Baja Berry Crisp

The fiesta last night was successful and this berry crisp was devoured quickly! I also made homemade vanilla ice cream for a topping but you don't have to get that crazy, any delicious ice cream or frozen yogurt would be a great accompaniment.

Baja Berry Crisp

Filling:
6 cups mixed berries (I used a combo of blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries)
2 tablespoons raw sugar
1 tablespoon flour
Juice of half a lemon

Thaw berries, mix with additional ingredients, and put in a greased 2 1/2 quart baking pan

Topping:
2/3 cups flour
2/3 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup raw sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
4 1/2 tablespoons butter

Mix together flour, oatmeal, sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles course crumbs. Top fruit mixture with topping and bake for 40-45 minutes at 375 degrees or until topping is golden brown.

*Adapted from a Cooking Light recipe

Africa "The Next Contender", Starr Hill Beer, Good Friends and a Fiesta!

Last week presented fantastic learning opportunities and many fun events!

Africa "The Next Contender" was a conference hosted by the Darden African Business Organization where they invited guest speakers including the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of African Affairs, a world renowned professor who is the founder and editor of Jenda: Journal of African Culture and Women Studies, representatives from the International Monetary Fund, and entrepreneurs who are taking advantage of investment opportunities in Africa. My biggest takeaway from the conference is the importance of Africa in the global marketplace. Africa is a continent under construction with immeasurable opportunity. Did you know that Africa had 4.5% economic growth last year or that 60% of the arable land is in Africa or that there are 52 African cities with a population of at least 1 million people? To learn more, I encourage you to read (or at least skim) the McKinsey Report "Lions on the Move: The progress and potential of African Economies". 

After the DABO conference, I joined the Wine and Cuisine Club. Mark Thompson, the founder of local craft brewery Starr Hill (I truly enjoy their Amber Ale, Northern Lights, and Dark Starr Stout) spoke to our group about the growing craft beer market and the explosive growth his company has experienced during the last 3 years. This is music to my ears because I truly enjoy good craft brews and Blake and I spend much of our travel time hunting for brewpubs and sampling the local fare. He also shared exciting news that they will have 4 limited releases this spring including, Smoke Out (German Bock), Crypitical (Imperial Stout), Monticello (a beer made with hops from Monticello), and a Double Platinum India Pale Ale. They are featuring many of these news beers at their brewery in Crozet. I need to mark my calendar for a beer tasting, anyone else?  I really enjoyed the conference and even impressed Mark with my knowledge of Simcoe Hops...thanks Mom! 

I spent last evening with our good friends Marty, TyAnne, and Melissa. Marty and TyAnne are from Washington State (so we have the Northwest connection) and were my very first friends in Charlottesville. Marty was a groomsman in our wedding and TyAnne fixed my wedding-do. They have two of the cutest boys in the world (Caleb who is 4 and Brayden who is 7 months). Melissa and I have also been friends since my first summer in Charlottesville and we have spent many nights deep in conversation sharing a bottle of wine. We had a lovely dinner together (Mona Lisa Pasta Ziti!) and played XBox Kinect Soccer. Our time together reminded me not to forget old friends. I have a tendency of packing my schedule with dinner parties and social events with new friends but I need to make more of an effort to spend time with this amazing family who took us in when Blake and I were alone in Charlottesville. Plus, they are really fun and I have great memories of Mexican Train Dominoes! Are there old friends that you need to reconnect with? I encourage you to call, text, or e-mail them today!

Tonight, I am throwing a Fiesta for those brave enough to participate in Dancing with the Darden Stars so I should have some great content for a future blog!

On the menu tonight:

Black Bean Enchiladas (see previous post)

Chicken Enchiladas

Southwest Salad

Homemade Vanilla Ice cream

Berry Crisp

Happiness goals for today: keep learning, enjoy good craft beer, remember old friends, and throw a fiesta!!!

Black Beans--Two Ways

I planned on writing about the joy of college hoops and how excited I was about the Maryland/UVa game...however, it was pretty painful so we will focus on a much happier topic, one of my very favorite foods, black beans!

My friend and neighbor, Katherine, requested that I include this easy recipe for black beans. These are a perfect addition to tacos, fajitas, or as a topping for brown rice.

Easy Black Beans

1 tablespoon olive oil
1  chopped onion
1 chopped tomato
1 can black beans (rinsed)
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon chile powder
1/2 cup water

Heat oil over medium/high heat
Add onion and saute for 5 minutes
Add tomato, black beans, cumin, chile powder, and water
Simmer until beans are thickened (about 10 minutes)

**If you have a cast iron skillet, I recommend using it for these recipes because it gives the beans a nice smoky flavor.

Black Bean Enchiladas (one of my very favorite recipes)

I make this recipe different every time so use your imagination and add any Latin flavors that you like!

