Tag: food travel journalist

Watermelon Slushy

It’s SO hot in Alabama this week with highs today in the 100’s. Since we have an abundance of watermelon in the refrigerator, my daughter, Leigh, thought she would try her hand at making a Watermelon Slushy. I was so impressed that I said, “Hold everything. Let me take a photo of this.” Here’s her recipe for Watermelon Slushy. I know you’ll enjoy it this Fourth of July week and throughout the summertime. It’s so fresh and flavorful, and a perfect recipe to beat the summer heat.

Blueberry Muffins with Greek Yogurt

When my daughter, Leigh, was bored the other day, I said, “Let’s make some muffins”. We had an abundance of blueberries on hand and came up with this healthier version of Blueberry Muffins with Greek Yogurt. Leigh is 13 years old, and she made this entire recipe on her own. I photographed this picture, but I told her that she just may have a summer internship. Anyway, this is the first of several of her creations coming soon that she made under my (very little) direction. They do taste as good as they look. We started with a dozen, and the next morning there were only 3 left 🙂

Speaking Event Friday at Women’s Work-Life Symposium

I am so excited and honored to be speaking at this year’s 3rd Annual Women’s Work-Life Seminar Symposium in Panama City Beach, Florida. I will be accompanies by five other wonderful motivational speakers such as Lorna Owens, International Motivational Speaker and Author, Jill Nichols, Chief Operating Officer of  Vera Bradley, Jennifer Webb, Author, Speaker and Coach, Charlotte Steill, Certified Professional Organizer, and Martha Lanier, Author, triathlete and cancer and heart attack survivor. When it’s over, I am off to the beach! Have a great weekend, Alison

Travel Tuesday: Cachaca Samba Cocktail from Halekulani in Waikiki

Halekulani, Waikiki’s legendary beachfront resort hotel, has created several new summer cocktails. This Hawaiian recipe creation for Cachaca Samba is as summery, beautiful, and unique as it gets. Cachaca is a liqour made of fermented sugarcane juice. It is one of the most popular distilled alcohol beverages in Brazil.

Along with Halekulani’s signature Mai Tai, which was invented and still served at the hotel, these summertime concoctions are available at the award-winning Orchids restaurant, by the pool and of course, while enjoying traditional Hawaiian entertainment at Halekulani’s famed outdoor gathering spot House Without a Key, which is immortalized in a 1925 Charlie Chan novel. I want one, don’t you? If you’re headed to Waikiki Hawaii, you must check this out.

Spicy Cumin Chicken with Strawberry Coulis

Yay, it’s strawberry season! Strawberries are one of my favorite fruits and so versatile in so many recipes such as this Spicy Chicken with Strawberry Coulis recipe from Driscoll’s Strawberries. The Strawberry Coulis is a chunky sauce made with strawberries, green onions and cilantro. It pairs so nicely with the coriander and cumin spiced chicken. This recipe can be made in only 30 minutes, so it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Rhubarb-Carrot Juice

Rhubarb looks a bit like red celery, but it’s actually a member of the fruit family. Juicing is a great way to take in valuable nutrients without having your body word hard to break down the fibers. It’s high in many vitamins such as calcium, vitamin K and Lutein, a natural antioxidant that’s great for healthy eyes and skin. When you “juice” fruits and vegetables, the food value is readily available to your body in larger quantities than when you eat the fruit whole.  The benefits of consuming juiced fruits and veggies include keeping your heart, liver and kidneys strong and healthy.

Featured on Good America as America’s “Steals and Deals”, Omega Juicers are stylish enough for the home and powerful enough for the workplace. Omega also offers 15-year warranties on their products. Check them out on Facebook.

 

Travel Tuesday: Spinach Quinoa from Westside Market NYC

This recipe from comes from the Westside Market NYC, a top market in New York, which has been in business for almost 50 years. Their market has seen a rise in the number of people purchasing quinoa at their four locations. Quinoa’s health benefits include it being a gluten free grain, boosting brain power and having high levels of iron and calcium. Maria Zoitas, wife of Westside Market’s founder John Zoitas, the creator of the “made by Maria” line of prepared foods at the market. Here is one of Maria’s healthy creations.

About Westside Market NYC:

Established in 1965, Westside Market NYC has been deeply engrained in the fabric of Manhattan’s Upper Westside life. A rare find in the food market business, Westside Market NYC is family owned and operated in the truest sense. Born and raised on a farm in Roupakia, a village on the island of Lefkada, Greece, John Zoitas arrived in the U.S. from Greece more than 45 years ago. He brought with him a love of fresh-grown produce, authentic cooking, and a steadfast commitment to service and quality. Each of our locations enjoys a remarkably loyal following, which is no surprise; it’s a direct result of the fact that the Zoitas family takes great pride in every aspect of their business. Under the tutelage of his father John, George Zoitas has taken the reigns of Westside Market NYC and made it into the premier market it is today. Our mission is simple: to become your favorite neighborhood food market and caterer of choice by offering the highest quality foods and hard-to-find products supported by friendly, personalized, efficient service. Discover Westside Market NYC, and experience the difference! For more information visit www.wmarketnyc.com

Two Ingredient Raspberry Popsicles

When I first saw “Sparkling Ice”at a friends house, my 3 kids begged me to buy it. After taking a look at the ingredients, I thought, “Why not give it a shot.” They loved all of the flavors, but it is also great to use in cocktails and even popsicle recipes. The Black Raspberry flavor was one of their favorites, and I love how easy it is to make Two Ingredient Raspberry Popsicles. Sparkling ICE is also a great alternative sport drink beverage for people of all ages. Sparkling ICE combines fresh spring water, natural fruit juices and vitamins and antioxidants to create tasty, lightly-carbonated refreshments in assorted thirst-quenching flavors. It’s a great alternative to soft drinks. It is caffeine-free, Kosher U and free of sodium and carbohydrates. For more information, see their Facebook page or website.

Sparkling ICE retails for $1.29, or $12-$15 for a 12 pack. Flavors include Coconut Pineapple, Lemon Lime, Kiwi Strawberry, Lemonade, Orange Mango, Pomegranate Berry, Pink Grapefruit, and Black Raspberry. Sparking ICE is available at retailers nationwide, including Kroger, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Publix, Winn Dixie, Amazon and more.