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Decadence on a Dime: Charcuterie Edition

6/3/2017

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Saving dough without sacrificing delicacy—what a farfetched, yet intriguing idea. 

Cutting calories as well as cost—come on, is this just an Alex Jones-fashioned conspiracy? 

I’m happy to report these notions are absolutely possible…minus the Internet’s help.

Pinterest is good for many things, including healthified versions of countless eats and treats. Though when it comes to the finer things in life, we must sometimes sound the cynical sirens. Can it really be that “easy”, Pinterest? Sure, “5-ingredient ~whatever~”, but how does it actually taste? Just a few of the questions we may find ourselves asking whilst browsing the endless grid, but hey, it’s hard not to! Especially when some online recipes arguably stand as the modern form of classically deceitful, “as seen on TV” magic (edit: still lamenting my Marvin’s “Magic” Drawing Board was a whole $19.95’s worth of heart-wrenching, kindergarten-era disappointment).

So when diving the searchable depths of how to build a “better” meat and cheese board, Pinterest prides that #vegancharcuterie is the go-to way. But in the words of Elle Woods, we know anyone believing that may just be “seriously disturbed.” 

Enter Trader Joe’s—the mecca of fun food finds at often frugal prices, so it’s less than surprising to find it a hostess’ best friend as well. Housing a plethora of specialty cheese, meat and wine on top of the infamous cookie butter and other fields of frozen treasures, where else but the sacred Joe gives you a promising chance at becoming your own gourmet triple threat.
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Like anywhere else, of course they offer a dreamy slew of cured meats, full-fat cheeses and delicious vessels on which to top them. We definitely know balance is key in all aspects of life, so it’s not to say we have to go full force on the health-minded alterations. A good rule of thumb is using one regular variety for every three meat/cheese selections, then letting creative juices flow for finagling all the rest. 

For the tricker health hacks regarding your anything-but-vegan approach, the Joe has a number of choices across the board (no pun intended). For block cheese offerings, you can find part-skim mozzarella, light brie and some reduced-fat cheddars. If we’re getting extra sacrilegious, one can venture to the fridge’s farthest side for even more pre-sliced, lightened varieties. But whatever you do, remember to choose a good mix of types: soft, semi-soft, firm and maybe even some aged.
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(left) chipotle gouda, TJ's smoked Mozzarella & TJ's extra sharp cheddar; (right) prosciutto, TJ's turkey summer sausage & TJ's spicy Italian chicken sausage
As far as curating your meats, you’ll find a great selection of pre-cooked chicken sausages, thinly sliced smoked salmon and even a nifty summer sausage made of turkey (because who knew that existed?).

While the absent need to bust out your cookware is one of the best parts of serving the charcuterie road less traveled, this healthier take may require a tad bit more prep work than normal. But trust me, it’s nothing short of #worthit.

Dominating the platter with stacks of roasted veggies like carrots, mushrooms, zucchini and red bell pepper lessens the carb overload, but don’t shy away from including whole grain crackers and toasted crostinis on the side as well. Adding a few savory dips and spreads like hummus, mustard and tomato pâté are also flavor-packed picks that beat sugary honey and assorted jams any day. Of course we can’t completely ignore the element of sweet, so go with fabulously fresh fruits instead.

To finish off the tray we turn to our brines beloved, where olives and pickled anything add a seriously salty flair (if you’re into that sort of thing). You can even throw some toasted nuts or roasted garbanzo beans into the mix for added crunch and super food power.

And just like that, our beautiful board is complete! Sans any guilt on the wallet, waist, nor going wayside of utter deliciousness.
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So here’s to splurging on flavor, not the price tag. And best of all: those savings allow more room in every regard for the ultimate accoutrement—WINE!
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Cheers!
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Slightly humorous note: Trader Joe’s in no way sponsored, endorsed or commissioned this blog; their undying excellence is simply a proven fact.

I also love vegan things…just not when it comes to swanky meat and cheese boards.
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Side Notes for the Soul: The Secret to Healthy Eating is No Secret At All...Literally

5/19/2016

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In a world of you-name-it intolerances, #fitmom fanatics and health hack-laden click bait ’til the grass-fed cows come home, it seems everyone’s starving for a solution to well-er being. With dietary “risks” running rampant and restrictions embraced like never before, it’s an honest wonder how our eating culture has become so curiously complex yet dangerously complicated.

As an enthusiastic explorer of various food philosophies, let me preface—I’m all for nutritional education and experimentation. It’s an endlessly interesting realm of information providing wealths of food for thought as inevitable as use of said cliche at some point within this post. I personally think there’s a lot to be said for plant-based diets and focus on real, whole foods; however, a critical deep end has emerged in recent years begging to question what "healthy" really means, and even more...what it has become.

