Favorite Finds: AFAR MAGAZINE

When I was traveling back from Washington, DC, I stopped by the newsstand at the airport looking for my usual copy of Glamour, The Economist, and Porter magazine (great combination, I know), before heading onto my flight.

One magazine stood out though that isn't party of my usual selection. I heard about AFAR through Instagram actually, but I hadn't picked up a copy yet.

AFAR covers travel in a fresh perspective and feel. Expect them to cover the highlights of a particular city and country, but also expect off-the-beaten-path suggestions. AFAR has beautiful and inspiring pictures, pulling you into a particular locale. After reading the magazine, I was left wishing my flight was headed to Europe or Asia instead of San Francisco.




I personally loved their food content. When I travel, I admittedly am a little too focused on where I am going to eat each meal. AFAR's restaurant and food choices were a wonderful mixture of traditional and contemporary. Yes, I want to experience the traditional flavors and aspects of a culture's food, but I love the more modern interpretations of those flavors.

Next time you are at the magazine stand, pick up a copy! Also, their online content is equally great, and you can check them out here.

Weekend Reading

I know I am usually all smiles and happiness on Fridays, and it's typically a very accurate reflection of how I actually feel.  This week was not fun. I started getting the cold that everyone on my team at work has, and then I hit my head and have been suffering from headaches ever since. Oh, and Z left very VERY early this morning for India! The highlights of the week included seeing an old friend of DC and spending some "me" time at the nail salon. Here's hoping that this weekend is more relaxing than the past week...

Why Uber's job creation stats aren't what they seem... {link}

Time released their 100 Most Influential People of 2015, and I particularly loved this food-related bit. {link}

Worried about food-borne illnesses? The FDA is on it. {link}

This is going on my must-make-now list; I'm obsessed with any vaguely Mediterranean food. {link}

The best wine to pair with chocolate. You're welcome. {link}

Loving the idea of this peanut butter snack cake. {link}

Could you survive on just $29 a week for food? {link}

Tempted to make this part of my daily routine. {link}

In the spirit of #ask4more, advice that I should start listening to. {link}

Quinoa & Kale Pilaf

Life recently has been getting the best of me. "Gym" has been a foreign word recently, and I break my no white sugar/flour M-Th rule pretty frequently. I've just felt...blah. There's no better way to put it. I'm in a funk, you now?

When I feel this way, I immediately reach for whole grains and vegetables. 

This recipe is great because it is so healthy, can be made in one pot, and it has a lovely lemony dressing. It's now a regular in our dinner routine!

Now, will this quinoa pilaf help me get to the gym? No. Still working on that one!

Kale and Quinoa Pilaf

From Food52

2 cups salted water

1 cup quinoa

1 bunch lacinato kale, chopped into 1" lengths

1 meyer lemon, zested and juiced

2 scallions, minced

1 tablespoon olive oil

3 tablespoons toasted pine nuts

1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese

Salt and pepper

Bring water to a boil in a covered pot. Add the quinoa, cover, and cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes. Top with kale, and then re-cover. Simmer another 5 minutes, then turn off the heat, and then let sit for 5 minutes. 

While the quinoa is cooking, take a large bowl and combine the lemon zest/juice, scallions, olive oil, pine nuts, and goat cheese.

Check the quinoa and kale mixture to make sure the water is absorbed, the quinoa is tender but firm, and the kale is bright green. Fluff the quinoa, and then dip the quinoa and kale into the bowl. Toss to combine, and season with salt and pepper.

Enjoy!

Favorite Finds: Linea Carta

I always walk into Anthropologie wanting to buy something. I'm such a sucker for the smell (Blue Volcano!) and the aesthetic. I walk in and I am practically begging them to take my money.

The truth is though, as much as I want to buy something, I almost always leave empty-handed. Something is always just not quite right. Often an item is too expensive or doesn't fit properly so I just give up. I'll wander around the store for a good hour or so, but then end up leaving when I realize there's nothing I actualy want. 

A few weeks ago, I was doing my usually lingering at Anthropologie when I spotted the perfect mug. It featured sketchings of San Francisco that had water color layered over on top of it. I was smitten. 

I fell in love when I realized there was a matching London mug as well. 

I didn't leave empty handed that day, but instead left as the proud owner of two very cute Linea Carta mugs. 

Linea Carta is a Bay Area based design company featuring beautiful (and eco-friendly!) stationery and gifts. While you can find some of their pieces in Anthropologie, Etsy also has a ton of their stuff!

Below are a few of my favorite pieces from them...

1) NAPKIN 

2) MUG

3) COASTER

FRIDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY

Image via prettystuff.tumblr.com

Hello Friday, hello fun! This week has felt crazy--reunions with family, old friends, and going to the gym for the first time in a month (!) coupled with doctor visits. Whew! I'm ready for the weekend. 

If you are ready for the weekend as well, then check out these links below!

How much water goes into making your meal? {link}

Tea + Sugar + British Empire {link}

The best ice cream sandwiches in NYC, so more places to add to my growing list of places to try! {link}

Loving the idea of this weeknight past recipe {link}

An inside look at Scribe Winery {link}

Caviar is now delivering food within 10 minutes from restaurants! {link}

Check out these fruity beers for your next meal {link}

Hello, Shopbop sale {link}

I'm looking forward to trying this pizza place after Passover {link}

Have you tried Equator Coffee yet? {link}