What I Ate: #OwnYourAfter with Drink Après

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Me again. Still wearing stretchy pants all day, every day…but today I am not talking about my love for ALL things spandex (sad face), I am talking about drink APRÈS.

If you are anything like me you have NO problem spending all your hard earned pennies on trendy workout classes + workout gear. I mean it is January. The month where we all reevaluate our lives, decide to work out and give up EVERYTHING.

I spend the majority of my time and dollars at SoulCycle (read about it here) and Barry’s Bootcamp. I throw on my bedazzled workout gear, I sweat my heart out, I Instagram it and then I race home. Once I am home I hit the shower and am immediately on my laptop. Hours go by and I completely forget to eat! And by the time I finally remember to eat it is far too late and I have just wasted an ENTIRE workout.

Insert [APRÈS] -> originally designed to sustain your post-workout glow,  APRÈS is a blend of replenishing ingredients including organic plant proteins, virgin coconut oil, and hydrating coconut water. APRÈS gives back to your body so that you can move forward – now that is a solution to my resolutions for a better 2018!

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And when I don’t completely forget to eat or drink after my work out I spend another $14 on a shake! Yep, $14! So, I’m saying goodbye to the $14 mistake shake after SoulCycle too.

As easy + satisfying as it is to stroll down Union St. in my fancy workout gear after my fancy workout class to snag a fancy smoothie filled with god knows what – it is just not in my cards anymore.

My main resolution for 2018 was to give up food delivery (adios UberEATS + Caviar), but as the year has progressed I have decided to take this resolution to the next level and really make a conscious effort to monitor exactly what is going in my mouth and how I am spending my hard earned dollars.

Insert [APRÈS] -> (again).

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Are you ready to #OwnYourAfter with me and drink APRÈS?

snag one here

What I Ate: The Ritz-Carlton Global Cuisine Series

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A couple of weeks ago I loaded up the Mini Cooper with my girl Katey of The Violet Fog and hit Highway 1 for the gorgeous thirty-five-mile drive from San Francisco to Half Moon Bay. After a quick stop at Sam’s Chowder House, we checked into our stunning room at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay.

Last time I stayed at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay I had a pink cast and a bad attitude (insert sad pink cast blog post here). So needless to say this trip was very different and 100% better!

Now, this wasn’t just a girls weekend in Half Moon Bay, we were there for the “Global Cuisine Series” – an exclusive retreat featuring interactive culinary classes and special tasting menus from renowned chefs. The weekend began with a hands-on cooking class where (spoiler alert) we actually prepared a menu created by the visiting chef {Chef Telmo Faria of Uma Casa} followed by a lunch (featuring the fruits of our labor) along with wine pairings to complement the global destination featured.

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The Global Cusine Series Team

(from left to right)

Telmo Faria // Executive Chef and Founder of Uma Casa, Xavier Salomon // Executive Chef of The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon and me (wannabe Chef for the day).

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When Chef Telmo Faria isn’t holding it down in the kitchen at Uma Casa he also serves as my number one homie…so needless to say this experience was extra special for me. Now, this wasn’t my first time in the kitchen with Telmo – he has let me play ‘sous chef’ from time to time on vacation…aka me drinking and watching him cook in the kitchen, however this time I actually got my hands dirty and learned to make two of my favorite dishes from the Uma Casa menu.

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What was on the menu for the day?

First Course: Pasteis de Bacalhau/Salt Cod and Potato Fritters with Lemon-Cilantro Aioli

Second Course: Carne de Porco Alentejana/Pork and Clam Stew Alentejo Style

Desert Course: Bolo de Laranja/Olive Oil-Citrus Cake with Fresh Berries and Cream

Katey can cook! 

Despite the fact that both Katey and I walked into the kitchen with ZERO cooking skills we managed to not blow up the kitchen at The Ritz and recreate Chef Telmo’s classic Portuguese dishes (more or less).

Check out Katey’s badass quenelle skills (I didn’t even try). She managed to create the perfect ‘football shape’ with two soup spoons before the salt cod fritters hit the fryer.

Chech out Katey’s posts on her experience here!

