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{first pad thai – ever!}

this is another first…

first time i ever tried making this dish from scratch. and possibly the first time i have ever eaten this dish.

a friend of mine came to visit last year and i asked him what his favourite meal was so that i could cook it for him.. and he was quick to respond :

“pad thai”

and i was just a wee-bit nervous because i had never made anything like that before. but – i sought out a recipe through the magic of the internet, and then i gathered the ingredients and followed the recipe and it ended up being pretty delicious! i love the loads of flavour from this well-known dish. AND – it’s actually pretty healthy!

Tags: asian cuisine, chef audrey, cooking, DIY, eating, flavour, food, food blog, food blogger, food blogging, food photography, foodie, foodography, healthy eating, home chef, home cook, pad thai, recipes, sharing food, simple, simple eating, yum, yummy

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Categories eat the rainbow, food blog, food blogger, food photography, healthy eating, the food

{deconstructed sushi}

30 Sep

this is the time of year when my diet always starts to change a bit… the transition between summer into autumn, the temps cooling off (although – we are expecting temps close to the 80’s again this week!) so i find myself craving different types of foods… on the precipice of being ready for soups and squashes, but also wanting less “light” dishes like salads, etc. (although – i still eat a salad every day!)

this is one of my favourite in-between meals. i’m calling it “deconstructed sushi” 😀

i love sushi in general… but i had also been trying to find ways to satisfy the craving at home without breaking the bank. i saw something like this on a social media platform and i decided to try it. it’s basically all of the ingredients in sushi, but without the rolling mat. 😉

simply mix all the ingredients together – rice (cooking hack : buy the par-cooked bags so you can heat them up with ease!), imitation crab meat, avocado, cucumber, spicy mayo, sesame seeds… nom nom!

serve with nori sheets like a little sushi taco!

furthermore – i sometimes eat nori or seaweed by the handfuls, just on its own… it’s kind of a (not-so) guilty pleasure 🙂 also, maybe it’s because i’m basically a mermaid?! i could eat seafood of any kind every day!

what’s your favourite kind of sushi?!

Tags: cook at home, crab roll, DIY, eat at home, eat the rainbow, eating, food, food blog, food blogger, food blogging, food photography, foodandfoto, foodnfoto, foodography, healthy eating, photography, seasonal eating, sushi

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Categories DIY, eat the rainbow, food blog, food blogger, food photography, healthy eating, photography, the food, the foodie

{seasonal eating : braised cabbage}

7 Aug

it’s that time of year again – HARVEST SEASON!

it seems like everything is producing right now! in my garden, i have lots of herbs as well as tomatoes and cucumbers, which are slow-growing but i’m ok with that…

and at the farmers’ markets, the selections are vast! corn, peaches, berries, melons, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, squash, garlic… and cabbage! {and the list goes on!}

i am fascinated by the insides of vegetables… especially cabbage! isn’t it just so cool?! the way they grow and form… all those layers and intricate patterns… just so cool!! divine design. 😀

this particular cabbage was so tender!

i chopped up the cabbage, then added it to a super hot cast iron pan with a little bacon fat and diced vidalia onions. after searing for a couple of minutes, i added some water to the pan and covered it to let the liquid absorb and steam slightly… about 6 minutes, stirring once or twice.

{p.s. – how cute is my little pot handle cover – it’s a kitty!}

finally, i served it up with a filet of fish and… nom nom! 🙂

do you like cabbage? what are some of your favourite ways to prepare it?

Tags: 100 mile diet, braised cabbage, cabbage, cook at home, farm to table, food, food and foto, food blog, food blogger, food photography, foodnfoto, foodography, fotography, healthy eating, local eating, meal prep, photography, seasonal eating, simple, support local farmers, vegetable guts

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Categories blogging, Farmers Market, food, food blog, food blogger, food photography, healthy eating, the food

{roasted garlic & mushroom couscous}

25 Apr

hey y’all.

i love this dish! it’s so easy to make, keeps well, and it’s delicious and filling!

