Chanoyu: The way of the Tea

After writing an 8 page paper on Japanese Tea ceremonies I have decided to incorporate the way of the tea (Chanoyu) into my life. =] There are 3 types of teas; Whipped, Boiled, and Steeped. The whipped tea is made from tea powder and is often stirred with milk to make a latte consistency. Japanese Green Powder Tea is also known as Matcha. Boiled tea and Steeped tea both use either loose tea or tea bags. I picked these up from Whole Foods:

White tea with rose. A loose tea you can steep with a Tea ball. It has a very delicate and light flavor.

 *white teas pack the most antioxidants* 

Powdered Green Tea. This has a very rich, creamy, earthy flavor... (add a lot of honey if you have a sugary palet). Rishi brand sells them in individual packets. You can pour them into a water bottle for instant Green Tea on-the-go or you can whisk (whip) the powder into hot milk and cream with a little bit of honey. (A simple whipped green tea)

My long-time favorite: Chai tea. Chai Tea is usually a mixture of black tea with great spices like clove and cinnamon. The clove flavor is deliciously detectable. Publix sells pre-made Chai Tea that you can mix directly with milk. I prefer to mix it with almond milk. Just use equal parts milk and Chai. (serve hot or pour over ice to serve cold)

Drink tea to the sounds of Bonobo <3

Videos: a MUST see

I'm already a huge advocate for health, vegetarianism, and organic produce but after seeing these I'm definitely a lot more educated. check it out, let me know what you think. (these are just the trailers)

 

Fun with a Food processor

I FINALLY got a new food processor! Ever since my dad started his garden I realized so many fresh things I wanted to make all required high speed blending. Here's what I made today:

Fresh hummus dip with capers!

you'll need:

• 1 can organic garbanzo beans (rinsed and drained)
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/3 cup capers
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• salt & pepper to taste

*You just have to blend them all together. For those of you who have never used a food processor (like me) I learned today that you need to put the liquid first with the hardest ingredients. In this case, blend the garlic, olive oil, and pine nuts first. Next, slowly add the beans, capers, and lemon juice. You might have to add a little more olive oil depending on what kind of consistency you like. If this recipe doesn't suit you, just google one you might like (traditional hummus calls for tahini but since i didn't have any, i just made this version instead) 

Basil Pesto sauce!

My dad planted basil and it grows like wild fire, it's wonderful! you'll need:

• 2 cups packed basil leaves
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 fresh grated pecorino romano (or parmesan)
• 2 cloves garlic

Personally, I like the pecorino more than parmesan because it has such a light fruity flavor that goes so well with the olive oil. Parmesan cheese has a nuttier savory flavor that also pairs well with the pine nuts so it's up to you which you prefer, but they're very very similar.

Then just poor the sauce over cooked pasta, add a little sun-dried tomatoes.

Although this sauce is a lot healthier than most tomatoes sauces and all creamy, cheesy sauces you definitely want to be aware of the olive oil. Also, if you want to make it more nutritious and just as delicious; use 1 cup of spinach leaves and 1 cup of basil. You won't even taste the difference =]

Here are the sun-dried tomatoes i love- very quick and easy!

Brand: California Sun Dry

Neutrogena Naturals

Finally got my hands on Neutrogena's new Naturals line. These are their go-green products that have 100% natural ingredients with no harsh chemicals. I got the purifying pore scrub and purifying gentle cleanser. I must say the cleanser is a no bullshit face wash. There's no fancy, floral fragrance so it smells pretty strong. It actually smells like strong cleaning fluid but don't let it fool you. It left my skin feeling tight and soft. The scrub is my absolut favorite too. It smells a little sweeter and the jojoba beads (a natural exfoliant) are so soft you could use this scrub several times a day without causing any irritation. Last but definitely not least, I picked up origins white tea skin guardian from their A Perfect World line. I LOVE origins products but they're pretty expensive, but i found the skin guardian at Nordstrom Rack for $24. (regularly $50) and WOW. This is by FAR my new favorite product. It has a soft white tea smell with a hint of ginger that gives your skin this tiny invigorating tingle. It's kind of like a moisturizer but it has the consistency of a makeup primer. It's really thick but goes on like velvet. Your skin immediately soaks it up without looking greasy at all.It doesn't feel like you've caked your face with primer but rather gave your skin this hydrating velvet shield to protect your skin from harsh elements all day. The white tea also packs a lot of antioxidants to keep your skin from the outdoor free radicals. 

