Heal Your Body With Bone Broth

This book is a very healthful little guide on feeling better and eating less chemicals. 

As I’m getting older (gahh!) I’m finding certain foods don’t sit well with me- especially dairy and others, so I’m looking for natural ways to combat an upset stomach, rather than popping a Zantac constantly.

Your stomach and intestinal tract house a vast ecosystem of bacteria, vital to processing food but easily disturbed by bad diet or stress. 

Using this book, you will learn how bone broth restores mineral and nutrient levels to create a proper bacterial environment for high-functioning digestion.

Combining a seven-day quick-start with a long term plan for utilizing bone broth, the author provides helpful solutions to stomach discomfort.

Bone broth offers additional benefits on top of great digestion.

Heal Your Gut with Bone Broth is By Robin Westen

Orzo Soup with Mediterranean Flair

Blakely Trettenero, a chef, world traveler and host of Cooking for Bimbos (www.cookingforbimbos.com) and Hungry for Travels (www.hungryfortravels.com) loves to add exotic flair to her dishes.

Trettenero, who makes difficult dishes easy on her cooking website with the tongue-in-check name, has visited more than 30 countries and made many food discoveries along the way.

“While in Italy, I realized pasta in the United States is second rate,” says Trettenero, who has been featured on several TV shows. “That dried stuff we buy in a box doesn’t cut it. If you've ever had homemade pasta, you know what I mean.”

Once, after a night of dancing in Greece, Trettenero and others worked up an appetite and at 6 a.m. landed at a restaurant that never closes on Mykonos Harbor.

“We ordered this amazing chicken soup with fresh lemon juice squeezed on it,” she says.
“It was unreal.”

Mediterranean Orzo Soup

Ingredients
• Olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, sliced or minced
• 2 scallions, sliced thin
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 3/4 cup orzo pasta, uncooked
• 1 can garbanzo beans, drained
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 bag (6 oz.) baby spinach
• Juice of a lemon
• Salt
• Pepper
• Parmesan

Instructions

1. In heavy-bottomed pan, heat olive oil on medium high. 
2. Add garlic and scallions. Cook for 1 minute. 
3. Add chicken stock to pot and turn on high. Let it come to boil. 
4. Add uncooked orzo, garbanzo beans, and zest of lemon. 
5. Stir and let cook on high for 10 minutes. 
6. Add cooked chicken, spinach, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. 
7. Give another quick stir and serve. 
8. Once in a bowl you can top it with shaved Parmesan, pepper, and an extra squeeze of lemon.

About Blakely Trettenero

Blakely Trettenero, host of the Cooking for Bimbos (www.cookingforbimbos.com) and Hungry for Travels (www.hungryfortravels.com) websites, is a graduate of the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Orlando, Fla. She also is a world traveler, having visited more than 30 countries, and is becoming a frequent guest on TV.


Photos by Blakely.

Pantry Challenge - Week 2

The Serious Pantry Challenge – Part 2

Saturday October 17- Yay! My honeypie and I have been married 6 months. It’s pretty awesome. Marriage is awesome and we are having fun. The house isn’t neat, but who cares? Priorities!

BOO!

I got up at 7:30a,, walked the dog a mile, Steve and I went to the farmer’s market and got some goodies: fresh cider, mushrooms, and fresh pork for dinner that weekend.  Home…and crashed out into naps. Didn’t get far in doing much on my to-do list. Played scrabble with my 89 and a half year old Grandmom, Steve and I brought her pizza and we had a great time!  I had been doing good avoiding the Diet Coke…until now.. Sunday I had slept like 10 hours. The sleep debt is real, people!

Steve woke me up to get going w the girls, as Sam and Jill and had a full day in Philly planned. And we had the BEST day! Shopping in Reading Terminal Market buying spices, bread, coffee, produce, and other goodies. We had a lovely lunch! Then we went off to the Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia to attend the exhibit of Down the Rabbit Hole where the original Alice in Wonderland manuscript was displayed, along with a ton of amazing books and artifacts.