couscous is one of my favourite grains. it’s so fluffy and fun and takes on the flavour of whatever you add to it. personally, i could eat mushrooms basically on the daily. i just LOVE mushrooms! this is one of the staples in the food and foto household. i make it ahead of time and eat it throughout the week. it’s easy to re-heat and the texture maintains throughout.

caramelized onions
sautéed garlic
crimini mushrooms
1 cup couscous
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup water
parsley, to taste
S&P, to taste

the ratio for couscous is 1:1.

i used a combination of homemade chicken bone broth and water for this recipe. simply bring liquid to a boil then toss in couscous. remove from heat, cover, and allow to “steam” for about 6-8 minutes, fluffing with a fork half way through cook time. this grain is so fine and delicate that it cooks rather quickly. finally, add in other ingredients and enjoy! it’s also really good with fresh peas!

nom nom!

Tags: batch-cooking, cooking, couscous, eating, food, food and foto, food blog, food photography, foodnfoto, foodography fotography, healthy eating, homemade, meal prepping, mushrooms, recipes, simple recipes

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Categories blogging, food blog, food blogger, food photography, healthy eating, nutrition, the food, the foodie

{colorful and hearty winter greens}

24 Feb

speaking of salads and such, sometimes i just want a huge bowl of healthy and tender winter greens – lightly sautéed and wilted in garlic and olive oil… so colourful and vibrant and good for you!!

before and after…

Tags: eat the rainbow, food and foto, food photography, foodnfoto, foodography, fotography, healthy cooking, healthy eating, kale, mustard greens, winter greens

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Categories eat the rainbow, food, food blog, food blogger, food photography, healthy eating, the food, the foodie, the foto

{what’s for dinner?}

9 Feb

pan-seared mahi mahi – crusted with old bay and lemon juice, served with homemade roasted corn and shishito pepper succotash, and a glass of miller high life – ‘cuz we fancy. 😉

what are YOU having for dinner??

Tags: blogging, clean-eating, dinner, DIY, eating, food, food and foto, food photography, foodnfoto, foodography, healthy cooking, healthy eating, homemade, kiss, simple, what's for dinner

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Categories audrey michelle, blogging, DIY, eat the rainbow, food blog, food blogger, food photography, healthy eating, the food

{savory split-pea soup}

19 Jan

this is a dish that i find myself craving during cold winter months. it is full of healthy protein and fiber, it is super comforting, and it is loaded with flavour. this can be made vegetarian or even vegan, but i added some ham to mine and simmered in my home-made chicken bone broth. it is so simply delicious!

savory split-pea soup…

i used a dried soup mix that i had in the pantry with split green and yellow peas, red lentils, dehydrated veggies, and a spice blend. i also used about equal parts homemade broth/water and seasoned to taste. i didn’t use a lot of extra spices in this soup because i honestly just love the flavour of the peas after they’ve been simmering in the broth and with the ham and hints from the bacon fat permeating throughout. although i did add in some dried parsley and of course S&P.

you could easily just use dried split peas for this recipe, and add in whatever veggies you want, chopped or frozen… typically a mirepoix mix provides the most aromatics, and that is my go-to.

i sautéed a diced onion in some bacon fat {i know!} until tender, then i deglazed with a little white wine vinegar… {typically i would use a dry white wine but i didn’t have any at the time.}

to the stock pan, i added the liquid mixture of about 2 quarts chicken broth and 2 quarts water and brought to a boil, then added in about 2 cups of the split pea mixture. i cooked the peas down for about 15 minutes on high heat, tossed in some ham, then simmered on low-medium heat until i found the consistency i wanted…about another 30 minutes.

i added in some diced ham at the last minute, because it was already cooked and thinly sliced… then simmered again on low for an additional 5-10 minutes. this made about 3-4 quarts of soup in total. i shared some with a friend and also canned a couple of pints for the future.

it totally hit the spot! i have been eating it for 2 days and will probably have some more tonight! it’s also one of those soups that gets better the next day! 🙂

before and after 🙂

nom nom, slurp slurp.

