Exotic Flowers in Boston

Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday this year which means that Bostonians will be vamping up their plans to extend over an entire romantic weekend!  While couples scurry about trying to make their ideal holiday itinerary, some are at their wits ends as to where and what they should do?  Should we stay in the city or venture out towards other New England hot spots?  Should we book a fancy urban hotel sweet or take a drive to one of Massachusetts more secluded locales?  It’s a lot to decide since we all know whats riding on our decisions.  One bad move and we can seriously affect the romantic outcomes of Valentine’s Day so be careful.  Bostonians are lucky though to have so many options at their disposal.  Whether you’re interested in having a beachy, glitzy, snowy or laid back theme to your special weekend, this region has something to offer every sweetheart couple.

Ocean Getaway

Just because it’s cold outside, it doesn’t mean that we have to completely omit any ideas of visiting the beach.  New England has some of the most beautiful oceanfront property in the country and believe it or not, can still provide the perfect vacation venue year round, even during the winter.  North Shore destinations include several Gloucester and Rockport inns and hotels including Bass Rocks Ocean Inn and the Vista Motel which both provide breathtaking views of the Atlantic at affordable prices.  If you are traveling south, check out Wequassett Resort & Golf Club in Chatham or Seacrest Beach resort of North Falmouth, Cape Cod.  You won’t be disappointed in these luxurious getaway spots and will still be conveniently close to home!

Housebound Romance

Who says you have to leave the house to have a truly romantic weekend alone with your honey?  Forget about making the beds, washing the dishes and doing the laundry.  Just make a pact that you, as a couple, will spend the entire weekend at home with no one and nothing to take care of but each other.  Stock up on romantic movies, candles from anthropology or terrain and grab a whole bunch of local take out menus to order from.  Make sure you swap the everyday sheets for new silk blankets and stop by your florist for a fresh bouquet of flowers to add to the ambiance.  Pop the cork on a good bottle of wine and your good to go!

Ski Bunny Stay

The slopes may be calling you this Valentine’s Day and since we’re lucky to live in one of the greatest places in the country for skiing, you’re in luck!  Not only are our winter resorts home to stunning white powdered covered landscapes but also provide quite a spread for couples looking for a romantic retreat.  Sitting by stone fireplaces, sipping hot chocolate and even indulging in many of their five star spa packages are definitely things to put on your to-do lists.  Suggested ski resorts for Bostonians are Mt Washington in Bretton Woods, NH (great spa, buffet, pool and game room) and Stowe Mountain Resort in Stowe, Vermont (great accommodations and lots of fun things to do in town). 

Suzie and Rick Canale, Westwood MA

Suzie and Rick will be spending a romantic evening at their Westwood home on Valentine's Day.

The holiday season is packed with celebrations amongst family and friends where we can enjoy one another’s company, sip champagne and feast upon the most delicious treats.  There’s the turkey at Thanksgiving, red velvet cake at Christmas time and for New Years, just about any decadent cuisine is up for grabs.  The holidays are wonderful but if you’re like most recovering from the festivities, you’re looking to pare down the calorie count and get back into those favorite jeans that have been on vacation in the closet.  So many people swear off dieting in January because they just don’t want to give up satisfying their sweet tooth just to dial back the numbers on the scale. I agree, it’s depressing but what if we could compromise by allowing dessert if we only swapped a few ingredients here and there?  Now I don’t mean eating strange non-dairy cheesecakes -we don’t have to get crazy to lose a couple of pounds.  I, myself, love a sweet morsel before bedtime and refuse to get weird when it comes to denying certain after dinner accompaniments.  This is what I’ve tried and amazingly, it works.  Give it a go and you’ll see you’ll be strutting your stuff in no time!

