"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn" - Elizabeth Lawrence

Ahh, how good it feels to be back in New Orleans just in time for the weather to start changing. I arrived back in U.S. from India a few weeks ago, and boy has it been a hectic time! I am planning to post some pictures and stories from my trip, but not this moment. After all, one of the most important lessons I learned in India, from an extraordinary Tibetan Buddhist Nun, is to be present. It is a simple lesson on the surface, but actually a truly profound message: 

Be present, as the present is your only reality, and the past and the future and simply figments of your imagination. 

So, to exist in the present, I took a personal day to live in the moment and take in the season. In short, I was a lean, mean, pumpkin machine:

Fleur de lis carved pumpkin surrounded by homemade pumpkin goodies, and of course, my personal favorite, Candy Corn!

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Bread, recipe courtesy SkinnyTaste, plus I added walnuts for a little crunch!

Salty Pumpkin Seeds made with olive oil and a dash of salt and pepper for a healthy, savory Fall snack

I am definitely a southern girl, Florida born-and-raised and living in good ol' Louisiana, but I welcome the change in temperature, and of course, the chance to wear boots.

Have a Happy Hump Day!

"Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon." -Doug Larson

I don't talk politics too often, but I'm just going to put it out there: I love Michelle Obama. And hence, I love this campaign. This morning, The New York Times reported the release of MyPlate (above), the new and improved "food pyramid" which is a part of the first lady's anti-obesity campaign. I don't know about you, but when I was growing up, I never memorized the food pyramid. In fact, I've always found it a bit confusing, and therefore, generally chose to ignore it. Now, that's not to say I just ate cake and candy all day (I wish!), but my proportion of grain to protein to fruits and vegetables is surely not always accurate.

Courtesy ThisNext.com

A few years ago, I saw an advertisement for "portion plates" which have strategically placed decorations on them to encourage portion control (right). How great is that? Some of the plates have words on them so as to relieve any confusion at all, but in general, I think it's a brilliant guide to eating healthier.

So, I say congrats to Michelle Obama and the USDA for capitalizing on this simple, yet creative, and hopefully effective method for teaching kids (and adults!) how to properly fuel their bodies. With portion control, healthy foods, and daily exercise, I look forward to our country's improved health and longevity!

For more information on this campaign, visit www.choosemyplate.gov

P.S. Don't you love the quote? SO TRUE. Mmmm Bacon...

"There is no spectacle on earth more appealing than that of a beautiful woman in the act of cooking dinner for someone she loves." — Thomas Wolfe

Probably until yesterday, I would have scoffed at this Thomas Wolfe quote and called it sexist. Today, I still believe that there are many spectacles on earth more appealing than that of a woman in the kitchen, but I can admit that I see his point. I've never really envisioned myself as a future homemaker - instead, often imagining myself in high heels and power suits clicking along the busy city sidewalk to get to my next meeting - but with the time I've had off this past week, I began to dabble in some of those homemaking duties. Cleaning aside, because let's be honest, I find cleaning and organization a stress coping mechanism, I've mostly been doing a lot of cooking!

It started with a grocery shopping fail: stocking up on perishables when I forgot I'd be leaving for vacation. I had all of these delicious ingredients in my house with no time to eat them, so I began cooking for others. Somehow over a few short days, I accomplished a beautifully medium rare roast beef with roasted potatoes, a spring pasta salad, spinach stuffed chicken rollatini with olive oil dressed pasta, and a homemade banana bread. And it all felt great. I definitely value the effort many women put in to making a lovely home for their families, because knowing that you are cooking for someone who is truly appreciative really does feel good. 

Joy of Baking Easy Banana Bread Recipe - It's so easy, I had all the ingredients around the house!

1 cup walnuts or pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped (optional)

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup granulated white sugar

1 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

3 ripe large bananas, mashed well (about 1-1/2 cups)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees; butter (or spray) and flour 9 x 5 x 3 baking pan.

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nuts (toasting optional). In a separate bowl, combine eggs, butter, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract. Lightly fold the wet ingredients in with the dry ingredients. Batter should not be smooth, but thick and chunky. Scrape batter into pan, and bake between 55 and 60 minutes until the bread is golden brown. Test the bread with a toothpick to make sure it is done. Rest pan on a cooling rack, remove bread, and serve! 

I'm going to continue to enjoy my stint as a homemaker before I get back to the grind of school and work. But now I know, I guess I do have a little bit of Betty Crocker meets Desperate Housewife in me after all! 

"The question is not whether we will barbecue, but how we will barbecue." – Joan Borysenko

OK, so the real quote is, "The question is not whether we will die, but how we will live," but NoExcusesBBQ has hilarious barbecue-themed renditions of some of the most famous quotes of all time, and let's be honest, I just couldn't resist!

Yet, the "made-up" Joan Borysenko quote pretty much perfectly applies to last weekend's trip to the annual Hogs for the Cause Barbecue in "City Pork" (aka City Park), New Orleans. The all-day event, a pig-roast, cook-off, fundraiser for pediatric brain cancer, featured 45 teams cooking delicious barbecue and jamming out to live music. Between the two pulled-pork sandwiches, multiple ribs, cole slaw, pork tacos, and ice cold NOLA Blonde beer, I was the happiest kind of full!

Sitting on the lawn with Pulled Pork Sandwich #2 and a Spicy BBQ Rib

Since I'd never seen anything like this before, it was a bit hard to handle all of the full roasted pigs. But, I tried to think of how they were benefiting the children with brain cancer... and my belly... yikes!

