Kale + Avocado Salad

Kale is by far my favorite green for making an at home salad, and I just realized how much cheaper it is to buy loose leaf rather than buying a pre-washed, pre-packaged bunch of kale. The bunch below (which has made me 5 salads) cost $0.87, whereas the pre-packaged kind is $3.99-$4.99.

Avocado is another of my favorite fruits. My new favorite thing is buying the cheap and unripe avocado (this one was $1.00), which I place into the cabinet for 2 days, pull out, open, and look at its beautiful green glory.

This salad should really be called something like "Mean Green" but....

Ingredients:

3-5 Leaves Kale

1/2 Avocado

1/2 Zucchini

1 Scallion

Olive Oil

Salt

Greek Spices

Balsamic Reduction (topper)

Directions:
1. Wash and rip kale. I rip mine into bite sized pieces so I know I won't bite down on a huge unbearable piece.
2. Prep veggies: cut zucchini, scallions, score avocado
3. In a large bowl place kale, olive oil (just a splash), salt, and spices. Massage with hands.
- I only use one hand, and just rub it until everything has been coated and mixed up
4. Mix in Veggies
5. Plate (or keep in bowl for less clean up)
6. Drizzle with balsamic reduction

Tips:
Feel free to add or remove any of these items that you please, make it your own, and most of all, ENJOY IT!

Dahl's Magic

Remember this?!

As children we all went through our fair share of phases, from being obsessed with our Segas, to loving our Barbies (to take it even further back). I definitely had my share of love affairs with certain toys, stuffed animals, games, etc. growing up but the one that always stuck with me was my obsession with reading. Some of my first memories involve me reading, and trips to the library. I clearly remember one specific occasion my mom took me to the public library, I was about 7 years old or so, and as soon as we walked thru those big library doors I exclaimed something to the effect of "it's like heaven in here". Clearly I loved my books.

I'm sure I started out as most kids do reading Dr. Seuss books, somewhere in there came along "Where the Wilds Things Are" and "The Giving Tree", all which became some of my all time favorites. But the author who really stole my heart as a child was a Mr. Roald Dahl who would become my lifetime favorite author. I soaked up each and everyone of his children's books up, there was just something so magical about them, and to this day for that matter.

The B.F.G.

As time went on and I became a teenager my days began to be filled with other activities and not so much reading anymore unless it was a requirement for a class. Then came adulthood which as you all know involves work, school, and other responsibilities leaving little time for anything else including reading. But as fate has it, I now have a lot more time on my hands as my health problems have me home ridden for now, and I despise watching television. This has lead me to rekindle my love affair with reading, which in turn has lead me to ordering some new books! Roald Dahl books that is!

The "Phizz-Whizzing Collection"

I found this lovely box set of Roald Dahl books on Amazon.com for about $50 bucks, which really ain't bad considering it includes 15 of his books, and a cute little box to hold them all in. Definitely stoked when this bad boy was on my door steps! Dahl's books are even better than I had remembered (which I didn't think was possible!) I definitely have a deeper appreciation for his work and the illustrations that can be found in his books now that I'm older. Although I am older now they are still as much fun to read now as they were back in the day. It's funny how certain things stick with you throughout life.

On another note, if you live in NYC you can go experience children's books in an interactive way! Nelli wrote a blog a few weeks back telling of her recent experience at an exhibit all about children's books called "Why Children's Books Matter", looks like a lot of fun!! :)

So tell me...What was your favorite book as a child?

Until next time...Cheers!

P.S. I randomly found this quiz online called "Which Roald Dahl Character Are You?" 

I got Matilda! lol :)

Life Motto

My girlfriend has been studying to become a dental hygienist, as such she needs volunteers to act as her patients. I am, and always will be, a strong believer in education and so of course I volunteered! Not only did I help her learn, but I learned a great deal about myself and about dental hygiene. I am a 'yappy' person and a 'questioner' and have been since I was little. No matter what I do in life the one thing I will always do is ask questions, this means I learn a great deal more than I would otherwise which I think is a great trait + I highly recommend it to everyone!

My motto on life is and always will be 'it can never hurt to ask.'

The photos below are from my walk around her school while waiting to meet her.

ENJOY!

Balsamic Reduction

Balsamic reduction is something that I became addicted to while working at Giano Restaurant.
Every night when I would get off work I would order the Insalata Mediterranea but with the balsamic reduction as the sauce, and an addiction was born!
A few years later I remember this little treasure and decided to make some of my own. This sauce is super simple to make and I made enough to store in my fridge and use for a few salads in the future.

Ingredients:

Balsamic Vinegar

Directions:
1. Pour vinegar into sauce pan
Use as much or as little as you would like I used 1 cup
2. Put on medium heat until it boils, then lower the heat for about 5 minutes
3. If you like it a little thicker cook it longer
I made mine thick, so my 1 cup turned into about 1/3 of a cup. If you make it thinner you'll yield more.

Tips:
The sauce will thicken up after you remove it from heat.

Sorry the photo quality isn't great today