One Saturday a few weeks ago, I needed a protein packed bite to eat right after my workout but was short on time since I needed to be at the grocery store within the hour.  So what’s a culinary health resource foodie to do?!?!?

Since I was at the end of the week, there were only small amounts of my weekly haul of kale, spinach, green onions, and fresh herbs left over in the fridge crisper unused from the week’s meals.  

Now I have posted previously on how to make a delicious ‘green’ omelette, but this is just a reminder that when you’re bored with the hum-drum of scrambled, fried, and/or boiled eggs, it’s always a great idea to use what you have on hand in the fridge to make something protein rich, folded(lol!), and tasty!

Ever been in the produce section of the grocery store, and while picking up a package of your favorite salad blend you notice that container of broccoli shreds?  You know, it resembles the bag of shredded cabbage and carrots for a make-quick coleslaw, but it's green?

Well I've grabbed a bag here and there, usually when it's warmer out though.  I'll mix it with a zesty garlic dressing and toss in some grilled shrimp for a light and delicious quick summer dinner.  But what else could I use it for?  I mean it's broccoli for crying out loud!  Accompanied with nutrient rich carrots and purple cabbage.  It's a package full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber goodness and mercy!  What else would make it sing as a side or a main?

Enter Broccoli Slaw & Rice Noodle Stir-fry!  

What an absolute genius way to make this convenient crisp and crunchy veggie mix sing!  I mean, in 15 minutes or less this light and healthy dish comes together with great texture and Asian flare!  Kicking it up a notch and stepping outside-of-the box, I opt for the rice 'noodle' as opposed to the more traditional long or short rice grain.   Add your choice of grilled, baked, or broiled protein such as chicken, tofu, and/or seafood, and you're set for a one pan experience!  However, my preference is having it alone as a noodle bowl with the addition of only a splash of sriracha.

I say an 'additional' splash of sriracha because the recipe calls for my ACAOF Stir-fry Sauce  to be mixed in the dish which includes the spicy condiment.  Now, feel free to use your favorite store bought sauce, I just love this sauce because I know exactly what's in it and don't have to worry about the extra ingredients I don't need.   

ACAOF Stir-fry Sauce
It's simple, just mix together:

• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce or liquid aminos
• 1 tsp sriracha
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil

This sauce brings the dish together in such a delicious way, it's no wonder I chose to devour it all by itself!

For A Cheese Platter that Flatters...

●Grab your favorite cheeses from @aldiusa (AWESOME variety and inexpensive!) 

●Grab some dried fruit and fresh  produce (@SimplyProduce in College Park, Ga has the freshest and best fruit and veggies you can buy!) 

....and all will be right with the world😌... well, at least for your gathering!🤗


It doesn't have to be extravagant or intimidating to be a crowd pleaser.
In fact, there's no good or bad way to style a cheese platter as long as you remember to always include these 4 components:

1. The Cheese: nice hard cheese are great, but always include a soft spreadable one as well (brie, herb spread, etc.)
2. The Cracker: Grab a variety of seeded crackers- they add additional variety.  A bland water cracker is a perfect canvas for a complex flavorful cheese palate. *NO SALTINES!*lol!
3. The Nut: A variety of smoked almonds, cashews, and walnuts are my go-tos!  You favorite crunchy nuts should be delicious enough to eat alone. *NO PEANUTS!*lol!!
   
4. The Fruit:  Since this is not a fruit platter, try to always use seasonal, and reach outside the box.  Grapes are a no brainer addition, but jazz it up with cubes of dragon fruit, blackberries, figs and/or star fruit depending on the season.  And don't forget the dried fruit! Apricots, cherries, figs and pineapples are delicious dried accompaniments!

In all things Culinary Health, MAKE IT YOUR OWN! 

Add your own pizzazz of tasty items you love for a delicious platter work of 'Art'!!

Stick to the basic 4 above and you're good!👍🏾.

Whew, it's finally COMPLETE!!

This has been no easy task in the attempt for completion while balancing a family of 5, the bill paying 9 to 5 J.O.B, setbacks, the day to day upkeep of ACAOF, and well, simply life itself.  Trying to get the design just right- but not too identical to Volume 1, as well as what to include and not, deemed equally trying.  However, after over a year of research, experimenting, test kitchen successes and fails, I've finally completed what I feel is one of the best value-added beneficial guides for clean eating!  

So without further ado, I am pleased to introduce the release of my latest labor of love:
Culinary Health Cookbook Volume 2- The Clean Eating Jumpstart eBook

Thirty(30) pages of delicious healthful recipes to jumpstart your clean eating lifestyle!  

