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November 4, 2017

Acorn Squash Almond Crumble

It’s November already?! Wellll then I guess it’s safe to say we are in autumn-mode, the holiday season, whatever you want to call it. I have kind of been in denial and just trying to milk summer for as long as possible, but I’m not so sure that will last much longer, cuz ya know, its dropping to 68 degrees in San Diego #brrrr. The only indications of Fall in my life are the occasional Fall Latte (made with a squash puree at my fave coffee shop), and today’s recipe. Like, I can’t even get behind a pumpkin yet… so what is the equivalent of Scrooge for Fall??? Because that’s me lately haha.

Am I the only one thats just not ready and in the mood to throw on a scarf and light a clove and apple cobbler candle?!

Anywayyyy, because I have been feeling “meh” about pumpkin-flavored-everything this year, I decided to switch it up to prove to myself (and maybe you, too) that there are other fab winter vegetables out there that deserve some love. Is there another hearty orange squash out there that can stand up to savory recipes and desserts? YES!! (hint, hint: its acorn squash).

Acorn squash and pumpkin have very similar textures and flavors, which makes them pretty much interchangeable in my opinion. Nutritionally speaking, acorn squash is a great source of carotenoids like beta-carotene, (combatting free radicals, healthy skin turnover). You will also get a dose of vitamin C (glow-y skin), potassium (great for blood pressure regulation), and fiber. So, yes, you could say this dessert is good for you.

Let me talk to you about the crumble part. As someone who dabbles in making their own almond milk, I always run into the problem of wondering what to do with the “meat” part that is left over in the nut milk bag. I’ve used it as a squash blossom filling in the summer, mixed it with pasta sauce and greens and pretended it was pasta (ya, for real lol #lazy), but today we have a gem, ladies and gents!

Use that almond meat for all your crumbly topping goodness! It adds a dose of healthy fats, a slightly nutty flavor, and it just feels good not to throw away all of the “extra” almond away. If you don’t have almond meal on hand, you could try store-bought dried almond meal, but I can’t vouch for the results. You will definitely have to add more liquid to get the consistency right.

But do try making your own almond milk at least once. It is simple, tastes amazing, and you just feel like a boss. It could be a cool party trick- impress your less culinarily talented friends! Or just win major brownie points this season and whip out these little individual crumbles at your holiday gatherings. This would be Friendsgiving gold, just sayinnnn.

Acorn Squash Almond Crumble

Makes 4 ramekins

For the filling:

1 acorn squash, halved

1/4 cup almond milk (or other non-dairy milk of choice)

2 tablespoons maple syrup

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

For the crumble:

2/3 cup almond meal from making homemade almond milk

1 tablespoon coconut sugar

2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted

Dash of salt

Almond butter, for topping (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place acorn squash face-up in a roasting pan. Roast until soft, about 40 minutes. Once the acorn squash is cool enough to hold, scoop the flesh out with a spoon. In a blender, combine squash with almond milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Blend until smooth. In a bowl, combine almond meal, coconut sugar, coconut oil, and salt in a bowl. It should come together like a crumbly sand texture. Into oiled ramekins, scoop acorn squash mixture in equally, about 2/3 of the way up. Top with a heaping spoonful of the almond meal mixture. Bake on middle rack for 15-18 minutes, or until the top is a light golden color. Drizzle with almond butter, if desired.

Are you team pumpkin? Give acorn squash a try and see what you think! I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Homework, beach walks, and gym time are on the radar for me, but what else is new? Would love to know what you’re up to!

XO,

Alexandra

October 21, 2017

Nobu + Hara Hachi Bu

This isn’t the first time I have gushed over my love of sushi on the blog. Some throwback posts here and here if you’re feeling nostalgic. Sushi has been my favorite food for as long as I can remember. In recent years it has been all about the sashimi. (I will have rice every now and then, but it’s easy to request rice-free rolls if you’re looking to keep your carbs in check and keep your sushi order on the lighter side). I loooove me some salmon sashimi or a poke bowl, salad-style: packed with greens, ginger, seaweed salad, avocado, and any other veggies I’m feeling. I could live off that stuff.

