Spine tingles

Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah (originally performed by Leonard Cohan) first hit my ears while watching The OC. Does anyone else remember the scene? The final riveting moments of season one? Seth is sailing into the horizon, Seth's mom is crying, Ryan drives off and that is all I remember. It was 6 years ago.

Hallelujah was recently showcased on So You Think You Can Dance by Alex Wong and Allison Holker. Their dance left the judges speechless and me in awe looking for the remote so I could watch it a second time before hearing any other opinions.

Jason Castro performed this version on American Idol Season 7 during Idol Gives Back week.



Oh, I feel it, yes, those are tears welling up in my eyes. That is all it takes. I'm sitting here eating my Trader Joe's harvest grains blend with al fresco sun dried tomato chicken sausage over a bed of spinach with sauteed sun dried tomatoes, asparagus and mushrooms and I am moved to tears. Is it the lyrics, message, soulful purity, voice, instrumentals? Whatever it is, it sends shivers down my spine.

Can you spot the tear drops? I cannot. I guess they blend nicely with this meal.

And so kids, without further adieu, if you haven't figured it out yet, Jeff Buckley's beautiful version of Hallelujah is Tuesday night's tune. Enjoy!

Super salad

The title to this post is actually a silly family joke. A few years back my parents and younger sister, Lindsay, (I was away at college) were out to eat and Lindsay was asked if she would like a soup or a salad with her entrée. She heard the waiter incorrectly and thought he asked: “super salad?” Lindsay answered politely, "Yes." “No, miss would you like a super salad/soup or salad?” “Yes!” I think my mom finally set it straight…oh giggles.

So you can only imagine my surprise when I noticed an establishment called Souper Salad in Boston! Has anyone been? I must go!

In honor of National Salad Month (May) I thought I would dedicate a post to my favorite compilation of greens, the classiest of classic appetizers, the bell of the ball, the salad!





A salad can be quite boring but only if you allow it to be. My daily pre-dinner salad includes spinach, tomatoes, carrots, and cucumbers and is almost always dressed with Hidden Valley Light Ranch. To jazz this up I love to add: cheeses, nuts, roasted veggies, avocado, fruits and my new favorite, beets. The possibilities are really endless. If protein is present, a salad can be the main star of the meal. Think taco salad with creamy avocado, fresh salsa, seasoned ground turkey, black beans and roasted corn. Or grilled chicken, perched atop a bed of spinach surrounded by red onion, goat cheese, pine nuts, beets and roasted red peppers. Heavenly.


My mom made this tasty and eye catching salad for Easter. Oh my, the colors! Notice, the bacon, honeydew melon, cucumber, parsley, watermelon. This was very refreshing.

The other night I enjoyed Trader Joe's beets for the first time. They come ready to serve, no messy business. I chose cold, on my salad, with an Amy’s California veggie burner, roasted asparagus and broccoli and goat cheese. Dinner done.

The taco salad is a common dinner delight in my apartment, thanks to my old roomie, miss Laura Marandola, the introducer!



Discovering great dressings is another passion of mine. Check out this Parmesan Ranch from Trader Joe's. The “KEEP REFRIGERATED AT ALL TIMES” sticker frightens, but the taste fulfills!



If you like salad you will like the giveaway being hosted on Meghan’s blog, Travel, Eat, Love.



For the record, salad is always selected when posed with the question, “Soup or salad?” What do you choose?