I hope you’re having a fun 3 day weekend. It’s lovely here and the leaves are starting to do their thing. Since this is our first autumn in the new house, I’m looking forward to the show and anticipating true beauty!
The theme for this week is cranberries, or how to make a fat cat fly. Now, for starters, let’s just say that my cat, G, is a big dude. I mean, a really big dude. We have a “double wide” cat scratcher and it fits just him–generally not the best sign. He was a stray and can’t seem to grasp that he doesn’t need to worry about food anymore. We’ve tried with diet cat food, tennis balls in their dishes to slow them down and even a cat food dispenser, but he’s 100% happy with how he is, and of course, I love him exactly as he is. Until he changes his mind, I will still get my ribs crushed when he walks on me and we will get lectures from the vet. So my main approach is to try to get him moving, and the best way to do that is…cranberries. Yep, cranberries. If I toss him a cranberry, he’ll fly across the floor and attack. The problem, of course, is that means that cranberries end up in the darndest of places: under the fridge, inside shoes, under the futon, and are usually discovered weeks later and are rather furry.
I also love cranberries, but my main emphasis is on eating them, not chasing them. I love them raw, simmered with a little agave, in relish, in apple crisps…and for more ideas, check out Ricki’s Wellness weekend.
Onto the menu!
Monday:
Kale and white beans with olives and roasted garlic
Tues:
Simply Yum Quinoa
Weds:
Chicken with cranberry relish
Thurs:
Coconut Curried Collards with Turkey
Friday:
Leftovers
And everyone else?
Renee of Beyond Rice and Tofu has a picture of (please shield the eyes of sensitive people reading, offensive 4 letter word ahead)
Ready?
Snow.
Fortunately it was at 7000 feet, but I for one am praying for a snow and ice-less year. She also has Moroccan Chickpeas on the menu, which sounds delish.
Amanda of Gluten Free Detroit Metro has officially finished 3 weeks of full-time, back to work mommy, which hasn’t been easy. Yahoo! She’s got Angela’s White Chicken Chili on the menu.
Stumble It!
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Hi Cheryl – Love the story about your cat. Our dogs both love cranberries too! Even frozen. In season I buy a huge bag of fresh berries at Costco and throw them in the freezer and we eat on them all year, including the dogs!
Thanks for hosting this week. I haven’t been posting a whole lot lately but was inspired (and prepared!) today. So here it is: http://beyondriceandtofu.com/2011/10/09/meal-plan-monday-october-10-2011/
Thanks!
Renee
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I’m in this week. I have some frozen berries that may go into scones. I’ll be using the Quinoa recipe you posted.
http://glutenfreedetroitmetro.com/2011/10/10/menu-planning-week-of-1010/
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Hysterical! I hope the cranberries work for your too “fluffy” cat, Cheryl. 😉
Snow … I love the stuff! As long as I get to stay home and chill when it’s happening. 🙂
Sounds like a simple, but good week of food!
Hugs,
Shirley
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Love the story about G and cranberries. And your recipe for Cranberry Fruit Relish looks good enough to inspire me to make it now and not wait for the holiday meals. 🙂
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Hi Renee,
If only he ate the cranberries! Chasing seems to be more entertaining, and now they both do it.
Amanda,
Cranberries in scones is a big win!
Shirley,
I’m glad you love snow. Hopefully it’ll all hit south of here and then you can enjoy our share, too.
Heather,
Thanks! I love it, and make it before the holidays.
What a cute story and I can SO relate!! I too have a cat who was rescued and had been a stray (over 6 years ago now) and she STILL has never lost that anxiety about there ALWAYS being food in the cat bowl and how she will literally eat until she throws up… I’ve caught her literally laying in the food bowl eating as fast as she can! She really thinks it’s not gonna be there the next time and we’ve never figured out a way to fix that! But we love her just the way she is, just like you do! 🙂 Great post Cheryl! And I love cranberries too!
What a great story about G. I was all excited this weekend when I saw cranberries at the store and picked some up. I’m sooooo tempted to try them as a cat toy 🙂 However, my hubby wont be happy if he finds a “furry” berry 🙁