Have Cans, Will Hoard? 20: 365

The pantry is stocked with wallet friendly food. The plan these days is saving money. My first step (among many) is to say so long to all the restaurant dining, and hello to home cooking. It goes along with this year's goals. So far the pre-planning and extra time in the kitchen feel more like a treat than a chore. Hopefully that will last these next couple months.

Duh. Pinning.

Pinterest has become my new time suck. If I have a free minute, I'm no longer updating my Facebook profile, wandering aimlessly through friend's albums, or falling into random twitter feeds.... I'm collecting quotes, recipes, crafts, fashion how to's, workouts, and dreaming of a better life through images and placing all these things on the social pin board known as Pinterest.

A couple months ago, my pinboards were nothing more than things I thought were interesting. I'd repin images I liked. Now, I'm uploading my own pins from sites. I'm using the platform to keep track of my own ideas. Most importantly, I feel challenged to actually put my pins to practice. The result has been new outfit ensembles with clothes I already owned, new makeup ideas (without having to spend $50 and 2 hours at the MAC counter), new hair up dos, recipes, crafts, and decor.

I've decided to add a new blog page to keep track of my pin experiments. Each post will explain the process, if it truly is the "best recipe/tutorial/easy decor idea ever", and my results. Additionally, I'll link my original pins with the post.
(If you care to peruse or follow my ideas before action, my Pinterest page can be found @ http://pinterest.com/carinamae/)

Happy Pinning indeed.

EAT: Amsterdam

Though only a few hours from each other, the cuisine in Amsterdam is a world away from Paris. I also stayed in an apartment with my parents for this leg of the trip, which gave us the opportunity to grocery shop and live like residents, not tourists (which I loved). There are two basic foods I crave each time I'm in Amsterdam: Currant buns, or krentenbollen, which are soft, pillowy rolls and advocaat, a soft custard-like brandy treat. YUM! I'm not exaggerating when I say that I consumed both items for the majority of my meals.

Like Paris, most menus are available in English. I'm not sure if this was a translation misprint, or if these nachos truly came with beet salsa. Though adventurous, I was not about to venture into Mexican Dutch food.

Most of my restaurant eating revolved around traditional dishes like homemade soups and simple sandwiches. Even the most basic sandwich comes with delicious gourmet cheese.



These are cheese wheels from the shop my cousins own


It seems like the majority of pastries are either ginger spiced or made with almond paste (whose taste is similar to marzipan). Both flavors are exponentially better than our typical vanilla bean or chocolate overload. And the best baked goods can be found right in the famers markets, probably still warm from baking that morning.

Needless to say, after attempting to consume every flavor and delicacy both countries had to offer, I had my work cut out for me upon returning home. Luckily moving 25 boxes full of books is a great cardio workout.

Looking at the World Through Euro Colored Glasses

As I decided to name my trip Eat, Pray, Shop, I thought it best to recap the trip with posts dedicated to each category. And because there was so much deliciousness to be had, I’m further dividing my caloric experience by city.


EAT: Paris

My first meal in Paris was from a street cart selling crepes. Crepes in Paris are akin to our hot dog stands and taco roach coaches, though in my opinion much more delectable and romantic. Having been served this fluffy yet thin pancake of goodness, I was instantly in love with the city of love. Walking down the alleyways in the 7th Arrondissement, I left all my stresses in Seattle behind, and decided life could simply not get any better than this Nutella filled crepe. That is until I stopped into a café three blocks later for my first café de crème, and then it was love at first taste all over again.

A glimpse at the locale of my first dining experience. In my opinion, even the alleys in Paris are better than ours. Past the trash and parking lies a narrow pathway to hidden cafes and shops.

There were several things that struck me throughout my meals in Europe. The dishes are much simpler than ours here in the states. If I ordered roasted duck, it most likely came with French fries and a side salad. I noticed during one dinner, the table next to me was served foie gras. It was plated with two pieces of white Wonder-like bread.
One of my favorite lunch choices consisted of a Croque Madame (eggs, cheese, and ham on white) or a Jambon Buerre sandwich, which as it is translated literally consists of ham and butter.

I have no idea who in America decided that French dressing should be an orange-colored ketchup-like consistency and flavor. Every single one of the salads I was served (and they practically come on the side of all dishes) came with a standard dressing of Dijon vinaigrette. This original is much tastier, and unlike its American homogenized, pureed, uniform viscous sauce imposter, is probably healthy too.

I was also taken aback by the change in sanitary practices in Europe. At the famed Café de Flore, croissants are placed on one large platter. If you choose to order this buttery delight, they will bring you the day's fresh platter to nibble right off of, until you decide you are finished or another table requests the croissant platter.

Restaurant service is also very different than here at home. I learned this after two days of tipping 20% and receiving gratuitous thank you’s from my servers. Turns out tips are completely OPTIONAL and meant as a thank you for good service (novel concept, huh?). Most tips range from 5 – 10% of your bill instead of the outrageous 20%. From this, I’m concluding that individuals in the food service industry abroad are probably paid fairly unlike the servers who have to depend on tips here in the States.

