DISTRITO

DISTRITO

The big downstairs. So cool that you can have your lunch/dinner/ brunch in this Volkswagen bug.

Distrito is a Modern Mexican restaurant and one of 6 restaurants in Philly that is owned by Iron Chef Jose Garces. So far I can knock 2 of his restaurants off my list- 4 more to go haha.

Upstairs.

While you walk up the stairs to the top level you will not have to strain to see this immense collection of Mexican Wrestler masks or aka"nacho libre" masks..

NOW for the FOOD- my Lunch tasting menu style.

p.s: I could only take pictures of 2 out of 4 course because I end up diving into the food before I could even stop to grab the camera. You missed (the first) the shrimp Ceviche with banana chips and the dessert- Chocolate Flan and Tres Leches cake.

Simple but perfect- Water lol

Yellow Tail fish stick with a avocado and pickled cabbage.

This flat bread looks amazing tastes amazing but has a big secret, a smutty secret. CORN SMUT: no idea? see below...

Corn smut is a fungus that grows out of the corn kernel. Corn smut looks creepy, smells creepy but tastes really good. Distrito made a smut paste that makes the flat bread look black on the edges.

Enchiladasssssssssssss.

YUM,

Carter

Alter Ego

ALL TATTOOED!

Embrace the Alter Ego- Even if you have more than one.

Jeffrey Campbell Shoes

Urban Outfitters: high waisted shorts and knee high stockings

Gone Blue- Tattooed T-shirt

One of my paintings worked its way into the background.

Great GrandMa's Diamond clipon earrings

MUAH-Carter

'Eclat

Eclat Chocolates

Vogue Magazine says "Worlds Best Caramels"

Food & Wine says"Éclat Chocolate's truffles are filled with oozing caramel and spiked with spicy ginger or Calvados."

...I say "why did they just stop at the caramels?"

I have been looking, no...., searching for the best in chocolates. I had found Vosges in New York and foolishly enough - thought that the next chocolatier that would blow my mind would be in either New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, D.C, Miami, SanFran, Boston or even my very own Philly. But I was wrong- dead wrong. 'Eclats just happens to be in the little town of West Chester PA- 15 minutes from my home...Funny right? How could I be so lucky??

I announce here, with you, that I have found the best chocolate in the world. I am gutsy enough to say that this chocolate can put all of the Swiss and Belgium's to shame. 'Eclat keeps that traditional flavor of chocolate and amplifies it to an ungodly height. Eating this chocolate is like a life changing experience where the angels blow their horns You can't just pop'em back in your mouth- 'Eclat's has given the world a chocolate that slows your world down. You need to just let them sit in your mouth and melt, slowly releasing intense, multiple flavors.

This is my all time favorite chocolate..

The Caramels are gooey and when you crack the shell you can practically sip the caramels like soup. My favorites are the Passion Fruit (the most concentrated passion fruit chocolate I have ever eaten), Champagne ( crisp and decadent flavor) and Mollydooker ( a dense and oh so creamy red wine center!). The others that I love are - The Traditional, Vanilla, Beer Truffle and Dark Caramel. One of the things that I always look for in chocolates are if they are just one note flavors. But NONE of the chocolates by 'Eclat are one note- each handcrafted chocolate hits your tongue one way and then leaves it another.

Order your own today

The Pear Caramel

Mollydoocker

Mollydooker

X and Chocolate,

Carter

Iron Chef Jose Garces!

DEEP DISH PIE PIZZAS from "GARCES TRADING CO."

I asked for a spinach and mushroom Deep Dish Pizza Pie after seeing one of these sky scrappers being delivered to the near by table. Show stopper pizza and the best one I have every eaten and I am not a pizza person.

Thin crust with Parmesan and gruyere cheese then the mushrooms and loads of spinach- finally the mammoth natural tomato sauce with whole chunks topped it off.

The other aspect of Garces Trading company that I loved was their mix of restaurant and market. Garces trading Co. had a pastry bar, cheese bar and a balsamic vinegar bar. I purchased this bottle of delicious Cinnamon Pear Balsamic. Seriously! I had never seen anything like it. Among the Cinnamon Pear Balsamic they had Chocolate Balsamic and Blueberry Balsamic. This Cinnamon Pear Balsamic is killer

A gourmet Almond Joy! So smooth and oozy gooey good.

Here it is. The best of the best. I was blown away. This is one of the best things I have ever eaten- ever. It is a Maple Bacon Cinnamon Bun!! ridiculous. This treat had a perfect balance and loads of luscious icing. SINFUL!

come here Puddin!

Berry Bread pudding from "Naked:Chocolate Cafe"

Chocolates aren't the only thing this cafe does well.

14 more days

Cleanse Diary:

And on the 7th day.. well, nothing.

