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Perfect day trip to Nantucket, MA
Travel

Perfect Day Trip to Nantucket

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Hi there. Hope all is well! Before I get into what a perfect day trip to Nantucket could look like, I have an anniversary to celebrate. It has been about one year (maybe a day short) since I launched Sunday’s Bread! Hopefully you have enjoyed the recipes and the few insights into chez SB. I realize I have a lot still to learn (photos in particular!). This is a journey so I look forward to sharing more and getting better at it!

Ok, so onward to today’s post – I have been wanting to share how to visit Nantucket just for the day. A couple of weeks ago the girls and I had the most perfect day on Nantucket. Today I will be sharing what a perfect day trip to Nantucket could look like. Yes you can go just for the day!

Why go for a day trip to Nantucket?

I adore Nantucket and have been visiting since I was a young child. We would cruise the coast on our boat and stop in to explore ports around New England. Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard were my two favorite stops (all of those cute shops and ice cream:).

Then I went back to Nantucket in college. I had many friends who worked there for the summer or had family homes (where I was lucky to stay). Right out of college, when working in Boston, I would take off on Friday night from Boston, drive to Hyannis. I would catch the ferry in time to meet my friends out at a club called the Chicken Box. Very fond and fun memories.

So, I could not wait to show this darling island to the girls. We had visited when they were babies. So little that I recall remembering I was worried that the double stroller would not fit on the ferry. They do not remember any of that visit. We also visited the Vineyard a few years ago – my youngest loved Edgartown. So it was time to try the other island, Nantucket, which is only 11 miles away.

A day trip is perfect too. First, you can see how the weather will be. Nantucket is famous for its fog and frankly as much as I love it, it is very expensive. There is some risk of getting there on a not so great day weather-wise. We booked our ferry two days prior.

How do you get to Nantucket?

We were coming from Cape Cod after visiting some friends in Orleans. Orleans is about 45 minutes from Hyannis which is where I always pick up the high speed ferry. The high speed ferry will take one hour to get to Nantucket. As mentioned above, this is also doable from the Boston area.

We made reservations for the high speed Hy Line. As we were a couple of days out we could not park there as the ferry lot was full. If you are leaving early, as we were (8:30 a.m.) this is not an issue. There are numerous parking lots where you can park all day. We paid $35 and were about a block away from the ferry. I had packed some muffins but we grabbed coffee at the café right next to where you board. They have a selection of breakfast items to go, or you can sit for a larger meal if you have the time.

It was a gorgeous summer morning so sitting next to the docks sipping coffee was a great way to get started. On board, we sit up top to get the view and fresh air. I love the view of Nantucket from the ferry as you approach the island.

Where to go once on island

Nantucket town has a few primary streets lined with shops and places to dine. The harbor docks also have dozens of lovely boutiques. Our aim was to shop and eat so we set off and started browsing. Here are some of my favorite stores:

Murray’s Toggery Murray’s is the home to the famous Nantucket Reds, faded pinkish, red chinos for men and women. JFK famously wore them as he played golf and sailed. They have been around forever and anyone who has spent anytime on boats or near yacht clubs knows them well. Murray’s has far more than just the famous pants though. I purchased a beautiful cashmere wrap in hot pink (the girls’ suggestion), and we browsed lots of brands. The look tends to be preppy with some outdoorsy clothing too. All very fitting for Nantucket.

Pawsitivity We just discovered this adorable shop which sells beautifully made pet collars and leashes. The owner was so helpful and we enjoyed chatting with him (they also have a store in Vail…not too bad!).

Ack 4170 We headed here for sweatshirts and to browse some beautiful jewelry. I love following them on Facebook too.

Stop N Shop Hah yes the local Stop N Shop was a favorite as we could easily pick up bottles of water, kombucha and snacks. As we were only there for the day we did not want to even carry water bottles. Stop N Shop also has restrooms (the visitor center does too) so we stopped in a few times during the day.

Perfect day trip to Nantucket, MA
Everything is adorable on Nantucket…how cute is this bike?

