I love leftovers.

Yes I do.

I love leftovers.

How ’bout you?

Okay. I’ll stop now.

I really love leftovers.  But mainly because I repurpose them to be completely new meals.

If you’re cooking for two, like me.  Then you probably end up with leftovers all the time.  I’ve heard tell that some husbands exist that won’t eat leftovers.  In my opinion, those husbands deserve to go hungry.  But thankfully, mine will eat leftovers and eat them gladly.

This doesn’t keep me from being a bit creative with my leftovers from time to time.

When I made salmon the other night, I already had in mind what I wanted to do with the leftover salmon.   The salmon I bought was enough for two.  I cooked half of it for that night’s intended meal and I threw the other half in a baking dish with a bit of salt and pepper.

Perfect for turning into salmon salad later on in the week.

Salmon Salad (serves 2)
The first paragraph can be done days ahead of time, for an easy meal of leftover salmon any night of the week. 

8 ounces wild caught salmon filet
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon dill
1 stalk celery, chopped
3 Tablespoons light mayonnaise
extra salt (to taste)
2 whole wheat buns (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Sprinkle salt and pepper over the salmon.  Grease a small baking dish with oil.  Place fish in the baking dish and put in hot oven.  Cook for 15 minutes. Remove salmon from oven and allow to cool.

Chop salmon coarsely and place in a medium sized bowl.  Add dill, celery, and mayo.    Stir ingredients well to combine.  Taste and add extra salt if desired.

Spoon onto whole wheat buns if desired.

This is such an easy and healthy meal.  Of course, it’s especially easy if you are using the salmon up as leftovers.  You could also sauté the salmon and it would turn out just as great.

I served some roasted broccoli and fennel bulb (with ketchup, of course) on the side.  The whole meal came together quickly and effortlessly.  And I had time for more important things like doing laundry catching up on blog reading.

Catching up? Who am I kidding?

My Google reader has said 1000+ since my honeymoon a year and a half ago.

And that’s all folks.

Happy Saturday night!

1) You always have a camera with you to catch life’s funny little moments and

2) You have a way to keep a historical account of your everyday life

Now that I’ve had an iPhone for several years, the photos that I have taken (and Brad has taken) have turned into a way to look back on some pretty cool memories.

No matter where I am, I can usually find a way to entertain myself and a reason to smile by looking at the photos on my phone.

Some are funny and some are just so random.

Wanna see?

Brad definitely took this photo.  I don’t remember trying to lure a squirrel with leftovers from my lunch.  I can’t believe the little guy got so close!

This is how Rascal and I sleep.  But usually, he has his eyes closed.

Pretty ridiculous, right?

Brad and I couldn’t get over the steepness of this hill in San Francisco.  I just knew our rented Prius was going to flip sideways down the hill when we got out.

The photo just doesn’t do the hill justice.  It was so steep that there were stairs on the sidewalk.

This is how my best friend, Candace, and I preoccupied ourselves waiting for Britney Spears to come out at her concert.

I don’t know what’s more ridiculous: the fact that someone was giving away free kitty litter at our condo or the fact that they felt the need to explain that they didn’t need because they don’t have a cat.

This isn’t funny or random, but I had to include it.  We went a wedding at this church on a cold day in October.  Absolutely gorgeous! Just what a fall wedding should be!

Sometimes we look over and Rascal is sitting like this on the couch.  I. kid. you. not.

He’s the most ridiculous dog ever.

I couldn’t resist sharing this photo.

This is me, (I’m guessing) straight from the bath at my grandmother’s house. As you can see, I’ve attempted to style my towel like a toga.

This is a photo of our church doors, but not on our wedding day.  The day before the wedding, I made the wooden monogram door hangers and snuck over to the church to test them out.

I sent this photo to my mom to get her opinion.

Brad likes to play with his food.

If I had to guess, I would say this is 2008.  We were at a company sponsored happy hour with Brad’s coworkers in Charlotte.

