Marx Foods-Foodie Blogroll Iron Foodie 2010!

Falling in love with food has been such a blessing in my life.  I had been in a downward spiral for quite awhile.  Food and I had become enemies at some point, and it took a lot for me to get back to a healthy mindset and attitude towards it.  These days, however, we’re best friends!  In fact, I’ve got such a passion for all things nutrition, that I’ve decided to go back to school to obtain a degree in the health field! 

The start of the Freckled Foodie began as a form of literal therapy for my disordered eating, but now it’s pure fun!  I get excited about seeing new recipes and sharing them with friends.  Who would’ve ever thought that the mere glimpse of these exotic vegetables and something like a dried lentil sampler from Marx Foods could make this girl squeel like a kid at Christmas?!

I’m diving into this entry head first and am crossing my fingers that I get chosen to participate with the Foodie Blogroll and Marx Foods in this endeavor for the most delectable, original dish!  25 Challengers.  25 Recipes. 3 Secret Ingredients.  1 Winning Recipe!!

1. Why do you want to compete in this challenge?

I would be completely honored to be chosen by Marx Foods to participate in the Foodie Blogroll Iron Foodie Challenge!  I want to be chosen because I want to bring to life HEALTHY, WHOLESOME meals and put the excitement back into the kitchen.  There’s a lot to be said about the way things used to be as far as family dinners and homecooked meals 🙂 

 2.  Limitations of time/space notwithstanding, whose kitchen would you like to spend the day in & why? Julia Child, Thomas Keller, Ferran Adria, James Beard, Marie-Antoine Careme, or The Swedish Chef?

That’s an easy one…Having most recently watched the movie, Julie & Julia,   I would have to say Julia Child.  Her passion really shines through each of her dishes.  I LOVED how she took on ANY challenge…especially taking French cooking classes with the boys!  She had NO fear 🙂  That’s kind of how I’d like to be.  Bring it on!

3.  What morsel are you most likely to swipe from family & friends’ plates when they aren’t looking?

There are many foods that I simply cannot resist.  I’d have to go with roasted vegetables as an answer to the question, though.  There’s something about that method of cooking that brings to life completely new flavors to produce.  More specifically, roasted butternut squash, sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, and broccoli/cauliflower!  I’ve been dying to work with fiddlehead ferns! (photo above) 

4.  Sum your childhood up in one meal.

My childhood could be summed up in SO many different meals.  Home cooking was NOT a rarity in my family whatsoever.  I’ll never forget, however eating homemade apple dumplings was one specialty of my Momma’s side of the family that I cannot get out of my head.  Sweet, warm, and comforting.  All the greatest aspects of childhood wrapped up. [I know it said one, but I can’t help mentioning homemade chicken pot pie!!!]

 

5.  The one mainstream food you can’t stand?

 In particular, I cannot STAND those frozen diet meals that everyone raves about.  In fact, if Lean Cuisine and Smart Ones were never heard of again, I would be a happy camper.   I’m all about fresh, wholesome ingredients!

And there we have it.  My entry into the contest! ❤

Wish me luck, bloggies!

XO.

 

Hearst Ranch Grass-Fed Flank Steaks

 

A huge thank you to Hearst Ranch and the team at The Foodie BlogRoll for giving me the opportunity to review and feature their delicious Grass-Fed Flank Steaks on my blog.  

 

I feel SO privileged to work with such an admired company on this review and was thrilled when I was one of the 25 selected bloggers to have the chance!  

 

Hearst Ranch is well-known for its superior quality and is the nation’s largest single-source supplier of free-range, all-natural, Grass-fed and Grass-finished beef. 

What exactly IS grass-fed?

Since 1865 this great American Ranch on the California coast has stood for tradition and a legacy of quality. Hearst Ranch sells only humane-certified, sustainably farmed, no-artificial hormone/no-antibiotic meats.

 

One reason why you don’t see much MEAT on my blog is because of these things.  Obviously, I did NOT have to worry about anything sketchy with these Flank Steaks.  They are the crème de la crème of meats. 

 

Truly, my family thoroughly enjoyed these steaks. 

Not only did I feel good about eating it, knowing that the ranch tastes such excellent care of their animals, but the benefits of eating pure meats like these are endless flavor-wise & health-wise! 

 How can you argue with health benefits like these?  No hormone-pumped beef, here!  Not only did I appreciate all of the well-being aspects of this grass-fed beef, but the taste was out of this world.  It was flavorful and moist, but pure tasting.  No plasticky texture!  Typically I only like steak with dipping sauces, but with this stuff, I couldn’t IMAGINE ruining it with a condiment!  The flavor of the meat itself was incredible.

You can order these steaks among others on the Hearst Ranch website and have them shipped right to your door!  Satisfaction guaranteed!