Happy Monday darlings!
So we’re moving. Not in virtual blog-land world. In real life world. We’re packin’ up our shit and moving East.
I know, right? It’s kind of the opposite of where people tend to move. But we can’t really go any further West or we’ll be in Japan. And I don’t speak Japanese.
So instead we’re relocating from the beautiful, fair weathered, laid back, hippie lovin’ life & style of Vancouver Island to the big, smelly, smog-laden, asthma granting, fast paced world of Toronto. Oh god.
I have to admit: I’m a little terrified. Mostly excited. But also a little freaked the crap out. I’ve gotten pretty used to wearing flip flops year round, walking home alone in the middle of the night without fear of attack, running into friends every time I leave the house… And I’m giving it all up to be in a major metropolitan city I know literally nothing about other than the fact that it’s huge. How will I get around? What if I get lost? Who will I talk to (other than John)? Will we make new friends? I’m going to miss my friends here so very, very much! What kind of job will I find? Will I find a job?….. what if there’s no space to grow vegetables?!!
Of course, having moved out here from Alberta with nothing but a U-haul* truck and a smile** 6 years ago, I know it will work out okay. It was the best decision I had ever made up until that point and I’m pretty sure that this will turn out to be the same. People do it all the time. They move. They live. They thrive. We can do this. And at least we have each other this time around. But that still doesn’t take away all the pre-relocation jitters.Mostly though, I’m fucking stoked. It’s time for a change. It’s time for exciting new adventures, explorations, and dining experiences (obviously). My old friends can come visit anytime they like – and why wouldn’t they when they have a free place to stay in downtown Toronto? I can’t wait for the thrill of new discoveries and new people and it’s going to be good. If for no other reason than because it has to be. It has to be.
And what about snacking on the way out there? How about some chips? But not just any chips: rosemary sweet potato chips!
* Do not, ever – I do mean EVER – use U-haul. For a whole host of reasons. Seriously. Unless you want to A: not move or B: die.
** I was of course, also wearing pants. No pants in a U-Haul truck is practically begging for crabs.
Rosemary Sweet Potato Chips
Yield 2 servings
Ingredients
- 1 Sweet Potato.
- 2 Tbsp Good Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
- 1 Tbsp Rosemary, stemmed & finely chopped.
- 2 Cloves Garlic, peeled and crushed.
- Course Sea Salt & Fresh Cracked Black Pepper.
Instructions
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and pre-heat your oven to 250 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, mix the oil and garlic together. Set aside.Next, peel the sweet potato and then using a mandoline, slice the sweet potato into very thin rounds.
- Lightly brush the parchment with a bit of the oil mixture. Arrange potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets and gently brush one side of the potatoes with the oil/garlic mixture and sprinkle liberally with salt, pepper, and the chopped rosemary.
- Place in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, flip, and continue to bake for a further 30 minutes or until crispy and lightly browned with the edges curled up.
- Remove from the heat, transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool.
- Eat.
Have you ever moved before? What do you love about? Loathe about it? Any advice?
P.S. Don’t forget that starting on Wednesday, Sam and I will be co-hosting a weekly linky party/blog hop that encourages fresh food production, consumption, activism and awareness for bloggers and blog readers alike! We want to feature you and any and all of your CSA collections, farmer’s market treasures, home grown/raised hauls, and/or any seasonal recipes or DIY projects or tutorials related to the above. Ultimately, we want to create a space and a resource for seasonal, organic, pastured, small scale happy food and the people that love it.
We’re going live Wednesday at midnight, Eastern standard time so if you want to participate sans blog, throw us an email @ freshfoodsbloghop (at) gmail (dot) com and we’ll invite you to upload a photo & description to be posted Wednesday! For those who have blogs and want to link up an actual post, keep an eye out for the linky gadget on Wednesday! More instructions to come then…
This post is linked up with The Hearth and Soul Blog Hop; Tasty Tuesday; Slightly Indulgent Tuesday; Tuesday Talent Show; Real Food Forager; Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways; Cast Party Wednesday; Whole Foods Wednesday; Tastetastic Thursday; Showcase Your Talent; Full Plate Thursday; Simple Lives Thursday; Fresh Bites Friday; Fight Back Friday; Foodie Friday; Seasonal Celebration Sunday
Stacy
July 2, 2012 at 5:03 PMlol Kristy! Your comments about U-Haul crack me up, especially the pants thing! π When are you moving? I can’t believe I haven’t met you yet and you’re leaving! Gah!
