Tuesday Tidbits No. 45

Hi, everyone, it’s time for Tuesday Tidbits!  I hope everyone had a good new year.

I’ve decided each week to start off with a pic of the fruit or veggie that is in season.  Carrots are your best bet for freshness these days so stock up!  I love them roasted and have them at least once a week.  This food is so chock full of nutrients and especially good for growing children.   This dish is full of kale and carrots and a little spice for those who like it hot.  Kale is also in season now.

One quick note, I’ve decided to move Tidbits to the first Tuesday of each month.   I know a lot of you really enjoy this post but a monthly version is about all I can manage with my time constraints these days.  When the blog explodes and is booming with traffic, I’ll hire someone to help me and then I can write them more often, lol.  Until then, it’s just me and it’s all I can handle.  But the good news is – it will be extra special and have loads of fun stuff each time.

Let’s get started with a visit to Derek and Bruin at My Tartare.  I’m loving Derek’s fun recipes and his latest recipe, Irish Mac and Cheese had me very excited because of the wonderful flavors he’s included.    Now that the cold weather is truly here, I’m craving comfort foods but we’ve got to keep it healthy, right?  Derek uses whole milk and just a touch of flour in this scrumptious dish and I can’t wait to make it!

Irish Mac & Cheese  |  My Tartare

Simple deliciousness but with wonderful depth of flavor.

I am loving Derek’s Cucumber Velvet Bruschetta and you will too.  There is so much fun in this blog but mostly I love the surprises and creativity.  Derek’s recipes are far from the norm and I know you enjoy lots of spice and variety in your life.  Visit him here and you’ll be a fan forever!  Thanks so much for sharing, Derek.

Now that we’re in the new year, a lot of people are spending some time checking out healthier life styles and learning more about the effects of whole foods on their bodies.

One Green Planet is a great site with some very helpful information.  This article, The Amazing Hidden Health Benefits of Common Kitchen Spices and Herbs Revealed, is a must read for many common, everyday ailments.  If you can reduce inflammation by including a little turmeric in your tea rather than ingest all kinds of pills, isn’t that preferable?  Take some time and start the learning process – it’s a life changer.

And don’t forget about apple cider vinegar!  Did you know that this little miracle liquid helps you fight allergies, protects your skin against acne and balances high cholesterol?  Click here for more info on this natural cure.

I have started a weekly series of meal plans to help us all get organized, eat healthily and save money.   Here’s a great infographic to pin to your fridge to help with every day planning as well.  This site has several charts that are super helpful with good reminders so you’ll want to visit and print some of them out if you’re seriously looking to streamline your eating and planning.

Someone posted this on Facebook this week and I was really struck by it.   What do you think?  Do we get in a rut?   Do we get so comfortable in our routines that we forget to look outside our four walls?   Time to spread our wings a little?

MSN has  a slideshow that’s going to blow your mind! These are 29 Incredible Innovations Coming in 2016.    Would you like to own this plane?   It’s built for the average consumer!

I’m loving the new creations and gadgets that are available to us and when you surf around, it’s amazing what you can find. Just the other day I was looking at all these different security gadgets you can get to make your home more safe. If you want to have a look yourself, you might to check out something like a home security camera to get yourself started. The Design Inspiration site is a fun spot that has listed 25 Gadgets That You Can Actually Buy.   So cool!  Warning:  don’t have your credit card nearby!

A 3D interpretation of a digital clock.  Genius!

How many times have you wished you had a bigger umbrella?  Here’s one for 2 people.

Virtual keyboard beamed from this tiny gadget.   All I can say is ‘wow’!

So what do you know about Antarctica?  Do you even care about Antarctica? Check out these amazing facts and you’ll probably decide that Antarctica is a very cool place!

Most of Antarctica is covered in ice.  Only 1% is permanently ice-free.

A scientist in Antarctica got a date through Tinder with a girl camping just 45 minutes away.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Antarctica is 58.2°F (14.5°C).

Click here for more fun facts and photos.

Time to visit Architectural Digest for some of the most romantic restaurants in the world.  Check out this spectacular spot in London – what a dream!

Clos Maggiore, London

Ristorante Aroma, Rome

For more inspiring beauty, visit AD to dream about sharing a glass of wine with your favorite person.

You know I love bookshops and libraries so I wanted to share some extra special spots from around the world.  The Guardian has made a list of many fun and unique places that I’d love to visit.

Tell a Story, Portugal

The concept of Tell A Story is as simple as it is effective: a bookshop in a van. The project aims to promote Portuguese literature, in English, to tourists. The team travels around the country and also sells pens and postcards so people can write stories for their friends and so start a chain-reaction of story-telling.

The Book Barge, Lichfield (and environs), England

This 60-feet narrow boat, which is also a bookshop, has toured the canals of Britain since 2011, along with bookshop rabbit Napoleon Bunnyparte. “Owner Sarah Henshaw has just bought a plot of land in France and is determined to take Le Book Barge across the sea,” says Campbell.

Atlantis Books, Santorini, Greece

In 2004, two Oxford students were on holiday in Santorini, got drunk and decided to open a bookshop. Despite niggling doubts once they sobered up, after graduating they filled up a van and drove back. They run a small printing press in the back room and have signs saying you can ‘rent a cat’ while you read.

I’m sure many of you have seen the documentary,  That Sugar Film but I want to show the trailer here for those who haven’t seen it.  It’s full of critical information you need to make the right decisions about your food choices.  Some shocking facts here – you don’t want to miss it.  Have a good day, everyone.  Cheers!