Eat, Drink and Be Merry...

But if you're like, probably, 95% of the population you're already starting to have thoughts like "in the new year I'm going to eat healthier" or " I need more vegetables" or even " I want to drop a couple of these pounds that crept on over the holidays".  Well fear not, you can do all those things with this super easy, super healthy, but still super tasty recipe.

You can make many variations on this soup, and use many different vegetables, but I suggest you use this as a base-

2-4 carrots, peeled and sliced crosswise into 1/4 inch pieces

1-2 stalks of celery, also sliced into 1/4 inch pieces

1 medium onion, 1/4 inch dice

1 large can of diced tomatoes

1 sprig of thyme

2 sprigs of rosemary

Several tablespoons of olive oil

2 cloves of garlic

Sauté all ingredients, except the tomatoes over medium heat until beginning to become soft (do not brown.  Add the tomatoes.  Then, add in any other chopped vegetables you have on hand and cover entire thing in plenty of water.  Simmer up to an hour, or until all items are cooked and the flavors are coming out.  Of course, be sure to add salt at each step and taste often.

I used in this batch-

Cauliflower 

Broccoli

Peppers

Purple Kale

Yellow Squash

And one small can of Great White Northern Beans

Now, here's the kicker.  Make a pesto of fresh basil, Parmesan, raw garlic and olive oil.  You can do this with a food processor, or immersion blender or just by hand.  Serve the soup hot and spoon a generous amount of the pesto on top to stir in.

Happy New Year!!!

Grass Fed Beef and Organic Beet Borscht

Menu Suggestions for the week of 11/18

Every week I send my clients a list of usually 8 items to choose there 4 meals from.  They are always allowed to ask for specific items not on the list of suggestions, or to change up what is here.  The list is just to help people make decisions.

Roasted Saffron Organic Cauliflower, Chickpeas and Olives with Cumin Roasted Organic Carrots.  Add Roasted Chicken for a non vegetarian meal.

Organic Three Bean and Corn Chili. (with or without beef.  without is vegan) Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt.  Chopped Red Onion.

Beef and Beet Borscht with a side Cucumber Salad.  Sour Cream and Dill.

Seared Aberdeen Hill Farm Pork Chop with Roasted Organic Garnet Sweet Potato and Garlic Roasted Organic Brussels Sprouts.  Optional side of Grain Mustard Cream Sauce.

Seared Breast of Organic Chicken with Red Wine and Mushroom Sauce with Organic Broccoli

Braised Grass Fed Short Ribs with Organic Carrots and Parmesan Polenta

Seared Mahi Mahi with Organic Tomato and Olive Compote, Organic French Lentil Salad and Seared Organic Baby Bok Choy

Rosemary Roasted Lamb Chop with a Gratin of Organic Local Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Tomato and Parmesan

Hire a Personal Chef!

Hire a personal chef! It'll help your health, your time constraints, and, believe it or not, it can help your bottom line!
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/10/magazine/outsource-your-way-to-success.html?_r=0

Aberdeen Hill Farm Pork Roast with Sage and Apples. Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Roasted Garnet Sweet Potato Spears. Creamy Mustard Sauce. Caramelized Cipollini Onions.

Gingerbread Bread Pudding with Cognac Whipped Cream

Saffron Seafood Stew with Saffron Aioli and Garlic Crutons