This week we'll explore winter citrus and my favorite (easy!) way to dress up guacamole. We'll also delve into a novel about how we remember people and thoughts about finding awe and wonder in our lives.

Eat Colorfully

Seasonal Ingredient Spotlight: ORANGES

Although we're in the depths of winter, you can still find some glimmers of sunshine in bright, vibrant citrus. Citrus is at its peak right now and it's a fabulous addition to your menu in both sweet and savory dishes. This week I'm celebrating oranges in all their glory, so grab a few and experiment with some new ways to use them.

On the sweet side, orange zest (i.e. thin shavings of the outer peel) is a flavor powerhouse in baking. I especially adore these Orange Ginger Blueberry Tahini Muffins. They're vegan, gluten-free (thanks to a very special secret flour you'll be surprised by), naturally-sweetened, oil-free, and surprisingly protein-rich.

On the savory side, orange is a superstar flavor alongside some heat. These Spicy Skillet Orange Jalapeno Brussels Sprouts are a favorite happy hour snack in our house. I also love this very subtly spicy Orange and Cinnamon Roasted Delicata Squash.

And don't forget about orange juice! Fresh-squeezed is such a treat. Plus I think we could all use some Vitamin C in the depths of cold and flu season, right?

Try This Week: FURIKAKE GUACAMOLE

For the past few weeks my husband and I have been LIVING for a very odd but delightful combination: furikake seasoning on guacamole. Furikake is a Japanese seasoning blend that typically includes small flakes of dried seaweed (usually nori), sesame seeds, and salt. It's a bit ocean-y, a bit nutty, and very delicious (refer to last week's newsletter if you want to learn more about it and even learn how to make your own).

Furikake is our favorite guacamole addition for a few reasons. First, avocados and salt go hand-in-hand, so using furikake instead of the usual salt you'd add to guac works well. Second, the savoriness of the nori and sesame seeds makes the guacamole really complex and interesting. And finally, the sesame seeds add a tiny bit of crunch, which complements the creamy avocado perfectly.

Want to give my furikake guacamole idea a try? Just mash up a ripe avocado (or two) with a fork, add a teaspoon or two of furikake (this is the brand I like because it has no added sugar), and mix gently. Then garnish the guac with additional furikake before diving into it with chips, crackers, veggie slices, etc. I bet you'll be hooked just like we are!

Live Colorfully

A Book to Explore: MAGGIE O'FARRELL, HAMNET

I just finished an interesting and different book that I wanted to share with you all: Maggie O'Farrell's "Hamnet". My mom recommended this one to me, and I really enjoyed it. Be forewarned that it's not a light read though.

Hamnet follows the path of a family in the 1580s and 1590s in England, including during the plague. It's a story about life in the late 16th century, the role of women, hardship, and loss.

As you may guess from the name, the author also makes a speculative but intriguing tie to Shakespeare's play "Hamlet". Her idea: there's a very important historical event that was going on while Shakespeare was writing that he never discussed in any play (can you guess what it is?), and O'Farrell has an idea about why. Interestingly, this is the second Shakespeare-related book I've read recently; you can check out my thoughts about Jodi Picoult's By Any Other Name in this newsletter issue from August.

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Self-Care Pick: FINDING WONDER

How often do you experience a sense of wonder or awe? This is something I've been thinking about a lot lately, so I wanted to pose the question to you all.

The reality is that our time on this planet is short, and in our short human lives I think it's important to allow ourselves to be amazed by the world. This can mean different things for different people; maybe you find awe in the beauty of the natural world, maybe you find it in the kindness of others, or maybe you find it in the beauty of what you or others can create.

Personally speaking, I'm awed by the natural world. As many of you know, my husband and I split our time between Kaua'i and Vermont. Kaua'i in particular has a way of cultivating a child-like sense of wonder in me, which is much of the reason why I'm drawn to spend time here. Being astounded by the world around me is both humbling and empowering. We've specifically been seeking out as many sunrises, sunsets, moonrises, moonsets, and star-gazing opportunities as we can in order to cultivate that feeling of being both small and infinite.

What are YOU doing to find that sense of awe? Is it a quiet walk in the woods, a hike to see the sunrise, or a night-time outing to watch the stars? Maybe it's visiting a work of art you've always wanted to see, or volunteering in your community alongside people who astound you with their kindness? Whatever gives you a sense of wonder, find more of it; you deserve to be amazed by the world.

Thanks for joining me for this issue of Eat Colorfully, Live Colorfully! I'd love to hear from you, so please feel free to reply with questions, thoughts, or requests. If you missed a previous issue, you can view all my newsletters here. Have a great week!