Foodie Haul: Teas from Paris & London

I love tea! I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm a tea lady :DI like it hot, I like it cold, I like it in the morning or in the evening. Ok.. ok... I'll stop turning this into a Dr. Seuss rhyme.My dearest (and favorite photographer) friend Camile (check out her work) vacationed in London and Paris recently so she ever so kindly brought me back some tea. I am over the moon with this tea haul. I'm so happy!I waited all day to open up the bag she gave me and lookie look at what I got!I can't wait to try all of these teas! I'm starting out tonight with the above Marco Polo Rouge.I'm so using this Palais Des Thés cotton loose tea filter (something I did not know existed). I've only used metal filters. This should be quite interesting. The Montagne Bleue (below) black tea has rhubarb in it! I'm pumped.  This is also a product from Palais Des Thés. The ingredients in this one is giving me evening tea vibes.Then there's the  Marks & Spencer Rwandan black tea from London. I can just image this with some almond milk right now ?I haven't tried these teas yet but I already have a favorite. The Marco Polo iced tea!!! You guys I'm going to drink French iced tea *I'm screaming on the inside right now*​[video src="http://tameekaeats.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/ae79d532-48cb-4a2b-9aaf-399f5b7355e4.mp4" poster=""][/video]​I was also lucky enough to get some of my favorite things in the world from Paris! Popcorn and nail polish. I don't know what it is about popcorn but I love it and one of these days I'll be brave enough to show the internet how much nail polish bottles I own.I'm super duper lucky to have friends who know and love me! Hashtag Lucky. Hashtag Spoiled.Have you been to Paris? Have you had any of these teas? Comment below. Let me know!

Foodie Holiday: Let's Celebrate National Iced-Tea Day

Today's a foodie holiday and in my best Oprah voice I'm running around my apartment screaming "I LOVE ICED-TEA". My beau and my dog think I'm crazy but they know it's true.Iced-tea is my jam!Well tea is general is my jam. I am more of a tea person than a coffee person (I mentioned this before in my "Get To Know A Foodie" post awhile back. I only really drink coffee when necessary.Wanna celebrate national iced-tea day? Then head over to these (3) places and get your sip on:Starbucks - From 10am - 2pm - Customers will receive a free 24-fluid-ounce Beach Bellini™ handcrafted iced tea when they join a demo for the Perfectea® Maker at participating Teavana specialty retail stores in the U.S. and Canada. While supplies last and one per customer. Didn't make it to Starbucks on time for the free tea, still stop by and grab a shaken iced green tea lemonade. It's my go-to Starbucks tea. It's light and refreshing with a touch of sweetness (from the lemonade).Dunkin' Donuts - If you are looking for a traditionally refreshing lipton-style iced-tea head to your local Dunkin' Donuts for a large iced tea for less than $3.00. The large can honestly be shared by 2 people it's so big. I believe it is unsweeted so add a lil sugar or agave if you like your tea sweet.David's Tea - Today 6/10 (and tomorrow 6/11) David's Tea is offering free iced-tea of the day. I'll repeat that: FREE ICED-TEA peeps! Click Here to find a location near you. The fruit teas sold here are delightful. Yesterday I tried the frozen raspberry tea and it was sour and sweet and just screamed summertime.Staying in today and still want to celebrate? Grab a pitcher, some hot water, a few tea bags (or a strainer and raw tea) and get to making some iced tea!Here's a look at the tea I made earlier this morning. In the photo below it looks like a typical Lipton style tea but it actually is not. It is a raw black tea I purchased from David's Tea and its named LOVE TEA #7 - it's a mix of black tea, chocolate, strawberries and rose petals.*TEA PRO TIP* : David's Tea has a summer tea program. Here's how it works: You purchase a mug from the summer collection, this now becomes your passport for $1 dollar teas. Everyday the store picks (2) iced-teas as their tea of the day and you can go in, get one of these teas, fill up your summer mug and only pay a $1.00 for a tea that would normally cost you about $3.00. I've been doing this for about 3 years and I've gotten to try a lot of different types of teas through this program. Here are the mugs I have from the collection (2015/2016/2017).Do you love tea like me?! If so what's your favorite type of tea (black tea, green tea, mate)?Comment below and let me know.

5 Benefits Of Adding Lemons To Your Morning Routine

I'm always on the run. Every week I have an event or a restaurant to try and I sometimes make un-healthy food choices. If you follow me on Instagram you see that I love fried foods, cocktails, and bread.These delicious things leave me tired, sluggish and turns my brain into mush. Realizing this was a pattern and noticing that about a month ago I caught two colds back to back. I started to make a change.I simply started taking a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar when I wake up. EVERYDAY! At first I refused to do it because of the smell but just like any habit, you'll get used to it and you'll welcome it. I then walk my dog for about 30-40 minutes, come back and quickly drink a glass of warm water with half of a squeezed lemon.There are so many other health conscious things I need to do (*cough cough* like actually use my New York Sports Club membership) but right now this is where I'm starting and it's helped me in the (5) following ways:

1. I immediately get an energy boost.

   I usually wake up an hour earlier than I need to so I can walk my dog Benji. He's a high energy wirehaired terrier and I need to keep up with him on our walks. I am not a morning person. I'm more of a mid-morning/afternoon type of woman. Some people would suggest I have a cup of coffee first thing but drinking lemon water works better for me as coffee on an empty stomach gives me the jitters.

 

2. It keeps me regular.

If you are reading this I consider us friends so we can be real with each other. With all of the different foods I eat throughout the day at work, during lunch, at food events, family/friend gatherings it's really important to stay regular and poop when you should. The acid from the lemons work with your body to get your gastric juices flowing. 

3. It hugs my liver and gets rid of toxins. 

Let's be real (again). Some of us enjoy a good cocktail or 2 or 3 afterwork. And living in NYC I have the pick of the litter and I have friends who like good cocktails as well, so we meet at-least once a month and get our drink-on and wind down from our busy schedules. I enjoy these meetups with all my heart but they can take a toll on ones liver so naturally lemons become my bestie and drinking a glass a day with warm water flushes those toxins right out of my liver like "boy-bye".

4. It helps relieve heartburn. 

I do not often suffer from heart burn (thank goodness) but I have when I'm on a full on foodie binge. Last week I had fried chicken twice in 1 week. Lord it was so good but I felt it afterwards. Luckily I always remember that lemons help with hurt burn. When I start feeling them flames hitting my chest I reach for the fridge. Seriously, when this happens I immediately drink a little lemon water (more lemon than water for this) because the lemon neutralizes the acidity in my body giving me immediate relief. As I mentioned earlier this does not happen often because I now know when to quit and pick up a batch of kale and stop with the fried crap. But for you readers if this continues get on ZocDoc and go see your doctor. 

5. It helps with my glow-up. 

I wish I knew this little beauty secret years ago (why didn't any of y'all tell me) *insert side-eye to everyone I know*.  LEMONS ?HELP ?WITH ?ACNE!!! I suffered from acne as a teen and used a ton of products to try and clear my skin. Who knew I should have just raided my mommas refrigerator?!I started this lemon beauty regime 2 weeks ago and the glow up is real. I first wash my face lightly (with a mild soap and water). I then squeeze half of a lemon is a mug or bowl. I grab a cotton ball. Dip it in the lemon juice and apply to my face. I leave this on my face for a few minutes (about 5-8 minutes). I then wash my face with cool water and pat it dry. I can already see my skin clearing in just 3 weeks. I'm going to continue this method especially now that it's getting warm out and lemons are proving to give me LIFE!!! Per usual consult your doctor before following my lemon tips because different people react differently to certain levels of acidity. So hit up your doctor (and dentist) to see if this works for you and your diet/lifestyle.What are your daily routines?! Share your recommendations, suggestions, etc below!