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 chopped red peppers
1 chopped red onion
1 cup frozen corn
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup tomatoes
1 can black beans (rinsed)
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1/2 cup salsa
1/2 cup water
2 lime wedges
1 cup cheddar cheese
6 whole wheat tortillas
1 can enchilada sauce (Kroger has a delicious chipotle flavored sauce that comes in a glass jar)

Saute peppers and onions in olive oil for 5 minutes
Add frozen corn, tomatoes and mushrooms and saute for 2 minutes
Add black beans, chili powder, cumin, salsa, and water and simmer for 10 minutes or until filling is thickened
Remove from heat and squeeze in lime juice

Put filling on tortilla, sprinkle with cheese, and roll up
Add to glass pan sprayed with cooking spray
Continue until you have used all of your filling
Cover rolled tortillas with enchilada sauce
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

Put on your best sombrero and throw a fiesta!!!!

Overcoming Bad Days

Have you ever had one of those days that did not go according to plan? I woke up to the news of snow on the horizon (and anyone who lives in Charlottesville knows that 1-2 inch of snow will shut down the entire city). When I got to work, class visits that I diligently planned yesterday had to be changed (and then changed again, and again); two events that I was looking forward to (assembling trail mix and yogurt parfaits with the kids at the Boys & Girls Club and a Future Fund social event at The Local) were cancelled; and the roads were terribly icy on the way home. To be honest, I was VERY grumpy and I'm afraid people around me could sense my negative energy.

So what does an eternal optimist do when they get home after a semi-pitiful day? I put on a yoga dvd  and you know what I realized? I actually had a very good day! At First Coffee, the Darden African Business Organization provided coffee and tea from Cameroon, West Africa, and the Ivory Coast; I participated in a book club over lunch with women colleagues whom I deeply respect; and I received unwavering support from my boss, Whitney, when the inclement weather hit and schedule changes needed to happen.

In our lives, we spend too much time focusing on negative events but I challenge you to begin focusing on the great things that happen every day (they may be small like savoring a delicious cup of coffee or receiving support from a friend or colleague). Even though I am unable to attend the great events I had planned this evening, Blake and I are going to transport ourselves into summer by making Margherita Pizza and opening a bottle of Sparking Wine. With enough imagination, I think I can hear the waves and the seagulls right now....

Margherita Pizza Recipe

Whole Wheat Dough Ball (I recommend one from Whole Foods)
Prepared Pesto
Cherry Tomatoes (cut in half)
Mozzarella Cheese

This recipe is so easy and absolutely delicious!

Roll out Dough
Bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes or until crust is slightly brown
Smear dough with Pesto
Sprinkle with lots of Tomatoes
Top with Mozzarella Cheese
Bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese and crust are golden brown

Top Five Fitness Memories

I am often asked where I get all of my energy. If you are a close friend or colleague, you know that I am bouncing off the walls most of the time. This is partially due to having a lot of love in my life but I also attribute this high-level of energy to my early morning dates with my friend, Mr. Stairclimber and Jillian Michaels. I am a huge advocate for physical fitness and do not believe that you can be your best self without some form of regular exercise. Start with where you are today. If you have not worked out in a while (or ever) begin walking 30 minutes a day. I have two amazing colleagues who meet three days a week for a lunchtime walk. If you are a workout pro and run a few days a week, begin incorporating strength training (I highly recommend Jillian Michael’s 30-Day Shred Workout) and/or a regular yoga practice.

If you are struggling with a problem, experiencing a high level of anxiety, or feeling upset it’s time to begin! You are capable of working out and you are a stronger than you think. Blake and I are huge fans of “The Biggest Loser” and tune in every Tuesday to watch the contestants work hard to drop much needed weight. Last week, a 500 pound man began running on the treadmill. It was not particularly elegant but he was running! If he can do it, I have complete faith that you can begin exercising, too! My mom always said that the hardest part of running was putting your shoes on, so it’s time to lace up your sneakers and begin living a healthier, happier life!

To give you some inspiration, I wanted to share my Top Five Fitness Memories.

1. Running along the Charles River in Boston with Everette

Everette is one of my greatest mentors and we had the best run while at a conference for the MBA Career Services Council.

2. Practicing Yoga in the Rocky Mountains

I grew up in a beautiful town in Idaho surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. This summer I spent a glorious week at home and had the opportunity to breathe the clean mountain air and gaze at the snow-capped mountains from my parent’s new deck. Some people spend thousands of dollars to go on a trendy yoga retreat but I had the good fortune of practicing for free and spending quality time with my family!

3. Cycling along the Atlantic Coast on the Outer Banks of North Carolina

One of the many perks of being a morning person is welcoming the day with open arms. We have spent the last two summers vacationing in the Outer Banks and I have vivid memories of watching beautiful sunrises and listening to the waves and seagulls while biking along the coastline.