French wine, as it turns out, is not an expensive beverage option when consumed in its home country. While dining in Versailles, two glasses of wine were equal to one Diet Coke. One guess as to which menu option I chose.

As mentioned above, servers are not dependent on their tips, and therefore do not need to “flip” tables as they do here. It is perfectly acceptable to order a cafe express (espresso) and pain au chocolat, and sit at the same table for the greater part of an afternoon.

In addition to falling in love with slathering Nutella on just about anything with a flat surface, I tried a macaron for the first time. It’s important not to confuse the macaron with a macaroon. This cookie is no misshaped lump of coconut shavings. It’s a delicate cookie “sandwich” made of two meringue disks and a flavored filling in the middle. Fillings are usually either buttercream or jam with flavors ranging from chocolate, coffee, pistachio, lavender, raspberry and any other variety of dreaminess in between.



A delicious display by the famous pastry chef Pierre Hermé on Rue Cambon



I made an effort at every meal I consumed on the trip, to be of that geographic region's cuisine (aside from  one moment of weakness following an intense confrontation with two people claiming to be customs officers at Gare du Nord [train station], after which I broke down and ordered a cheeseburger). I even tried to take this culinary adventure past my comfort zone. While dining in Monmarte, I ordered cuisses de grenouille (or frog legs) for an appetizer. Though I had heard that "they taste like chicken," I'm sad to report I found this to be an inaccurate description. Instead they were pretty spongy in texture with little taste. I got the most amusement out of the plate's presentation of the frog legs. As the legs are served still attached to the spine, I was essentially served a dish of frog butts.



Bon Appetit!

  
Finally, I had forgotten that a glass of water served with every meal is not common practice in Europe. Instead, it presents itself more frequently in the form of coffee, wine and beer. For the moments that I felt like a purist and was in need of overdue hydration, I learned to ask for a carafe of water instead of a glass (as most cups and glasses are not much larger than our common shot glass). I was especially entertained at the effort made by Cafe de Flore, who not only gave me an entire carafe of water without asking for one, but also a single ice cube to chill the entire decanter.

Thanks Mom

After all these years, I am finding more and more that my mom always knew best. I can remember the years of misery and anguish found in school lunches and grocery shopping on weekends. 100% juice boxes only, all natural string cheese, a piece of fruit, peanut butter and jelly sandwich made only with low sugar jam, Adams peanut butter (the kind you had to stir after buying) and 12 grain bread. On a very special day, I might find a fig newton or two. My mom mastered the South Beach Diet before it was invented. I used to dream of Capri Suns, fruit roll ups (the kind with cut outs), lunchables, and Kudos snack bars. Sadly, these things were never found in the Van Son household. In third grade, I began to protest these gross healthy lunches by not eating anything she packed for me. I would leave the uneaten food in my backpack for days. After discovering the "dead lunches", my mom concluded that if I wasn't going to eat the lunch she so lovingly packed for me, I could go ahead and make it myself. Not exactly the outcome I was hoping for.

Many years later, as I have become more nutrition conscious, I am grateful for the natural food selection of school days past. As an adult, I don't have a palette for processed sugars and food. I try to shop as fresh as possible, compare bulk food to packaged, and consider all information and ingredients on the nutrition label.

Lately, this gratitude has gone one step further. Since I live in the ghetto of Austin, I typically grocery shop anywhere but near home. Our local shop is not my ideal destination, it is overcrowded, messy, and lacks selection. Mostly it exposes me to parents who are buying terrible food for their kids. Soda, white bread, bologna, Velveeta cheese slices, Cheetos, donuts, bright red fruit punch of some kind, the list goes on and on. I know these foods are less expensive, but with some thought and planning a healthier diet is still possible on a budget. What's worse, the kids look unhealthy to me.

Seeing the other end of the spectrum has really helped me realize the importance of instilling healthy eating habits at a young age. When the time comes, I will be packing lunches for my kids that are very similar to the ones once made for me. And when the munchkins complain (which I'm sure they will), I will take heart and hope that in 16 years time, they come to the same realization and appreciation that I have.

Hostest with the Mostest

I have a client who never fails to astound me. Like most mid-week Neimans shoppers, she is a stay at home wife with a bit of time to kill. Last week she was telling me I should really get more into writing personal letters. She even sends "thank you" notes to people who have attended her parties (isn't proper etiquette for the opposite to occur, the guest sends a thank you?)

I told her emails and texts are enough work for me as it is.

Today I found out when her parties are potluck, or people bring appetizers for a gathering, she sends their plates (Tiffany's china, Tupperware, or otherwise) back home to them refilled with a fruit platter or baked goodies. The plate never returns to the guest empty.

What a wonderful Martha Stewart idea! Granted I have yet to throw a proper party at any home I've lived in since college, but this is something I will definitely remember. I also think I need to figure out how to get on her next guest list!