Tags: batch-cooking, eat with the seasons, eating, food, food and foto, food blogger, food blogging, food photography, foodnfoto, foodography, fotography, healthy eating, homemade, I love soup, seasonal eating, simple recipes, soup, winter eating

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Categories blogging, eat the rainbow, food, food blog, food blogger, food photography, food stories, healthy eating, nutrition, the food, the foodie

{homemade chow chow}

14 Sep

i had never heard of chow chow until i lived in the south a few years back. y’all know i’m a big fan of sauerkraut… and this has similar ingredients, but with a different taste and process. chow chow is not fermented, although i’m certain you could change the ingredients and i bet a ferment would also taste amazing!

what i enjoy about making stuff like this is you don’t have to be so specific. you can play around with different measurements and/or sizes of veggies, combinations of veggies, etc. being in the kitchen is all about exploring, and i love to “play” with my food… and that is something i will never stop doing! 😀

some recipes that i explored suggested adding green tomatoes and/or spices or hot peppers… but this is what i came up with :

simple ingredients :

cabbage
onion
green pepper
red/yellow pepper

simple brine :

1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup vinegar
1 cup water

start by heating brine ingredients in a sauce pan on low-medium heat until salt and sugar dissolve, then allow to cool to room temperature.

if you find that you have extra brine, you can always save it for something else like pickles or whatever other veggie you may want to use.

meanwhile, finely chop up all of the veggies…

pour {slightly cooled} brine mixture over the ingredients…

take some pictures, if you fancy…

then, add lid and store in the refrigerator for about a week. you can also use this same recipe and then pressure can or water-bath can and store in the pantry.

i made it both ways and both were delicious! i have one more jar left in the pantry, and i have been using the jar in the fridge for all kinds of fun stuff! it is SO GOOD with sausage or on a pork roll/bun… it adds the perfect balance of sweet to the savory. and it’s also good as a little snack or adding it to a charcuterie board or on a cracker, etc.

one thing I do like about the “canning” method is that the texture is a little softer. heat-processing this does break down the veggies a bit more and although i like it both ways, i do prefer the canning method. the nice thing is, canning is always an option even if i start with the fridge method.

do you like and/or make chow chow?! please share your comments and/or recipes below!

Tags: chow chow, cooking, DIY, eat the rainbow, farm to table, food blogger, food blogs, food photography, food stories, foodandfoto, foodnfoto, foodography, fotography, healthy cooking, healthy eating, homemade, organic, organic cooking, southern cooking

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Categories blogging, eat the rainbow, food, food blog, food blogger, food photography, food stories, healthy eating, organic, recipes, the food

{blue cheese steak salad}

11 Jul

i love to enjoy food leftovers the very next day… and it’s even more fun when i create something different with the leftover item i’m using. for example, after making this meal, i use the steak the next day for a yummy salad with blue cheese. it’s one of my favourite go-to meals these days. light and refreshing, but still flavourful and filling. high in protein, and always a crowd-pleaser.

simple ingredients, as per usual {measuring with the heart and “some” of each :

leftover room-temp steak {i typically use grass-fed strip loin}
hard-boiled egg{s}
blue cheese crumbles
chopped crisp romaine lettuce
chopped scallions
blue cheese dressing
croutons {optional}
tomatoes {optional}

this is a staple in the food & foto household. it’s also a big hit at parties or gatherings and is packed with nutrients and flavour! it also makes a good lettuce wrap! i opt for grass-fed meats whenever possible… they are higher in nutrition and i believe they taste so much better!

Tags: blue cheese, easy meal prep, eating, food, food is good, food photography, foodandfoto, foodnfoto, foodography, grass-fed, healthy, healthy eating, meal prep, recipes, salads, sally salad, steak, yum

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Categories blogging, eat the rainbow, food, food blog, food blogger, food photography, food stories, healthy eating, recipes, the food, the foodie, the foto

{inspired by : big salad, little steak}

4 Jul

oops, this email was accidentally sent out last month – my mistake… anyway, happy summer, y’all!

i found this recipe through an instagram account {@katherinewants} and i was inspired to try it.

it’s adorably called – “big salad, little steak.”

