Gene's Sausage Shop and Delicatessen

A view of Gene's from the second floor


So after eating lunch at Garcia's karl and walked over to the Chopping Block where I purchased cookie cutters and a Mandolin which was TOTALLY AMAZING. On our way out I looked up and saw this massive building with large windows and pig and cow statues on the outside. Karl and I walked in and I fell in love.
Gene's Sausage Shop and Delicatessen is a grocer/specialty shop/butcher and, of course, sausage shop. The grass fed beef was everywhere, meat was being cut up in the back, and sausages were hanging out to dry all over. It was a omnivore's dream! The rest of the store was great. Organic fruits and veggies, great chocolate selections, real honey and other magical items from all over.

Karl and I left with a bag full of chocolate and licorice. We're going back soon for steaks.

Time's Top Ten Foods That KILL!!!!

Alright so apparently Time posted an article on the Top Ten Foods That Kill
Here is my take

1) Hot Dogs - apparently they are a huge choking hazard for kids. How about telling your kid to slow the hell down and chew their food OR being a good parent and chopping it into tiny pieces so the kid doesn't choke on a hot dog...hahaha. Sorry I know kids choking is not funny but I was thinking about a grown person walking up to the pearly gates and St. Peter saying "So I was looking over your file and it says Cause of Death was Hot dog..BAHAHAHA! PAUL! Get over here. This dude's cause of death was HOT DOG!"

2) Fugo (aka blowfish) - Three years of training just to cook it, a lethal dose of poison is as small as the head of a pin? Yeah, I think i am okay never eating Fugo. At least if you die it's cooler than saying you choked on a hot dog.

3) Ackee - I've never heard of this, but it looks like a tulip stuffed with banana and grapes.

4) Peanuts - well this is deadly for those allergic to peanuts. Sucks to be those folks (she says as she stuffs another Reeses Peanut Butter cup into her mouth)

5) Leafy Greens - FROM RESTAURANTS! Okay if you eat out just accept the fact that the people who touch your food probably touched his or her ass crack at one point during the day and didn't do a thorough washing of the hands

6) Rhubarb leaves - this is probably the most interesting so far. Consuming the leaves of rhubarb leaves is toxic! Crazy!

7) Albacore Tuna - I will avoid this when I am pregnant but as of right now keep it coming!

8) Cassava/Tapioca - I've always hated Tapico and I think it should be banned! I will openly preach against the use of tapioca and this just fuels my flame!!!!

9) Coffee - No. This is bullshit. It doesn't kill it burns the shit out of you if you spill it all over yourself. Here's how coffee really kills. You try giving it up and you're only on day one. Someone hassles you at work over and over again about some stupid budget that they need today but didn't tell you until this morning when you received the text on your iPhone on your way to work, and you stab them in with a pencil. That is how coffee kills.

10) Mushrooms - Clarification. Mushrooms that grow in the wild. Unless you are the man vs. wild guy why the hell are you eating these things? I mean, am I the only one who was told over and over while out and about in parks and what not never to eat the mushrooms?

Basically don't eat peanuts if you are allergic, stay away from ill prepared blowfish and don't eat wild mushrooms. Problem solved.

A Garlic tomato thing with a poached egg over toast

I got home last night and I needed to eat ASAP.
I didn't really have anything prepared so I just kinda winged it
I made this Garlic tomato and bacon thing with a poached egg on Whole wheat toast
It was pretty good
I have to perfect the recipe but for a quick meal (mostly organic by the way) it wasn't bad!

