The feature root vegetable in this soup is butternut.  But you can use acorn squash, sweet potato, or even carrot to create your own version of this soup.  Just as many nutrients and vitamins with the same additional ingredients used in preparation.

Warm healing spice notes from the turmeric, cumin, and nutmeg in this recipe make this Maple Butternut Squash Soup actually a Super Food Soup!   Oh, and did I mention this rich delicious bowl of goodness and mercy is VEGAN!  *Insert warm and fuzzies here*

The combination of sweet-tart cherries and the savory creaminess of this fresh cheese make for a phenomenal appetizer in my super simple Goat Cheese Spread & Cherry Compote Crostini.  

Last weekend I decided to bring the retro 'dinner party' term to life in 2018.  What started off as a make-up for a missed birthday event for a friend, turned into a beautiful opportunity to celebrate a good friend, along with good food!  

The key to an enjoyable evening of cooking for friends is to not over-complicate the process.  Deliciously simple is the way to win!  And what's easier than bread, cheese, and fruit?  Now, I'm known to put a mean cheese platter together loaded with wonderful fresh and aged cheese varieties, salty dried meats, nuts, sweet dried and fresh fruit, and various gourmet crackers.  However, I decided I wanted a more 'Autumn' feel.  While my infamous cheese platters are all the rave when it's warmer out, I wanted to take a different approach for the cooler time of the year.  Warm crusty bread, creamy herb cheese spread, and deep earthy sweetness of stewed-like stone fruit just speaks 'Fall is here'! 

My initial dried fruit of choice was cranberries.  However, right next to the package was an equally tasty looking bag of dried cherries!  Needless to say, either one would work magically, but my love for cherries during the summertime spoke a little louder given that I could bring them to life in the Fall.  Not to mention the awesome health benefits cherries have such as melatonin(sleep aid), cardiovascular health, anti-aging properties, as well as having the power to lower hypertension.  

For the cheese spread, cream cheese is added to create a more smooth consistency when spreading as opposed to the goat cheese alone having the tendency to crumble when applied.  But no worries, the tangy goat cheese flavor still reigns supreme!

The baguette in this assembly presents a heartier vehicle for this delicious foodie topping combo that brings its own delicious identity when drizzled with fresh extra virgin olive oil.  The sprinkle is simply added flavor.  Remember, in cooking you must season each layer for maximum flavor!  

So enjoy this recipe and feel free to substitute dried cranberries or even dried berries, to toast the season! (yep, pun intended!)

My trainer instructed me to forego carbs after breakfast for the remainder of the day to achieve one of my health goals.  This is not a problem with these fresh and crisp Green Goodness Curry Taco Boats.  I generally try to leave carbs alone in the evening anyway and this recipe makes it so much easier to do so!  This is essentially why I created such a delicious twist on the usual 'Taco Tuesday'.  

Even though the shell has been replaced with a cool and refreshing crisp lettuce leaf, the warm vibrant and rustic flavors of the curry spice balance this one-handed masterpiece perfectly.  With Abstract Spice​ as the all natural seasoning base for flavor, the added rich fall spices of curry and paprika are heightened for a more distinguished tasting taco.  Taking this flavor to an additional level is the arugula.  Usually I have fresh cilantro as a garnish for my tacos that packs bright flavor, however, the 'peppery' bite of arugula deepens the warm spice tones to pair even more harmoniously with these tacos.  Finishing with a squeeze of lime adding  delicious zing to the layers of flavor and freshness, these tacos are a force to be reckoned with!

Like with many of my newer recipes, my Green Goodness Curry Taco Boats also include simple ingredients and preparation making it an ideal recipe to prepare during the week.  You can even prepare the curry seasoned filling ahead of time and just heat and serve when you like.  These are also super convenient for packing for lunch! 

I don't know about your time, but my time seems to get shorter and shorter when the work week begins.  With all the daunting tasks that consume our days, dinner, and a healthy one at that should be easy.  Allow me to introduce you to my delicious super Simple Abstract Spice Grilled Salmon!  

Not only is this omega rich fish uber good for you, but it's really simple to make.  If you have any reservations about preparing salmon, let my recipe be your new rule of thumb for making it perfectly!  Because there are only 3 essential ingredients to the recipe, the ease of preparing this during the week will allow you time to breathe AND eat well for your healthy lifestyle. 

What's more is that once made, this recipe is so versatile.  Enjoy it with a side salad and roasted veggies and/or potatoes, on top of your favorite salad, or even as the delicious filler in your Tuesday Tacos!  The possibilities are endless and so tasty!

The ingredients are whole and simple.  You can purchase oat flour, however, I take my rolled oats in the canister and toss them into my mini-blender and ground my own flour.  This is an awesome tip to use that will yield an all-natural 100% product, fresh, and a save to your pockets.

Around this time right at the turn of the season, grocery store shelves are packed with pumpkin spices throughout!  I snagged my spice at one of my favorite farmer's markets that I have been patroning for as long as I can remember!  Yep, none other than Your Dekalb Farmer's Market!  My goodness, they have everything in there!

These Fall Pumpkin Spice Protein Pancakes are sure to become a season tradition in our home.  Obviously butter and maple syrup are a must.  But adding warm spiced apples on top would definitely set these babies off right!  

There's no better way to say 'Welcome Fall'!

