Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Asheville Flavah


Whilst in Asheville, we explored... we really explored. From music to food, restaurants galore, drinks alcoholic and non, nature, hiking, fresh air,  a comfy rental mountain home, friends and lots of love. A swirl of beautiful energy. A noteworthy possible recreation on my behalf is the above salad. Seemingly raw kale (which surprised me because typically such would be bitter, this was not), a soft sweet potato, a yellow raisin, white onion, I believe pecan halves, and lastly the strength to the salad the pink whole peppercorns.

French Broad Brewery
A Pilsner (if I remember correctly?!)

 
The Sunset Terrace Cairpirinah
At the Grove Park Inn
Cane Rum, Ginger Lime Simple Syrup, Blueberries,
Club Soda, Sprite, Lime Wedge

 Massive Drum Cirle 
Asheville July 2013










A Tasty Drink 'o Nature

 Homemade Coffee Drink 
in an Asheville Mountain Home Rental
July 2013

We went to Asheville with some close buddies. The one guy we traveled with, created a tasty soy coffee drink with fresh whip cream and crushed chocolate sprinkled on top (m&ms for color and crushed coffee beans for added flavor and color)  It was a fun simple creative way to enjoy the vacation morning. Slurped up the drink then sipped in some nature...

 



Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Change Your Perspective

I understand we don't all have the luxury to walk to the beach to sit and eat your hand prepared dinner, but this post is meant to highlight the spaces in which we consume our creations. Mix it up. Make it an event. Take it outside in the back yard, picnic in the park, sit on pillows on the floor with a movie...

My Mother and I 
Anna Maria Island, FL
July 2013

Flying July

Since I have made the move to move, I have also made the decision to travel most of my July month, visiting with friends and family. Reason for the lack of posts aka the lack of creating time in the kitchen but I have all the while been surrounded by good food, good drink and of course, good company. July literally provides me with 4 days at home. From an East Coast road trip, to a Minnesota/Wisconsin road trip to a flight to Anna Maria Island, Florida and lastly a road trip to Asheville, North Carolina this coming and long weekend. After that, it's pack up and go. Newport Beach, here I come!

Back to the grub though, when I was visiting my family in Anna Maria, my ma and I managed to make some good tasty meals, many of which were consumed with a view on the beach. Because I was in vacay mode, I only managed to capture a few good snaps. Here was a nice breakfast my mother and I shared together. I love working with what you have. Especially in someones stocked fridge. Like a toy box...what to play with? what to create?!

Here was our egg white omelet topped with tomato basil mozzarella (I seriously can not get away from the combination this summer!?!) and our stuffed avocado (olive oil, sea salt, diced tomato and red onion). I just love seeing everything you are about to eat. It's so simple! And anything done with love translates. Smiles and love to you all. Life is good, keep it simple...






Friday, July 12, 2013

Ana's Nori Rolls

My cousin made some AWESOME vegetarian Nori rolls with "nut" rice to go side by side with our girls yoga class at home night. They were absolutely inhaled by all in attendance. The "nut rice" was actually a sunflower seed puree. It was delicious! I have tasted the sunflower seed puree once before in college, a friend of mine worked at this little vegetarian cafe and they made the sunflower seed puree mix, it was spread over bagels with sprouts and all the hearty veggie goodness you could think of, they called it Sunflower Seed Pate. A great meat substitute because of the thickness of the puree and depth of flavor. I had forgotten the sunflower mixture for the last 5 or so years, it was great to be reawakened to it. Can't wait to try these rolls on my own, or even just work with the sunflower seed mixture. My cousin was tipped off to the idea from a clean detox program. Also, we used Tamari sauce (a soy sauce) and wasabi mayo for dipping! Check out Trader Joe's Wasabi Mayo! That might be a must have staple in the fridge now;)



Girls Yoga Night
(plus good clean food, plus good delicious wine, plus good tasty dessert)


Ana's Rolls!
Vegetarian Nori Rolls with Nut “Rice”
Ingredients
Via Dr. Oz Website
Serves 2
1 c. soaked sunflower seeds
1 c. walnuts, soaked in pure water for 2 hours
1/4 red onion
Chopped fresh herbs
1 packet of nori wraps
1 carrot, cut into very thin strips
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into thin strips
1/2 avocado, cut into strips
1/4 red cabbage, finely shredded
Sprouts
Wheat-free Tamari Soy Sauce
Wasabi (she subbed wasabi mayo)
Fresh ginger
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp water

To make the “rice,” place the sunflower seeds, walnuts, onion, and herbs in a food processor. Process for 2 minutes, or until nut mixture has the consistency of rice. Set aside. Thinly slice the ginger and marinate in vinegar and water. Take a sheet of nori and spread one-fourth of the rice mixture onto it. Lay carrot, cucumber, red cabbage, avocado, and sprouts over it. Roll the nori up tightly, using a sushi mat if you have one. Cut the roll into about six pieces, using a sharp knife. Repeat for three more nori sheets. Serve wraps on a platter with ginger, wasabi, and wheat-free tamari.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Lost and Food... West Coast Style

I traveled home to see my people this last week. It was soul lifting and heart warming. It was just what the doc ordered. My family and my girlfriends have been located just a lil too far for my liking for the last 4 years. Now, to make it more difficult on my person, I'm trekking even farther West with the man and not much of a plan (all very much welcomed though;) Other than the lure of the adventure and my love for him plus the idea of exploring the foodie culture out there professionally, I do not have too much on my radar. Lost and Food continues, West Coast style...

Intimate Dinner with Family and Friends
Celebrating a Birthday with Yoga, Clean Foods, Wine, Music and Dessert