If you have not visited the Nantucket Whaling Museum I highly recommend it. Nantucket’s history is vibrant and the whaling industry (as sad as that is to me now) brought wealth. Many of the gorgeous historic homes date back to those times. You will need to make a reservation to visit (not sure if this is due to Covid or not). The museum has a notable scrimshaw collection. Many exhibits convey what it was like to be part of the whaling industry.

If you would like to see more of the island, you can also rent bikes. We opted not to do this as summertime is also high traffic time (stressful when biking). There is also a shuttle that goes all around Nantucket. We decided we would try that another time.

Where to eat on Nantucket when visiting for the day

There are many fine dining and casual eateries on Nantucket. A personal favorite has always been the Straight Wharf where I love the bluefish pate – soooo good. For us though our trip was short so we did not want to spend too much time dining. Instead we headed to Provisions which has been on Nantucket since I was a college student.

The Turkey Terrific sandwich is one of the best sandwiches I have eaten. It is “Thanksgiving on a sandwich,” as my daughter described it. Super fresh bread, yummy stuffing, cranberry sauce and turkey of course. They also have a delicious baked tofu sandwich which I ordered. Tip: If you are buying to eat on the ferry, leave plenty of time! Provisions is very popular so there was a wait and we saw two people have to leave without their food.

Right around 4 we stopped at the Juice Bar, another institution for some of the best ice cream ever. Feeling a bit full from lunch, we had a raspberry sorbet. The sorbet tasted like fresh picked raspberries. Post lunch we walked around town looking at some of the notable homes such as the Jared Coffin House. I love antiques and old homes so this was a delightful way to spend the afternoon.

Perfect day trip to Nantucket, MA
Gorgeous Hydrangeas

Where to eat in Hyannis after a perfect day trip to Nantucket

We took the 6 o’clock ferry back to Hyannis. 10 to 6 was just the right amount of time. Mr. SB was waiting for us with our lab as the ferry pulled into Hyannis. He is a huge fan of whole belly fried clams (and I am too!).

There are two clam shack restaurants in Hyannis, Baxters and Spanky’s. We have eaten at both post Nantucket ferry (both are excellent for fresh seafood). Spanky’s was dog friendly so we opted to eat there. We ate outside and watched the sun set. It was delicious and a perfect ending to the perfect day trip on Nantucket.

Darling clambake table
Lifestyle

Summer Catch Up

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Hi there. This post is as it says, a catch up, so here is a little bit about what we are doing, cooking, reading and more. Summer has been flying by and in spite of some rainy days in CT, we have been enjoying every minute. This past weekend we had so much fun at a clambake right on the beach. Of course there were s’mores afterwards and even some live music. I loved the table favors (see photo) and eating lobster on picnic tables covered in craft paper is ideal as it is a messy meal.

The perfect New England clambake

Last year we had our own clambake (you can catch my picture in the bio and see a glimpse of my nautical table scape. We also launched our new Hobie Cat. My husband has been working very hard on getting it ready for launch so it was indeed a busy weekend.

This summer is no different when it comes to the cooking. I am pulling out all of my picnic favorites and now that I have this blog I don’t have to search far! Here are the faves:

Perfect potato salad in a delicious, vinaigrette (no mayo!)

Mediterranean pasta salad (also no mayo but plenty of yummy pesto and a creamy sauce)

Blueberry crumble bars (these taste like summer!)

We have also been grilling a ton (that is Mr. SB’s specialty). His burgers with caper mayo are a stand by all year but especially in the summer. That caper mayo is also delicious on turkey sandwiches as well as veggie/turkey/salmon burgers.

My weekend days typically mean I head to the beach. I have discovered Elin Hildebrand for a great source of beach reads. Her books often take place on Nantucket, a favorite place of mine, so perfect for light reading and exactly what summer calls for – try The Rumor as a first book if you have never read her. I also have American Dirt on my reading list (was an Oprah pick). Much more serious but a friend said it is a can’t put down type of book. It is fiction but really portrays what people in Central America go through to come to America (and why they come). It is next on my list.

Lastly, my garden is crazy this year. During the cold winter months I went seed shopping and never thought I would grow anything from those little packets. My nasturtiums have proven me wrong thankfully. Could not be easier to grow and keep blooming, blooming, blooming.

