Miscellaneous, snacks

I usually blog on weekends, but weekends have been busy lately. Some episodes were lost, but I 'll do my best to catch up, at least with the most memorable things.

On top of the list is the last glimpse of fall, in its full glory. Last week's view from hotel during the conference that ate up my time.



I have been very lucky this year, and got to see the foliage over several weekends in four different states, throughout a period of two months. I never think of having a 'favourite season', because I love all seasons with the same passion for different reasons.


I like how fall pleases the senses with vibrant colours, mild temperatures and diffused light. As it is the season I find the hardest to catch some years, I have been obsessed with it this year.



I bought some tea light holders the other day, which ended up on my coffee table.



They like to be lined up in a row and be lit in unison.




Crafting has been happening, but this year I am trying to keep some surprises for the recipients, so no gift posting until after Christmas. (yes, I have already started making things!) So, I 'll stick to posting about snacks for a while -- now that the last storm yesterday seems to have dropped the leaves even in New York. From now on, it's only dramatic silhouettes and bare branches on cloudy skies for the trees.

Pepper bread with goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, and buttermilk

Pizza with homemade, whole wheat dough

Hot chocolate, laced with whisky

This one makes me dizzy to look at!

Still thinking of food

It must be the late summer / early fall weather we are getting lately. So after I read this post and the hilarious link to which it refers, I have been thinking even more of the visual side of food. That is, not that I am not constantly hungry also, because I am, and that too I blame on the weather change :-)

Summer tree

Armed with my trusty camera, I took some photos of our salad last week, as it just looked too pretty to just eat

Winter tree

As for healthy snacks, today I had L's signature, gourmet healthy snack (as he so humbly refers to it)

Peanut butter on potato bread, with alfalfa sprouts, banana and honey

Yum!

Thinking of food

There has been much knitting and quilting, but no finished objects to show. Sewing is much more active and focused, and allows me little time to think about other things, but knitting is perfect for scheming and planning your next move.

So I have been thinking a lot about bringing my diet (as in 'eating habits' rather than the 'loose weight' definition) to a better place. I have long accepted the fact that good eating habits require serious organisation and discipline, which in turn translate to better energy levels and mood. And this is never more important than when time is tight.

Quick and healthy snacks are always an area that I like to expand. Here is one of my favourite quick snacks: a whole cube of silken tofu cut in cubes, and sprinkled with soy sauce and green onions. I can eat the whole thing in a sitting.


Looking at the beauty of food during its preparation is another way to bring back focus to nutrition at rushed times. So often we just throw together meals with our mind to the next task, that we may loose what's right under our nose.


Moong dal has been another quick dish that is not only pretty but especially comforting. The trickiest part is finding the yellow lentils, but once they are in stock, it is fun to make and tastes great. It's also orange-yellow, and I am particularly attracted to orange-yellow foods


... and mugs. I love looking at orange and yellow when I have my morning coffee.


Looking for the right kind of breakfast is my next goal. I am trying to get away from my usual sandwich, no matter how brown the bread and how red the tomatoes in it. As autumn approaches I find myself thinking more and more of something warm and more liquid, like oatmeal with an open end to added treats. We just came back from Trader Joe's with bags full of dried fruit and healthy-snack ingredients, so that should help.