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Impressed with my experience? Check out the talented lineup below:

Charles Olalia
August 26-27, 2017

Of Rice Bar in Los Angeles creating innovative Filipino recipes

Evan and Sarah Rich
September 23-24, 2017

Of celebrated Rich Table featured in Conde Nast Traveler’s 3 Hours in San Francisco

Manish Tyagi
October 28-29, 2017

San Francisco’s hottest new Modern Indian restaurant August 1 Five

Gerald Hirigoyen
November 18-19, 2017

James Beard nominee and Maître Cuisinier de France of Piperade, a West Coast Basque restaurant

William Werner
December 16-17, 2017

James Beard finalist for “Outstanding Baker” of Craftsman and Wolves, a contemporary patisserie

Launching in May 2017 with only 14 seats available, the two-day package will be available one weekend per month and will feature a different chef each time. Interested in participating in the Global Cuisine SeriesContact the Ritz Travel Team at (650) 712-7686 or email to plan your special culinary weekend.

#TrustMe it is 100% worth it!

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And after all the ‘cooking’ the beds at The Ritz do not disappoint! Enjoy a little R+ R in style!

What I Ate: San Francisco PRIDE Eats

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[Finn Town – Deviled Eggs + Cornflake Crusted Fried Chicken Sliders]

Last week I hit the town with some of my favorite San Francisco foodies to taste some PRIDE inspired eats. We hit up new to me, Finn Town, One Market and one of my absolute favorite spots, Bluestem Brasserie. Each spot busted out their best PRIDE inspired dishes + drinks – gearing us up for the most colorful weekend in San Francisco!

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[Finn Town – Rainbow Cupcakes]

(only available PRIDE weekend)

This was my first time dining at Finn Town…I know I am a little late to the game, but if you know me, you know that I rarely leave my safe zone. And my safe zone is pretty much anywhere I can walk to from North Beach. Regardless of the location (outside of my safe zone), Finn Town was filled with kitschy bar bites in the heart of San Francisco’s Castro district. Too fun!

And be sure to join Finn Town for Pride Weekend as it transforms into “Club Finn” June 22nd to the 25th. Conceived as a “classy, not trashy” Pride nightlife destination,  Club Finn will be open from 10:30pm-2am with a rainbow carpet, red ropes, and a step + repeat. Inside guests will enjoy Stoli cocktails inspired by the community’s most popular drag queens who will serve as hosts along with Finn Town owner Rick Hamer.

Inside guests will enjoy Stoli cocktails inspired by the community’s most popular drag queens who will serve as hosts. Look for Empress Mercedes Monro (Thursday); Sister Roma (Friday); Ruby Red Monro (Saturday); + Whitney Skye Paterson (Sunday) along with a curated PRIDE playlist, upbeat community favorite movies playing on two screens and a variety of PRIDE themed bar bites.

Cover charge at the door // More details here.

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[Finn Town – Rainbow Snow Cones with Rum]

(only available PRIDE weekend)

[Bluestem Brasserie – Milk & Cookies]

An Ice Cream Sandwich Trio featuring peanut butter indulgence and peanut butter cookies, grasshopper pie and housemate Oreos, + coconut and almond joy cookies
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[Bluestem Brasserie – Tutti Fruity PRIDE Popsicle]

(only available PRIDE weekend)

This fruity popsicle features strawberry, orange, pineapple, lime, blueberry, and blackberry on a bed of rainbow sprinkles.

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[One Market – The Harvey Milkshake]

(only available PRIDE weekend)

This shake consists of house-made vanilla ice cream, milk, crème de cacao, and raspberry and is a fun ode to Harvey Milk – San Francisco’s first openly gay politician.

San Francisco PRIDE is June 24-25. Don’t miss out on these exclusive San Francisco PRIDE weekend eats!

What I Ate: SHUCK. Oysters + Caviar at [esc] at The Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto

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Do you ever just want to hit the [esc] button and get the fu*ck out of the city?

(this question is for my San Francisco friends)

Well…I do and this past weekend I did it. I loaded up my mini with my dog + my fancy clothes and headed down south to Palo Alto. Now, Palo Alto is not far from San Francisco (just over 30 miles), but those 30 miles on the 101 are like a breath of fresh air. Now, that air may be filled with Silicon Valley traffic but it is a welcome escape from foggy San Francisco.

I joined the AMAZING team at the Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto for the weekend and kicked it off with their Friday night SHUCK service.

What is SHUCK?

