Springtime Snacking with My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream

This post is sponsored by My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

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WEARING: VIP.COM BLUE GINGHAM WRAP TOP | JOE'S JEANS | PATRICIA GREEN JASMINE PUMP | ZAFUL EARRINGS | MEDUSA MINI BLUE CLUTCH/CROSSBODY

I'm more of a dessert person when the temps are warmer and now that spring has finally arrived what is better than finding two loves in one? I'm talking mochi and ice cream combined, how yummy does that sound? It's the perfect pairing for anyone with a sweet tooth, especially to anyone who is always on the go or to those that just like to kick it back at home and unwind. So basically it's great for everyone! Continue reading on to learn more about mochi, if you don't already know what it is, and also why you need to get your hands on a box of My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream asap! There are also shop sections for both my outfit and my two most favorite flavors that I'd recommend trying.

Back to the mochi at hand! If you're wondering what My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream is, it's soft mochi dough with very delectable ice cream in the middle. These snacks are not only the cutest little things, they're also the yummiest of the mochi ice creams in the market. My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream comes in 8 appetizing flavors, and my husband and I's most recent favorites have got to be Strawberry and Chocolate! Let's just say we're already out of it, and I cannot wait to grab another box (or two). These two boxes from this post may or may not have been completely consumed while on set! 

S are you ready to blow your mouth’s mind? My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream is taking over snack time ALL the time! Why wait 'til after dinner? It's pre-breakfast, post lunch and/or a midnight delight. It's great on Monday morning to shake off the last of those Sunday scaries. A mundane meeting made wayyyy better by sneaking a little bite of your favorite boisterous balls. It's perfect for picnics, car rides, carousels, beach walks, boardwalks.......and pretty much just about any other situation you can think of. Like here where we literally stopped in the park after lunch to sit down and devour these cute little bites. So stop with the boring snacking and make your chosen bites more bold, beautiful and all around better with these balls!

LOVE & XX'S,

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Matcha Popcorn with White Chocolate and Black Sesame Seeds

Happy October! My favorite month always starts off with a bang. Come the 1st day of October every year is my beautiful boy, MaQ's birthday! He is four years old today and officially a grown-up. He's still young at heart, but his demeanor is more calm nowadays. More gentleman-y. The hubby and I had plans for his birthday but unfortunately the New York weather is being extremely uncooperative, and will be raining for the next couple of days. All. Day. Long.  

photos + recipe by: © Suzanne Spiegoski 

Matcha Popcorn with White Chocolate and Black Sesame Seeds

Ingredients:

4 ounces white chocolate chips

1/2 teaspoon Japanese matcha green tea

1/2 cup popcorn kernels, popped (about 8 cups popped)

Black sesame seeds

Directions:

1. Place white chocolate chips in microwave-safe bowl and microwave at 15-second intervals, stirring between each one, until melted.

2. Add matcha powder and stir until completely incorporated. Hello, green!

3. Place the popcorn in a large bowl and drizzle with the white chocolate mixture, tossing as you go, until popcorn is evenly coated. Season with salt. Set popcorn in refrigerator until white-chocolate coating has firmed, about 10 minutes. Break up any clump and serve. Popcorn can be stored in the refrigerator overnight using Ziplock bag.

So you know what rainy days call for. Cooking times with Suz! :) Aside from MaQ's birthday being one of the reasons why I love October so much, I also am a big fan of Halloween. I decided to make 'Frankenstein' popcorn! This is matcha green tea incorporated into melted white chocolate and the best part, with the popcorn. Mmmmm... let's not forget the wonderful black sesame seeds. Its deep, rich flavor complements with the mild sweetness from the white chocolate, overall giving this dessert a well-balanced combination in taste. Tell me a kid who wouldn't want to try this popcorn - just look at that green color!  

Instead of venturing out in the rain for MaQ's birthday this weekend, we've postponed our plans and we'll be keeping it low key and just trying to recuperate from the crazy busy month we've had. The key is to try. ;) Everyone needs to recharge their batteries every now and then. I want to check out 'The People v. O.J. Simpson' TV show, munch on some 'Frankenstein' popcorn, nap, and munch down on more deliciousness I'll be cooking later. Chicken Jardinière anyone? Perfect for gloomy, dreary days like today.

Hope you have a nice weekend. Coming up Monday on the blog, I'll be sharing another outfit post featuring my most recent pieces of jewelry and a twist on the latest reverse/backwards shirt trend, where you any shirt that buttons down in the front; you switch it to the back. Playing a lot with masculine and feminine tones together lately. Stay tuned...

