My {Macaroon} Fix - Dining Profile Video

Happy National Macaroon Day!

The Phoenix Public Market Cafe is a great spot to relax with friends, hang out on the patio or grab an artfully crafted pastry. The macaroons come in flavors like strawberry, blackberry and white chocolate vanilla bean! The restaurant is open everyday serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner with local and seasonal ingredients.

Check out my dining profile on the cafe!

My {Chia} Fix

Believe it or not,
Chia pets of the 80s
Are edible. Wait...

Not really. But did you know these nostalgic clay heads of yesteryear needed chia seeds to make their hair grow?

Chia seeds are little superfoods that date back much farther than arcade games and David Bowie. In fact, the plant was a staple food used by the Aztecs and is actually a species of the mint family. The powers of chia seeds are linked to extreme hydration, and they are known to fight belly fat, improve heart health and lower cholesterol. Packed with fiber and protein, chia seeds transform overnight from crunchy beads to plump, water soluble superfoods that fill you up. And they boost your energy! Can someone say ch-ch-ch-chia!

Today I decided to make overnight oats, which appears to be a common trend among college students who lack the time to wake up early enough to make breakfast. I added the porous chia seeds into my creation and let me tell you, the result in essence is a concoction of rich textures and flavors that can make any morning a good one. I recommend using Coach's Steel Cut Oats, because they are better for you and the overall texture will hold overnight.

Overnight Oats
Serves 1 hungry ginger

1 cup Coach's Oats
1/2 cup chia seeds
2 heaping spoonfuls peanut butter
1 banana, sliced
1/3 cup chocolate chips
1 scoop vanilla ISO 100 protein powder
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1 cup vanilla unsweetened almond milk

This recipe is really easy and simple, you can add or remove whatever you feel like and cater the ingredients to your dietary preferences. People often use honey or agave syrup but personally, I love the combination of the peanut butter, vanilla protein and chocolate chips. It makes a great afternoon pick-me-up or energy boost before a long run.

Once you add all of your ingredients, pour almond milk into your container and place in the refrigerator overnight. At this point your job is done, just allow the oats to work their magic.

The oats, when placed in adorable mason jars, also make a great gift for family and friends! Just make sure not to add the almond milk! Bon apetit!

My {Burrito} Fix

Local food tastes best

After you have hiked five miles. 

Yum yum yum yum yum!

Happy Small Business Saturday! Of course I love getting out and supporting the local businesses, but everything tastes even better after hiking South Mountain. 

Whenever I go hiking, I love to pair it with a fresh-squeezed orange juice at Hillside Spot afterward. 

This place is so terribly cute and conveniently located only five minutes distance from South Mountain Park. The service is always wonderful and so is the atmosphere.

Locally-owned and operated, Hillside Spot offers indoor and outdoor seating with colorful awnings and open windows to let light into the restaurant. They partner with a ton of local businesses including Cartel Coffee Labs, Maya's Farms and Four Peaks Brewery and whether you have time to enjoy your meal or you're on the go, Hillside Spot has something for you.

Bonus points -- Breakfast is served until 4:00 p.m.

I was mighty hungry, so I ordered quite a few things. No judgement.

One thing I've learned in life is that you can never go wrong with a breakfast burrito. Mine came with potatoes, melted cheese, fluffy eggs and avocado. Even the tortillas are homemade at La Purisima Bakery.

If you're on more of a health kick, don't hesitate to order one of their many salads. The Blue Sky Mixed Greens is loaded with pears, grapes, almonds and fried shallots. The blue cheese is a bit overwhelming so if that isn't necessarily your thing, the "Spot" Chop and Tunisian salads are pretty good too.

One of the specials today was a prime rib sandwich, something I think should be promoted to the everyday menu because it was so good. The meat was so tender, piled high on a fresh, toasted telera bun from La Purisima. The sandwich is piled high with veggies and a honey mustard sauce, made in-house and packed with flavor. The bread is buttery and perfectly crispy, yet soft on the inside. All the textures complement each other, including the kale slaw that comes on the side. 

What a fantastic day of eating and helping small businesses. Like I said, if you are in a rush, Hillside Spot offers coffee, fresh pastries, baked goods and these cheddar bacon scones with sugar granules on top that I happen to adore. I know, it sounds strange, but somehow the combination of flavors is incredible.

