MOVED!

This blog has moved to Wordpress, the URL is the same: www.modeleatsblog.com

for the blog specifically www.modeleatsblog.com/blog

Thank You!!

Photo Memories

Whenever another baseball season starts I like to reflect on different parts of the 'off season'. I used to count my 'seasons' based on modeling seasons which are different based on each market. However, since baseball is pretty much an 'all consuming sport'... I don't really have much of an option. So without further ado... here are some wonderful aspects of my winter months. 

swimming with sharks-

 discovering raw vegan desserts

 campfires

 parties

 remembering 9/11

 mexico

 new clients. SIRENS.

 dress fittings

 working with my bestest friend. Rebs.

 Maggie Sottero. my fave.

 helping my best friend get married!

 freezing in milwaukee at a charity food drive

home. 

and obviously the best part. getting married. 

xoxoxoxo

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese from Oh She Glows

I love things that take me back to childhood and nothing says childhood and comfort like Macaroni and Cheese. We were spoiled and my mother (bless her) made it from scratch.

 One night, before the wedding, my friend Rebecca came over for a girls comfort/craft night. I was tired of cleansing and needed some serious comfort food. I made Vegan Macaroni and Cheese and we both stood over the pot with spoons in our hand. It was a hit and I can honestly say there wasn't a huge difference in taste. Being that this recipe gets all of it's cheesiness from Nutritional yeast and it's creaminess from Butternut Squash-this mac and cheese is actually good for you!

I added nutmeg and Siracha to the original recipe because those are the flavors that take me back to my mom's kitchen table. Try adding some flavors that you grew up with. 

Here is the original version with my additions of nutmeg and Siracha:

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:

• 1/2 butternut squash, peeled and chopped (yields: 3.5 cups raw)
• 3/4 cup raw cashews
• 1 cup non-dairy milk (I used unsweetened + unflavoured soy milk), or more to thin out
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tsp kosher salt, or to taste
• 6-7 tbsp Nutritional yeast (provides the cheesy consistency)
• 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp or a bit more of nutmeg
• dash of Siracha
• 1/4-1/2 tsp Tumeric powder, optional (gives the orangey colour)
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/4-1/2 tsp Paprika + more to season
• Your pasta of choice (I used ~450 grams/4.5 cups dry penne for the casserole) + mix-ins
  
  
• Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet.  In a bowl, season chopped squash with some oil (~1 tsp) and kosher salt (couple pinches) and stir. Add to baking sheet and roast in oven for 40 minutes, flipping once half way through baking.

2. Assemble your cheeze sauce ingredients (cashews, non-dairy milk, garlic, lemon, salt, nutritional yeast, pepper, mustard, seasonings) and add just the cashews to food processor. Process until a fine crumb forms similar to corn meal. Now add in the rest of the cheese sauce ingredients and process until smooth. Leave the sauce in the processor as you will be adding the squash.

3. Cook your pasta according to package directions. When squash is finished roasting, add it to the food processor and blend it with the cheese sauce until smooth. Adjust to taste. The sauce will thicken up with time. If at any point the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a bit of milk to thin it out.

4. Drain and rinse pasta with cold water. Now add the pasta back into the same pot and add your desired amount of cheeze sauce on top. Stir well. Add in any desired mix-ins like peas or broccoli. Store any leftover sauce in the fridge and use within a few days.

Read more: http://ohsheglows.com/2011/03/10/butternut-squash-mac-n-cheeze-two-ways/#ixzz2uGGqvB1C

Here's the craft Rebecca and I each put together that night! I think it turned out super well. Thanks Pinterest.

fyi: Nutritional yeast is:

1. rich in B vitamins

2. rich in niacin, thiamin, biotin, and folic acid

3. can be used as a supplement or condiment

4. Gluten free

5. 2 teaspoons provides the recommended daily intake for most adults of vitamin B12

(source: ohsheglows.com)

Grilled Tilapia with Ginger Berry Salsa

In preparation for the wedding, I planned to do a diet of white fish and asparagus, for Lunch and Dinner one week before the big day. It proved too difficult for a week and I failed.  Before I quit, I tried out one of my older favorites, Grilled Tilapia with Ginger Berry Salsa. It's a recipe from Jillian Michaels 'Body Revolution'. The original recipe calls for Halibut, but I use Tilapia. Feel free to try it on any white fish!

 Two tips:

 One, fish is done cooking when it gives just like the texture of the tip of your nose. If it feels tougher than that, you're over doing it. 

Second, salt your fish just before cooking, don't let it sit, it will get too tough. 

