Simple and Sweet Sauteed Carrots with Thyme

Cooking doesn’t get much simpler than this, I tell ya. I make Simple and Sweet Sauteed Carrots for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and it goes down a treat. The secret to sweet carrots is cooking them nice and slow, on low heat, letting the juices melt out of the onions, garlic, and carrots. The dried thyme gives the dish a wonderful earthy flavor. Enjoy! Simple and Sweet Sauteed Carrots with Thyme  3 cups carrots (about 4-5 medium size carrots) 4 tablespoons olive oil half a red onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced tablespoon dried thyme 1. Rinse and dry the carrots and slice into matchsticks. Set aside.  2. In a large frying pan, fry the onion on medium heat for a minute, then add the garlic. Stir in the thyme, cover, and cook for a minute or two until soft.  2. Add the carrots, stir, lower the heat and cover, cooking for 15 minutes, or until tender.

Liquid Gold Massage Oil

Ah, food for the skin! I’ve been blending my own aromatherapy oils for years. One of the best ways to preserve your skin is to stay out of the sun, but a little massage oil rubbed on the body every day after a round of dry skin brushing helps to stimulate the lymphatic drainage system which ensures that your skin stays soft and supple. The oil also kept me from getting stretch marks (which I am prone to) during my pregnancy. I massaged myself 3 times a day when I was pregnant, and my skin was absolutely singing. People often say, “black don’t crack,” but staying out of the sun and this oil have been my secret weapon for younger skin. Toby and Jake also use the oil as a moisturiser for face and body (for those prone to break outs and oily skin types, use sparingly, on your body only). Massage oil is great for older children, but please consult your doctor before from using aromatherapy oil on babies. The combination of oils may prove too strong for infants. Here’s what to do for a new you:

Spinach Mushroom and Cranberry Quinoa

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving hanging out with your family and friends! We’re having another magical mystical morning today. The sun is shining through the trees, giving the canyon a warm backlit pinkish glow. It’s been a quiet weekend. During the holidays L.A. takes on a small town feel: quiet streets and a chilled out vibe. Every year I ask myself, “why can’t L.A. always be like this?”Ah, the price you pay for living in Southern California. Los Angeles has everything: the magestic Pacific Ocean, the crystal snow of Big Bear and Lake Arowhead, to the dry, flat heat of Palms Springs and the Mohave Desert. Amid so much natural beauty, you have to smile, share the love, and pass it on. When it comes to holiday eating, I like to carve out my own path. In my own humble opinion, the surprise of something new on the table is just that much more interesting. By following my nose, nature nudges me into what flows to the table. Don’t get me wrong, I love the usual pumpkin pie, stuffing, gravy, green beans, and the like, but it can be refreshing to try something new.  Spinach Mushroom Cranberry Quinoa [...]

Aduki Bean and Squash Soup

What a blissful morning. Storm clouds have rolled into Laurel Canyon about an hour ago, and raindrops are now dancing on the palm leaves. In our lush back yard, the plants are reaching for the sky, standing at attention, and drinking in the much needed moisture. The boys left early for an indoor car show, so I get to play at home: Cooking, writing, and reading for the next few hours. The soup is simmering on the stove while I tap away on the computer, taking sips from my unconventional cup of Earl Grey: organic soy milk, sweetened with brown rice syrup and a dash of raw honey. Just call me The Nutty Progressive. Today’s recipe is soothing and sweet. If you are unfamiliar with the aduki bean, they are small, red, ovals of protein goodness. Aduki Bean and Squash Soup is perfect for cool weather, and hearty enough to eat on it’s own. If you’ve ever had a Chinese Red Bean Cake pastry, they are made with the same delicious beans. I was immediately hooked the first time I tried these pastries in a tiny shop off Tottenham Court Road in London’s Chinatown. There’s something about the smooth sweetness of Aduki [...]

My Life in the Sunshine

Hey there! No recipes or recommendations this week, just photos from my life in Laurel Canyon. Feel free to click on the images for a larger view. See you next Sunday! Afternoon delight Birds in paradise A room with a view Our local restaurant Pace (Pace means “peace” in Italian) Happy trails Peace palms Best coffee in town Fab ‘n Funky  Canyon hipster Laurel Canyon Community group photo  From the guy in the yellow shirt, count 5 people up, then make a right to find Jake, Toby, and I (I’m wearing a panama hat). Take it easy!