Until next time, happy eating!

Beautiful view hiking atop South Mountain.

Prime rib sandwich at Hillside Spot.

Blue Sky Mixed Greens salad at Hillside Spot.

Breakfast burrito at Hillside Spot.

My {Granola} Fix

Top off a pancake,
parfait, oatmeal or milkshake.
Just whip up and bake.

Spoiler alert - This is isn't an original recipe. But I promise it's good.

I went up to my super crafty aunt Terri's house in Prescott Valley last weekend and she was so excited to make granola she found in the May edition of Food Network Magazine. It's from this restaurant called Eleven Madison Park, where if you spend $125 they give you a complementary batch. Since I don't have $125 just lying around, we decided to put on our oven mitts and make it ourselves!

Coconut Sour-Cherry Granola
Serves 28

2 3/4 cups organic rolled oats
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1 cup unsalted pistachios
1/3 cup unsalted pumpkin seeds
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 cup dried sour cherries

Calories: 119; Total Fat: 8 grams; Saturated Fat: 2.5 grams; Protein: 3 grams; Total carbohydrates: 10 grams; Sugar: 3 grams; Fiber: 2 grams; Cholesterol: 0 milligrams; Sodium: 207 milligrams

Let me just say that if this serves 28, I ate about four servings too many. But it is that good! And it's great on those strange peanut butter sandwiches where you use apple slices instead of bread.

Pre-heat your oven to 300 degrees. Then line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.

Combine your oats, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, coconut and salt in a big bowl. Then pour all the delicious ingredients (brown sugar, maple syrup, olive oil) into a saucepan over low heat. Keep stiring until everything disolves into a sweet, syrupy concoction. Then pour it over the oat mixture and fold it in until the granola is completely coated.

Resist the urge to eat the granola and spread it out onto your baking sheets. Pop it into the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, taking it out a few times to move it around. Once the granola is golden brown, you can remove it from the oven and mix in the sour cherries.

Unless you want a big mess, let the granola cool to room temperature before you break it apart so that it has time to stick together.

Where you put the granola is up to you. Since my aunt is very crafty and has an entire room devoted to scrapbooking, we put the granola in little mason jars we dolled up with ribbons.

This makes for a great gift. I brought it home for some of my friends and it earned rave reviews. Try it for yourself!

My {Orange} Fix

Nothing rhymes with orange.
After relentless thinking....
Wait! Nope, still nothing.

My friend Hannah and I are obsessed with finding new gyms and places to work out. By this point in my life, I have successfully tried hot yoga, room temperature yoga, Zumba, boxing, kickboxing, ballet boxing, cross fit, Pilates, cycling, belly dancing and almost every major sport. So naturally, I strive to find the latest and most inventive trends in fitness.

The first stop on our list: Orange Theory Fitness. The idea behind this place is that most people don't spend enough of their workout in a high intensity or fat burning zone, so they don't get the results they want. This problem is cured by strapping a heart rate monitor around your waist and attempting to see your name in the "orange zone" pop up on a big screen while you're working out.

PS the orange zone is quite rough.

The first thirty minutes of class consists of running on a treadmill in an orange room. We're not talking just orange walls, but orange lights! The second half of class involves rowing machines, suspension training, free weights, BOSU balls, and lots of planks. 

I like to think of it as a giant playground. Plus, I don't get kicked out because I exceed the height limit {I was a tall child and quite possibly am still bitter over this issue}. 

One question people kept asking me was why would you pay someone to run on a treadmill for 30 minutes? But my answer is it's not just running. You have your own personal trainer telling you what incline and speed to you need for interval training.

But don't be too intimidated! I ran the square mile around my house that same morning and was able to do the class. It's only an hour and you'll feel great afterwards.

So without further ado, it's recipe time!


Orange Marinated Chicken Breast over Salad
Serves 4

For chicken:
3-4 chicken breasts
2 oranges
2 lemons
1 lime
1 cup fresh sage
salt and pepper to taste

For salad:
1 bag fresh spinach
2 avocados
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup slivered almonds

For sanity:
Bread

This recipe is super easy. You can marinate the chicken before your workout and have it ready to cook when you come home! It's best to marinate the chicken 3-4 hours before cooking for the best flavor, and use all of the sage, not just the leaves.

