Rhubarb Cornmeal Lime Muffins

It's spring, there's rhubarb in the garden and not much else.  The heat this week is making me crave all kinds of summer fresh food but Mother Nature isn't quite ready to provide for us.  Don, Jos and I all love rhubarb.  We recently remodelled the back yard, moving gardens and sodding over the shady areas that never really grew much.  The one holdout in this yard of green grass?  Yep, the rhubarb plant.  Left untouched to keep providing us with yummy snacks all spring long.

Persian Chickpea Rhubarb Curry

How utterly Canadian of me to talk about the weather, but it's hard to think of little else these days.  Although the calendar is creeping toward the end of May, the weather feels nothing like summer.   Josilin played soccer in the pouring rain and temperatures close to 3 degrees Celsius last week.  Prior to heading out she packed herself a little bag of essentials.  Two sweaters, a coat, a head warmer and her favourite blanket. 

Vegetarian Dolmades

Sharing an office at work is a little like living with someone. We share a space that's often where one goes to retreat from others.  It's been over five years that I've been shacking up with my sweet friend Norma at work and I wouldn't change a thing. Happily for me, we have a lot in common.  She loves food, children and a good laugh.  That's probably all I needed, but she's got even more going for her!  Generous to a fault, she gives her time, her ideas and compassion with me and all the clients we work with.  Every morning she greets me with a smile, asks how the kids are this morning and often, what is that beautiful lunch you just pulled out?  A grandma who has raised her own, I love to hear the wisdom she shares when I complain about my kids or hubby.

Spicy Ethiopian Fava Beans

Belonging to a book club has been one of the better decisions I have made.  For years I thought I would enjoy this experience, but with young kids and a shift working husband it just wasn't feasible.  In the fall of 2011 I took a leap and sent an email invite to eight women asking if they would consider joining me in a book club.  I thought maybe four would say yes, and we would have a quaint little discussion group. Instead, all women said yes and we haven't looked back since.

Black Bean Rice and Chicken with Apple Salsa

 Spring has finally sprung here in Kale Eats kitchen and I couldn't be happier.  We spent much of the weekend outdoors hiking and exploring in glorious sunshine.  I hope wherever you're reading this from, your experience is similar.  With warm weather comes a craving for lighter fare and fresh ingredients.  Unfortunately, there is not much to be found in our neck of the woods. 

Cherry Lemon Scone

We've been helping my mom pack up and move the last few weekends.  Lost in time, we've recovered letters from old boyfriends, VHS tapes of programs we taped, Christmas gifts from 1939 and more than a few things that should have been thrown out 20yrs ago.  It is time for her to move on to new experiences in a smaller home with less of everything.  Less rooms to clean, less empty space to feel, less memories and daily reminders of who was lost from that home.