Sautéed Broccoli Rabe (Rapini)

What you'll need:

• 2 bunches broccoli rabe washed, and chopped
• 2 tablespoons duck fat or coconut oil
• 2 cloves of garlic peeled and sliced
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt to taste

What to do:

• Heat oil in a large skillet
• Sautee garlic for 30 seconds.
• Add broccoli rabe and cook until tender (about 8 minutes).
• Add sea salt to taste.

Serve with red pepper flakes on the side for people's liking.

Pairing:

• Paring with broccoli is a bit challenging. We paired the broccoli rabe with a Pinot Noir, but found that they really did not go well together. The rabe is really a grilled bitter vegetable with oil and garlic. The bitterness can make tannic red wines taste a bit harsh. So, with that in mind, we tested the rabe with a fresh white wine. We recommend a Sauvignon Blanc, a dry white wine with fruity flavors. 
• Depending upon how ripeness of the grape when the wine is made, the flavors of a Sauvignon Blanc could range from lime, green apple, passion fruit to white peach. Depending on how ripe the grapes are when the wine is made, the flavor will range from zesty lime to flowery peach. You could even get a Sauvignon Blanc with a grassy flavor. 

Enjoy and be in health.

Men Love Pretty Lips

Tarte 'lust'.  

Tarte 'park ave princess'.

Coconut Veggie Curry

What you'll need:

• 1 small head of broccoli
• 3 carrots
• 1 onion
• 1 head of bok choy
• your favorite mushrooms
• 1 T. coconut oil
• 1/2 t. ginger
• 1/2 t. turmeric
• 1/2 t. salt

What to do:

• Cut up all veggies into bite size pieces
• Heat oil in a wok or large skillet
• Quickly fry in a little hot fat some onion, carrots and broccoli for 2-4 min.
• Add ginger and turmeric
• Add bok choy and mushrooms and cook for 1-2 min.
• Stir in 1/2 - 1 full can of full fat coconut milk
• Add salt to taste.

Serve over cauliflower rice or white basmati rice.

Pairing:

• We tested a couple bottles of wine. We recommend Chile’s Carmenare wine, a red varietal from a deep, dark, purple red grape. It's spicy and rich in berry flavor. 
• We also like vegetable curry with a Malbec, from Agentina possibly, where the wine is tart, spicey and berry red. We also like a bold and spicy Grenache from Spain or Australia.
  

This is HubbyHubby's favorite curry. By the way, turmeric and ginger both have amazing health benefits.

Be in health.

Bacon Wrapped Scallops

What you'll need:

• 1/2 lb. bacon
• 1 pound scallops
• toothpicks

What to do:

• Cut bacon into thirds
• Wrap bacon around scallop
• Secure with toothpick
• Line a baking pan with foil
• Bake for 10-15 min at 350 until bacon is crisp

Pairing:

• Try pairing the bacon-wrapped scallops with a Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc. 
• If you're pairing with a beer, try a wheat beer. Wheat beers have a lot of protein in them and will provide a thick head. A wheat beer will be fizzy or bubbly, light, and great for summer. We paired it with the bacon-wrapped scallops and HubbyHubby went crazy for it. It's a perfect beer to help with grilling too. 

HubbyHubby loves bacon wrapped scallops. They are high in protein and make a nice appetizer.

Mashed Potatoes

What you'll need:

• 6 Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and chopped
• 1 stick of butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• Salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste
• Parsley, thyme, rosemary or sage

What to do:

• Boil potatoes until fork tender (about 10 minutes).
• Drain and put potatoes in standing mixer bowl.
• Add butter and milk.
• Add more milk to your liking.
• Add salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste.
• Stir in parsley, thyme, rosemary or sage.

Pairing:

• Try pairing the mashed potatoes with a Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Riesling. 
• For pairing with beer, try a Lager or Pilsner. We did. And HubbyHubby loved it. A cold lager poured in a lager glass just hits the spot for my man. We tested different white wines and other beers, but the lager was the best pairing choice. Here's a nice lager glass we recommend. 