Nasturtiums
My nasturtiums – could not be easier to grow from seed!

Well that is it for now. Am hoping to visit Nantucket soon so maybe I will some more to share on my favorite New England island.

Wake Forest Wait Chapel
Travel

College Tour – Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland and Pennsylvania

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Hi all. Well, last week was a whirlwind college tour. Little Miss High School and I road tripped it for a college tour of Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland and Pennsylvania. It was a lot of driving but also a lot of fun so I thought I would share some of the details.

University of Virginia

Our first stop was Charlottesville, VA to visit the University of Virginia. This was about a seven hour drive from Connecticut. We arrived in the late afternoon which was perfect as we could explore Charlottesville and do our own informal walk around of UVA. We stayed a Hilton Hampton Inn which was brand new and perfect for us. I even hit the gym in the morning while Little Miss slept in.

Charlottesville is home to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello which we also wanted to visit. Unfortunately given that we had to drive to North Carolina after the tour we did not have time. We did however see the beautiful home from afar where it is perched on the river. UVA is very historic and was Thomas Jefferson’s conception. He had attended William and Mary but apparently saw room for improvement (according to our guide). He thought students and professors should live together for constant learning. Here is a picture of the lovely area where even today students live and professors live next door. In each of these rooms, there is a list of all residents. One list even has Edgar Allen Poe on it as he attended for a semester.

UVA Grounds
UVA Grounds

“Grounds” as the campus is called is gorgeous and for a history buff like me heaven! So what did Little Miss think?

She loved it too. And as any teenager does, took plenty of photos.

She is also very into history and after a year of intense AP US History was gobbling up the background of this picturesque university. We walked around that evening and explored downtown Charlottesville which is a quintessential college town in the best way. The next morning we arrived for a fantastic tour. Our guide was upbeat, really engaging and clearly very smart. We liked that you apply to Arts and Science but then apply for business at a later date (which is her interest). UVA also has D1 sports (my Little Miss is a sports fan), Greek life (35% though so plenty of students not involved if that is not your thing) and hundreds of clubs. The academics are stellar and of course it is very selective especially out of state. After a trip to the bookstore (Cavalier sweatshirt in tow), we headed to UNC Chapel Hill.

UNC Chapel Hill, Elon and Wake Forest

We drove about 3.5 hours from UVA to UNC Chapel Hill. The drive takes you through rural Virginia and North Carolina but was pleasant enough (Little Miss practiced her driving). I would recommend packing a sandwich or stopping in Charlottesville first (we ended up with fast food which is not my preference but was the only quick option).

UNC and Chapel Hill are beautiful. We did not have a formal tour though so we walked around on our own. Little Miss thought it may be a tad too large and spread out. She will do some more research. They also have great sports (basketball especially), a lovely town and excellent academics.

We then headed to Winston-Salem which is about an hour from UNC Chapel Hill. Much to our surprise, Elon University was right on the way so we decided to stop. Elon has a beautiful campus. We know many kids that attend, and it is especially popular in the Northeast. Brian Williams and his son put it on the map with communications. Little Miss liked the campus too. I think it will be on her list.

That evening we had reservations at the Wyndham in Winston-Salem which is called the historic Brookstown Inn and dates back to 1837. This hotel is actually on the national register of historic hotels, and it was adorable! Exposed brick, period furniture and very spacious rooms all at a reasonable, Wyndham price. We loved the warm cookies and milk served at night too. Little Miss and I headed to Willow (an easy walk) for dinner for tasty salads (to offset those cookies which came later!). The area is very charming and historic Salem is not too far either. The hotel is about fifteen minutes from Wake Forest University.

In the morning, after a traditional Southern breakfast (gravy, biscuits, eggs etc.) we headed to Wake Forest University for a formal tour. Wake Forest, founded in 1834, is lovely and in a very nice area with spacious homes and lots of beautiful greenery. Our tour guide was energetic and warm. It was hot though (note to tour guides…please bring your groups into the shade!).

