Have you heard of the Clean Fifteen and the Dirty Dozen?

Well over here in Boston, I've been taking these guidelines to heart!  The clean 15 and the dirty 12 are lists of fruits and vegetables that have either a low pesticide ratio (clean 15), or a high pesticide ratio (dirty 12) when bought as conventional produce.  It is suggested that we buy items on the dirty dozen list in organic form if possible to cut back on the amount of pesticide in our systems.  So, I've been experimenting with some of the "cleaner" fruits and vegetables on the Clean 15 this weekend, to get ready for the week, and to save some money.  By the way, if you want the list, here's a great link to The Environmental Working Group which created and maintains the lists.

First up, I'm trying to more proactive and prepare some meal options for my work week.  Today it was Roasted Broccoli for munching and on salads.  (Broccoli is on the Clean 15, so I bought a big bag of Conventional at Costco).

Wash some broccoli florets, and then sprinkle on as much spice as you can handle!  I tossed my florets with garlic, chili powder and salt & pepper.  Put them in a 425 degree oven for about 18 to 20 minutes.  

Toss them halfway through so that they get browned all over.  

I hope you like them as much as I do. 

While these were cooking, I got a craving for something sweet.  I had frozen banana and mango in the freezer, so I whirled them up together in my food processor.  Did you know that frozen fruit makes a great soft-serve? (Mango and Banana are both also on the Clean 15!)

Then, I added the cacoa nibs pieces.

So good, even on a cold day!

What have you been up to lately?  Cooking anything fun?  Share your latest favorite?

The Last Summer Meal

This meal felt like the last summer meal because I used so much fresh produce.  The weather has changed here in Boston, and I'm afraid the fresh veggies are on their way out...well, that's how it felt anyway.

Swiss Chard

Yummy juicy tomatoes

Fresh Zucchini

Last week we got to celebrate my friend Kristine's birthday, and what a feast we had.  I had just a couple folks over to my house.  Kristine likes to keep her birthdays quiet.

Christie brought homemade macaroni and cheese.  I'm sorry to say I did not get a good photo of it.

I made the sides.  Here's what I decided on:

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  Sauteed Polenta Tomatoes

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  Sauteed Zucchini and Proscuitto

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  The final meal.  It was so delish :)  Oh look, there's the mac & cheese

  We celebrated with some yummy Marques de Caceres Rioja and amazingly did not quite finish the bottle.  Maybe because two of the three of us had to get up for work the next day.  (Hint:  I am not one of them.)  :)

I did get to finish it myself tonight.  Oops.  It was so good, and felt like a great welcome to fall. 

It was great to get to celebrate with Kristine and Christie.  It had been too long since we got together, and we caught up for many hours.

Happy Birthday Kristine :)