And as an added bonus, I've included inside this ebook two(2) lists, or mini books, that will help  you maintain this healthy journey:
(1) *Kitchen Culinary Overhaul List (what you should have on hand)
(2) *Culinary Health Snack List (17 snack ideas)

The introductory price is a steal at $8 and will be set at its regular price of $9.99 January 1, 2019.  So grab it now while you can!
​
This health-trendy world is full of diets, cleanses, and detoxes, that promise 'quick' weight loss and temporary wellness 'boosts'.  But they're just that, temporary. This cookbook series is created for you to LIVE healthier for the LONG term!  Included are realistic meals, ideas, and snack ideas that you and your whole family will love as well as your body!

Please understand, AC Art Of Food does not restrict nor try to set drastic limitations for your eating regimen- why do that!?!  The purpose is to introduce you to new and 'outside-the-box' ways to get more clean/whole food in and processed food out!  I want to make you love food again, the way it's supposed to be, and help you live your very BEST life at the same time!

Thanks so much for your continued support, and here's to a healthier YOU!

AC Price,
CEO/Owner and Culinary Health Consultant ​

The feature ingredient in this recipe is obviously the real cheese.  But sub that cheese with a plant based one such as Daiya and/or Follow Your Heart, and you've created a luscious vegan version.  
Now, although delicious, the above mentioned cheeses are processed.  Toss them out all together and add more nutritional yeast for a delicious vegan non-processed sauce that will give you life!  

ADD INs:
Oh, the add-ins!  In true AC Art Of Food fashion, what would a zesty Smooth & Creamy Cheesy Sauce be without making it your own, right?  RIGHT! 
So try some of these ingredients below for your signature sauce!

• ​Fresh broccoli florets
• Fried onions
• Chopped green onions
• Bacon (meat-less versions welcome and just as delicious!)
• Mushrooms
• Fresh chopped greens (spinach, kale, etc.)
• Chopped or shredded grilled chicken or steak
• Shrimp
• Ground meat or meat-less crumbles

Now which will you choose?

The Question: Just How 'Fresh' is Amazon's Grocery Delivery Service...Really?

Unlike most of you out there, I adore grocery shopping!  I mean seriously, the whole preparation of seeking out weekly deals, coupons, planning the meals for the week to produce the list, and the art of deciding from which of the 3-4 stores I will arrive at first on Saturdays to retrieve the best deals for my selections sends tingles down my spine!  Hell, I even started my own grocery concierge- ‘A Cart Of Food’ (see the play on the name, lol!), where I would grocery shop for clients.  I had a few clients that were extremely happy, however, time became an issue, and well, let’s face it- when  the big box Instacart, Clicklist, and AmazonFresh businesses came on the scene, it was laughable for just me to compete on the larger scale.  And in this case the old saying rings true, if you can’t beat them, have them do your shopping too!

​

This past Monday I found myself stranded without a vehicle since my hubby took one to work and my oldest used the other to get to school.  I had just gotten back in town and had not yet had the opportunity to grocery shop for the family before the week got started. This is when I decided I would try the Amazon Fresh service.  Already a proud and loyal Prime member, on top of having several close friends to positively speak of their personal experiences, I decided to give it a go!  I was thoroughly impressed by the easy online process from beginning to end along with the selection of fresh, organic, and familiar trusted brands.  Unfortunately after selecting my items, I realized that they did not deliver same day, and decided to cancel my cart.  Customer service with Amazon Fresh is no different from that of Prime where courteous and pleasant reps are always speaking with a smile and ready to accommodate however they can.  

Although unable to receive the service on Monday, I thought it a great idea to still utilize the service along with my regular Saturday shopping excursion just for the experience and to see if and how I could maybe incorporate this convenience going forward.  So just like earlier in the week, on Friday before I walked out the office, I made my selection of approximately 20 items to be delivered between the hours of 7-9am for the following day, approved the tip amount for the driver, and pondered if this grocery shopping method was cost-friendlier than my normal Saturday pavement-pounding only ritual. 

​Later that evening around 11pm, my family tells me things they would like added to the list….really….at 11pm!?!  No worries, I pull up the app and the banner let’s me know that I am STILL able to add items to my list for the same delivery window time!  So I add my son’s bananas and  my hubby’s cereal, and turn in for the evening.

