Zucchini Noodle Bowl with Lemon Jalapeno Caesar

This year for Christmas, I got a spiralizer and I have been feeding everything through it I can think of. It's an awesome kitchen tool that's totally affordable and will quickly become your new favorite toy. My favorite application is still the zucchini. It makes the noodles really long, thin and luxurious! You can twirl them into nests and it's just like eating spaghetti, especially if you peel the skin first. That can be a helpful trick for someone who is unsure about eating a zucchini noodle - especially kids. If you toss it in a tasty red sauce, I bet they would hardly know the difference. Also, they're so tender naturally that you can eat them raw, blanched or sauteed. 

In my previous post, I cut them by hand and served them with my cashew alfredo cream. You can do whatever cut suits your craving - angel hair, fettucine, penne etc... That method works just as well, it just takes a little longer. For this one, I switched it up with a lemon jalapeno vinaigrette that was more like a caesar dressing with a kick. Easily whipped up in the blender, it keeps for about two weeks in a jar in the refrigerator. I garnished with fresh parsley, lemon zest, smoked paprika and shaved pecorino. Really delicious!

Don't these noodles look perfect swirled together with these little carrot moons? You can use any vegetables you like for this dish and adding chicken or salmon would be tasty additions too.

INGREDIENTS
2 or 3 medium - large zucchini will feed about 4 people - spiralized, sliced, julienned, shaved etc...
thick sliced mushrooms
sliced or quartered carrots
1|4 sliced red onion
other optional substitutions or additions could be sliced sweet bell peppers, broccoli florets, sweet potato, chopped tomatoes or red cabbage
fresh chopped parsley
diced jalapeno for heat (optional of course)
minced garlic if you don't make the dressing (it has garlic in it)
lemon slices
smoked paprika
shaved or grated pecorino or parmesan
salt + pepper
olive oil

DRESSING
2 tablespoons vegenaise (or mayonaise)
2 tablespoons plain greek yogurt
a squeeze of dijon mustard
2 cloves chopped garlic
a few dashes of worstershire
juice from 1|2 a lemon
freshly grated pecorino or parmesan
2 - 3 anchovies (optional but highly recommended)
chopped fresh jalapeno if you like it spicy
black pepper
about 1|4 cup olive oil
Blend everything together except for the olive oil. Stream it SLOWLY in through the top so that it emulsifies and binds the dressing together. This will keep in a jar for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. Set it aside for the end of the sautee.

DIRECTIONS
Heat up your olive oil in a large skillet on medium - high. Add the onion and the carrot, season with a little salt and sautee about 5 minutes. Add the mushroom and any other vegetables you want to use. Let it go another 5 - 7 minutes. Add the zucchini noodles last, season with black pepper, fresh parsley and about 4 spoonfuls of the dressing. Stir everything together. Cover and turn off the heat for another 7 - 10 minutes. Dress your bowl with the lemon juice and zest, grated cheese and smoked paprika. With or without a side salad, this is certainly a complete meal.

ENJOY!!

Full Moon in Cancer | January 15, 2014

Though the Moon in December was technically fully effaced in Gemini on the 17th, it quickly moved into Cancer 9 hours later and magnified the still powerful effects of being in it's most resonant home. Today however, Moonrise is at 7:06 pm and full by 10:52 pm. She has already occupied Cancer for two days and the differences of these two Moon transits will be felt.

Take the themes of the Moon and Cancer, put them into a tea cup and pour warm water on top. You'll find yourself immersed in a brew of instinct, intuition and emotion. Psychic precognition and spirituality will be on your mind. Allow your passion and sensuality to guide you with gentle, compassionate hands. Retreat into your home and do water rituals like bathing with herbs, fertilize your garden, make soup and drink tea. Embrace the water. Hold it. Go under and open your eyes. Feel the liquid shawls slide across your skin and rest in the weight of it's waves. This is a very feminine influence. Cancer is the nurturer. She mothers everyone and everything. She tends and takes care of those in need. She rules the reproductive organs. She has a giant heart that looks like a shell. There's a pearl inside. Wear it with silver and abalone. Resonate with the magnetic energy that is the strongest. Gather it up like string and let it drive you, uninhibited.