Have you noticed that HubbyHubby's favorite food in mashed potatoes?

What's your hubby's favorite food? How often do you make it for him?

Enjoy and be in health.

Panties, Panties, Everywhere

HubbyHubby went out with his friends the other night. He came home and told me that all his friends' favorite post is Panties in His Lunchbox. They talked extensively about it throughout their "guys night out."

I thought about this for a few days. Of all the things that go into a marriage, it's panties in his lunchbox that they love the most.

Well, if this makes our hubby happy let's keep it up.

If you have a traveling hubby, throw a lacy pair in his:

• suitcase;
• briefcase; or
• carry on.

If you have a construction or hands-on hubby, stick a pair of cheekies:

• in his work truck's cup holder;
• on the seat of his work truck; or
• above the sun visor. 

If you have a techie hubby, squeeze a thong:

• in his laptop bag; or
• wrapped around his iPad. 

You have a hubby that works from home? Then, fling a pair:

• on his work desk; 
• around his mouse or keyboard;
• hiding behind his headset; or
• draped over his office chair. 

Okay, ladies. Your turn.

What are some other fun sexy-pantie-hiding places?

Squeeze Your Man

When was the last time you walked up to your man and hugged him?  I mean a really good, long, strong, squeeze. A tight hug that made him feel like the most loved and adored man on earth.

Do this today and let me know his response and reaction.

Here's mine.....  My tight squeeze for HubbyHubby, caught him off guard. I felt his strong muscular arms squeeze me right back. Then I relaxed my squeeze and melted into his arms. We stood in the kitchen while the rest of the house buzzed with the hustle and bustle of getting ready for the day ahead.

Ahhhhh, what a wonderful way to start the day.

How often do you squeeze your man?

Put this at the top of your "things to-do list" and enjoy the benefits.

There's tons of proven research about the happy chemicals released in your brain with a long hug. But instead of looking all that stuff up, use that computer time to squeeze your man.

Give Him a Compliment

At the dinner table last night, there was lots of conversation about the happenings of the day. At one point something made HubbyHubby smile.  His smile lit up his face and his eyes gleamed. It was so beautiful.

Now, HubbyHubby is the happiest man on earth. He is full of joy all the time. Therefore he smiles a lot.

However, this one smile caught my attention, and I said, "You have the most handsome smile."

Well, you would have thought I gave him a zillion dollars! He said, "Wow. That is so sweet of you. You haven't said that in a long time."

Hm. Note to self.

So, let me ask you: What compliment can you give your hubby to make him smile, to lighten his load, to brighten his day?

A compliment that's related to his masculinity or his handsomeness is sure to make him feel like he's king of the world.

If you have a hubby journal, start a page that lists all the things you love about your man.

Give your hubby compliments this week, and let me know his reaction.

If you make it part of your everyday life and conversation, your man will feel like a king.

The Traveling Husband

Treat your traveling husband like a king.

Today, I learned about husbands who travel. Three wives told me what it's like to have a traveling husband, how they deal with it, how they survive, what works and what doesn't work.

Wife # 1 said that part of her husband's work requires him to attend really great parties and hang out with celebrities while she holds down the fort at home.

Wife # 2 said her husband calls her, tells her what a tough day he's had and that he's going to "stay in tonight and order room service." He spends the night sitting in a luxurious hotel room watching whatever he likes on the big screen TV, while wife holds down the fort at home with 3 kids, laundry and soccer car pooling like mad.

Wife #3 said her husband "throws a wrench into things" when he comes home.  Her schedule and groove was all set and when hubby comes home she actually thinks, "Argh. When are you leaving again?"

When spouses travel (husband or wife), it can put stress on the marriage.

How can we treat our traveling hubby like a king?

1. Renew your mind.
2. Stay thankful.
3. Be excited and celebrate his return, no matter what he did while he was away.

Here are a few ideas on how to treat your traveling Hubby like a king.