Tilapia with Ginger Berry Salsa

Salsa
4 cups fresh mixed berries (I used blueberries and raspberries)
2 Tbsp. finely chopped red onion
1 Tbsp. seated ginger (I used too much)
1 Tbsp. aplenty cider vinegar
3/4 tsp. agave syrup
Salt and Pepper

Fish

4 Tilapia or White Fish Fillets

Method

In a small bowl mix together all salsa ingredients. Set aside while you prepare the fish. 

Lightly salt and pepper both sides of your fish. Pan sear the Halibut steaks (or Tilapia) with olive oil on med-high heat or fire on the grill. I cooked them approximately 4 minutes per side. When finished spoon the Salsa over the fish and serve with a Green Salad. 

Paradise

 Paradise & Island Coconuts.

 P.s. Grapefruits are actually green and they taste 10x better that way. xoxo

The Best Day

Saturday I married the man of my dreams. It was perfect. Thanks to everyone for celebrating with us and for all of the well wishes!

Until later...

 my mom, my great aunt, and myself changing into an Indian Sari. 

 my favorite cookies :) 

 mini pavlova

candy! 

Superfood Oatmeal

I love oatmeal for breakfast and sometimes dinner. It is a great breakfast option because it will fill you up in a healthy way, lower your cholesterol (due to the high level of fiber), and you can get away with a little sweetness (the fiber causes a slower absorption of sugar).  No time in the morning? Portion it out in cups or bowls for a faster morning option like I did for my mom here:

Picture of Apple Pie Oatmeal (without brûlée)

Lately, I've been trying to add as many 'superfoods' to my meals as possible and this has been my favorite combo. I've had it maybe 5 days in a row after my GGS and workout. I combined: chia seeds, cacao, bee pollen, unsweetened dried coconut, and banana mash. So much energy, protein, slow burning carbs, and yummy-ness in one bowl. Here's how i make it:

1. mash a banana in a bowl.

2. add a small scoop of raw cacao for antioxidants and chocolatey goodness.

 3. stir together

 5. portion out your oatmeal (I use steel cut) in another bowl.

 6. pour your 'chocolate sauce' over the oatmeal but don't stir together.

 7. add 1-2 tablespoons of Chia Seeds

8. add a tablespoon of dried coconut

 9. add a teaspoon of bee pollen (energy in a spoon)

 10. enjoy.

how do you eat your oatmeal?

other oatmeal recipes:

• Ready To Go, Steel Cut Oats
• Raw Rolled Oats for Beautiful Skin
• Banana Oatmeal Smoothie
• Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal

Maggie Sottero Bride

It's been a while to say the least. Wedding planning is no joke... and I have wedding planners (they're great). Anyway, things are crazy. Yesterday was the first day i've made dinner in three weeks. We had Black Bean Chili, brown rice, kale salad, and guacamole. I got the idea for the chili from the Malibu Chili Cook Off we went to this summer. One of the vendors had an amazing chili with curry powder! It was delicious and such a great idea. Try it if you have the chance. 

I had the privilege of working in Utah for Maggie Sottero for the third time. It's always a good time being home, seeing my family, and working-all at once! Here are some pics from my week at home with Maggie Sottero Bridal. They made me feel more beautiful than I thought was possible; Beautiful dresses, amazing hair and make up, great people, and perfect accessories. 

 This was day 6... we were really tired. Steven was really glad I was taking a pic. 

 A still from Tribe Media

They surprised me with a beautiful present, balloons, crown and veil, and massive diamond rock-that was fake! Thanks Maggie. 

I'll leave you with my current favorite picture. xoxoxo

Bridal Shower #2

I seriously love bridal showers. For me it's about seeing every single person that has been a part of yours/your family's life at one point in time or another. My mother, with the help of my Great Aunt and all of her friends in Utah threw the most beautiful Indian Bridal shower... ever. I wish i had more pictures but it was magnificent! 

My aunt (with help) catered all of the Indian Vegetarian food plus Chicken Tikka! I was so touched by the most thoughtful gifts, advice, and cards from my friends and Alpine family. If you don't know anything about Utah you have to know that the community there is one in a million. To those that came: Thank you so much for coming! You made me feel so incredibly special and loved. It was such a blessing. P.s. Big thanks to my amazing friends, cousin, Aunt, and soon-to-be MOL, that flew into Utah just for the shower! Here are some pics from the shower and a peak at my bachelorette party. 

my dad got me pink roses. very appropriate. 

 My little sister tried to sneak out the door on her way to her first High School party. If anyone knows my little sister, she's the funniest and also the shyest person I know.  I had to capture that moment on camera. 

My pretty sisters and mom

my mama is the prettiest

Cherie Kelly: you are a gem for packaging these and Kunju Patel (Massi) You're a gem for making so many!

 Diane was SUPER pleased with me in this moment!