I am so in love with this dish, my Super Easy Garlic & Herb Cauli Mash!  I know, I know, the versatility of the cauliflower has been trending for a while now, and believe me, I have purchased several heads of cauliflower for over a year now and have never attempted the simplest of recipes for it, namely this mash.  I would buy it with great intentions and hope for a carb-free crust for our family's Friday Pizza Nights.  Even got an idea to blend it smooth for a nice and creamy chowder.  Unfortunately, it would just end up sitting in my crisper, sometimes half eaten if I chose to roast it alongside some fresh broccoli florets.  However, just a few months ago while on vacay I did experience a phenomenally health-wise dish that I have since tweaked and renamed (recipe post coming soon!).  But mashed potatoes?  Like, I have experienced the worst and inadvertently, the absolute BEST mashed potatoes.  Boxed and from scratch.  Soupy and some so thick you needed a knife AND fork!  Needless to say, I’m serious about my mashed potatoes!  So how can I consciously attempt to fool my family, let alone myself, with such a switch?  And I believe that was the issue- it's a texture thing.  Part of the greatness of what makes my Grandma JJ's homemade mashed potatoes the very BEST was the divine texture.  Not too smooth, not too thick, intermittent lumps that would melt in your mouth.  See!  How can this cruciferous vegetable even come close?  Other than the no/low carb factor and the benefit of it being all vegetable, taste wise.... I was skeptical. 

But low and behold, I DID IT!  I created my very first cauliflower mash!  I prepared this dish just as I would my standard from scratch mashed potatoes and the result was delicious!  The look was not so much that of the mashed potatoes.  While others that sampled this mash were floored that it tasted 'just like mashed potatoes', I personally fell prey to the texture difference.  The flavor indeed is an amazing resemblance, but the texture, other than being a bit thick and creamy, was not.  It was missing the starchy ‘grainy’ texture that cooked potatoes possess- but not a deal breaker by far!  This is a definite go-to in the Price household going forward!  As a matter of fact, I'm posting this recipe at the request of one of my tasters, lol! 

What's more is that this delicious recipe has the comforting flavor of homemade mashed potatoes, without the guilt!  Only 33 calories and 3 carbs per serving!  Compare that to the 129 calories and 25 grams of carb in real mashed potatoes per serving!

Who would have thought something so simple could be so satisfying?  Super Simple Fresh Strawberries & Cream is just that something!

Now don't get me wrong, nothing says summer like a delicious bowl of strawberry shortcake, but now that I'm incorporating everything into creating a healthier lifestyle, I decided to bring this cherished, comfort-food dessert into a delicious treat- minus the 'cake'.  What's more is I can do it for under 100 calories a serving!

While this post is primarily about strawberries, other fresh fruit is super ideal to make variations to this delicious and light recipe.  Sliced banana, slivered almonds, and a cherry on top is sure to be your new guilt-free-go-to banana split fav, but don't stop at fresh!  Grilled fruit loves fresh whipped cream just as much.  In fact, grilled pineapple and peaches literally curls my toes and drives me into my happy dance!  And just in case you were wondering, my son thought it would be a great idea to secure a chocolate sandwich cooke as the topping in the pic below, lol! 

I must admit I was a bit hesitant to even think that whipped cream would satisfy my sweet tooth for a cool, refreshing, vanilla topping.  I naturally coveted 'ice cream' as the ideal accompaniment.  Boy was I wrong!  Whipped cream is super light yet flavor potent, and might I add nearly 230 calories LESS than its iced counterpart!  YES!  Two tablespoons of 'real' whipped cream is only 15 calories with less than 1 gram of sugar! (...I'll wait and let you read that again).  This is literally a win-win situation.  So check the recipe below and become a winner!!

These Chocolate & Cherry Nut Pre-Workout Protein Bars come as a result of my trainer suggesting I focus on my carb consumption prior to my workouts to maximize the calorie burn and muscle build.  As an obedient student, of course I complied.  However, being the true culinary health foodie I am, I decided to conjure up my own 'weapon' to use in my weight battle and workout victory as opposed to the store bought options.  

These bars are perfectly convenient to grab-go-and-toss in your lunch or workout bag.  I enjoy a bar 30 minutes prior to my workout to get the fuel needed to power through my workout with a 'boosted' calorie burn weapon!

The sweet-tart juicy burst from the dried cherries combined with the creamy chocolate goodness of the chips is like a symphony of flavors backed with the satisfying crunch of the walnuts.  While I would not recommend these bars as a dessert treat since their sweetness is mainly derived from the cherries and dark chocolate alone, this dense bar is a super delicious treat that motivates me to live my best workout!  

*NOTE: To make this more of a sweeter treat, add 1/2 cup brown sugar to the mix.

Check the numbers below!
Calories: 240 Cholesterol 0mg Total Carbohydrate 29.4g Dietary Fiber 3g
Total Sugars 11g Protein 10.1g

Salad or wrap?  Wrap or salad?  Which one and how do you choose?  And are they really doing your  body good?