• You and the kids make welcome home signs for Dad.
• Make or pick up his favorite dinner.
• Throw a table cloth on the table and light a candle for dinner.

Yes. He could be having a great time while away.  But being away from you is probably very hard on him.

When I asked my girl friends, "Where would their husband rather be? Home with you and the kids, or on the road?" The immediate and common response (even before I could finish my question) was "at home with the family."

Ah, yes. And there's the heart of our wonderful husbands.

Are they out with a sword sleighing dragons for us? No. Not literally.
Are they in the wilderness with a bow and arrow, hunting and bringing home a kill for dinner? No.
Are they at war fighting a battle to save your home and property? No.

But they are out, on the road for one main reason. One main purpose. To provide and take care of you. You. And the family. Men live to provide and protect. Read The King's Guide for details.

So, when your Hubby comes home, celebrate his return with his favorite things on the planet:

• Amazing sex
• His favorite food
• Appreciation
• Adoration
• Love
• Attention
• Compassion
• And all-out thankfulness for his heart and life.

And yes, my HubbyHubby travels.

How do you treat your traveling hubby like a king?

He's Looking at Other Women When We're Out Together

Have you ever been out with your Hubby only to catch him turning his head to look at another woman?

How does that make you feel?

Yep. I understand. So, here's something to think about: Be that woman he's looking at. Be her. What happens if you dress to catch his eye. Dress to turn his head to you. Dress to get his attention. 

Why? Because men are visual.

What are you wearing right now? Look down at your outfit. What do you have on?

Do you know what your husband likes to look at? Do you know what he likes to see you in?

This week, plan some time to sit down with your Hubby. Make him his favorite drink (coffee, beer, lemonade, bourbon, etc.), and show him some fashion magazines, store catalogues, or outfits on the web.

Ask him what he likes. Ask. Don't take too long though. Just 5 minutes.

I have two favorite places where I love to shop. When those catalogs show up in the mail, I flip through with HubbyHubby, and he tells me what he likes. Lead him on with, "Hm. That's nice." Or, "Hm, she's looks cute in that. Yes?"

Within time and budget, I order or buy those outfits. Then--and this is HubbyHubby's favorite part--after the kids are in bed, I put on a fashion show for him. I make sure he sits where he can catch a glimpse of me changing. It's a fun little special time for us together, and now I'm his "head-turner."

Each week, plan your outfits so that your appearance is well kept.

No time? Make time. Remember, men are visual. What you wear is important to your Hubby.

Sex Again? Now? Really!?

There is a certain time of day when HubbyHubby likes to "get it on."

With three little ones at home, timing isn't always easy.

In fact, there are more than a million excuses NOT to "get it on."

However,... I make it happen. I make arrangements. I schedule it in (so to speak). I don't make excuses.

Ladies.... give your hubby the sex he wants at his favorite time of day.

Her are some tips and tricks:

• Babies at home? Have sex when they are napping or asleep.

• Too tired? Take a nap.

• School age children at home? Put on a movie. Set them up with books on tape. Set out fun breakfast foods, crayons and coloring books and tell them, "Mommy and Daddy are sleeping in tomorrow."

• Put them to bed early.

• Too much to do? Do your hubby first! The rest will wait.

What tricks and tips do you have to make sure you and your hubby have sex?

Master and Commander

After watching the movie Master and Commander, for the 10th time (argh), HubbyHubby says, "I'm your master and commander." And winks. 

Ah, boy. 

Turns out, he really likes to be called Master and Commander. I'm not kidding. He programmed his iPhone to call him that.

So, what does your hubby like to be called?

• Sweetie pie
• Honey
• Babe
• Babycakes
• Cowboy
• My hero
• Lug nut 
• Shnookums
• Muffin cakes
• Hottie biscotti
• Italian stallion
• Lover boy
• Sargent sexy 
• Stud muffin
• Hunny bun
• Hot stuff

There's nothing more boring than calling your hubby by his first name. Gosh, I hate hearing that. It's such a great opportunity to be creative and get your hub's attention. 

