Last week I stepped into Playa restaurant for a tasting of an exciting event that AltaMed is hosting later this month.  They are putting on an all out gala “East LA Meets Napa” at Union Station (800 N Alameda St in Los Angeles) Friday, July 20th from 6p.m. to 9p.m.  Bringing together the richness of Mexican food and success of Latino-owned restaurants and vineyards in California.  The ticket will allow you to sample some amazing dishes and taste all the squashed grapes from Northern California.  The preview proved to be very delish with samples  from Chef Rocio Camacho from Rocio’s Moles de Los Dioses, Chef Hugo Molina from Seta Dine: Lounge, Chef John Rivera-Sedlar from Rivera Restaurant and Playa Restaurant, and wines from Black Coyote, Alex Sotelo Cellars, and Gustavo Thrace.  This was just a sneak preview and it was just enough to wet my palate and leave me begging for more.  Wild horses couldn’t keep me from attending East LA Meets Napa this year after the gorgeous food I had.  This is NOT an event you’ll want to miss either.  Plus you’ll feel great knowing all proceeds from East LA Meets Napa will benefit AltaMed Health Services.

 AltaMed has also teamed up with author Sergio C. Muñoz, Jr. for a release of their new book “In Their Own Words II” where local Latino chefs and restaurant owners share inspiring stories along with traditional recipes.  On Thursday, July 19th from 6p.m. to 9 p.m. a fun book release party will be had in honor of the new publication.  El Cholo Restaurant in Pasadena will host this unique event.  The event will include a brief program featuring readings and remarks from the owners of El Cholo and the writer, Sergio C. Muñoz, Jr. of Intelatin along with AltaMed. Expect lots of food, wine and music.  Grab your tickets while you can.

To buy tickets for either or both events visit: www.eastlameetsnapa.com

Here are a few pictures from the preview sampling:

Let me end by saying I am so proud of AltaMed for providing many underserved communities with quality care for the past 40 years.  This organization continues to prosper and grow bringing more people/families the health care they need.

There’s a reason I buy my meat at Whole Foods Market, it’s not just the gorgeousness of the market.  Or the fact that I love the deli section, or that everything in the display cases looks as if it’s been placed by a meticulous artist.  I could go on and on about the cheese area and the perfect produce, but then we would never get to the meat section….

Tuesday I was in Whole Foods Market in Pasadena for a Best Butcher Competition.  I watched as 8 butcher’s from the southern pacific region cut and displayed their meats with such accurate craftsmanship, sophistication and speed!

The defending champion was said to be the favorite but a different butcher who had humbleness on his side and skill in his hands won my vote right away.  I walked around photographing the skilled butchers and talking to the judges.  Before I knew it, their 30 minutes of allotted time was up and the competition was over.  I credited myself for picking my own favorite early in the game, the butcher I was rooting for won!  Rafa Rodriguez is the champion of the Southern Pacific Region.  Here’s a photo of him going over his work with the judges.

Rafa will now move on to the next phase in the competition.  11 different regions of Whole Foods markets will move on to Portland, Oregon July 21st to compete in the semifinals against the regional champions from Northern California and Pacific Northwest!

Three butchers will emerge victorious from the national semifinals and will move on to compete at Meatopia, the nation’s largest celebration of meat, on Sept. 8 in New York City.

Whole Foods Market’s quality standards for meat include no antibiotics – ever, no added hormones, and no animal byproducts in feed.  All of the beef, pork and chicken sold in Whole Foods Market’s meat department comes from farms and ranches that are certified to Global Animal Partnership’s 5-Step Animal Welfare Rating program.  There’s my reason for buying my meat at Whole Foods!

A photo diary from the competition:

All photos taken by: Nicole Presley

You can imagine the excitement that ran through my bones when I opened my official invite to the White House through LATISM.  “Wow! Really? I was chosen as one of the TOP 70 LATINA BLOGGERS in the NATION!”  Out of that 70 only 5 were food bloggers, including me!  I was honored and completely in disbelief.  I packed my bags and headed to D.C. to meet up with all my fellow Blogueras.

We went through thorough background checks and miles of red tape just to be allowed to enter the gates of the White House, but once we were in, we were free to roam the halls and make ourselves at home.  I’m serious.  We were all certainly snap-happy shutter bugs.

Here are a few pictures of what I captured just on my walk to the designated conference room:

Once in the conference room we listened with open ears as Liz Fowler (Special Assistant to the President, National Economic Council), Alejandra Ceja (Chief of Staff, Office of the Under Secretary, Department of Education), Lisa Pino (Deputy Administrator, Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program, Department of Agriculture), Marissa Duswalt (Associate Director for Policy and Events, Let’s Move Initiative), and Julie Rodriguez (Associate Director, Office of Public Engagement) took the floor with keynotes on what the nation could expect from health initiatives, and public school food programing.