Now if there were ever a boujee place to hit up for some sushi, it would be Nobu. I dined at the one in Newport Beach with my mama for our favorite pastime- Ladies Lunch hehe. Highly recommend for the scenery- it’s right on the harbor, and you get to watch the yachts pull in and out #goals. It’s nestled in THE cutest boutique shopping mall called Lido Marina Village. So get your sushi fix, then get your shop on. (My insider tip is to go to Jenni Kayne, Clare V, Jolie, then grab a pick-me-up at Honor Coffee Roasters.)

The Nobu restaurants around the world boast a long list of awards to the highest degree- there are even a few Michelin Stars in the mix (San Diego’s Nobu has one!!) Chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa was born and raised in Japan, gathering his experience and artful training in Tokyo, Peru, and Argentina. The around-the-world flair is evident in the flavor and style of the menu. Nobu showcases the best of traditional sushi with a nod to the inventive fusion side of culinary artistry.

It really doesn’t get any better, in my opinion. Let’s get to the food, shall we?

My fave veggie as of late has been shishito peppers. I like to think of them as the Russian Roulette pepper. Overall, they tend to be pretty mild, but every now and then you get a HOT one that just hits ya with the spice. They are so easy to make at home- quickly blistered with a drizzle of avocado oil and a sprinkle of salt- but ordering them Nobu-Style as an app will get you the peppers served grilled with a sweet miso glaze. Heaven.

Chilled Lobster with Avocado

Now as much as I love a descriptive photo stream of sushi, I did want to discuss a very relevant topic that I conveniently have been studying in school quite a bit as of late: The centuries-old Japanese concept of Hara Hachi Bu. (Not gonna say I’m an expert, BUT I have read books, articles, and given presentations on the matter, sooo… 😉 )

Salmon wrapped around Nashi Pear

My discovery of the concept of Hara Hachi Bu started with researching the Blue Zones- areas of the world that have an unusually high number of centenarians (people who live to 100+ years!!) Let’s take a little trip to Okinawa, Japan. Think of Okinawa as the Hawaii of Japan; it’s lush, green, and tropical. Okinawa happens to be the place in the world that has THE highest percentage of centenarians (5 per 10,000 people.)

Fresh Uni with Quail Egg- a personal fave delicacy not to be missed.

Researchers have dedicated their careers to tapping into the so-called fountain of youth, trying to figure out what makes these people live so long. Is it something they eat, something in their environment, their outlook on life, exercise, genetics, or something else? Turns out, ultimately, it’s a combination of all of these things. The Okinawan centenarians wake up with a purpose (their ikigai), they have a close social group (their moai), they get outside and garden, and among other things, they have a richly plant-based and vegetable-heavy diet. Purple sweet potatoes, bitter melon, and small amounts of fish mark some of the staples of the diet.

Tuna Tosazu with Crispy Red Onion, Truffle Oil, and Artichoke

So where does this “hara hachi bu” thing come into play?? Every time they eat! It roughly translates to “eat until you are eight tenths full”. So essentially, eat to 80% fullness. The Okinawans take this practice very seriously, and literally say it OUT LOUD before they eat. It’s genius because it’s a reminder to pause, be conscious of your food (not just mindlessly shoveling), and pay attention to your hunger cues. It takes about 20 minutes for our bodies to send all the signals to let us know we are full, so by following the 80% rule, you can be sure you will never overeat or feel overstuffed. Just perfectly satisfied, listening to your body- Mindful Eating at its core.

Live Abalone

So let’s take a note from the 100+ club of Okinawa and be more mindful of how much we eat (major challenge with the holidays coming up, but totally worth tapping into). Try it for yourself- I’ve been hara hachi bu-ing a lot lately, and I have to say, it’s brought a lot more attention to my eating in the best way, since I can be an “overstuffer” at times haha. Have you heard of hara hachi bu before? I would love to know what you think if you give it a try!

Have a great week!