What do you call you hubby? Is it what he likes to be called? Do you even know what he likes? 

Ask him.

Busy Day Beef Stroganoff

Today is a busy day of school, appointments and violin lessons.

For this recipe I used leftover pot roast and the crock pot for a hot yummy meal as soon as we all arrive home.

Here's what you'll need:

• Leftover beef pot roast

• 10 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onions or shallots
• 1 pound small button mushrooms, thickly sliced
• 1 cup canned beef or chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons Cognac or white wine
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

• 12 ounces wide egg noodles
• 1 tablespoon paprika
  
  
  
  
  Place the leftover beef in the crock pot and set on low.
  Melt 6 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. 
  Add chopped shallots and sauté until tender, about 2 minutes. 
  Add mushrooms. 
  Sprinkle with pepper and sauté until liquid evaporates, about 12 minutes. 
  Add beef broth, then Cognac. 
  Simmer until liquid thickens and just coats mushrooms, about 14 minutes. 
  Stir in sour cream and Dijon mustard. 
  Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  Pour the mixture over the beef in the crock pot.
  When you get home, cook noodles in large pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 8 minutes. 
  Drain. 
  Transfer to bowl. 
  Add remaining 4 tablespoons butter and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. 
  Divide noodles among plates. Top with beef and sauce. Sprinkle with paprika.
  
  
  
  

Leftover Stew

What?????

Yes, I discovered Leftover Stew when I came home starving and found the frig full of little leftover containers of meat and veggies.

In a saute pan I added some coconut oil, and the leftover veggies and some leftover chicken.

I topped this with coconut milk and heated it all through. This was a fantastic lunch for a hungry wife.

Now, on the weekends I do the same thing with the leftovers; however I always make a fresh pot of Basmati rice.

This is a great way to be thrifty which blesses HubbyHubby a lot.

Be in health.

Leftover Stir Fry

Being thrifty really makes HubbyHubby happy.  It shows him that I am thankful and appreciative of what we have and that I do my best to make the most of it.

At our house we eat lots and lots of veggies and some protein and some starch.

At the end of the week when there are leftover veggies and protein in abundance, I make Leftover Stirfry.

In a large skillet heat up some coconut oil.

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, a 1/2 of teaspoon of ginger and 1 teaspoon of turmeric.  Cook for 1 minute.  (Turmeric is very healthy for HubbyHubby and the whole family.)

Add the veggies and protein and heat through.

Add leftover rice or make a fresh pot if you don't have any.

Serve with soy sauce.

Be thrifty and be in health.

Halloween Soup

Every Halloween I make Halloween Soup.

When the kids come home from school we carve pumpkins and get ready for tricke-or-treating.

Here's what you'll need for the evening of fun:

2 tablespoons of coconut oil
2 tablespoons of butter
2 carrots, coarsely chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 medium onion, finely chopped
salt and pepper
1-2 cups chicken broth
1 medium butternut squash
1 medium pie pumpkin

Cut squash and pumpkin in half and scoop out seeds.  Place seeds in a bowl for latter.

Rub each cut half with coconut oil.  Place cut side down on a baking sheet and bake on 350 for 1 hour.

In a large soup pot, melt butter and coconut oil and sauté carrots, celery an onion on medium heat until soft.  Season with salt and pepper.

Scoop out the butternut squash and the pumpkin and add to the soup pot.

Add one cup chicken broth.

Blend with hand held mixing wand.  Add extra chicken broth to desired consistency.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

HubbyHubby doesn't like it completely blended because he says it reminds him of baby food.

Ask your hubby how he likes the soup.  He'll be happy that you care enough to ask.

Be in health.

Sweet Potato & Beet Chips

Most grocery store chips are made with the wrong oil.

Some oils are bad for HubbyHubby right from the start and some oils are good from the start, but turn bad for you after being heated too high.

These chips are supper good for HubbyHubby because, 1. they are made from healthy veggies and 2.  they are baked with coconut oil.

