Comfort Food

Fall is the time of year we settle into our routines and begin to hibernate.  Fall, in Seattle, is usually rainy and cold but full vibrant color and change.  Growing up here, I used to wish the weather would be like summer all year round.   My dad quickly pointed out that "If it were sunny and warm in Seattle all year around- it would be over populated and more like California".  I guess I have to agree- there are some perks..   Although I can appreciate Seattle's four distinct seasons- summer is definitely my favorite- and warm and sunny is definitely my climate of choice.

Since its not sunny or warm- I have decided that its time to embrace the fall the only way I know how... sweat pants and comfort food.

A few weeks ago-I paid a visit to my super healthy cousin Chris and his organic masseuse wife Tara to get a "scoby" and learn how to make Kombucha. 

My favorite flavor is apple jasmine

After getting hooked on this- Honest Tea Kombucha- and paying almost $4 (almost as much as a Starbucks!!) for a bottle of this nasty looking stuff- I decided I too, could make it at home.  I got a quick lesson from Chris on how to make it- and now I have my own 4 mason jars of Kombucha tea brewing in the corner of our kitchen.  Dad and Sean are pretty grossed out- as it looks like loogies floating around in urine..

But I am convinced that in another week or so- I will have my own tasty drink- for free!  In addition to free tea, Chris and Tara also taught me about this organic fruit and vegi bin that they get delivered to their doorstep every week.  What a concept- you pay $35 - and you get a bin filled with fresh, seasonal, organic, local fruits and vegetables delivered to your door every week.  I forget the company they use- but I went home and googled it- and found http://www.newrootsorganics.com/ - and signed up.  What did we have to lose, right? 

Since our first delivery (3 weeks ago) we have tried all sorts of new fruits and vegis.. parsnips, persimmons, acorn squash.. and the best part about it is- I would probably never have put most of these items on my grocery list in the first place.. so we are eating a bunch of new meals.  Another bonus- it gives me ingredients to make Dyllan's babyfood.  Last night I made a few batches of babyfood (all organic, fresh, and local)- Acorn Squash, Parsnips, Apple Sauce, Carrots, Sweet Potato, and Pumpkin- all of which came from our weekly bin- with the exception of the pumpkin-  which actually came from the pumpkin patch Dad planted over the summer!  I am still trying to decide if the bin is worth the $35.. but for now- I think it is serving more than its purpose.



Bugs Bunny is happy!



Pumpkin from Dad's pumpkin patch

A Pizza Pizza Pizza Pie (said in an Italiano voice)

Do these shoes make me look too big for my carseat?!

Which brings me back to Fall, and comfort food.  If it wernt so rainy and crappy outside- I might not be in the kitchen cooking up such a storm. Trying to look at the positive here..   Next on my list- my favorite- Pumpkin Pie!  Nothing beats pumpkin pie -I still think Costco makes it best..- but I will give Costco a run for its money.

Some of my favorite comfort foods are...

Pumpkin Pie

Egg nogg

Cranberry Sauce

Pumpkin Spice candles

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Late

Vanilla Bean ice cream

Sweet Potato Fries

Cranberry Martinis

Pomegranate and Spinach Salad

Baked Pears or Apples

Peach Cobbler

Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Stuffing

What are yours??