i have been eating this at least 1-2 times a week, lately. it satiates me in such a way, and it’s also easy to make {now that i’ve mastered it}. i used to be so intimidated by cooking steak… i would always overcook it and/or ruin the overall taste or quality. so i hadn’t tried making it in years. then i discovered this recipe and method for cooking steak, and i am proud to say i’ve been nailing it every time! i don’t have a grill, so using a cast iron pan is perfect for my apartment lifestyle.

i believe three key factors make the main difference in how this steak is prepared :

quality of steack
quality of butter
basting!!!

the best meals always start with some of the simplest ingredients :

grass-fed strip steak
garlic
shallots
rosemary & thyme
grass-fed butter
romain lettuce
parmigiano reggiano
caesar dressing

the best meals also start with some of the simplest techniques :

bring steak to room temperature
season steak liberally with salt & pepper
add steak to a very hot cast iron pan and sear on one side for approximately 2-3 minutes
turn steak on its side to render the fat
flip steak to other side and add butter, garlic, shallots, and herbs
baste, baste, baste – approximately another 2-3 minutes or until internal temp of 110
remove from heat and allow to rest

slice steak to your desired thickness. serve with caesar salad {croutons optional} and a glass of prosecco {maybe-not-so-optional ;)}. Continue reading →

Tags: big salad little steak, carnivore, eating, farm to table, food, food blogger, food blogs, food photography, foodandfoto, foodnfoto, foodography, fotography, grass-fed, healthy eating, inspired, instagram, it's ok to eat meat, katherinewants, photography, quality food, recipes, salad, simple cooking, steak

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Categories eat the rainbow, food, food blog, food blogger, food facts, food photography, food stories, healthy eating, photography, the food, the foodie, the foto

{autumn is for all things pumpkin!}

31 Oct

particularly on halloween, right?!

as you know, i prefer to eat seasonally so i’m on my squash and pumpkin kick at the moment. the farmers markets are closing this weekend or next, so i want to get out and stock up before they are done for the season.

contrary to popular opinion, i don’t do pumpkin lattes. they are too usually sweet for me. i do, however, tend to eat my weight in pumpkin seeds!

i simply cut a pumpkin open, carefully dig out the seeds, soak them for about an hour, then toss them with some olive oil and S&P and throw them in the air fryer for about 15 minutes. they don’t last long… they are so crispy and delicious! this was the firs time i tried making them in the air fryer. i have always baked them, but i’m so glad i tried it because they turned out amazing and in less time! i am eager to make more.

once i’ve devoured half of my pumpkin seed supply {haha!}… i scoop out the roasted pumpkin guts, add a little water, blend in the vitamix, pour in a large pan with some homemade veggie stock, add some spices, and serve with pepitas and mini toasts… NOM NOM!

i made a huge batch of this soup and so i froze some, canned some, and shared some…

both of these recipes are on par with my motto – KISS – keep it seriously simple. they are also healthy and support the 100-mile diet concept. i hope you enjoy and please comment if you try or have ideas of your own to share!

oh, and here’s the costume i wear every year – my “pumpkin king” onesie!

happy halloween!

Tags: 100 mile diet, autumn, food fotos, food photography, foodandfoto, foodnfoto, foodography, fotos, halloween, healthy eating, october, photography, photos, pumpkin, seasonal, seasonal eating

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Categories blogging, Farmers Market, food, food blog, food blogger, food photography, food stories, fun, healthy eating, nutrition, the food, the foodie, the foto

{thirsty thursday – homemade komucha on tap}

22 Jul

i totally need to make a detailed post about this very soon.

i have been making my own kombucha for about 3 years now and i love it so much!

my favourite flavour is ginger, which is what is pictured in this batch.

are you curious about kombucha? it’s so easy to make and it is a wonderful health tonic full of minerals, amino acids, and gut-supporting probiotics. i’ve been consuming kombucha for almost 2 decades and a few years ago i finally started making my own.

stay tuned, and i’ll post more about my scoby {lovingly named “scooby”} and all of the other fun things that go into brewing kombucha at home 🙂

Tags: audrey michelle, DIY, food and foto, food photographer, food photography, foodandfoto, foodnfoto, foodography, healthy, healthy eating, healthy lifestyle, homemade, kombucha, organic, probiotic

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Categories audrey michelle, blogging, DIY, food, food stories, fun, health, healthy eating, kombucha, nutrition, organic, photography, recipes, stories, the food, the foodie, the foto

{bodacious blood oranges}

14 Dec

i think it is so incredible how nature provides us with the right types of food for each season.

for example – blood oranges are in season from december to march. which is the perfect time to consume them for that extra vitamin c punch during the winter months!

and aren’t they just so magical?!