Greek Spinach Feta Veggie Burgers

So I took a closer look at the ingredients of the morning star burgers and obviously I found some MSG (i'll tell you all about that below) and a trace of trans fats =/ I figured something that tasty would be processed so I found an old recipe I had for a different kind of veggie burger with lots of taste and freshness. 

 You'll need:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 clove of garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried dillweed
• 1 cup herb-seasoned stuffing mix
• 2 eggs lightly beaten
• 1 10 oz packaged of frozen chopped spinach (thawed and well drained)
• 1/2 cup feta cheese
• arnold's whole wheat rounds
• tzatziki sauce (check older posts)

Mix together the dry ingredients to the season mix, stir in the eggs and spinach. Mix well and shape into 1/2 in thick patties. Add the patties to a griddle or non-stick pan over medium heat and cook until browned and heated through.

Top with tzatziki and red onion! =]

Ok.. so all about MSG or Monosodium Glutamate. It's an additive just like high fructose corn syrup that a lot of people speculate to have a significant impact on your health. Essentially it is believed that the msg additive actually triggers your brain to consume more food and actually foods with a lot of MSG. kind of like nicotene, eventually you start to crave it. So two major concerns according to MSGTruth.org

1. MSG stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin. You see, MSG stimulates the pancreas to release insulin into the blood stream even when there are not any carbohydrates in the dish for the insulin to act on. Your blood sugar ends up dropping because of this flood of insulin, and then you end up hungry again an hour or so later. 
2. MSG tricks your body into thinking that the food you are eating is nutritious, even if it is not. The reason for this is that your taste buds detect the free glutamic acid that is in MSG. In “taste bud language”, this translates to “hey, there’s protein in this food I’m tasting!”. Therefore, your brain gets the signal that the food you are eating is actually nutritious, while more than likely, it is not.

Now I wouldn't go getting too paranoid if I were you. It just depends how much of a health nut you are but feel free to research it a bit more. And if you haven't already, watch the documentary FOOD.inc

also.. click HERE for the "hidden" names for MSG on the ingredient label 

Today's best meal: veggie burger

I made some whole wheat pasta with a pecorino romano cream sauce and added broccoli to the mix. It's just like making the parmesan cream sauce (check older posts) except with pecorino, which is like parmesan's fruitier, lighter cousin. Adding broccoli is a great way to get in your serving of vegetables =]

For dinner I grilled one of the morning star burgers (just in a pan with nothing added) and sandwiched it between whole wheat arnold flat rounds. I added some spring mix, spicy brown mustard, and a slice of red onion. It was so crispy and delicious! A great alternative to a regular burger with great flavor at a total of 270 calories and 10 g of fat (excluding spring mix and onion slice)

ps. sorry I still havent' blogged much. It's a little time consuming and i've had so much on my plate lately. school, work, finals, and last week was my birthday! I definitely indulged and the best part: my birthday cake or... my version of it ;)

French Macaroons <3

My picks for quick/healthy snacks

ULTRA recap

As I mentioned, I was away on miami beach this weekend for Ultra music festival... wow i completely lost touch with the rest of the world and got lost in the music. Great times and great family. Here are some videos of my FAVORITE sets. I did take some video and pics myself but they're not as great as these (I was having too much fun to avidly use my camera lol)

heard royksopp as i was sitting on a grassy hill feeling the breeze right from the bay behind us <3

wow armin... a state of trance episode 500 (took. me. away...)

ATB opening with a classic <3

and last but not least, the most EPIC closing set i've EVER heard... the chemical brothers

they're so epic i had to post several videos. WOW... Ultra music festival did it again!

me in the Carl cox tent!

