Learning to love vegetables…
I think i’ve shared this before but one of my hopes for this year is to eat more healthy. My diet’s not terrible but it’s not great either. I just know I can do better and one of the ways I’ve decided to improve is by eating more vegetables. In my quest to do that, I’ve decided to try at least one new vegetable recipe a week hoping to learn to love vegetables while doing something I already love…taking pictures.
The first recipe I decided to try is Baba Ghanoush. I decided on this recipe since i love dips (one of my favorites being hummus) and this recipe only called for 5 ingredients! I just love easy recipes! The star of this recipe is the eggplant. Did you know…
:: Eggplant is a fruit; actually, it’s botanically classified as a berry.
:: It’s native to India and
:: 85% of all eggplants are produced in 5 countries (China, India, Turkey, Indonesia and Iraq)
So eggplant isn’t really a vegetable? Well, it’s botanically a fruit but culinary wise, it’s considered a vegetable since it isn’t sweet. Anyway, I’m glad I can consider it a vegetable considering my title post. lol! Well, enough culinary knowledge…time to share some photos with you! =)
So I got all of my 5 ingredients together…
turned my oven to broil and broiled the eggplant while turning it every 5 minutes for a total of 20 minutes.
I let it cool for just a few minutes then peeled the skin back. This was so easy to do since broiling made the flesh of the eggplant pull away from the skin. I then just basically scooped the inside of the eggplant onto my cutting board.
I decided to chop the eggplant as well as the other ingredients rather than put everything into the food processor. Of course, the food processor would have made everything super quick. Chopping is just the more traditional version.
I then combined all the ingredients into a bowl.
And voila!…
It was all done and ready for me to eat!
Honestly, this was so easy to make. I really loved the overall flavors but thought I could have used less garlic. The next time, rather than 2 cloves I’ll probably be using only 1. Of course, I should have known, the first clove I chopped looked larger than normal and could have really counted for two. Anyway, lesson relearned… You can always add more of something but you can’t take anything away.
If you’d like to try this recipe here it is…
Baba Ghanoush (from 1,000 Vegetarian Recipes Cookbook by Carol Gelles)
1 medium eggplant (1 pound)
1/4 cup lightly packed fresh parsley leaves
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (basically 1 lemon)
3 tablespoons tahini (sesame paste)
1-2 cloves of garlic, minced*
*The actual recipe calls for 2 cloves but I modified this so you can add accordingly.
1. Place whole eggplant on a grill or under a broiler. Cook, turning about every 5 minutes, until charred all over (about 20 minutes).
2. Cut the eggplant in half, scoop out the flesh, and discard the skin. Let cool.
3. Place the eggplant, parsley, lemon juice, tahini, and garlic in a food processor container fitted with a steel blade. Process until the parsley is finely chopped. Let stand at least one hour for the flavors to meld.
*****
With my first attempt being a bit more garlicky than I’d like as a dip, I’m thinking it would be perfect in a Greek style hamburger. Hmmm…a burger with lettuce, tomatoes, few slices of thin red onions, this baba ghanoush spread on the bottom (or top) layer of the bun, and some feta? I’ll have to eventually try my crazy idea sometime. But that will have to be for another future post! =)
I hope you enjoyed this post! I’m really excited to share more of my journey into the world of vegetables through photos and recipes with you!
Until next time…
Family Fun: Ring around a rosy
It’s a busy week so it’s nice to have some help with ideas of a fun but short post. Here’s a photo that immediately came to mind when I saw that this week’s I Heart Faces photo challenge was “Family Fun”.
Little C just loved holding hands with mommy & daddy, moving in a circle, chanting a rhyme, and finally falling down.
Who doesn’t love this game & rhyme?
“Ring around a rosy, pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes, we all fall down”…
Check out more Family Fun photos by clicking on the I Heart Faces button below…
Until next time…
Changes and more photos of course!
If you’re a regular on my blog, you’ve probably noticed I’ve recently made a few changes! There’s been an addition here, a little subtraction there, and there will probably be a few more changes along the way. Why? I figure change is always good…or is it never good? Well, I’m hoping it’s good! =)
Anyway, I finally cleared the house of everything Christmas this past weekend. Yay!!!… for life moving in the right direction! =)
So before too much more changes take place and since I did use the word Christmas on this post, I thought I’d sneak in a few more photos from that December holiday shoot I shared with you on the post “A Christmas Extension”.
The shoot and kids were just so much fun I’d hate to miss sharing these with you…
Bye, bye Christmas!
Until next time…
Favorite of 2011: Just Breathe…
It’s been a long while since I’ve participated in any online photo challenges but what better time to get back started than when I Heart Faces’ photo challenge of the week is your “Best Photo Face of 2011!”
As soon as I read that this was the theme, two images immediately came to mind. And like everyone else, trying to choose your BEST was a tough calling. But I think this image is my fave of faves! Why? I love how big sister is just breathing in her little brother. I also love how it reminds me of how I can sometimes miss so much of all life’s goodness because I simply forget to breathe.
