Macadamia Nut Oil Giveaway!!

     The Macadamia is a native Australian rainforest tree that loves the rich, volcanic soils, subtropical climate and high annual rainfall.

     The fruit it produces is "a hard nut to crack", much like black walnuts.  Due to the labor involved in shelling the nuts and the tropical environment required to grow them, Macadamias were traditionally more expensive than other nuts.  Prices have decreased in the past twenty years due to new cultivators with softer shells and expanded production.
 

     One hundred fifty years after it's discovery, the tree grows commercially in Brazil, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Hawaii, Israel, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, New Zealand and other tropical & subtropical regions, including Florida.

     Macadamia Nut Oil is highly nutritious  with the highest level of heart-healthy monosaturated fat of any edible oil, including desirable Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.  The high level of antioxidants slows rancity and allows the oil to be kept up to two years without refrigeration.  It also has a high smoke point, 450 degrees and retains its unique flavors when used for high-temperature cooking.

     Mountain Rose Herbs' Macadamia Oil, from their Epicurean Organic Culinary Oil collection, is made from expeller pressed organic Macadamia nuts.  It's pure oil is a unique and decadent treat with the alluring aroma and flavor of the champagne-colored oil, imparting a rich buttery sweetness to any dish.

     It's a marvelous oil to infuse with garlic, aromatic basil leaves or spicy red chilies.  A wonderful compliment to pasta salads, grilled seafood, omelets, vegetable sautes or as a finishing oil on oven-baked pizza. 

     Being asked to review several of their Epicurean Organics collection, I chose this oil out of curiosity.  My local grocery stores did not carry this oil (I checked) and I love Macadamia Nuts & organic products.

     As a family we enjoyed Macadamia Nut Oil in two different ways so far. 

    First, I took an old vintage bottle and infused some Macadamia Nut Oil with two minced garlic cloves & 2 Tablespoons of basil from our garden.  I allowed them to infuse while I cooked some whole wheat pasta & garden veggies.  I served the infused oil and a little dish of sea salt on the side for our family to drizzle & then sprinkle on our pasta.  Incredible. 

     Another evening, I made a tropical side salad tossed with pineapple & summer vegetables and tossed & drizzled the Macadamia oil lightly followed with a touch of sea salt. Being a family who enjoys olive oil & coconut oil often, this was such a wonderful and fresh experience.  We exchanged looks across the table as we commented to one another how delicious & almost-buttery this tasted. We truly enjoyed this Epicurean experience! 

Now it's your turn.......

Macadamia Nut Oil Giveaway!!

      Mountain Rose Herbs is generously giving away a free bottle of their Macadamia Nut Oil.  All you have to do to enter is just leave me a comment or e-mail. along with an e-mail I may contact you at.  I will randomly choose a winner on July 11th.

 

Blessings From Our Kitchen to Yours,

Malinda

     

Colorado Wildfire

Just west of our home, an open field gives way to the Colorado mountains
and a spectacular, albeit a little unsettling, view of the raging wildfire.
For several weeks now, we have watched wasp-like helicopters fly overhead,
closed our windows to the suffocating smoke and during a light breeze, swept ash off our front porch.  Knowing full well, to be thankful I have a porch to sweep off.

The intensity of it all is now diminishing, yet I thought I would share some images of these past several weeks where I live.  My heart aches and I am very aware that further down south, in Colorado Springs, the wildfire has been extremely devasting.

Taken from my children's bedroom window

National Guard moving in

Something that was wonderful to experience throughout our community during this difficult time:
             an outward expression of gratitude for our firefighters.

After a long and very tiring shift, firefighters would come down from the mountains and pass by our neighborhood.  As we became aware of their nightly descent, our neighborhood began to gather on the road to express our heartfelt appreciation.

Tired smiles and blackened hands waved as they passed by.

Our son, Isaac waves to the firefighters.

As I stood with the crowd as truck after truck passed by and I actually saw the faces of the brave crews that risked it all, I kept fighting back the urge to cry at such an outward expression. 

At the beginning of the fire, we nervously looked at the maps on the internet of the fire and talked of evacuation.

What would we pack?

What is important to salvage?

My children amazed me with their sober wisdom & straightforwardness about the priceless things in their lives. 

If anything from these several weeks this summer, aside from the intense heartbreak from so many in our area, I've been given the fresh reminder that I need to keep my vision on the truly important things in life.  Things that wildfires cannot ravage to ash. 

My thoughts and prayers go out to all those whose lives were forever changed because of the Colorado wildfires.....

Under His Wings,

Malinda