UPDATED January 19, 2017:
I’ll be honest, I decided to re-post this blog from last year verbatim, because I don’t have time to write a brand new one as I am about to go back to France to visit my Mom and won’t have access to my computer. I just didn’t want you to wonder why I “disappeared”! Everything I said last year holds true so if you have the time, I think this would be a nice opportunity to take stock of what recipes you liked (or loved) this last year and organize them for yourself, if not in your recipe box, in your mind! I find that helpful, especially for those of you who are with me on this journey of staying (or getting) healthy, concentrating on the simplest recipes in my cuisinicity repertoire. It might help to go back or check out for the first time some of my little 4 or 5 minutes video clips in my kitchen to incite you to make something you thought would be too difficult but is not (you know me!!). This way, you will be sure to have all those simple wholesome ingredients on hand in your pantry, and stay on track! I would love to come back to an inbox full of your comments and questions, so I welcome you to my kitchen, even while I’m gone! For the rest of you, à bientôt…
This week, I will be visiting my beautiful mom in Montpellier, in the south of France, and will mostly be out of touch (I’ll try to post photos on instagram from my cell phone)–My mom is still of the old world and has no internet access! So, I have a suggestion for you about what to do in case you miss me while I am away!!
Sur la place de la comédie, Montpellier, France, last August.
It occurred to me that this may be an opportune time for you to collect and organize your favorite recipes of mine (and others too) into a recipe box of sorts, a digital one that is!
Have you heard of Yummly yet?
I just recently added the Yum button at the top right of each of my recipes. Whenever you want to save a recipe you like, just click “YUM”! It’s like Pinterest, but just for recipes!
You can add healthy recipes from other sites you love too. All you have to do is sign up (it’s free and they don’t spam you), click the plus sign and add the “bookmarklet” to your bookmarks bar. Then whenever you’re on a site with a recipe you like, just click “YUM” to save the recipe!
I created my own Yummly page too, if you’d like to check it out (here) !
What’s so nice about Yummly is that you can change the recipe serving size to fit your particular need. You can also view the recipe in the metric system with one click, if that’s what you prefer (we already have a few tailor-changed over by our own Culinary Nutrition Consultant, Linn Steward—see here–but this is systematically calculated for all of them). You can even get an idea of how many calories there are in each portion (although I find that they sometimes make mistakes with that–once they calculated the total calories for my whole vegan genoise as one single serving–I had to call that one to their attention, so be wary of that one!). They also have an app that allows you to create custom shopping lists and even helps you find recipes that are tailored to your particular dietary needs.
How awesome is that?!
Literally (or actually digitally) you have the whole world, not just my little Cuisinicity kitchen in your recipe box!
So while I am away, catching up with my mom, talking a mile a minute (in French of course!), cooking up a storm in her kitchen (I am going to leave her freezer full!), and just enjoying the Mediterranean sunshine with her, I would LOVE for you to start your own recipe box! You can peruse my recipe index or go to my links on the left sidebar for Beans, Wholegrains, Legumes, Nuts & Seeds, Fresh Veggies, Fresh Fruit, to get started.
If you are with me on this, share which ones you picked as your favorites, I always love to know!
à bientôt!
Thanks so much for reposting this Catherine! I just checked my Yummly and sent Mike your https://cuisinicity.com/carrot-cider-baked-chicken/ with a little hint about what’s for dinner tonight…
Hahaha Donna! I LOVE how “sneaky” you are !! 🙂
QUE DE BELLES PHOTOS!
QUE DE TENDRESSE……
QUE D’EMOTIONS…
tout cela ressort de toutes vos belles recettes, succulentes, généreuses, saines, .
Comment vous en remercier, Madame ????
OHHHH Madame Nata, votre gentil mot me suffit! Je vous remercie de tout mon coeur pour vos belles paroles 🙂
Your blog and recipes are wonderful and I have been enjoying them for some time now, yet haven´t commented until today. Your post has me so excited since you are now right next door in France! As an American dietitian living in Barcelona, it warms my heart to hear that you are visiting your beautiful mother in the beautiful setting of Montpellier! Amusez vous bien!