Kristy Lynn
July 3, 2012 at 3:35 PMit’s funny now. it was not so funny when they tried to kill us coming through a mountain pass. π
not until the end of august – come up! i want to meet you!
Allie
July 2, 2012 at 5:49 PMgoodness ALL of your recipes make my mouth water! these look exceptionally delish!
Kristy Lynn
July 3, 2012 at 3:35 PMhaha – thanks Allie! good to see you!
Shelly { @ Quiet Luxury }
July 2, 2012 at 5:51 PMI bet these are so good!
Kristy Lynn
July 3, 2012 at 3:35 PMthey were better once i stopped burning them. haha
Amy
July 2, 2012 at 6:11 PMI love your blog, for a lot of reasons. I love it for the food, for the amazing recipes you share, for the pictures that make me salivate just looking at them. I love it for the humor, and I absolutely love it for the honest way you write, because you sound like YOU. Anyone could read this, and know exactly the type of person you are. It’s so refreshing! LOVE IT! And I’m SO making this recipe tonight!!
XOXO, Amy
Kristy Lynn
July 3, 2012 at 3:36 PMaw thanks amy. that’s actually really nice to hear – sometimes i worry i’m too vulgar and/or too unfoodie in my ramblings. i’m glad you like it π
p.s. did you make the recipe??
patience
July 2, 2012 at 11:02 PMi liked finally hearing some more of your thoughts on moving since we haven’t seen each other but…
YOU’RE FREAKING ME OUT!
you’re not moving till the end of august right??????
Kristy Lynn
July 3, 2012 at 3:36 PMnot till the end of august!! xoxoxoxo!
Anna @ hiddenponies
July 3, 2012 at 3:37 AMToronto?? You surprise me, the island seemed so perfect for you!! But I’m sure you will love Toronto in no time π We lived in Ottawa for 2 years and looooved it – real seasons, yay!! But what can I say, we’re back in the west…it’s weird not being able to see mountains or the ocean! These chips look good enough to distract though π
Kristy Lynn
July 3, 2012 at 3:37 PMi surprise me too anna! ha – i’m a little nervous about being away from the ocean. but toronto has a giant polluted un-fishable lake, doesn’t it? that’s kind of the same…right? ah!
Lindsey at NW Backyard Veggies
July 3, 2012 at 4:32 AMI am moving, too. From home owner to home renter. From in ground gardening to I hope to God I have any sunlight at all for a meager container of lettuce gardening.
I am, to say it mildly, a teensy bit jittery.
We will prevail! B/C kick ass ladies tend to do so in the long run.
I signed up for the blog hop. BRING IT.
Kristy Lynn
July 3, 2012 at 3:38 PMoooooooh! big changes! i am hoping the same thing. just please, a little lettuce!!
but you’re right. we’re fuckin awesome so we’ll make do. even if we need to go find communal garden plots.
p.s. you’ve been invited!
Tanya @ Lovely Greens
July 3, 2012 at 4:46 PMMy only experience of being in Toronto was being stuck in the airport there for over 24 hours. I cried. BUT I’m sure your experiences will be far better – just think of all the urban gardeners you’ll be able to meet and hang out with π
And I’d love to be part of your weekly linky party π Let me know what I need to do as far as uploading an image – I’ll send you an email in a sec.
Kristy Lynn
July 3, 2012 at 9:25 PMew. being stuck in an airport is never a good idea. it sucks. at least there’s a bar!!
shutupandcook
July 3, 2012 at 7:35 PMI adore Toronto! Best cheese I’ve ever had was from Kensington (sp?) Market. Enjoy this next adventure!
Kristy Lynn
July 3, 2012 at 9:26 PMoooh! i want to live within walking distance to kensington market! do you remember the name of the cheese you had??