Brad does the, “Look, I can pull my thumb off” trick all. the. time.

Seriously.  He doesn’t know any other tricks.

Halloween (also 2009?)…from the looks of things, I’m guessing it was about 2 a.m.

My friend Erin and I at Oktoberfest in Charlotte.

Yeah.  It was that kind of day.

The kissing shadows are Brad and I.  We were in the quad at UNC Chapel Hill in October 2009.

Are you into taking photos with your phone?
Instagram has made it even more addictive for me!  

But my absolute favorite way to celebrate Valentine’s Day is to cook for the person I love.

I won’t be cooking this Valentine’s Day since we will be out of town.  But lucky for you guys (and lucky for Brad too), I’ve been working on some meals that are good enough for a fancy home-cooked meal, worthy of Valentine’s Day.

This week and next, I’m bringing to you two so incredibly simple, but impressive romantic meals for two.  Your honey will be amazed at your talent.

And you can keep how easy these recipes are all to yourself.

We’ll start with simple and delicious Maple Dijon Salmon. 

On the side, I suggest you make a gorgeous potato dish like Roasted Sweet and Yellow Potatoes with Sage and Parmesan.  

And what could be more fancy (but easy!) than Green Beans Almondine made with French green beans?

So yummy.

So easy.

You didn’t think I forgot dessert, did you?

Death by Chocolate Mousse

So romantic.

Want the recipes?

Check out my Eat My Charlotte blog post on Creative Loafing for all the details.

Holy moly! It’s been waaaaaay too long since I made granola.

How long? It’s been at least since September and maybe even as long ago as last May when I made these crumbly bits of heaven.

Oh granola, I’ve missed your slightly sweet, oaty crunch.

I’m so cheap.  I won’t buy granola unless I have a coupon.  So unless I feel like making it, I just have to do without.

This should last me about 3 1/2 days.

Cherry Almond Granola

2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
2 Tbsp. flax meal (ground flax seeds)
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1/4 cup organic sugar or NuNaturals Stevia Baking Blend*
3/4 cup apple sauce
3/4  tsp. almond extract
1/2 cup raw almonds slivers
1/2 cup dried cherries
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil or canola oil

Combine all dry ingredients: oats, flax, sugar, and salt.  Mix well.  Add apple sauce and extract and stir well. Lastly, add in the almond slivers and cherries, and stir to combine.

Oil a large baking sheet.  Spread granola out as thinly and evenly as possible.  Bake on 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Remove from oven and stir. Bake for an additional 15 minutes.  Remove from oven and stir, breaking apart the large clumps of granola.  Lower heat to 250 degrees and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

*If you love sweet granola, add an additional 2 Tbsp. – 1/4 cup of sugar.  Sweeten to taste by adding a bit, stirring, then tasting and adding more to meet your preference.

This granola is just slightly sweet — just the way you like it.  And you really could adapt it to use any mix-ins that you like.  I’m thinking cacao nibs (stirred in after cooking) would be magical.

You might be wondering what I do with a huge jar of granola in 3 1/2 days.  Meanwhile, I’m thinking what can’t you do with granola?

My absolute favorite thing to do?

Eat it over a big bowl of chocolate cherry bomb.

Well, either that or shove it in my mouth by the handful.

***

Looking for some recipe ideas for Super Bowl Sunday?  Check out my latest SavorNC blog post for some fresh ideas!

***

I’m declaring the month of February to be Healthy Snacking Month.  Every day, during the month of February, I’ll post a different healthy snack on my Foodie Fresh Facebook page. At the end of the month, I’ll post them all in one big post full of healthy snacks!

Follow me on Facebook to see my daily snacking!

We don’t make a huge deal out of Valentine’s Day.  I don’t expect sparkly earrings or anything like that, but we’ve often used it as an excuse to get out of town.  This year we’ll be heading to Nashville for good food and good music.  Brad went once for a business trip and knew I would love it. So he suggested we go there for the weekend.

