Party

Happy (Belated) Easter!

April 6, 2015

  IMG_4786

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend… my family and I certainly did!

IMG_4728

IMG_1312

IMG_1300

Our tablescape was inspired by a rustic garden… so we combined organic elements of deer antlers, moss covered eggs and jewel toned flowers to create an inviting atmosphere.

IMG_1411

IMG_1400

IMG_1347

IMG_1398

My sisters were in charge of a delicious brunch, but I put together a fun Easter dinner menu that tried to incorporate some of our favorite classics as well as some fun new additions.

IMG_1349

Easter Menu

Fennel & Grapefruit Cocktail 

Beet Pickled Quail Eggs

Prosciutto, Cambozola and Melon

Pear, Walnut & Ricotta Crostini with Drizzled Honey

Kale Brussel Sprout Salad

Burrata, Mango, Blackberry & Arugula Salad with Sesame Candy 

Ham with Meyer Lemon Glaze 

Mom’s Famous Mashed Potatoes 

Roasted Citrus Thyme Ombre Carrots c

Raw Triple Berry Tart

IMG_1345

IMG_1336

IMG_1343

IMG_1457

IMG_1426

IMG_1318

Raw Vegan Tart

IMG_1382

IMG_1475

IMG_1487

 

IMG_4782

Easter Brunch

Sip

Cucumber Grapefruit Spritzer

April 3, 2015

IMG_9869

 I love a great year-round cocktail and this one fits the bill! Super refreshing and delicious this is an easy drink to whip up, no matter the occasion.

IMG_9866

Cucumber Grapefruit Spritzer

  • 2 Persian cucumbers
  • 1 grapefruit
  • 2 oz gin
  • ginger beer
  1. Muddle 1/2 sliced cucumber in the bottom of a cocktail shaker.
  2. Add juice of 1 grapefruit (reserving a wedge for garnish).
  3. Add ice and shake for 20 seconds.
  4. Strain into an ice filled glass.
  5. Add gin and top with ginger beer.
  6. Stir and garnish with grapefruit wedge and cucumber spears.

IMG_9877

IMG_9889

IMG_9885

IMG_9872

Tasty

Barre3 Bars

April 1, 2015

IMG_0616

I’ve done my fair share of spreading the Barre3 love on this site (sorry!), but these bars are one of those things that are so engrossed in my daily routine, I forgot they are worth sharing.  My favorite baker buds joined in to to make these yummy treats and spread the word…  So prep your food processors because this recipe is about to be a staple in your home too!

IMG_0545

Barre3 Energy “Barres”

  • 6 dates, pitted
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup sunflower or almond butter
  • 1/4 cup goji berries (or raisins or dried fruit)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 1/4 cup ground flax seed
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • a heavy pinch of sea salt
  • 1 cup almonds
  • handful of cacao nibs or dark chocolate chips
  • Other: chia seeds, hemp seeds, Maca powder, oats
  1. Pulse pitted dates, coconut oil and seed/nut butter in a food processor until blended.
  2. Add dried fruit, coconut, ground flax, cinnamon, and salt and blend until mixture is incorporated (may still be a bit chunky).
  3. Add almonds and chocolate and continue blending until mixture looks like cookie dough.
  4. Transfer “dough” to a baking pan (nothing larger than an 8×8 or the bars will be too thin) and use the bottom of a cup to press down mixture until evenly flattened.
  5. Store in the freezer for an hour or so until hardened.
  6. Cut bars into individual portions and wrap in plastic wrap.
  7. Continue storing in freezer for an easy on the go snack (they will fall apart otherwise)!
  IMG_0561
IMG_0573
IMG_0579
IMG_0588
IMG_0583
IMG_0594
IMG_0605
IMG_0613
Uncategorized

Hawaii Recap 2015

March 31, 2015

IMG_1046

This year was one of our favorite trips yet… the past couple of years we have gone out of our comfortable “tan/swim/read 500 books” rut and spent a few days devoted to exploring the island (thus only remaining in a “tan/swim/read 300 book” rut).  I wanted to share some of our favorite pictures from our trip and include a few of our fun day trip agendas  🙂 aloha!