                              photo credit: Whole Foods Market

Berries, Berries, Berries

Berries are nature’s savior in the dieting department because they pack a ton of vitamin value and antioxidants (something many need after a little too much bubbly over the last month).  Raspberries, blueberries and strawberries (my favorite) can all be found in your produce department year round and can be mixed in with any dessert dish being served.  Blackberries are another yummy berry but can be difficult to find in New England grocery stores but if you do, ground the berries to make a natural, finishing syrup.   You don’t need to add any other flavoring or sugar and the beautiful color will top off any cake or soufflé magnificently.

Frozen Yogurt-You’ll Never Know The Difference

There is a long running argument that frozen yogurt can’t match the taste of ice cream but I strongly disagree.  Not only does the creamy consistency taste wonderful but you’re literally ingesting a quarter of the fat and sugar, therefore upping you metabolism to burn more wasteful calories.  You can select just about any flavor desired including chocolate chip, chocolate mousse and peanut butter cup.  Fantastic varieties include Breyers, Friendly’s and Edie’s, try them blind folded for an ultimate test.  You can’t go wrong with any of there products and you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the results. 

Splenda Makes Splendid Treats

Splenda is a sugar substitute that many bakers have been using as a sweetener substitute.  Prepared within cakes, cookies, muffins and cupcakes, many speculated that Splenda wouldn’t deliver the “sweet” effect that consumers were yearning for.   They admitted their mistake when tasting that the low calorie sugar really did deliver and was pleasantly comparable with traditionally made desserts.  Although the ingredient was mainly implemented at first by pro-dieters and diabetics, the tasty confection has proved to be a big hit on the dessert menu!

 Suzie Canale, Westwood, MA 

Suzie frequents Wilson Farm in Lexington, Market Basket in Waltham, and Roche Brothers in Westwood for fresh produce and quality ingredients for her and her family.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a celebration honoring the birthday of one of America’s most beloved icons.  Celebrated on the 3^rd Monday of every January (although his birthday is officially on the 15^th), the nation pays homage to King’s detrimental efforts towards the civil rights movement against racial discrimination.  The act to officially observe Martin Luther King Day came after King’s assassination in 1968 but it wasn’t until 1983 when it became a federal holiday.  Signed by Ronald Regan who initially opposed the bill, the act became effective after the president realized that he was severely outvoted by the House of Representatives. Although the bill had been mandated, there were still a few states, which were reluctant towards calling the holiday by its legal name, and instead, combined Martin Luther King Day with other nearing holidays.  It wasn’t until the year 2000 when all 50 states came together and agreed to reserve the event solely for Martin Luther King, Jr.  

People around the United States choose to participate in this occasion throughout many ways including re-listening to his infamous speech, “I Have a Dream”, which still emanates the strength, courage and determination within the words that have said “to appeal to the most sacred touchstones that there are in the United States”.   Bostonians, too, have the opportunity to engage within events set up around the city that propel Mr. King’s profound symbolism of “Let Freedom Ring”.  City officials have elected to put forward great efforts within erecting more and more opportunities for both children and adults to learn the importance of understanding who Martin Luther King, Jr. was and what he stood for.  Check out your local paper and Boston.com to find events thematic of this special day honoring the momentous leadership efforts of Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Boston Holiday Highlights

Dr. King lived in Boston for several years studying for degrees received at both Harvard and Boston University so you know that there will be lots of events to attend honoring this special day!  Here are some that have already been listed:

“Free At Last Sculpture”

Boston University

Free

Boston University Annual MLK Commemoration

1 pm 775 Commonwealth Ave, Boston University

Free

Museum of Fine Arts MLK Day

Speeches, films, exhibits,

Free Admission

Museum of African American History

Beacon Hill Walking Trail

Free 

 Suzie Canale, Westwood Public Library, 2014

Visit Suzie in the children's department of the Westwood Public Library for children's books about Martin Luther King Jr.

Parental Advisory Warning: the following is not fit for all readers so if you don't care for soap boxes and thinly veiled adult language, move on. I only do this about once a year.

