Category Archives: EAT

10 Can’t-Live-Without’s

April 29, 2010

Filed Under : BEAUTY - EAT - STYLE

Everyone has certain things in their life that complete them.  Of course my family, boyfriend, and friends are at the very top of this “Can’t Live Without” list but I also have 10 other vitals that I’ve come to depend upon.

  1. Tea: I have tea, whether it be iced or hot, all day long.  Some of my favorite tea brands are Revolution, Tejava, Republic of Tea, Harney & Sons, and…well, I could go on forever but that’s a blog post within itself.
  2. Cupcakes:  Of course this one isn’t as vital, but cupcakes are one of my favorite things to indulge in.
  3. My iPod:  Yes, I said iPod.  You’re probably wondering if these old school contraptions actually still exist, what with all the iTouchs and Nanos and Shuffles, but they do!  My iPod has been so good to me over the years.
  4. Erin Condren Life Planner: Of course I went into detail about my day planner here and let me tell you, it keeps me so organized and together.
  5. Strawberry Chapstick: I’m talking about the actual Chapstick brand in strawberry flavor.  This chapstick is much more than a beauty essential to me.  I keep them well stocked too: 1 in every drawer of my nightstands, stashed in every purse, in the glove compartment of my car, in my desk at work, everywhere possible.
  6. Kiehl’s Crème de Corps: Kiehl’s is my absolute favorite brand for lotions, moisturizers, and body washes.  I’ve used Crème de Corps for years now and it’s the only body lotion that truly soaks into my skin and keeps it hydrated.  I use it everyday!
  7. Moleskine Notebook: For Christmas last year, Kyle gave me a Moleskine notebook so that I could write down all of my thoughts, ideas, inspirations, muses, and random notes.  Whenever I have something I need written down, my Moleskine is always there for me.
  8. Cadbury Mini Eggs: If you know me at all, then you’re fully aware of my unhealthy obsession with Cadbury mini eggs.  I have absolutely NO willpower when a bowl of cads are dangled in front of my face.  Just the fact that I know they’re available on Amazon (see link) during the off season should say enough.
  9. Monthly Mags: Whether it be an InStyle, Elle, or Cooking Light, I need a monthly fix of my mags.
  10. My blogs: Just as much as I need a monthly magazine fix, I also need a DAILY blog fix.  Blogs have become such an integral part of my life and reading them is the highlight of my days.  From personal style blogs to food blogs to my friends’ blogs to profesh blogs like Refinery 29, I need them every day (every hour is more like it).

[Image via weheartit]

10 Favorite Foods

April 28, 2010

Filed Under : EAT

This 10 Things post is not quite as easy as the others.  Why?  Because my favorite foods change on an hourly basis.  For example, 2 weeks ago I was eating 2-3 mini scones a day.  If I made this list last month, they would be sitting comfortably in the #1 spot.  Now, I can’t even look at them.  I overindulged.  Over them.

Yet even though these “favorite foods” are what I’m loving right now, most of these items have held secure top 10 spots for many years.  Just thinking about them is making me hungry.

  1. Roasted Beets:  If I could, I would eat beets for every meal.  Though they’re most often tossed in salads, I love eating them with a simple cheese, like mozzarella or goat cheese, with a light drizzle of balsamic vinegar.  DIVINE.
  2. Burrata Mozzarella: This version of Italian mozzarella is the freshest and softest of cheeses.  You haven’t had good (and I mean GOOD) mozzarella until you’ve had burrata.  This cheese really stands on it’s own and goes best with simple dishes like caprese.  Burrata and roasted beets?  Out. Of. This. World.
  3. Roasted Shrimp: Seasoned with a dash of salt and freshly ground pepper and then roasted in the oven for 4 minutes or so, shrimp has the potential to be so succulent and flavorful.  My favorite thing to do with roasted shrimp is wrap them in a corn tortilla and slab it with guacamole.
  4. Olives: There’s nothing better than a bowl of mixed olives (paired with a glass of red wine, of course).  The salty, briney flavor is just incomparable!  My favorites are the green olives but I would never turn down a kalamata or niçoise.
  5. Sautéed Mushrooms: Lately I’ve been adding sautéed mushrooms to every dish possible, from spaghettis to pizzas to omelets.  Usually I sauté them over medium-high heat with extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and a little minced garlic.
  6. Fresh Pasta: Though I never have time to make it on my own, I love going to real authentic Italian restaurants and ordering fresh pasta.  Compared to the store-bought version, fresh noodles are so flavorful and…fresh!
  7. Dutch Gouda: If you didn’t know this already, I’m Dutch.  That means I own a pair of clogs and my diet consists partially of gouda cheese.  I’ve been eating Dutch gouda by the slice for as long as I can remember.  FYI it’s not the same as regular gouda – I believe it’s aged differently than the American version making it 1000 times better.
  8. Tempeh: I’m also part Indonesian and LOVE when my mother concocts her famous Indo recipes, from curries to coconut milk-soaked veggies to shrimp chips.  One of my favorite Indonesian exports is tempeh.  Tempeh is actually a fermented tofu that  has been fried and pressed into a cake form.  The process sounds kind of gross and weird but it’s one of the most delicious (and extremely healthy) foods!
  9. Mangoes: As soon as mango season comes around, you can guarantee that I’ll be stocking up on my most favorite fruit in the world.
  10. Chocolate: Whether it be in cupcake, fudge, mousse, or chip form, I will forever love chocolate.  Though my favorite is dark (at least 70% cacao please), I will really eat anything that has the word “chocolate” in its title.