IMG_0944

IMG_0761

Wailea Day:

  • Go to Big Beach for a fun day in the sun
  • Grab JAWZ tacos for lunch
  • Freshen up and grab drinks/dinner and the sunset at Ka’ana Kitchen (be sure to get the fried chicken, abalone risotto, and the tuna tataki with burrata) at the Andaz hotel

Z Hawaii 5

 

Z Hawaii 4

DCIM100GOPRO

Z Hawaii 3

Z Hawaii 2

Z Hawaii 1

IMG_0739

Z Hawaii 6

Maui Andaz

Z Hawaii 7

IMG_0729

Z Hawaii 9

Paia Day:

  • Grab fish tacos (or the Mahi Mahi sandwich) at the Paia Fish Market (get there at 11am to avoid long lines)
  • Head over to Rock and Brews for Pina Coladas
  • Drive down the road to Ho’okipa beach for awesome turtle and windsurfer sightings (bring your own towel/they have warm water showers too!)
  • Grab Tobi’s for snow cones and poke on your way back into town
  • Get back in the car and head to Makawao.  It is an old rodeo town with super cute shops and a infamous bakery – Komoda bakery (be sure to get their butter rolls and glazed donut holes – and be sure to get there before 4pm!)
  • Continue the drive to Hali’imaile to enjoy dinner at the General Store (we loved the Sashimi Napoleon, Ombre Tomato Burrata salad, Goat Cheese Panna Cotta, and the Horseradish Crusted Opakapaka). If you get there early (as we did, be sure to check out the glassblowing facility across the street for a real live demonstration, or the distillery for some spirit tasting).
  • Grab pies from Leoda’s on your way home

Z Hawaii 11

Z Hawaii 13

Z Hawaii 12

 

Z Hawaii 16

DCIM100GOPRO

DCIM100GOPRO

Z Hawaii 15

Z Hawaii 17

Z Hawaii 18

Z Hawaii 19

Z Hawaii 21

Z Hawaii 22

Z Hawaii 26

Z Hawaii 23

Z Hawaii 24

Z Hawaii 25

Pacific Ocean/Lahaina Day:

  • Go on the Hula Girl (always.)
  • The boat leaves at 9:15 and gets back around 2:30ish… we usually are “sunned out” by then and head back to the hotel to get ready.
  • We grabbed happy hour at Fleetwood’s (half of cocktails from 2-5pm) and then enjoyed their $1 oysters (from 5-6pm).
  • Dinner was at Leoda’s (our favorite “hole in the wall” spot) – be sure to get the fried salad, pastrami sandwich and Lahaina dog.

Maui

Maui

IMG_0818

DCIM100GOPRO

Maui

DCIM100GOPRO

IMG_0849

DCIM100GOPRO

 

Z Hawaii 27

DCIM100GOPRO

IMG_0936

IMG_0870

Maui

IMG_0888

Z Hawaii 28

Maui

IMG_1109

Z Hawaii 29

IMG_1028

IMG_4245

IMG_4276

Until next time… Mahalo!

IMG_0946

For more Hawaii posts click here, here, here,  and here!

Sip

Cherry Pop

March 20, 2015

IMG_0149

One of my awesome coworkers – Eddie, gifted J & I the amazing PDT Cocktail Book for Christmas this past year, and I’ve been eager to dive into it.  A cocktail that initially stood out, was the delicious – Cherry Pop, that I had to share with you all!

IMG_0120

IMG_0142

IMG_0148

IMG_0160

Cherry Pop 

  • 2 oz Plymouth Gin
  • 1 oz lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
  • splash of agave nectar or simple syrup
  • 4 pitted cherries
  1. Muddle 3 cherries with a splash of sweetener in the bottom of a cocktail shaker.
  2. Add gin, lemon juice, Luxardo liqueur and ice, and shake until icy and combined.
  3. Strain into an ice filled low ball glass and garnish with a cherry.

IMG_0166