Wake also has an excellent business school and again, you can apply after being admitted which is a plus (some schools you have to apply directly for business). Wake has about 60% in Greek life so that seems to be something you have to want to do (or be comfortable not doing but know that it is a big part of life for many students). The school is very well take care of and the buildings were gorgeous. Post tour we visited the business school which is brand new and impressive. We picked up an Einstein’s bagel sandwich for our road trip to College Park Maryland which is about four hours away. Little Miss is adding this one to the list for certain.

U. Maryland, Lehigh University and Villanova

Our trip to College Park took us through DC which was fun. We drove past the White House and other major buildings. On the other side of DC is College Park where the University of Maryland resides. Frankly, this one was just too big for Little Miss but if you are interested in a large school this may be the right one for you. The next day we were up early to hit Pennsylvania with a first stop at Lehigh.

Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA and is comprised of some lovely stone buildings on a hill. We would like to see town when the students are there as it was a little sleepy mid summer. We had lunch at a coffee bar, and then headed to Villanova University for a tour. Villanova is also a beautiful campus right outside of Philadelphia. Our tour guide led us around campus and shared some of the interesting facts such as every student takes a mission trip funded by an alum. When students become alums, they fund another student’s trip. Villanova has several schools. You can transfer to business although apparently it is difficult once enrolled as you will need to catch up. There is some Greek life too which is unusual for a Catholic university.

Exhausted and full of college facts, we headed back home through torrential down pours. Fortunately I know New York well enough to take the major highways as many of the smaller ones were flooded. Next up will be a tour of my alma mater, Boston College. Hopefully you have enjoyed this little peak into a college tour of Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Stay tuned!

New England Clam Chowder Recipe
Food

Classic Clam Chowder + Weekend Wrap Up

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Hi there. Summer has been so busy as we are at the shore every weekend, and the last two weekends we have hosted friends which has been so much fun. I finally had a chance to read a bit on Sunday at the beach and fell promptly asleep! As much as I love entertaining it can be tiring. So, this post is a bit of a catch up post. I will be sharing my recipe for classic clam chowder or as our clams come from right off of Cockenoe Island I am officially calling the clam chowder recipe, Cockenoe Clam Chowder! I will get to that in a bit.

What is immediately on my radar is the fourth of July. We will host friends this Sunday for a BBQ and to watch the fireworks from the shore. I am thinking of making the best Mediterranean pasta salad to go with Mr. SB’s amazing ribs. I am searching for a good bar recipe that will withstand the heat and of course we will have s’mores as we always do. We toast the marshmallows on the fire pit. It should be a great weekend to celebrate! I will try to share next week (although I will be college touring again so it may be after that…).

So to get back to the clam chowder, Mr. SB discovered how to go clamming/oystering last summer. He even received his shell fishing license and bought all of the equipment (well Santa actually brought some of it). Of course he had to go clamming as soon as possible. We had so many oysters and clams (all delicious and so, so fresh) that I had about 8 cups extra. The clams you find on the East Coast can range from the softer shell steamers to what we call in RI, quahogs, which have a very hard shell and are generally quite meaty. They are perfect for chowder (I also love to steam them and dip into butter). So I used a basic soup recipe and added cream and of course the classic white pepper. I recommend buying white pepper if you do not have it as it makes a difference. Below is the recipe. Enjoy!

New England Clam Chowder Recipe
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Cockenoe (Classic) Clam Chowder

Taste the ocean in this delectable and traditional New England clam chowder. Easy to make and freeze and the perfect use for any extra clams.
Course Appetizer, Soup
Cuisine American
Keyword Clam Chowder, Cockenoe, New England Clam Chowder
Prep Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 7 pounds clams scrubbed and rinsed. I steam them first (7 cups includes the shells – there will be less once shells are removed)
  • 3 cups water
  • 4 bacon strips
  • 1 medium-size Spanish onion diced small
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 3 large red or yellow potatoes cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 cup heavy or light cream
  • 1 tsp white pepper (or to taste)

