Chai Rum Toddy

This is a fantastic recipe that I'm stealing from one of my favorite past times: Imbibe Magazine. Which is an incredible resource for all things drink: from beer, wine, cocktails and spirits, to coffee, tea and delicious food pairings. I stumbled upon this recipe just yesterday, and stirred up a batch before bed time. It was the perfect drink to take the sting off of a long, brisk, winters day.

Lovely Kitchens: Greenhouse Dining

{1}

Photo Unknown
{2}

Photo via Orangery Conservatory
{3}

Photo Unknown

I guess it's safe to say that I have my heart set on Spring. I've been playing with the idea of a greenhouse dining area for a few years now. As someone with a budding green thumb, I love the idea of being able to garden all year round. And as a well trained cook, I couldn't imagine anything better than eating a delicious dinner, surrounded by the aromatics of freshly grown herbs. My favorite part though is all the natural day light! I've been going crazy in Chicago all winter, it's dark when I get to work and dark when I leave... I'm dreaming of the days of Spring when I will finally be able to get some Vitamin D worthy sun exposure.

Homemade Instant Hot Chocolate Mix:

Today is a beautiful day in Chicago. The sun is shinning (which is a winter rarity), the streets are finally being plowed and life is starting to creep back into it's normal routine. I'm enjoying my final snow day with a steaming cup of hot cocoa. I have an incredible recipe for Homemade Instant Hot Chocolate which I unfortunately have yet to use this winter. I have to admit, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Swiss Miss, but it pales in comparison to my sweet recipe.

USDA Dietary Guidelines:

Photo via USDA

The USDA released the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans on Monday and to much shock and surprise, they actually addressed obesity as being a health issue in America, and gave some decent advice on ways to improve health. All in all, I would say its a definite step in the right direction. I just have one small quibble: they make it very clear what to eat, and maintain their stance of being very vague about what not to eat. Heres an example:

Snow Day: Homemade Kettle Corn

It's official: snow day! The city is shutting down in preparation for the impending storm. I'm safe inside my home and I could not imagine being anywhere else! We live in one of the last high rise buildings on the south end of the city, where we usually have an amazing view of the Museum of Science and Industry, the lake and everything farther south. Currently, the snow is so bad I can barely see the museum right across the street and it's only just begun!