Pico de yummo

soooo sorry I haven't blogged in a while I stayed on the beach this past weekend for ULTRA! and with no internet from thursday-monday. I returned to a busy school week and back to an empty fridge but, yesterday I whipped up my favorite recipe of pico de gallo that I got from a friend a few years ago

just mix together:

• 6 plum tomatoes (seeded and diced)
• 1 avocado (diced)
• 2 green onions (chopped)
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp white pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp lime juice

oh, and those tostitos artisan roasted garlic and black bean chips are to DIE for. Not to mention they're 100% whole grain ingredients. natural and delicious =]

this weekend I will be posting my new favorite finds.. stay tuned

Skin saving foods

I haven't been blogging much lately since i've been pretty busy with school, so i'm definitely trying to post more. With that said, here are some of the best foods to eat that promote healthy, radiant, and clear skin! (according to Web MD)

Nuts & seeds: 

Essential fatty acids are responsible for healthy cell membranes, which is not only what act as barriers to harmful things but also as the passageway for nutrients to cross in and out and for waste products to get in and out of the cell," says Ann Yelmokas McDermott, PhD, a nutritionist at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston.

Because it is the cell membrane that also holds water in, the stronger that barrier is the better your cells can hold moisture. And that means plumper, younger looking skin.

Also, says Heller, the same inflammatory process that can harm our arteries and cause heart disease can harm skin cells. Essential fatty acids can offer protection to both.

 The best-known essential fatty acids are omega 3 and omega 6, which must be in balance for good health (and good skin). Though we all seem to get enough omega 6, Heller says many people lack omega 3s. Fish, walnut, and flax seed oil are among the best sources

Black berries & Blue berries:

The common link between these four foods is their high antioxidant content. In a study recently published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, these four fruits weighed in with the highest "total antioxidant capacity" of any food. The benefits of these foods for healthy skin are plentiful.

"Free radicals -- like the kind formed from sun exposure -- damage the membrane of skin cells, potentially allowing damage to the DNA of that cell," says Heller. The antioxidants and other phytochemicals in these fruits can protect the cell, she says, so there is less chance for damage.

"When you help protect the cells from damage and disintegration, you also guard against premature aging. In this respect, these fruits may very well help keep your skin younger looking longer," says Heller.

According to the new study, other fruits and vegetables with a "high antioxidant capacity" include artichokes, beans (the study cited black, red, and pinto), prunes, and pecans.

Low Fat yogurt:

One the most important components of skin health is vitamin A. One of the best places to get it is low-fat dairy products. In fact, experts say that the health of our skin cells is dependent on dietary vitamin A.

Nutrition expert Liz Lipski, PhD, CCN, says it's doubly important to eat A-rich dairy foods if you have either diabetes or a thyroid condition.

"Many people who have these problems can't convert the beta carotene to vitamin A, which is the form found in many foods that we normally associate with this vitamin, such as carrots," says Lipski, the founder and Director of InnovativeHealing.com and the author of Digestive Wellness.

The A in dairy products, she says is "true A," so everyone's skin can use it.

Lipski says low-fat yogurt is not only high in vitamin A, but also acidophilus, the "live" bacteria that is good for intestinal health. Turns out, it may also have an impact on the skin.

"Anything that helps keep digestion normal, any live bacteria or enzymes, is also going to be reflected in healthy-looking skin," says Lipski.

Amazin' Asian

I went to apply at whole foods today (fingers crossed) and I stood infront of this enticing vegetable display. Each of these organic veggies was neatly stacked and thoroughly sprayed* with mist to keep them moist. They were so crisp and fresh I had to get some. So in addition to my regular veggie choices, I got some Bok Choy, assorted crunchy legumes, and cabbage to create a nice asian salad. I was more than pleased with the simplicity and flavors I made. Although Bok Choy and the legume mix have a very strong earthy flavor, the sweet soy dressing I made off set it perfectly. You'll need:

• Bok Choy (about 3 stalks)
• Cabbage (about 4 pieces)
• wasabi peas
• crunchy legume mix (any pre cooked mix works)

Dressing

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/8 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce

Just break off the leafy green part of the Bok Choy, chop, and then chop the cabbage. Add as much of the legumes and peas as you'd like. I used about 1/4 cup of each. Also, for a less intense flavor of wasabi peas: just crush the peas with a mallet for a powder-like consistency. Just whisk together the dressing ingredients, pour over salad mixture and serve.

To make the most of the Bok Choy, I took the white part of the stalk, chopped it, then added it to my veggie fried rice recipe. (check older posts!) The two went perfect together. 