AWWWW Denine I am so touched that you wrote! Thank you so much for your lovely comment! 🙂 I am back now from Montpellier but it was lovely to hear from you, as my “next-door” neighbor! I love Barcelona and used to go there quite often as a child (we lived even closer, right at the border of Spain, in Perpignan!) 🙂
So, of course, you are familiar with Barcelona! Perpignan is quite beautiful Delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful trip!
aaaah….I still have fond memories of those wonderful tapas on las Ramblas…..:) 🙂
By the way, Denine, I just now discovered your beautiful website and shared it on social media! I can’t wait to get your guide to cooking wholegrains! I will definitely include it next time I post about wholegrains–thank you so much!!
I have downloaded the app and have added
Your
Chicken in Creamy Dijon Sauce
Baked Halibut in Wine Tomato Broth
Grilled orange herb chicken
I’m still learning and navigating my way around the web sight. I like that you can make a grocery list.
Enjoy Your beautiful mom, I lost my
Mom in January and I treasure every memory
Dear Laura,
I am so touched by your note, I am so sorry that you lost your mom and I will follow your advice and treasure the moments with mine. It is hard fro me living so far away, which is why those times I go to visit are so precious. Thank you so much for taking the time to write your favorite recipes, what a lovely thing to do! 🙂
Alrighty, I’m trying this Yum game. Maybe it will help me herd my recipe cats that are all over the place.
I added: Carrot Cider Baked Chicken, Apple Cinnamon Smoothie, Carrot Bread with Honey Yogurt Dip,Pumpkin Honey Ricotta Muffins ,Moroccan Lentil and Chickpea Soup, Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies, Moroccan Tagine (Vegan), Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Crust, Rustic Apple Cranberry Galette; and I added more of your smoothies.
I seemed to have linked in different ways, linked some recipes from your Yum page, some from your web page, some from the ‘search’ page when I was hunting down some others. Anyway, it all seems to work, I think.
Here’s to experimenting! And I hope your trip is/was going very well. -WendyB
THANK YOU SO MUCH Wendy!!
I had the feeling you would find this helpful, you have been cooking away so much! I LOVE seeing your comments everywhere! I will be emailing you directly to get your address (again, I seem to remember you won my little cuisinicity recipe book too right?–I LOVE IT!) so you can wear my cuisinicity apron in your kitchen, you definitely deserve it!! 🙂 🙂
I will proudly wear it! I’ve got to tell you that I was about 3 months into a whole revamp of my eating when I found your recipes. I’ve slowly **and** steadily been dropping the pounds and people are now actually commenting (lost close to 25 pounds so far now). And I’m doing without calorie counting. Just nutrient-dense food, maintaining my exercise habits, mindful of portions *and* my own satiety **and** allowing for my vanilla, soft serve ice cream treat occasionally (or one of your chocolate desserts!).
Anyway, when they are moved to comment, I **always** share ‘my’ mantra: ‘Love the food that loves you back’; This tagline of yours that I have stolen is a perfect organizing principle when you know exactly how processed food behaves in your body.
I encourage everyone, especially if you are ‘of a certain age’ ; ) to give up on joyless dieting and get real about food and how your good old body processes it. Let your taste buds go through the rehab that they must go through and be kind to them as they learn.
And so ends my preaching, but not without thanking you again Catherine!
WOW Wendy!!!!
That is absolutely wonderful! You made my day! I know you have been such a loyal cuisinicity fan but I didn’t realize this was part of an overhaul for you–I am so proud of you and so touched to be part of your journey! Thank you so much! Of course you are already on my special list for that Cuisinicity apron, it’s yours already!!
Catherine 🙂 🙂 🙂
Oh my Montpellier – I have many good memories from there … And the cheeses yummy! I wish you a wonderful time with your mom. Soaking up lots of Mediterranean everything !