But, if I were hanging around in Charlotte, there are some Valentine’s Day events that would be right up my alley.  Some of these events aren’t on Valentine’s Day, but they definitely are worth looking into to make your Valentine’s Day more special. And if you don’t live in Charlotte, keep reading.  Some of these are sure to inspire some Valentine’s Day plans in your own city.

Wine and Art Lovers: 

• February 10 – Grand opening of The Glass House at Fabo Cafe.  If you’ve ever admired the art or relaxed with a coffee at Fabo, you’ll be very pleased to know they’re expanding their wine section. More information.
• February 12 – The Last Word in North Charlotte (pictured) – Wine, cheese, and an art class in one.  More information.
• BYOB Painting Classes – Bring your own wine or champagne to one of Charlotte’s locations: The Wine Palette or Painting with a Twist.

Cooking Classes: 

• Feb 4 at 2 pm – BLT in the Ritz Carlton hosts Bon Bons and Bubbily (pictured).  I actually am attending this and can’t wait to share what I’ve learned.  How amazing do those bon bons look? More information.
• Feb 11 – Healthy Home Market Wine & Cheese Tasting is hosting a free wine and cheese tasting – a perfect event if you’re celebrating Vday the Saturday before.  Why not take your date to select some wines and cheeses, then craft the perfect cheese plate for an easy and romantic Valentine’s Day spread?
• Feb 18 at 11 am - Savory Spice Shop is featuring the talents of Chef Michael Bowling as he demos how to make Alderwood Sea Salt Duck Confit with Cracked Pepper Gnocchi.  If you’re waiting until the following Saturday night to celebrate Valentine’s Day, drop by to learn a dish that will impress any Valentine.

Good Food:

If you’re looking for a romantic dinner in Charlotte, look no further…

• Customshop (pictured) offers farm to table meals in a cozy romantic trattoria.  Their wine list is extensive, their food is superb, and their waiters are very knowledgeable.  If they make a recommendation, take it!
• Carpe Diem is a lovely fine dining restaurant with absolutely delicious food.  I had my wedding rehearsal dinner there and it is the location where Brad and I were engaged as well.  But it would be one of my favorite restaurants, even with out the all the sentiments.
• The Fig Tree is definitely a special occasion restaurant.  Set in a beautiful old house in the Elizabeth neighborhood, the fare is elegant and delicious.
• Vivace is an upscale, modern Italian restaurant with an absolute gorgeous view of the Charlotte skyline (ask to be seated upstairs near the balcony)

What are you Valentine’s Day plans? 

Sunday nights are becoming soup night at my house.  It’s a homey way to get in some healthy nutrients after the indulgences of the weekend.  Even better, it makes sure that I am half way to a healthy lunch for at least the two days that follow.

And last night, like so many Sunday nights, I had all the things I needed to make up a delicious pot of hearty steaming soup.  I always pick up what I need on Saturday so I have no excuse to turn to takeout.

I’ve always wanted to make Potato and Leek Soup, a French dish, but thought that cauliflower might be an excellent addition — my take on a classic.  I’ve used cauliflower to make faux mashed potatoes in the past, so why not use them to bump up the nutrition of a potato soup?

In case you haven’t heard, cauliflower has a lot of Vitamin C, plus a good bit of Vitamin K and folate as well.  Plus, it’s so incredibly low in calories.

Here’s basically everything you need to get your soup started.

I chopped up my potatoes and added them, plus my cauliflower, to a big pot of simmering vegetable stock.

I minced the shallot, chopped the leeks, and added them to a hot skillet with a bit of extra virgin olive oil.

Aren’t they gorgeous? They’re so curly, and lovely, and French.

A little more cooking, plus a few herbs and spices and the whole soup was done.  Of course I blended mine for perfectly velvety soup.

