The Big Payback - 2017

The Big Payback is a day of giving online to support non-profits in Middle Tennessee! Starting at midnight on Wednesday, May 3rd, donors have 24 hours to make gifts to 775 participating nonprofits, including schools and religious institutions, which are located in or provide services in the 40 counties of Middle Tennessee. Find out how you can get involved and support your favorite non-profits that make our communities sparkle! I included a list of my favorites and why I love their missions!!

Girls on the Run Nashville - Week #1

The first week of Girls on the Run Nashville was a major success! I have 15 lovely third and fourth graders on my team this season! I always forget how young the girls are in the Fall! I have two girls from past seasons, and a younger sister from a past GOTR!

Every single GOTR ran at least a mile on our first day! One of the girls ran 2.25 miles! In my experience, one of the most valuable things the girls learn during Girls on the Run is about running. This is where many of them start to build a positive foundation for lifelong activity and develop an appreciation for running!

WORLD ELEPHANT DAY!

HAPPY WORLD ELEPHANT DAY!!!

Help support endangered elephants right here in Tennessee! The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee, is the nation's largest natural-habitat refuge developed specifically to meet the needs of endangered elephants. It is designed specifically for old, sick or needy elephants who have been retired from zoos and circuses. Utilizing more than 2700 acres, it provides three separate and protected, natural-habitat environments for Asian and African elephants. Our residents are not required to perform or entertain for the public; instead, they are encouraged to live like elephants." - taken from elephants.com

Whole Foods in Nashville, at both the Cool Springs and Hill Center locations, is donating 5% of their profits from today to The Elephant Sanctuary!! Please consider supporting this wonderful organization!

Lainee Lou Hou UPDATE!!!

Our welsh terrier, Lainee Lou Hou was diagnosed with Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia (IMTP) and Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) almost 11 months ago during her first 8 day stay in doggie ICU. IMTP is defined as when the immune system starts attacking healthy platelets, platelets are required for blood to form clot. IMHA is when the immune system starts to attack healthy red blood cells. It has been a long road with many set-backs, but we have some REALLY exciting news to share with you!!

Heirloom Tomato, Beet, Avocado Cold Summer Salad

It took me a couple of years to acclimate to Nashville summers. No t-shirts (if you sweat as much as I do...), God help us, NO gray, breathable fabrics only, no pants EVER, you get the idea. One night before dinner time, I asked P to research exactly this: 'cold summer vegetable recipes' and 'cold dinners for hot summer days'. We didn't really find much that could be ready super quick. (Sometimes I wait until I absolutely MUST eat within minutes, and that kind of limits things.)

Red White & Blue - #2: Watermelon WORKOUT

It can be hard to find time to be active during the holidays, no matter how great your intentions are. The trick is to plan ahead and to involve as many of your friends and family as possible. Here are some ideas on how to stay active during the Fourth of July!

Red White & Blue #1: Ode to Grilled Pizza

ODE TO GRILLED PIZZA

Roses are red, violets are blue, all day long I think about you.

The way the mozzarella melts so evenly, it fills every crevice just so evenly.

Your ever so crispy crust, makes my heart want to bust.

First thing in the morning, and late into the night, I just can't wait until my next bite!!!

Watermelon Reverie for Heat Advisories

It is H O T. The kind of hot that makes you drip sweat even when you are standing still. The kind of 'hot' that turns the metal part of your seat belt into a weapon with a risk of burn. So hot, that even at 9:30 pm, doing the polka makes you look like you just went swimming. Not that it has ever happened to me or anything . . . Summer is a big bowl of cold watermelon on a hot day. I look forward to watermelon season all year long!! These days I am averaging at least one watermelon a week. Reading and frozen desserts, much like watermelon, are also major requirements of summer. I was lucky enough to find a brand spankin' new copy of The Big Gay Ice Cream book at McKay's Used Bookstore last week. It stopped me dead in my tracks. I AM OBSESSED. Their sorbet recipes inspired me to make watermelon sorbet.

Strawberry Rhubarb Tart with Cracklin' Oat Bran Crust (<--- I KNOW!!!)

All of It - Strawberry Rhubarb Tart with Cracklin' Oat Bran inspired Crust

Our car broke down again, for the second time in the past couple weeks, so Chris takes our working car and I work from home. Unless I have to run an errand, then I literally run them. So there I was, running an errand. It was a drizzling and I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts, Selected Shorts. Wham. Bam. Alakazam. Cracklin' Oat Bran. I wanted some. And wouldn't that make such a yummy tasting tart crust perfectly matched with fresh hand picked strawberries and rhubarb??

No Bake Mocha S'mores Pie

I made two pies to celebrate PI day!

One was a Peanut Butter Banana pie. The recipe comes from Collards & Carbonara - Southern Cooking, Italian Roots, written by the chefs of Hog & Hominy; Michael Hudman and Andy Ticer. IT WAS SO GOOD!! (And so bad, health wise.)

The second one I made, was a Coffee S'mores Pie. DELICIOUS CITY. It should probably be named Mocha S'mores Pie because the blend of coffee and chocolate is more mocha-ey than coffee-ey (pretty sure neither of those are actual words). DELICIOUS CITY. The recipe is very approachable, no baking required. Plus, I got to use my kitchen torch. Win win.