There are also subtle flares that can be felt with all Full Moons, coming from the influences of the angles made between the Moon in full (it's most powerful position) and the other planets. These are called aspects. They form squares, triangles and diametrically opposed lines.

• Moon square Mars | Challenging influence felt with freedom, restraint, expansion, travel, exploration and physical activity.
• Moon opposition Mercury | Polarizing or magnetic influence felt towards introvert | extrovert, mental activities or study, invention, learning, new concepts and ideas.
• Moon trine Saturn | Harmonizing influence towards challenges and limitations, problem solving, lessons and morals.

These are fleeting aspects that will shift every few days but whose effects are powerful when added to a Full Moon equation. Keys to understanding Astrology are drawn by looking into the areas of our life that become illuminated each day, month and year. It allows us to get a deeper understanding as to why themes in our life continue to repeat and why we feel drawn or compelled to activities, moods, objects and elements. Life is too short to waste a Full Moon - go out and jump in the water!

Surviving Mercury Retrograde 2014 | Prospects, Positions, Perspectives

Let's talk about that thing that drives everyone up the wall into chaos every year, numerous times. Even non-believers will blame their cathartic messes on Mercury Retrograde without even knowing what exactly that means. All they know is, it causes frustration and complicates everything when it's happening. And the truth is, living things will be affected by it's apparent backwards motion whether they choose to or not. We don't have a choice when it comes to planetary influences. Magnetic forces work scientifically, under the thumb of nature. We are at the mercy of it and the best advice here is to just go with it. Don't resist - lay down in the water. Educating yourself on the principles and key functions of big transitions and learning how to use them to your advantage arms you with a tool for your tool box.

So what exactly is Mercury Retrograde? The planetary bodies are in constant forward motion meaning, that Mercury only appears to be moving backwards when actually, it has just slowed down it's usual speed as it becomes conjunct with the sun. Mercury is the closest planet to the sun and as the two form certain angles 3-4 times a year, their magnetic fields become antagonistic for roughly 30 days, which is about how long it takes for each one to move into a new sign. Where ever your sun is in your birth chart, is where your Mercury will also be. And when Mercury appears Retrograde, it's affects are felt with restraint, challenge and limitation as it tries to push against the magnetic forces that are creating resistance.

Mercury rules the mind, mental activity, analysis, invention, problem solving and the nervous system. These will be the primary rooms affected with difficulty. You will likely hear Gemini and Virgo bark the loudest as both are ruled by Mercury and are polar opposites. The phases of Retrograde are themed by the sign that it and the sun are occupying during the transit. It will also have an affect on the parts of the body those signs rule and their accompanying qualities. The road to successfully exiting the phase with the little or no casualties is simple. Avoid signing contracts, binding agreements and executing wills or deeds or documents (if possible) until after Mercury has gone direct again. Be aware of conflicts with superiors, authorities, officials, partnerships and co-workers. These can be especially confrontational. If you feel something arise, try and diffuse it without fireworks. After all, YOU will be the one with the insight as to why eruptions are happening and you will be able to take the inside track to the high road. Competition will feel heightened and argumentative natures are illuminated. You may find yourself taking opposition to someone for no reason but to take the opposite. This can be productive but typically ends in a stand off. Stay composed and centered - this will stabilize this effect.

Here are the Retrograde transits for 2014 and the themes they will occupy. Put it on your calendar so that you can stay afloat when conflict feels suffocating:

• FEBRUARY 6 - 28 : Sun conjunct Mercury on the 16th in Aquarius, the sign of invention, creative originality and uniqueness. Remember that art is a process, not an immediacy. Focus and harness the power of this highly competitive influence by accepting a challenge with individuality as you define and redefine your goals. Rules the shins and ankles.
• JUNE 7 - JULY 1 : Sun conjunct Mercury on the 20th in Gemini. This is the transit where Retrograde will be most difficult all year, due to the intensity of Gemini, highlighting snap judgement, biting rhetoric and sharp-tongued wit while fueling the deeply imaginitive mind that leads to great thinking and conceptual thought. A healthy debate would be educational. Rules the hands, wrists and forearms.
• OCTOBER 4 -25 : Sun conjunct Mercury on the 17th in Libra offers poise, command and control over communication but challenge in partnerships and relationships. You might be inclined to revise your artistic endeavors and your nature to create beautiful things. The spark of new ideas and projects would be a good place to put your excessive energy. Rules the low back, the lumbar and the booty.