Instructions

  • In a large soup pot over high heat, add clams to water. Bring to a boil and cook just until clams open, about 10 minutes. Remove clams from broth and set aside. (Discard any clams that don't open.) Strain broth through a sieve lined with a coffee filter and set aside. Picture of my steamed clams below.
    Cockenoe Steamed Clams
  • Clean your soup pot; then, over medium-high heat, sauté bacon until it’s browned and fat is rendered. Using a slotted spoon, remove bacon to a paper towel (you won’t use the bacon so use for something else). Add diced onion to pot and sauté until translucent.
  • Stir in flour and cook 1 minute, being careful not to brown. Whisk in reserved clam broth. Add potatoes and thyme, and simmer 10 minutes.
  • Remove clams from shells, reserving liquid, and chop roughly. Strain liquid; then add clams and liquid to pot. Stir in parsley and cream; cook just long enough to heat clams through, about 3 minutes.
    New England Clam Chowder Mixture
  • We love this chowder with fresh bread and a green salad.

Notes

Often we steam our clams ahead of time as after clamming we want to cook them right away.  This preparation also reduces the work time when you are making the chowder.  You could also pre cut your onion and potatoes so that the chowder comes together very quickly.  

No-Bake Energy Bites
Food

No-Bake Energy Bites

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Hi all…Sunday Bread daughter here with a guest post. I made these no-bake energy bites for my mom on her birthday (her request), and they came out great! They are super easy to make and refrigerate well. My mom loves them for an afternoon snack or post workout. My sister and I think they taste like cookie dough. Yum. Healthy too apparently. Sometimes we double the health benefit by having one of these with my mom’s favorite blueberry cauliflower smoothie.

So here is the recipe for No-Bake Energy Balls.

Nutrition for No-Bake Energy Bites

These bites are super healthy. Flaxseed is full of omega threes and fiber. These energy bites also contain chia seeds which like flaxseed, contain omega threes and fiber, in addition to protein, calcium, and numerous antioxidants. The bites are also gluten free and if you would like them to be vegan you could sub out the honey and use maple syrup. Dark chocolate has magnesium and make the bites yummy. So no-bake energy bites are both delicious and nutritious!

No-Bake Energy Bites

No-Bake Energy Bites

These super simple energy bites are perfect for anytime whether it be a mid day pick-me-up or a post workout snack. They are easy to make and taste delicious!
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Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Baking, Bites, easy, Energy, Healthy
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 12 bites
Cost: $5

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Measuring Cups
  • Large Spoon

Ingredients

  • 1 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup creamy nut butter – I like a combination of the Mixed Nut butter from Costco and Trader Joe’s Sunflower seed spread
  • 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips – any kind you prefer
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 TBS chia seeds
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  • Stir everything together until combined. Stir with a big spoon to really mix well.
  • Cover the mixing bowl or container and place in the refrigerator for an hour or until the mixture can be formed into balls without falling apart.
 I use my hands to form balls. Store the balls in the fridge.
Easy Lentil Vegetable Soup
Food

Lentil Vegetable Soup

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Hi there! So, yes it is June and at this point I would not expect to be sharing a post about lentil vegetable soup. However, with last weekend at 45 degrees and raining until late Sunday afternoon…I made a big pot of this soup, and it was delicious. It freezes beautifully and is super economical as it only uses a small amount of bacon. You can also easily make the soup vegan by omitting the bacon and using vegetable stock. I would also up the garlic and other spices in the vegan version to add some flavor. Lentils are very popular in France, and it is said that eating them on the first of the month brings luck. Now, to share a bit of info on nutrition.

Nutrition in lentil vegetable soup

Lentils are considered a pulse (funny word right?) and are very nutritious. They are full of protein, rich in nutrients and are good for digestion, heart health and more. According to Dr. Axe, “Lentils are considered a top “functional food” due to their high nutritive value, polyphenols, minerals, fiber and other bioactive compounds. While they’re known for providing protein and fiber, their polyphenol content is becoming the focus of ongoing research, since polyphenols are know play an important role in the prevention of degenerative diseases.”

While nutritious, I also find them delicious. Lentils have a subtle nutty flavor that pairs well with all kinds of vegetables. Lentils are also great room temperature, cold or hot as is the case with this soup. I love to make a batch and have them handy to add to salads and more. But right now, this soup fits the bill…enjoy!

