#tbt travelstyle: unBELIZEable

#throwbackthursday travel to an unBELIZEable vacation with my family and fiancé. From snorkeling with dolphins to shopping in straw markets to discovering a hidden restaurant, we made the most out of our 8 hour adventure in the country of Belize. You better BELIZE it!

beachside bliss on a small island getaway. Look at that #StarfishLove

snorkel before. hey dolphin following our boat. snorkel after.

a few of my favorite things. Baker’s, Beers and one hot Babe. We always ask for local beers and Belize had an amazing collection. Lighthouse Lager & Belikin, known as the Beer of Belize.

you + me, belize at sea.

climbing for coconut. Showing off our fav sunscreen, SunBum. Seriously the best skin care. Get it. Wear it. Love it.

people and places. To Do: 1. Shop the straw market for handmade souvenirs. 2. Take a water taxi to enjoy the Belize views. 3. Drink Belikin and repeat as necessary. 4. Stop and smell the Ixora, my favorite flower found all over the Caribbean. 5. Visit St. John’s Anglican Cathedral. Constructed in 1812, it was the first church to be built in the colony of British Honduras. 6. Stroll the streets and meet the people of Belize. 7. Find hidden water alleys for breathtaking view of blue. 8. Hold something ancient. 9. Blessed by Belize beauty in all things.

trey discovered a hidden, local hangout that serves incredible food. Jerk chicken, red beans & rice, coastal potato salad, all served with the best sauces we have ever tried. Oh and of course, a few Belize brewed beers.

end the day with a water alley view and Belize hot sauce as a traditional souvenir for Trey.

our signature goodbye with a little tequila. Belize, until next time.

très chic et faim

Qu’est-ce qu’un bon livre?

#TGIF. The weekend is finally here. Enjoy the small taste of spring weather this Saturday by ordering your café au lait at Barnes & Noble so you can pick up a little Paris for the park. These are some of my favorite Parisian paperbacks that offer a unique marriage of fashion et food. Forget your library, de livres of love stories were written to be stored next to your Le Creuset or Louboutins.

Lunch in Paris: A Love Story, with Recipes by Elizabeth Bard

In Paris for a weekend visit, Elizabeth Bard sat down to lunch with a handsome Frenchman—and never went home again. Was it love at first sight? Or was it the way her knife slid effortlessly through her pavé au poivre, the steak’spink juices puddling into the buttery pepper sauce? LUNCH IN PARIS is a memoir about a young American woman caught up in two passionate love affairs—one with her new beau, Gwendal, the other with French cuisine.

Forever Chic: Frenchwomen’s Secrets for Timeless Beauty, Style, and Substance by Tish Jett

For any woman who last saw forty on her speedometer comes a sparkling new primer for aging—the French way—with grace and style. Frenchwomen of a certain age (over forty) are captivating and complex. They appear younger than their years and remain stylish throughout their lives. American-born journalist and blogger Tish Jett has lived among the French for years and has studied them and stalked them to learn their secrets. Exploring how their wardrobe, beauty, diet, and hair rituals evolve with time and how some aspects of their signature styles never change, Jett shows how Frenchwomen know their strengths, hide their weaknesses, and never talk about their fears, failures, or flaws. After all, in France, beauty, style, and charm have no expiration dates!

Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate) by Amy Thomas

Forever a girl obsessed with all things French, sweet freak Amy Thomas landed a gig as rich as the purest dark chocolate: leave Manhattan for Paris to write ad copy for Louis Vuitton. Working on the Champs-Élysées, strolling the charming streets, and exploring the best patisseries and boulangeries, Amy marveled at the magnificence of the City of Light. Part love letter to Paris, part love letter to New York, and total devotion to all things sweet, PARIS, MY SWEET is a treasure map for anyone with a hunger for life.

Paris Street Style: A Guide to Effortless Chic by Isabelle Thomas and Frederique Veysset

One city always seems to win the award for most-wanted style—Paris, where people walking down the avenues mix timeless and trendy pieces in a way that appears effortless. French fashion writers Isabelle Thomas and Frédérique Veysset break down the “je ne sais quoi” of Paris street style, describing the essential elements that should be in everyone’s wardrobe. Starring both fashion icons and anonymous women met on the streets of Paris and richly illustrated with hand-drawn sketches and Veysset’s striking photographs, Paris Street Style is an inspirational fashion guide that will allow you, no matter where you are from, to cultivate an everyday style of timeless glamour, careless, easy chic—votre style français.

daily detox

Refresh with a revamp of your regular routine by going Raw. I did about 6 weeks ago and it has been my #motivationalmorning breakfast on-the-go.  Based on my Instagram feed, no one chews their fruits and veggies anymore, but how do they get enough protein to last them until lunch?

“I’m sorry for the unkind words. I spoke out of hunger.” -someecards

Insert life changer: Raw Green Organics. Vegan, gluten free, dairy free, soy-free, non GMO and duh, of course organic flavors for a complete daily detox. I’m a little obsessed with the RawJuvenate Vegan Protein Powder, but it took a few pitchers on the blender to get it just right. Grab a straw and your Vitamix and say hello to the best little breakfast boost.