4. Running with my Mom

There is no relationship in my life that is stronger than the one I have with my Mom. Blake says that we are two hens who can talk about nothing for hours. She is one of my true fitness inspirations and I have the fondest memories of running side by side solving the world’s problems and noting the beautiful scenery.

5. Zumba at the University of Idaho

When I was in college, I participated in many fitness classes and my favorite was Zumba (Latin Dance Floor Aerobics). The instructors were a hoot and I always left every class on an emotional high! If you are new to working out or are bored with your current routine, I strongly suggest this fun cardio class.

Restaurant Week

It is Restaurant Week in Charlottesville, a semi-annual tradition when the best restaurants in town offer a 3 course meal for $26 (with $1 going to a philanthropy). This go around the donation goes to Meals on Wheels, a non-profit that provides meals for folks who are unable to prepare their own meals due to age or disability. I have had the good fortune of volunteering with them during Darden's Day of Caring projects and they provide a much needed but underfunded service to the community.

Blake and I joined our best friend, Andy, at Orzo. This is a quaint Mediterranean restaurant in the Main Street Marketplace (home to some of Charlottesville's best locally owned shops including Feast, Organic Butcher, and Gearheart's Chocolates).  If you live in Charlottesville and have never been to Orzo...run...don't walk to this fantastic little gem of a restaurant. We went in July for the summer edition of Restaurant Week and had to return. Andy and I started with a beautiful dish of roasted red peppers, mozzarella, and roasted tomatoes while Blake enjoyed the Prosciutto di Parma Bruschetta. For the main course, the men had the Asiago Mac & Cheese with Pork (honestly, the best Mac & Cheese I have ever had) and I had the Vegetable Risotto which was brimming with goat cheese, arugula, local mushrooms, asparagus, and roasted tomatoes! My first two courses were absolutely fantastic but the Tiramisu was out of this world! It was creamy and had a wonderfully sweet (but not too sweet) taste of chocolate and espresso. As you can probably gather, the January edition of Restaurant Week was a sweeping success!

Are you taking time for yourself to unwind and spend quality time with those you love? In our lives, we make too many excuses on why we shouldn't do something: it's too expensive or too fattening or too (insert best adjective here). If you are thinking that I spent too much money and ate too many calories tonight, you are probably right, but I had a fantastic evening with two of the most important people in my life and the food was absolutely amazing! In fact, I am dreaming about another piece of that Tiramisu right now...

You don't have to spend a lot of money or eat a fancy meal but I encourage you to do something today that makes you truly happy!

Crock Pot White Chicken Chili and Homemade Bread

The crock pot is an underutilized appliance in many homes but I think its time for a comeback. You can make delicious, healthy, inexpensive meals with a little bit of creativity and patience. Plus, it makes your house smell amazing! Tonight I am making a white chicken chili. I looked online for recipes but could not find exactly what I was looking for so I came up with my own creation. I hope you enjoy! I am also including my homemade whole wheat bread recipe.

White Chicken Chili

4 chicken breasts (I buy all of my chicken at the Organic Butcher and I highly recommend buying local chicken if possible)
1 onion
2 bell peppers (I used one green and one yellow but any combo will work)
1 cup frozen corn
1 jalapeno (I love spicy so I left the seeds intact but you can remove them)
1 tablespoon oregano
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
2 teaspoons fresh ground pepper
1 cup low sodium chicken or veggie stock (you can add more if you need more liquid)

Put all ingredients in crock pot and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours (shred chicken before serving). I don't add any accompaniments to my chili but Blake loves cheddar and sour cream on his.

Homemade Whole Wheat Bread

1 cup warm milk
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 teaspoon yeast
1/4 cup wheat gluten
1/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon salt
3-4 cups whole wheat flour (I use King Arthur)

Warm milk in the microwave for 60 seconds and put in Kitchenaid mixer with water and yeast. Let sit for 10 minutes to make a sponge. Add wheat gluten and 1 cup flour and let sit for another 5 minutes. Add canola oil and salt and begin mixing dough with dough hook. Add the rest of the flour slowly until you have a soft and semi-sticky dough (do not add too much flour or you will have crumbly bread).

Cover with cloth and let sit to rise for about an hour or until doubled in size. Now you can either put the dough into a loaf pan or make into 12 rolls and let rise for another 45 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes for the rolls and 25 minutes for the loaf.

This recipe is very versatile. I usually just keep it simple because I eat the bread for breakfast, lunch, and dinner but you can add a combo of flax, sesame, and sunflower seeds for a multigrain bread or cinnamon and raisins for a yummy breakfast bread. Get creative and let me know if you come up with any great combinations!

You can be very happy about eating this meal! Have a wonderful week everyone!