I also created an account and added many wonderful recipes: both of your power shakes, the wild salmon on spinach with oranges, the pasta fagiolle, walnut crusted halibut, your silken chocolate cream, and petit fours, the flourless chocolate cake, simply quinoa, oven dried tomatoes…
I also entered the black bean tomato corn salad, the taboule salad, the farro salad, and Mediterranean couscous for an upcoming weekend picnic. The Mariccian chick peas, the peanut butter banana chocolate panini, white bean soup, the gallettes, the turkey burgers, walnut crusted salmon, lentil sweet potato salad, baked chocolate custards, stuffed portobello mushrooms, vegetarian chillie, vegan burger, carrot lentil curry, and mixed greens pasta also made my recipe box. Look forward to cook them all. The more exotic whole grains will arrive this weekend from nuts.com ?
WOW WOW WOW Sibylle!!! This makes me so happy 🙂 I have a funny feeling you will be wearing my cute Cuisinicity apron very soon! I’ll email you directly to get your address 🙂 🙂 Thank you so much for yumming so many of my recipes!!!
Thank you Sibylle! I am back now from Montpellier and have to admit I didn’t see too much of it this time, as I was busy cooking and baking away in my sweet mom’s kitchen, non stop! I loved it, nothing like bonding around cooking right/! 🙂
Hi Catherine,
Thanks for introducing this handy app, it looks like fun.
Just created an account and added your recipes for Carrot Cider Baked Chicken, Apple Prune Chicken, Mediterranean Couscous Salad, Farro Veggie Salad, and Black Bean Tomato Corn Salad to my box to get started ? looking forward to adding many more of my favorites!
Hope you have a wonderful time visiting your beautiful mom ☺
YAY Kristin!!! Thank you so much! I am working on my gift as we speak so that it will be ready when I get back from France! I am so excited to be able to say thank you back!!! 🙂
I just signed up, then added the Simply Cinnamon Apples for my dad. It was sooooo easy!
Next I’m gonna find that yummy (I mean yummly) Flourless Chocolate Cake….thanks Catherine! Bon voyage; travel safely and come back soon <3
Thank you so much Donna!!! Wait til you see my gift…you are going to love it!!:)
You’ve convinced me on Yummly!! So much better than Pinterest because the recipe is right there! Thanks for the great suggestion, and safe travels to and from France!
I am so glad Tanya! I do think it’s a great tool so I am excited about it too!! 🙂
Hi Catherine,
Thanks for explaining how Yummly works! I’ve used this app before to search recipes, but wasn’t aware of the Recipe Box. I just added your Pumpkin Honey Ricotta muffin, Simply Almond Granola and Black bean, corn, tomato salad recipes to the Recipe Box. I’ve made these three recipes before; they were all a hit in our house. We’re still enjoying the pumpkin muffins!
Enjoy your time in France!
YAY Carleen, that’s wonderful! When I get back, I will e-mail you directly to ask for your home address so I can send you a little gift. I think you’ll love it, since you are cooking so much!! 🙂
I tried your quinoa, kale and corn salad recently and we’re hooked….. enjoyed the sautéed kale by itself! Who knew kale would take on such a nice caramelized flavor? When apples were I season and we had so many to spare I used your Simply Cinnamon Apples recipe as a substitiute for jelly along with almond butter for a modified PB&J. So yummy and healthy on whole wheat!
Thank you so much Carleen!!! I too am amazed with the deliciousness of Kale! What a lovely and healthy substitution for your modified PB&J–WOW…LOVE IT!!! 🙂
What a great idea and what a lovely photo of you and your Mom! Have a wonderful trip and have a croissant for me!
Thank you Greg!!! I definitely will!!!
Thanks for demystifying Yummly for me. I’ve been attracted to several of their recipes during my Bing search but I didn’t like that they required sign up in order to look. Now that you explained it, maybe I will take the leap. Changing serving sizes would be very helpful.
Haha DD,
I was reluctant too but I really think it’s as “innocuous” and helpful as they say! The only thing I mind is that sometimes they get the calories wrong because they base it on a serving of 4, and of course that makes quite a difference in their calculations if the serving size is supposed to be half that, but other than that, I love it! Please let me know what your favorite recipes are when you “yum” them! As I said I am excited about my little surprise for my commenters when I get back 🙂
Hi DD,
I just tried to e-mail you directly to let you know that you were one of the lucky winners of my pretty cuisinicity apron but the e-mail came back undelivered to me with an error.