It's really your choice how you want to cook the chicken. I grilled it on this occasion, but I've baked it in the oven and it turned out great. Either way, make sure to season with more salt and pepper before and after the chicken is ready to eat.

For the dressing, I made a light citrus vinaigrette using orange, lemon, olive oil and white-wine vinegar. Altogether it's a simple recipe, but you'll find that you may already have a lot of these ingredients in your pantry or fridge. And if you have leftover chicken, you can whip up a healthy late night dinner instead of busting into your stash of Kraft Mac & Cheese.

Perhaps the best part of working out is feeling invincible afterwards. It's a vicious cycle, working out to burn off the food, feasting out of pure, unadulterated hunger, then having to workout again. And I live for this feeling.

My {Pomegranate} Fix

The Arizona Roll at Pomegranate Cafe.

A pomegranate. 

Has many a seed, indeed.

And it's red, like me!

Sorry guys, no recipe today. But I am going to tell you about a place I went for lunch called Pomegranate Cafe, where the food is as colorful as the walls. But there is a catch. It is a vegan and vegetarian restaurant.

Although you may be a bit skeptical, this restaurant is delicious. And not the kind of delicious that comes from injecting char-grilled flavor into a fast food patty. From the moment I walked in, I fell in love with the atmosphere. Everything is bright and inviting, with a funky, retro vibe and plenty of natural light. 

I ordered the Arizona Roll, complete with seasonal veggies, almond spread, sweet chile sauce, avocado, sunflower sprouts and orange miso slaw.

It was fantastic! So much tangy, sweet goodness was packed into each roll. And trust me on this. They are very filling and you will feel full afterwards. No skimping on portions here, which is good because meals are quite pricey (mine weighed in at $11). But I was only able to finish half so you get some nice leftovers out of it!

The Smokin' BLT at Pomegranate Cafe.

I recommend the Smokin' BLT. Now, naturally because this is a vegetarian restaurant, there wasn't really bacon on the sandwich. But I challenge you to give it a try nonetheless. The spices and bite made it a savory sammie that packed a punch.

And it had a chipotle aioli which makes everything better. In case you don't know what that is, it's basically garlic mayonnaise. Now are you on board?

My only negatives about the place were the high prices and long wait time to get your food. They work with local growers and because of the quality of their items, I understand they do have to charge more for their food. But plan ahead about an hour to make sure you have enough time to receive and eat your meal.

Here's me. Drinking a super power smoothie. Just your basic strawberry, banana, raspberry and mango blend...with goji berry, hemp protein and bee pollen. But I promise you its not scary, if anything there is a hint of honey flavor and that's it.

So this is probably my favorite post thus far because I get to describe all this food without actually doing any work in the kitchen. But even more than that, I really like this place because there is a story behind it. A mom and daughter dynamic duo opened this restaurant, which I can appreciate that because I have a close relationship with my mom.

And their mantra is right in sync with what I believe about food:

Challenge the stereotype that healthy food is bland or boring. Taste and presentation are not compromised by wholesome ingredients, but enhanced.

I hope you take the time to branch out of your comfort zone and give this place a try! You'll not only support local growers and businesses, but give your body the good food it deserves.

And my favorite part about vegan places? The dessert. It makes all that guilt go away because you can tell yourself it's vegan. So what if you just ate your day's worth of calories? You're providing for the local community with every delicious bite.

My {Rosemary} Fix

My mom can't stand it.

But I made it anyways!

With my two best friends.

Rosemary is a pretty cool herb. And it has all this history with Greek Gods and people from the Bible....allegedly. Rosemary originates from the Latin words ros marinus, or dew of the sea. Back in the day, Aphrodite was wearing it around her neck when she rose from the sea-- if you ask me, that is the last thing I'd want around my neck after being born, because rosemary is rather sharp and I feel like it would make me extremely itchy -- And the Virgin Mary is said to have spread her blue cloak over a rosemary bush, which turned the flowers blue and became known as the 'Rose of Mary.'

So, there is your history lesson for the day. Before I start with my recipe let me just say that a lot of people don't like rosemary. It has a very woody and fragrant taste that could make or break your meal, depending on if you like the flavor or not. But if you've never tried it I suggest giving this recipe a chance. It's quick, easy and a great way to add fresh herbs into your cooking.

