Saturday, November 22, 2014

For Your Thanksgiving Table: Healthy, Tasty, Easy!

I tested this wonderful recipe from Detoxinista and my entire family was completely sold, two thumbs up!

This is how I prepare my Balsamic Roasted Brussel Sprouts on Thanksgiving following the Detoxinista's easy recipe, see below:

Brussels sprouts can be a bit intimidating on their own, but when roasted with a splash of balsamic vinegar, they become a delectable treat!

Traditional roasting methods usually call for a coating of olive oil before cooking, but I opted for coconut oil in this particular dish. The higher the saturated fat content in a cooking oil, the less likely it is to be damaged or oxidized, making coconut oil a more stable fat source for cooking at high temperatures. In fact, I’ve noticed that when I cook with coconut oil, my vegetables rarely burn!
Tender on the inside, and crispy on the outside, these Brussels sprouts are a quick and easy addition to any meal.

Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts (Vegan, Paleo)
serves 4
Lightly adapted from this recipe
Ingredients:
1 pound Brussels sprouts, washed and trimmed
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 375F. If your coconut oil is solid at room temperature, place the two tablespoons of coconut oil in a small bowl, and set it on top of the oven to warm while you prepare the Brussels sprouts. If the top of your oven isn’t warm enough, you can place the bowl inside the oven for 2 minutes to melt.
Slice the Brussels sprouts in half, and place them in a large bowl. Pour the balsamic vinegar over the halves, and toss well to coat. Add the melted coconut oil, and toss again to coat. Arrange the Brussels into a single layer on a baking sheet, cut-side facing down, and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
the Brussels sprouts for 25 minutes, turning the pan after 10 minutes for even browning.

The sprouts are ready when they are lightly golden. Eat immediately!


Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Holiday Parade and Doggie Dress Up Contest in Gilroy



Are you ready to light the Gilroy Christmas tree? My 7-year-old granddaughter Adriana is. She and all the other violin kids from Antonio Del Buono Elementary School will walk in the parade together with their instructor, Lori Franke.
 We appreciate any tax deductible donation to this violin program which is not funded by the state and want to keep it free of cost for all Antonio Del Buono kids to attend.

Watch out for upcoming fundraisers which I will post information as soon as available.

 For information how to donate to the ADB violin program, please do contact the school or write me at: silviabichler@kw.com.

Thank you on behalf of our kids who have the chance to get introduced to music during their elementary school years - no matter how small their family's budget is. Keep the spirit alive because these kids are our future presidents, mayors, and teachers.
 

Friday, November 14, 2014

Wacky Shoe Day in Gilroy!

Wacky shoe/school spirit day at Antonio Del Buono Elementary School in Gilroy today. My granddaughter dressed herself, hair done by my daughter, Sarah Bichler fabulous hair stylist at Hello Gorgeous - Hair Salon in Gilroy. Happy Friday everyone!

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Pecan Date Truffles (Vegan, Paleo)




You want to live through the holidays without putting back on all the weight you just tried to lose in the gym?

However, you also don't want to miss out on all the delicious goodies, yes?

Well, just in time for the holiday season and  for my coach and connoisseur Mike Devlin to try at his  famous cookie exchange party at my Campbell office at Keller Williams Silicon Valley, I found this  marvelous recipe to enjoy without regrets: Pecan Date Truffles

Because of health issues, I cannot eat refined sugar and flour and found this wonderful recipe site from Detoxinista.


Pecan Date Truffles  will make you the Queen/King of every cookie exchange party there is:

Pecan Date Truffles (Vegan, Paleo) 

Author: Detoxinista.com
Prep time: 30 mins Total time: 30 mins
Serves: 24

Naturally sweetened with dates and enhanced with a hint of salt, these bite-sized truffles are delicious on their own, but they are downright addictive when coated melted dark chocolate. The crisp dark chocolate shell is the perfect contrast to the buttery, rich pecan centers. These truffles make an impressive dessert to bring to a party, and a delicious treat to keep on hand in your freezer!

Ingredients
1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1 cup raw pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup 70% dark chocolate chips, for coating

Instructions 
In a large food processor, combine all of the ingredients and process until a sticky dough is formed. Scoop the dough by rounded tablespoons and use your hands to roll into smooth balls. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy removal. Place the tray in the freezer to set for 30 minutes.

Melt the cup of dark chocolate chips (5 minutes in a 400F oven does the trick), and remove the baking sheet from the freezer. Roll each ball in the melted dark chocolate, then return them to the parchment paper to set. If you'd like to sprinkle some crushed pecans or coconut on top for decoration, be sure to do it while the chocolate is still melted-- it will solidify quickly on the chilled truffles!

Return the chocolate truffles to the fridge or freezer until ready to serve.

 *Note: For a chocolate-filled variation, add 1/4 cup cocoa powder before processing the filling ingredients.

ENJOY!

Monday, November 10, 2014

Prayers for the Victims of the Plane Crash near Gilroy's Frazer Lake Airport, Yesterday Sunday



I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims killed in yesterday's plane crash nearby Gilroy's Frazier Lake Airport. Prayers to all of you, R.I.P.



Sunday, November 9, 2014

Go Orange For Dinner - 20 Things You Can Do With Left-Over Pumpkin


Put your pumpkin decoration to use as long as they look nice in front of your house.  Here are 20 great pumpkin recipes  even Cinderella would approve of. 
Go Pumpkin for dinner!

Thursday, November 6, 2014

This Month in Real Estate, November 2014 - Gilroy Edition

As we are entering the holiday season, sales were expected to be down from last month. The median home price looks still solid  although down a few percent from last month due to a softer seasonal market. Freddie Mac reported today, November 6, that mortgage rates have moved higher for second consecutive week now.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

We Are The People!

Exciting day for me - my first vote since I have been sworn in as a US citizen. "If you sleep in democracy, you will wake up with another Hitler," my German grandma used to say (I think she borrowed Rousseau's words for that).