" ITALIANO"

Ciao!!! 
 I heart Dean Martin, and I couldn't think of a better way to introduce my current favorite little treat.

( What about my Detox you say?  Well I actually just got my hands on that aforementioned juicer last night around 9:30 ish and I was not going to start juicing then.  I am going to make all my juices Sat. and start it Sun, like I had originally intended!)  

On to yummy, "Italiano" style treat.

Now part of eating "Leeg" is simplicity.  Preparing food in a way that really showcases the amazing, fresh flavors of the veggies.  I'm not sure if I'd call this a Brucshetta or a Crostini??  I think Brucshetta is just the charred bread and it officially becomes Crostini once it is topped.  Most traditionally, with tomatoes.  This is how I make it!

Heat 1-2 Tbls olive oil in a small pan.  Add minced garlic clove and crushed red pepper flakes.  1tsp usually adds flavor without too much heat.  So naturally I go for 2 :) let simmer until fragrant (1-2 min)

Grape tomatoes.  I especially love to use the multi colored pack.  Red, orange and yellow.  I like the grape tom's because I find them to be a little sweeter and just the perfect size.  I slice them in half length wise.  Throw in the pan.  Saute until the skins start to peel, or about 10 min.

(Last night I also added baby bellas, and the tips of a few stalks of asparagus.  This bulked it up, and added a great source of anti oxidants and other nutrients)

chop fresh parsley and fresh basil leaves creating a generous Tbls and toss with veggies

sprinkle with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper!

You could use any artisan bread that you love.  For "Leeg" I tried a whole wheat loaf.  Honestly, it has been my only disappointment in this entire switch to eating only whole foods, grains, raw ... ie: uber healthy.  It just didn't get the crunch of the regular, more traditional breads.  Now, that being said, USE IT ANYWAY!  This is "Leeg" for crying out loud!  The flavor is still there, believe me and .... Today, I wore my old Juicy track suit thing(I had an easy day and acupuncture).  Yea, the one that gives the instant JLO booty.... and it was loose.  LOOSE.  My client said my butt looked "tiny".  I said, "did you just say tiny?" and he repeated "tiny!"  Well excuse my Italian but, "santa merda!!!"  I digress, just eat the wheat!  Hey, lol that should be a little saying of ours here at "Leeg" .... "Eat the Wheat!"  ok dumb.
Where was I?  Oh yes, just toast or throw the slices in the oven and top with the veggie mixture.  It's fresh, simple and perfezionare!

I dedicate this post to my Italian sista form another mista!xoT

Hola.  I have not forgotten about you, oh faithful reader(?) ....

I think the last time I posted was a week ago.  Yikes.  I'm not exactly sure what makes a good blog, but a whopping 7 days between posts can't be on the list.  No bueno.

So here are a couple food ideas, yummy ones.

Lunch:

1 whole wheat flat bread
spread with hummus (roasted red pepper flavor is yum)
bean sprouts
mushrooms
red onion
broiled/grilled chick breast if desired
pepper

Yopliat GREEK yogurt  2X the protein, 0 fat

Diet Ginger Ale if water just wont cut it.

mmm

So as I have mentioned before Saturday are my "free eat days" ... and this Saturday dinner was amazing.
I have not had any red meat in some time, but what kind of girl passes up a fresh cut fillet min??  Not this one.  So this is what we had ....

*1.5in fillet, patted dry, rubbed in olive oil, rolled in fresh ground pepper/kosh salt covering all sides.
        heat 2tbls olive oil in pan and sear each side of fillet 1-2 min.
        place a pat of butter on fillet and in the pan, place in a 400* oven.  cook until internal temp is 125ish
          for med rare!
*toss cauliflower in olive oil, minced garlic and red pepper flakes and roast in oven about 30 min.
*heat Tbls olive oil in pan, add red pepper flakes, minced garlic until fragrant, add chopped Kale.
         cook down kale for about 10 min.  add a splash of chicken broth, and spinach and toss!
ADD RED WINE. YES YOU CAN HAVE RED WINE IT'S A SATURDAY REMEMBER!!

had a little dark chocolate gelato for desert.  it was great.

On that note, I'll be starting a 7 day detox of sorts Wed.  Wed is such a weird starting day I think, but here is thing .. I need a juicer and wont be able to make my Super Green Juice, Carrot Beet and Ginger Juice, or my Blueberry Almond Milk smoothies until tomo when I can use a friends juicer.  I've been thinking I need to invest in one of my own.  Have you ever priced a juicer?  Pricey.  I'm thinking about looking on Craigslist to see if I can adopt a "slightly used" or "never been used" juicer.  One that some new year "resolutionist" purchased and then quickly realized they could not, would not use the thing and now are unloading said juicer. Ahhh anyhow ...  I'm gonna use this place as a food journal of sorts.  I've never done a detox before.  Most of them seem so ridiculous to me.  "Nothing but lemon water for 21 days"  Yeah right!  Impossible for this here food consumer.  I like this detox because I can eat on it.  I understand a detox of any kind may not be in the cards for some of you, but I recommend looking here and just checking it out.  I think even incorporating some of the detox into ones regular routine will add so many benefits and cut calories!

Coming later this week:  
detox progress/updates/rants
acupuncture (i heart it)
more healthy yummy concoctions
neo tundra cowboy @ the bouquet (p.s. i know the lead singer, he's rad.)  just listen!!