five spice powder Archives

A combination of five-spice powder, brown sugar and orange zest gives a sweet but subtle flavor to this healthy baked salmon and spaghetti squash dinner.

Happy October, friends. Whoa, did I really just say that? Let the good eating commence!

October is THE month for comfort food. It’s when we’ve finally pulled up the last of summer’s tomato plants, put away the picnic baskets and are thoroughly wooed by photos and recipes of thick and sultry stews and soups, decadent mac ‘n cheese with fried chicken, and too-good-to-pass-up pies, cookies, and brownies.

Now is the season we turn a blind eye when beckoned to give in to comfort food’s temptation, even when we KNOW we need to fit into our skinny jeans later.

But I’m here to declare that comfort food doesn’t have to be rich, heavy or calorie-laden. This salmon, served with in-season-now spaghetti squash, is totally figure-friendly, flavorful and so good at satisfying your seasonal cravings you’ll be categorizing it as comfort food-lite.continue to the recipe… about Orange-Spiced Salmon with Spaghetti Squash

As I was driving home from teaching class one of the past Tuesday nights of one of the past months since last September, my mind wandered as I zoned in and out, listening to my favorite part of my Tuesday night teaching gig—Tuesday Night Takeover with Karamea, her songlist is “the jam” as the kids say these days.

Per usual, my thoughts drifted to and fro about blogging. Not necessarily my blog, or even food blogs, but blogs in general.

And I had an epiphanie. Or a comparison, rather, about what blogs are like.

Some of you may be single, looking for that new special somebody. What does a girl or guy have to do these days to meet somebody new?

Date someone from work? Not always the best idea. If things go south you either need to find a new job or walk past one another with eyes averted as you secretly spy on the flirting going on with the new temp.

At a bar? The classic hook up, but unless you’re under 25, what you remember as a cute and flirty scene quickly devolves to desperation.

Which has led many singles to online dating sites. Match, e-Harmony, etc., we’ve all heard encouraging stories of relationships that have blossomed from screen time to snuggle time.

But first there’s that suffering vetting process. Screening through candidates and their life stories of roses and unicorns. Why yes of course he’s 6’3” with a chiseled jaw, a great job and no baggage, why wouldn’t he be single? Look at that perfectly poised photo and read those disarmingly witty texts he sends. And then you meet in real life, only to discover what really lies at the belly of the beast isn’t nearly as engaging or real as his onscreen persona.

And that’s where I found the comparison. Blogs are a lot like dating sites.continue to the recipe… about Things Aren’t Always What They Seem to Be: Sticky Glazed Asian Ham