Haydn and Kristy @ Taste Buds
July 3, 2012 at 8:36 PMLooks amazing. You can make these for me anytime you want π
-h
Kristy Lynn
July 3, 2012 at 9:26 PMor… you can read the recipe above and make them yourself? jk jk. i’ll make some before i come to your house next. hopefully.
Ricki
July 3, 2012 at 8:49 PMThanks for your comment on my blog, Kristy!! And WELCOME to Toronto!! (even though I now live sort of an hour or so above it. . . .). π I hope you will love it in no time, as much as I do (I’m originally from Montreal). The Beaches is a great place to be near water if you miss it (great long Boardwalk), as is Harbourfront. Maybe no flip-flops all year, but you can too walk at night w/o fear!! It’s actually an incredibly safe city (but of course the news only carries the bizarre, freaky, once-in-a-decade violence that scares everybody else off). You will find the 3rd largest theater city IN THE WORLD (after NY and London), cuisine of every imaginable country you can name, a vibrant mutlicultural and multi-artistic and mutli-sexual-oriented population, friendly people (if you talk first, that is–ha ha!), and fabulous, hot, sunny summers. . . . snow in winter (gag). Can you tell I like it here?? π
Quick question about your linky event: does my Kale Salad, Fully Loaded qualify?
Thanks! π
Kristy Lynn
July 3, 2012 at 9:28 PMthank you Ricki! you DO seem to like toronto! haha – but honestly, the theater, the food, the art and the multi-sexual communities get me very excited! THAT is why i want to move there! well, that and a job would be nice. i guess. i’m pretty pumped about the summers but i forget what it’s like to have a real winter – it’ll be great come christmas time though!!
p.s. heck yeah it does! kale salad is an excellent idea π
Courtney J
July 3, 2012 at 10:21 PMOh wow! A big move coming up! That’s cool. I would love to move one day (soonish). I briefly lived in Alberta but have spent most of my life in Winnipeg. You should skip TO and move to Winnipeg and hang out with me. *hehe*
These rosemary sweet potato chips look ah-maz-ing! wow! I have to make these!
Looking forward to linking up on wednesday with a seasonal recipe π
Kristy Lynn
July 4, 2012 at 3:34 PMOooh honey. as much as i adore you, i do NOT adore winnipeg. haha. you come to T dot! we’ll have bevies π
Can’t wait to see whatcha got goin on!
Kristy Lynn
July 4, 2012 at 3:35 PMthat sounded creepy. i mean for your link up not what YOU got going on π
onceuponarecipe
July 5, 2012 at 12:11 AMThese look so so so SO good, and I love that they’re baked. Good luck with the move my friend! Home is where you make it (this, coming from the girl who was born, raised, and has lived in the same place forever). But you’ll be just dandy. Can’t wait to hear all about your T.O. adventures!
Kristy Lynn
July 7, 2012 at 8:26 PMi agree – home can be anywhere so long as you make it so. though i do fear our new place will be half the size of the place we have now. that will take some adjusting.
momphotographer
July 5, 2012 at 2:09 PMi have to try them, soon!!! they look wonderful. I wonder if I can make those chips using regular potatoes as well? what do you think?
Kristy Lynn
July 7, 2012 at 8:26 PMi don’t see why not…. i would maybe recommend blanching them if using regular potatoes though? to activate their starches and release some of their moisture….
Sam
July 5, 2012 at 2:19 PMMmmm…sweet potatoes and rosemary…I wish it were cool enough that I had any desire to turn on my oven. And re: the comment above–you can eat Lake Ontario, just not more than 3 times per year (or something like that)–of course that last time I lived near Lake Ontario was at least 8 years ago, so things could have changed.
Kristy Lynn
July 7, 2012 at 8:27 PMbahahahahah! i’ll make a note of that.. maybe a 3X punch card or something..?
Mama Jodi
July 5, 2012 at 2:49 PMI just made sweet potato chips last week, but I love rosemary, so maybe I’ll have to try yours. Thanks for the recipes. Good luck with your move. Jodi @ http://www.meaningfulmama.com
Kristy Lynn
July 7, 2012 at 8:27 PMthank you Jodi!