XO,

Alexandra

October 15, 2017

K-Beauty on a Budget

Hi! I wanted to do a little quickie informative post on some skincare products I have been loving lately…from CVS of all places! I know, I know CVS isn’t as classy or cool as my fave Sephora, BUT, they have recently started featuring a really trendy Korean-Beauty section, and it is just slaying the game in the world of beauty products (and on a budget, I might add). Just goes to show that not all of the most effective products have to cost your whole paycheck. #babeonabudget

Have you dabbled in the world of K-Beauty? As a skincare obsessee, I’ve got a sheet mask for every day of the week! Korean beauty, aka K-Beauty, has been getting major hype in America for the past few years. (And honestly, it’s a trend I don’t see going away anytime soon!) If you’re not familiar, K-beauty refers to all the skincare and makeup products hailing from South Korea. They combine the best of innovative skincare technology while also paying attention to use of natural and plant-based ingredients. Plus, the products are guaranteeeed to be the cutest and most easy to recognize on the shelf- they are known for their colorful packaging and cute little cartoon shapes and graphics.

Most of the products I get are focused on acne-prone skin, calming inflammation, brightening skin tone, reducing hyper pigmentation, and a little preventative anti-aging on the side. (LOL is that everything?!) The K-Beauty section in CVS came throuuuugh, and they have a lil something for everyone. Here are some of my current faves in rotation.

Peach Slices shrink pores mask, 7 days lemon mask, 7 days aloe mask

Sheet masks are so only fun and easy to use. The fun part is that you look super creepy wearing the mask over your face (not a cute look, but maybe good for Halloween?) The easy part is that there is no mess like there is with a traditional face mask- you just throw the sheet over your face, wait 15-20 minutes, then boom, throw it away. No washing, no rinsing, no scrubbing little green flecks off your face in the sink. Whatever gel or essence is left on the skin can just be patted in for your skin to absorb the ingredients. Very efficient.

I do have a confession… I don’t really listen to the directions on the mask, so you can either do as I do, or don’t haha. I wear my sheet mask overnight. WHY you ask???

Ya wake up looking fancy fresh. Just think about it- having the mask on while you sleep, not only is your skin doing its reparative thing, but all those active hydrating, restorative, clarifying ingredients are seeping in as much as humanly possible.

The mask eventually falls off when it dries and you roll around in the night, which makes for a great scavenger hunt in the morning. I don’t find socks stuffed at the bottom of my blankets, just sheet masks haha. I do the overnight masking when my skin reaaaally needs help. Makes such a difference.

Peach Slices Acne Dots

These are the holy grail for pimples!!! They are little transparent stickers you put on pimples overnight, and when you wake up, you take em off, and the pimple is either significantly smaller or even completely healed! I have been super impressed by these time and time again. They are especially miraculous for those pimples that you just had to pop. NOT saying it’s good to do that, but we can’t all resist the urge every time.

A tip from an ex-popper (though I’m not immune to relapse): Before I go in to pick at anything on my face, I put a sticker over it. Not only is it preventing me from doing something I will regret, it helps the pimple to go away. Like caution tape for your face.

Lazy & Easy Holika Holika Smooth Egg Skin Peeling Gel

This one is a bit of curve ball. It is adorable AF and that was the main reason it caught my eye. Nothing on the product is in English, except the very non-specific instructions, so I had to do some googling to get the scoop. It’s an egg gel that you use twice a week. According to the company, the eggs are from Jiri Mountain, the second tallest mountain in South Korea. I couldn’t find any reason as to why the eggs are special here, but it’s nice to know where your eggs are sourced from, I suppose. Just trust in the power of the magic mountain eggs!

Basically it is a gel/mask/exfoliating hybrid. You put it on after cleansing and drying, and as you rub it in circular motions, it literally lifts off the dead skin cells, which is both kinda gross and satisfying. Wash it off, and your skin feels smooth and looks brighter. I have seen an improvement in my post-acne hyperpigmentation from using this guy. The egg proteins help to tighten skin, lessen whiteheads and blackheads, and there is also lemon and orange extracts that help brighten the skin. There are no bad days when you start your morning with a smiley egg, am I right?

Have you peeped the CVS K-Beauty section? What are some of your faves? Always love to hear a product recommendation! Have a fabulous week!!

XO,

Alexandra

September 1, 2017

Lentil+ Fig+Chopped Veggie Salad

Happy Labor Day! Hopefully a weekend full of picnicking under the summer sun is on the horizon for you! I loooove an excuse to eat outdoors. We are going through a major heat wave in SoCal right now, and the last thing I want to do is make any food that requires the kitchen to heat up. And quite frankly, not having AC in my home is an easy cop-out reason for me to spend all day at the beach or pool. #silverlining

So what’s a girl to do when she wants some good eats but can’t take the heat? Enter the clean-out-the-fridge-salad party. You know how it goes. Standing there in the kitchen, taking inventory over the random assortment of perishable food, wondering what to make. Cursing the day you went to the grocery store on an empty stomach and decided to buy *all the things*.