Well, it depends ultimately on what you're looking for.  Salads are light and refreshing meals that don't make you feel guilty...right?  Well you may be surprised to find the calorie counts to be high and health ratings low in some of your favorite salads.  This is largely due to the high-fat content in the dressings that make them taste sooooo good!  For the amount of dressing added to these 'healthy' salads from our favorite restaurants, calories can skyrocket upwards of 300 calories alone!  Not only that, but add the cheese, nuts, dried fruits, meats protein, boiled egg, croutons, etc., and your healthy-option-salad is running neck-and-neck with, if not exceeding the calorie count of your average cheese burger combo meal.  

No fear, AC Art Of Food is here!  My Black Bean & Greens Salad is a super healthy flavorful one that includes a modest selection of ingredients that are flavor-packed and nutrient rich.  Simplicity speaks volumes!!

RULES OF THUMB:

• Less is best- choose your favorite 3 ingredients, no more than 4 and add to your salad greens.
• Oil & vinegar, or my favorite, lemon & oil are super delicious with a pinch of sea salt, garlic powder, and fresh cracked pepper- don't knock it 'till you try it, you'll be surprised!
• Want more of a creamy taste- make avocado one of your toppings with the dressing option above.
• WRAPS: Size is everything!  Smaller wraps tend to run between 75-120 calories, much lower than their larger counterparts and are just as filling!  Portion control is key- EVERYTHING in moderation.

Say the word 'smothered' alone and you can pretty much get any hungry individual running to the table.  This recipe came about while trying to convince my family that meatloaf would be great for Sunday dinner!  Unfortunately, they didn't think the same.  With ground turkey on hand (and thawed) I knew I didn't want to prepare burgers (again), but something more hearty, healthy, not too time consuming to prepare, and easy on the waistline (without them knowing, ha!).  So I peeked in my pantry and saw that I had a couple of containers of vegetable broth, and the idea wheels started turning resulting in this delicious recipe for our Sunday dinner.  

I used a pan to prepare half of the patties until I looked over my shoulder at the air fryer calling my name.  One of my best girlfriends had just raved about a batch of turkey burgers she prepared in hers that were amazing!  Not only that, but the time, calorie count, and clean up were all a favorable 'win-win'!  In almost no time at all, dinner was served!

Luckily my hearty one-pan-meal experiment was a success!!  My family loved it so much that it was requested two Sundays in a row...primarily because they grimaced at the couscous I served with it the first time around and begged my homemade mashed potatoes accompany the patties and gravy the second time.  However, not only did the mashed potatoes make an appearance, but I decided to add some extra greenery by sautéing in fresh chopped collards to the gravy.  Now this version I call 'Turkey Patties in Goodness Gracious Gravy!' This step simply adds more vitamins, nutrients, and fiber to the already 'light' dish.  The gravy overall in both versions is a light and thin sauce that satisfies in taste without the heaviness of a traditional oil based thick sauce gravy. 

​What's more, this dish can be created vegan and vegetarian!  Omit the turkey patty and add in your favorite veggie meat-alternative protein (veggie/bean burgers work beautifully!).  Want a more clean and less processed approach?  Omit the patty altogether and opt for a portobello mushroom cap or eggplant slice- make it your own! 

Which version of this dish would you prefer?  How can you make it your own?

​Let me know in the comments below!

Have I got some news for YOU!🎉

Exclusive to only this AC's Cart Of Foodies FB GROUP and site subscribers!
                                                             The
      7-Day Flex Taste & Move Challenge

• What it is: A 7 day meal plan and fitness challenge with options...it's FLEXIBLE

​

• Who: AC's Cart Of Foodies FB Group & AC Art Of Food site subscribers ONLY! (You have to subscribe to this site www.acartoffood.com in order to join the Facebook Group 'AC's Cart Of Foodies'!)

​

• When: Saturday, September 8th (Receive your meal plan and choose your workout and get ready to 'Taste & Move' Sunday!)

💥

• Why: To help you jump-start the new you, and the FIRST day of the rest of your new lifestyle!!🤗

The Details:
• An AC Art Of Food customized 7 day meal plan (breakfast/lunch/dinner/snacks) focused on **culinary health**- this is NOT a 'diet'. Unlike most meal challenges, the 7-Day Flex Taste & Move Challenge has a meal plan that you can eat for a lifetime!
(ACAOF's term **culinary health** is a mindful healthy eating lifestyle. It is not meant to restrict, but more so to incorporate better eating habits and eliminate the crap that ultimately harms your body)

• 7 different workouts with 7 daily routines each from various movement experts/trainers who have created specific routines just for my ACAOFoodies to choose from for your 7 days based on what best fits you!

• Each day of the challenge will also be accompanied with an inspiring motivational passage curated by a phenomenal author just for ACAOFoodies that will encourage you to be the best you, inside and out....and to keep you going!

The Meals:
• Plant based with options for your protein of preference. All meals have been specially designed for this challenge😋

The Workouts: (each workout listed has 7 days of routines):
1•Circuit
2•HIIT
3•Yoga
4•Pilates
5•Running
6•Zumba
7•Swim

The Cost$:
•To be clear, the value of this challenge is priceless!!  
But as a thank you and to show appreciation for my loyal subscribers and ACAOFoodies the **7 Day Flex Taste & Move Challenge** is FREE!!

AC Art Of Food's new monthly interactive custom meal plans will be available with 6 and 12 month subscription discounted rates coming this Fall! 


🤓So stay tuned to our AC's Cart Of Foodies Group page for more info and to ask questions in preparation for September 8th!!🤓

🥘.              7-Day Flex Taste & Move Challenge

​...are you ready to start the First day of the rest of your lifestyle?