People danced, ate, and drank to the live music of New Orleans' staple Soul Rebels Brass Band

And finally, exhausted from the heat and full from the pork and beer, I rested my feet to take a listen to the live music. Never thought I'd own a pair of shoes resembling cowboy boots, but between my new appreciation for southern culture and a sick sale, I couldn't resist these vintage-inspired ankle boots...

May you also be reminiscing about the weekend past, and looking forward to the weekend coming!

"I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food." - W.C. Fields

This weekend, I had the pleasure of hosting a "Chips, Dips, and Party Mix" night in my apartment, and let me say, not only was the theme catchy in its little rhyme, but it was downright delicious. Because we all agreed upon our love for cooking, and subsequently eating, appetizers, each guest brought two dips with complementary dipping "utensils" and a bottle of wine. The night was a success, filled with yummy and creative food, great conversation, and (perhaps?) too much wine. WARNING: Healthy recipes were not required for this event; however, guilt-free-everbody-deserves-a-day-off-indulgence was! Check out some of the highlights of the evening below:

A happy dining room table with dips, chips, and some party mix. Note the pita chips in the foreground: homemade by yours truly! Check out the easy, yet better-than-the-bag recipe from the Food Network HERE. And, in the background, check out Kristen's introduction to Sarita's Pico de Gallo and Queso. Spicy and flavorful, a good representation of Mexican, Cuban, and Latin American cuisine in the big easy.

Lizzy's Homemade Bruschetta with three different kinds of tomatoes, paired with homemade pita chips or toasted garlic bread.

Amy's Summer Corn Dip paired with Frito's Scoops found at Bakin' and Eggs web site. 

Amy's Hot Pizza dip. Rachel: "Ooooh what's in it?" Amy: "You don't want to know!" Perfect.

Meredith's Caramelized Onion Dip and Lizzy's made-up Roasted Tomato and Feta Dip, made with Greek Yogurt. Working on getting the recipe...

Meredith's Homemade Artichoke Hummus, one of the healthier options, paired well with the carrots and celery dipping "utensils" below:

My first sampler of the colorful dips on the table. Don't worry, I went back for much, much more!

With all of the savory options on the table, I decided to provide a sweet-tooth indulgence as well by making a childhood favorite: Muddy Buddies! Recipe HERE or on the back on most cereal boxes. We also had fresh Louisiana strawberries and a yogurt dip for a slightly healthier option.

Looking forward to many more wine... I mean food... I mean girls-nights-in in the future!

"And it's green, green, green, all the happy night and day" - Mary Elizabeth Blake

I like to get into the spirit of holidays, so last year, my roommate and I decided to get "creative" and make a green meal. Usually blogs show you the most beautiful photos of food and meals, but not this one. This experiment was absolutely hilarious, and I think the photo below shows why:

Photo: Rachel DeHayes, St. Patrick's Day Dinner Delight

Yup, those are two plates of all green food. Here's how we accomplished this gastronomic "delight":

• Broccoli - innately green, fail-proof, nutritious and delicious
• Mashed potatoes - instant potatoes was mistake number one, but too much food coloring led to the most unappetizing of colors
• Chicken with Spinach - a) Spinach, also green and nutritious, therefore, success b) Chicken, coated in green-dyed egg and panko, tasted much better than it looks, I promise!

I'd rate the aesthetic appeal of the meal at about a 3, I'd give the taste a 7, and the overall experience a perfect 10! 

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY and a cyber pinch to those not wearing green!

"In New Orleans, gluttony is a way of life" - Morton J. Horwitz

Photo: Rachel DeHayes, Beignets at Cafe Du Monde

Photo: Rachel DeHayes, Roast Beef Debris Po'Boy

There are no two ways about it: family in town = good food. Actually, since this is New Orleans, where "good food" is practically an insult, let me re-phrase: family in town = oh my god I'm so full from ridiculously delicious food that I won't be able to move for hours. 

As important as it is to take in the sites and sounds of this cultural mecca, New Orleans is the kind of city where the food easily drives the planning for the whole day. Though the city offers some of the most creative breakfast meals - Ignatius and Elizabeth's, I'm talking to you! - we decided to take one meal per day to rest our taste buds, and let's be honest, lunch and dinner weren't about to get cut from the list. 

Thanks to suggestions from local friends and a burgeoning knowledge of my new home, here is the complete list of decadent indulgences from this weekend's gluttonous extravaganza:

• Lunch: Port of Call on Esplanade Ave - Some call them hamburgers, I call them "cloudburgers." And don't even get me started on the baked potato...
• Happy Hour: The Columns on St. Charles Ave - As classy as it is reasonable, with $2 drink specials and a live Jazz trio set in a Plantation-style home turned hotel
• Dinner: Dante's Kitchen on Dante Street - Hands down, best meal of the weekend thanks to homestyle cooking with plenty of Louisiana flair
• Lunch II: Joey K's on Magazine Street - Crusty, juicy Roast Beef Debris Po'Boys, trust me, far more delicious than it sounds
• Snack: Cafe Du Monde on Decatur Street - The one and only place to indulge in fresh beignets and cafe au lait, but beware of flying powered sugar!
• Happy Hour II: Pat O'Briens on St. Peter Street - Tall, strong Hurricanes with a side of dueling pianos
• Dinner II: Pascale's Manale on Napoleon Ave - A recommendation from my grandpa and a don't miss for the barbecued shrimp - paper bib and all!
• Lunch III: Cafe Rani on Magazine Street - Redfish Po'Boy and weekend brunch specials out on the sunny courtyard with live music

If you're exhausted from reading that list, just think about my full tummy! But no complaints here, I'm happy to indulge for the weekend. Check back this week for more updates on the rest of my weekend as a tourist. But for now, I've got leftovers calling my name...