I am naive. Today for the first time in my life I actually had to rebuff the explicit and pointed persecution by an attorney for my choice to be a career musician. He laughed at my colleague's claim that he worked full-time as a performing musician and told him "don't you think you could at least get a part-time job" to cover the debts in question. In his brilliant edict against our position he cited his own stint, in college, as a "bar band musician" and scoffed at my claim that it was a full-time job reminiscing that his time as a guitar player in college was hardly, (wink, wink) even part-time.

I invite him to eat my a$$. If it had been my fight to begin with, I would have been more brazen, though i never thought the conflict was with the attorney to begin with. Rather he seemed, accidentally, to expose what the plaintiff, and apparently secretly he, both harbor against working musicians.

I would have shouted in his face: Throw out all of your CDs, records, cassettes and 8-tracks, all your sheet music. Forget every song you ever heard on those albums. Have your musical memory erased, you're so cavalier about it, so you cannot whistle a tune, or hum a note in private comfort or celebration with yourself. Have erased from your memory every concert you attended, every symphony, every opera, every child's music lesson and recital, every jam session and summer concert series. Then I would invite him to re-live every memorial service, wedding or graduation he's ever attended, without music. Then, sit down to your myriad of movies and TV shows you cherish, and try to watch them again, without music. Then I would tell him, 'Turn off your radio and unsubscribe from all the free streaming music suppliers, like Pandora, whom you depend on for your musical relief. Spend a week without music. Any of you. I dare.'

If however, he felt a pang of conscience in leaving this session with me, I would suggest to him this path for redemption: Pay double the asking price for every cd you buy from now on; pay twice as much at the door or two times the price of a concert ticket; tip the band as much as you spend at the bar; buy merch at every show; empty your pockets in the buskers guitar case; pledge a donation to every crowd-funding musical project; and finally, fast from music for one week. Then come back to me and beg me for a tune, a lick, a chorus - I'll charge you $300 an hour - solo.

Until this day, in my 41 years of living, I still NOT ONCE have had to pay a lawyer for getting me through my day with his lawyerly services. Yet every day of my life, i have hummed a tune…

And finally I say to the starry-eyed potential suitors, the like of which who started this particular trouble: we were musicians when you met us. If you don't like the way we live, don't live with us.

Quenby Iandiorio

all photos in this post came from quenbywowband.com 

New England Clam Chowder Recipe

For all of you football fans getting ready for Sunday’s big game, here’s a sure fire hit to add to your menu of tailgating foods!  Authentic to the New England region and delicious to boot, this recipe is both easy and quick to cook up for the big game day.   Try this New England Clam Chowder soup for your friends and family and get ready to cheer on the Patriots!

Ingredients

4 Red Potatoes                                                          3 Tbsp Flour

½ Gallon of Half and Half Cream                            4 Tbsp of Butter

2 Bottles of Clam Juice                                              1 Tbsp of Dried Rosemary

4 lbs of Clams                                                                        1 Cup of Chopped Parsley

2 Celery Chopped Stalks                                          Salt

1 Yellow Chopped Onion                                          White Pepper

Directions

Melt the 4 Tablespoons of butter in a large pot over medium heat.  Add the chopped onion and celery to the pot and sauté until softened.   Slowly add flour creating a roué, which will start to thicken the mix of vegetables and butter.  Once the flour has been soaked up, slowly add in the cream taking rests to stir the chowder. 

 Take a knife and pierce the red potatoes, then place them in a microwave for 4 minutes.  Slice the lightly softened potatoes into rough cubes and add them into the pot. 

 In a separate pan, boil the 2 bottles of clam juice.  Place the clams in the heated liquid and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes, afterwards straining the excess juice and adding the cooked clams to the chowder. 

 Add the 1 Tbsp of rosemary and cup of chopped parsley to the pot then season with salt and pepper to taste.  The chowder will thicken and the temperature should be dropped from medium to low for approximately 40 minutes.  Serve piping hot!