I get overzealous at the store sometimes, buying ingredients on a whim, hoping to experiment with them and make some new recipe. But then life gets more complicated and full, and you find yourself with a bundle of food from last week’s Meal Prep Day: beets, some lentils, and a few good and ripe figs. Cue inner monologue where you wonder what would happen if you just threw it all together and called it a day. #relatable

On this particular occasion, the “throw it all in a bowl” technique paid off and produced this magical salad. For the purpose of avoiding a long, complex recipe title, we’re sticking with Lentil+Fig Chopped Veggie Salad. Lentils and figs, I would say, are the highlight of this salad. The “chopped veggies” portion is where your creativity (or the “hey I forgot about that bunch of radishes” resourcefulness) comes into play.

Feel free to use whatever fruits/ vegetables you have on hand. Roasted cauliflower, asparagus, carrots, blackberries, apples, whatchu got? If you can chop it and toss it, it will probably work fabulously in this salad. It’s just a fun, easy way to use up your produce and make sure it doesn’t go to waste. Ya feel?

And because I’m boujee, I can imagine taking this salad in a little bento box for lunch along the Seine in Paris. It has major French vibes. Simple, light, and full of flavor from the fresh ingredients themselves. A touch of tangy mustard and olive oil dressing to top it all off, and this salad is ready to carry you all the way through the end of the summer.

Real quick though, let’s talk lentils- I feel like they are quite under-appreciated. High fiber, a good source of protein, folic acid, and iron, to name a few nutrients. They are a fab source of many minerals, too- copper, molybdenum, phosphorus, manganese… all packaged in a nice little legume! Lentils are so much more than an ingredient in a soup; they are a nutrition powerhouse and are an idealllll addition to a salad.

To make the salad even more filling as a stand-alone meal, a protein like hardboiled eggs, tuna, or salmon would be perfect to round out the dish. Spread out the picnic blanket, open the chilled rosé, and serve up this tres chic, no-fail salad.

Lentil+ Fig+Chopped Veggie Salad

Serves 4

For the salad:

6 cups greens (I used a mix of arugula, spinach, and swiss chard)

1 cup cooked lentils

1 cup cooked beets

1 cup figs, halved

1 cup chopped sweet peppers

1 cup chopped heirloom tomato

Sesame seeds and hemp seeds, for garnish

For the dressing:

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

4 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon mustard

In a large salad bowl, combine greens, lentils, beets, figs, sweet peppers, and tomato, tossing gently. to make the dressing, combine all ingredients in a small bowl, whisking until emulsified. Pour dressing over salad and toss again. To serve, sprinkle sesame seeds and hemp seeds over the salad for garnish (and some extra nutrition!) Bon appetit!

How are you spending Labor Day Weekend? My plan is to spend time outside with good friends and good food. Simple, but so meaningful. Have a fab weekend!

XO,

Alexandra

August 24, 2017

Cafe+Coffee Shop Guide, San Diego

Sitting here sipping a homemade latte cuz #bae-rista for life. If you follow me on Instagram, you know I recently got a Breville espresso machine, and I’m obsessed with it!

But let’s back up a second- I have not always been a coffee drinker. It has only been in the last year and a half that I have reallllly started drinking coffee. I would say it has become a daily delight for me in the past 4 months. It started as a once a week thing during my dietetic internship (tbh staying awake at a desk in the basement of a hospital is no joke). Then it gradually became a more frequent thing as I fell in love with the coffee/espresso/barista culture. I love the taste of good coffee/espresso, and holding a nice warm cup feels like a little endorphin rush. Perfectly foamed milk? I melt.

Yes, I appreciate the caffeine boost in my busy student/work/social life schedule, but honestly, I love the experience of going to a cafe or coffee shop, mingling with locals and friends, and enjoying a perfectly crafted latte. Which brings me to the point of this post- a list of all the places where I love to get my fix in San Diego. I have had plenty of time to venture San Diego in the quest for my favorite latte (and I have found it!). Beyond my favorite latte, there are also some serious gems in San Diego that are fun to hit up for a change of scenery and when you are feeling like treating yo’self to that coffee shop lyfe.