RECAP: Los Pollos Hermanos Pop Up Restaurant - NYC Edition

Earlier this week AMC cleverly teamed up with a parking lot company named Citizens Parking to bring us Breaking Bad fans the (now) famous Los Pollos Hermanos Pop Up Restaurant to New York City. The shop was here to promote the upcoming season 3 premiere of the Breaking Bad spin-off series Better Call Saul. The first episode premiered on April 10th @ 10pm EST. You can watch the first episode for free on AMC's site.If you've ever watched (or plan on watching) the television series Breaking Bad then you know (or will know) how significant this restaurant is within the series. *Slight Spoiler Alert Ahead*  Los Pollos Hermanos was founded by Gus Fring (played by the talented Giancarlo Esposito) and was the store-front used to hide money made off of meth sales. It's an amazingly well written television series. It's now considered a cult classic in some circles. If you haven't watched this series yet stop reading this now, get on Netflix, and start binge watching.The pop up restaurant was originally opened at this years SXSW festival and was a huge success (from what I heard around the internet) so AMC took the pop up restaurant on the road and brought it to LA in March and then NYC in April. When I saw an article announcing the pop up hours, I immediately marked my calendar because this type of event is my jam! It seemed perfect! A mix of two things that are near and dear to my heart: scripted television and food. I immediately sent an all-caps text to one of my foodie friends to let her know that WE MUST GO on Sunday and get there early because we are New Yorkers and New Yorkers show up and show out when it comes to food events/trends/festivals.The pop up restaurant/parking lot was located downtown Manhattan at 243 Pearl Street and the hours were: 4/9 11am-8pm and 4/10 10am-8pm.  My friend and I arrived somewhere between 930 and 10am. Even at that time people were already on line ahead of us which means they must have gotten there at either 7 or 8am (see what I mean by New Yorkers showing up and showing out).While waiting to get in everyone took photos with the staff members, the infamous man in a chicken costume, and we watched the official trailer a few times. In the trailer I noticed Gus says "come in and try our curly fries". I didn't think anything of it until one of the staff members announced there was no chicken being sold nor given out. My heart sunk. ?I want to mention that I ALWAYS research every restaurant, event, pop up shop, grand opening, etc I attend. I search the internet for details and because of my "need to know" personality I always like to be prepared and know what to expect. But this time, because I saw so many tweets about it being so "cool" at SXSW I did not dive into finding out what to expect and wanted to be surprised. With that said, I was unaware that chicken would not actually get served at the pop up restaurant.The one time I do not research a pop up event this happens. I would not have gotten there so early if I knew this. On a positive note, they did however provide us with curly fries (and the fries were actually tasty). For free. I will say this was more of a pop up museum of the Los Pollos Hermanos restaurant rather than a standard pop up restaurant. I can't front, I'm sad I did not get to try some chicken but it was kinda astounding seeing the replica of the set. It was like we were actually in the southwest and in this extremely nice and wholesome chicken joint that was really a front for drug money. It was pretty freaking awesome to have experienced it.

I Ate Pasta From A Giant Cheese Wheel & You Should Too

Earlier today I met a few dear friends for lunch. While making meeting arrangements one of my friends texted me that we are meeting at a place called Basta Pasta. I immediately figured this was a standard Italian restaurant until I checked my trusty Yelp app and saw that this was one of "those" places. And by "those" places I mean, one of the places I could get pasta severed straight from a cheese block. I know this may sound weird but this is all of the rage going on in the foodie world (well one of the popular foodie gimmicks going on right now).I've bookmarked at least 3 locations that serve you pasta in a cheesy form but I haven't taken the time to go in and experience it, so when I did my research on this restaurant I was ecstatic to come here. Not only because I would get to try the elusive cheesy pasta but also because Basta Pasta is an Italian Japanese fusion restaurant. That's right up my alley. I LOVE fusion restaurants, you get so much bang for your buck.Now, if you haven't experienced pasta this way here's a break down of what Spaghetti con prosciutto e parmigiana consists of: Parmesan cheese gets heated and melted in a massive cheese wheel. Once the cheese is significantly hot, lightly cooked pasta is placed into the wheel. Once the pasta is in the wheel it is mixed throughly until the pasta is completely cooked and now part parmesan cheese. This is then plated and topped with prosciutto. It is delectable and extremely rich. Here are (5) reasons why you should eat pasta that was cooked in a giant cheese wheel:

1. It's a cheese wheel there should be no further questioning ?
2. People will be drooling at your Instagram and Facebook photos ?
3. You will never want plain pasta ever again ?
4. You'll actually enjoy eating spaghetti again ?
5. It's kid, mother, father, cousin, boss, everyone friendly. Everyone (well a good portion of people) will be impressed and thank you when you take them to a place that serves this. They'll look at you like your a visionary ?

Check out the video I snapped of the cheese being cooked in the wheel then delicately plated.https://www.instagram.com/p/BShDIhHl-PO/?taken-by=tameekaeatsWe ordered just 1 bowl to share. I probably could have eaten a whole bowl on my own.In the photo below you can see me eagerly awaiting my tables cheese wheel pasta.I will say this is something every cheese lover should experience. One time in their life. There are so many restaurants all over the United States now that offer this. To find your local cheese wheel/cheese boat pasta download the Yelp app and have a grand ole' cheesy time.Location: Basta Pasta > https://www.yelp.com/biz/basta-pasta-new-york > Flatiron, New York City 

Turmeric Is A Wonder Plant & Why You Should Be Using It

A few months ago, I walked into one of my favorite grocery shops (Garden of Eden in Chelsea) and noticed a weird looking plant-thing. It looked like ginger but it wasn't white inside it was orange/yellowish. When I looked at the sign I was shocked to learn that this was raw turmeric. I'd never seen it raw and up close. The full image is below.

Reading other food blogs and following fellow foodies I would often notice this word "turmeric" being thrown around and especially in the winter months lots of people post about "golden milk".  Walking in to the store and seeing this plant was a sign for me! A sign that I need to research this plant because it seems to be EVERYWHERE. I also keep seeing it (in powder form) at my other favorite grocery story Trader Joe's and even my chiropractor has even suggested I take it for inflammation after a recent back injury. After consulting my chiropractor on why I should take turmeric tablets daily I finally decided to do additional research on my why this plant is so popular (aside from the benefits). During my research, I kept wondering why no one has ever told me about this said "miracle plant” before.  There are SO MANY benefits from it. I’m so surprised this isn’t in every home. I’m going to share some info on turmeric with you my readers just so you can't blame me for not sharing this magic plant with you :) 

What Is Turmeric exactly?

Turmeric is as plant. It's in the garlic family but when processed (and powdered) it does not have the same taste of garlic (don't worry, if you use it you will not have garlic breath). It is generally sold already boiled and grounded into a powder. It has a distinct yellow/orange color. It it very similar to a curry. You can find it powdered in almost every grocery store (just ask for it by name). 

Where Does Turmeric Come From?It's known that turmeric was (and still is) used in different parts of Asia for thousands of years and has made it's way to the Caribbean and the Americas. The image I posted above is a photo I took at the Garden of Eden market near my job. It's turmeric grown in Jamaica. Here's how I'm used to seeing the plant powdered or in a pill form (like in the photo below).What Are Some Benefits of Ingesting Turmeric? I mentioned earlier I suffered a back injury earlier this year. It was pretty intense as I was out of work for a few days and experienced muscle inflammation. I took other medication to eliminate the inflammation but I was told to add turmeric to my pill routine during this time as it was a natural anti-inflammatory. It can also be used for:

• Soothing stomach cramping and bloating during menstruation
• Boost heart health
• Balance cholesterol levels
• Help alleviate anxiety, depression, and insomnia
• Help with kidney issues

How Can You Ingest Turmeric? 

• Use it in soups
• Add it to rice
• Blend it in your smoothies
• Add it to eggs in the morning
• Drink it in tea (with milk) .. This is better known as "Golden Milk": a very popular sleep aide.