The holidays are over,

It’s the start of a new year,

Time to make our resolutions,

And really kick them in high gear.

For some of us, we’ve promised,

To shed those extra pounds,

Or form a stronger backbone,

By standing firmer on their grounds.

We promise to be nicer,

To our neighbors and our friends,

Maybe try to be more neater,

By taking care of odds and ends.

But whatever deals we make this time,

Remember to have fun,

This should be what we all put first,

On our lists as number one!

So as we start the first month,

And attempt the unforeseen

I wish to you a healthy, happy,

And exciting 2015!

 photo credit Flower Factor / Aboutflowers.com

Suzie Canale

Westwood, MA 

It’s cold outside and Bostonians are searching to find their favorite foods that will comfort them through the next few months.  January, February and March can be bitter and icy, the kind of weather where we need a little extra cushion in our stomachs to brave the season.  For some it’s a decadent dessert while others prefer an entrée of rich cuisine but whatever you favor, I think we can all agree that we need some extra meat on our bones during this time of year.   City restaurants can have just what you’re looking for or maybe you would rather opt to stay home and create your own menu?  Here’s a bit of fare facts to help you explore and enjoy some of the top comfort foods for winter 2015.

Top Comfort Foods

1. Pasta has got to be the number one “go-to” food when we need a “calorie hug” and there is an extraordinary array of options open to you.  Tortellini with sautéed spinach and cherry tomatoes is delicious and carries very little prep time.  Stuffed shells are another fabulous comfort meal because you can alter the variations of ricotta cheese and add whatever fillings you like such as mushrooms, extra tomatoes, onions and spinach.  Alfredo, chicken and broccoli is another classic that actually contains healthy vegetables and protein so it’s a little more “guilt free”.
2. Soups are number two on my list because (if prepared right) you can get your bones warmed without eating an excessive amount of fat.  Excellent varieties include creamed corn, cream of broccoli and chicken noodle soup.  Some of these are quite simple to make in a crock pot or can be interchanged with bases replacing a heavy flour roué with a blended rice, celery and onion substitution (I use this when making my cream of broccoli recipe).  Soups are also ideal because you can throw in whatever veggies you have left in your fridge to make scrumptious bowls of yummy and heart healthy soups.

Best Winter Cookbooks

There are millions of wonderful cookbooks out there and all contain some useful tricks from the trade to help you whip up five star meals.  My favorites include “How To Cook Everything”, “The Joy of Cooking”, William Sonoma food guides and “Martha’s American Food”.  Trust me on the last one and look up her recipe for macaroni and cheese.  You’ve never tasted anything like it, I assure you!

Try Em’ and Dine In Em’

If cooking is just not your thing, have no fear because Bean Town is home to some spectacular restaurants, bistros and cafes.  How about chicken potpie found at “Henrietta’s”, French onion soup from the “Capital Grill” or a burger from “Tasty Burger”?  Don’t forget we are famous for the world’s best clam chowder so treat yourself with a sampling from my favorites “Union Oyster House”, “Legal Seafoods” and “Grill 23”.

 Suzie launched her third children's book, The Candy Roses of Cape Care at the Union Oyster House in 2013.

It's that time of year again when we count our blessings and get ready to make a few changes for New Years!  Resolutions have been a traditional gesture for many to seize the opportunity towards improving ourselves within physical, financial or emotional areas.   The most common resolutions are to lose a few pounds, increase our lucrative value and to expand social circles.  While these are certainly appropriate goals that pertain to a wide demographic, how about making things a bit simpler?  We don’t necessary have to be skinnier, worth more or popular to be happier in the New Year.  Resolutions can be better attained if we choose to diverge into activities and opportunities that already exist in our daily lives.  Joining a gym or scanning the want ads may not lead to a healthier and happier 2015.   Melioration can be achieved by taking smaller steps.  Here are my top resolutions that can be utilized everyday throughout the changing of the year. 

