Miami Beach through my lens: November

For the second to last month of 2014, I decided to check out this new Italian restaurant: Via Emilia 9. 

This place is all about authentic Italian fare and a charming, cozy, homey interior with mismatched chairs and tables. My kind of place. 

I had one of the chef's specialties: Tagliatelle with Mushroom and Salsiccia in a creamy sauce, and it was perfect. The tiramisu was also excellent. 

Definitely, a place I will come back. 

Miami Beach through my lens is a photographic quest to discover the great city of Miami Beach.

Starting January 2014, I will explore a new place every month throughout the year, and share my findings with you. Armed with my trusty camera, I aim to get to know this wonderful city better, and improve my photography skills as I go. Tag along!

Images: Monica Aguinaga

Miami Beach through my lens: September

I can't believe September is coming to an end already! Time surely passes by fast, especially when you're having fun.

This month, I went to Yardbird, a Southern restaurant that's been a huge hit since it's opening, (and now they're opening a second location in Las Vegas soon).

As a huge lover of Southern food and culture, I was excited to go and try the food. The ambiance is charming, and I fell in love with the Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade and the Macaroni & Cheese.

I can't wait to go back for Brunch on the weekends. Yardbird, you have become a favorite of mine.

Miami Beach through my lens is a photographic quest to discover the great city of Miami Beach.

Starting January 2014, I will explore a new place every month throughout the year, and share my findings with you. Armed with my trusty camera, I aim to get to know this wonderful city better, and improve my photography skills as I go. Tag along!

Images: Monica Aguinaga

Banana, Walnut, & Date Smoothie

 

 

This morning I woke up and before going for my morning bike ride, I made this delicious Banana, Walnut, & Date Smoothie. Here's how to!

Ingredients:

• I Frozen Banana
• 2 Chopped Dates
• 3/4 cup of Almond Milk
• 3 Tablespoons Walnuts ( plus extra to decorate)
• Cinnamon

Directions:

• Put everything (except for the last 2 ingredients) in the blender.
• Hit Blend.
• Pour in glass, add a dash of cinnamon and some chopped walnuts.
• Drink up!

This smoothie has the exact amount of sweetness (thanks to the dates) and the walnuts give a nice crunch.
Would you give it a try?

Images: Monica Aguinaga

Sweet Breakfast

Lately, I've been having these Smoothie Bowls for breakfast. These are so nutritious and so good; it's like having dessert for breakfast!
Here's how I make it, but feel free to experiment!

Ingredients:

1 frozen banana
1 cup of frozen strawberries and blueberries.
1 packet of Stevia (or honey)
1 dash of cinnamon
A splash of almond milk
Extra blueberries and strawberries to decorate (as many as you want!)
Sliced almonds

How to:

Put the 5 first ingredients in the food processor or blender, and blend until it's all incorporated and has the consistency of soft serve.
Pour in a bowl, add extra blueberries, sliced strawberries, almonds and a splash of honey.
Dig in!

Do you have a go-to breakfast? Share your favorite!

How not to open a pomegranate

I went to the farmers market last Sunday, and was excited to see pomegranates. Growing up in Mexico, I used to eat pomegranates with lime and chili powder all the time. I remember we would buy pomegranates in the market and they were already open, all the seeds in little plastic cups, ready to be eaten.

So, this being my first time opening a pomegranate, I have to say it was harder (and messier) than I expected. I had googled how to open a pomegranate (can't we do anything anymore without googleing instructions?) and seemed very easy and straight-forward. 

After 10 minutes of getting all the seeds out (and cleaning the mess I had made), I had a bowl all to myself, and it was delicious. 

Secret Garden

My new apartment has a little garden in the back, and it got me excited at the possibility of growing something! I've always wanted to grow my own herbs, and now I can actually do it. I'm going to start with basil and thyme, since they're my personal favorites. 

If you have any tips on growing herbs, let me know!

New York through my Lens: October

Hello, October! I welcome you with a smile in my face, for Fall is a beautiful season, with sunny days and brisk breezes, and I'm excited about everything pumpkin, sweaters and scarfs, and comforting soups.

This month, I went to the Chelsea Market, a true foodie paradise, and I ate, and I walked, and now, I'm sharing my pictures with you. Have you been to the Chelsea Market? If so, what was your favorite place? If not, when are you going?

New York through my Lens is almost over. 2 more months and that's it. But, I'm already planning a new project for 2014. A new city. A new state. A new adventure.

Stay tuned!

The Bedford

 

I don't go to Brooklyn as often as I'd like, but last Saturday I went to Williamsburg to the Brooklyn Brewery, and on the way back, we stopped for a bite to eat at The Bedford. We loved the food (best french fries I've ever had), the atmosphere and the service. Already a favorite place!

Images: Monica Aguinaga.

A Healthier Ice Cream Sandwich

I was craving something sweet the other day, and I found this super easy recipe from Cassey Ho's series Cheap Clean Eats: a Healthy Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich!
You only need 2 ingredients: bananas and oatmeal. Here's the recipe explained in detail, if you are in the mood and want to try it out.
I was surprised at how good it was!

Recipe: Cassey Ho
Images: Monica Aguinaga

A quick dinner with Polenta and Mushrooms

I love polenta so much, but I had never made it at home before. Turns out, it's the easiest thing in the world. I was looking for a recipe with polenta that was a meal in itself. Hungry Nation came to my rescue with this wonderful Polenta with Mushroom Ragu and a Poached Egg.  The ragu is rich in flavor (I used red wine instead of chicken broth), but it's the poached egg that makes this humble dish so hearty and satisfying. I was a little afraid of poaching the egg, since it was my first time doing so, but I gather enough courage and it was a success! I showed that egg who's boss.

Recipe: Hungry Nation

Image: Monica Aguinaga

Homegrown Swedes

Swedish Pancakes with Wild Strawberries from Homegrown Swedes on Vimeo.

I could spend the whole day watching these darling videos by Homegrown Swedes. Beautifully shot, with abundant natural light, their videos celebrate the making of things: cooking, building, drawing and more.
My personal favorite is this video above: Swedish Pancakes!


Via ExPress-o and Frolic.

Art in your food

Beautiful (and delicious!) food art created by Norway based artist Ida Skivenes.

See more on her Instagram.

Via: My Modern Met

I think you're Sauceome

I adore these comics by Sarah Becan, you can check them out here, at her blog: "I think you're sauceome".