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86 The Mayo! Healthy Alternative Sandwich Spreads
Over the last few years, the classic deli sandwich has been through a major overhaul as we strive to create nutritious yet satisfying ways to reinvent this American staple. At the store, as I read the labels on many of these common household condiments, meats and breads, I quickly discovered a plethora of hidden sugars, salt, nitrates, antibiotics and even growth hormones. Bad, bad, 1000 times BAD!
My journey began with the basics, finding reliable sources for high quality bread, cheese and meat. Once I found a healthy source for these, I decided to explore my choices for delicious condiments and greens to create a sandwich that was truly Voovacious!
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Marinated Sashimi & Edamame/Wasabi Spread
This is one of my favorite go-to recipes. I marinate the fish and make the edamame/wasabi spread a day in advance to let the flavors mingle and get friendly with each other. This wonderfully fresh appetizer can be served over sesame crackers, fried wontons, cucumber slices or tucked into endive leaves. You can also make a perfect meal by serving the marinated sashimi over a bed of mâche (lamb’s lettuce) leaves and frisée lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces, accompanied by a few slices of avocado.
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Le Voov! Fruit: Meyer Lemons ? ? ?
We are blessed to have not one, but two Meyer lemon trees in our yard. As the days grow shorter in late autumn, the yellow orbs begin to deepen in color and look like bright seasonal ornaments stealthfully hiding among the deep green foliage. With the passing of each winter day, the lemons grow sweeter, and knowing this makes me feel warm right down to my toes.
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Grandma’s Meyer Lemon Pound Cake ?
My Grandmother was always in the kitchen cooking up something wonderful. As I recall, even the couch in her house smelled like a perfectly pleasant blend of fresh-baked cookies and thick-cut bacon. (I know that sounds weird, but it was absolutely the bees-knees as a kid!)
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Raspberry Ginger Snap
Several decades ago I began exploring the art of infusing various fruit and herbal mixtures with spirits. It started innocently enough with a simple curiosity to find a way to blend the medicinal anti-inflammatory qualities of the ginger root with the anti-oxidants in wild berries. Wah-lah, the Raspberry Ginger Snap was born!
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Lemon Chicken Piccata ? ?
Meyer Lemon Picatta is exquisitely divine and easy to prepare. The light, rich sweetness of the lemon sauce in juxtaposition to the salty capers and deep tones of white sage, make this a Splendiferous ‘comfort meal’ to be shared with friends and family. Serve it with fresh pasta, herb-roasted potatoes or lemon-rice pilaf, accompanied by steamed asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts or try our Rainbow Carrots, Haricot Verts & Caramelized Shallots.
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Parisian Lox & Bagels Brunch
This brunch is our daughter’s very favorite lazy-weekend breakfast. We buy fresh bagels the afternoon prior so we can wake up in the morning ready for a truly pleasurable, relaxed meal. I usually get the variety bagels that have a bit of everything on top, rather than a specific topping like plain or sesame seed. It’s important to locate a good source for Wild-Caught Smoked Salmon (NOT Farmed Salmon) to ensure high quality lox, without the unnatural addition of toxins, anti-biotics, dyes, or growth hormones present. I usually add fresh chopped dill, a bit of cracked black pepper, and freshly squeezed lemon juice to the top of the lox for an extra bit of flavor. The bagels are accompanied by a platter of freshly sliced organic English cucumber, ripe avocado, thinly sliced red onions, lemons, and cilantro with a small bowl of capers.
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Rainbow Carrots, Haricot Verts & Caramelized Shallots
Rainbow carrots bring a marvelous splash of deep, bright color to any meal. The hues of purple, red, deep orange and yellow are complimented perfectly with the bright green verts (French green beans). This colorful, crunchy medley paired with the deep tones of the caramelized shallots and browned butter make for a lovely sidecar to any meal!
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Nut-Butter Berry Banana Smoothie ?
One of my very favorite morning meals is the Nut-Butter Berry Banana Smoothie. (Oh behave yourselves naughty monkeys…!) I refer to this smoothie as ‘B3Z’ (pronounced bee-3-zeeeeh!) since this name includes the word ‘Bee’, and I just love, love, love bees!!! So, I prefer to call it B3Z!
