Take THAT USDA Food Pyramid.

Yeah. So I have issues with the USDA. And the FDA. Remember that pyramid you were taught in school? The one with grains on the very bottom? Well, grain shouldn't be there. Fresh fruits and veggies should.

My good friend, Emily, is a genius. She has discovered green smoothies and has passed on the wonder to me. The basic point of drinking them is to get as many raw, green, leafy veggies into your body as possible. Don't worry, you add enough fruit to it to make it taste delish. It is working wonders for my skin, energy level, and cravings for junk food. In fact, I have cut sugar completely out of my diet. And I don't feel deprived. I crave good food. And that? Feels amazing.

Anyhoodle, here's the one we (Ava and I) made this morning (best breakfast ever):


Two huge handfuls of spinach and about 7 little baby bok choys

About a TBS of flax

An apple and some mango (sometimes a little stevia)

Some mixed, frozen berries

Blend and enjoy. Yum.

Even she likes it (I love how she knows she needs to make a face when the camera is out. Now I just need to teach her to smile).

And here's the official Green Smoothie Girl to give you the basics.

Wherein I profess my love for Costco and Costco replies, "it's about freaking time"

I think I have a mental issue. I kind of maybe possibly become emotionally attached to the personality of stores where I shop and feel like I have relationships with them (remember IKEA?). "But Tiffany, stores don't have personalities." To you, I say, whatevs. Stores totes have personalities and I will tell you about them.

Walmart? Walmart is annoying, trashy, full of junk and enables America's ridiculous eating and dressing habits (not that I feel strongly about this topic). Walmart IS Mountain Dew and cigarettes with dark roots growing in. Occasionally you thank Walmart for having the lowest price on the glider you want for your babe's nursery but then it turns out that the glider kind of sucks and you end up cursing them in the end anyway.

Target? Target was cool before Target knew it was cool. Target is a little too much on the red but overall hip, chic, and like an old friend you always enjoy but with whom you maybe spend too much money. For me, Target is actually an old friend I enjoy because I walked her aisles many-a-time right after I had Ava and just wanted to go somewhere by myself.

Meijer? Meijer is the original Super Walmart but with a soul and quality food and great shoppers and basically Meijer is Walmart's older, cooler cousin who's in college. And they also have an abfab gluten free section so we're pretty much besties.

And here we have my real crush of a store - Costco. The co of cost. My love for Costco has been restrained because I ALWAYS spend too much money there buying things that aren't. on. the list. and I leave feeling a smidge violated.

until today.

Today I conquered Costco's smolder and only bought the things on my list. Huzzah! and cheerio! and throw in an 'ello gov'na! So now I can TOTES love on Costco like I have always wanted. Costco is super hip, delicious, and always full of surprises. It also helps that I hit it right at "event time" (i.e. taste testing time) and indulged in some delish chocolate ice cream, sweet potato fries, and dark chocolate covered blueberries.

Guys, I love Costco and I don't care who knows it.

Just don't buy the condiments. You'll never get through them. And if you do get through a jar of mayo THAT BIG, you're going to feel super fat.

Kitchen fun

So my mom got me this butter crock for Christmas. I was a teensy skeptical but it turns out this thing is awesome. It uses water to make a seal so that your butter stays fresh and spreadable at room temp. Genius. Thanks, momma!



Also. In an effort to eat 80% less meat at our house (for health, economic, and moral reasons) I am furiously searching for delicious, easy-on-the-wallet, filling vegetarian dishes (that use non-processed ingredients). In my search I stumbled upon a recipe from Smitten Kitchen for a pasta dish. Asparagus, spiral pasta, tarragon, lemon, and goat cheese. I've tried goat cheese in the past and haven't cared much for it but in this dish, with all the lemon and asparagus, it is yummy. ALSO the melted goat cheese is a fabulous substitute for a regular white sauce (as Smitten Kitchen points out).



1 lb. spiral pasta
1 lb. asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
1/4 cp. olive oil
1 TBSP lemon peel
2 tsps chopped fresh tarragon (I just used dried basil)
1 log of goat cheese
fresh lemon juice (optional)
salt and pepper to taste

Cook pasta and asparagus (I cooked both together). Set aside some pasta water. Mix the rest of the ingredients. Add pasta and asparagus and mix until goat cheese has completely melted. Add pasta water if need be. Salt and pepper and enjoy!

A love note.

Dear Target -

"They" don't make really good shoes for walking 10 month olds. They're either too loose or too chunky, they fall off or the babe trips constantly when wearing them. I mean I guess I could find the shoes I need through the internets but they are just too expensive for shoes said 10 month old will outgrow in two months. You feel me? I know you feel me because you have supplied me with affordable shoes that stay.on.baby's.feet. And you are not Wal-Mart. Bless your little red bullseye soul.

Always prancing through your aisles,

Tiffany


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