Tags: blood oranges, eat the rainbow, eat with the seasons, eating, food, food fotography, food photography, foodography, fotography, healthy eating, magical food, nature, nature knows best, nutrition, oranges, seasonal eating

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Categories blogging, eat the rainbow, food, food facts, food photography, health, healthy eating, nature, nutrition, the food, the foodie, the foto

{homemade gummy bears}

9 Oct

i have been making my own homemade gummy bears for a while now, and i have been meaning to write a post about it…

i have always loved fruit snacks, gummy bears, et al. however, the ingredient list always detoured me – even the natural ones are full of mostly sugar.

so, i did some research and realized that i could be making my own gummy fruit snacks! and not only that, but i could make them GOOD for me!

my curiosity was piqued when i started looking for a clean source of gelatin to help with collagen production and joint support.

…which i don’t have pictured here because i typically transfer everything i buy into a glass jar… {no shame in my game}…

anyway, i wanted to incorporate gelatin into my diet and that’s when i got super stoked about the idea of making my own gummies! so i found these silicon molds on amazon {along with the gelatin} and looked up a few recipes to get me started.

as usual, i like to keep things as simple as possible. some recipes call for honey or a sweetener, but i like to avoid added sugar where i can {so i can guiltlessly enjoy a candy bar from time-to-time}.

so – here is my very simple {2-ingredient!} homemade gummy fruit snack recipe – which yields about 200 gummies and the ratio can be adjusted accordingly :

1 cup fruit juice {i usually opt for concord grape}
3 tablespoons gelatin powder

you could add in some honey or agave for sweetness, but i find the concord grape juice to be sweet enough on its own.

sometimes i’ll add in some elderberry syrup for additional health benefits during the cold-season months. Continue reading →

Tags: blogging, DIY, diy gummies, easy, food, food blogger, food blogging, food blogs, food photography, foodography, fotography, fruit snacks, gummy bears, healthy, healthy eating, healthy gummy bears, healthy recipes, healthy snacks, homemade, in the kitchen, keep it seriously simple, kiss, photography, recipes, simple, snacks, squish, squishie, squishy

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Categories audrey michelle, blogging, food, food facts, food photography, food stories, fun, health, healthy eating, nutrition, recipes, the food, the foodie, the foto

{simple (rainbow) pasta salad}

22 Sep

as you probably know by now, i like to eat with the seasons as much as i possibly can. i enjoy it for lots of reasons. i always look forward to eating whatever vegetables or fruit are best during that particular time of year… and it makes me appreciate them more.

that said, i often struggle with “transitional” times of year – such as the month of september. i find myself unsure about what to wear, what to eat, when to go to sleep. it’s kind of funny but it’s true. {this also applies in the month of may.}

anyway, because i find september to be a transitional month, i also find myself eating transitional foods. i made that term up, but my point is that i’m not ready to start eating soups and squash, but i’m also done with light foods like salads and such. during this transitional time, i usually prepare foods that can be enjoyed hot or cold. and pasta salad is one of those dishes i could enjoy every day during transitional months.

i also really love orzo and i don’t use it often enough.

i whipped up this simple {rainbow} pasta salad and made a huge batch to take to work for lunches.

it’s so easy and so i thought i’d share the recipe… even though i didn’t measure anything, as per usual… but it’s so simple – just chop and toss!

————————————

simple pasta salad :

cooked orzo
diced summer sausage
chopped tomatoes
sliced olives {black & green}
diced red onion
diced banana pepper
diced green pepper
diced cucumber
roasted garlic
crumbled parmigiano reggiano

homemade dressing :

olive oil
apple cider vinegar
spices :
- oregano
- sage
- parsley
- comfrey
- basil
- dill
- tarragon
- garlic
- onion
- salt
- pepper
- bit o’ parm reg

i like to serve mine at room temperature and i sprinkle crumbled italian breadsticks on top…

SO GOOD!