In my early teens, there was this book on our shelf about eating based on your blood type.  Fast forward to my post college years, I revisited this information and based my eating habits accordingly.  I remember enjoying the lifestyle for a moment, but had not taken the definitive leap to give up ‘the meat’ at that point in my life…so, my attention to eating to condition my blood faded.  ​

​Fast forward June 2018, I begin brainstorming on out of the box ways to help make a significant difference in my audience’s eating habits for the betterment of their lives, for the entirety of their lives.  I thought back to that book on my parent’s bookshelf and jotted this down as a ‘possible’ approach.  A few weeks later my hubby and I vacationed to Florida where we encountered a wonderful woman, complete stranger, that we out of the blue struck up a convo with about eating right.  She goes into detail about her 16 y/o daughter that had been ill, low on energy, and very distraught mentally.  She explained how they had been to doctor after doctor, receiving prescription after prescription, to no avail, with these prescriptions sometimes causing more pain.  I even saw with my own eyes w-rays pics of her daughter’s blood cells before and after and the change was amazing!  Then she stated how a guest mentioned seeking a phlebotomist to research her daughter’s symptoms a bit further- taking an outside-of-the-box approach.  Eureka!! Based on a diet of foods proven to improve her blood cells, which were out of whack, her daughter’s condition turned COMPLETELY around!  Energy through the roof, pain ceased, and her overall mental state became more and more optimistic.  I witnessed with my very own eyes x-ray pics of her daughter’s blood cells before and after, and needless to say the change was amazing.  Based on, yep, you guessed it- the food that not only her body needed, but more specifically, her blood.

Two days after we returned from our amazing (and informative) vacay, I made a phone call to catch up with a friend I hadn’t spoken to in a while.  Not even two minutes pass and she is so excited to let me in on this ‘new’ eating lifestyle she’s just discovered that has her energetic and 12 pounds lighter in within two months!  ‘….girl YES!  It’s this book I found that shows you how to eat right for your blood type’.  If you could have seen my jaw drop!!  That was all the validation I needed to go to my own bookshelf where I found the author’s summary version of the main book specific to me and my family’s blood type!  Needless to say I read that book from cover to cover and vowed then and there to not only incorporate it to the best of my ability in my life, but also share this knowledge through recipes, encouragement, and supporting info to help others maximize their blood health with the vehicle of food!   I have since continued to hear positive feedback about this book and its' approach.  Now there have also been some unfavorable comments and testimonies I’ve found in my research with eating based on ones blood type.   However, they mostly pertain to the restriction of consuming certain foods which this plan requires that pretty much any healthier eating lifestyle would present. ​

​It seems like every month a new ‘Super’ food hits the scene promising ideas of fascinating healing powers, extended life expectancy, and the fountain of youth.  But are these just fads? No secret that most of these foods aren’t approved by the FDA, but what does that really mean?  To some it’s a huge deal.  But for folks like me, it just means the government hasn’t figured out a way to place control or a higher dollar amount on an item that has benefited the health of many, but I digress.

An awesome not-so-new Super Food I adore is amazing matcha!  I was already a fan of green tea when I discovered this powerfully beneficial beverage.  I first became aware of matcha several years ago from Dr. Oz and became obsessed with finding out more!

The Good
Simply put, matcha is finely ground green tea leaves- the best of the best tea leaves that is. Matcha has been a beneficial zen hot beverage of choice in Japanese culture for thousands of years and is a ceremonial tea tradition.  Similar to the already cancer fighting, immune boosting properties, and weight loss aid of the traditional green tea leaves that are steeped for tea, matcha is that much more potent.  Matcha also breaks down fat in the body from entering into cells which makes it an amazing defense against cardiovascular disease and obesity.  Be mindful that matcha’s fine green powder contains about 30 grams of caffeine.  However, this caffeinated ‘boost’ is more of a calm alertness as opposed to the jolt-then-crash that coffee often times causes.    

The Whisk
It is suggested that you have a small bamboo whisk in order to blend the fine grounded powder completely into the boiling water.  The actual process of whisking the tea is itself a traditional Japanese zen ritual, and it is highly recommended to prepare this tea properly.  However, I never picked up a whisk, but I did rediscover an alternate way of dissolving and getting the most out of my sipping.  Actually my Aunt Colette taught me this process years ago with her coffee:  

• Add your small amount of matcha powder to the cup.  
• Add in a liquid sweetener such as agave or honey. 
• The sticky texture adheres to the fine powder and dissolves it as you stir this mixture together with a fork.  You’ll notice a deep green shiny paste.  
• Mix in your hot (not boiling) water and you have a delicious zen, disease fighting beverage to get your day going.  I like mine with a touch of almond creamer.
  

​

The Possibilities
Not much of a tea fan?  No problem!  Matcha powder can be added to pancakes and waffles, smoothies, salads, cocktails, ice cream, many pastry items such as cookies and brownies, and so much more!  Just a teaspoon of matcha goes a long way and adds endless possibilities to your culinary creations.  There's something for everyone to enjoy to benefits of this ancient healing powder!

For even more info about this power packed super powder, check out this awesome report from CBS This Morning!