Family Dinner

One of my very favorite things in life is sitting down to a nice family style dinner with the people I love most. In my family, we had dinner together every night and it was a wonderful time to reflect on our days and share funny stories. Plus, my mom is a fantastic cook! I have the fondest memories of my family around the dinner table and I love going home to visit....Happy Hour starts at 5:00 PM and dinner follows whenever Mom and I get around to it. Did I mention that my mom is a brewer and makes my favorite beer of all time, Pumpkin Porter! 

When I lived at Kappa Delta, family style dinner was on Thursday nights (I fondly remember eating my weight in bread and cheese and have no regrets). My friends and I had really fun traditions like crazy hats and dressing like Miss Linda (our house mom).

Tonight I had the pleasure of dining with some of my very best friends: Kate, Shane, Katherine, Joe, Andy, and Blake. Kate and Shane have a gorgeous house in Keswick and made a delicious meal of chicken potpie, rice, salad, homemade biscuits, and incredible molasses cake. We spent the evening chatting, gogling over the new baby room (Kate and Shane are expecting their first child on June 6), and having a wonderful time playing Settlers of Catan. What a wonderful evening! 

I know life can be very busy but remember that people are the most important part of it. We have a tendency to get on the hamster wheel and go faster, faster, faster but it doesn't matter if we have no one to share our successes with. 

This week, I challenge you to set the table, invite some friends or family, cook a nice healthy meal (watch the blog for some healthy recipes) and spend an evening together! I think you will have a truly memorable experience!

Pumpkin Muffins

I am a huge fan of pumpkin and Blake and I enjoy having lazy Saturday mornings so these little gems are perfect!

This recipe is adapted from one of Ellie Krieger's recipes. If you haven't used her recipes in the past, I highly recommend them. They are very healthy and tasty!

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 cup raw sugar
3 tablespoons molasses
1/4 cup oil (this morning I forgot the oil and they turned out great anyway)
2 eggs
1 cup pumpkin
3/4 c buttermilk (you can add a teaspoon of lemon juice to skim milk if you do not have buttermilk)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup pecans (I sprinkle them on top since Blake doesn't love nuts in his baked goods)

Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.

Enjoy and share with friends and neighbors!!

Happiness Part I

This has been such an exciting week and many events have made me smile.

1. Learning Something New

The students at Darden are holding their annual SHE Auction in February to raise money for the Shelter for Help in Emergency and they have added a new event this year, Dancing with the Darden Stars. I was approached to be one of the "stars" so I am paired up to perform with a Second Year student. Dave and I began our lessons last weekend and are busy working on our moves, preparing costumes, and enjoying learning Triple Step Swing. Tune in for more updates (so far we know a total of three dance moves and have  20 seconds of content....only 70 seconds to go.)

2. New Friends

In December, I wrote an e-mail to the Volunteer Director of the PB&J Fund, a wonderful non-profit in town whose mission is to get healthy food to children in the community. I was excited by the cause because the obesity epidemic in our country is out of control and I want to do my part to help combat it. Little did I know that an amazing friendship would emerge. Emily met me at Darden for lunch and we began discussing how Darden and PB&J could partner for future events. We have since done two projects at Darden including stuffing bags of healthy food for kids (who are on free and reduced lunch) to have over the holiday break and creating beautiful jars of cookie mix for kids at the Boys & Girls Club to give to their families as gifts. I am now volunteering twice a month with her at the Boys & Girls Club and we are teaching a cooking class to 4th-6th graders. They are pretty wild but I am having so much fun!

On Wednesday, Emily and I went on a double date with our husbands to Bizou for a delicious dinner and delightful conversations. I think we are kindred spirits and I cannot wait until next Wednesday when we teach our cooking class again!

3. Finding a Great Sale

Disclaimer: I am not a huge shopper! In fact, I really don't like spending money unless it's on food or travel (or both, which is even better) but I had giftcards for White House Black Market and Loft (thank you Christina and Barbara for the birthday gifts). I walked down to Barracks Road after work on Wednesday and found some incredible deals. I am now the proud owner of some sassy peep toed pink pumps ($30), a pink and black skirt ($11), and a delightfully warm bright pink sweater ($15). What can I say, I love a good sale and pink!

4. Book Club

I joined a book club with my beautiful neighbor, Katherine, last year and have been having a blast! We have read some incredible books including The Help, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society,  and In A Sanctuary of Outcasts. For this book club, we read These is My Words which highlights the life of a very strong woman in the Southwest at the end of the 1800s. It was a fantastic, quick read and I highly recommend it. Katherine hosted and I helped cook. My Pork Carnitas were a big hit and a very easy recipe that I would love for you to steal!

Here is the recipe:
1 pork tenderloin
1-12 oz jar of Salsa Verde (I highly recommend homemade or Whole Foods 365 Brand)
1 onion

Put in the crockpot and cook on low for 7 hours

Enjoy in tacos or over brown rice!