Would you mind e-mailing me at Catherine@cuisinicity.com to give me your mailing address so that I can send it to you?
Thanks
Catherine
Hi DD! I have been trying to reach you to let you know that you won a Cuisinicity apron but the email came back to me as an error. Would you mind e-mailing me directly at Catherine@Cuisinicity.com with your home address so that I can send it to you? I was hoping to do that this week! Thanks for your wonderful comments as always!!:)
This is wonderful. Thanks for doing this. I’ve just saved your smoothie recipes and some chicken and dessert.
I’ve never been to France, and planning a trip for next year. Wherever you are standing with your cute mother, it looks beautiful there.
Thank you and enjoy your trip and your mom.
It is my pleasure Debbie Jean, and thank you for “yumming” your favorites! In the photo, I am in Montpellier France, in the center of town at “la place de la comédie” filled with beautiful outdoor cafés, it’s a beautiful and joyful place! Thank you for your kind wishes! 🙂
Hi Debby Jean! I have been trying to reach you to let you know that you won a Cuisinicity apron but the email came back to me as an error. Would you mind e-mailing me directly at Catherine@Cuisinicity.com with your home address so that I can send it to you? I was hoping to do that this week! Thanks for your wonderful comments as always!!:)
bon voyage Catherine et à bientôt pour de nouvelles recettes
Merci Elyette!! 🙂
Ma chère Catherine,
Je te souhaite un voyage fantastique, plein de câlins en deux sens! Tu es tellement généreuse avec nous toutes!
Je vais dire à Dr. R. que notre chou aura besoin d’un peu plus d’attention de notre part cette semaine… Ce n’est pas vrai, mais ce sera pour notre plaisir… hahaha!
A bientôt chère amie, profite énormément de chaque instant!
Margarita ❤️
Ma chère Margarita,
Que de joie de voir apparaître ton joli nom sur mon site! Tu es un petit ange et je suis rassurée de savoir que mon Gabe sera près de toi pendant mon absence!! A très bientôt, au plaisir d’enfin prendre un petit café ensemble et de pouvoir nous mettre à jour, toutes les 2, de nos dernières “aventures”!!
Plein de bisous et tendresse, 🙂
Catherine
Enjoy your time with your Mom. I will be here when you return. I love the idea of the digital recipe box that can save from multiple sites. I am always trying to remember where a certain recipes is from.
Thank you so much Arlene! I am so glad you like the idea of the recipe box! Don’t forget to let me know which ones you picked! 🙂
Ayez un bon séjour en soleil avec Maman!
Retournez avec les recettes speciales de Maman pour nous.
Merci beaucoup Joann! Je vais essayer de bien la gâter et de revenir remplie de soleil méditerranéen!
Ayez un séjour parfait avec Maman!
Merci!!! 🙂
Wow! I am so jealous! I have not been to France in almost 10 years, although I did go to Belgium last year with my sister. I love speaking only the French too. I wish you a wonderful visit with your mom and safe travel back. I will set up a recipe box, great idea and thanks for making it easy for us.
All the Best, Cathy
Hahah Cathy, I ‘ll bring back a little Mediterranean sunshine, I promise!! I am so happy you like the recipe box idea too! Don’t forget to let me know which ones you picked! 🙂
So far I added a couple of your power shakes, one that I am going to try this morning for breakfast, your spinach artichoke lasagna, turkey bean pot-au-feu…. Several others…oh my, I might have to add them all! ?
Hahahaha Cathy, you are so cute!! I love it! And yes, take your time and “Yum” as many as you love!When I get back from France, I will e-mail you directly to ask you for your mailing address so i can send you my little surprise. I think you are going to love it, knowing how much you cook!! 🙂
Hi Cathy,
I just tried to e-mail you directly to let you know that you were one of the lucky winners of my pretty cuisinicity apron but the e-mail, came back undelivered to me with an error.
Would you mind e-mailing me at Catherine@cuisinicity.com to give me your mailing address so that I can send it to you?
Thanks
Catherine