You can bet this big sister isn’t missing out on anything good in her life, especially her amazing little brother…the angel warrior! If you’d like to read more about this little guy you can check here and his FB page here!
Remember…sometimes all we need to do is breathe!
To check out more best of 2011 entries, click below…
Until next time…
I do love my camera phone! And you should to. It’s light weight and you usually have it everywhere you go! Have you heard the saying that the best camera is the one you’ve got! Well, it’s true! People often ask me what kind of camera do you have? And follow with “I want better pictures but I don’t have a great camera yet”. Sorry folks! If you’re waiting to take great photos with a great camera, you’ll be grossly disappointed. Most photographers will tell you it’s not all about the camera! Truly…It’s about the person taking the picture.
So today, I thought I’d help you…the person behind the camera with a few tips on how to take better pictures with your camera phone. This is really a 3 part series on Camera phone love! First, i’ll be discussing the phone settings you can look at to help bring about better pictures with your camera phone. Part 2 will discuss what the person taking the pictures needs to think about when taking pictures with a camera phone. And part 3 are the numerous apps available to you on your camera phone and ideas on what to do with all those pictures you’re accumulating.
So first things first, let’s make sure your camera phone is at its optimal settings for the best end result possible.
1. I suggest reading your phones manual. Usually the camera phone section is a very small section of the booklet and so it won’t take much to look over but you’ll be surprised what you didn’t know about your camera. I couldn’t find my manual and so looked it up online. Nowadays, you should be able to look up any manual rather easily.
2. Make sure you are shooting at your camera’s highest resolution possible. This will make sure picture quality will be at its best. Hopefully your camera phone allows you to modify the picture size and picture quality. My phone’s picture size goes up to 5M. And the picture quality allows you to choose from normal, fine to superfine. If possible, go to the highest megapixels allowed and superfine quality.
photo from pcmag.com
3. When possible, set your white balance. If you’re unsure which setting would be best, just go through the different options. Usually you’ll see your screen change accordingly as you change your white balance settings even if you haven’t taken a picture. Of course, I do recommend taking a picture of the same thing at different white balance settings so you can see what each setting does to your photo.
Typically, if you are taking shots outside in an overall sunny day, you’ll want to use the sun (daylight) setting. Unless it’s cloudy and overcast, then you’ll want to use your cloudy setting. The icon that looks like a upside down lightbulb is your tungsten setting and this is used for indoor shots with your incandescent light bulbs (your 60watt light bulbs). This is the white balance setting that will usually get rid of that yellow tinge in your indoor shots.
4. Never use your flash! I’ve never seen a decent photo using the camera phone’s flash. If you can choose your camera’s ISO setting…I would do it here. ISO settings on a camera phone usually go from 100 and possibly up to 1000. My phone doesn’t allow me to change any ISO settings but there a number of apps you can install on your phone that will allow you to do so. Or move to where more light is hitting your subjects.
5. If your camera has an exposure setting then use it! My camera allows you to modify the exposure setting from -2 to +2. Basically brightening or darkening your photo because (+) will help bring in more light and (-) will stop light from coming in. If you’re taking a picture and it looks like it could be a little brighter, you can easily just boost the exposure +1 or +2.
6. One last thing, you can make your camera a little quicker at taking that shot by setting focus mode to Infinity instead of Auto. Ty it! You’ll notice your camera will be a tad quicker at taking that picture in Infinity mode versus Auto mode. This may not completely stop you from having the streaks or blurs because of low light conditions or moving objects or people but it won’t hurt and may actually help. This tip works best if you aren’t trying to take any real close up shots (less than 2.5 ft in front of you). If you are doing extreme closeups you may want to return your setting to Auto mode. It will just focus better.
In the next post “Camera phone love: Taking better pictures (part 2) I’ll be discussing ways to compose your shots and what to think about being the person behind the camera.
Here’s a photo of a camera phone in one of my maternity sessions…
And finally, but not least, if you have the iphone and want to learn more about using your camera, check out this awesome 2 day FREE creative live workshop that begins tomorrow! Youtube video here (about the workshop).
Until next time…
A Christmas Extension
For some, Christmas has come and gone. I am fully aware that there are many who have already packed up the holiday ornaments soon after December 25th in preparations for the new year. I’m not so inclined to put the decorations away yet; in part because it wasn’t until a week and a half before Christmas that I finally got our tree up this year. Anyway, our Christmas decorations are only a few of the pretty and tidy things I have around the house right now! Since going on vacation right after Christmas and having been back for only a couple of days, our house is currently under clean up from the annual tornado that hits our home sometime during the holidays. And if you’ve already read my previous post, you know I’m working on “BEING” in the moment and so I’m trying very hard not to succumb to the pressures I personally feel with having to get myself in some kind of order for the new year and that order points to having to get the Christmas decorations down and put away!
