Memorial Day - Remembering and Grilling

What does Memorial Day mean to you?  Hopefully, it means remembering and honoring our wartime heroes.  These men and women made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, so thank you !

When Memorial Day comes around,  the rush to the campgrounds and gathering around the grill begins.  Me?  I'm usually busy in my garden and more than likely covering my newly planted tomatoes with sheets and such to protect them from the evil late May snow storm.  It happens every year..you think I'd learn.  But, my garden survived and is thriving with all the saturating rain, a treat for the high desert region.

So, what's going to be on your grill as you celebrate our fallen soldiers with friends and family?  Here's a mix of suggestions.  And before you take that first bite, say a prayer and thank God for the freedoms we enjoy every day!

Maple salmon

Gorgonzola sliders

Shrimp kabobs

Grilled and steamed steelhead trout

Why not grill a pizza?

Grilled eggplantwith melted mozzarella

Whatever you decide, have a great day!

Tips for Fooling Your Tastebuds

As most of you know I've embarked on another "diet plan".  This has been the story of my life, unfortunately, because of the choices I've made and probably because of the "pudgy gene" I've acquired!  I take one look at my lineage (grandmother) and I see the pounds lining the areas where I constantly try to carve them away.

Over the years and with alot of knowledge in this area, I've come to realize that you need to fool your taste buds.  This will make the road to weight loss an easier and more flavorful path. 

Here are my tips:

Instead of peach pie cut up a  peach, sprinkle with cinnamon and truvia. mix it well and enjoy!

Roast, roast, roast your veggies with a sprinkle of olive oil, sea salt and pepper.  The roasting brings out the goodness and sweetness.  My favorites are roasted red peppers, eggplant, bok choy and believe it or not, cabbage!

Roasted cabbage with lemony mahi mahi

When you have a sweet tooth, make a fresh fruit smoothie.  Just ice, about a cup of fresh fruit, a dash of truvia and vanilla and water. blend and you have it!  My lifesaver has been an orange smoothie.

If you like applesauce, make your own.  Don't buy a big jar filled with chemicals!  Peel and chop apples, add a little water and cinnamon and cook on low.  If you don't want chunky applesauce. place in the blender for a swirl.

And finally, start an herb garden with perennials like oregano, thyme, lavender, chives, and some mint.  Come summertime add cilantro, parsley, basil and rosemary.   With these you can embellish your meats, fish, salads, desserts and dressings or marinades.  My latest creations have been numerous variations of marinades like chili lime, ginger lemon thyme, or rosemary lavender dressings.

Dried lavender from the garden.



Dried oregano ready for the sauce!



Dried Lemon verbena - great in anything!

If you're limited to lettuce, dress it up with handfuls of herbs.  It will wake up the taste buds and fool them into thinking you're eating something special.  But, actually you are!  You grew and nutured those herbs for that healthy meal...