Roussillon

Roussillon was one of many lovely towns visited on my trip to Provence.  My parents have been often and thought of an equally interesting and breathtaking trip each day. Travel is vital and this trip, unequaled.

Woodpile

Roussillon overlooks the first ochre quarries of over 200 years past. The rich pigments are reflected in the buildings and clothing of southern France.

Summer shop

More overexposed photos, but you still see the hues of the region reflected in the architecture.

 Light

Blue door

Le Marche - Apt

I have recently returned from a dream vacation in a small village in the Provence region of southern France.  My parents have been going for nearly a decade and showed me all of the wonderful sights throughout the area.  As both my father and I have a passion for cooking, and my mother and I appreciate good clothing, we made many trips to lovely outdoor markets.  They had everything I had imagined and more.

Apt Saturday market

I inadvertently re-set my camera to ensure that I overexposed many photos.  I have done my best to salvage as many as possible.  Fortunately, my father the photographer, was able to show me the error and how to fix it.  

Saturday evening dinner

One of these lovely artichokes made for a complete lovely meal, after the requisite cheese and baguette, and accompanied by a lovely local rose wine.

Sweet cherry tomatoes

May colors and the start of baking

For many of us in the Northeast this spring is especially appreciated.  Each warm day passing adds new flowers and leaves.  I can once again wander with my camera listening to the birds sharing my delight.

Three Happy Trees

 Pink skirt

I cook and bake with the seasons, although I seem to be off the norm with baking.  I rarely make muffins, breads or other delights in the winter, but open windows and early sunlight bring on my yen for baking. 

Banana Nut muffins

April spring warmth in the South End

This was our first true spring weekend in Boston.  Still chilly in the morning, but warmed up quickly.  I drove into the city and wandered.  Happiness

Hidden Doorway

 Harriet Tubman House

 Sunlit fire escape

Cabbage Soup adventure Days 5-7

I thought that Day 5 would be one of my favorites, "meat" and tomatoes only.  After breakfast I was craving greens and I didn't feel great at the end of the day either. Cabbage soup was the saving grace.

Veggie Sausage and tomatoes Day 5

Day 6 was easy being vegetables and protein.  This was my first bit of tofu in 6 days and I had missed it the most of anything.  The ginger broccoli tofu was my favorite meal of the week.

                                                                                Ginger Broccoli and Tofu Day 6

Day 7 being only fruits and vegetables was a good finale.  I had become a little tired of the soup on day 6, but enjoyed it for lunch this day.  This is when I went out with a bang over dinner with my aunt, bread and shrimp.

               Raspberry Kale Avocado smoothie Day 7

I have most definitely reduced my carbohydrate intake and plan to make the soup for a general workday lunch.  It is good, filling and nutritious.  I will add new veg for variety over the weeks.  I had missed baking and thought that a new corn muffin recipe would be a great way to celebrate.  Not what I had hoped for, but a recipe that I can tweak and improve.

Raspberry Corn muffin experiment Day 8

Cabbage soup cleanse meals days 2-4

I have completed the 7 day cabbage soup "cleanse" as I think of it.  Overall, I enjoyed it, a couple of interesting days, and one that surprised me.  I will do it again with modifications in late spring.

Each day includes unlimited cabbage soup.  Day 2 is vegetables, non-starchy, only.  In the morning you get one potato, and that made me nauseous.  The rest of the day was a challenge, but a yummy one.  This salad was delicious, asparagus, avocado, cucumber and red leaf lettuce with a small amount of lemon and olive oil dressing.  

Day 2 lunch

I chose mushrooms to give this cabbage, kale, onion and ginger stir-fry more depth and weight.  It felt like a full meal with the meatiness of the mushrooms and the long pieces of cabbage mimicking noodles.

                                                                      Day 2 dinner

Both fruits and vegetables (non-starchy) on Day 3 was easier than veg alone.  It allowed making a smoothie with a scoop of avocado for creaminess and kale to lighten the sweetness.


                                 Day 3 breakfast smoothie

I thought that Day 4 would be the most challenging, not the case at all.  The rich smoothies at the beginning and end of the day, with a couple of bananas and cabbage soup the rest of the day, was quite good.  I was full and ready for Day 5.

Day 4 breakfast & evening dessert

Cabbage Soup Day 1

Today is Day One of the Cabbage Soup Cleanse.  My sister and I are following the Divas Can Cook plan.  It is known as a weight loss tool, I am approaching it a a way to re-set my body for spring eating and cooking.



                                                     Happy Kitchen Poster

                     Watermelon Berry Salad

         

                                                      

Divas Can Cook 7 day cabbage-soup diet

                                                                                                              Soup makings                          

First bowl of Cabbage Soup

Today has been good.  The soup is tasty and my fruit choices have made me happy, especially the watermelon.  A red potato is baked for tomorrow, to be followed by veg (non-starch) only and cabbage soup.