Bright and early around 7am, my phone rings and it’s the Amazon Fresh delivery guy letting me know he’s at my door with my groceries.  Super excited, I jump out of bed, throw on the robe (y’all it’s cold out now!) and completely ignore the fact that my hair is standing up on its own on top of my head.  It doesn’t even matter because I am literally feeling like a kid on Christmas morning!  The driver is SUPER nice and friendly for it to be that early in the morning.  He insists on handing me each bag and for me not to have to bend and reach to grab them on my own.  He does not enter the house, but stands where he can safely hand each bag to me to where I can securely bring them in.  Once all the bags are in he wishes me a great day and thanks me for my business.  Awesome experience!  I hurriedly transport each bag to my kitchen island and immediately break into each literally like it’s the morning of December 25th!  My eyes are all starried as I reach in checking off each item on my list I pull it out of the bag.  However, my eyes become a little less excited as I see that I am almost done opening my packages, but there are way more items on my list still to be checked off.  Dang it!  I realize they have forgotten at least 8 items from my list.  And the missing items aren’t even the last minute ones I added just several hours prior.  My heart sank as I contacted Amazon to tell them what happened.  The rep, as usual, was very nice in listening to my ordeal, but simply offered the choice of a refund or delivery of the missing items.  Unfortunately, the earliest my incognito items could be delivered was 9pm.  I expressed that a refund would be fine and I would just have to make a trip out to get the forgotten items since it would be so late for them to re-deliver to me.  And that was it.  She did apologize for the inconvenience, which is great, but that doesn’t help the fact that now I have to leave my home to pick up grocery items, COMPLETELY defeating the purpose of the service.  Unsettled by this resolution, I reached back out to Amazon Fresh and spoke with Jinell, who after hearing what happened did not hesitate to extend a credit for the mishap.  

Now, will I use this service again?  Absolutely!  I completely understand that things happen and have every bit of confidence that they will get it right, and that when issues arise they will handle it promptly and accordingly to my satisfaction- as they have always through Amazon Prime.

SOME INFO: 

• Amazon Fresh is $14.95 monthly for Amazon Prime members.  Personally I felt that with the annual fee, not to mention the recent increase in the monthly Prime membership, that this would have been an included service for members.  However, I was told by the representative that the amount of sales and coupons provided by Amazon Fresh online will in most cases eat up this fee.  
• This is not a same day service so plan accordingly at least a day prior.  There is the option to have your items left outside your door and an ‘Attended’ option to be notified if you are home to personally receive your groceries.  

THE GOOD: 

• Ease and convenience.
• Easy user-friendly interface.
• Quality selection of products, organic, and trusted brands (Whole Foods products). 
• Comparable prices to what you’d find in the stores and in some cases even less expensive.
• EXCELLENT delivery experience
• Effective issue resolution
• Proper storage for cold and frozen items (some of my bags had partially frozen water bottles in the bags to keep the refrigerated items cool and ice packs/bags to keep frozen items frozen!)

THE BAD: 

• Not having an accurate out-the-door checkpoint to ensure all items are correctly selected for orders.

THE OPPORTUNITY: 

• For a more effective issue resolution, train customer service reps to automatically provide an 'inconvenience credit' for missing items when a refund is requested.​

​

​So for more information about this service head over to www.amazon.com/fresh 
​to get started!

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! 

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

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?

​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!!😋

​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!

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!

Easy.  Quick.  Little clean up.  Convenient.  Delicious!  These are pretty much the requirements for a suitable dinner rather you're a family of 1 or 11.  Obviously the larger the family, the more of a hassle it is in trying to satisfy everyone.  But what if I told you there was a way to cook one main item for dinner, pretty much in your sleep (or while you're away working), and delight your whole family?  Impossible you say?  I say MORE than POSSIBLE!  

I mean really, there is nothing more satisfying than throwing an item into the slow cooker, walking away for hours without giving it a second look, only to return to a wonderfully smelling home, and your slow cooked gem, seasoned just right, tender, and ready to be devoured!  But then what?!?  After the 1st day of leftovers, it's time to remix and re-purpose!  And for this reason, I have listed below some delicious quick ideas to do just that!   

Check out AC Art Of Food's Super Simple Abstract Slow Cooker Chicken recipe and its 11 Delicious Uses for Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken.  Do you have some tasty pulled chicken ideas of our own?  Let me know in the comments section below- thanks in advance! 

First the chicken:

• 2 lbs chicken breast
• 2 tbsp Abstract Spice
• 3 cups water
• Sea salt

Instructions:

1. To your slow cooker, add water and Abstract Spice
2. Sprinkle both sides of chicken with sea salt
3. Add chicken to slow cooker
4. Turn slow cooker on 'LOW', and get lost for about 8 hours
5. When done, pull chicken apart into shreds with 2 forks

Enjoy!