LOVE & XX'S,

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5 Foods You Should Feed Your Dog

When it comes to feeding my dog, MaQ, I've put him on specific diet since the age of 1. Every day, twice daily, he gets red meat, cooked sushi rice with green beans, some cottage cheese and olive oil, and glucosamine pills. But I also like to give him a little nutrition boost, from time to time, now and again, since these staple powerhouse foods are not only good for us humans, but for your beloved pooch too! And who doesn't love sharing their food with their loved ones? Sharing is caring, remember?! Here is a list of five foods you should (and can) be feeding your dog - right now!

1. BERRY, BERRY, POWERFUL

Like myself, MaQ is a huge fan of any berry in the berry family. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries. You name it, we love it all. I tend to make a lot of smoothies out of these berries as they're loaded in antioxidants and are loaded in fiber and vitamins as well. The phytochemicals in blueberries work the same way for your dog as they do for you. Ever hear how strawberries naturally whiten your teeth? It's absolutely true! Strawberries carry an enzyme that helps do this - for your fur babies too! Berries are powerful - they help fight free radicals in your dog.

2. IT'S ALL IN THE OILS, BABY

Twice a day, I give MaQ olive oil. First of all, it tastes great. Trust me when I say this, your dog will love you for it! The monounsaturated fats in olive oil actually encourage weight loss by breaking down the fatty cells, helping shed a couple pounds. It is also contains high levels of antioxidants, proving to arm your dog's immune system. Also a brain food, it has been shown to boost energy. And on top of being nutritious, olive oil gives your pooch the ultimate beauty treatment! Just like how we put oils in our hair to repair with moisture, you can do the same with you pet's coat or dry paws.

Coconut oil contains mainly of medium chain triglycerices (MCTs) which are loaded with lauric acid, followed by capric acid, caprylic acid, myristic acid and palmitic. The lauric acid in coconut oil has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties. Just like olive oil, coconut oil also can help boost your dog's energy and aid in weight loss. On top of that, coconut oil can also improveany dog’s skin and coat, improve digestion, and reduce allergic reactions. I even put a few scraping chunks in the freezer, like this organic coconut oil from Nutiva as a cooling treat during those hot, summer days.

Fish oil is also amazing for your dog. Benefits of the Omega-3 & 6 fatty acids help reduce joint discomfort, helps with shedding, decreases inflammation, adds moisture to dry, irritated skin, and even enhances your dog's appetite with an appealing fish flavor. I actually give MaQ this in capsules. He crunches them up in his mouth like Skittles, ha ha!

3. LEAFY GREENS

On top of 'eating your vegetables' like Sam from I Am Legend, MaQ occasionally gets some mint or parsley. He's not really a fan of it by itself, so I chop it up into his meals to diffuse that dragon breath of his. I'm telling you, he smells minty fresh afterward! Did you know that parsley is also good for preventative kidney health? We are all about getting rid of those toxins we carry in our bodies, both furry and non-furry!

I also like to give him some mixed greens, like a mesclun salad, which is filled with lots of fiber and vitamins/minerals. It can too help in digestion, even detoxifying the liver and urinary tract, though I don't give too much of it since he eats a ton of green beans daily. 

4. POWDERED SPICES

When I talk to most dog owners, they're initially surprised I give MaQ turmeric. Also known as curcumin, turmeric boosts cardiovascular health and helps to treat memory disorders. It is also great for overweight dogs, because it boosts the metabolism and helps to speed up weight loss. It can also offer protection against certain ailments, including anemia, cancer, arthritis and stroke. Ground turmeric is easy to add into your pet’s daily diet. I just sprinkle some on MaQ's meals 3-4 times a week! He loves the pungent scent as well.

Got a dog who gets car sick like my baby? Well, look no further. Just put some ground ginger into his meal before your journey and they'll be nausea-free. Ginger ale or Vernor's work too, but I don't like to give him the carbonated drinks due to the sugar in them. The ground ginger is also helpful in absorption of food, and boosts the digestive system. It can even help boost circulation.

Cinnamon is an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. It can help fight sepsis and diabetes in your dog. Being that cinnamon is one of the best sources of antioxidants, it can even help to remove the aflatoxins that are found in your dog’s food. (Should you use kibble.)