Easy Lentil Vegetable Soup

Easy Lentil Vegetable Soup

Easy lentil vegetable soup is chock full of nutrition and taste.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Soup
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 38 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Cost: $4

Ingredients

  • 4 slices bacon or omit if making vegetarian
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 3 medium carrots peeled and chopped
  • 1 to 2 stalks of celery chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic minced
  • 1 – 14 oz can diced tomatoes I like the basil, garlic version for even more flavor
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
  • 1 cup lentils I use organic, green but you can use brown or red too
  • 1 teaspoon salt Or to taste
  • pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 4 cups chicken broth or use vegetable broth if making vegetarian
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • Dried herbs de Provence or Italian blend to taste

Instructions

  • Brown the bacon in a large soup pot or dutch oven. Set aside and crumble. Leave bacon drippings in the pot. If making vegetarian, heat vegetable oil until hot.
  • Add onions, celery and carrots to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add garlic, then stir in tomatoes and thyme. Cook for 30 seconds.
  • Stir in lentils, salt, and pepper; cover, reduce heat to medium-low. Cook 8-10 minutes.
  • Uncover, increase heat to high, add wine, and bring to simmer. Add chicken or vegetable broth and water, bring to boil, cover partially, and reduce heat to low. Add your dried herbs de Provence (or other dried blend).
  • Simmer for 20-30 minutes, until vegetables and lentils are softened.
  • Stir in vinegar, bacon if you are using it.
  • Top with some grated cheese and serve with some fresh bread for a delicious meal.
easiest strawberry shortcake recipe
Food

Easiest strawberry shortcake recipe

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Hi there! Not sure where the time goes…college girl came home and my youngest is busy finishing up school. Hard to believe the year is approaching halfway through and we are almost in June! Checking in today to say hello and share the easiest strawberry shortcake recipe that I brought to friends last weekend. In CT, strawberry season is right around the corner in June but we start to get some delicious strawberries from California this time of year too. I also find myself really craving spring desserts and fruit in particular. Strawberries are also so good for you. I do buy the organic versions as apparently strawberries are one of the most sprayed for conventional produce.

This recipe creates a light, crumbly shortcake that can be made in one bowl – so super easy. It also looks really pretty on top of a cake plate (and needless to say it was a big hit!). So, without further ado, here is the recipe for the easiest strawberry shortcake recipe.

easiest strawberry shortcake recipe

Easiest strawberry shortcake recipe

Delectable, crumbly shortcake is the perfect base for ripe, sweet strawberries and cloud-like soft whipped cream.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Dessert, Fruit dessert
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Cost: $5

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds strawberries hulled and sliced in half or quarters
  • 5 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream chilled
  • 2 tablespoons confectioners sugar

Instructions

  • Mix strawberries with 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar and refrigerate while juices develop (for at least 30 minutes).
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Add heavy cream and mix until just combined. Place mixture in an ungreased 8-inch square pan and bake until golden, 18 to 20 minutes.
  • Remove shortcake from pan and place on a rack to cool. Slice in half.
  • Spoon some of the strawberries with their juice onto the shortcake bottom then add the shortcake top. Spoon more strawberries over the top, add the whipped cream and serve.
  • Whipped Cream:
  • Using a mixer, beat the heavy cream, sugar, vanilla until soft peaks form, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. If you put your mixing attachments and bowl in the freezer the whipped cream will be fluffier.
Superfood Blueberry Cauliflower Spinach Smoothie
Food

Favorite Blueberry Cauliflower Spinach Smoothie

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Hi there all! Hope you had a fabulous mother’s day (if you are a mom) and a great weekend. It has remained cool in the New York area so my gardening plans have been a bit on hold although I did manage to plant a few containers for our newly painted deck (as an aside love the color, Benjamin Moore Chelsea Grey). As spring and soon summer will be here, it is time to health-it-up! In truth, the following recipe for my Superfood Blueberry Cauliflower Spinach Smoothie is something I drink every day (well almost as I have a few other smoothie recipes too). And while cauliflower may throw you here (sounds icky right) it is actually tasteless, and the yummy blueberries and vanilla protein powder take center stage. Before we jump into the how to make the smoothie, let’s talk for a minute about the superfood ingredients.