Are There Any Side Effects To Ingesting Turmeric? As all good things are never perfect. There are however side effects to ingesting turmeric if you have a sensitive stomach or have certain allergies. Side effects of can include diarrhea, nausea, increase menstrual flow, and cause an upset stomach.**Be sure to consult a physician before buying any type of turmeric. That is what I did, I spoke with my primary care physician and my chiropractor as they both know my medical history along with allergies, so I was in the clear for taking turmeric capsules.

5 Last Minute Valentine's Day Gift Ideas For The Foodie In Your Life

Valentine's Day is 1 day away and for those of you who STILL have not gotten a gift for a loved one (doesn't matter if it's a boyfriend, girlfriend, co-worker, bestie, or neighbor) you still have time. After all it is the season for loving. ❤️ And if you have a foodie in your life, show them some love on Valentine's Day with one (or all) of these "Foodie Based Gifts" they will be sure to love it!These are also gifts you can easily run out and get without having to rely on your Amazon Prime membership shipping ? #5 - Buy a food based deal from a popular deal site (Groupon/Living Social/Pulsd). These three sites are known for having great dinner, food and drink tour deals which will be a hit in the gift department if you buy a foodie either a baking class or a whiskey tour. Depending on what your mate likes it will sure be a hit as a gift. Find the deal, print it out and put it in a fun card.#4 - Buy a Bed Bath & Beyond gift card. I know right now you must being saying "what?!". But hear me out. If you have ever been inside a Bed Bath & Beyond with someone who loves food, or someone who loves to cook this place is a foodies playground. There are so many cooking utensils, kitchen decor items, and kitchen gadgets it will make a foodies head spin.#3 - Buy a food box subscription for your Valentine. Food box subscriptions are very popular right now. These subscription meal delivery services ship their members fresh ingredients and recipes every month. Plus the meals are totally Instagram photo worthy once they've been cooked. It also allows your foodie to collect recipes. If you are worried about certain diets most of the subscription companies provide special dietary options for vegans, vegetarian, pescetarians, gluten free, and paleo. Here are a few boxes I've tried and  suggest: Blue Apron/Home Chef/Hello Fresh#2 - Buy your foodie a ticket to a food conference or food talk. Many cities host events almost weekly or monthly where people discuss food, food culture, recipes, and teach food history. If you have a foodie on your hands they will be sure to love this!  Eventbrite would be a helpful source for finding local food events to buy tickets. *Side note: be sure to look up the event before buying tickets to make sure everything is legit). For New Yorkers check out the Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) for talks. I would personally love a membership or a ticket to one of their food talks.#1 - Buy your foodie a cookbook. It's just that simple. If you know a foodie you know they can not resist a good cookbook. If you have a Barnes&Noble near you that's even better but you can practically get a cookbook anywhere there's a mall. Be sure to get a gift receipt just incase that foodie friend already has that cookbook but it's a sweet gesture and guaranteed to be a hit. If you really do not have time to go out and get a cookbook don't fret because you can purchase digital cook books which will save time.I hope this post helped someone out there that has a foodie in their lives and wants to treat them sweet this Valentine's Day.Comment below if you thought this post was helpful or if you have any tips for me! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Black Food H(er)story : Edna Lewis

It's Black History Month (my favorite time of the year).I decided to write this post about a black woman who made culinary history. A woman who is still being celebrated to this day for her contributions to the food world.The majestic black woman you see above is Edna Lewis.Edna was born in a farm settlement in Orange County Virginia in 1916. Her grandfather was an emancipated slave. I'm sure she learned a lot about food, race, freedom, and culture from her family in Virginia during those years. It's been reported that in Edna's late teen years (18/19) she moved to New York City and worked various jobs until she was finally able to get in the kitchen and develop her passion. People close to Edna said she was very soft spoken but very passionate about educating others on fresh farm grown foods as well as preserving the authentic taste of Southern food. No wonder she was crowned in 1999 as the "Dame of Southern Cooking."Once Edna made it her goal to preserve the authentic tastes of Southern food, she stood strong and made herself known in the food world even when little to no blacks were represented.During her years on this earth she accomplished so much!Edna's story hit home for me because I grew up eating Southern (along with West Indian) food. I was always in the kitchen with my grandmothers while they cooked and I can appreciate the essence and pride of cooking southern cuisine. It's the food of a certain type of prideful people. Edna is aspiring for all black female chefs or any black female in the food industry period.She broke barriers for all of us!Edna Lewis published (4) cookbooks throughout her life time:

• The Edna Lewis Cookbook (1972)
• The Taste of Country Cooking (1976)
• In Pursuit of Flavor (1988)
• The Gift of Southern Cooking (2003)

She also received multiple James Beard Awards. If you know anything about the culinary world, you know that's a HUGE achievement. In 1995 she received the James Beard Living Legend Award (the first award of its kind) and in 2003 Edna was inducted into the KitchenAid Cook Hall of Fame which is associated with James Beard as well.Her first cook book was published in 1972 but she's still relevant in 2017. Edna's recipes are even being talked about on popular food shows like Top Chef.Edna Lewis was a culinary legend and that should be known to all! She is not the "black Julia Childs", she is EDNA LEWIS -- "The Dame of Southern Cooking"If you would like to know more on the Dame Edna Lewis here are a few links I've come across:

• Edna Lewis' Wiki = http://bit.ly/2kaccfO
• National Women's History Museum = http://bit.ly/2kyu4nY
• NPR: 2006: A 'Tase of Southern Cooking', 30 Years Later = http://n.pr/2luL4sV
• Youtube: In the Season, The Edna Lewis Story = http://bit.ly/2kaeueL
• NPR: 2006: Memories of Southern Chef Edna Lewis = http://n.pr/2kalzMd

Get to Know A Foodie | 50 Foodie Questions & Answers

 It's the new year and new blog readers out there. I love lists and I love questionnaires. I think both items give you insights to what people are thinking and what their daily lives are like.With that said I figured I would like to share my life with a 50 question and answer section to start off the new year of TameekaEats so you the reader can get to know me.Sit back and have a read. If something triggers you leave a comment below or send me a tweet: @tameekaeats.1. What name do you go by and why?  

• I now go by the name TameekaEats - On the internet I used to go by the name of "TameekaTime". This was during my lifestyle blogging years. Now that I have a concrete focus and I'm ready to express my love food and my love of eating I decided to combine the two and there the name was born "TameekaEats”.

2. Do you buy more than one kind of butter?

• Yes. Absolutely. I buy whipped butter, clarified butter (for when I'm dieting), and often pick up a tasty Polish butter made of 82% milk: Masło Ekstra. I also buy almond butter and cashew butter. I'm currently in search for recipes to make my own peanut butter and almond butter at home.

3. Where do you go eat for a special meal?

• This I hard to answer because I live in one of the most amazing cities in the country (New York City) so I often go out to eat for special meals but as of recent. My significant other and I have frequented a local restaurant named JADE EATERY. It's located in the town next to ours (Forest Hills). It's very casual with a lounge and restaurant area. We can dress up or come here straight after work and enjoy a fancy meal and cocktail.

4. Do you drink wine?

• I do. I really do. I actually love drinking wine. I'm a big fan of reds. I really live Merlots. My favorite type of wine is Cabernet Franc. And I can always go for a glass of cabernet sauvignon.

5. Do you prefer vegetables raw or cooked?

• I can go either way. I love a good crunchy carrot or a crisp celery stick. I also enjoy carrots roasted in the oven and topped with honey and a little salt and pepper.

6. Do you watch any food TV?

• Yes! My favorite cooking/food tv show is “Chopped”. I love the fact that the contestents are timed. I’m often heard screaming at the tv while this show is on. I also really like: The Great Food Truck Race and Bizarre Food with Andrew Zimmern.

7. Chinese? Thai? Japanese? Cambodian? Vietnamese? No preference? 

• I actually love all types of asian foods. I’m a huge fan of Japanese cuisine. I can probably eat Japanese food every day and not get sick of it. I will hopefully plan a trip to Asia at some point in my life.

