food, food :: FOOD

I think I should have a food shop rather than clothing and accessories... I tell you, it's a real passion. I'm sure it stems from my mom, she has always been such a great cook and really obsessed with recipes and cooking and baking... all that! But what a great thing to pass onto her girls, both my sister and myself and crazy about cooking too! And when I became macrobiotic almost 20 years ago, she was right there into it as well. Although we are no longer macrobiotic that kind of cooking never leaves you - so we all look out for healthy recipes. My niece recently graduated from a Vegan cooking school (I'm spending the Holidays with her so more on that later for sure!), my mom is So proud of her! So my moms love for food and cooking has really gained strength through our families.

I have passed on many recipes to you from my mom, macrobiotics and just darn good food. I get a lot of inspiration from cookbooks, Martha Stewart, Bon Appétit, and pinterest - you can follow me on pinterest and I have a really good recipe board! I also find some great blogs from time to time, like this one: What's Cooking Good Looking - I have made many of her recipes and her photos... amazing!! I will be making this coconut rice pudding with roasted cherries  and Zatar roasted butternut squash and chickpeas for my family during the holidays.

When I go on vacation with my family we spend the whole time in the kitchen! (I'm lucky my sister has a BIG kitchen) we have so much fun and laugh and make good food, to me that's what the Holidays is all about - well a good present here and there doesn't hurt either - haha! I don't know if you have figured this out yet but I use my blog as a memory bank for myself... if I need to remember it, bookmark it, keep a website in my mind, I write a blog! This is one of those... remember, What's Cooking Good Looking!

NEW :: Lucky Fish just arrived!

Just in time to get yourself something for the Holiday season... and the Edible Schoolyard Tea Towels make the best hostess gift for just about everyone on your list!

clockwise from top left: womens t's, rebecca atwood candle, les fleus d'bach flower essences, pink bird pillow, edible schoolyard tea towels, circus horse canvas bag, oilio e osso lip and body balms

The Womens T's are some of my favorites! I love these and want every one of them (but I'll let you go first!)

moon phases T

circus horse baseball t

close-up of the tea towels

brighten up any kids room! or any room! mi amor linen pillow

clockwise from top left: lucky elephant pillow. clare vivier grande pouchette natural leather w/neon stripe, lucky fish edible schoolyard tea towel, les fleur d'bach essences, lucky fish circus horse tote, wovenplay feather headband, olio e osso lip balm (in tints or plain)

(these new items are not included in the sale but all other past collections of Lucky Fish are included!)

get your Lucky Fish ON!

Holiday Shop!

Pleaee come to our Holiday Shop event this Wednesday, December 17 :: 4-7pm

At the shop in Matunuck

2717A commodore perry hwy

see you there!!

take 25% off!!

It's official... we are clearing out for the Holidays - This year, in stead of after the Holidays SALE we decided to give it all to you now! So take 25% off of EVERYTHING - get it while you can!

use code: 'merrymerry'
for 25% off everything!

Happy Holidays!

love - nonchalantmom

shop here

Projects Abroad

Ever wonder what you are going to do when your kids go off to school? I have a few friends/family who are in this situation and although I am not actually IN the situation, I have thought about it and I would love to volunteer abroad. Today I received an email from this organization, Projects Abroad and I think it looks amazing! This image is compelling enough for me to join... oops, I have to wait a few years I guess since my kids are in grade school.

Projects Abroad is an organization that places people together with their skills and facilitates your travels. They predominately work with kids out of high school and their gap-year but there is also a place for people like us older folks who want to help too.

You can choose your destination, length of stay and they will match up with your skills. It sounds like an amazing organization and who knows... maybe we will meet each other out there one day! It's a big world let's go help those in need.

Projects Abroad

Astragalus for your immune system

dried Astragalus root

Each year at this time I have a have a problem keeping up my immune system. Each year I try something new, dry brushing, oil pulling, etc... they all help and I really have had benefits from all but I have a problem keeping up on each, I do both dry brushing and oil pulling but not on a regular basis. SO, on a recent trip to our local co-op I found these pieces of dried Astragalus root I was sure I had found my new immune system booster.

I have always given my kids Astragalus,  apparently it's easier on the stomach than Echinacea so it's easier for kids (and frequently comes in drop form without alcohol). It's also easier because it's effects don't diminish after seven days as happens with Echinacea. Both of these have always been very helpful with a variety of ailments for our family, we never use over the counter.

I simply put a 1 inch piece in my tea a few times a day, if I'm not feeling well, if I am 100% then I just take it in my morning hot water and lemon. There is very little flavor so you will hardly notice but the effects are really great.

The woman at the health food store said that she puts it in her soups and stews! (great idea but I haven't tried it yet) and another friend just chews on it! Any way you use it I think it's a great thing to give a try... it's natural, unprocessed and it really works! If you can't find it in your local store drop me an email and I would be happy to send you some!

Astragalus for health!

My moms cardamom bread

This recipe is so easy - even I can do it! I never really make bread, something about working with yeast.. Freaks me out a bit. But this recipe is so easy that I can overcome the fear of yeast. It's perfect for a snowy day activity, or in the case today .. A rainy day - I like anything that has the oven on a bit to keep our house cozy!

Cardamom Braids

2/3 cup butter

2 cups milk

2 tablespoons active dry yeast

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp ground cardamom

1 egg

6 1/4 cups flour

Melt butter add milk and heat to 115 degrees. Put yeast in the bottom of a large bowl and add a little of the milk mixture and stir until dissolved. Add the remaining ingredients, but only 3 1/4 cups of the flour. Knead the dough until its shiny and elastic. Knead in the remaining flour by hand (save some if the flour for later). Knead until dough no longer sticks to the side of the bowl. Sprinkle with flour and cover with a cloth and let rise for 30-40 minutes. 

Knead the dough again on a lightly floured surface until it's smith and elastic. Cut into three equal parts, then divide each piece into three pieces and roll/knead into smooth even ropes and braid them. Place the braid with enough room to double in size on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and covered with cloth and let rise until it's doubled in size (about 40 minutes). 

Brush with a beaten egg and sprinkle with almonds and pearl sugar and bake in a 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes. 

TaDA!

all jewelry on SALE :: 25% off!

If you are on the fence about any of these pieces now is the time!!
J E W E L R Y   S A L E

use code: 'winterjewels'
at checkout and take 25% off all jewelry!!

Melissa Joy Manning
Robin Mollicone
Takara
Margaret Solow

ends monday 12/8/14

Getting to The Nutcracker

This looks like a great movie for your young dancer - lovely how nice it is to be a part of a larger project - Happy Holidays!

It's playing at our local art center (Jamestown Art Center - December 4th at 7pm)
find out where it's playing near you!

UPDATE :: we watched this last night and it's FANTASTIC! If you have the chance don't miss it to watch these talented kids and their determination - such a good lesson for any child