SHUCK is a Friday evening of tartines, charcuterie, locally produced cheeses, domestically cultivated oysters, ethically produced caviar and selected seafood in an eclectic yet sophisticated setting at [esc]. The mix of cutting-edge sounds by the hotel’s resident DJ, Bellosound kicks off the weekend in MAJOR style – #TrustMe I felt cool.

The crowd is filled with Silicon Valley’s finest sipping champagne + eating caviar…

#COOL

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Caviar is served by the ounce with traditional accompaniments. I live for a good blini + caviar – especially when they are serving my favorite caviar from my girls over at The Caviar Company.

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Fresh oysters are perfectly chilled + shucked to order.

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SHUCK @ [esc]

Oysters & Caviar Night

6:00pm – 11:00pm

Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto

2050 University Ave CA 94303 (650) 470-3848

 

 

 

WHAT I ATE: CARNE ASADA TACOS WITH MY L.A. CHEF + LA TOURANGELLE

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Here we go, guys! Another recipe from my friend Michael, of My L.A. Chef. This time around we decided to use Coconut Oil for his signature carne asada taco recipe. If you haven’t tried Coconut Oil – have you been hiding underneath a rock?

But why stop there? If you’re eager to explore more tantalizing taco fillings and exciting American food recipes, head over to https://thisamericanplate.com/ for a treasure trove of culinary inspiration. Discover a world of flavors and dive into the art of creating delicious and authentic tacos that will leave your taste buds craving for more. So, grab your tortillas, gather your favorite ingredients, and let the taco fiesta begin! Don’t forget to visit This American Plate for more exciting taco ideas and recipe inspirations.

I use Coconut Oil for EVERYTHING!

I use it in the kitchen and throughout my beauty routine. This Coconut Oil from La Tourangelle is rich with a fresh and pure coconut taste and texture. This raw, lightly filtered coconut oil is a delicious replacement for butter, and it adds a nutty flavor to any dish. A smooth and natural moisturizer, this silky oil also protects and nourishes skin and hair.

Now, let’s talk about how I use it in my beauty routine – A smooth and natural moisturizer, this silky oil also protects and nourishes skin and hair. And with that in mind, I simply put it all over my body. I use it as shaving cream, body lotion, as a hair mask and for oil pulling.

What is oil pulling?

Oil pulling is the act of swishing oil in the mouth for up to 20 minutes to improve oral health. Oil pulling is an age-old remedy rooted in Ayurvedic medicine that uses natural substances to clean and detoxify teeth and gums. It has the added effect of whitening teeth naturally and evidence even shows that it may be beneficial for gum health and that it may help fight harmful bacteria in the mouth!

Not quite sure if oil pulling works yet – I have been doing it on and off for about two weeks. I will be sure to report back at the end of the month!

Until then – check out this seriously delicious recipe.

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La Tourangelle Carne Asada Tacos with

Coconut Oil

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Ingredients:

  • 1 lb skirt steak
  • 1⁄2 cup asada dry rub
  • La Tourangelle Coconut Oil (Melted)
  • 1 cup arugula
  • 1 jalapeno thinly sliced
  • 4 radishes, thinly sliced
  • 1 red onion, quartered
  • 4 corn or flour tortillas
  • 1⁄2 cup each of, cilantro & parsley
  • 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 2 limes
  • 2 avocados, diced

 Instructions:

  • Rub steak with dry rub and set aside to rest (recipe below)
  • Preheat grill to high, or a grill pan to medium high
  • Using a blender, blend garlic, lime, parsley and cilantro until a fine green salsa is made
  • Brush meat & onions with melted coconut oil
  • Place on grill for 3-4 min on each side, basting every 2 min
  • Remove meat and onions from grill and let meat rest 5 min before slicing
  • Slice meat thin, against the grain, and chop onions
  • Warm tortillas, add meat and grilled onions to the tacos with arugula and all of the garnishes
  • Enjoy!

Spice Rub Mix

  • 1⁄4 cup granulated garlic
  • 1⁄4 cup chili powder
  • 1 Tbs ground cumin
  • 1 T ground celery seed
  • 3 Tbs onion powder
  • 1 Tbs ground oregano
  • 1⁄2 cup paprika
  • 1⁄4 cup ground black pepper
  • 1 Tbs ground coriander
  • 2 Tbs salt

Instructions:

  • Mix all together, store extra in an airtight container in a cool dark place

And let me know what you think! Have you cooked with Coconut Oil? Have you ever tried oil pulling? Let me know in the comments!