8. Have you ever made a recipe from Julia Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking?

• Unfortunately no I have not but I just ordered Mastering the Art of French Cooking and plan on getting my Julia Childs on with in the next few months. From the movies I’ve watched I really admire Julia’s passion. It’s something we all can appreciate.

9. Discuss your thoughts and experiences about specialty salts.

• I think specialty salts are necessary. I especially think Himalayan salts, sea salts, and truffle salts are important. Salts are made to bring out the flavor in foods. It’s a science. It’s not just hearsay. "Salt is used as a universal flavor improver because at low concentrations it will reduce bitterness, but increase sweet, sour and umami, which is desirable for sweet recipes. But at higher concentrations it suppresses sweetness and enhances umami, which is good for savory things.” {Source: Science Focus: http://www.sciencefocus.com/qa/why-does-salt-enhance-flavour }

10. How do you store your leftovers?

• Yes. I know many people who are not fans of leftovers but I LOVE leftovers. For some reason when I cook meals I feel like the next day the food tastes even better once re-heated. Sometimes I’ll bake chicken thighs, don’t eat them right away, put them in the refrigerator and reheat it the next day and I’m in chicken heaven.

11. Where do you tend to get your new ideas for cooking at home?

• I get my new cooking ideas from Pinterest, Facebook, other food blogs, twitter, basically most visual social media platforms.

12. How often do you eat out?

• Within a month I’d say about 3-4 times. For the past month I've been receiving orders from Blue Apron and I'm really enjoying the variety.

13. When you do eat out, what kind of place do you like?

• I typically eat out during the week, and it’s usually different places. I frequent websites like Groupon, Pulsd, and LivingSocial for dinner deals and usually go during the week and the weekends are usually spent at home with family relaxing and cooking. If I had to choose one "type" of place I go to a lot I would say foods with asian flair.

14. Have you ever eaten on a train?

• I just laughed after reading this question, I will confirm yes. I have eaten snacks on the train. Being from New York City you will see everything on the train and one thing you will see (no matter if it's Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall) is something chomping down of a full bowl of food. I am not a fan of this because there are lots of foods that do not smell well.

15. Do you buy any food magazines?

• Yes, in 2016 I had a 1-year subscription to Cooking Light. I have not renewed because I'm on the look out for a new food magazine line to subscribe it. It's always refreshing to have an actual recipe in hand and photos to flip through.

16. Have you even been/eaten abroad?

• Yes, and I have to say one of the best places I've gone to eat is in the Montreal, Canada.

17. What are your thoughts about eggs?

• I love love love eggs. I think they are a great source of protein. I can eat them morning, noon or night. My favorite style of eggs are hard scrambled and hard boiled.

18. Miracle Whip or real mayonnaise?

• Real mayonnaise. 100%. I can not tell you the last time I've had Miracle Whip, it was probably when I was a teenager.

19. Do you buy organic foods? 

• Yes. In my household we do our best to eat organic as much as possible. Our meats (chicken and fish) are usually purchased organically.

20. Do you buy local foods?

• Occasionally we do. And by locally I mean in my household we tend to get our groceries from Polish family owned markets in Greenpoint Brooklyn.

21. Do you shop at a farmers market?

• Yes! I adore farmer markets. The market that I frequent is located in Manhattan in the union square area. It's one of the best farmers markets in the city.

22. Do your vacation pictures ever include food?

• Absolutely! I take a lot of photos and I'm generous at sharing them on various social media platforms. The key with getting good photos on vacation is to set a time for photos and then set a down time where your cameras are back at the hotel or your phone is turned off so you can actually enjoy the vacation.

23. Are you a radish eater? Have you ever cooked radishes or used the greens? 

• I am now a radish eater. I did not radishes until a few months ago when my significant other made me a radish salad. It contained: raw radishes, diced onions, sour cream, sugar, dill, salt and pepper. Once this was set in the refrigerator for a half this side dish was delicious. I have never cooked radishes our used the greens. Maybe this will be in my near cooking future.

24. Rice: basmati, jasmine, sticky, sushi, long, arborio, brown, wild?

• If you know, you know that I LOVE rice. It's one of my comfort foods. Growing up I grew up eating rice having a Caribbean background. Now if I have to pick from the above options, I would go with jasmine rice. The aroma alone makes my mouth water.

25. Crème fraiche? Sour Cream? Crema? 

• Sour Cream for sure. I like that it is a base that can be mixed with sugar or salt and pepper and still taste yummy. It's a staple in my household. It may not be the healthiest option but it damn sure is tasty.

26. Do you cook ahead?

• I started cooking ahead starting last year when I tried the Whole 30 diet. It was a great experience and it makes you really think about what goes into foods at restaurants and makes you wonder if the ingredients are fresh, local, or even good for you to consume so a long story short it's always best to cook ahead. Cook for the week.

27. What are your holiday food favorites?

• Some of my favorite holiday foods are: candies yams and cranberry sauce. Those are the 2 dishes that I do not eat on a regular and whenever I eat it during the holidays it feels like a treat!

28. What’s your favorite berry?

• Strawberries. They are hands down my favorite of the berries.

29. Recommend a good wine for a newbie.

• I prefer reds over whites so I would personally recommend: William Hill Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

30. Have you ever eaten bugs (on purpose)?

• Actually I have. I dined at a Mexican restaurant named Serenata in the Chelsea area of New York City and the appetizer I chose included roasted grasshoppers. The dish was called ENSALADA DEL DESIERTO and it was quite delicious. It reminded me of eating sunflower seeds (maybe because it was roasted but I did not complain).

31. Do you like liverworst? 

• I wouldn't say that I like it, I would say I've eaten it and I have not complained.

32. Have you ever made sausage?

• No. But, I have watched the process in person and on screen and it's usually something I do not enjoy watching because it's usually kind of gross but I will eat sausage until the cows come home.

33. Do you like to try local specialities when you travel?

• Yes. 100% before I travel I do a bit of research based on where I am going so I can try the national dish of that place. It gives you a feel of the location and connects you to what the people there value when it comes to food.

34. Ever made your own beer or wine or spirits?

• I've assisted in making beer at an editorial house I worked for years ago. The ingredients were simple to get but the process itself included a few specialty items and the final process take several weeks to complete.

35. What are your favorite vegetables?

• My favorite vegetables are: carrots, beets, baby kale, sorrel, spinach and cabbage.

36. Fruit crisps – with or without oatmeal?

• With oatmeal. And also with ice-cream on top!

37. Have you ever met a cheese you didn’t like?

• I have indeed! I enjoy cheese like the next person but when it is way too smelly I have a hard time eating it. I can not remember the brand but I was at an event and was served a camembert. Once I touched the tiny tasting block I just couldn't bring it up to my mouth to eat it. I'm find with non-smelly cheeses and I understand the smellier the cheese the better the taste but not in my  book!

38. Do you like coffee?

• I do like coffee. Out of the types of coffee, I really enjoy cappuccinos. As I do enjoy coffee, I only drink it when I'm tired. I actually love tea a lot more and can drink tea all day.

39. What pasta do you favor, and with what sauce?

• I am a big fan of penne. And I can always go for a nice vodka sauce on top.

40. Do you eat beets, and if so how do you like them prepared?

• I do eat beets. I liked them juiced. I like them oven roasted. I can eat them raw in salads. During the holidays I eat a Polish beet soup. Recently I learned to shred them and pan fry them. I can eat anyway!

41. Have you ever eaten flowers?

• Yes. I have eaten roses before in cupcakes. I've also had various teas containing flowers. Lot's of people do not realize they are drinking dried flowers in certain teas.

42. Do you like to read cookbooks?

• No I do not like to read cookbooks, I usually skip the stories and go straight to the recipes.

43. Do you like to shop in foreign speciality grocery stores?

• Yes. I mentioned earlier my house hold is half Polish so we shop at speciality polish markets and speciality Caribbean markets.