Bok Choy has a leathery texture and earthy flavor.

One cup of shredded bok choy is high in vitamin A, giving you 60 percent of your DV, and vitamin C, from which you get 50 percent of your DV. The same serving of bok choy is lower in the minerals calcium and iron, giving you 8 and 4 percent of your DV, respectively. The Centers for Science in the Public Interest rates bok choy among other vegetable "superstars," partly due to the vegetable's rich vitamin K and beta-carotene content. A cup of raw, shredded bok choy contains 31.9 mcg vitamin K and 1,877 mcg beta-carotene.

It's that time of year again

I CAN'T WAIT FOR ASOT-500 WITH ARMIN VAN BUURNEN, SANDER VAN DOORN, KASKADE, AND OTHERS: LOCO DICE, ERIC MORILLO, DADA LIFE, FEDDE LE GRANDE, BAG RAIDERS AND SOOOO MUCH MORE! :D :D :D

here's what's been on my playlist this week (hoping i'll be hearing these at ULTRA'11)

Veggie Pizza

Pizza is really easy and worth it to make at home from scratch. All you need to do is go to the bakery section of the grocery store and ask for pizza dough (which is really just bread dough) and they usually sell it by the pound- which usually makes about two 7" pizzas. You can add any amount of whichever ingredients you like, it's very flexible. For this veggie pizza i used

• Bertolli tomato & basil sauce
• spinach leaves
• fresh tomatoes
• green pepper
• black olives
• white onion
• fresh mozzarella

It's definitely worth it to get fresh ingredients, you can really taste the difference. So, after you let the dough rise (at room temp) for a couple hours, spread it out till it's about 1/2" thick. Place the toppings as you like and finishes the edges of the crust with some olive oil. Bake at 400 degrees for 24 minutes.  

Cheers to Chobani

This all natural fat-free, cholesterol-free, geletin-free, organic yogurt is so healthy and wholesome. It's a great source of live cultures (any yogurt is) which enables your small intestines to fight off and control any bad bacteria. Chobani has non-fat, low-fat, and regular greek yogurt products. The non-fat yogurt comes in these 10 delicious flavors:

black cherry

lemon

pomegranate

blueberry

strawberry

raspberry

honey

peach

vanilla

and plain

=]

At home facial

It's really easy and rewarding to give yourself an at home facial. I found these steps in an allure article several years ago and i've added some steps on my own. To get started..

You'll need:

• clay mask
• apricot scrub (w/ salicylic acid)
• toner
• skin oil with vitamin E 
• anti-wrinkle night cream
• blemish extractor
• large pot and water
• tea (chamomile is most relaxing)
• orange juice

Step 1) boil some water (enough to make steam) with the tea and add about 1/4 cup of orange juice. The tea will serve as aromatherapy while the vitamin c in the orange juice will invigorate and refresh your skin. As this mixture is coming to soft a boil, massage the apricot scrub into your face and don't wash it off. The salicylic acid in the scrub will open your pores so more dirt and bacteria can be removed.


step 2) Hold your head about a foot above the pot inorder to expose your face to the steam for about 5 minutes.


step 3) rinse your face and pat dry with a towel. Use the blemish extrator to remove any white or black heads (most are usually on your nose) here's a tutorial on how to properly use the extractor

step 4) apply the clay mask (I prefer a mint julep mask) and let sit for about 5 minutes, then rinse and pat dry.


step 5) apply the skin oil to your face and let sit for about 5 minutes. Rinse with warm water.


step 6) clean the rest of the oil from the face using the toner on a cotton ball. then, lastly, apply the night cream.

Veggie Fried Rice

I just found great instant brown rice with quinoa from costco. (4 packs for $7.99) I wanted to make something good with brown rice but wasn't sure what to add. Then I thought of fried rice. After watching the chefs at Samurai cook fried rice on the stoves right at your table a few times, I knew it was pretty easy. This is my healthy version..


you'll need:

• 2 packs of instant brown rice (the one above that already has a great garlic flavor)
• 3 egg whites
• 1/2 medium green bell pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped white onion
• 1/4 broccoli florets
• 9 baby carrots (chopped)
• about 4 tbsp chopped green onion
• 3 tbsp smart balance spread (or butter)
• 3 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium) 

Add the smart balance to saucepan and set the heat to medium low (level 3). Once the spread has melted, add the white onion, green pepper, carrots, and broccoli and sauté until the veggies are soft and a darker green (about 8 min) Then add the egg whites and soy sauce, scrambling the veggies and eggs evenly with a spatula. 