A few months back Broadly published a great article highlighting orthorexia—the ironically unhealthy obsession with eating only “healthy” food. Profiling the low-key debilitation on such a concerning rise, the piece perfectly pegs a mounting disorder in newfound form.
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Food virtue becoming the vice: a slippery slope of culinary constraint
Anorexia, bulimia, binging, oh my! Everyone knows the eating afflictions traditionally plaguing society's scope. While these DSM-recognized disorders may be more common than most ever want to admit, is orthorexia is becoming a camouflaged crisis more prevalent than them all?

Extensive restriction contrasts dangerous loss of control as collective ends of the ED spectrum, but at the heart of every point is internal struggle against pressure once self-imposed now equipped with a life of its own. If overwhelming desire to eat only what fits a conceived "healthy" standard begins feeding one's fear more than their body itself, the conceptual parallels are pretty striking.

“Comfortably Numb: Eat the Pain Away” is another exquisite echo a la our cosmic cohorts at The Numinous. Further addressing the perverted prioritization of sparing life's delicious pleasantries for the sake of twisted "perfection," author Kate Atkinson calls out this trap of self-destruction some overly compulsive souls are progressively plunging into. And at times sketchiest of all—without even realizing it!
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No, the occasional juice cleanse won't set everyone on a downward spiral out of psychological control, but it's important to acknowledge the perilous path to which certain personalities are prone. Many forget the primary function of food is energy, so of course it's important to make the most of it; we are what we eat to a reasonable extent, but it’s not what we eat that should define us.

Whether a means of delicious nourishment, natural way to repair the body, expression of love or a creative statement itself, there's no universal meaning of food, nor a supposedly  token antidote for how to most "healthfully" consume it. 

That said, why stress? 

When you compare you despair, so craft what eating regimen works best for your unique conditions, lifestyle and tastes most of all. We always hear “moderation is key,” so let’s live up to that and kick pursuits of impossible perfection to the punk-ass curb.

For all the things in life we can’t control, why let one glorious aspect that we actually can get the best of us? 
Love your self
Love your body

And all you choose to put in it

(Original images via thatgirlupstairs & The Starchild Tarot by Danielle Noel)
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Chipotles and Chill Feat. The Art of Baked Tortilla Chips

4/2/2016

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After many trials (and verging tribulations), at last, I may have mastered the art of baked tortilla chips.
Baked tortilla chips ~ AJAndMore
~ Cue the angels and gilded glow ~
Chipotle salsa - AJAndMore
Ok—perhaps mastered is a bit dramatic, but how’s that for a pretty rad accomplishment?

A dynamic duo of Mexican food staples, chips and salsa is one of the food pyramid's most obviously important groups. It may be a running joke, but one nail Internet humor could not hit any better on the head is how Texans gauge restaurants based on their chip and dip game alone. 

Best of all, the combination can be a mega healthy snack! However, we’re turning up the heat with a personal favorite as far as underlying flavor forces: 

c h i l e s

Sweet...smokey...sweat-inducing...take your pick. Average Joes may be ones to quickly overlook the fellow Mexican cooking staples, but the curiously complex world of taste that chile palates provide reap truly endless possibilities. 

Southwest zest at its absolute best? Of course. But there’s more to the seemingly simple combo than potentially meets the eye.

First thing’s first--the chipotle salsa

Essentials:
28 oz can of whole tomatoes
1 yellow onion - diced
1/2 c cilantro - chopped
1-2 chipotles canned in adobo sauce - chopped (+ 1 T adobo sauce)
2 T lime juice 
copious amounts of garlic
salt
pepper

Combine the ingredients in a food processor and pulse to your desired texture. I typically dig a bit of chunkiness when it comes to appetizer-style salsa, but to each his total own.

Chipotle salsa - AJAndMore
~ The final result ~
Then--the chips!

We recently hailed feisty foodie and personality extraordinaire Chrissy Tiegen for her awe-inspiring maternity fashion, but the praise train isn’t stopping there. Her "So Delushious" take on dip’s crunchy companions was a great starting point, but we decided to experiment a little further. 
Essentials:
6-8 corn tortillas
Extra-virgin olive oil

1~ Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.
2~ Brush the tortillas with olive oil on each side and cut them into 6 evenly triangular pieces.
3~ Place each piece on an also EVOO-brushed pan and season to your heart’s desire with salt, garlic, onion powder and cumin.
4~ Bake for 10-12 minutes and very carefully watch because here enters the trickiness...
Regardless of the dish, over-cooking can quickly become any chef’s worst nightmare, so it’s best to pull them out as only the edges begin to brown. While the inside area may still feel and look soft—fear not. They’ll cool and harden into a delightfully crunchy form.