44. Does fancy dress enhance a special meal, or make it uncomfortable?

• I would say yes. When you have to dress up for a meal it makes you feel special which in turn makes the meal feel special and when we usually dress up for meals it is for a special occasion.

45. Are good knives important?

• Yes and no. For years I've used standard knives and I've been fine. I've managed to make perfectly delicious meals. Recently my significant other dropped quite a pretty penny on knives for Christmas and I will say these expensive knives cut everything so perfectly. I am grateful for them when I'm preparing meats and chopping vegetables because it does make a difference but for the last 15 years I've been okay with out them. So if you can obtain expensive knives do so.

46. What is your favorite kitchen tool (feel free to list more than one)?

• This may sound weird but my tongs. I have at least 5 different sized tongs in my kitchen. No matter what I'm cooking, I seem to always use my tongs to pick something up or put something hot down. I don't know how I operated in my kitchen before having them.

47. Have you ever tried kitchen scissors?

• Yes. They come in handy with cutting vegetables and tricky packaging.

48. Do you ever save up to splurge on an exceptional meal?

• I have not saved for an exceptional meal but I have budgeted my month around an opportunity to eat at (2) of New York City's most famous steak houses in one week: Peter Luger and Strip House.

49. If you had $200 which you could only spend on food, what would you get?

• If I had to spend $200 on food it would be a mixture of steak and lobster.

50. Have you ever thrown a dinner party?

• Yes. I love dinner parties. I think they are great. Last year I threw a party at my apartment, it was called Tameeka's Birthday Pizza Pokeno and Pierogies. It was a lot of fun.

BONUS: Please share a recipe.

• Here is one of my favorite and most used recipes: Tameeka's Beef Chili

Many thanks to the questionnaire post on Swap-Bot for providing the above questions.

My Top 5 Favorite Food Podcasts

 I've been listening to podcasts for almost 10 years now. I listen to episodes on my commute to work and from work. 9 out of 10 times while I'm at my day job, I have a podcast playing in my ear if I'm working on budgets. I listen to a wide variety of podcasts from comedy to pop culture all the way to food topics.On a weekly basis, I listen to the following (5) food related podcasts. There are so many out there these days it will make your head spin but the one's I've listed here are the most consistent and prove to be an inspiration to me (and hopefully to you reading this). Whenever I listen to episodes from either one of these shows, I'm thrown into a fit of new ideas for my blog or for my foodie life in general.

* * * * * Starting from the top my #1 pick - The Splendid Table * * * * *

The Splendid Table is my favorite food podcast to date!Why I Enjoy This Podcast: I really REALLY enjoy listening to the award winning host Lynne Rossetto Kasper. Lynne is a James Beard Award winner for the Best National Radio Show and she is well deserved of this honor because is just so knowledgeable about food. Her tone is so calm it makes me want to listen to episode after episode. It's probably my love of learning that draws me into this show. Plus, the topics are always interesting and you are always left fulfilled with the description of the topic of the day.Show Format: The duration of each episode is usually around 50 minutes. Lynne interviews about 4 different individuals about 4 different topics or cuisines. Each interview lasts about 10 minutes. In between the interviews Lynn gives tips on food or cooking. Then the last 10 minutes of the show Lynne takes phone calls live! It's such a fun and informative show.What's This Podcasts Tag-Line: "The show for people who love to eat"What Episode Would I Recommend: Episode 547 titled SOUL FOOD - This episode appeals to me for obvious reasons because I grew up on soul food and good to hear someone talk about how important it is to preserve soul food for future generations. Plus there is some talk of truffles and truffle oil during the listeners call. That always gets my attention.

* * * * * #2 on my list - The Sporkful * * * * *

Why I Enjoy This Podcast:  I enjoy this show because I feel like I'm always taken on a journey. It's like you and the host (Dan Pashman) have a subject and you both are diving right into the topic head first! I love Dan's storytelling style. Dan also cracks me up when he says "We obsess about food so we can learn about people". I think that is one of the main reasons why I'm obsessed with podcasts and watching interviews. I love learning about people and why they do certain things.

Show Format: Each episode is about 30 minutes and is mostly interview based with storytelling inserts in between.

What's This Podcasts Tag-Line: "It's not for foodies - it's for eaters"

What Episode Would I Recommend: The episode titled A TRUNK FULL OF TRUFFLES  - This is such an interesting episode. Dan and his guest follow around a truffle seller. It's pretty wild and if you listen to this episode listen to the very end, I promise you'll get a good laugh.

* * * * * #3 on my list - Gastropod * * * * *

Why I Enjoy This Podcast: I love learning about food history. I love food facts and I love the science of food. This all stimulates my curiosity, so this podcast is right up my alley. Also, the hosts (Nicola Twilley and Cynthia Graber) do a great job at keeping the podcast interesting and fun while teaching you things about food you never knew you wanted to know. Plus, how bad-ass is it to hear females discuss anything science related!

Show Format:  Each episode is about 45 minutes long. An interview clip usually starts the show then the hosts nicely transition to start the show and tell the audience what today's episode will be about and what to expect to learn. There are sometimes tips given towards the end or you'll hear the hosts testing out what they were discussing earlier (this is usually the really funny part of the show to hear reactions).

What's This Podcasts Tag-Line: "The podcast that looks at food through the lens of science and history"

What Episode Would I Recommend: The episode titled THE SPICE CURVE: FROM PEPPER TO SRIRACHA   -This episode blew me away with the American history on certain spices, what existed and what was introduced much later on. It's also a must listen for those who think American food should be categorized a certain way, this show will put you in your place and teach you why so many different cultures make up what is considered "American Food".

* * * * * #4 on my list - Spilled Milk * * * * *

Why I Enjoy This Podcast:  I like this show because the hosts Matthew and Molly are hilarious. Every single episode leaves me giggling (mostly at my desk) because they occasionally break out into laughter themselves while recording. This gives me a good mix of learning about food and getting a bit of comedy relief all at the same time.

Show Format:  Episodes are generally 30 minutes and the hosts focus on 1 main topic for each episode. This show is not generally interview based it’s 99% the hosts talking to each other. I will warn you listeners, there will be eating going on during each show which instantly makes me hungry, so be warned. What usually gets me is the occasional plate scrape you hear in the background. *drool* The hosts also go down what they call “memory lane” and discuss what they remember about a certain food. They also end the show with some kind of food joke.

What's This Podcasts Tag-Line: "The show where we cook something delicious, eat it all, and you can't have any"

What Episode Would I Recommend: Episode 254 titled FRENCH FRIES  It's just a hilarious episode where the hosts talk about horses, bugs, and one of my favorite things to eat: french fries.

* * * * * #5 on my list - Wine for Normal People * * * * *

Why I Enjoy This Podcast:  I’ve only started listening to this show about a month ago, so I have a lot to catch up on. But, so far I like this podcast because it’s a show for those of us who like to drink wine but want to learn about different wines without having to take classes or become an actual sommelier. Speaking of I really like the fact that Elizabeth is an actual sommelier. Elizabeth and her husband host the show, they have such great chemistry.

Show Format:  The episodes are not consistent in length they range from 40 minutes to 55 minutes. The main focus of this show is wine and change weekly from interviews with wine makers, wine magazine editors to discussions about wines the hosts have tried on vacations/trips. I will add they give very honest opinions on food and wine pairings. There are also audio blogs uploaded to the podcast feed. I haven't gotten a chance to listen to many of them because I like to listen to the meat and potatoes of the show which are the actual episodes.

What's This Podcasts Tag-Line: “The podcast for people who like wine but not the snobbery that goes with it”

What Episode Would I Recommend: Episode 172 titled THE ONE WINE THANKSGIVING SOLUTION - Since this is the holiday season and lots of you readers/listeners out there will be going to each others homes for meals or cooking in your own home it’s great to get delicious wine solutions for all gathering occasions.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

And that's it folks! I hope you foodie's out there find this list helpful. Let me know if you listen to these shows as well and if you have any suggestions on podcasts/podcasters I should be listening to. Drop a comment below!