Matcha madness: Rising popularity of green tea jolt in U.S.
https://youtu.be/h0TYVyOPC5c

1.Nitrate-free Deli Turkey Roll-ups

• Nitrate-free deli turkey or ham
• Mozzarella cheese (lower in fat that most cheese)
• Fresh spinach leaves

Layer turkey, spinach leaves, and cheese, and roll!  Combine a tablespoon of mayo + mustard for the perfect dipping sauce!


2.Bagel My Tuna

• Thin sliced bagels
• Your little ones favorite prepared tuna salad

Simply sandwich tuna salad between bagel thins and cut into fourths.  Baby carrots are the perfect accompaniment!


3.Chicken, Tuna, Egg, or Tofu Salad Boats

• Fresh and firm cleaned romaine lettuce leaves
• Prepared chicken, tuna, egg, or tofu salad (tofu salad: prepare like egg salad substituting diced extra firm tofu)

Add your preferred salad to a container.  Wrap lettuce leaves in a paper towel and place in a ziplock bag.  Have your tiny scholar to assemble the boats themselves at lunch!  Shredded carrots adds awesome color and tasty nutrients!

4. Munch-ables

• Your favorite crackers
• Your favorite cheese/ veggie cheese, sliced to the size of crackers
• Your favorite protein (pepperoni, turkey, ham (the veggie options for these work perfectly!  Tofurky is a great option)

Separate each item (crackers, cheese, protein) in separate containers until it’s time to eat and stack away at lunch time!


5. Protein Caprese Salad

• 1 cup prepared quinoa, toboulei, or couscous
• 1 cup fresh spinach, kale, or other lettuce leaves
• 1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup fresh mozzarella diced
• Handful of basil, chopped
• 1 tbsp balsamic glaze (found near the oils and vinegars in your grocery)

Now this lunch may be geared toward a more mature palate, but it’s never too soon to introduce new and different healthy food options to kids!  Line fresh leaves to the bottom of the bowl.  Top with your prepared grain salad.  Add tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and drizzle with glaze.  Sprinkle with sea salt to taste.  Enjoy!


6. PB&J Pinwheels

• Whole wheat tortilla
• Natural peanut butter
• Your favorite 100% fruit spread

Spread peanut butter onto tortilla.  Top peanut butter layer with fruit spread and roll tightly.  Slice roll in to 1 inch sections creating pinwheel discs.  Opt: Add fresh sliced fruit like bananas, peaches, pears, etc., for an added layer of fresh flavor and vitamins! 

7. Ceasar Pockets

• Pita round, halved and pocket opened for stuffing
• Prepared Cesar salad (fresh romaine + Ceasar dressing + lemon juice, and toss)
• Protein: shrimp, diced turkey, chicken, or veggie protein

Toss protein in Ceasar salad and stuff salad in each pita pocket.  Opt: Chopped and Chef salads work super as fillers for these pockets as well!  Sliced apples with a natural nut butter for dipping goes awesome with this lunch!


8. Fruit Wafflewhich

• 2 frozen waffles
• Cream cheese
• Your favorite 100% fruit spread

Toast waffles.  Spread one side with cream cheese and the other with 100% fruit spread.  Smash together and cut into fourths.  Feel free to make these PB&J’s by subbing peanut butter in place of cream cheese.


9. Crudite Sushi

•  Flatbread or other flavored wraps (tomato, spinach)
• Cream cheese with herbs
• Nori/Seaweed sheets
• Thinly sliced fresh veggies (cucumbers, carrots, sweet peppers, etc.)

Layout wrap and cover with herbed cream cheese.  Lay on nori/seaweed sheets to adhere to the cream cheese spread.  Add veggies and roll tightly!  Slice roll in to 1.5- 2 inches wide pieces.  Amino acids or a low sodium soy sauce makes for delicious dipping!  Opt: Make this lunch quick and easier by picking up a bag of broccoli slaw and adding it as your veggies! 

​Now I usually save recipe posts like this for the colder seasons, but my family insisted on me preparing this dish for Sunday dinner.  The good thing about this recipe is that you don’t have to turn on the stove!  The slow cooker does it all… in a corner, on the counter, with no heat exerting from the stove in the hot summertime!  

​I decided to prepare a fish dish this past weekend to take to a friend’s family event at the lake.  However, I was a bit bored with the same old 'lemon and dill’ seasoned fish- primarily salmon as the fish.  So the hubby picked up a few pounds of my new favorite delight of the sea, steel head trout!  Now, what to add to it to jazz it up....differently?  

As I glanced over at the fruit on my counter, I noticed an almost too juicy pink grapefruit that had about one more day left before I would toss it into my compost bin.  That’s when the ‘AHA!’ hit me!  Why not?!  It’s in the citrus family but with a sweet and bitter twist at the same time.  Why not try a different and complex flavor boost with grapefruit?  And it did not hurt one bit for me to be reminded as I gazed out my kitchen window that fennel was growing beautifully in my garden this season- I thought it the perfect accompaniment with this fruit.  What’s more, fennel greens/tops pack a similar, yet more potent punch in comparison to dill.  

End result, my favorite seafood seasoning of the summer!  These flavor combinations resulted in this trout being off the taste charts!! 

