Check out my progress on What'd You Do to My Broccoli?!
As I entered the kitchen to prepare my dinner tonight, I flipped on the TV to my default channel, Food Network. The program showing was a Food Network Challenge, called “Food Magicians” in which four food stylists competed to prepare the most eye-catching dishes. They were all given the exact same meals to prepare (classic American breakfast, stir-fry, and pork loin with pie for dessert) to be judged not for taste but for appearance only. With a program so pertinent to food blogging, I was understandably riveted just seconds after turning on the television. I always suspected that food stylists use some pretty crazy tricks to make food look so appealing, but I had no idea to what extremes they go to, just to make your mouth water–pinning blueberries to pancakes, spraying eggs with WD-40, and–the worst of them all–cooking broccoli in ammonia! How tragic to make food appear so drool-worthy but poisonous at the same time! I think I will stick to creating edible, albeit slightly less appealing victuals.
Aside from marveling at food stylists deception, I spent much of this weekend chillin’ with the girls, due to the fact that my dad and my brothers-in-law were out of town (NYC!) and otherwise occupied. My mom, sisters, and I did a little chatting, shopping, and, of course, eating. Here are a few pics from the dinner table at CPK:
Katie & Lea
Mom & me
How did you spend your weekend?
Onto the grub:
Friday
I am fast realizing that I am a coco-addict–coconut, that is. I satisfied my craving with my spiffy smoothie. So sweet, so tropical, so perfect.
peach-blueberry smoothie with berry HempShake, soymilk, Acai Apple granola, & shredded coconut
Saturday
After a steamy 7-mile run, I needed to replace a few electrolytes, so I cooled down with some chilled coconut water (yep, that addiction kicked in again). Although I am not yet a coconut water convert, I will say that this experience was far better than my first–chilling it makes a big difference!
ZICO original coconut water
For breakfast, I made the Tofu-Banana French Toast recipe I raved about here.
Tofu-Banana French Toast topped with banana, cherries, & Sbu
I made a chunky white bean spread for a veggie-ful wrap.
White Bean Spread (ED&BV) wrap; cantaloupe; salad with cottage cheese & dill
check out those cashew chunks!
We headed to CPK for dinner, where I ordered the Miso Salad, sans seafood and with the dressing on the side. After a little shopping, we headed to a local creamery for dessert. I ate almost every speck of what you see here:)
Miso Salad with shredded cabbage, radishes, carrots, edamame, green onions, crispy noodles, & mucho avocado
simple chocolate fro-yo
…but I always save room for a smoothie.
strawberry-mango smoothie with berry HempShake, soymilk, & cinnamon raisin granola
Sunday
Due to my recent obsession with oat bran and Cream of Wheat, I have been neglecting good ol’ oatmeal. Hence, choco-nana oats were on the menu this morning.
banana oatmeal cooked in unsweetened chocolate almond milk & topped with almond butter
Although I didn’t enjoy the Organicville non-dairy ranch dressing on its own, it lent a delicious flavor to this dip.
white bean-ranch dip with veggies & whole grain tortilla; orange segments
Lazy chef tonight–I relied on the freezer for inspiration.
greens topped with Naked Quorn cutlet, dried berries, walnuts, & a drizzle of balsamic; Ak Maks; plain yogurt with chopped apple
yogurt flavored with almond extract, stevia, & apple pie spice
Off to prepare for the week ahead! Toodles.
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
can’t forget oatmeal!! and i told you that the organicville ranch is better when it’s added into/mixed with other things!
-JB
http://cardiovegsular.wordpress.com
p.s. the frozen yogurt looks too perfect to be real!
Haha, Food Network is our default channel too. Ick, yeah I am totally with you there–I prefer tasty food then chemically enhanced food!
I hate to throw out my first try at coconut water (as much as I love coconut!). I’ll try chilling it next time. Thanks for the tip
Mmmm miso salad + froyo = heaven! That froyo looks sooo good! Oh my gosh I love that stuff.
That is a creative way to use up icky store bought dressing. A definite must try for me since I am somewhat of a salad dressing snob!
You and your mom look so much alike: both gorgeous!!!
I’m excited to see what you ordered at CPK…Chris got a gift card for his birthday.
I also read your chickpea post…Chris likes ‘em in his cookies. NO thanks!!!
Apple pie spice?? Where do you get such a thing!?!
That food programme sounds interesting. i had no idea people made food only to look at, so strange!
I make a similar tofu french toast to you, its SO good! Mine tastes nothing like tofu, and banana goes perfectly well with it
Rose
Mmm CPK and fro yo! Always a classic combo…glad you got to go out with friends/fam and have such a great time!
Yikes! So sad that they’d do such a thing to broccoli!!! What good is broccoli that you cannot eat? Poor little broccoli
Congrats on your new home, Caroline!!
I totally forgot that I wanted to make french toast today!
Do you ever look like your Mom!!!
Interesting food tricks, but such a waste…
I think all of your eats look SPECTACULAR girl! No need to pin down berries here =)
Great way to refuel after your run! Those pancakes look awesome!
I need to get the EDBV cookbook! all of the recipes you make from there look so yummy!
I watched part of that last night as well – kind of gross but of course I was hooked! They were demolishing out lovely eats!!
I am loving the tasting plate lunch!! Especially the red bell pepper!
your family pics are super cute!! yucky I can’t drink coconut water even though I love all things coconut
I hope you have a great monday!!
that sounds disgusting! i know people would put varnish on thanksgiving turkey for tv but for vegetables? disgusting!
You really resemble your mom! Lovely pic
And speaking of lovely pics, your meals always look pretty spectacular, even without ammonia or WD-40 (ick!)! Especially those smoothie glamor shots.
I guess I shouldn’t be so surprised at the stuff they do to food to make it look good, but ammonia?? Seriously? Blech.
wow. that was a seriously delish looking weekend of eats!
oh your fam is so cute! and so are you. dude, i am so wishing i caught that FNC, i hard about it on a few blogs–sounds crazy, but i am sure they will play a rerun! every time i catch FNC lately it is that bride cake one. sick of it!
wow! the salad from that restaurant looks SO good! I wish we had that around here
looks like you had a really great time with your fam this weekend
Awww you and your mom look so much alike!
YUM to that miso salad too.
I like the family pics
Your miso salad looks great! I love asian/japanese-themed salads. This weekend I was actually in new york city!
I think everyone has said this but, you and your mom look like beautiful twins!
I am coconut obsessed too!!! I just posted about this insane coconut macadamia cookie I had this weekend…holy shiznit it was awesome!
that is SO cool about the food stylist show – I am going to have to look for that!
Tofu Banana French Toast topped with cherries?? YUM.
i love me broccoli.
miso salad!!
chocolate froyo!!
pretty plates!!
gorgeous food AS ALWAYS Caroline! sheesh I say it everytime!!
White bean & ranch dressing? That sounds like an awesome combination – sort of a healthy take on ranch drip. Good idea!