Cooking | theclothesmakethegirl

Aug 19, 2012 Posted by Mel

Mayo How-To Video

I’ll be updating my original mayo post soon with this video and some helpful tips I’ve gathered from the 296 (!) comments on that post. Until then, feast your eyes on our first how-to video! Big love to Dave for planning the shot list and shooting the video, being a supportive director, writing the theme music, and doing all of the editing — and hugs of thanks to Jude of SmartSexyPaleo for... read more

Jul 31, 2012 Posted by Mel

Tuesday 10: Paleo Burger Toppers

Oh, the bunless burger! It’s the safe refuge of the paleo eater in a non-paleo world. From low-rent burger joints to higher-end restaurants, you can almost always find a variation of meat-and-veg in the shape of a burger without a bun. A humble meat patty can save you from a meal-related meltdown at home, too. I almost always have a pound of grass-fed ground beef defrosting or already defrosted in... read more

Jul 17, 2012 Posted by Mel

Tuesday 10: Foods That Are Always In My Kitchen

After three years of paleo eating, Dave and I have drilled grocery shopping down to a science. When our local HEB grocery store rearranged all of its aisles, Dave used the map of the new arrangement to make a spreadsheet that cross-referenced the stuff we buy most often against its location in the store. Genius! (Feel free to take a peek at our grocery list right here. PDF].) We keep a printout of the... read more

Jul 9, 2012 Posted by Mel

Review & Giveaway: Nom Nom Paleo App

As you can probably imagine, I’m super picky when it comes to food blogs and recipe sites. I have high standards for myself and when it comes to stuff I really care about — like food, recipes, and writing — I tend to expect high quality from others, too. My list of go-to blogs for recipes and snappy writing is pretty short, and Nom Nom Paleo has a prominent place on that list. I’m not sure... read more

Jun 28, 2012 Posted by Mel

Eggsperiment: A Story In Photos

The Eggsperiment Theory It is hot enough in Austin to fry an egg on the street. The Report on our Eggsperiment We hit the street at 5:44 p.m., usually the hottest part of the day, to test the theory that it is, indeed, hot enough to fry an egg. I placed the egg ring on the street in a sunny spot and cracked one of our precious cage-free, organic, omega-3 eggs onto the ashpalt. Then we waited to see if... read more

Jun 26, 2012 Posted by Mel

Tuesday 10: Paleo Flavor Boosters

I don’t know if it’s the 100-degree temps or merely general laziness, but I’ve been craving super simple meals lately: crisp green salads, grilled chicken, tuna salad with a pile of raw vegetables, hard-boiled eggs with Sunshine Sauce. I want bright, fresh tastes that don’t require much more than chopping and piling on a plate. But as those of us with a dark history of dieting know... read more

Jun 16, 2012 Posted by Mel

National Eat Your Vegetables Day

All hail the green, the orange, the red, and the white! Sunday, June 17 is National Eat Your Vegetables Day! And it’s much friendlier and more relevant to us than, say, National Doughnut Day which is the first Friday in June. I’d also like to point out that June 16 is both National Fudge Day and Fresh Veggies Day, so do with that information what you will. We are here to talk about National... read more

Jun 8, 2012 Posted by Mel

I Have A Confession: No Knife Skills

Just as soon as I’m finished typing this, I’m going to do the final test on a cole slaw recipe for Living Paleo For Dummies — and I’m somewhat appalled to admit that I have such sucky knife skills, I decided I needed some remedial help to prep the cabbage. I found this video, which I thought was pretty good — and has a completely mystifying, dorky ending that’s worth checking... read more

May 24, 2012 Posted by Mel

Let Paleo Picnic Season Begin

Memorial Day is the official beginning of the American summer picnic and potluck season. Are you ready, paleo people?! Here’s a list of the recipes from my archives that I believe you can take to a picnic or a potluck without tipping anyone off that they’re eating “paleo” or “healthy” or “clean.” They will just nosh and celebrate – and so can you, knowing... read more

May 22, 2012 Posted by Mel

Thai Cooking Class: A Story In Photos

photo: www.flickr.com/photos/puuikibeach Last week, I knocked off work early and spent a few hours with my dear friend Stacey chopping and stirring in a cooking class at Thai Fresh. It’s one of those only-in-Austin places that’s an authentic Thai restaurant attached to Thrice, a super cozy coffee-and-wine bar with wireless and live music (because every coffee and/or wine bar in Austin is pretty... read more

Feb 1, 2012 Posted by Mel

Top 10 Paleo Must-Haves

I’ve got a guest blog post live today on Paleo Plan… it’s a list of my Top 10 Paleo Must-Haves. Long-time readers will not be surprised to see cumin, coconut oil, and jicama on the list. Here’s an amuse bouche to whet your appetite: When I switched to eating paleo in 2009, the food I mourned the most, ridiculous as it sounds, was my morning bowl of blueberries with cottage cheese.... read more

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Reading right now...

The Redbreast: A Harry Hole Novel
I'm about two-thirds of the way through this detective thriller, and I'm hooked. It's set in modern Norway with flashbacks to WWII (catnip for me!) and features a somewhat grim hero that engenders empathy. I can't help pulling for the guy as I watch him struggle with his case and his life. The cast of characters is a realistic but motley crew, and it reminds me of other favorites set in cold, snowy climes: the Millenium Trilogy and Smila's Sense of Snow.
Recently finished...

The Lost: A Search for Six of Six Million
I picked up this book after reading an interview with Lee Child (author of the Jack Reacher thrillers). He referred to The Lost as "the book of the century" and since I devour as much as I can about the Holocaust to try to make sense of it all, I decided I needed to read it immediately. Part memoir, part detective tale, this book was thoroughly engrossing. It's intelligent, annoying, moving, frustrating, and ultimately, rewarding and beautifully written. It challenged me in ways I didn't expect, and I was sad when it was finished.