Now, I simply adore the sharp zip in flavor I get from citrus when enjoying seafood, but all seasonal fruit is fair game!!😋

Vacationing with the hubby is always a great time, wherever we venture!  This excursion was no different.  We highly recommend The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida.  Our stay was simply magnificent from the moment we arrived to the bitter-sweet day we left for the airport headed home.  Superb customer service upon encounter with our beautiful front desk clerk Neka, and the continual concierge love we received with every request, made each day pure heaven.  But what made this stay that much more amazing for me was the fact that this was a Chef Geoffrey Zakarian culinary curated hotel!  What an honor to be staying at a hotel where the Iron Chef himself has personally touched each dish we'd be devouring from the Diplomat! 

Click heOur first tasty engagement occurred at the Point Royal Restaurant located right past the bar leading out to the pool and beach area.  I had the Crab Croquettes accompanied with Chef GZ's infamous "Comeback Sauce" and a side of Buttered Broccolini.  The hubby had the St. Tropez Turkey Club and a side of seasoned fresh cut fries. 
The Verdict: I felt the crab croquettes lacked flavor.  I was somewhat disappointed that I didn't taste the sea-sweetness of fresh crab in these little bites.  While I was thankful they were not loaded down with stuffing/breading like some, basic bland crabmeat rolled in panko and deep fried, unfortunately allowed much to be desired.  Not to mention I was saddened by the very sauce I've seen Chef make on TV.  The 'Comeback Sauce' reminded me of the combination of a well known salad dressing sandwich spread and ketchup mix.  Thankfully my palate was saved with the broccolini which was prepared to perfection!  And the hubby's club sandwich was fresh, delicious, and exactly how I would make it!!  Trust, adding sliced boiled egg and avocado to a traditional club sandwich makes everything right with the world!re to edit.

Point Royal's exquisite breakfast buffet is a thing of glory!  Unique handcrafted salads, exotic seasonal tropical fruit, fresh gourmet cheeses, waffles, roasted potatoes, wide range of breakfast meats and cured meats, hot and cold cereals, fresh juices, coffee and tea.  But what set this buffet off was the Omelette Bar extravaganza!  I would have to love this right?!  Come on, you all know 'make it your own' is my mantra- this was no different.  I had a delicious veggie   loaded egg white filled with scrumptious smoked salmon and herb goat cheese.  Hubby's was filled with divine chicken sausage!
The Verdict:  AWESOME!!  I do believe my favorite part of the bar though was the amazing variety of sweet and luscious tropical fruit- truly earth's candy if I ever tasted.  Our amazing server Bridgette gave us an awesome tip: Come down to dine 30 minutes prior to the end of the buffet.  That way we'd pretty much be satisfied for most of the day!  Boy was she ever right!  And as an added bonus, Bridgette became such an insight to me as our 'culinary health' discussions regarding blood conditioning provided validation for a facet of AC Art Of Food.  She was and is a true gem! 

Oddly enough, we ventured off property to the popular mall in Hollywood, Aventure Mall, where we decided to dine at one of our favs, Cheesecake Factory.  I had never seen the Almond Crusted  Salmon Kale Salad on the menu in my previous visits here in Atlanta, but dining on the patio in balmy Hollywood, Florida convinced me that this was the 'coolest' dish to order.  A lemon zest cream sauce topped this delicious piece of fish literally making my toes wiggle!  Frankly, I've never been disappointed with a Cheesecake Factory meal ever, so I was not surprised!  And this beautiful salad was mixed with delicate quinoa and tender sliced radish.  Chunks of avocado and sweet-tart dried cranberries gave this nutty salad the sublime boost it needed.  And of course, I will be re-making this some time in the near summer future- stay tuned.
The Verdict:  A toe-wiggling winner!

And the highlight of our departure, a delicious bite at Point Royal before the car takes us to the airport.  Are you sensing my love for salmon on this trip yet?  Is it obvious?  Lol!!  This was the quintessential breakfast to seal the simply amazing time we spent on our vacation.  Lox and Bagels is one of my favorite combinations ever!  This Scandinavian/ Chinese/ Italian/ Americanized dish is so fresh, briney, creamy, and crisp and ever so refreshing as I squeeze lemon over everything!  Sealing the deal with a steamy cup of coffee made this to be the perfect morning dining experience!  Fresh baked bagels, cream cheese, lox, capers, boiled egg, sliced red onion, thinly sliced English cucumber, juicy Roma tomatoes, and don't forget the lemon!  What more could a girl ask for!
The Verdict: The perfect ending bite to a perfect vacation!

In conclusion, when visiting Hollywood, Florida, I would encourage you to feast and reside at the Diplomat Beach Resort Hotel for a stellar experience all around!  We're already planning our return- hope to see you there!

​If you know anything about me, you know I really don’t care for shopping of the ‘clothing’ sort.  However, when speaking of delicious vittles' ingredients, I’m all in!  My whole premise behind promoting a culinary health environment is to ‘jazz-up’ healthier food items.  I mean let’s face it, preparing the same old vegetables over and over, the same way is indeed both mundane and redundant, and frankly boring as hell.  
All the more reason to Jazz Up The Ordinary!

I try my very best to develop and enhance recipes that are the tastiest versions of plants.  While I have a few tricks up my sleeve that produce delicious outcomes, one of my favorite methods is using infused oils and vinegars- full flavor less guilt.  You can always make your own collection of these tasty culinary accessories and bottle them, as I tend to do from time to time.  But what I love to do (and most convenient) is pick up the delicious bottles of gourmet oils and vinegars from the foodie aisles of my neighborhood TJMaxx, HomeGoods, and Marshall’s.  