Just as with the last 2 posts, I want to hear what your favorite foods are!  I’m such a foodie and love discussing any topic relating to food.

[Image via weheartit]

Soho Park

April 8, 2010

Filed Under : EAT

Whenever I travel to New York City, I make sure to block out an entire day for shopping in SoHo.  I just love the stores in this part of the city.  Of course there’s Topshop (which can take an entire day in itself), but there’s also Uniqlo, Madewell, J. Crew Women’s, Acne, A.P.C, Opening Ceremony, I could go on forever but since this is a food-related post, I will digress….

After a morning of excessive damage to the AmEx, the best place to sit down, sort through purchases, and have a delicious lunch is undoubtedly SoHo Park on the corner of Prince and Lafayette.  They have an assortment of sandwiches, burgers, and dogs but the true shiners on the menu are the Belgian fries and Southern Fried Pickles.  Oh did I mention that this eatery is not for the faint of heart?  Literally, beware if you have high cholesterol.  But a little indulgence every now and then never hurts!

{SoHo Charred Chicken Sandwich}

{Smoked Turkey & Portobello Sandwich that I took several bites out of}

{Southern Fried Pickles}

{Hand-Cut Belgian Fries}

{Variety of dipping sauces, front to back: curried mayo, spicy sambal ketchup, basil mayo, black olive mayo, garlic aioli, and another basil mayo}

Day 2 of Cupcakes

March 31, 2010

Filed Under : EAT - RECIPES

After I made my ultra-decadent Strawberry Cupcakes, I wanted to make another version that was a little more healthy.  You’re probably thinking that healthy cupcakes is an oxymoron but I am happy to tell you that it’s not!

I found an amazing recipe in the Flat Belly Diet cookbook (which, by the way, is a REALLY great cookbook) for Lemon Cupcakes with Citrus Icing.  Not only are these cupcakes very healthy, they are also extremely moist and delicious.

The lemon cake, though comprised of fresh-squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, and lemon extract, is surprisingly not too tart or sweet.  It literally is the perfect balance of citrus flavors.  On top of that, the icing is made with fresh-squeezed orange juice.  Who knew you could find Vitamin C in a cupcake?

Oh and I can’t believe I forgot to mention the best part: they are SO easy to make.  All you need is a few bowls and a good whisk.  In fact, I just may make them again right now.  I love lemony, citrus flavors this time of year.

Day 1 of Cupcakes

March 30, 2010

Filed Under : EAT - RECIPES

The other day, I went on a cupcake rampage.  I baked the entire day and ended up with two different cupcakes and two different frostings.  Today, I’m going to show you my Strawberry Cupcakes and tomorrow I’ll do the Lemon Cupcakes with Citrus Icing.

First of all, these are Martha Stewart cupcakes and I don’t know about you, but I’m intimidated by anything Martha Stewart-related, whether it be her baking skills, crafting expertise, or just her all-around bad-assness.

I was nervous to make these cupcakes and needless to say, they were quite a challenge.  Both the cake and the frosting are meringue-based and that means very precise egg-white beating in a stand mixer.

But when all was said and done, they were so delicious!  The white cake was decadent, yet light at the same time.  And the Strawberry Meringue Buttercream?  Otherworldly.  Topped off with fresh strawberries and blueberries, these Strawberry cupcakes are the perfect springtime treat!