While the veggies are sautéing, cook the instant rice (takes 90 seconds). When the rice is finished, pour into a bowl and add the green onions. Then combine the egg/veggie mixture to the rice, stir and enjoy =]

I love lemons

For lunch I made a spring mix with a lemon/ olive oil dressing. (very simple: just equal parts lemon juice and olive oil) I added some tomatoes, green olives, red onion, and finely chopped raw broccoli - chopping it up and putting it in my salads is the only way I can eat broccoli 

Then, I made the same lentil and quinoa soup as before but piccata style. Usually you'll find this flavor with a chicken piccata dish. You'll need:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 can lentils
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary (chopped)
• 2 med cloves of garlic (minced)
• 3 tbsp capers
• 1.5 cups vegetable stock
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• salt & pepper to taste

In a saucepan, add the olive oil, rosemary, and garlic and raise temperature to medium heat. Allow the garlic and rosemary to simmer a bit (about 5 minutes) then add the chicken stock. Bring to a slow boil then add the quinoa, cooking for about 8 minutes or until the gem of the quinoa emerges.

Reduce the heat to a simmer and add the lentils. Let cook for about 15 minutes on low heat. Then mix in the lemon juice and capers, enjoy =]

No lemons here =[ but I did whip up a small blueberry yogurt parfet. This is great for breakfast or dessert. You'll need:

• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1/2 cup greek yogurt (plain)
• 3 tbsp mascarpone cheese
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• sliced almonds (for garnishing)

Take the blueberries and sugar and mash with a fork till you form a thick consistency.

In a separate container mix the mascarpone, yogurt, and vanilla. Then layer a small whiskey glass with the yogurt then blueberry mixture. Garnish with almonds and enjoy!

Art Walks & Food Trucks

Tonight I went to Miami's Design district in Mid town for the art walk. A bunch of galleries were open to everyone. They offered art, drinks, and good company. In the center of the event were a bunch of gourmet food trucks. I had never eaten food out of a truck before... but it's the greatest ever! 

 The BEST burger I ate came from Michael Schwartz's Genuine Food & Drink. Fresh heirloom tomatoes, vermont cheddar, and bacon.

To find where his truck will be next, follow him on twitter @chefmschwartz

or check his website

His personally made "ass burn sauce" (I didn't try it...because of the name alone) lol

Most INCREDIBLE pork tacos from SakayaKitchen's Dim Ssam a gogo truck

Pretty cool truck.. look for it around miami or follow them on twitter ( @SakayaKitchen)

And for dessert...

DEEP FRIED OREOS.. from Sugar Rush (Sweetness Bake Shop & Café in Kendall)

I know I try to be very healthy, but there's nothing wrong with a little occasional indulgence ;) 

Comfort food

I absolutely love pasta and I was looking for some new way I can add some healthy vegetables. I picked up a bag of sweet baby peppers (orange, yellow, and red) and one green bell pepper. In a saucepan, I sautéed some onion, minced garlic, and small dices of each pepper. I cooked them down at a low heat until they were soft and the onions were transparent. I Although cooking anything reduces the nutrient density of foods, a lot of vegetables are better when cooked. Here's an article by Scientific American.  I added the veggies to pasta with my favorite alfredo sauce by Bertolli. I've tired a few pre-made alfredo sauces and Bertolli's is definitely my favorite. *And a little thing you might not know, a yellow pepper has more vitamin C than a lemon.

Inspired by my friend Andrew, I wanted to make popcorn from kernels in a skillet. It has an all-natural taste with no flavor so that you can add whatever you'd like. I cooked the kernels (1/3 cup) in about 2 tablespoons of olive oil. I poured it in a bowl and seasoned it with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and fresh grated white cheddar cheese- just the way Andrew seasoned it but i added the cheese ;) This is simple, delicious, light and healthy! (Definitely give this a try)