Tis the Season to Add Poundage

And how can I resist? It all looks so delicious. All that lost summer weight is finding its way back to me...

Out of Thanksgiving leftovers? Take a Stove Top single serving of stuffing to work for lunch

These might be too cute to eat! Ralphie cookies from A Christmas Story. Found on Etsy

Texas brewery Shiner has a great seasonal selection, Holiday Cheer which tastes like peaches and nutmeg. I made an ice cream float with one last night. So good... but what a calorie overload

Nick's brother also brought about three pounds of their mom's homemade granola when he visited over Thanksgiving. Since Nick isn't a fan of the cereal (and I am), I've been munching on it for breakfast every morning since. I'm pretty sure it's no Special K.

"Ass, Cash or Grass, Nobody Eats for Free"

A time honored tradition for many urbanites is Sunday morning brunch. Meeting up with friends over diner coffee, fresh squeezed OJ and concoctions involving eggs and Tabasco has for years been the highlight of my week. LA is chocked full of great brunch destinations ranging from fine Florentine to skillet scramble. Swingers is by far my favorite. It's low on pretention, high on hipsters and tatted servers. Breakfast is served all day from morning to the wee hours of the night and their menu is mostly organic with many vegetarian and vegan selections (even better, you can't taste the nutrition!)

Spotted:

What can top this weekly treat? Sharing it with two A-listers of course! Amanda and I sat next to Christina Ricci and Jamie King. Keep an eye out for Jamie's new series with Jay Mohr Gary Unmarried. Christina is also targeting more television in the near future.

It's Not Easy Being Cheesy

This is the first somewhat "guest" posting from Mr. Nick Byrd... i.e. he proposed the idea and told me I should blog about it (I'll take what I can get)

Yet another reason why cheese is so amazing. These people are literally willing to throw themselves down a hill for it. Now THAT'S love! Sorry Nick, I'm not sure I can claim I would do the same for you ;)

The pink pig is my favorite.

This might actually beat out Bay to Breakers as the coolest thing to attend, ever.

Otter Pop Season

As temperatures are moving into the triple digits, there is only one solution for the heat, Otter Pops! Like Sangria (http://cvanson.blogspot.com/2008/03/super-sangria.html) Otter Pops are a time honored summer tradition. While living at the Trailer and the Lake Washington house in Seattle we would snag a couple boxes from Costco to make it through the summer (if I remember correctly, Costco sizes hold 500). They can also be found at common grocery stores, just in smaller quantities.
My admiration for these frozen treats can at times border addiction, not as bad as my pizza obsession... but close. I even used to eat a few right after summer runs instead of rehydrating with a glass of water. I argued they probably have the same electrolytes as Gatorade.

If you're thinking you are just "too mature" for a popsicle featuring furry critters playing the banjo, I suggest the adult version, Otter Pop shots. An invention I learned from Katie, open a frozen pop, eat about ¼ of it, and mush up the remainder. Pour vodka (as much as the tube will allow) and enjoy. Yummm! In no time flat you'll be singing along to the tune that pesky animal is playing ;)

One Day, Two Great Discoveries

It's a well known fact that I'm challenged in the department of eating. Not in the sense that I'm crazy for junk food. Despite the fact that I truly believe I could live on a diet of pizza alone, most of the time I prefer water to soda, tofu to animals who used to have a face, and salad to french fries. I even went through a period of time last year where I somehow developed a serious phobia of contracting scurvy, and therefore ate more fruits and vegetables than a rabbit.

My issues are more specific to the act of eating. Simply stated, I'm a spiller. Hardly a meal goes by where some bite or crumb of food doesn't travel past my mouth and into my lap.

See exhibit A: Out to dinner with Kim. Notice her clean eating area. Then notice mine (I also seem to be eating 4x more than she is...)

Coffee, is a WHOLE other problem for me. I drink my Americanos with a straw not because my teeth are sensitive, or I care about keeping them white, but because I have a bad track record of coffee somehow finding its way onto my shirt.

Even carrying coffee is a challenge for me. It tends to spill all over my hands, especially if I'm carrying Starbucks for two. This leads me to my first discovery yesterday, the lid plugger. I'm fairly certain this isn't the official name for the contraption. I was also told they were relatively new, although since I've been living under a rock lately, I don't quite get out to the neighborhood Bux like I used to. Whether they've been around for months or days, I love them! One less chance to spill on myself is a great step forward for me and five year olds everywhere!

My second amazing discovery happens to also be food related (I'm on a roll). I found a frozen yogurt place about a block from Nick's apartment in Austin that is a solid Pinkberry knockoff! I'm almost positive it's illegal to live in the LA area and NOT be obsessed with this invention of deliciousness. The problem is now that I'm hooked, I have nowhere to get it! Pinkberry has strategically stayed in California and only recently announced it will go bi-coastal and open shop in New York.

The Austin version is still not the real thing. But at least for now, I have found a way to ebb the craving until my feet are firmly planted back in LA soil.