5. RAW EGGS

Eggs are a nearly complete source of amino acids (the building blocks of proteins), and contain lots of vitamin A, riboflavin, folate, vitamin B12, iron, selenium and fatty acids. You can feed the egg with the shell on, and the phosphorus and calcium are perfectly balanced, making the egg a nearly complete source of nutrition for your dog. I like to thoroughly clean the shells before giving it to MaQ. You can cook the eggs too. Tell me a dog who doesn't love scrambled eggs! :)

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Remember, these foods should be used in moderation and as a supplement to your dog's diet. Every dog is different, so be sure to experiment with foods that are good for them. There's a ton of bad foods for dogs too, such as chocolate, grapes, avocado, a variety of nuts/seeds, onion, garlic, black pepper, and more.

LOVE & XX'S

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Spicy Kimchi Bloody Mary

Spicy Kimchi Bloody Mary

Serves 8

Ingredients:

2 cups kimchi
46 oz tomato juice
1/4 cup Sriracha chile sauce
2 tablespoons Worchestershire sauce
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Salt
Freshly ground pepper
2 cups Soju (Korean vodka)
Ice
Celery stalk, olives, radishes, pearl onions and cornichons for garnish

Directions:
Combine tomato juice, Sriracha sauce, Worchestershire sauce and vinegar. Puree kimchi with mixed juice, working in batches. With a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl, strain the kimchi puree, pressing firmly on the solids to get as much juice as you possibly can. You can save the solids for another use. Chill combined juice thoroughly, then season with salt and pepper. Stir in vodka. Serve over ice garnished with celery stalk, olives, radishes, pearl onions, and cornichons. Enjoy with a staple New York City brunch!

Sunday Funday equals brunch and cocktails. And this spicy kimchi Bloody Mary's will knock your socks off! It's got a kick to it and will definitely have any pre-brunching game going strong. The heat from the kimchi gives the traditional Bloody Mary new, pungent flavors. Combining other varied spices from the sauces,  such as Worcestershire and Sriracha, and counter-balancing it with a splash of vinegar, creates the perfect leisurely yet unique cocktail. Korean soju also has a distinct taste, putting a twist on the usual vodkas used in Bloody Mary's.

What's your go-to brunch cocktail? Are you a Bloody Mary enthusiast? More of a mimosa kind of gal? Or bellini's? Screwdriver's? Why not try this recipe today? It's super easy and a great changeup to your usual brunch hangout. Sometimes it's nice to just chill at home or have a small get-together rather than hustling through the crowds to grab a table at a restaurant. Especially when it's April and it feels like 30° outside! But whatever you plan on doing, I hope your Sunday is nothing but enjoyable. Until next time! Love. Always, love. ❤️

LOVE & XX'S,

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Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

This week I wanted to cook something Korean again but I had all these pumpkin seeds from the other day making that 'MaQ-o'-lantern'. And just like my father, I LOVE roasted pumpkin seeds! They are quite the tasty snack and I couldn't just let these nutritious lil' gems go to waste! I usually just season them with a little salt, but I saw a really awesome video by Tasty on Facebook showcasing a variety of seasonings! They're all great, ranging from wasabit to sriracha honey, but I went with the pumpkin pie and cocoa seasonings for today.

Directions

Roast pumpkin seeds in an oven at 350F until dry but not golden.

All amounts for 1 cup of seeds.

Seasoning Ingredients (Two-ways)

PUMPKIN PIE: 2 tsp cinnamon, 2 tsp ginger, 2 tsp allspice, 1 tbsp sugar
COCOA: 1 TBSP unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp cayenne

Coat pumpkin seeds in a few TBSP of vegetable oil and then mix in seasoning.

Roast at 350F until golden.

I loved the cocoa pumpkin seeds! Really super delicious! They're not too sweet and the cocoa unearths the pungent taste in the seeds, making it such a pleasant surprise in your mouth. ;)

The pumpkin pie is also not very sweet and is absolutely scrumptious. That's what I like about pumpkin seeds, that they're not only healthy but they are a treat that's not loaded with some God-awful ingredient like high fructose corn syrup or anything that has so much sugar, my heart rate spikes just looking at the numbers! The cinnamon and all spice, along with the ginger and 1 tbsp of sugar is a terrific Fall mix, my hubby tried them for the very first time (he's French, they don't exactly roast pumpkin seeds everyday) and loved them!

They are such a staple Fall snack for me. I'm so happy to have tried different, authentic flavors! It just gets me really pumped up for next month, my favorite time of year with all those incredible Thanksgiving dishes, where I try to create a new dish every year. Can't wait to share with you with what's to come!

I'm really excited to munch down on these later, normally I'll make a bag of popcorn or have some kind of chips and dip, but this is a great substitute and is very good for you! Are you a fan of pumpkin seeds? What's your favorite seasoning for yours? Leave a comment in the box!

Have a fantastic & cozy weekend!

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz