Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well. It’s been a little while since my last post, and a lot has happened in the world, hasn’t it? Before I jump into my post I just wanted to share some links with you all that help towards the relief efforts over in Japan. When the news kept unfolding during the first couple of days my mind couldn’t help but wonder how the people in Japan were handling the situation. I know that Eastern thought is very different from the western mentality. While some in the west may be frantic, I had a feeling that the people in Japan were trying to be calm and collected about the situation. I think they already have a sense that the world is much bigger than they are, and that catastrophic things in nature are a part of it. Well, that’s just my thinking. Here are some links though that you all may be interested in:
Last week I was in Florida with two close friends of mine for spring break. Oh my goodness, I wish we could all go back, but life doesn’t always work out like that. Atleast we have memories and pictures to look back on though, right?
- We were ready to leave the cold weather behind.
- A good way to use up the last of some Greek yogurt.
- Pit stop for munchies.
- Pit stop to escape a major creep that was harassing us on the highway.
We finally made it home after a lot of scary incidents. By the time we got my parents house all we wanted to do was go to sleep.
- The next morning I woke up and I knew I wanted something refreshing.
- Chilled oatmeal, diced apple, Greek yogurt, mixed nuts, and honey.
- Papaya from our tree and an arepa de choclo from the local Colombian bakery
- Then I found this gem in the cupboards.
- My parents got honey from a local beekeeper.
This was one of the best honeys I’ve ever tasted. It was thick and had such a wonderful unique flavor. Whenever I get honey I try keep it local as it also helps with allergies. Later on we strolled along Mizner Park, an outdoor place for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
- We stopped by a heavenly store.
As soon as I saw the words “Spice & Tea Exchange” I knew we had to go in. After oh-ing and ah-ing at all the wonderful blends of herbs and spices we settled on some to take home with us: almond cookie tea, blood orange smoothie tea, berry white tea, and black truffle salt. All of these things smelled deliciously potent, and my imagination started to get carried away.
- After dinner we enjoyed some treats my step-dad brought back from the German bakery: cherry quark küchen and rhubarb quark küchen.
- The next day involved the beach!
- Packed some rye bread, homemade hummus, and some other goodies.
- For dinner I made a cous cous, bean, and vegetable salad.
Add some goat cheese for the final ‘pow’.
- Dinner was followed by spooky beauty treatments.
- That was also the night before Matilda would shrink down to three times this size.
Despite it being warm, I felt like making yellow split pea soup.
You can click over here for the recipe. It’s simple and delicious.
Especially when you've got buttered rye bread for dipping.
One of my favorite parts of this trip was getting to hang out with some of my best friends.
They are the kind of people that are okay with sitting in silence, and don’t mind when I want to vent. Plus, they know how to have fun! Here’s a quote that sums up what I love about these ladies:
“Your friendships should be low maintenance. Life is stressful enough with work, relationships and family. You don’t need someone in your life that you dread contact with.“
-J. Harvey
Speaking of friends, I’d like to give a shout out to the beautiful, Jen! She used to write a food blog, and now she is back with a new blog! She’s also attending culinary school so it’ll be exciting to read about what she’s learning. Check it out here.
Oh and Matilda wanted me to show you guys her new look.
Stay tuned for the next recap!
p.s. my mother nominated me for a contest on Perricone’s site on Facebook, and I’d greatly appreciate it if you click this link and “like” my picture! But first you have to have “like” the Perricone MD page on Facebook. Thank you very much!
Can’t wait to the next recap already!! I always love reading about your latest travels and eats
I “liked” your picture!
i could really use a trip to the beach – one that’s warm!!!
I LOVE Spice and Tea Exchange!!! and their Almond Cookie tea is my favorite ever!! I buy it whenever I make a trip to Floriday…which isn’t too often, but still…it honestly is like drinking a (healthy) dessert. So glad you found them, too!
wow, this is amazing food! and I love the beach scene. Too cute!
It’s ALWAYS SO GOOD to hear from you. I love your recaps from Florida. You always seems to relaxed, happy and peaceful when you are with your best friends and family and it makes me so happy.
I am voting for you right now.
You know I’m always behind you 100%! 
<3 XoXo <3
aww glad you enjoyed your spring break! i miss the sun! here’s to spring! what in the world is quark?!
so many beautiful things in this post!!! the fresh papaya off your tree (amazing!), the local honey (i love tasting the differences between honeys from various flowers!!! i bought a ton of samples of diff types of honey while i was in florence italy and i just literally eat honey out of the jar!). love all your cooking as well. looks like spring break was fun!!
Glad you had so much fun with your friends!! It’s always nice meeting up with old friends that you may not have seen in a while and it’s as if you saw them the day before.
Quite an adventure! Yellow split pea soup to top it off! Wow!
Jim
i just had to bookmark your recipe for vegan split pea soup–it sounds delicious and right up my alley
looks like you’ve been having some fun in the sun miss! sorry about the creepers on spring break….hahah hope you’re having a lovely week though! and gimme some of that bfast with the chilled oatmeal, apples, nuts and honey!! yum yum yum