Friday, August 31, 2012

Let's hear it for the boys! Hot Male Celebrity Vegetarians

Looking for the Who's Who of hot vegetarians!? Well I know I am! Scoping out the HOTTEST VEGETARIAN AWARDS handed out by PETA- I'm starting this series with the boys. (Sorry I'm in charge, and they are my favs. I promise the ladies are coming soon!)


There is something about a tattooed rebel boy like fellow v-lover Travis Barker! I might be in love!?
 In case you live under a rock, Travie ( my pet name for him) is an American musicianproducer and entrepreneur, most ounoted as the drummer for the Americanpop punk band Blink-182, as well as the alternative rock band +44, the rap rock band The Transplants, and the alternative rock band Box Car Racer. He was a frequent collaborator with the late DJ AM, and together they formed TRV$DJAM.
I think at one time he was married to some other blonde chick. We won't discuss this...




Owain Yeoman- MEOW! His credits include The NineKitchen Confidential and the HBO series, Generation Kill. He currently appears as Agent Wayne Rigsby in The Mentalist.

This one is for the boys...he's not on my team. But he sure is nice to look at!








Like a man's man? Little aggression with that quinoa salad? How about pro- UFC fighter Jake Sheilds?!



Jake is an American mixed martial artist who is currently fighting in the middleweight division of the UFC. He is the last Rumble on the Rock 175 lb (79 kg) champion. He is the first and last Elite XC Welterweight Champion. He is also the former Shooto Welterweight Champion and is the former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion.


You can bench me Jake anytime!



Who says being a vegetarian is for sensitive tree huggers? These men are successful smart and sexy vegetarians! Rock on Boys!


Food for Thought...


Pit Stop Shinanigans: Sylvia's La Canasta Restaurante

So while antique shopping in Melrose, I was overcome by hunger pains and the desire for some good chips & salsa...And I found it! At Sylvia's La Canasta Restaraunte in Phoenix!
The service was painfully slow ( maybe I came during siesta) but the chips and salsa hit the spot!

The enchilada was greasy, cheesy and super authentic. Just what a girl needed after a long day of shopping! Guacamole was delish!

A must try in central Phoenix!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Juicy Fruit: Papaya & Avocado Salad



Straight from Vegetarian Times a unique salad to brighten up the dull coma inducing salads of the summer!
When buying ripe papayas, look for firm (not hard) fruit with a yellowish rind that has no spots or bruises.
  • 4 ripe papayas, divided
  • 2 small avocados, diced (1 cup)
  • ⅓ cup unsalted cashews, chopped
  • ¼ cup coarsely chopped cilantro or fresh mint
  • 3 Tbs. fresh lime juice
  • 1 medium shallot, finely chopped (2 Tbs.)
  • 1 cup packed arugula, coarsely chopped
  1. Halve 2 papayas and scoop out seeds. Set halves aside. Peel remaining 2 papayas with vegetable peeler, then halve and scoop out seeds. Cut peeled papaya halves into 1/2-inch dice, and place in medium bowl.
  2. Add avocados, cashews, cilantro, lime juice, and shallot to diced papayas in bowl, and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Fold in arugula. Fill papaya halves with salad, and serve immediately.
  3. Enjoy!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

More indulgence at The Spa at Hotel Hershey

There is nothing more sexy then food. Food has a bad boy streak. That thing that girl's can't get enough of. It's powerful, spicy, and yes be a bit dangerous to your health ..it gets a girls motor running. And at the end of it  all the comfort , sweetness and joy it brings means you can bring it home to mama.

So go ahead get naked with your food. No one will judge you. Especially at The Spa in Hotel Hershey

Known as The Chocolate Spa it  features a variety of chocolate-infused treatments in honor of the  rich chocolate history in Hershey Pennsylvania, birth place of Hershey's chocolate.

My favorite: the chocolate dipped strawberry. A strawberry parfait sugar scrub followed by a chocolate fondue wrap. And just so you know...calories don't count in your spa treatment.

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A sad goodbye to a legendary restaurant: Charlie Trotter's

I spent a lovely week in Chicago this year. The sun was shining, there was a cool breeze in the air, and more importantly the smells of all the special culinary delights this city has to offer. On one very special night, I had a 9pm reservation at the famous Charlie Trotter's.  Chef Trotter has authored more then 14 cookbooks and has a list of awards too long to list, he is an obvious favorite for this food groupie.

While making my reservation ( months in advance) I loved the quote on his site along his vegetarian menu for that season.

Chef Trotter’s approach to vegetable cuisine is not that of a staunch vegetarian, but rather of a chef passionate about vegetables. Their complex textures, artistic shapes, vibrant colors and full flavors fuel his love for transforming them into unforgettable dishes.

As I walked up the stairs of this little quiet white wooden porch, I was immediately comforted by the very unassuming quaintness of its entryway. The first small room was lined with a bar and dimly lit. I could feel my anticipation rise.

Dinner seating began..and the feast that lasted thru the night into the wee hours of the morning was nothing short of orgasmic.  Chef Trotter's approach to vegetables was kind, celebratory and surprising.

I will share more details of my tasting menu in  a future post, but for now, a sweet farewell . Charlie Trotter's is set to close it's doors on the evening of August 31st, 2012



The New Mr & Mrs

There is nothing I love more then a sexy table to eat at. From furniture to linen, bread basket to lighting...I notice everything. So when I saw these fabulous salt & pepper shakers from Jonathan Adler, well...let's just say they have a home on my table now.


Monday, August 20, 2012

Food for thought...

fruit triffle

It's getting juicy at Elements!

This weekend I had the pleasure of dining at Elements at Sanctuary Resort & Spa. It was incredible. I don't even have to go into the views this place has...let's dive straight into the food!  My summer obsession is watermelon & tomato anything ( I know sounds weird, but it's a must try)! My appetizer course was so divine I had order 2 !

I will have to go and re-try a soup I had with the same ingredients at Prado so I can share that with you as well...
go get it before the summer season is over!

A food blog is born.

There are lots of food blogs out there. And yes this is another one. I know. It's been done. But, really how many stylish obsessed vegetarians are out there?

 I am not the PITA loving kind of vegetarian. This v-lover is not a tree hugging, hemp wearing, preacher type (not that there is anything wrong with that).

I love fine dining ...and it just so happens that the most incredible ingredients in the world are all vegetarian!

So, on that note, welcome to my culinary adventures of some really ultra chic restaurants, hip & trendy food concepts, and sexy temptations for the palette.