We don’t necessary have to make the resolution to drop twenty pounds in order to like ourselves more and we certainly don’t have to succumb to outrageous and even sometimes, dangerous diets to fit into a pair of skinny jeans.  Even if we do decide to spend our Christmas bonuses on fancy memberships, lets face it, most people stop using them by the end of January.  It’s a waste of time and resources and there are easier ways towards achieving a loser belt strap and a youthful glow.  Try swapping one meal a day with a plate of fruit and vegetables.  Chopped watermelon, cantaloupe and mixed berries contain a satisfying taste while bumping up your antioxidant immunity and lesser calorie value.   Vegetable soups such as cream of broccoli (made with a low fat dairy), salads and sautéed root vegetables are also excellent substitutions for sandwiches, pasta and other common dinner/lunch entrees.  You will be amazed how fast your body adapts and how quickly you’ll see results without having to bow down to inflated gym costs and grocery bills.

                                                   photo credit: hellogiggles.com

Having goals of finding riches in the future is a standard resolution but most find disappointment when at the end of the year, they haven’t found their pot of gold.  How about using a simple savings plan to create volume in your bank accounts without falling for “get rich quick” schemes that almost promise failure.  Instead, try using a coin jar where you can put pennies, quarters, dimes and nickels.  Whether it’s from buying a coffee, toys furniture or anything, insert the change and watch the levels of finances grow!  You might think that the amount will be low but I’ve tried this before and managed to pay for entire vacations with the money collected within one year.

                              Lance, Rick, Ryan & Suzie Canale -Rehoboth Beach, DE August 2014

We all want family, friends and loved ones but somehow believe that by making a New Years resolution to be popular, things will instantly change. It just doesn’t work that way.  Expanding social circles takes effort on our part and requires us to make the initiative to engage with others.  If you have high social anxiety, attempt to participate in low stress events where it is easy to strike up a conversation.  Coffee shops, restaurants and grocery stores are excellent places to start.  Again, take simple steps like offering to shovel a neighbor’s sidewalk after the next snowstorm or signup at your local library for paint classes where you can mingle within your community.  Figure out what your interests are and search for local and free opportunities to partake in these activities where you can meet others who enjoy the same things that you do!  Remember, the key to living a long and happy life is still up for debate but most agree that having a loving surrounding of people is definitely a big part of the recipe!

- my best wishes for a Happy New Year.

Suzie Canale, Westwood, MA 

Take out of pizza and most popularly, Chinese food is found on many tables the night before Christmas but there is one special festivity that promises a more interesting appeal than cheesy dough and fried rice.  The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a time honored tradition celebrated by millions of families the eve before Santa arrives and is celebrated the most by Roman Catholics, Southern Italians and Italian American families.  Translated originally as, “La Vigilia” the custom calls for the eating of seven different fish dishes although sometimes expanding to nine.  The fish is often cooked and fried in oil and has a surrounding of several different possible reasons why this came to pass.  One theory says that the number #7 is the most repeated number in the bible while other philosophers claim that it represents the seven hills, which circle Rome.  The importance of the dish made from fish is tied to both the Catholics placing importance to eliminating meat and dairy on the eve of any holiday.  The significance of participating in this festivity is both correlated to the religious aspect as well as the belief that all those who engage in the Feast of the Seven Fishes will have good health and fortune for the year to come. 

                                   photo credit:http://blog.turners-seafood.com/ 

Generations of recipes for this custom can include any type of fish but most commonly includes cod, specifically the serving, baccala (salted cod) and smelt.  Other popular platters serve delicacies of lobster, clams, eel, mussels, squid, scallops and shrimp.  Often there are helpings of vegetables and pasta but there is a strict restriction from beef, chicken and eggs.  Kale preparations are also seen quite often amongst the sides.  Variations are abundant, so don’t be afraid to substitute the cod for something you favor more.  Salmon, tuna, swordfish and sardines are perfectly acceptable replacements that might be more pleasing to your guest’s palettes.  Another terrific bonus for celebrating the Feast of the Seven Fishes is that homemade wine is a strong part of this tradition, although any wine is acceptable.