Potato, Leek, & Cauliflower Soup (serves 6-8)

8 cups vegetable broth
1 pound yukon potatoes, chopped
12 oz. (3/4 pound) cauliflower, chopped into florets
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large shallot, minced
2 leeks, trimmed and chopped
2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons dried parsley
2 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup skim milk

Bring broth to a simmer in a large pot.  Add potatoes and cauliflower.  Increase heat and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat so that stock continues to boil slightly.  Cook Potatoes and cauliflower for at least 30 minutes total.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a pan.  Add shallots and saute for one minute.  Add leeks and saute, stirring often, until leeks began to brown.

Add the leaks and shallots to the pot.  Add spices and herbs.  Continue cooking until potatoes and cauliflower are very tender and will break up easily with a spoon.  Puree with a blender or food processor.  Add milk and stir.

Serve immediately or allow to cool and store in an air tight container.  

Do you know what went so incredibly well with my soup?

Spinach with pecans and cranberries

Yummmm.  I don’t think I’ve ever loved a green dish quite as much as this dish.

Could it be the addition of butter?

It’s possible…

Spinach with Pecans and Cranberries (serves 1-2)
Yes, one person can eat a whole bag of spinach.  You’ll be amazed at how the spinach cooks down to just a fraction of its size when raw.  

1/2 Tablespoon real butter
4 cups raw baby spinach, tightly packed
1 1/2 Tablespoon chopped pecan pieces
1 1/2 Tablespoon dried cranberries
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary

Heat butter in a large skillet.  Add spinach, stirring often with a spatula, until spinach has wilted to half its size.  Add pecans, cranberries, sugar, salt, and rosemary.  Continue stirring until spinach is completely wilted and reduced to about 1 1/2 cups (eyeball it).

Serve immediately.

Oh. my. stars.

If you don’t like anything green, I dare you to try this.  Of course, how could you not like anything cooked in a bit of butter, sugar, and salt?

Serves two? How about one?

I’ve made this twice in less than 24 hours. That’s two bags of spinach, my friends.

My iron level is wonderful.  Thank you for asking.

And do you know where I turn when I need one (or all) of those things?

Pinterest.

It’s not just for wanderlusts and cataloguing the bathroom you’l never have.

I learn stuff on Pinterest, dang it.  Pinterest inspires me.  Pinterest makes me want to be better person.

It’s corny, but it’s true.

Some of the things people pin on Pinterest resonate so much with me.  It makes me feel a little less alone in the world.

Here are my top 10 favorite.

source: Tina Rolston’s Pinterest board

Because meek and mild women have their place, but I don’t think I’ll ever be one of them.

source: Danielle Bennet’s Pinterest board

Because I have always loved e.e. cummings, but I adore this quote because I’ve had a hard time in life accepting me for me, so I need a reminder every once in a while to keep fighting for who I am.

source: Amber Jackson’s Pinterest board

Because on nights like tonight, when my thighs were so sore from working out yesterday that I had to stop and take a few walking breaks, I need to remind myself of this.

source: Anna Clark’s Pinterest board

Because Audrey Hepburn is my absolute most favorite.  Favorite what, you ask? Well, she’s my favorite everything.  And this is my favorite quote of hers, so it goes without saying why it’s one of my favorite pins.

source: Kayla Croy’s Pinterest board

Because I have a lot of dreams, but it takes a while (i.e. years and years) for them to become goals. I’m terrified of failing at anything.  But at one point, running a marathon was just a dream, so there ya go.

source: Stephanie Warren’s Pinterest board

Because it’s funny, but true. haha.

source: Danielle Bennet’s Pinterest boardsss

Because I have horrible knife skills, therefore, this is definitely what I would look like if I ever attempted to carve a pumpkin.

source: Lindsay Cotter’s Pinterest board 

Because I really do like wine that much (and I know Lindsay does too!)

source: Jennifer Malone’s Pinterest board

Because I laughed out loud when  I saw this pin.  Besides the pea-sized brain, I totally relate to T-Rex.

source: Tina Rolston’s Pinterest board

Because I’m one of those women who can be a little melodramatic, but when it comes down to it, I’m pretty good at pulling myself together in a crisis.