Gluten-Free & Paleo Banana & Berry Smoothie

1 banana, mashed

1/4 mixed berries, frozen or fresh

1/2 almond milk or coconut milk

1 Tbsp. agave nectar

2 Tbsp. RawJuvenate Vegan Protein Powder

Optional: 3-4 ice cubes if you use fresh berries

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender. Mix well. Drink immediately or refrigerate for up to a week.

my heart beets for you

Happy Valentine’s Day to the #punniest guy I know. He’s the #pun for me.

He’s got a #pizza my heart forever.

I know that we are #mint to be.

I’d #soda like to call him mine.

because he is just #ripe for me.

Olive you.

LBD

Images from Williams-Sonoma clever Instagram Valentines 2014.

upcycled sides

Steamed salmon, soufflé, watercress salad; some dishes get all the credit. Switch up the food hierarchy by repurposing the traditional starch and veggie sides with some culinary creativity. Share the supper spotlight with a recipe modified from Bon Appetit Magazine to upcycle a typical side into a showoff appetizer.

Spiced Sweet Potato and Roasted Broccoli Toasts

1 sweet potato, peeled and cubed

1 head of broccoli, cut into florets

Ciabatta bread, 3/4 in sliced

1 c water

1/2 c EVOO

1/4 c heavy cream

2 Tbsp. butter, unsalted

1 clove of garlic, minced

1 sweet bulb onion, chopped

1 lemon slice

2 Tbsp. parsley, chopped

1 tsp. red pepper flakes

Kosher salt to taste

Pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On large cooking sheet, toss broccoli, onion and garlic in 2 Tbsp. EVOO. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for 12-15 minutes.

2. In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil with sweet potato, salt, red pepper flakes, 1 Tbsp. butter and 2 Tbsp. EVOO. Simmer until tender with a fork and drain. With an electric mixer or potato masher, mash potatoes with cream, salt and remaining butter until smooth.

3. Brush remaining EVOO on bread and toast in oven for 4-5 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and let cool.

4. Remove broccoli from oven and season with juice from lemon. Combine with parsley. Spread potato mash on toast, then top with broccoli and salt and pepper to taste.

Recipe modified from Bon Appetit.

broccoli blues

So maybe my broccoli isn’t really blue…but almost. Old sheets shield my raised bed as my best bet to get my winter garden through this frozen, rough patch. This past winter I have been pleasantly surprised at the resilience of my plants, especially the broccoli. With temperatures below freezing, florets continue to form to fill my fridge and table. To celebrate this hardy vegetable, I paired it with baby bella mushrooms and thin slices of lemon to really highlight the earthy flavors.

Sautéed Broccoli and Mushrooms

1 bunch of broccoli, chopped into florets

1 c baby bella mushrooms, sliced

2 Tbsp. EVOO

1 lemon, thinly sliced

1 sweet bulb onion, chopped

1 clove of garlic, minced

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

1. Over medium-high heat, sauté onions and garlic until tender. Add broccoli, mushrooms, salt and pepper and continue to cook for 3-5 minutes.

2. Squeeze lemon slices over sautéed broccoli and mushrooms before dropping in pan to cook for an additional 1-3 minutes. Serve over quinoa or with a fish protein.

to plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” -audrey hepburn

go for the gold

Let the Sochi games begin. With winter weather below freezing, cheering on #TeamUSA during Friday’s Opening Ceremony felt like we had a front row seat to the Winter Olympic Games. Trey and I warmed up with Ruby by our side, a bottle of another Team’s wine and my stovetop burning as bright as the Olympic Flame. Go for the gold with our Sochi Squash Soup, Medal-Winning Corn Muffins and Double Axel Chocolate-Crème Fraîche cookies. With a team of ingredients this good, there is sure to be no #SochiFail in your kitchen.

Butternut Squash Soup

4 c butternut squash, peeled and cubed

6 c chicken stock

2 Tbsp. EVOO

1/4 c heavy cream

1 onion, chopped

1 clove of garlic, minced

3 Tbsp. unsalted butter

1 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. kosher salt

1/2 tsp.  cinnamon

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

1. In a large pot, saute onions and garlic in EVOO until tender. Add squash, stock, salt, pepper, cinnamon and cayenne pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until squash is tender to mash with a fork around 20-25 minutes.

2. With a slotted spoon, remove squash and puree. Mix squash puree, butter and cream in soup. Add a garnish of basil or rosemary.

Gluten Free Rosemary Maple Corn Muffins

1 c gluten free cornmeal
1 cup spelt flour (or regular ap flour)
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp finely chopped rosemary
3/4 c unsweetened almond milk
1/2 c maple syrup
1/2 c canola oil
1 tsp apple cider vinegar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together all of the dry ingredients.

3. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients.

4. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and, using a wooden spoon, stir together until just combined. Don’t overmix.