Monday October 19- While I am happily chowing on my beloved Noosa yoghurt, I decided to look at the calories. 230, and 11 grams of fat.  ELEVEN! Does yogurt typically have this much fat? I added cinnamon, flaxseed and nutmeg, but it’s still a pretty high breakfast counter. I’m not going to stop eating it, but not every day for breakfast. 

Lunch was Thai leftover- serious yum.  Dinner- somehow I was starvvvving again, and I stopped off to Wendy’s to get a hamburger and fries (no Diet Coke tho!) and no Frosty. Im trying to cut down some of my vices here. Ate then went off to teach my class.

Tuesday October 20- Breakfast was a Perfect Bar- organic honey, almonds, peanut butter and fruit. YUM! High in calories (310, 11 grams of fat) but kept me full for 5 hours. Apple, clementine, water, coffee...

Lunch- didn’t eat lunch, had tea.
Dinner- snack at 4:30-a couple perogies, crackers and salmon spread, plus (at 8pm) 2 Bud Light Limes and half a quesadilla with my friend AB at a Mexican cantina. Good times! Home to bed and crashed OUT!

Wednesday October 21- still watching the spending! Another Perfect Bar for breakfast- the Peanut Butter is delicious! Ate my apple and tangerine.

Lunch- a splurged and got a quesadillas from the café. It’s great, and the other half will be lunch tomorrow (spend $9 on that and iced tea).

Dinner- Steve and I had lasagna at his cousin’s house. She made a delicious dinner and desert and we had a great time hanging out. And I passed out at 9:45.

Thursday October 22 – I made squash and pumpkin soup last night in my cast iron pot. Steve and I went to dinner…and I discovered it this morning. It was probably hot until midnight, and I was boxing it up at 5:15. I think it’s ok, testing a half a cup for breakfast. I’m ok, whew. Had another Perfect Bar for breakfast- full peanut butter flavor. Good, but I was starving again in 2 hours. I think that’s just me today. SO I ate my last piece of quesadilla. Im still a bit nervous to eat my soup, but I have brown rice to mix in with it. That will be the bulk of my lunch. I had a piece of prickly pear, which I have never had before, plus a kiwi.

Coffee, water.
Lunch- just a yogurt.
Dinner….

Okay, I am jumping ahead here, as it is Friday morning. I just got up…and I feel terrible. Instead of telling you how I did this week, which you can read below, I’m starting with the end of the week. It’s 6:00am and I feel awful.

Last night I had Wendy’s for dinner, 8 chicken nuggets, fries, a small hamburger and water. I got my hair done, and then picked up some Halloween candy to give out. Then I promptly ate about ½ of KitKats and a few Peppermint Patties, and then went to bed. I passed out (sugar crash maybe?).

I awoke this morning feeling terrible. I feel hungover. I’m puffy, my stomach hurts, my head hurts, and I’m feeling stiff. My body is screaming out in protest to all the salt, sugar, and fat, and let me tell you, I’m listening. No more!

I also noticed here how I have been skipping lunch, so when i get home, I'm starving and grab something. Not smart. Even if I eat a yogurt, it's something.

I’ve been fairly good lately, losing some weight and making better choices. Last night I made awful choices. I didn’t even realize how I had been feeling better with no Diet Coke, less sugar, and less fat. More veggies and lean protein have been helping a lot. I’m sluggish and icky. Later on I’m getting an omelet and drinking lots of water.

And that’s it for today! Stay strong y’all!

Me and my girls at the market!

Phoenixville's PumpkinFest October 18

This has been one of the busiest Octobers on record, and with it, great fall produce and abundant sunshine.

Along with that, I love living in a small town. I feel Phoenixville is a bit like the Gilmore Girls fictional town ofStars Hollow, with the local fun and town festivals, like the Autumn Festival. We have our own version here in Phoenixville, Chester County, it’s PumpkinFest!

 

Pumpkin painting and carving contests, pumpkin derby, local farms and vendors, food, lives music, and games & prizes await the downtown area of Bridge and Main streets on October 18, but there’s another reason it is so excited- for the winner of the Best Pumpkin Dish will be named!