Recipes: Potato Salad

It's the holiday season. The season for being with loved ones and the season for eating. As I stuffed my face today and yesterday I realized that one of my favorite side dishes to eat on Thanksgiving (and pretty much any other day) is potato salad. It's really simple to make and the way I make it gives my guests a refreshing crunch from all of the other warm side dishes.Since this is the holiday season and sharing is caring, I'd like to share my Potato Salad recipe with you!INGREDIENTS:*Serves 4-5 people

• Potatoes (4 large) 
• Mayonnaise (3-4 tablespoons)
• Eggs (2 large)
• Celery (2 stalks) 
• Corn (1/2 cup) 
• Onion (1 large) 
• Mustard (1-2 tablespoons)
• Salt, Peper, Garlic Power (all to taste) 
• Paprika (used to dust on top of the potato salad)

*I suggest using Yukon gold potatoes (the white potatoes). I've tried using red potatoes for this recipe and it just did not turn out the same. Red potatoes taste better when the skin is left on but for this recipe I like taking the skin off of the potatoes before boiling. The mustard I use for this recipe is a garlic based mustard it gives a bit more of a garlicky kick. INSTRUCTIONS:

• Peel (4) potatoes before boiling (from experience it's a hassle to peel potatoes once they've been boiled and cooled).
• While you are peeling the potatoes, bring salted water to a boil. Make sure it's enough water to cover the potatoes (this all depends on the pot you decide to use, I would use about 2 cups in my large pot).
• Once the water is boiled, place the peeled potatoes into the salted boiling water. Boil potatoes for about 10-20 minutes. Use a fork to determine if the potatoes are tender all the way through.
• In a separate small pot bring slightly salted water to boil (make sure it's enough water to cover (2) eggs). Once the water has come to boil, add the 2 eggs for 11 minutes. 
• While the potatoes are boiling, cut the onion and celery into cubes.
• At this point the potatoes should be tender, take them out of the water and let them cool off. 
• Depending on what type of corn you used (frozen, canned, or fresh corn kernels) cook/boil the corn until done (about 5 minutes if it's from a can or frozen). 
• Once the 11 minutes are up for the eggs, immediately place them into a bowl of ice. This process is called blanching. This contributes to the perfect boiled egg. Blanch the eggs for 5 minutes. Once the 5 minutes have gone by, peel the (2) eggs and cut them into cubes as best as you can. I keep the yolk in for those wondering. 
• Once the potatoes have cooled cut them into cubes, place them in a big enough bowl for mixing and storing. Combine the onions, corn, celery, and eggs with the cubed potatoes.  
• Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. 
• Use 3-4 table spoons of mayonnaise and mix.
• Mix in 1-2 table spoons of mustard and continue to mix all of the ingredients. 
• Top with a few sprinkles of paprika, cover bowl, chill and enjoy! 

Comment below if you've tried this recipe. Let me know what you think!

Throwback Thursday's | Montreal, Canada

 This week's throwback Thursday is extra special to me. This throwback took place 2 years ago almost to the day, which happens to be not too far away from my  birthday.In November of 2014 I turned 30! The big 3-0! And what other way should a foodie celebrate her birthday but to number one: Travel and number two: Travel to a city that's on her bucket list!My significant other and I rented an apartment using the website TripAdvisor (it's very similar to AirBnB) but with a better insurance policy. Plus the pricing worked out a lot better than the available AirBnB's and hotels in the area I wanted to stay in. I also, wanted to stay in an apartment so I could get a feel of what it's like to live in this city (even if it's just for a week).I'm going to back up a bit for those who do not know where Montreal is, it is the most English and French populated city in Quebec Canada. Montreal has been ranked as one of the top food destinations in the world. With that said, you can tell how excited I was at planning this trip and how excited I was to try French cuisine without traveling to Europe.My first stop once in Montreal was to our apartment rental which was in Park Avenue (Avenue Du Parc). This area is considered one of the most elegant residential areas in Montreal.We did a bit of walking around the area and noticed just a few steps away from our flat there was a cozy little Middle Eastern restaurant named Kazamaza. Before I talk about how delicious the food was, there is one thing I will mention about this beautiful city for those planning on visiting. Many restaurants do not stay open all day. Some open in the mornings (9/10am), stay open for a few hours (until about 1/2pm) close for a few hours then reopen for dinner around (5/6pm). We discovered this around 3pm when we tried to grab food and Kazamaza was closed and setting up for the dinner crowd. I think this a great concept for workers in the food industry. You have more time to relax and the ability to take solid breaks and actually enjoy your profession instead of busting your butt all day long. Now that we got the lay of the restaurant land, we planned accordingly for future food outings. Here's what we had at Kazamaza (I will say everything we tasted here was extremely fresh, perfect temperature, the staff was amazingly helpful and treated us with so much hospitality even though we did not speak French):Photos below: (1) Fattet Mawzat : A warm lovely dish layered with lamb, eggplant, pine nuts, tomato sauce, and mind blowing spices. (2) Labneh (3) grilled chicken. We also tried some amazing beer named Boréale. I would have never thought my first meal in this French city would be Middle Eastern and I loved every bite.The drive from Queens to Montreal was a long one so we called it a night (after dinner) and got a goodnights sleep. The next day, we woke up early to get some bagels. Before I headed to Montreal there was talk in my office of me trying "amazing" bagels on my trip. When I heard this from a co-worker I was a little taken aback by this statement because I'm a New Yorker. Born and raised in Brooklyn and in my opinion New York City produces the best bagels hands down. I know my previous statement is controversial but I did not expect to hear that bagels are one of the "must tries" foods in Montreal. And, because I love a challenge and I love to prove people wrong I woke up extra early (as instructed) and headed down to St-Viateur Bagel (La Maison du Bagel).My first thoughts were (as I approached the store) "oh this is small". I was under the impression this is a sit down diner like how in New York City, you can grab a bagel, sit and have a cup of coffee. Nope. This place was a legit hand rolled bagel shop. It was spectacular to see this happening before my eyes. I had to let a few locals go ahead of me before I could decide on which bagels I wanted to try. But I ended up getting 4 different bagels and I will admit they were pretty good. Very warm, soft, not airy, not too chewy and not too crunchy but sort of the perfect bagel consistency. If you are reading this and plan on heading to Montreal I highly recommend stopping at St-Viateur Bagel shop and at the least watch the bagel making process, it's pretty great to see first hand. Luckily we did not live too far from here so we grabbed the 4 bagels and headed back to our flat to make coffee and enjoy our bagels.After we stuffed our faces with yummy bagels we bundled up (because it was about 17degrees at the time) and headed to Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal. It's truly amazing. My photos can not do the real thing justice. If you have a chance to go to Montreal please visit the basilica just to experience it's structural beauty.We also took some time to visit the Jardin Botanique de Montréal, Parc olympique de Montréal, and Biodôme de Montréal. Both the Botanique Jardin and Parc olympique even in the winter were majestic, and the Biodome was so much fun. I love visiting habitats so this was right up my alley. I had a blast! The penguin exhibit was my favorite.As many of you travelers know, lots of walking, visiting shops, and site-seeing can make a person hungry.And oh boy did I continue to eat on this trip.Here are a few of my favorite food stops leading up to my big 5-course birthday dinner (more on that later).Café Local: Here we tried delicious buttery pasta with chorizo and fish St-Hubert Express: Duck Poutine For those who are not aware of what poutine is, it's Canada's famous dish consisting of French fries topped with cheese curds and hot gravy. It's a Canadian staple. I decided to try the Duck Poutine because every dish in Montreal could possibly contain duck, it's like what chicken in for America. We stopped for cappuccino's before heading to China Town. I will have to say it seems like any coffee shop you go to in Montreal, the people are friendly and the cappuccinos are divine.Soup Dumplings in Montreal's China Town: pork and leak We called it a night after an eventful day. Had a bit of whiskey and these unique dill pickle chips only sold in Canada by the fireplace.The next day breakfast was a bit American at a cute boutique diner named Beautys Luncheonette (this was also walking distance from our flat). I tried my best to order a french dish but everyone around me kept ordering pancakes so that's what I got :) and the decision was light fluffy and came with LOTS of bacon.Since this was now my actual birthday I got a chance to relax, and do a bit of shopping in our part of town. The supermarkets in Montreal and stocked very similar to what we have in the US but I feel like they cater to the healthier side of products more than the chemical based products. I also absolutely loved the fact that ducks and duck meat were readily available as you would see chicken or beer here in the US. I hardly see duck sold in a local Whole Foods or a Gristedes.Speaking of duck, I will now explain my birthday dinner. A dear co-worker who lives and works in Montreal was a huge help when I told her I would be spending time in Montreal. I asked her for a restaurant that would feed my foodie hunger but not break the bank. My co-worker recommended a wonderful restaurant that offered a 5-course dinner for around $54-55. When I looked up reviews on this place it became an absolute must! The restaurant is named French Connection.Here are a few pictures of what I ate, there was liver, duck legs, fish, beef tartar, bread-pudding (which i LOVE) and lot's of wine. I recommend dining here if you are looking for a lovely atmosphere full of locals and lots of superb French cuisine.I could not have asked for a better 30th birthday! I loved every single bite of my meal. Every single course :)The next day was one of our last days in Montreal and on the way out of this majestic city we stopped at Mount Royal (which gave a stunning overlook of the city then drove) - photo's below (1), grabbed some English Pub food at the Burgundy Lion for lunch (photos 2,3)  and The Old Port of Montreal (photo 4,5).After lunch we made our way to Marché Jean-Talon because we were told we could not leave Montreal with trying the oysters at Marché Jean-Talon. I think that was one of the beset suggestions we received on the entire trip. Marché Jean-Talon is a gigantic market full of fresh seafood, vegetables, sweets, meats and restaurants. Have a look at the photos I took and check out the food I managed to stuffed my face with as we began our journey back to Queens (NYC).Thank you reader for joining me and taking a look back at one of the best foodie trips I've had to date.Leave a comment below if you have any questions about the dishes or locations mentioned above.

