MamaManagement

Since this is, like, my fourth zucchini recipe this month, I thought I should do a little research to sell you on eating all of this zucchini. I mean, we all know that zucchini is a vegetable, so I'm guessing that we all assumed that it's pretty good for us. But just how good is it? Well, here's what I found... It's a good source of vitamins C and A, as well as the B complex vitamins. It's rich in phytonutrients (antioxidants) and is a great source of potassium (apparently it's even better than a banana!). It also delivers some good minerals--iron, zinc, magnesium and manganese, to be specific. And it's a low calorie, high fiber food. So there you have it. Zucchini = Good for you. So let's make some zucchini bread!! I've already shared recipes for Zucchini Brownies and Glazed Lemon Zucchini Bread, well now here's a recipe for a more traditional zucchini bread...and boy is it good! This loaf lasted about 4 days in our house...and it onl

Look! More zucchini recipes! Hopefully this isn't getting old, because I'm not going to lie...as long as I keep finding good ones, they're gonna keep coming. But this one is savory, not sweet. And it's what's for dinner at my house tonight! Oh, and it's easy, light and delicious. Here you go! No, this is not my stylized shot. I forgot to take a photo when I made it so I took a photo of the picture in the magazine (Real Simple) where I found this recipe years ago. Weak, I know. Spaghetti with Zucchini, Walnuts and Raisins 12 oz.Whole Wheat Spaghetti (about 3/4 of a box) 3 tbsp olive oil 1/2-3/4 c. walnut halves, roughly chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 1/2 lbs zucchini cut into thin half moons (about 4 small zucchini or 1 really big one) 3/4 c. raisins (golden or regular) 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper 1/4 c. grated Parmesan Cook the pasta according to package directions then drain. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a medium skillet over, m

And we're back! It's time for another recipe using the delicious stuff you're growing in your garden. And since I have a whole lot of zucchini, I'm sharing yet another zucchini recipe. This time it's a light and refreshing Glazed Lemon Zucchini Bread. I thought this one was a fun twist on the traditional zucchini bread recipe. In case, like me, you have a lot of zucchini and are looking to mix things up a bit. So here you go! Glazed Lemon Zucchini Bread 2 c. cake flour 1/2 tsp salt 2 tsp baking powder 2 eggs 1/2 c. canola oil (I use a coconut oil/canola oil blend) 1 1/3 c. sugar 2 tbsp lemon juice 1/2 c. buttermilk zest of 1 lemon 1 c. grated zucchini for glaze: 1 c. powdered sugar 2 tbsp lemon juice 1 tbsp milk Grease 9x5 loaf pan and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix flour, salt and baking powder in a medium bowl and set aside. In a large bowl, beat eggs, then add oil and sugar and mix until well blended. Add lemon juice, buttermilk and

If you planted zucchini in your garden, chances are that you are now, have been, or will soon be knee-deep in giant zucchini, like me. What to do? What to do? Make treats, of course. So, over the next couple of months I will be testing lots of new zucchini (and summer squash and cucumber and hot pepper...etc.) recipes. And the good ones I will share with you. First up? Zucchini Brownies. These are so ridiculously good...chocolatey, super moist and delicious. A definite must make. So, without further ado...here's your recipe! Zucchini Brownies 2 c. all purpose flour 1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder 1 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 1/2 c. canola oil (I use one that combines coconut and canola oil) 1 1/2 c. granulated sugar 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 c. shredded zucchini (squeeze out some of the excess water) 1/2 to 1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided 1/2 to 1 c. chopped walnuts, if desired Grease 9x13 pan and preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium b

You know how there are books that you really enjoy reading despite the fact that they're not THE MOST AWESOME THING YOU'VE EVER READ? They are the Easy Reads. The books you fly through and enjoy. You want to keep reading them, though they may not necessarily inspire you or challenge you or leave you in a state of awe. They're typically somewhat predictable, but in a good way. They are light and they leave you smiling. A lot of times they're referred to as Summer Reads or Beach Books. Perfect for reading while you lay on a chaise by the pool. Most good trashy romance novels fall into this category. And a lot of mystery/thriller/detective novels. I am in no way knocking this type of book. I love them. I've read a lot of them. I like to sprinkle them heavily into my reading lists. But I mean to distinguish them from the books that change you in some way. The ones that do inspire and awe and challenge. Those are a different breed. For today, we're talking Eas

Awesomeness. There are these books that get me on so many levels. I think it's when great writing intersects with a great story and a great character and then they all roll together through that something special that nabs my heart from the get-go. And that's what David Arnold did to me with his first novel, Mosquitoland . Nabbed my heart from the get-go. I think it was Mim's voice. As I said in the header...I. Love. This. Book. For me this is right up there with Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor and Park . Which I adored. It left me with the same feeling.  I finished it a few days a go and I miss Mary Iris Malone (aka: Mim, true heroine) terribly. I wish she lived next door. I imagine sitting on a front porch swing with her. Rocking and sipping lemonade while we talk about life. Yes, I sometimes do this with fictional characters. Ones that are so well drawn that I imagine them real...and, apparently, sharing beverages with me. What makes this book even better is