From exotic herb steeped vinegars to rare truffle and fruit infused oils, you can’t beat these culinary-dream-finds that for the most part are under $10!  And some for as low as $4.99!  Plus the flavor enhancement it adds is unbeatable.  Both my roasted green beans and grilled rainbow trout were popping with amazing flavor.  The added benefit also is that these oils are healthy ones full of the 'good fat' our bodies and brains need to thrive.  The general base of the oils I find are olive(virgin and extra virgin), grape seed, and avocado.  Did I mention these make wonderful gifts for the foodie in your life?  #WINNING

So the next time you’re out shopping for throw pillows for your couch, or that perfect dress for your vacation, don’t forget to visit the specialty foodie aisles and grab a few bottles of these treasures, your tastebuds will thank you!

Be sure to comment below and share your fav finds from these stores that you’ve discovered, I’d love to hear about them!

​Once again, the 4th of July is upon us!  No better way to symbolically kick-off the summer than a few fireworks, right?  Well before the bombs burst in the air, but shortly after the annual Peachtree Road Race, let’s get some kabobs stacked and on the grill!

This very well may be one of the easiest, quickest, healthiest, and super delicious ‘no fuss’ way to celebrate with your tastebuds as well as your eyes!  Super simple because all you need is fresh veggies (or fruit), Abstract Spice, sticks, and a fire!  Now, I do generally like to add a drizzle of flavored olive oil once the kabobs are done for an extra layer of flavor!

I really think it's therapeutic to hold on to aged items be it pots, writings, books, recipes, and in this case pics.  Holding on to some of these items allows you to reflect on how far you've come and what you've learned along the way- growth.  This case in no different.  At first I contemplated whether or not to take a new pic of a more recent quiche I made, or to use the original pic with the recipe re-post.  I cringed at first once I decided to go with the retro-pic, but I feel better and better every time I look at it.  This was me, right where I was. Imperfection, faults and all!  Not only was I able to 'tweak' the recipe for what I know now in taste, but it allowed me to appreciate the process and enjoy my foodie journey.  

We're not perfect, and neither is cooking food.  Many people make the assumption that because you can cook you automatically are an awesome baker...WRONG!  Baking is more like chemistry and 'exacts'.  See, no, that's not cooking at all.   Something tastes off?  Add a pinch of this or a dash of that to balance the taste.  Texture of your sauce too loose?  Make a slurry with cornstarch or flour to thicken it up.  You can even step it up a bit and add pureed white beans.  See, you can't do this in baking.  Your soufflé didn't rise?  Oh well, you gotta toss that bad boy and start over again!  

So enjoy this delicious egg pie that you can serve for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner with a salad on the side.  And don't forget to make your own.  Don't like shrimp?  Add cooked chicken or omit it all together.  Not a fan of kale?  Spinach is a delicious and just as healthy substitute!

Ahh, the beauty of cooking!  Where do you think I came up with my mantra, Make It Your Own?  You see, with cooking, you can!

​

Keeping in line with my new 'F@#$ Cancer' recipe creations, my 'Alkaline Rich Goodness & Green Mercy' dish does not disappoint! Loaded with vitamins and minerals the body needs to stay defensive against disease, this recipe boosts the immune system to put up a hell-of-a fight! What's more, it tastes AMAZING! But then again, that's my main purpose as your Culinary Health Consultant!

​This green veggie bowl is super simple and is tasty warm or chilled. Please try it out and let me know in the comments what you think, along with any questions or ideas you may have.

Enjoy!

Uggh, I don't have that!  This is a statement I hear more often than not from individuals trying out my recipes.  Don't get me wrong, all ingredients are listed in my recipes, but lots of times these same individuals feel as if the recipe can be completed omitting an ingredient here or there.  I must admit, I too early on felt as if I could short-cut my way through a recipe and get optimum results, boy was I WRONG!  The taste may be really good, however, not the tasty end result the creating chef intended.  Now why would you cheat yourself like that?  Of course not! 

For this reason, over the years I began to build somewhat of a repertoire of staples that I feel are essential in solidifying any good recipe.   To be specific, my pantry staples are what I take most pride in since they have longer shelf lives and are more versatile and interchangeable.  What's more, you can build it up your reserve over time so that you'll never be without when you're in the middle of a recipe, lol!  

It's so funny, I have a best friend that is consistently in awe of the things I have on hand to cook with at any given point of time.  Her comment is always, "...girl, ain't nobody got that in their pantry but you!" 
Well the joke is on her, because I have included my personal pantry stock list below!  Obviously  based on your taste preferences, you may add or omit here and there.  This is just to serve as a guide in assisting with  what majority of the AC Art Of Food recipes will contain.  So take advantage of my pantry must haves and start collecting today!