Many startling statistics were shared.  For Latino children it literally is feast or famine.  30% of Latino children are obese and 30% are struggling to find their next meal.  I was touched to find out how the White House plans to remedy this problem. Did you know that 1000 public schools currently have a salad bars in their cafeterias? They are mainly being placed in elementary schools to introduce salad and vegetables to the younger children so they can grow up making healthier choices.  The goal is to have 6000 salad bars in public schools by Fall of 2012, and double that by Fall of 2013.  Thumbs up! I loved hearing that.  Also many farmers markets are now excepting EBT cards as a form of payment to make sure families of all walks of life are able to obtain healthy wholesome foods and provide their families with fresh fruit and leafy greens.  They will also accept EBT cards where seeds are sold in order to allow people to grow their own garden and have a bounty of fresh veggies to put on their dinner table.  This brought tears to my eyes.  One of the best things I heard was that awful pink slime would be forbidden from being served in any meat products in public schools.  Hooray!  For more info of food initiates go to ChooseMyPlate.gov .

It was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget and was humbled by all the amazing women I was privileged enough to experience this with.  I will keep these memories close to my heart…. para siempre.  Thank you LATISM and Latina Bloggers Connect for the beautiful adventure.

More photos from the White House and other Monuments:

All photos taken by: Nicole Presley, Ericka Sanchez and Mama Latina Tips.

Alright, here’s the story.  I have a breakfast blog called “The Two Good Eggs” I co-write with my good friend Ericka Sanchez (Nibbles and Feasts).  A couple of weeks ago we filmed a video for our breakfast blog and this is what we made: a super mouth watering delicious Hash Brown Crusted Chorizo Jalapeno Quiche.  Check out our video for the recipe by clicking here.  This is a delicious dish to make for the man in your life.

Happy Father’s Day!

Photo by: Luz Gallardo

Recently I joined the ranks of The California Latina Dairy Divas.  Mind you, I don’t take this title lightly.  I have always been a big cheese girl and to be a part of this group nearly brought me tears of joy knowing I would be a component of the huge Hispanic dairy celebration.  Born and raised in the heart of East Los Angeles, California I feel I have been celebrating Queso Fresco and Crema my whole life along with all my neighbors around me, no wonder California is the number 1 Hispanic dairy state.  Of course it is, most Latinos use Hispanic dairy in our everyday diet, it’s practically as common as water.  It would be odd to open the fridge and not see a round of Queso Fresco sitting there waiting to be used in a variety of ways.  Actually when I was pregnant a few years ago Hispanic dairy was my savior.  It was one of the few cheeses I was still allowed to consume because it’s made with pasteurized milk….. Life was golden. I felt like I had one over on everyone else.  In other words, it has never left my life not even for a minute.

Let me share a couple of ways we use Hispanic dairy in my casita.  Well first of all crema could be poured on almost anything.  It is like a cross between sour cream and creme fraiche, except with a thinner consistency.  I will use it on savory foods and easily incorporate it into sweet desserts as well.  Try mixing crema with sugar then pour it over strawberries or a bowl of freshly cut mixed fruit for a homemade bionico.  That’s just one of many uses.

Oh QUESO FRESCO how I love thee!  I use queso fresco in many of my dishes.  I will crumble it and sprinkle it on refried beans.  I ALWAYS use it in my enchilada casserole.  I make gourmet veggie quesadillas then make rajas con crema on the side.  I garnish hard tacos with queso fresco or slice a chunk into my shrimp non fried tacos as well.  I absolutely love stuffing chile rellenos with Hispanic cheese.  Try it…. simply divine.  On those cold days when I have a bowl of chicken tortilla soup or fideo sitting in front of me, I will chop up pieces of panela cheese and add it to my serving.

Que Viva California Hispanic Dairy and The Latina Dairy Divas!  

Disclosure: This is part of a sponsored campaign with the California Milk Advisory Board. The opinions and tips are my own.

Nothing could prepare me for the 103 degree heat that slathered my skin as I got out of the air conditioned car to head into the Coachella Festival 2012.  But once my eyes feasted on my surroundings, the colorful people, the lights, the crazieness of it all… it was like an eye massage.  The heat soon dissipated to an afterthought.

Coachella truly is a festival for the senses.  You have good food, fashion, art and music all in one location.  A candy store of sorts for adults.  Even though Mazzy Star was the draw for me, everything else made the experience that much more spectacular.

Here’s a tiny photo recap of my time at Coachella:

 FYI: The Pizza was the BOMB!

Photos by Mando Lopez

This is what happens when you get me and Ericka Sanchez from Nibbles and Feasts together….. We make confetti eggs to celebrate Easter with! Hippity Hoppity your way over to The Two Good Eggs and check out our HOW TO MAKE CONFETTI EGGS by clicking HERE! 

BOMBS AWAY!!!!