Superfood Blueberry Cauliflower Spinach Smoothie Health Benefits

When I started making smoothies one thing I realized is that you can pack so much nutrition into one drink. In fact, now, as I have adopted intermittent fasting (thank you Cassie from Hi Sugarplum blog for inspiring me…see the link to her Q&A), my morning smoothie is a late morning, post-workout breakfast. Smoothies hydrate, can be full of amazing healthful ingredients and take minutes to put together (What is not to like?).

Let’s start with the star, delicious ingredient – blueberries. Way back when I had read that blueberries have anti-aging benefits (hello – as a woman in perimenopause let’s just say anti-aging is my goal!). According to my buddy, Dr. Axe, “blueberries remain one of the most nutritious, antioxidant-rich types of fruit in the world and have been shown to do everything from enhance brain health to keep your heart strong.” Here are some more top benefits of blueberries (courtesy of Dr. Axe):

  1. High in Antioxidants
  2. Help Fight Cancer
  3. Amp Up Weight Loss
  4. Boost Brain Health
  5. Alleviate Inflammation
  6. Support Digestion
  7. Promote Heart Health

Wild blueberries have even more antioxidants than the farmed version. Hello, see why you may want to eat (or drink) them?

Let’s talk cauliflower next. Cauliflower is another superfood. For this recipe, I buy organic, frozen cauliflower from Whole Foods freezer section. In the frozen form, cauliflower is basically tasteless (I actually love cauliflower but would not eat it raw in most cases). Cauliflower is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. It has tons of anti-inflammatory compounds, phytonutrients and is a member of the cruciferous vegetables which are known for their cancer fighting qualities.

Spinach or another leafy green is always my third, main ingredient. Greens are so important for health and should be part of every day’s nutrition.

Spinach nutrition also supplies flavonoids, which are a type of powerful antioxidant that protect against disease by fighting free radicals. These protective compounds make spinach one of the best anti-aging foods around (sign me up!). I also find that spinach is easy to mix with fruits, and it is a staple in all of my smoothies (and salads too).

Additional add-ins for the superfood smoothie

What else goes into this smoothie? Well here are a few of the ingredients and why I add them.

Flax seed: I add a good tablespoon of the ground kind. Full of fiber and plant-based Omega 3 fatty acids, these little seeds are great for the skin, hair and heart. I have also read they are great for perimenopause.

Aria vanilla protein powder. This is my favorite powder, but you can sub in what you like. It is only 45 calories and tastes delicious.

Coconut water. Coconut water is full of potassium and is a natural hydration fluid.

Hemp hearts, chia seeds, turmeric, superfood green powder – I like to sprinkle in all of these in teaspoon amounts and they may vary depending on what I have on hand.

So here is the recipe for my superfood blueberry, cauliflower smoothie. Enjoy!

Superfood Blueberry Cauliflower Spinach Smoothie

Superfood Blueberry Cauliflower Smoothie

Packed with anti-aging antioxidants, vitamins, fiber and more, this smoothie is creamy, delicious and I swear gives my skin a boost. Have it for a snack, breakfast or anytime you need some hydration and a healthy lift.
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Anti-aging, Blueberries, Cauliflower, Protein, Spinach, Superfoods
Servings: 1
Cost: $1

Equipment

  • Ninja or blender

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Frozen blueberries I always buy organic from Costco
  • 1/2 cup Frozen cauliflower
  • 1/2 cup Raw spinach leaves
  • 1 Tbsp Aria vanilla protein powder or powder of your choice
  • 1 cup Coconut water or regular water
  • Water or juice to blend smoothly
  • 1 tsp each Ground flax seed, chia seeds, turmeric, hemp hearts Feel free to experiment with healthy add-ins

Instructions

  • Add all to your blender or Ninja and blend for 15 seconds or to desired consistency. If too thick, thin with water. Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Roasted Leeks Recipe
Food

Catching up and a yummy roasted leeks recipe

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Hi there. Goodness, it has been a whirlwind. In addition to being away for Spring break (college tours) I have been underwater at work, and the home improvement continues with the deck being painted this week. So my poor little blog has not been getting the attention it deserves. Hopefully, I will be able to share the kitchen cabinet reveal soon. If you missed the long process involved in picking the perfect white paint color for the cabinets, you can read that post here. We finally installed the new hood over the stove. While I could not use my stove for the last six weeks (due to no hood), I have been roasting everything. I am here to tell you that roasted leeks are delicious. Without further ado, here are a few fun facts about how super healthy leeks are and the roasted leeks recipe.