I hope this explanation sheds some light on your challenges for the new year during these transits where ultimately, you can come out on top with deeper insight and a sharpened awareness of what this all really means. I am certainly not saying that Retrograde is easy, but it can be better than just tumbling into the ether with our claws out.

Smoky Chicken Tortilla Soup

When I eat at Mexican restaurants, this is always what I order. I love the smoky, tomato broth with tons of cilantro and jalapenos. The only thing mine was missing was some freshly sliced avocado. The store didn't have any ripe enough to eat immediately so I had to make do. However, I highly recommend adding it to yours. I had never made this soup myself and found a particular version that appealed to me using some re-hydrated guajillo chiles. They aren't hot at all but they give the broth a delicious depth that is certainly missing without them. I also made my own tortilla crisps and the recipe for those is also included. Splurge on an organic, free - range cut of chicken for this as it is the backbone of the soup. You'll be glad you did.

The deep, dark skin of these dried chiles is almost black. You can find them in any Mexican grocery store and I've also seen them in commercial stores too. A big bag is very cheap. Start soaking them while you get the rest of your ingredients ready. Save the liquid.

Add 1 pound of fresh, cored tomatoes to a large pot along with four cloves of garlic and the chiles. Pull the stems off and shake the seeds out first. Cover with filtered water and cook for about 15 minutes. The tomatoes will be soft and the skins will start to peel.

Add everything to a blender with your chopped onion and 1 cup of the simmer liquid. Let it cool slightly before blending into a smooth puree.

It's rich and silky and has a sheen to it. Don't over process this step or the tomato will become frothy. Add a couple tablespoons of olive oil to the bottom of your stock pot and pour the tomato base back in. Cook this down another 12 - 15 minutes. It will reduce and get darker as it thickens. Add the chicken broth and the shredded chicken. Season with salt + pepper.

While your base is reducing, cut about 10 corn tortillas into strips. Spread them out single layer on a sheet pan and brush them with olive oil and season with salt + smoked paprika or ancho powder. Bake for 10 or so minutes at 375. Give them a stir once and bake for another 5 minutes.

Allow them to cool while you work on the rest of the soup. If you start your chicken breasts in the oven ahead of time, they can rest while you prepare everything else as they are the last ingredient to go into the soup.

Prepare a plate of toppings to set your table with and everyone can dress their bowls however they like. I set out chopped cilantro, fresh jalapenos, mozzarella cheese and the tortilla crisps. Fresh lime, sliced avocado and either sour cream or greek yogurt are delicious with the spicy peppers.

This is pretty perfect for me. I have to admit, it's better than any of the versions I've tried in a restaurant and I've had a bunch! I really think it's worth it to take some extra time to make something simple yet elegant and share it with the people you love!

CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP
3 organic, free - range chicken breasts
3 - 4 dried guajillo chiles, re-hydrated in warm water
1 pound of tomatoes
4 cloves of peeled garlic
1|2 cup yellow or white onion, chopped
4 cups low sodium, organic chicken broth
10 - 12 corn tortillas
olive oil
salt + pepper
smoked paprika or ancho powder
chopped cilantro
sliced jalapenos + avocadoes
shredded mozzarella or jack cheese
fresh Mexican crema, sour cream or greek yogurt
lime wedges

Follow the directions and steps above for assembling the soup. Start your chicken first by preheating your oven to 400. Season the breasts with olive oil and salt + pepper. Bake until they reach an internal temperature of 180. Using two forks, shred the breasts in the direction of the grain of the meat. They will be tender and come apart easily. Set this aside and add it to the soup last. When you make the tortilla crisps, reduce the heat to 375. Serve with raw garnishes and lay your crisps on the very top. All of the flavors will intensify as you eat. The cheese will melt and the strips start to soften and enrich the soup with tons of delicious flavors.

ENJOY!!