Citrus + Avocado

I should blame my unanticipated absence my new role at work, my volunteer position, an event I helped plan, the twice weekly Spanish lessons I'm taking, and a baby shower I'm throwing.  But it mainly comes down to one thing. Feeding the pantry and food storage obsession.

Most of my recent daydreams have been dedicated to what whole grains and bulk bin items I can scoop out and store in the carefully cleaned out jars I've been saving over the years. I dream about having matching jars found on sale somewhere that I know the contents of by sight, or with handwritten labels since I'm not a label-maker type of girl (excluding one workday frenzy with name labels and the P-Touch).

I'm using my new reference book, Rebecca Wood's The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia, to get ideas of how to incorporate new foods and grains into my diet.

Last week I brought home beautiful poppy seeds that I just wanted to put my hands in. They're blue, purple, black and oh so tiny and susceptible to static cling.

Citrus is in season, so I snagged some tangerines for an avocado, grapefruit, radish, arugula and citrus salad. I was inspired by this delicious and refreshing version by Martha Stewart. It reminds me of home, when I used to have a ruby-red grapefruit and orange tree in our backyard until the citrus canker hit Florida. Our neighbors traded us for mangoes, avocados and tangerines. That was the life!

Big ruby reds were always my favorite. Fresh picked while warm, eaten first and then juiced for the finale. Always with a teeny bit of sugar, though it barely needed it.

I tried out a red lentil and carrot soup for lunch this week. It was healthy, tasty, filling and easy to make. Fits the bill for my busy week! Avocados have had constant rotation in my morning smoothies of late as well.

Lastly, the beautiful blood orange. They're so pretty on the inside, but aren't my favorite tasting citrus. However, I keep buying them to add dimension to other colors and flavors, and you know I'm a sucker for pretty colors!

¡Qué alimentos bonitos! (What pretty food! I told you I was taking Spanish!)

Pomegranate Obsession

I officially became obsessed with pomegranates this year. I first realized that it was a full blown obsession when I started stocking up on 6 at a time.

I rationalized that I wanted to make good use of the 3 for $5 sale at the grocery store. But then a man walked up mistakenly to my cart, saw the fruit, and hollered to his wife in shock and disdain, “Elaine, what the heck is wrong with you? Why would anyone need so many pomegranates?!”

Poor Elaine and her frustrated husband! I found it hysterical, it still makes me snicker. I jumped over to the cart to defend my loot, and we all had a hearty laugh about the mix-up.

Last week, I contemplated buying 8, but felt that equated to crazy cat lady type numbers in regards to fruit. Though at least this addiction is full of antioxidants!

I love to eat them in a little bowl with a spoon. They're incredible sprinkled over Andrew Swallow's Grove Salad from Mixt. They're a great addition for a crunch pop in a fruit salad, or over yogurt and granola.

I’m the type of person who does all the work of seeding the pomegranates first, and enjoying the literal fruits of my labor later.

I’ve sketched up my current present way of removing the arils (in a bowl to avoid stains, and in front of my television because that’s how I roll, but on the floor because I love my sofa).  It’s a relaxing, meditative like ritual, and the arils keep well in the refrigerator.

Though my way works for me now, I’m absolutely trying this easy and logical technique via Apartment Therapy's The Kitchn next time. Hopefully, there is a next time. I don't know when they go out of season, but I nearly shed tears at ShopRite last week when I thought they were out.

Can you tell how  much fun I had with my hot pink inks?! I forgot how much I miss drawing. I can't wait to do more this year.