Are leeks good for you?

Like most vegetables, leeks are good for you. In fact, leeks belong to the allium family along with onions and garlic. Similar to these vegetables, leeks are a great source of vitamins A, K and C. They also have folate and fiber. Leeks have properties that fight heart disease and cancer as well as inflammation. Frankly, leeks have always intimidated me. I really did not know how to cook them other than in my best-ever Thanksgiving stuffing. I did quite a bit of research to learn how to cook them on their own. This roasted leeks recipe is adapted from Martha Stewart.

Roasted Leeks Recipe

Roasted Leeks with Thyme

Leeks are roasted in a blend of white wine and broth and then sprinkled with thyme for a delectable side dish.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Side Dish
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 0
Cost: $5

Equipment

  • Roasting pan

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds leeks 6 to 8 small or medium sized
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine I used Bota Box pinot grigio
  • 1 cup low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 5 sprigs Fresh thyme (or add to taste)

Instructions

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Trim dark-green tops and root ends from leeks. Cut leeks in half lengthwise. Remove thick, tough outer layers (2 to 4 total, depending on size). Thoroughly wash and drain leeks, keeping them intact. Arrange in a tight single layer, cut sides up, in a broiler-safe baking dish.
  • In a small saucepan, boil the white wine 30 seconds. Add broth and return to a boil. Then season generously with salt and pepper. Pour the mixture over leeks and sprinkle with thyme. Cover dish with foil.
  • Roast for 45 minutes. Uncover and continue roasting until leeks are very soft and broth mixture is reduced by half, 20 to 22 minutes.
  • At this point you can sprinkle with some grated parmesan cheese or even add some butter if you like. Serve as a side or light main dish.
Brooks Ghost 13 Running Shoe Review
Fitness

Brooks Ghost 13 Running Shoe Review

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Hi there. Goodness what a crazy couple of weeks. High school gal is off this week and we have been on the college tour circuit. Of course, there are few tours to be found…so doing our own tours really. Nonetheless, lots of driving and while fun, exhausting too. I still do not have a kitchen ready to share just yet…but hopefully in about a week. They finished repairing the backsplash today. Spring has sprung in CT and the Northeast and with the warm weather I am excited to run. I will share a bit of my running background but before I do, let’s be clear, today’s post is about the most amazing, cloud-like running shoe around, the Brooks Ghost Running Shoe 13.

My history with running

All, there are plenty of blogs out there that chronicle running far more than I ever will. That said, I love to run and I normally run about once a week but with the pandemic, running has become my primary form of exercise. Way back when, I ran track in high school. I ran the mile for one season in an effort to stay in shape for my main sport, field hockey. All – I hated track. I hated competing. I hated pretty much everything about it except running. I learned I actually really enjoy running as a stress manager, way to stay in shape and just a nice form of outdoor exercise. So fast forward many years and I am still running. I have tried many, many running shoes. I have never loved a running shoe more than my Brooks Ghost 13 running shoe.

Review of the Brooks Ghost 13 Running Shoe

So about three years ago I bought the Brooks Ghost 13. I actually did not know that Ghost was the name. I loved these running shoes. I mean loved them. They were like running on clouds. So comfortable. We did a tour of the Pacific Northwest and I left these babies in the hotel room in Portland. I was so distraught. I called housekeeping and ended up sending them a prepaid label to ship them to me!

Yes, the Brooks Ghost 13 is that comfortable and so worth it. The problem is that I did not know the model was called Ghost and found myself trying other models (not as good). Then this year, I saw my shoes online, and I am sharing them with you today. They are bouncy, sooo comfortable and so great for running. I chose the pale grey color (see photo) which matches everything so a huge bonus. So enjoy. Here is the link where you can buy a pair of your own.