Tags: batch-cooking, eat the rainbow, eating, food, food blogger, food blogs, food photography, foodography, fotography, healthy eating, in the kitchen, kiss, photography, recipes, seasonal, seasonal eating, simple

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Categories blogging, eat the rainbow, food, food photography, healthy eating, photography, the food, the foodie, the foto

{last watermelon of the season}

21 Sep

who doesn’t love a melon-baller!?!!

Tags: bye bye summer, eat the rainbow, end of summer, food, food and foto, food fotography, food photography, foodandfoto, foodnfoto, foodography, fun, healthy eating, photography, seasonal eating, seasonal food, watermelon

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Categories blogging, eat the rainbow, Farmers Market, food, food photography, health, healthy eating, the food, the foodie, the foto

{meatless monday : a flavourful riced cauliflower dish}

9 Jul

i made this delicious riced cauliflower one-pot make-ahead meal for lunch last week and it was so yummy, i just had to share the recipe! i love experimenting with random things in the fridge!

i’ve been really into using riced cauliflower as a replacement for grains and it does a wonderful job as an understudy. 😉

riced cauliflower has a great texture and maintains it well during the cooking process. i’ve purchased it both fresh and frozen and they both seem to hold up just fine.

i made this dish as i was trying to use up some leftover ingredients such as frozen asparagus from another recipe. i also had some frozen jalapeños that i grew last year and wanted to use.

so this is what i came up with {amounts are “ish”} :

16 oz. fresh riced cauliflower
1/2 cup black beans
1/2 cup sweet corn
1/2 cup diced asparagus {mine was frozen}
1 medium size jalapeño, diced {ribs and seeds removed}
2 tbsp hot sauce
1 tbsp cumin
salt & pepper to taste

heat some butter or oil of choice on medium heat and toss in riced cauiflower. cook slowly until al dente. add in asparagus and jalapeño, cook until slightly tender then throw in black beans and corn and cook for another minute or so. sprinkle in hot sauce and spices and toss together. keeps well in the fridge for a few days. can be frozen for future consumption.

organic chicken or grass-fed ground beef makes a nice addition to this recipe. i made this one vegan because i like to eat vegan at least once a week… not for any particular reason other than keeping things in balance 😉

and i just-so-happen to love cumin! it’s one of my favourite spices… do you like cumin?

Tags: cooking, cooking with audrey, easy recipes, eating, food, food and foto, food blog, food blogger, food blogging, food photography, foodnfoto, foodographer, foodography, fotography, healthy cooking, healthy eating, in the kitchen, photography, recipes, riced cauliflower, simple cooking, vegan

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Categories blogging, food, food facts, food photography, food stories, health, healthy eating, recipes, the food, the foodie, the foto

{happy (belated) asparagus season!}

18 Jun

i’ve been getting my fill of delicious organic asparagus!

it is a marvelous food to eat in spring because it is very cleansing to the body and blood. asparagus is also in season during the spring, which just further proves how awesome and intelligent nature is! 🙂

i like to enjoy asparagus raw or lightly sautéed in grass-fed butter with a dash of himalayan pink salt and black pepper. sometimes i like to add it to risotto with wild mushrooms. when i lived in the mountains years ago, i had a lot of fun foraging for asparagus because it grows wild on the western slope of colorado. pretty cool, huh?!

a tip for keeping asparagus : treat it like fresh-cut flowers. keep the ends trimmed and leave them in a little water in the fridge until ready to use.

do you love asparagus? how do you like to prepare yours?