Rosemary Pesto Pasta with Chicken Tenderloins
Serves 4

1-2 lbs chicken tenderloins
1 package whole wheat pasta

For pesto:
1 cup fresh rosemary
1-2 cloves garlic
1/3 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
1/4 cup walnuts
fresh ground pepper
extra virgin olive oil

So last night, my friends Hannah and Jess came over for a night of experimental cooking. Might I add that they are pretty much polar opposites when it comes to food preferences. Jess doesn't necessarily like foods that are dubbed "healthy" while Hannah's go-to meal is a kale salad from Whole Foods. Cooking for the three of us is a bit of a challenge sometimes. But this recipe was a big hit for the both of them and I would recommend it if you have guests coming over who fall everywhere within the spectrum. It fuses healthy and delicious, perfect for all kids, picky eaters and people who just don't like vegetables!

Jess wanted Italian, so I came up with the nifty idea to make our own pesto pasta -- with a twist. Now pesto is normally made with basil, but it can be made with many other fresh herbs. Tonight we thought we would give rosemary a try!

In a blender or food processor, blend all of the pesto ingredients until they create a sauce with texture. Cook your pasta and drain the water -- But do not rinse the pasta! This is my tip for you, because the natural starch on the pasta with help the pesto stick to the noodles easier and taste even better.

As for the chicken, you can choose to cook or marinate in any way you desire. But we found that a simple flour, Parmesan and garlic salt mixture in a Zip-lock bag did the trick.

Make sure there is enough pesto to coat the pasta and pack some serious flavor! We also made a smoked paprika and tomato-based sauce to top the chicken. 

A night with friends is only complete with lots of laughter and carbohydrates.

My {Date} Fix

Old, sunburned people.
Dates are like miniature,
old, sunburned people.

Do I have your attention now? I want to make my first food post about something that everyone can relate to -- no, not old, sunburned people -- but first dates. Case in point: I was talking with my friend Rhonda* today about the awkwardness of not only the first date itself, but the looming period beforehand. Basically, she is going to lunch with this guy next week but isn't completely sure if this is just a casual meal or some stepping stone for a possible blossoming romance.

*name has been changed...or has it?

Can I just proudly add that this applies directly to my last post? Lunch. The thought provoking question if this is even a date in the first place has evolved from food.

But I digress. I'm here to talk about the fruit kind of dates today and the lovely things you can do with them. I found a recipe in yesterday's Arizona Republic for pork loin sandwich* that I have transformed to not only make it easier for you, but a tad healthier as well.

Pork Roast with Sweet Peach and Date Sauce

Serves 4

For pork:
3 lbs boneless pork loin roast
1 tbsp olive oil

For sauce:
1 cup pitted dates, chopped
2 fresh peaches, peeled and sliced
2 tbsp Smart Balance Light buttery spread
4 tbsp brown sugar
3 tbsp spiced rum -- I used the berry guava rum my parents brought back from their recent cruise.

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat roast with olive oil and season as desired. Cover with foil and cook for one hour. Remove from oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before thinly slicing. 


In a separate saucepan, melt butter on medium high heat. Add sugar until dissolved, then add rum, peaches and dates. Simmer for about 10 minutes, until the sauce thickens.

Pour sauce onto pork immediately. Enjoy!

*Believe it or not, the original recipe did not call for dates. But simply by adding this one ingredient, you can cut half the butter and 1/3 of the brown sugar! Because of their natural sweetness, dates can be an excellent substitute for refined sugars. They also are rich in fiber, antioxidants, iron and potassium.

*The original recipe was a sandwich, but by cutting out the bread your eliminate the extra work and carbs to make a delicious dinner! It also called for barbecue sauce, but I thought the peach and date sauce was good enough on its own!

And in case you want to give it a try, here is the original recipe.

I like to think of fruit dates like first dates. Dates are weird looking on the outside -- still, kind of like old, sunburned people -- but have all these awesome vitamins and nutritional benefits after you come to accept their outward appearance. So my tip to all you skeptical people out there is to give your next first date a chance! Even if it is awkward, they may be a great person on the inside. 

This being said, if they actually look like an old, sunburned person, I'd ask for the check and run.