 

Since September 20^th, when Phoenixville hosts its Restaurant Week, customers could try a dish and text their vote of their favorite pumpkin dish to the festival directors. Who will win?!

 

Thai L’ Elephant – Thai Pumpkin Curry with Chicken & Shrimp - a creamy spicy curry with flavorful chicken, shrimp, and vegetables and a sweet heat at the finish. 

 

Marly’s BYO -Pumpkin Braised Beef Lettuce Wrap with Caramelized Pumpkin & Sirachai Pumpkin Mayo - this tender, flavorful braised beef melts in your mouth, while the sirachai pumpkin mayo heats things up. The red cabbage added a nice sweet crunch. 

Pepperoncini – Bacon and Sage Pumpkin Soup- a creamy meld of pumpkin and sage, with toasted pumpkin seeds atop. 

 

Bistro On Bridge – Pumpkin Ribs & Apple Slaw-Delish slow-cooked ribs with pumpkin and spices, and vinegary apple slaw with some spice. 

Molly Maguire’s – Pumpkin & Sweet Potato Hash – diced pancetta over baked pumpkin and sweet potato with a fried egg on top- an interesting mixture of fall flavors, with squash chipotle soup and pumpkiny candied walnuts. 

 

There are two ways for the participating restaurants to win, through the best pumpkin dish by chosen as one of the judges (me and my fellow foodies) and then the people’s choice during the October 18 festival.

See you there

 

Special thanks to all the amazing restaurants who participated in Pumpkin fest’s Best Pumpkin Dish 2014 contest!

Warmth and Charm in a Cup of Tea: The Talking Teacup

Steve and I were on our way to New Hope to enjoy one of our favorite places- the Inn at Bowman’s Hill. So on the way there, we stopped in Chalfont for our favorite beverage- tea!

The Talking Teacup is the cutest teashop I have ever been in. When we arrived, we walked under a flowering arbor to the entryway, full of tea ware and tea gifts, tea and books, and then into the dining room. A quiet unassuming place where we knew we could relax. In the dining room, we were seated in a cozy nook next to the fireplace. The décor is beautiful and homey, and felt quite relaxing. The Talking Teacup is housed in a 250 year-old farmhouse and has a country ambiance.

Our server was a total sweetie, explaining all the teas and munchies and brought everything out with speed and efficiency especially after I asked for more Devonshire cream!

 

Stephen and I each had giant chocolate chip scones with some finger sandwiches of chicken salad, egg salad, herbs and cucumber and a Waldorf spread. We also enjoyed a hearty teacup of soup. 

To drink, I had a robust English breakfast blend, while he enjoyed a fine oolong and I enjoyed a gunpowder green tea. The Harney and Sons assortment of The Talking Teacup teas is impressive, so try as many as you can! They are also available for purchase, as well as available seasonal blends.

 

The best part about our afternoon as speaking with Kathy, the owner of The Talking Teacup. A brilliant and charming woman, she knows business and knows her tea. More than that- she knows her customers. A smile and good food for everyone is truly a treat. Kathy told us about the history of the building and how she came to run this glorious little tea gem in Bucks County.

Kathy, along with her business partner Roberta Adam, renovated the house and property, and opened their business, The Talking Teacup, Ltd in the 250+ year old Farm House on November 1st, 2003. They turned this stately old farmhouse to a full service tea room and gift shop and are intent on serving up relaxation,  smiles and delicious cups of tea!

The Talking Teacup is a finalist on the 2014 Food & Drink: Best Kept Secret Bucks Happening List.

 

The Talking Teacup Tea Room and Gift Shoppe is located at 301 West Butler Ave., Chalfont PA 18914 (Old Rt 202). They accept reservations for private parties, meeting, events, parties, showers. Check website for full times and reservations.

 Photographs by Stephen Trimble. 

Special Thanks to Kathy at The Talking Teacup and Jessica Lawlor at the Bucks County Visitors Bureau.