5. Fill muffin cups 3/4 of the way full, and bake 18-20 minutes.

6. Let them cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, remove them, and let them finish cooling on a wire rack.

Recipe from Love and Lemons.

Chocolate-Crème Fraîche Cookies

Cookie Ingredients:

16 oz. bittersweet chocolate
¼ c coconut flour or all-purpose flour
1½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp kosher salt
1½ c brown sugar
½ c unsalted butter, room temperature
4 large eggs
2 tablespoons crème fraîche

Crème Fraîche Ingredients:

1 c heavy cream

2 Tbsp. greek, plain yogurt

1. Make crème fraîche 24 to 48 hours before. In a jar, combine cream and yogurt and let sit at room temperature.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt 8 oz. chocolate in double boiler over stovetop. Let cool.

3. Whisk flour, baking power and salt in small bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat brown sugar and butter. In a small bowl, beat eggs then gradually pour in brown sugar and butter mix. Add crème fraîche and melted chocolate. Mix in dry ingredients and remaining 8 oz. chocolate chips. Cover and chill dough for at least 1 hour.

4. On parchment-lined baking sheets, roll dough in tablespoon-sized amounts, 2″ a part. Cook for 18-22 minutes.

Cookie recipe modified from Bon Appetit. 

life’s like a box of flaxseed

Bake your beau a little banana bread love this St. Valentine’s Day. No time for breakfast in bed on a Friday morning, so pack a healthy, sweet treat for the morning drive to work. Flaxseed and agave nectar may not be the sexiest gift for Feb.14 but sometimes love is more than a box of chocolates.

Paleo Carrot Banana Bread with Flaxseed

1 Banana, mashed

1/2 c carrots, shredded

2 c coconut flour, sifted

3 Tbsp. flaxseed

2/3 c agave nectar (substitute for 1 c white sugar)

1 tsp. baking soda

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1/4 c EVOO

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, salt, baking soda, flaxseed and cinnamon in large bowl. In separate bowl, whisk nectar, bananas, evoo and eggs. Mix with dry ingredients and fold in carrots.

2. Pour in greased loaf pan and bake for 45-55 minutes. Serve with fresh whipped butter or Melt Organic Butter.

sort of/kind of

Going for Paleo in 2014, but sometimes it is so hard to stay on track. You would think the seasonal Thin Mints or ease of cereal for dinner would be my downfall. Instead my grain and dairy free taste buds have been craving granola, a cup of yogurt and every flavor of beans. Not the Bertie Bott’s Flavours, but pinto beans, black beans, kidney beans and most of all, green beans. So as a splurge, Trey and I dined on pot roast, Bon Appetit Magazine’s roasted red radishes and green beans. Even though I missed the haricot verts, the red radishes stole the dinner. With a splash lemon and a bed of radish tops, this sort of/kind of paleo meal became our new favorite dish to celebrate the earthy, rustic flavors of winter.

Roasted Red Radishes

2 bunches of radishes

1 1/2 Tbsp. EVOO

Kosher Salt

2 Tbsp. (1/4 stick) unsalted butter

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Brush large heavy- duty rimmed baking sheet with olive oil. Cut off all but 1/2 inch of green radish tops; reserve trimmed tops and rinse them well, checking for grit. Coarsely chop radish tops and set aside. Cut radishes lengthwise in half and place in medium bowl. Add 11/2 tablespoons olive oil and toss thoroughly to coat. Place radishes, cut side down, on prepared baking sheet; sprinkle lightly with coarse salt. Roast until radishes are crisp-tender, stirring occasionally, about 18 minutes. Season to taste with more coarse kosher salt, if desired.

2. Melt butter in heavy small skillet over medium-high heat. Add pinch of coarse kosher salt to skillet and cook until butter browns, swirling skillet frequently to keep butter solids from burning, about 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and stir in fresh lemon juice.

3. Transfer roasted radishes to warmed shallow serving bowl and drizzle brown butter over. Sprinkle with chopped radish tops and serve.

salt and spice makes game day nice

Super bowl weekend is always more fun for the food and friends than the football. Especially this year with the ‘eh’ commercials (except the #bestbuds, so cute) and the almost blow out game. What was not a bust? Bruno Mars and my spicy homemade popcorn. Great for a game day snack and impressive to showoff in front of friends. Simple recipe, hundreds of ingredient variations and a savory reason to step away from the television.

Homemade Popcorn

1/4 c EVOO

1/2 c popcorn kernels

1 tsp. cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. sesame seeds

1 tsp. table salt

1.  Heat EVOO in saucepan over medium-high heat. Drop one kernel in saucepan and cover.

2. Once the kernel pops, add the rest of the kernels to coat the bottom in an even layer. As kernels begin to pop, pour into separate bowl.

3. Add cayenne, cumin, sesame seeds and salt. Cover and shake well to cover all kernels. Serve warm.

Optional: Substitute spice for sweets. Melted chocolate, caramel sauce, shredded coconut, etc.