Main Ingredients
4 pieces of cod fillet, cleaned and pat dry
1 cup grape tomatoes sliced in half
1.5 cup fresh broccoli florets
1 shallot, thinly sliced
1 tbsp minced garlic
2 tbsp capers
4 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup white wine
2 tbsp abstract spice
1 tsp sea salt
fresh cracked pepper
4 cups fresh spinach
*lemon juice

Preparation
1Add fresh spinach leaves to a serving platter.
2Preheat skillet with 2 tbsp of butter on medium-hight heat.
3Pat cod fillets dry. Lightly rub each fillet with olive oil.
4Season both sides with Abstract Spice.
5Sear both sides of cod until browned and crispy on the edges (approximately 2 minutes on each side).
6Remove fish and set atop fresh spinach on serving platter.
7Add wine to de-glaze the pan, removing bits stuck onto skillet. Add shallots and minced garlic to skillet and sauté for approximately 1 minute.
8Add remaining olive oil, tomatoes, broccoli, and salt- cook for 2- 3 minutes.
9Blend in remaining butter, capers, and fresh cracked pepper to taste- simmer until butter is completely melted.
10Pour vegetable relish on top of fish; squeeze lemon juice on top to finish.
11Serve and enjoy!

Additional Notes:
*Feel free to substitute your preferred protein and whatever vegetables you have on hand. #MakeItYourOwn!

I recently posted a video on my AC Art Of Food Facebook page regarding a woman's testimony on how she beat cancer.  She explained how not only was she diagnosed with breast cancer, but she beat it, and then it came back in another part of her body.  This woman endured chemo and radiation, and after all that was given only 21 months to live.  Fast forward TWELVE YEARS LATER, this miracle of a woman is sharing how she beat this beast of a disease with a positive outlook and eating not only healthy, but a specific type of healthy foods.  These specific foods are known as alkaline foods.  

There is a scale in our bodies on the ph spectrum that balances acid and alkaline in the body.  You want your body on the alkaline side.  'Why' you ask?  Cancer cells CANNOT live in an alkaline environment.  For this reason, prevention is paramount.  

This champion of a woman beat the odds by focusing her diet on alkaline rich foods.  Just think, if we all incorporated alkaline rich foods into our diets the monumental changes we can make to our lives.  Please be clear, I am not stating, nor am I in a position to state, that this is a cure for cancer.  However, I am expressing that alkaline foods are a large contributor in the fight against cancer.

I became so pumped by this story that my mind immediately started buzzing with ideas on how to create delicious recipes rich in alkaline.  There are plenty of these types of foods to choose from, check out a few of my favs below:

• spinach
• kale
• swiss chard
• leeks
• mushrooms
• cucumber
• citrus
• tomatoes
• avocado
• broccoli
• onions
• garlic
• ginger
• cabbage
• watermelon
• figs
• alfalfa, barley, and wheat grass
• sweet potato
•  celery
• carrots
• kiwi
• cauliflower

I didn't have to look any further than my own backyard garden for one of the stars of my recipe where I'm growing gorgeous swiss chard!  The recipe you ask?  Here it is!  My colorful Alkaline Rich Black Bean & Leek Salad.  ​This amazing salad was a huge hit at our cookout!  But this is just the beginning!  I can't wait to develop more of my new 'F@#$ Cancer' recipes!

Just in case you didn't know, I am the queen of re-purposing!  Another name for re-using left overs, lol.  Earlier this week I prepared my delicious slow cooker pot of Slow Cooker Vegetarian White Bean & Kale Stew. Using Abstract Spice and an onion as the only means of seasoning (with just a few dashes of sea salt to taste), this delicious bowl of comfort was perfectly scrumptious amongst the rainy days we've had this week here in Atlanta.  

Buuuuuut, the sun has come out for the weekend!  Now my family is well aware that Mommie does not cook over the weekend.  It's pretty much a go-for-yourself type of meal situation on Saturdays.  So we decided on nachos.  Not just any nachos, my purposeful 'Quick Repurposed Vegetarian White Bean Nachos', yummers!   Have fresh spinach, red onion, tomatoes, and avocado, we will nachos make!  For my boys, I seasoned up some fresh ground turkey, but for me, I reheated my white bean stew, and what a genius move that was!!  My son even added it to his taco seasoned ground turkey and it blew his mind!  With some additional toppings such as chopped black olives, cheese, and sour cream, nacho night was on and poppin', and packed full of protein!

*ACAOF Tip*: Never begrudge leftovers!  

​When the weekend comes, check the inventory in your fridge (you have to anyway to know what to pick up from the grocery store!), and you'd be surprised with what you can come up with when you add a little imagination!  Salads, wraps, tacos, and of course, NACHOS!
...Quick Repurposed Vegetarian White Bean Nachos that is.

Check out my creation below!

What do you like to create on the weekend for good eats?  Let me know in the comments below!

~Pre-heat oven to 350~

Layer a foil-lined sheet pan with the following:

• Nacho chips (*tip: heat nachos alone for about 6 minutes to crisp them)  
• Slow Cooker Vegetarian White Bean & Kale Stew (click here for the recipe) *Canned or prepared white beans can be used if necessary*
• Additional meat-less protein if desired
• Fresh spinach
• Diced onion
• Shredded cheese (Monterey Jack and Cojita are my favs)

Do This:

1. Place loaded pan in oven for 5-10 until cheese is melted
2. Take pan out and top with your choice of:

• Fresh spinach
• Chopped avocado and/or guacamole 
• More cheese
• Diced tomatoes
• Sour cream
• Olives
• Jalepenos  
• And yes, sriracha, and whatever else your heart desires!!

​Enjoy!