Exciting Updates/News, Weekend Writing Warrior, and a Comfort Food Sidedish!

I'm spending most of this Sunday updating a few things on my website - such as the About Me/Find Me Section...I've decided to do clickable links on that page mostly for a cleaner look, and added a few things to the SHOP Page/Tab, too!  I'm thinking about redoing that page/tab in the future but I think I will keep the eye catching banners there for now.  I've been joining up as an affiliate to a few products, shops, and sites which you can find on both of those pages.

Another thing I am doing with today...is writing...I know...big shocker, eh!?  But I have signed on to guest blog for some companies, contribute to their websites and newsletters, and also have my own sites that I wanted to keep up with, too!  I have a slew of exciting things on deck so please be sure to subscribe to my site - on the sidebar to get the latest updates.

I'm working with several companies to bring more contests/giveaways to my site, too!  Very exciting!

And incase you missed it...I have officially started posting slide shows/videos to my YouTube!  Be sure to subscribe to my channel - all social media links at located in the About/Find Me tab, too!  AND..for my life in photos be sure to follow me on Instagram because I normally add pics to that before posting them with a write up here on my blog!

And...FINALLY...a bit about that food photo at the top of this post!!!

I used left over Earthly Choice Super Grains in this dish...which include red and white Quinoa, Millet, and Buckwheat...probably about 1 cup worth.  Then I added the following for flavor...

1/4 C Cashew Butter

2 T Minced Garlic

1 tea ginger powder

3 T Coconut Aminos

2 T Maple Syrup

1 T Coconut Vinegar

1 T Sesame Oil

topped with Hot Sauce to taste

The veggies in this side included a mix of...

Peas & Peas in the Pod
Yellow Bell Peppers

Onion

Broccoli

I'll be back tomorrow with more of what happened over the weekend.  In the meantime...I'd love to hear about yours!

A Word About Farro AND Recipes for Farro with Artichokes, Sun Dried Tomatoes, & Pine Nuts AND a Blackberry Chia Smoothie

Oh YUM!  So...I made this for my lunch today and I have to say it's WONDERFUL!  I would have to say it's probably one of my new favorite dishes!  It's chewy, flavorful, and filling!  Here's what's in it...

1/2 C Farro (Nature's Earthly Choice)
About 3 C Water (to cook the Farro in)
1/2 C Sun Dried Tomatoes (with gentle oil)
About 3 C Artichoke Hearts
5 to 6 T Red Wine Vinegar
3 T Parsley
1/2 C Pine Nuts

If you are a fan of any or all of these ingredients PLEASE try this!  The flavor really pops!  YUM!  The texture is great, too!  It's a neat comfort food as well!

For my Breakfast today...I had a Blackberry Smoothie of sorts!  Here's what's in this:

1 1/2 C Almond Milk
1/2 Banana
1 Pint Blackberries
2 Small Dates
1 T Chia Seeds
6 drops of Vanilla NuNaturals Stevia

A word about Farro...

I'm by no means a Farro Guru.  I think including this dish I have only used it about 3 times so far.  But I'm REALLY loving this grain!  I guess that's why it's been around for over 5,000 years, eh!?  Not only because it's so tasty but because it's so GOOD for you!  It's high is fiber, protein, and a good source of complex carbs!  Just how much Fiber and Protein!?  Well, let me tell you!  Nature's Earthly Choice says that 1/4 C contains 5 grams or 21& of Fiber and 7 grams of Protein!  It also contains 2% Calcium and 12% Iron.  It acts like a sponge with spices, vinegars, flavored oils, and fruits and veggies which I really like, too!  But I keep going back to that chewy texture.  I guess those are just a few reasons why this grain has quickly gained a place in my heart!