Click here to follow me on Pinterest.

I mentioned two weeks ago that I started The New Rules of Weightlifting for Women and hinted that I might be up for showing progress measurements and photos.

To be perfectly honest, while I love reading about others progress with exercise regimens, I secretly hate the thought of sharing these things for myself. I’m terrified of committing to things, only to fail and have it here for the world to see.

But at the same time, I know that I can complete this program.  It’s basic, only three days a week, and its really what I need right now.  When I did the 30 day shred two months before my wedding during the summer of 2010, I learned that my body responds really well to weightlifting. I’m feeling a little pudgier than usual.  Even though, I did a sugar detox this month, I still feel like I’m eating more than I should and let’s be honest, my sugar detox hasn’t gone exactly 100% according to plan.

I feel the need to take control and do it now.  Everyone has these little peaks and valleys with diet and exercise.  I’m kind of going through a valley right now, but I’m trying my best to start crawling out of it.

I don’t know why I feel the need to say this, but I do.  This is not easy for me.

I’m not crazy about the way I look right now, so sharing full body shots is one of the last things I want to do.

But I’m doing it anyway.  Not just for you guys, but so hopefully so I can come back to this post as a reason to get my tail to the gym, think more mindfully about what I’m eating and drinking, and have a more balanced sense of health.

So here goes…

I admire people who will show their before photos, bathing suit clad.  Well, more power to them, but this girl is keeping her butt covered.

There’s one area of my body that I’ve especially experiences some extra…well, some extra padding…more than usual, that is.

And that area is my stomach.

So for comparison’s sake, here goes.

Okay! Whew.  That’s over.

Don’t I look completely pissed off in these photos?  The way I see it, you have to look pissed off in before photos.  Of course, I’ll be in full makeup beaming in my after photos.

And just to mortify myself just a bit more, here are my “before” measurements:

Waist: 28 1/2 (No wonder my 27 waist jeans are super snug)
Right Thigh: 21 1/2
Left Thigh: 21
Hips: 38
Right Bicep: 10
Left Bicep 10 1/2

There you have it.  So far, I’m five workouts into the program and can already tell a slight difference in my strength.  I’ll update my photos and measurements at the end of each stage and…fingers crossed…we will see a difference.

Wish me luck!

***To follow my day-to-day workouts, “like” Foodie Fresh on Facebook, where I post them daily!

All so very different, but yet very much the same.

All have elements of both savory and sweet.

All have ingredients that offer healthy sources of fat and protein to satisfy your hunger.

All have healthy and delicious ingredients that compliment each other oh-so-well.

All are featured today on Creative Loafing’s Eat My Charlotte.

Click here for the recipe.

Every gal knows the benefit of a little black dress.  We talk about them so often, we can’t even be bothered to spell out little-black-dress, usually referencing LBD for short.

Typically when I hear LBD, I think “cocktail dress”.  But this particular LBD is definitely no cocktail dress.  It’s more of a work appropriate LBD.

When I first ordered it online from a clearance sale at Banana Republic several months ago, I really thought there was more to this dress and was a bit dissappointed when it showed up.

It is very simple.  No frills. No ruffles.  No assymmetry.

But I have been pleasantly surprised at how versatile it is.  It’s easily dressed up or down with the addition of accessories.

AND, as long as I don’t gain a little or lose a lot of weight, I can pretty much wear it until the end of time.

Dress: Banana Republic (similar)
Scarf: Target
Belt: Target
Tights: Banana Republic
Boots: BCBG Max Azaria

Side note: Have you ever worn a scarf like this?  I’ve tried it out a few times, but this was my first time stepping out in public with my scarf through my belt.
Source: Kelly Olexa’s Style Pinboard via scarves.net

Let’s just blame Pinterest for my scarf inspiration (#7).  I’ve also been digging way #10 lately.

Do you have a tried-and-true LBD?
Do you tie your scarves different ways or stick to one method?