As long as the right combination of heat and time is put to use, crispy perfection will be at your fingertips with seriously stunning ease. I’ve found 10 1/2 minutes was perfect for some tortilla brands, but others need slightly longer. Just tap into your third culinary eye and let intuition be the guide (as per ushe).

So with that said, a little homemade craft can set you on a far healthier path to the culinary world’s arguably most important condiment.

Ole!
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Present Predicaments Solved: Holiday Edition

12/24/2015

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Merry (almost) Christmas! It’s soon that time once more.

Whether slinging snow or drinking hot chocolate in perplexingly mid-70s temperatures, ’tis the season for spending time with loved ones, eating stellar food and pausing for moments of yearly reflection.

While basking in all things holly and jolly, don’t succumb to gift-giving folly. Regardless if it’s needing the perfect present for parents, a significant other or the painfully awkward yet obligatory holiday office party, one can’t deny the sometimes stressful nature of shopping pursuits.  

Luckily there’s a simple solution—a token nugget of Yuletide wisdom: Always go with a gift that represents you, in meaning as well as aesthetics…but not in the superficial sense. 

It’s not a matter of monetary or flash-laden value, but sentiment shows no matter the form. A self-made spin can come in many colors, whether literally hand-crafted or simply curated with personalized love. 

Gifts are also a means of self-expression, naturally from which we never shy away. A visual touch of your own unique flair adds another representative level of meaning and mindful effort, so leave recipients saying “from [your name]...of course!"

My example: Homemade holiday snack jars
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The crafty dance of Christmas ribbon with plain glass jars makes a lovely little treat fit for virtually anyone. I filled them with my also homemade ~almost~ vegan Chex-Mix, but the snackly (and occasion) possibilities are clearly endless.
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On another note: who says black can’t be festive? It’s the eternal, technically non-color antidote for all pigment predicaments as well (middle school art teachers rejoice—we do remember it’s considered a shade). From Coco Chanel to Wednesday Addams, Johnny Cash to The Rolling Stones and sprinkles of Santana in between, we’re all about this pop-cultural consensus in favor of the shadowy sartorial staple.

So as Christmas nears and we soon ring in the new year, cliches are inevitably all around us. Despite some more true than others, it really is the thought that counts with devising the “perfect" gift.
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Iced Coffee Ease—The New (or Staple) Black

5/18/2015

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PictureStirred grounds in waiting
Seasons change and so do tastes, but certain items live on in pantry prestige.

Pan left: Coffee!

Even if you don't take it black, shared qualities with the staple color (or shade, as my middle school art teacher would correct) are undeniable. But with warm weather at last upon us, the thought of cool drinks are so much more appealing.

Pan right: Iced coffee!

Gracing the grips of hipsters across the country, the chilled java fave has become a summer standard. Next to avocados, coffee pretty well epitomizes life force, but who knew its iced variety is so easy to make?


Within mixing lies the magic; Put fresh grounds in water to sit covered in the fridge. After about 12 hours (or overnight), strain the liquid into a container and discard the grounds.

Simple as that! Pour and add whatever creamer or sweetener your heart desires.

Like any recipe, ratio is key. Going with a stronger, bolder brew is best, since it will likely water down. I personally used 1 adorably mini bag (2 oz. or 1/4 cup) of World Market's Italian roast with about 28 oz. of water.

Caffeinated and cool
--we are officially psyched for summer!

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Dangerously easy, dangerously delicious: The next morning's finished product
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Festive Food Fusion: Pumpkin Chicken Tacos

10/17/2014

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We know it; We love it; We may sometimes question it—but not with this culinary concoction.

This week’s escapade was a case of savor meets season, in what turned out to be a muy bueno match made in harvest heaven.

Enter: Pumpkin Chicken Tacos with Roasted Root Veggies

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The pilgrimage to stores like Trader Joe’s and World Market this time of year is always a fruitful 
one—or gourdful, I should say. With pumpkinpalooza at the center of what seem like every store’s seasonal specials, the real question remains: can one can truly get enough? 

The answer likely not. 

Continue reading for recipe and more!


Read More
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Never Doubt Your Intuition

9/20/2014

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From a ripe young age, proactively raging against the cultural grain has defined my path still in the making.

Whether it’s choosing green as your favorite color from birth or seeming like the last 20-something girl left standing without a nose piecing, unconventionality should never be shooed away.

While sometimes challenging to the mind, we must realize in the heart that we all are who we are for a reason
--many of which we do not yet fully know, but are certainly on our way to discovering.

Fostering growth to forever feel, love and be ceaselessly inspired, this is me and you are you.  Though hand-in-hand the two may sometimes work, since there are no coincidences, after all.


This blog should have probably been created long ago, but better late than never.
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    Alex J. A.
    Lifestyle Designer.
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