Miz Helen
July 6, 2012 at 2:46 PMHi Kristy,
What a great recipe for one of my favorite snacks, yum! Hope you are having a great holiday week and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Kristy Lynn
July 7, 2012 at 8:28 PMi’m not much of a snacking person, but these have changed my ways π i can see why it’d be one of your favorites!
It's Carmen
July 6, 2012 at 9:15 PMWow wow wow wow! I’m imagining the heavenly taste of these right now. Rosemary is a blessing!
β₯ It’s Carmen
Kristy Lynn
July 7, 2012 at 8:28 PMrosemary is always good π
Carole
July 6, 2012 at 11:09 PMGreat idea – but I would need a mandoline!
I found this via Simple Living with Diane Balch. I linked in a retro steak dish. Have a super week.
Kristy Lynn
July 7, 2012 at 8:29 PMOh Carole! They’re so cheap you should get one. you could use a very sharp knife but you’d have to be extra diligent to make sure each slice was the same size as the one before it. i have no patience for that. mandoline it is.
Elsa
July 7, 2012 at 12:37 PMI am dying to move. I’m desperate, actually. If only…..
Anywho, I have moved before and it’s a pain. I have two kids now, so I think it would be a nightmare. lol Good luck with your move, I am sure you will adjust quickly. My friend moved from a tiny town to a HUGE city and she hated it. And now she’s in love with the city and never wants to leave. She says it’s the best decision she’s ever made in her life. π
And your chips look amazing, by the way!!
Kristy Lynn
July 7, 2012 at 8:31 PMthat gets me excited! i’m glad it worked out so well for her!
….i can’t imagine trying to move with kids – it would be so much more of a process… but do-able. why don’t you?
Diane Balch
July 7, 2012 at 2:33 PMThese are my weakness. I love sweet potato chips and with sprinkle of rosemary, fantastic idea.
Kristy Lynn
July 7, 2012 at 8:31 PMthanks Diane! π
Natural Mothers Network
July 8, 2012 at 4:09 PMThanks for sharing this recipe with us at Seasonal Celebration- We are over-run with sweet potatoes right now, so it’s the perfect solution for me!
Regarding your more…in my opinion, it’s mostly about how you deal with challenges. With an attitude like that, you’ll succeed anywhere-trust me!
Rebecca @ Seasonal Celebration Sunday x
Simply Life
July 8, 2012 at 6:14 PMOh MY – I wish I had these in front of me right now! what a perfect way to enjoy sweet potatoes!!
Kristy Lynn
July 9, 2012 at 10:27 PMhaha – me too, actually!
Lori
July 8, 2012 at 7:42 PMSuch a great idea! I’ve not tried baking chips before, but I definitely will now. I love the flavors with the sweet potato.
Kristy Lynn
July 9, 2012 at 10:27 PMbaking is less scary fats and they make your house smell fantastic!
April @ The 21st Century Housewife
July 9, 2012 at 1:54 PMI’ve moved a lot and I totally agree with you, it’s one part adventure + a couple of parts terror every time. I’m sure you will love Toronto (okay, perhaps not the weather, but let’s not talk about that!). Every move we have made has turned out to be a good one (okay, except one, but again let’s not talk about that – we moved again very soon afterwards!) Just remember, everything will work out in the end and try not to get too stressed. Love these gorgeous chips, rosemary and sweet potato are such a great combination – these are the perfect cocktail (or anytime) snack!
Kristy Lynn
July 9, 2012 at 10:28 PMyeah… april, your comment totally puts my moving jitters at ease. right. π
Elpoo
July 27, 2012 at 8:05 PMWelcome to Toronto! You’ll love it here, too. Not as green and laid back, but you will do just fine.
The weather is manageable (I’m originally from outside Winnipeg, so Toronto is balmy by comparison). And there are lots of fun things to do, gardening types, veggie people, etc.
And if you’re lonely, I’ll take you out to lunch. I’m a stranger, but I’m 46 so you could totally outrun me if I was threatening in anyway.
π
Kristy Lynn
July 31, 2012 at 3:13 PMbahahaha! i might just take you up on that!