These are a few of my favorite things

Lately I have been listening to the music channels on Comcast and this morning while I was buzzing around doing laundry I decided to listen to the TV on the movie soundtracks and show tunes channel. A song came on from one of my favorite musicals, The Sound of Music: Favorite Things performed by Julie Andrews. I decided that I will start a posting of my current favorite things. This is just for some fun and I will continue to add to this list or even change it as I find new favorites. Enjoy!!

Favorite Salad Dressing: Pumpkin Vinaigrette; This is my variation on the one that was shared by a friend (Thanks Aubergine shoes!)

4 cloves of garlic freshly minced
1/4 C. of honey
1 T sea salt
1 t. black pepper
1/2 -3/4 C. of pumpkin puree- depends on the consistency you want
1 C. of rice vinegar or 3/4 C. of champagne vinegar
1 1/2 cup of vegetable oil or olive oil if you want a flavor with more depth

Favorite Sweetener: Star Thistle Honey from Pat Brady, a bee-keeper who is periodically at the Eastern Market and his honey is amazing. The Star thistle is my favorite, it is whipped and it's consistency is so creamy and SO GOOD! His Trefoil Honey is also amazing.

Favorite Snack: Power Bars from an amazing book titled: Lunch Lessons: Changing the Way We Feed Our Children. This is a must for anyone who is concerned about instilling healthy eating habits in children. They discuss nutrition for children based on age and address the issues of childhood obesity and diabetes in our country. It is also an excellent resource for parents who want to address the issues of healthy and fresh food in school cafeterias and has wonderful recipes as well. Such as this one:
1/3 C. of canola plus more to oil the pan
1/2 C. honey
1/2 C. light corn syrup
2 C. of rolled oats
3 C. of puffed rice cereal
1 C. dried fruit, we love raisins, golden raisins and cranberries mixed
1 1/2 C. almond pieces
1/4 C. shredded unsweetened coconut

Preheat oven to 350 Grease a 9X12 inch pan. Combine the oil, honey and corn syrup in a pan on the stove and heat until warm, or in the microwave is fine too for about 1 minute. In a large bowl combine the rest of the ingredients. Toss together and then pour the warm honey mix over the dry ingredients and mix to combine. Pour into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Oil a spatula or hands and press down lightly. Bake for 15 minutes. Allow to cool in pan then remove and cut into bars and store in an airtight container. I have found that if I bake longer than 15 minutes the bars don't stick together as well, more like a granola-which is perfect to top yogurt with-mmm!!!

Favorite Comcast Music Channel: 433, Soundscapes; this is so relaxing and has helped me during the day when I need something to help me find a place of balance. I turn it on and lay on the couch for a few minutes and meditate, sometimes drifting into a well-needed nap

Favorite Quote: "work is love made visible" ~Kahlil Gibran

Favorite Smell: Cinnamon Sticks , Cloves and Cardamon cooking on the stove or a fire in the fireplace, I love these smells every fall and winter

Favorite Hot Drink: Tibetan Chai, see the "Just Another Day" posting for the recipe and an Americano with the mellow flavoring from Bigby Coffee

Favorite Cold Drink: Raspberry Stoli with Lime Tonic and a squeeze of fresh lime juice and fresh raspberries. This was our favorite of the summer and still in on top of the list. A Key Lime Martini is not too far behind though!

Favorite Book: This is a hard one. I am starting to read The Secret Lives of Bees again because I remember really enjoying it the first time around. I didn't even know that it was a movie until a couple of days ago! I really want to get bees, maybe one day when we eventually leave the city I can and maybe chickens also :)

Favorite Magazine: I love Mother Earth News and Mother Jones. With the both of these I can cover everything that I am passionate about.

Favorite CD: Red Letter Year by Ani Difranco , December by George Winston and Vagabond Lullabies by Po' Girl (I love their websight also because it streams their music for you to listen to- I like it in the background while I write). I seem to listen to these CDs a lot.

Favorite Dance Song: Closer by Ne-Yo (Thanks Na!) I could listen to this 100 times in a row I swear. It makes me move, it makes me smile :)

Favorite Love Song: Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat

Favorite new music source: Pandora Radio this is a really fun free music Internet sight that you can create your own stations based on a type of music you like or even an artist you like. It is a great way to be introduced to new artists. You can even get it on your phone! (Thanks farm mom!)

Favorite TV show: The Colbert Report , The Daily Show and anything political. I also love watching The Food Network and HGTV. And my guilty pleasure, The Kathy Griffin Show on Bravo, she is so far out there and wrong-and I LOVE it.

Favorite Holiday Movies: The Family Stone, Love Actually and White Christmas