Tags: asparagus, eat the rainbow, food and foto, food blogger, food is art, food photography, foodandfoto, foodnfoto, foodographer, foodography, fotographer, fotography, healthy eating, nutrition, organic, organic asparagus, organic eating, organic food, photography, plant-based, seasonal, seasonal eating

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Categories art, food, food facts, food photography, food stories, healthy eating, nutrition, organic, the food, the foodie, the foto

{i am a ritualist}

12 Jun

what can i say?! … i am a creature of habit.

i believe i have always been this way, but i don’t believe i have always lived this way…

over the last couple of years i have been particularly adamant about creating a healthy routine in my life… i have found myself purposefully setting intentions of a grounding “ritual” in my daily life from which i could draw strength.

at the very core of those routines and rituals is my desire for overall well-being.

i’m talking about wellness – inside and out – a sense of harmony… and i do believe that all starts within.

the more within myself i look, the more i realize that i absolutely THRIVE in routine. i believe part of that is because i recognize that all living things are in routine… and all living things exist by “obeying” certain laws of nature, many of which we as human beings are more removed from than i would prefer. nature is cyclical, and it is {for the most part} pretty predictable… therefore, nature also thrives in routine.

think about it…

all that to say, the more in touch with nature i’ve become, the more i’ve realized that i am as much a part of nature as nature itself. my body thrives in rhythm and routine, just as nature does.

one of the things i have been wanting to adopt as part of my healthy routine was including a daily vitamin supplement. although i generally eat a very well-balanced healthy diet, i’ve frequently struggled with finding a vitamin supplement that fit my desire for harmony and also fit my standards for well-being… which, i admit, are pretty high. 😉

and so it is with great enthusiasm that i say – I FOUND THAT!

which brings me to my purpose for creating this blogpost… my new best friend :

my ritual vitamins.

these wonderful vitamins came into my life serendipitously… as do most things that are “meant to be.” 🙂

as i said, i had already set the intent of finding a vitamin to add to my daily routine that would give me what i was looking for… an extension of my already healthy lifestyle choices, and SIMPLICITY.

what i love most about ritual is their simplicity. they have taken the guesswork out for us. instead of stuffing a tablet with unnecessary fillers and/or many of the nutrients that come from an already healthy diet, they’ve only included the 9 nutrients that most women lack or are deficient in… basically, it does what i have always believed a vitamin supplement should do… supplement, or as they say – “fill in the gaps”…

the 9 essential nutrients in ritual are :

vitamin K2
vitamin D3
vitamin B12
boron
iron
vitamin E
magnesium
folate
omega-3

so, instead of buying upwards of 4 or 5 bottles of different supplements, many of which include unnecessary fillers, you get all you need in 2 daily capsules. part of the allure for me is that it truly epitomizes the concept of “less is more.”

another reason i love ritual is the transparency – literally and figuratively speaking. the capsules are literally see-through… and the company is transparent by allowing the consumer to trace the source of each ingredient on their website.

ritual vitamins are made for women. they are non-gmo, vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, and the company was founded by a woman. these vitamins are designed specifically for women. for one dollar a day, you can invest in your health by supporting an outstanding company that is truly revolutionizing the vitamin industry. plus, you get bioavailable nutrients that help you look and feel your best.

i have chosen to be an ambassador for this incredible brand because i believe in their mission and i am an advocate for voting with your dollars, as in putting your money where it matters. the $30 a month investment is one that provides a wealth of health.

please visit this link to start your ritual today : food and foto loves ritual

and stay tuned for my personal review on how this vitamin supplement has affected my overall well-being.

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Categories audrey michelle, blogging, food, food facts, food photography, food stories, health, healthy eating, nature, nutrition, the food, thoughts, whatever, writing

{seriously obsessed with spices}

5 Feb

everyone knows i love to cook.

for the most part, i keep it super simple when making meals. and my philosophy is :

quality in = quality out.

in other words – if you start with good ingredients, you generally end with a good meal…

i have only recently begun experimenting with spices in my cooking. i have been collecting spice jars over the last few years, as i was gypsy-ing around the country… and when i settled in a place i feel at home in, i felt super excited to finally display my spice jars.

i received these cool 3-tiered bamboo spice racks as a christmas gift, and i was so eager to get my spice jars out of the cabinet and onto the counter.

it’s the little things, right?!

something about seeing this beautiful rainbow collection of spices just makes me feel so happy inside. and it’s really been fun to experiment with the different aromas/flavours.