                                 photo credit: elizabethstreet.com

If you’re looking to start this wonderful custom on Christmas Eve, try Lemon Garlic Marinated Shrimp, which is both quick and healthy.  Grill or sauté 1½ pounds of shrimp however you usually prepare the shellfish.  Heat a skillet and add 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 4 tablespoons of finely chopped garlic.  Add a ½ cup of lemon juice, ½ teaspoon of salt and pepper and a ½ cup of fresh chopped parsley.  Mixed together well and pour over the cooked shrimp.  Place in refrigerator to chill until its time to serve. 

           Suzie Canale, Union Oyster House in Boston, 2014

Suzie can be found on Christmas Eve at her home in Westwood wrapping presents.  

Delicious Choices for Festive Christmas Breakfasts

The children have awoken, the Christmas presents have been unwrapped and there is a joyful spirit that consumes the house.  Everyone is all smiles and is anxiously waiting for the time to play with toys and trinkets found underneath the tree.  It’s the most magical morning of the year for many and the anticipation and energy surrounding this time can really work up an appetite for your family!  While the holiday dinner has been in pre-preparation for weeks, we must not eliminate the specialty of serving a festive and delicious Christmas breakfast.  This meal is sometimes looked over and forgotten because of the abundance of cooking that will be done later in the day but I can promise you there is a simple and easy way to nourish early appetites with yummy dishes that will not take an exhaustive amount of time to make.  Try these suggestions to ensure your entire holiday is filled with merriment from the breakfast to the dinner table.

                                      photo credit: thecookingmom.com

Eggnog French Toast

This is a great recipe that I found which is fast and takes very few ingredients, making it so easy to whip up in a hurry.  Eggnog French Toast might sound a little decadent but really, it’s the flavor that has made this meal perfect for the season.  Grab 2 eggs and beat them until the consistency is soft.  Add 2 tablespoons of pumpkin spice, 2 tablespoons of cinnamon and 2 cups of store bought eggnog.  Whisk together and dip 10 slices of thick bread into the batter carefully coating each side.  Then heat a skillet with a either Pam cooking spray or a pad of butter and sauté each piece until golden brown.  Serve immediately with rich maple syrup and watch everyone dive into this lovely Christmas breakfast.

                                                  photo credit: simplyrecipes.com

Sausage Casserole

Oh, you will love this recipe that is sure to please even the fussiest feaster at your table.  Simply preheat your oven to 350 degrees and heat a skillet where you will be cooking 1½ pounds of pork sausage until tender, draining the grease from the pork once ready.  In a bowl, whisk 5 eggs with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1½ cups of milk and 2 teaspoons of mustard powder.  After it’s mixed thoroughly, add the sausage, 2 cups of breadcrumbs and 10 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese.  Give the bowl another last stir to make sure that everything has blended nicely.  Next, grease a casserole dish or square pan and pour in the egg concoction.  Place in the oven for 50 to 60 minutes and let cool after the casserole is done.  Slice into triangles or squares and serve immediately.

                                     photo credit: lovethispic.com

Scones, Donuts and Muffins

Don’t be embarrassed to outsource this meal for the sake of convenience, that’s what your local bakery is there for!  Select baked goods that reflect the Christmas season such as cinnamon, peppermint or sugar powdered frostings and toppings to add extra dazzle and delight.  You’ll be surprised at the wide selection and the wonderful holiday shapes that are usually present within the bakery’s cases during this time of year.  Buy your choices the day before to ensure freshness and sit back and relax on your Christmas morning!

  Suzie and Lanc, November, 2014 Westwood, MA

Suzie will be having Christmas breakfast at her home in Westwood with her two boys, husband and mom.