These are some of my favorite places to get my cafe-vibes on. I break down the highlights of each place so you know where to go, whether you need to study or get some avocado toast with your latte. You’re welcome.

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters

DH has three locations throughout San Diego: Normal Heights, Golden Hill, and North Park. They make a mean matcha latte as well as a regular latte. An added bonus and my personal favorite reason to go to Dark Horse- Skinny Donuts. This local doughnut company makes the BEST vegan doughnuts, which Dark Horse so kindly sells. Get the “stack” and order a doughnut to top your bevvie. Can’t go wrong with chocolate or vanilla, but they have more adventurous flavors like cherry pie and pink lemonade.

If you are looking to hang out for a bit and get some studying done, head to the Golden Hill location. They have a rad outdoor courtyard that’s fun to hang out in and stays relatively quiet amongst the hustle and bustle of the busy coffee shop.

Holy Matcha

Literally can’t put enough heart eye emojis to describe this place. It’s pink, trendy, and everything on the menu is matcha perfection. There is no coffee here- it’s strictly San Diego’s premiere matcha cafe. Everything is vegan, too! Iced lattes, ceremonial matcha, matcha doughnuts, avocado toast, matcha lemonade, the list goes on. It’s also an instagrammer’s paradise- I went to the opening, and they had this gorgeous live flower wall. Does it get any dreamier?!

Holy Matcha recently debuted a vegan matcha soft-serve that is to die for! Holy Matcha is constantly pumping out new creations, so you can be sure every time you stop by, there will be some beautiful new creation on the menu. Seating is pretty limited, so if its busy, order all the matcha things, take some fancy pics, and walk around North Park exploring the cool shops.

Holsem Coffee

Another North Park stop with some fun specialty coffee drinks. Coffee and non-coffee drinker alike can find something here. Matcha lattes (obvi a go-to) and some crazy-good cold brew infusions- think banana bread, lemon meringue, and gingerbread- set Holsem apart. Feeling a hot drink? Try a Lavender Latte or the La Vie En Rose- a cappuccino with rose petals, cardamom, and rosewater.

If you need a snack, try the coconut chia seed pudding or the ever-popular avocado toast.

Communal Coffee

Technically still in North Park…what is up with me and North Park? I somehow always end up in this area, and for good reason. They do cafes and coffee shops very well!! Communal Coffee shares a space with Native Poppy, the cutest specialty flower shop where you can make your own bouquets or pick up cute little whimsical gifts. Coffee and flowers? Yes, please! Communal has a fabulous range of standard coffee and espresso beverages, with some nice floral nods- lavender and rose both make an appearance in latte form.

And no coffee shop on my list would be complete without avocado toast! If you are feeling something sweet, the lavender honey toast with goat cheese is also quite dreamy. Stay a while to study or catch up with friends- they have plenty of seating both indoors and out, though it does fill up during coffee rush times and weekends.

Lofty Coffee

Did I save the best for last? In my opinion, yes…yes I did! Lofty has a special place in my heart where all of my obsessions live. It is the reason I got an espresso machine in the first place. I was, ahem, spending tooooo much money here. They make my absolute favorite latte in all the land. Is it the beans? Is it the housemate almond milk? Perhaps it’s both, perhaps it’s pure magic.

They have 3 locations around SD: Encinitas, Solana Beach, and Little Italy. You can find me frequenting the Solana Beach location chatting up my barista besties. I LOOOOOVE the almond milk latte (hot or iced), but they also have a killer fresh-made-daily, from-scratch zucchini muffin and yep, you guessed it- avocado toast! This is my happy place haha. I have limited myself to going here about once every 7-10 days, which makes it seem more special. There is great outdoor seating, which is ideal for both studying and people watching. In my eyes, Lofty can do no wrong. Except close at 6 pm haha. I would love to have 24 hour access, thank you very much!

Are there any places in San Diego I need to check out? I would love any recommendations! In the meantime, I will be in my own kitchen, brewing up a homemade latte and perfecting my bae-rista skills.

Have a fab weekend!

XO,

Alexandra

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