Tameeka Eats Food Facts: Apples ??

This week I'd been thinking a lot about apples. I've been craving them which I do not normally do but they seem to be everywhere: in supermarket displays (right when you walk in), on television, in technology (Apple products), all over  bars with seasonal ciders, they are just everywhere this fall! Earlier today I was walking my dog and saw this (I had to stop myself for buying a bunch of the update jonagold's.              Is anyone else like me out there? For some reason, every single time I eat an apple the old saying comes to mind: "An Apple A Day Will Keep The Doctor Away" which I'm guessing can have some truth in the sense of we should all eat a piece of fruit instead of snacking on potato chips or candy ?.My all time favorite apple is the granny smith. Granny Smith apples are simply beautiful to look at and have the most addictive tartness I've ever tasted. Plus once you have a ripe granny smith you can crunch down on it and experience juicy crispness. Did you know it's an apple that originated in Australia in the 1800s, also did you know it's one of the most popular apples to cook with? One of my favorite lunches includes a turkey sandwich with brie, honey, slices of green apple and whole wheat bread! Yum. Yum. Ok wait!  I can go on and on about one of my favorite fruits but I'm going to stop and get it together and give 5 facts about this delicious fruit instead.??FACT #1 - Apples are said to have been growing wild in Central Asia around either 2 or 10 million years ago. That's a long long tie ago.??FACT #2 - A steady diet of apples are noted to reduce cholesterol. I guess there is some truth to that old saying.??FACT #3 - Apples are one of the most diverse food items around. You can create savory dishes, sweet pies, alcoholic beverages, and make a soup out them. You can puree them, bake them, grill them, blend them, feed them to your dog, infuse them with booze and add them to almost any dish you make. So be careful of putting apples in the refrigerator because they stay fresher longer. ??FACT #4 - Eating too many apple seeds can kill you. I'm being a bit dramatic but I figured this was important to mention. The apple seeds are poisonous if you eat about 200 of them. The small seeds contain a substance called amygdalin. Amygdalin releases cyanide (a chemical compound) when it comes into contact with the human digestive enzymes. ??FACT #5 - Apples can be used as a clarifying facial mask. Believe it or not adding an apple with honey, lemon, and flower can make for a natural facial mask.I hope you enjoyed this post and learned a little bit about one of the healthiest fruits you can eat! If you have any apple facts you'd like to share or even let me know what your favorite apple is feel free to leave a comment below. Now go and have an apple, it'll do you some good :)  

Dîner En Blanc New York - What You Need To Know

 Last month I attended a secret event called Dîner En Blanc. It's an event not many people know about or have even heard of until you know someone who's been to it or you've seen tons of people dressed in white meeting in the same location. Certainly commuters near the Flatiron district were curious as to why tons of adults were meeting in the park dressed from head to toe in white (men and women) with what seems to be luggage all around us.  This is what commuters saw when they walked by Madison Square Park (one of the many meeting spots around New York City) on a Thursday at 5:30pm:[video width="720" height="1280" mp4="http://tameekaeats.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IMG_8418.mp4" poster="http://tameekaeats.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Screen-Shot-2016-10-30-at-9.56.03-PM.png" loop="true"][/video]I think the mystery of it all is what keeps the event going. Even though I can enjoy a bit of mystery in my life, I have a bit of a type A personality and I like to be prepared for things in advance. Not having full details on what to expect I spent days before the event studying lot's of blogs and subscribing to multiple white party themed Pinterest boards to get tips on what to bring, what to wear, and how to set up my table.After the event I realized there are tons of people like me out there and tons of people who need a lil less mystery in their lives when it comes to one of the most exclusive parties in New York City so I created this post for people like me.I've broken down the basics of Dîner En Blanc by using a familiar set of "Who" "What" "When" "Where" "Why" and "How".

Who? -- Who Started Dîner En Blanc? 

Dîner En Blanc was founded in 1988 by a man named François Pasquier. François lived in Paris. One evening he casually invited a handful of friends to have an elegant outdoor dinner at Bois de Boulogne (a park in Paris) and simply asked them to wear white so they would be able to find each other. This basic concept grabbed attention of many and is now an worldwide event that has spread across six continents. That's pretty spectacular to think an outing with friends can turn into such a secret phenomenon.

What? -- What Is Dîner En Blanc? 

Dîner en Blanc is an annual all white exclusive dinner party held in a secret location in select cities worldwide. Participants are not given any location information before the date and start time of the event. This is done to avoid non-participants and party crashers from taking over and ruining the exclusivity of the night. In order to attend Dîner En Blanc you will need to register online or be apart of the Hosts or Leaders’ personal network and get invited by them during Phase 1 or by knowing someone who registers during Phase 1 and asking them to sponsor you for Phase 2 or, by signing up to the waiting list and registering during Phase 3.I will warn you if you plan on going next year and are on the waitlist, mark your calendar off when tickets go on sale and be sure to get your tickets at the allotted time i.e. My last name starts with a "B" so everyone's last name that starts with that letter can purchase tickets at 2pm you should be on the website minutes before so you are in a virtual line and ready to get your tickets. The tickets are not free and in NYC this years admission for attending was $74.00USD per person (1 member + 1 guest). Once you are confirmed and you have the date of the event you will have either a week or 2 to start planning what you will wear, and gather the basics.The dressed code is strict: ALL WHITE! Head to toe. I will suggest wearing white shoes but if you do not have white shoes which a lot of people do not have (especially New Yorkers) you can wear light colored shoes but use your most fashionable judgement. Do not wear anything black. Also, do not wear anything grey, silver, off-white, or beige. Go all out and wear white! I probably tried on 6 or 7 different dresses in search of the perfect one. The theme is elegant, please remember that. I did see 1 or 2 people with white shorts on but you could tell they did not feel as fabulous as the rest of us who took the dress code seriously. I suggest dressing as comfortable (but chic) as possible. I wore a pair of white flats but they were scrappy and went all the way up my leg. The number on my purse is the the section we will be seated. This number is given to you by your group leader which you will need to check in with when you arrive at the assigned meet up location. I would also suggest adding as much originality as possible to what you are wearing. Add lights, birds, feathers, big hats, stones, anything creative to your outfit (and table) to stand out in the sea of white. I say this because you'll make a lot of friends quickly. One of my friends whom I sat with said something very true about Dîner En Blanc: "this is like a prom for adults". When I walked around everyone was dressed so elegantly, dancing, laughing, eating and having a ball. It really did remind me of a prom. And I loved every minute of it (once we all sat and got settled).Speaking of getting settled, earlier I mentioned "gathering the basics". Gathering the basics when it comes to Dîner En Blanc means you are given a list before hand of items you will need to bring with you to have dinner which are:

