in Steamboat! What Pegs informed me would only be an hour hike, unknowingly turned into two (which I did not mind en route, until we got to the car and my stomach growled with me for having forgotten lunch).

I believe it was because our company was delightfully entertaining! Kathy and her daughter Sara guided Pegs & I as we hiked up to the first waterfall at Fish Creek Falls. The scenery was beautiful with autumn peaking.

Now I must admit, this term “peaking” has fueled quite a debate the past weeks here in Steamboat. For those of you unacquainted with the fall season, the “peak” of fall can be open to interpretation. Whether you are talking about tree leaves color, how colorful they are, which color they are, etc. it all can be defined by personal preference. However, Sara provided an excellent definition I feel could satisfy the majority of these interpretations:

“When the leaves will not get any brighter than they currently are.” Simplistic.

If you never have had the chance to see the peak of fall, I suggest you take a trip to Colorado, or any other place that has seasons, and bask in nature’s beauty!

* Sara, Kathy, and Me *
...Hiking along

* The First Waterfall *