nuts to you

It's been almost two weeks of feeling under the weather here . . . allergies, respiratory junk, headaches, etc. Combined with some rainy days, my cooking mojo has gone completely flat. Just comfort food, thank you. Nothing too creative or dazzling. Grilled cheese. Chili. Carrot sticks. Pizza. The only cooking insight I have to share with you is this: don't make cornbread with Greek yogurt. Nasty.

The one person in our household who has been on creative overdrive is Miss M. She turned our home into Coffee Shoppe this weekend, complete with signs, menus, nametags, and two tip jars. She means business.

 

She's eagerly awaiting the arrival of customers.

 

Besides fabulous pretend lattes from Coffee Shoppe, I've been surviving on small snacks throughout the day + lots and lots of green tea. Thinking about this blog (and my lack of cooking) got me to thinking . . . just what have I been eating? Nuts.

 

Yes, nuts. Nuts are fabulous protein if you are seeking a more vegetarian lifestyle. And I mean raw nuts, not ones that are super salted or coated with sugar. Today I had pecans with my morning yogurt, almonds with lunch. PB on an apple for a snack. Pine nuts on salad for dinner. Nuts are a constant protein source for me. So much so that I don't even really think about them, but eat them all the time. Nut snacks. Nuts in my granola. Nuts sprinkled on salad. A perfect PB & J.

I survived on JIF growing up. Cold, creamy JIF. I've only met one other person on this planet who also loves creamy JIF straight from the fridge as much as I do. (Mike S. wherever you are, happy trails to you!) And, when we lived in Iowa, there was a local band with absolutely the best name ever: Jif and the Choosy Mothers. Yet, now that I'm older and hopefully wiser, my beloved JIF just doesn't make me too happy anymore when I read the label. I've become a choosy mother. Instead, I buy organic grind-your-own or Smuckers organic natural - both of which are best stored in the fridge. Ha! Where peanut butter belongs anyway.

So, intrepid eaters, go nuts today.

Hopefully with the advent of the first farmer's market this weekend, I will be back and humming in the kitchen!