Friday Faves: Welcome to June!

No Reservations. I have developed a quick fascination with the Kerouac of the culinary world! Ryan and I love to sit down with our dinner on our tv trays and be entertained and inspired by Anthony Bourdain while we eat. I don't know how I've gone so long without seeing this show...I absolutely love it. It really gives me the travel bug, and it's also the reason I made some bomb cajun pork tenderloins and corn sweet potato hash last night that was basically to die for.

Hall & Oates Pandora station. It's right up there with the otter cam when it comes to bringing a little sunshine to a dreary afternoon. Try it for yourself. You'll be tapping your toes in no time.

Pine Nuts. Not only are they handy for making delicious basil pesto, but they are a wonderful addition to roasted asparagus, broccoli, salads and veggie wraps! And if you buy them at bulk somewhere like Winco, they don't cost you a kidney.

The Help. I just finished the book on a lazy holiday Monday and I thought it was really cool. I enjoyed the imagery of the rich, catty south in the '60s and I can't wait to see the movie for its bright colors and pretty dresses, but I also thought it shared a socially important message. I hope that people who read and watch The Help and aren't already on board with the idea of all humans having equal rights will draw some parallels between how ludicrous the segregation laws were half a century ago and how stupid the ones we have now are going to look to our grandchildren.

Trader Joe's. Organic, not a lot of added b.s., right off the freeway, paper bags only, obscenely cheap and delicious canned & frozen food & cheeses...it's not great for everything, but mostly I think it's great.