Shoes for little Biggie!

Loving these Native Shoes this summer!



https://shop.nativeshoes.com/sqlimages/native/offers/b_glmc01_fizzg-f0.jpgv

Just scored these for Herc at a kids resale shop! Originally  $29.99 got them for $11, hardly worn.

Now I want a pair for myself, maybe it's o.k. if I pay retail since I got Herc's on the low low!

I would choose these, yes please!

..and maybe these

Sweet and Easy summer treat!

Marshmallow Fluff + 1 package cream cheese + 1tsp. vanilla Extract = Yummy Summer Fruit Dip

Greek Style Green Beans

Greek Style Green Beans with Feta

This dish is perfect for a light summer meal.  It is traditionally served with Greek Chicken, but with a torn chunk, or hearty slice of your favorite bread and some Feta, it can be a meal.  Tonight I added potatoes, but it can be done with or without them.  Last time I made them, my friend's son gobbled them up, and I sent her home with the leftovers. My husband has been known to pull them out of the fridge and eat them cold the next day.

Ingredients:

1 lb. organic green beans(you can do fresh or frozen. I did fresh.)
1 small yellow onion(but if you have a brown or red that is fine too!)
1 15oz. can organic tomato sauce
2 Russet potatoes peeled and cut in four pieces
3 cups of water
1/4 cup of olive oil
about a T. of salt(or salt to taste)
1/2 t. pepper
oregano or dill

Rinse and cut off the ends of the green beans. Set aside. Peel and cut the potatoes. Set aside.
Dice the onions and saute at medium high for about five minutes in olive oil.
Add the green beans and potatoes saute for another minute.
Add tomato sauce and water and bring to a boil.
Add salt, pepper and oregano.
Lower heat and simmer for an hour.
Serve it in a dish or shallow bowl with a piece of feta and a slice of bread!


ENJOY!

Thrift Store Jello Mould!!

     This afternoon, while the boys(husband&son) were napping, I headed off to run some errands.  I went to Whole Foods in search of some ingredients. I was looking for the ingredients to make a healthier version of  to Jello.  I loved it as a kid! I want Herc to enjoy it, without all the sugars, artificial flavours, and food coloring. You can go sugar free, but that stuff isn't so good for you. So, I found Jel Dessert. It's a vegan Jello made by Natural Desserts. Then, I grabbed some Santa Cruz Organic Berry Nectar. I grabbed a few other things, and headed to Goodwill to see what I could see. All right, this is where it gets WEIRD. I found a vintage gelatin mould for $2.99! WHAT WHAT!! On a side note, I copped a pretty great vintage dress as well.  So, just before dinner this afternoon I made the nouveau Jello.  It was delicious! Now, don't expect it to satisfy a full on Jello craving when Jello is the scratch that needs to be itched, but it delivers.  It's perfectly sweet, and quivers on the spoon. We threw some organic blueberry's on top, and it made our night. If you get a craving, try this on for size. Here is the recipe:

1 Box of Jel Desserts Unflavoured, Unsweetened (Its Kosher,and Vegan.)

2 cups of any fruit juice (some juices won't work, read the box of Jel Dessert for what to avoid)

Bring juice to a boil, then add the Jel Dessert to the juice in the pot. Whisk until it is all dissolved. You can pour in a bowl, or place in a mould. I used a glass mould, so before I poured the fruit Jel Dessert in, I sprayed the inside of the mould lightly with cooking spray.  It says to work quickly on the box because the Jel Dessert starts to form.   Put in the refrigerator for a few hours and Enjoy!

This post is a promise to myself, and to my husband.  My husband loves my culture, especially its food.  If you didn't know, I am Greek. I'll get into more stories later, I have plenty. My husband is always amazed at how delicious, and how simple(fairly simple), many of the recipes are.  I grew up eating all of this deliciousness, as well as watching my mom and  aunts cook with the pride and love  that only a Greek woman has.  All right, back to the promise. My husband wants me to start my own video cooking show online. We are wrapping up the pre production phase, and moving on shortly to the actual production/shooting stage.  My first recipes will be easy, delicious, and fool proof. You can watch the video over and over if you are nervous! And, I will have plenty of reference photos so by the time its on the table you know how well you can cook, and surprise yourself doing it!  I want people to know that cooking delicious, healthy Greek food can be easy and rewarding. Stop by soon, and lets spend some time in the kitchen together. Above are the meatballs with rice that can be as organic as you want it. All of the ingredients I used for the dish tonight were organic, including the beef. 

Take Care,

Helen

Project Spin Art!

A little summer fun in the back yard!

Happy Memorial Day!

     This year we had a super low-key memorial day. It was just John, baby Biggie, and me! Is it just me or does Trader Joe's have the best samples? Seriously, I bought all the ingredients to make these hot dogs w/bacon cheddar  ranch dip. It was a splurge, not some thing done regularly at all. They were  super easy, tasty, and festive. What's more American than a hot dog on Memorial Day? Now I'm sure the hot dogs of years past weren't uncured, nitrate free on whole wheat buns, but none the less they where as red, white and blue as it gets.It was also Herc's first hot dog ever, (besides the sample bite in the store.)

Bacon Cheddar Ranch Hot Dogs
Ingredients:

1- pack whole wheat buns
1- pack jumbo or regular Trader Joe's uncured,
nitrate free beef hot dogs
1 - tub bacon cheddar ranch dip
Shredded cheese
Avocado slices (opt.)

Steam or boil hot dogs for about 8 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Then open the buns and

smear some of the dip on both sides, whatever looks good to you. Put your hot dogs in the bun and sprinkle with some cheese. Throw in oven for about 6 minutes or until cheddar is melted. Then add your avocado if you please.