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Shrimp with Endive, Blue Cheese and Fresh-Cut Tomatoes ? ?
We have enjoyed this salad served both as a pre-dinner salad or an entree on a balmy summer night. The tart flavor of the endive is perfectly balanced by the rich, deep tones of blue cheese in this salad delight.
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Corn Cheddar Chowder
Corn Cheddar Chowder is my go-to soup as we transition from the late summer heat of ‘Indian Summer’ to autumn each year. Why? Because this is the ultimate in comfort food, without leaving you feeling like you need a long hibernation after ingesting it. (Though that is never a bad idea…right?)
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Le Voov! Restaurant Review: The Peasant & The Pear ?
The Peasant & The Pear
267 Hartz Ave
Danville, CA 94526 Ph. (925) 820-6611This marvelous restaurant is one of my new favorite East Bay restaurants, Michelin recommended, and a prime example of 5-star dining. Under the guidance of owner Rodney Worth and his wife Natalie, the menu is dynamic, the food is unique in flavor, the ambience is lovely, and the service is impeccable.
A true Danville gem, this restaurant is quaintly hidden in a small plaza, so you may drive right past it without even noticing it. If you access the rear parking lot, it is quite easy to find.
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Rockin’ Raspberry Beauty Smoothie
Embrace a diet rich in every spectrum of the rainbow for an ultimate beauty pick-me-up for your hair, skin and nails. Fruits & vegetables are packed with antioxidants along with other vitamins, nutrients, fiber, and minerals that play a huge role in achieving beauty through optimum health.
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Le Voov! Restaurant Review: Cha Cha Cha’s
Cha Cha Cha’s (Tapas & More)
1801 Haight Street, San Francisco 415 386-7670
After visiting the San Francisco Botanical Garden during the annual ‘Flower Piano’ celebration, we headed over to Cha Cha Cha’s to experience incredible cuisine amid the chaos of blaring Latin music, devotional alters, and abundant laughter. The aromatic Cuban spices hang heavy in the air as the indigo walls of the restaurant envelop one’s senses. The kitchen is bustling with excitement while your stomach and your brain simultaneously define a divine hunger.
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Papaya & Lime Detox Smoothie
With the heat of summer creeping in, I enjoy chilling down after my workout with a fruity, refreshing smoothie. The papaya, mango, banana and lime all contain phyto-nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. This smoothie is packed with vitamins A, B’s and C, which are great for clearing free radicals and lactic acid out of the muscles after a workout. The cucumber, aloe and coconut water have needed electorates and aid in a healthy digestive track. With all these vitamin-packed ingredients blended together, you get a high fiber, anti-inflammatory, immuno-boosting smoothie that will make you feel like a million bucks!
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Le Voov! Restaurant Review: Cafe Capistrano ? ?
Café Capistrano, (Yucatan/Costa Maya) 523 Church St, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 (650) 726-7699
It was raining cats and dogs, but we decided we were going to trust the weather report and headed over to the coast despite the very wet conditions. The forecast was for clear skies by noon. As we approached the western edge of the North American continent, where the Pacific Ocean tickles the charming town of Half Moon Bay, the gentle rain had turned into a deluge. (I’m not complaining. We desperately need rain given the California drought of the last 4-years!)
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Savory Wild Mushroom Soup ? ? ?
I developed this recipe after enjoying a non-cream based mushroom soup at a local restaurant recently. By eliminating the cream, the deep, earthy tones of the various mushrooms are easily detected on the palate. I also decided to use potato to thicken the broth, rather than wheat flour in an effort to make this a gluten free recipe, so our friends with wheat allergies may enjoy this rich, savory soup.
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Le Voov! Fruit: Royal Riviera Pears ? ? ?
Each year, for as long as I can remember, our dear friends *Kathy and John have sent us a lovely box of Royal Riviera pears from Harry & David in Oregon. If you have never experienced this amazingly sweet and juicy pear, it is truly one to savor. (Please see my About page for details regarding *The Sisters)
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