Several weeks ago, I was lucky to get to participate in playing hostess to a wonderful group of piano teachers during Joy Morin’s Piano Teacher Retreat, “Retreat at Piano Manor,“ where I got to play the role of foodie/caterer!
I thought it would be fun to share the weekend with you from my perspective including meals and recipes I used (links to those available online).
Keepin’ it Healthy
Knowing that we had a gluten-free guest, I decided it was easier to keep that in mind for the whole shebang. Needless to say, I think we ate pretty healthy! Now THAT’S the kind of grocery cart I could aspire to every week. Color and real food.
(Two) Breakfasts Included
Raspberry Orange Almond Muffins with Sprouted Wheat Flour
Fresh fruit
Scrambled eggs
Unfortunately, I missed getting photos of my breakfast tables!
(Two) Lunch’s Included
Slow Cooker Mexican Pulled Pork Tacos with queso fresco, sour cream, and cilantro
Gooey Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies [Chickpea Cookies – Gluten / Grain Free]
Mediterranean 3-Bean Quinoa Salad
Israeli Hummus with naan bread and raw veggies
Grapes
(There was also protein in this lunch – grilled chicken tenders, but I didn’t like the photo! 🙂
Other Items
Coffee
Tea bag selections
Evening Charcuterie
Our time visiting on the porch was enhanced with a cheese board sporting brie, extra aged asiago, smoked gouda, and aged white cheddar cheese.
It was balanced out with grapes, dried apricots, dark chocolate covered almonds, assorted crackers, homemade sangria and Strawberry Limeade sweetened with honey.
Feeding people makes me so happy!
Luckily, everyone’s tummies were happy after two days of eating my food!
All the meals were healthy and delicious. The meals helped me to stay on Weightwatchers.
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Meals were awesome! Excellent, healthy choices with the perfect amount of indulgences. This aspect of the retreat added a nuance that cannot be replicated at hotel or University conferences.
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I am low sugar, gluten-free dieter (by choice ) and I was so impressed with the food! I was expecting to cheat but I didn’t have too. 🙂 Could not have asked for better!
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Yes! I appreciated how Amy sweetened many things with honey. Almond coffee creamer was greatly appreciated!
Hopefully, if Joy is able to do this again next year I’ll get to serve you as well! 😉
In case you’re interested
My super amazing MoccaMaster Coffee Maker that I would buy again in a heartbeat. We’ve had it for over seven years, and it’s still going strong. The stainless steel carafe was perfect for keeping coffee hot for several hours without making it taste burnt.
My favorite electric kettle, which was so convenient to have around for instant hot water for all the tea drinkers!
Thanks for taking the time to put this together, Amy!!! It’s kind of you to share your recipes…I will be trying my hand at many of them! It was fun revisiting the retreat through your hostess eyes!
Let me know how they all go, Leanne!
You were a wonderful foodie chef!
Thanks for sharing your recipes. We all loved your choices!!!
Thanks, Nancy!
This is so cool! I’ve thought for years about doing a retreat of sorts like this and had no idea Joy was doing one! What fun!
Yes, it was a great idea! I was kind of jealous Joy thought of it first – ha! LOL.