Here's what you'll need:

4 sweet potatoes
3 beets
1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
salt & pepper

Here's what to do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Wash and pat dry veggies.
 Slice using a mandolin ( 1/6" - 1/18").

Sprinkle lightly with salt on both sides to remove liquid.
Let the veggies rest for 30 minutes.
Rinse in cold water and pat dry.
Toss veggies in 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Bake on a cookie sheet in a single layer with no overlap for 15-20 minutes, until slightly brown.

Be in health.

This recipe was adapted from Ideal Market.

Sloppy Joes

On game day or a cold winter day, HubbyHubby loves warm hearty crockpot meals.

Sloppy Joes are one of his favorites.

Here's what you need to make enough for game day and have leftovers for lunch boxes the next day.

2 tablespoons of coconut oil
2 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, finely chopped
2 celery stalk, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 pounds ground beef
2 cans (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
8 onion buns or hamburger buns split

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat.
Add onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic; season with salt and pepper.  Cook 5-7 minutes.

Add ground beef to skillet and break up until crumbled.  Cook 6-8 minutes.

Place all the above in the crockpot and stir in tomato sauce, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve in soft onion buns.

Adapted from MarthaStewart.com

Be in health.

What sport, hobby, activity does your hubby love?  How can you participate, show a genuine interest and adapt yourself to his extra curricular fun?

Chicken Stock

Chicken stock is so very, very healthy for HubbyHubby and the whole family. 

On a cold winter day, I heat it up and add whatever veggies I have on hand for a quick nutrient dense meal.

Here's what you need:

one whole free-range chicken or 2 to 3 pounds of bony chicken parts, such as necks, backs, breastbones and wings
feet and head from chicken (optional)
2 tablespoons of vinegar 
one onion, peeled and quartered
3 carrots broken in half
2 celery stalks cut in half
1 bulb of garlic pealed and crushed
1 bunch of Italian parsley

Here's what to do:

In a large stock pot place the chicken and cover with cold water.
Add the vinegar and let sit for 1/2 hour.  This pulls out the minerals and calcium.
Next add all the veggies except for the parsley.
Bring to a boil.
Turn down to a simmer and cook, covered for 6 to 24 hours.
About 10 minutes before the stock is done, add the parsley.  This adds extra minerals to the stock.

Adapted from Nourishing Traditions 

Italian Meatballs & Sauce

Hubbyhubby loves to make meatballs and
sauce with me on Sundays.  He pours two glasses of wine
and makes a nice charcuterie board of salami, cheese and olives.  We snack, drink wine and cook together.

Here's what you'll need:

1/4 cup lard or coconut oil
1/2 onion chopped
4 cloves garlic chopped
4 teaspoons Italian seasoning or fresh oregano, rosemary, thyme, savory, marjoram and basil finely chopped
1 bay leaf
2 jars crushed tomatoes
2 jars chopped tomatoes
1 tube tomato paste

Here's what to do:
Saute onions in lard or oil until soft in an 8 quart stock pot
Add garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrent
Stir in tomato paste and Italian seasoning, salt and pepper
Stir in crushed tomatoes and chopped tomatoes
Stir in 4 cups water
Bring to a boil then turn down and simmer for 3 or until desired consistency.
If you are short on time add less water.

 Next:

3 pounds of grass fed ground beef or any combination of ground beef, veal, pork, lamb
1/2 cup Italian parsley chopped
1/2 onion and 4 cloves of garlic chopped and sauteed until soft, set aside to cool (in a pinch use 2 teaspoons dried garlic and dried onion)
3/4 cup of Pecorino Romano cheese
2 eggs lightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
lard or coconut oil

Here's what to do:
In a large skillet melt enough lard or oil to come up 1/2 way on the pan
Mix all of the above ingredients together.
Form meatballs and cook until brown on the outside, but uncooked on the inside.
After each meatball browns drop into the hot sauce.  This cooks the inside.

What domestic task can you turn into romantic date time?

Enjoy and be in health.

This recipe was adapted with love from my grandma Anna Ciccarelli