Comforting and rejuvenating Sunday - plus a Green Smoothie!

Cold Sundays are perfect for comforting and relaxing foods.  Like baked goods.  And risotto.  There's something so creamy and satisfying about risotto that I can't get over.  I secretly like how the onions taste the best -- they soak up the red wine and the starchiness of the rice.  We've been experimenting with cheese, straying away from the traditional Parmagianno Regianno and getting all adventurous with sharp and salty cheddars, or various cheeses made from raw cow's milk. 

 Sundays are also perfect for rejuvenation.  I've been craving smoothies again, after a smoothie-licious summer, my body wants some of that lightness again.  After going to a free yoga class with Andrew I whipped up a couple of mini-smoothies.  I love how they look in the mason jars.  The one that I didn't drink before photographing is a combination of purple kale, a cucumber, a handful of almonds, water, a slice of ginger root, and a pinch of salt.  It was delicious, and I ate it with a spoon.  Perfect for nourishing the inside of my body after I had just nourished the outside of my body with yoga.

 

The other smoothie was a vibrant orange carrot ginger smoothie, with cucumber and walnuts.  I guess I was hungry, because it didn't make it to the photoshoot.  It reminded me of carrot cake, which is my favorite dessert.  Andrew and I even had a wheat free version baked for our wedding and our 1 year anniversary.  So delicious -- as long as there's no coconut!  It's perhaps my saddest allergy.

Speaking of photoshoots, I took some photographs of artwork that I had up at Roots and Tendrils, a lovely gallery in Belfast, Maine.  They're sadly closing, which makes me sad, because they were a rocking place to check out -- between this gallery and the Belfast Co-op, it was totally worth the 3 hour drive from Portland.

 I listed these map drawings in my etsy shop.  I used to draw a lot more, but after challenging myself to draw 50 maps in November (I actually drew 54!), my  mind needed a break from it.  So I turned to another creative outlet for me -- cooking.  Just a little part of why I created this blog.

Purple Kale Smoothie

• 4 leaves of purple kale any sort of kale would do
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1/4 inch slice of ginger
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup almonds
• optional:  1 carrot 

Smoothies are lovely because they are so easy.  Put the ingredients in the blender.  Let it rip, until all is smooth.  Drink, or slurp with a spoon.  Feel cleansed, refreshed, and ready to begin your week!  Purple kale is pretty rocking -- it contains nutrients that help fight diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.  It also helps to protect our brain as we age, according to this article.  Kale also has the super high levels of antioxidants. 

I hope you all had a great weekend filled with relaxation, rejuvenation, and good, comforting food!