• A white table (foldable and portable)
•  2 white chairs (one for you and one for your guest)
• A white table cloth along with white plates, silverware and white napkins
• Flowers (the only pop of color)
• Candles or a Centerpiece

There is an option of purchasing food at the secret location or bringing your own. I would recommend bringing your own food especially if you have dietary restrictions or if you simply just want to eat cheese all night and drink champagne.  If you do not feel like bringing your own food, you'll need to sign up for this option before hand. You'll receive several email about this and you'll have enough time to decide on what type of dish you want for the evening. I suggest bringing foods that will not spoil fast and do not require much refrigeration. The day of the event, I purchased ready to eat shrimp, olives, cheese, cold cuts, bread, pâté, and sushi. All foods that need to stay on ice. If you do bring food that needs to be on ice I suggest small lunch box type of items and ice packs. One big mistake I made as a first timer was bringing a full sized cooler filled with food and ice. At one point myself and my cooler almost tumbled down the subway stairs so I highly recommend purchasing a sturdy set of wheels for a very small cooler or obtain a backpack cooler. And, if you are in New York you will be going to the secret location via the subway so your "luggage" of tables and chairs may have to fit through the turnstile. Keep things compact.When it comes to alcohol, New York City has pretty strict rules about drinking in parks so we were instructed not to bring alcoholic beverages but to purchase them at the approved vendor. This years main vendors were Moët and Apothic wines.

When? & Where? -- When Is Dîner En Blanc?

This years Dîner En Blanc NYC took place on Thursday September 15th. This event does not take place on the same date every year. Though it's all very secretive of when it will take place, I have noticed every year the event is held before the winter months so it is usually warm out. There are options to choose a meet up location and your team captain. This person will lead you to the secret location. You will need to carry your table, chairs and other items you decide to bring to the location. Once you are at your location and have been seated it's time to set your table for dinner. This years location was at Wagner Park Waterfront located in Battery Park which overlooked the Statue of Liberty. It was simply an incredible location to be near. Have a look for yourself.

Why? -- Why Attend Dîner En Blanc?

Why Not!?! Plus Foodies and those who like exclusive parties crave new experiences. I love the fact that I was able to attend this event and know that I was apart of something that made the newspapers. We made history. This year it's been recorded over 5,000 people attended. That's 5,000 New Yorkers coming together dressed in white to enjoy a night together with strangers.

How? -- How Can You Attend Or Volunteer? 

There are a number of volunteers on board making this event possible. If you want to volunteer here's a link to the main site: http://newyork.dinerenblanc.info/faq I would not change the experience I had but I do have a few tips and tricks for first timers.

TAMEEKA'S DîNER EN BLANC NYC TIPS & TRICKS

? Purchase this table, it comes in a bag and it's easy to carry  - Coleman Outdoor Compact Table and purchase these chairs from IKEA - CHAIRS? Even though it's off season for fashionably wearing white. Look for an all white outfit. Be creative. Access Etsy and Pinterest for ideas.? Do not bring lots of food. Bring bread, cheese, meats, etc. Finger foods. Carry your food in one of these types of cooler back packs: BackPack? Dress as fashionable but as comfortably as you can. You will be traveling with your table, chairs, food, and drinks throughout NYC to the secret location.? Buy alcohol at the venue. This will save space and save weight in your luggage.? Purchase a hand truck from HomeDepot: HandTruck? Take photos of your food. I failed to do so so much and regret this!? Use Pinterest as a resource. I came up some really good ideas on how to prepare our table.? Use Marshall's, TJMax, Amazon, and your local thrift stores to pick up table items.? Eat. Dance. Eat Some More. And Dance Again.? HAVE FUN! You are at Dîner En Blanc! One of the most exclusive parties ever!Here are a few photos I took from that night.This is an event I would suggest going to for the experience if you have the opportunity and means to attend. It's a world wide event! Go to the main website for details and to see if Dîner En Blanc is held in your part of the world. 

TameekaEats @ The Museum of Ice Cream

 What is the Museum of Ice Cream and why is it so trendy? The Museum of Ice Cream is a mini pop-up museum currently located in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan in New York City that celebrates ice cream.I was lucky enough to snag two tickets to the wildly popular Museum of Ice Cream last Tuesday. Tickets have been sold out for weeks but because of it's popularity the organizers opened up more dates for September. I will admit the process purchasing tickets for this reminded me of when I was tried to get sold out tickets to see Beyoncé. New York Foodies do not play when it comes to food events. I hear tickets for certain days sold out in minutes! So when I was able to get my tickets I jumped for joy.I wanted to be surprised when I went so I managed to stay away from all of the social media posts about the museum. I went into this thinking there would be an educational aspect where we would learn about ice cream's history and possibly it's popularity. To my surprise, there were no detailed education sections or history lessons on ice cream. Instead of walking around reading or listening to a guide, your 5 senses were intrigued. You were given sweet treats in every room you entered, and the whole place was decked out in hip ice-cream themed art work. Which is quite refreshing. It's out of the norm when one thinks of a traditional museum visit.Ticket prices were about $18USD per person and the full experience lasts about 30-40 minutes. You are usually grouped in with several people and are instantly greeted with the flavor of the day ice cream. The two attractions that stood to me the most were "The Edible Balloons" and "The Sprinkles Pool".If you follow food trends, you'll know that this one of them. There are several Youtube of people enjoying edible balloons at dinner tables (mainly in Chicago) so when I saw them being made here I got really excited because this was one thing I could scratch off of my food bucket list. Unfortunately, this still remains on my list because I failed at eating the balloon. I tried twice and ended up with sticky glasses and sticky hands. One day I'll succeed, but it was fun watching and hearing everyone eat their balloons and talk to each other with the funny helium voice.

This #balloon is #edible -- one of the many cool attractions at the @museumoficecream here in #NYC -- my review goes up on the blog tameekaeats.com tomorrow -- #foodie #foodielife #tameekaeats #eeeeeats

A video posted by Tameeka Eats (@tameekaeats) on Sep 7, 2016 at 8:42pm PDT

The sprinkles pool, I will say is pretty cool. Hands down an original adult experience for me. The sprinkles look real but they are not. If they were, things would get very sticky very fast. But this does not take away from how much fun it is to sit or lay down in this colorful non-water pool and throw sprinkles in the air. It sort of reminded me of kids playing in a sandbox.

Sitting in a pool of #sprinkles !!! ? #museumoficecream #nyc #foodielife

A video posted by Tameeka Time ?? (@tameekatime) on Sep 7, 2016 at 4:24pm PDT

This was such a great idea and I applaud the staff. Everything was organized, timely, and we did not feel rushed. For about 40 minutes, I did not think of the stresses in life. I ate ice-cream, took a bunch of photos and just had fun. I felt like a kid again. I would definitely go again just to hang out in the pool and attempt to eat a balloon again.As of today (9/7/16) all tickets seem to be sold out but be sure to check the museum's main website for more info: http://www.museumoficecream.com