I know I’m not the only one who feels this pressure around this time of year. Am I? My husband said to me earlier today, “We have to take the Christmas tree down today!” to which I immediately but calmly replied, “Why?”. He reminds me it’s January. January? What made January 1st (or even December 31st) as the day Christmas officially ends?
I just have to ask…Why are we so quick to put away the decorations? I’m sure there’s a possible number of reasons for the need to get the decorations out of the house. Is it crazy to want to have the decorations up just for a little bit longer?
If you are one of those who’s already put the decorations away I hope this doesn’t bother you at all! I wish my life would allow for such organization at the moment! There’s definitely nothing wrong with having your decorations put away. I’m just wanting to say that there’s nothing wrong with having decorations up past January 1st ( probably an attempt at convincing myself that it’s okay that I have nothing put away).
So I’ve decided to allow myself a little Christmas extension. I’ll eventually get those decorations down but for now, they’re still up in my house. And who knows…it may actually be a week or two before I can get them down. But I’ll get them down. I am absolutely sure I’ll have all my decorations down before Valentines day! 
Now if you happen to come over to my house next month and see cupid along side decorations on a tree…PLEASE help this girl out! lol! =)
Finally, on the topic of Christmas, here are a few photos from the north pole (a fun Christmas session I did in December)! =)
I’ll be sharing more from this session in the next post so check back soon!
Thanks for reading!
It’s about a New Year, “BEING” and Welcome Home!!!
It’s a new year and with that comes the opportunity for new things! Personally for me, this year’s about “BEING”…being healthier, being organized, and most of all, being present! I really want to “BE” in the today! That’s right!…Not yesterday or tomorrow but being in the life & love of now!
So how am I going to do that? Well, I have a few ideas and will be sharing those with you as we begin the new year. But for now, I must say…I am SO EXCITED for 2012!!!
So before we totally say goodbye to 2011, I wanted to share this photo taken New Year’s Eve last year…
These two boys are holding up signs they helped make to welcome home their newest brothers…twin boys from Ethiopia!
It’s amazing to think that in the early part of 2010, both our families were in the beginning discussions of adoption. There I was… just a few months from our adoption conversations…New Year’s Eve 2010…at the airport & awaiting the arrival of my friend, her daughter, father-in-law and the two newest members of her family. I still get emotional thinking about that day! What an amazing beginning to a new year for this family!
M & K, It was such an honor for me to be part of that day! I just wanted to wish you and your family a very Happy & Blessed New Year! God has surely taken care of your family and those beautiful boys! Love you guys!
Happy New Year everyone! Wishing you a 2012 full of life & love!
Rudolph gets a haircut!
I didn’t get to share these photos last year (taken sometime during a family’s photo session) but thought what more perfect time than now to share them with you. =)
A photo I took of Rudolph before his sweet friend’s family photo session.
Little did I know why I would be taking a before picture of Rudolph.
Eventually…it was made clear why! =)
Notice Rudolph’s beautiful tuft of hair on top of his head.
So here’s Rudolph after…
YIKES!!!
Not only did Rudolph get his haircut but even his tail got a trim! lol! =)
Sorry Rudy!
I don’t know when and how your sweet and adorable friend found the time to become a barber but somehow she did.
Hopefully everything has grown back out by now! =)
And final note…BEWARE of cute adorable girls with scissors!
Until next time…
Squarespace {Engagement session} Sneak Peek!
A sneak peek from an engagement session this past weekend. If you frequent my FB page, you’ve probably already gotten a sneak peek of this peek!
Can’t wait to share more pictures from this beautiful couple! And if you haven’t liked my FB page yet or subscribed to my blog, please do.
Wonderful surprises to come in the next week or two.
Until next time…
It is a wonderful life!…Really!
It’s December! Christmas is right around the corner and I’m trying to not get caught up with all the hustle and the bustle that this holiday season brings. It’s a fight for me to remember what this season is really about. I have to let go of my desires for the beautiful decorations, perfect gifts and even family traditions and hold on to remembering Christ, his life and what he desires from me…Love God and Love others. And no, it’s not LOVE through the presents under the tree…the immediate tangible things but the intangible…love, kindness, joy, peace and the like…things that take so much more of ME and my time to give.
Having said that, we’re excited to find ways to give LOVE together as a family. We’re looking to find ways to give love other than giving money and/or buying something for someone though this is important to do too. It’s just that I want my kids to understand they can give to anyone even without having money. And it’s more than just the actual action of giving (handing someone something) but it’s making sure their heart is in it as well. I want my kids to learn that it’s not giving just to make themselves feel better or not feel guilty for not giving, but it’s about seeing and understanding that we do have a wonderful life and so out of a full & grateful heart, we give (money and more)!
This week, we’re starting out with helping at a local non-profit’s end of the year celebration for one of their programs/activities. My kids are really excited to do something. What are we going to be doing exactly? I’m not sure. But I am grateful that our family gets to join together and help out an organization I know does amazing work. I’ll let you know how it goes. =)
Until next time…
