What Do Tomatoes & the Olympia Weekend Have in Common?

Quite a lot since two busy weekends of travel have gotten in the way of my canning plans!

I was supposed to get cracking on the countless bushels of tomatoes I have in my kitchen, but an extended stay in NYC for work last weekend and my early morning flight to Las Vegas this morning have completely kiboshed those plans! Sigh. Canning details, pics and recipes will have to wait until I come back from Sin City.

I am here for the Olympia Weekend 2010. It's been quite a few years, and I am really excited to see what's going on. Bob and I will be out and about around Las Vegas until Sunday. You can learn more here.

See you on The Strip!

Tosca

You Love Canning

Wow! What a great response I received from my canning post the other day. I had no idea so many of you are interested in finding the time to whip up delicious jarred creations to enjoy all year long. The chill in the air always drives me to the stove. I love to put food up. Not only do I can tomatoes but I pickle beets and cukes, make low-sugar jams and relishes and more.

I just completed a batch of tomatoes and I will be doing more on Saturday after I return from NYC (I'm here starting promotions for Your Best Body Now which debuts September 28th). I will use onions, garlic and herbs from my own garden to flavor the sauce... I'll be posting my canning recipe on my website very soon so stay tuned! It may seem like work and it is but it is satisfying because I know it is an investment in both my health and my time.

Time you ask? Yes! Once the tomatoes are sauced you have a natural version of Fast Food which is even faster because it's already in your house. Here are some yummy ideas to make your next quick meal.

1. Open a jar to serve with pasta - a meal in minutes.
2. Use the sauce as a base from which to make tomato soup.
3. Grill a few chicken breasts and top with jarred sauce.
4. Bake a regular or sweet potato and top with sauce.
5. Chop kale and or Swiss chard. Saute in olive oil until limp, toss with jarred sauce.

I will take many pics when I get "sauced" on Saturday. Stay tuned!

Canning Time

I had a bushel of delicious looking tomatoes from my garden waiting for me to can them. I finally got to business making a batch of yummy tomato sauce. It's the perfect base for soup, pasta sauce, chili and more. I've been canning for years and years. I love knowing I'm creating a delicious and nutritious preservative-free sauce that my family can enjoy all year long. Now it's time to round out my apple supply to get to work on a batch of clean applesauce. Oh I love the fall!

Food and Fitness

I am glad everything is cleared up with the treadmill post. Phewf! You all are such fantastic readers and I love your comments. Please keep them coming. I read them this morning and they pumped me up for the Oxygen shoot I have today!
I told you I was knee deep in canning materials! I spent Saturday at home training and canning. Food and fitness are my 2 favorite things. Here's a photo log of the day:

Kickin' it in the gym:

Ham curls and leg extensions!!

Leg press! Killer! I’m pulling my legs in nice and close to my chest.

Straight arm pullovers. A favorite of mine after leg work. It gets lots of air into my lungs bringing my breathing back to normal after heavy leg work.

Gotta' love a strong finish with ab work!

Now it’s time for the kitchen:

Getting prepared for ratatouille and tomato sauce. Look at these goodies!

Tomato sauce: the mill requires strength!

Pickled beets in preparation for Thanksgiving dinner coming up in less than a week here in Canada.

YUMMY!!!