Dogs, Recipes, and Faceplants!

Hey There!

It's one chilly day here in Jersey City... or so I imagine because I have not dared to venture out of my apartment yet! Brr. I literally went outside ONCE yesterday to let Toby quickly do his business, and  then abruptly escorted him back inside. However, I felt I had an excuse to expedite our excursion as my dog walker warned on Facebook yesterday that the salt they are using here in Jersey City is not dog friendly and it burns their paws :(

This was the post they had up:

"Hugo will like to let Newport know that every store and residential front should use Pet friendly salt. His paws were burning until he could not walk anymore."

SO SAD! I think this is unacceptable as Jersey City is such a dog friendly town. The city should know to lay safe salt on the roads. Apparently the salt on a dogs paws feels like rubbing alcohol in a wound does for us.  OUCH.

Looks like Toby will be getting these sweet little doggie snow socks. Kind of cute, eh? Also, for anyone who lives in Jersey City, I use Tamed Paws for Toby's walks and boarding. I have been using this service for four years, and I couldn't be happier with the way they treat Toby. They pick him up and drop him off for walks and day care, provide pick up and drop off boarding, and over the past four years, I have noticed such an improvement in Toby's obedience skills (he is an ongoing project...).  They provide walks/boarding for  Hoboken and Jersey City residents, and they will travel to Manhattan for boarding requests.  If you want any more info, please let me know or visit their site :) !

Also, for your reading pleasure: Dogs Poop in Alignment with Earth's Magnetic Field. Amazing.

So, I would say dog poop is definitely  a perfect segue into some recipe recommendations, wouldn't you?

The past few days, I have been getting back to cooking and eating my own food! What a concept! PJ and I were talking about how as you get older, it's amazing how much different your body runs on Chinese takeout vs. a homemade meal of chicken, rice, and veggies! Also, not waking up with an MSG induced night sweat is also a plus.

On Thursday, I made this delicious farro salad- recipe courtesy of LynnSwin (aka, MOM). Chef Lynnie has been making this hearty salad for the past few years, and I get excited every time I return home and find a big bowl of it in the fridge. What's not to love? Farro, carmelized veggies, a sweet but tangy dressing? Sign me up.  You can eat this as a side or as a whole meal  if you choose. I had this for dinner Thursday, lunch yesterday, and I will probably have it again for lunch today. I'm also not a big leftovers girl, so the fact that I could eat this for a week and not get sick of it says something, right? Recipe is below. Go make this, now. You will thank me... and I will thank Lynnie :)

FARRO-ROASTED VEGETABLE SALAD

Farro:

1 c farro (**Note** I used quick cooking 10 minute farro)

1 c apple cider

2 c water

2 bay leaves

2 tsp kosher salt, or to taste

 

Roasting Vegetables:

1 fennel bulb, cut into eighths

1 large red onion, cut into eighths

2 large carrots, peeled, sliced into thin sticks

optional: diced butternut squash, parsnips (sliced like carrots)

olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Optional

4-5 sliced scallions

1 c lightly chopped parsley

1/2 c toasted walnuts

Dressing:

In a mason jar combine:

6-8 Tablespoons olive oil

2-3 Tablespoons apple cider

1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

zest of 1/2 lemon

3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar

dash of honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup (if you need a little sweetness)

salt and pepper to taste

Shake well.  Taste.  Adjust acid level to your liking.

In a medium partially covered saucepan, bring farro, apple cider, salt, bay leaves and 2 cups water to a simmer. Simmer until farro is tender and liquid evaporates, about 30 minutes. If all the liquid evaporates before the farro is done, add a little more water. Farro should be chewy. Let farro cool, then discard bay leaves.

Meanwhile, toss roasting vegetables with a few tablespoons of olive oil and salt and pepper.  Place on 1-2 sheet trays (you don’t want too much in one pan or veg. won’t roast, it will steam). Roast in 425 oven for 20-30 minutes, turning once.  You want it caramelized and tender. Remove from oven and let cool.

Combine cooked farro, roasted vegetables, and fresh salad vegetables in large bowl. Toss with desired amount of dressing.  Let sit for an hour before serving. Store extra salad in refrigerator, but let come to room temperature before serving.

Lunch yesterday. Look at that roasted fennel....mmm. Maybe I'll have some for breakfast? Also, judging by the condition of this bowl I think I'll add some dinnerware to our wedding registry. Thoughts?

Last night I kind of made two dinners. I had a piece of salmon that I wanted, but PJ doesn't consider salmon a meat. So I compromised. For myself, I had a carribean jerk salmon with mango avocado salsa. I had forbidden rice on the side which is one of my favorite grains! Essentially, forbidden rice is  black basmati rice, but the consistency to me seems nuttier and almost creamy? I love it.

 They don't sell it everywhere, but I find it at my local health food store.

My  pictures stink today, I know. For PJ, I  made Slow Cooked  Jerk Pork with Caribbean Salsa (see a theme here?). He doesn't love black rice, so I gave him plain ol' brown. The pork was awesome! I found the recipe over at my fave place, skinnytaste. As with all of her recipes, it was easy and delicious. We had a ton of leftovers, some of which I plan on enjoying myself later this evening! I also had enough leftover pork to freeze for another meal. PJ and I both agreed that we would make this again. **Note**The one change I made to the original recipe was that I only marinated the pork for 2 hrs. It suggests 5 hrs or overnight. I would do this next time, however I clearly did not read that part of the recipe until I went to plop the pork in the slow cooker. There is learning in everything, my friends! My mom did always tell me to read all the directions first!

Yesterday during yoga, I was trying to learn a transition where I pick my body up like this ...

And then shoot it through my legs and land in plank pose like you see here.....

I did a lot of this transition... I will post a video of my attempts  in the next couple of days. I was a bit sore yesterday!

However, I did probably do my best scorpion ever! Toes are getting closer to my noggin'! I know, I need to start working on some new poses...

Anyways, time to get on with my Saturday! I hope you are all having a lovely weekend. Stay warm if you are in the Northeast!

Toby says he will be sleeping the day away. Come snug.

xo

Sarah