1 can of diced tomatoes (I used wild harvest)
3 strips of bacon (I used turkey bacon and it wasn't organic...wah wah)
all sauteed together with spices (garlic, onion powder, basil and oregano)
I made some whole wheat (organic suckas!) garlic toast, covered it in the bacon tomato mixture and topped it off with a poached egg!
I've never poached an egg in my life but it turned out alright. I was pretty proud of myself

Oh and the yolk mixed with the bacon, and tomatoes and all the garlicky goodness was pretty awesome.
Perfect for Brinner (you know, breakfast for dinner) or brunch (followed by a mimosa)

Going Organic

So after wanting to go organic for about two years I've decided this is the time to do it. What pushed me over the edge was this article that my sister sent me. 7 foods that should never Cross your lips
After reading about the apples (which I eat every single day), the potatoes, and tomatoes I figured it was time to make a change. Now because I am married, this is then forced upon my husband whether he wants to make this change or not since I do the grocery shopping and cooking. But after running it by him, and him giving me the "Yeah, I don't care" we have officially begun the turn to go organic.
Now, this doesn't include eating out, which is one of my favorite things to do AND it probably won't include Karl's love of ice cream and my love of shitty pastries, but for the most part, the Haukom Anderson household is going organic!

Now I don't think it's that hard to go organic and it doesn't cost that much money depending on where you buy and how you buy. For me these brands and places make it easy to switch to the organic lifestyle.

Organic Money Saving Tips
This is extremely helpful! Even if you can't afford to go 100% organic (let's face it, most of us can't) this will give you tips and ideas to go as organic as you can without going broke

Top Ten reasons to Go Organic
You'll find at least one or two reasons in this list that might push you over to the organic side

Green Grocer
A little grocery store right by my office! They are small, but they have a good selection of organic and local items

The Dill Pickle Co-op
This is the place that made it easier for me to go organic. It's in my neighborhood and the selection is pretty great for such a tiny establishment. It might be a little pricey for some, but you can find good deals on produce, meat and nuts.

Local Harvest
This place gives you lists of farmers markets in your area, organic restaurants and grocery stores.

The Wild Harvest Brand
Seriously, this make's going organic pretty easy! They offer organic milk, eggs, cookies and tons of other things PLUS it's sold at Jewel, Albertson's, Supervalu and Cub foods so it's at your local grocery store! How convenient is that!?!

Whole Foods
Mecca for Organic foodies. If you think Whole Foods is a little too out of your price range, think again. Buy Whole Food's Private Brand 365. It is organic AND cheaper than other organic brands out there! It's like buying Jewel Brand at Jewel. And they offer coupons online so check it out!

Costco
I know! They don't have a massive organic selection BUT what they do have you can buy in bulk and it's pretty inexpensive! This includes a pretty decent selection of produce. But remember you have to have a membership or a friend with a membership in order to get inside. (pssst...I have one)

I made a feast for football

So last September for our anniversary karl and I got a new tv. The moment we set it up and turned it on I knew I wanted people over for The Superbowl. I don't even care about the superbowl, but I wanted to see it clearly on our new television.

I also wanted to cook. So I did.

Twice Baked Potato skins. Two cheeses, a little baking, a little butter and there you have it.

Buffalo Chicken Tenders. Battered and fried and tossed in sauce.

Bacon Wrapped Dates. Seriously, I make these for every party. Sticky, salty, sweet and delicious.


Peanut Butter Cookie Sandwiches. These turned out a million times better than I thought they would. Two moist pb cookies with a sweet and creamy PB filling.

















All in all a fantastic Football feast!

Yup

The advice: Have just one bite of dessert.

Why it's useless: That's like telling an addict to have just a little crack.



So true

Dinner Last Night

I was exhausted
But I needed to cook. PLUS I got a new grill pan so I had to test it out

I did caramelized onions with a little Clover Honey on low heat in my Dutch Oven

Marinated some lean steaks with some Olive Oil & Kosher Salt

Put together a nice salad with Red Pepper, Cucumber, walnuts, honey mustard dressing, apples and mixed greens

Then I roasted broccoli
Now My husband hates broccoli but for some reason he loves this.

What I do...

Cover a cookie sheet in tin foil
Break broccoli into large pieces (use the fresh stuff) and place onto foiled sheet
Toss some olive oil over it
THEN
Add slivered almonds and flax seed
Take 1/2 cup of water and just kinda toss it around the broccoli
Roast in a 350 degree over until tender

Seriously delicious. I won't make the broccoli any other way now