These last 7 days have been the longest 7 days I have had to go through. These 7 days have rivaled the excruciatingly long 7 days that lead up to my graduation from high school- these 7 days are leading up to the next 7 days that then welcome in the next 7 days that finally end with a massive feast where I will eat my face off. Sounds like a good plan to me- a great plan in fact- a plan that has lead me to comprise a list- yes, a list- a list of restaurants that cater to my face eating needs. Just like any other women I do have needs- needs for mexican food, indian food and all american burgerrrrrrs- at least those are the craved needs from the past 7 days, never know what is going to happen next week, rut roh.

~LIST~ (in no specific order)

BOBBY”S BURGERS

INFO: not just any "John Doe" Bobby but Bobby Flay

BINDO

INFO:My own Indian Princess (in edible form of course)

the deciding factor for this restaurant was seeing their desert menu.

LOLITA

INFO:chips-salsa-queso-pollo-tacos- edgy-YES

COYOTE CROSSING

INFO:Super authentic mexican food, check plus!

MARCIE BLAINE

INFO:This is not a restaurant- that is if you don't want to make your entire meal to be about truffles and chocolate- but I do! What sounds the best to me? Their " Cardamom, Marshmallow and Vanilla Bean" truffle! Plus they have a "Mexican Mole"Truffle. 

BARBUZZO

drooool everywhere- Handmade everything to perfection...NOM

Just like this list that will, after I get through the next 14 days, be my god send- I have tried to utilize the scrawny midget list of foods that I can eat to my benefit to cook things that taste remotely like delectable indulgences- the kind of thing that partners with your subconscious and forms the infamous guilt after you have already licked the entire plate and the bowl and the spoon (not like I have done this before or anything....Nope, not me lol)

Today I created luxurious chocolate with coconut milk, stevia and cocoa. It was delicious. Because I cannot have peanuts- I took my almond butter, mixed in light shredded coconut and made very small balls to then be dipped in my chocolate- I dipped, refrigerated, dipped again and then served. My own bon bons.

For now these will just have to do. =)

XO,

Carter

Day 4

Hello!

The vitamins are taking affect. I am feeling good. I definitely feel more radiant- my skin feels like it has a extra glow and eyes an extra sparkle.

I have been thinking though- for my meal after I finish my cleanse should I have a big breakfast? Going over in my mind how  I want to eat every one of the Nestle's Toll House Chocolate Chip Break-Apart Cookies with ice cream... OH!

Then I think how good a huge peanut butter and jelly would be- A big FAT PB&J!......oh oh!

Now my mind strays to how good a bagel with cream cheese would be... oh oh Oh!

Yes, all of these easy sugars and simple carbohydrates are having a blast tormenting me.  But NAH! I am way too strong to succumb to how ever good any of my desires seem to taste- I will see this cleanse to the end. I am even considering implementing a lot of what this cleanse has taught me into my life post cleanse. Strawberries are cut out of the "CLEAN" diet and after learning a lot about those yummy strawberries I feel as if I never want another again. Strawberries,while growing, have to be fumigated constantly because of all of the critters that are attracted. MORE TOXINS? NO THANK YOU!

Lunch Menu:

Light Lamb Curry

250mgs Lamb cubed

1 onion

spinach

1 can presoaked brown lentils

1/4 inch ginger-sliced thinly

2-3 cloves garlic

1 tsp fennel

1tsp cumin seeds

1/2 tsp garam marsala

1/2 tsp curry powder

      This recipe is very good to make a day beforehand to let the spices meld together.         Vegetarian? just take out the lamb. This recipes doesn't really need the lamb at all.

Directions: brown chopped onions- then add lamb

     quickly brown lamb then add garlic and spices

     then add 1/4 cup water

    leave to simmer for 5 mins

     make sure to not burn

      add 1 more cup of water and then let it reduce to desired thickness

     finally add spinach. 

XO, Carter

21-Here I come

The 21 Day Clean Program has commenced!!!

Victory I can finally eat food! I woke up hoping that this morning would bring a chocolate Clean shake that would be yummy. I was so scared that it would taste horribly-because chugging down juice is fine but smoothies are a little more difficult. But I was all wrong. The smoothie was fantastic and I was back open for business! YIPPPY

Now the 21 Day consists of the following: a shake for breakfast, meal at lunch, and shake for dinner.

But I cant just eat anything for lunch! I have to stay inside of the guideline perimeters and can not eat any of the following...

Exclude

Fruits:

Oranges, orange juice, grapefruit, strawberries,grapes, banana

Dairy Substitutes:

Dairy and eggs, milk, cheese, cottage cheese, cream,yogurt, butter, ice cream, non-dairy,creamers

Grains and Starches:

Wheat, corn, barley, spelt, kamut, rye, couscous, oats

Animal Protein:

Raw fish, pork, beef, veal, sausage, cold cuts, canned meats,hot dogs, shellfish

Vegetable Proteins:

Soybean products (soy sauce, soybean oil in processed

foods, tempeh, tofu, soy milk, soy yogurt)

Nuts and Seeds:

Peanuts, peanut butter, pistachios, macadamia nuts

Vegetables:

Corn, creamed vegetables, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, peppers

Oils:

Butter, margarine, shortening, processed oils, canola oil, salad dressings, mayonnaise, spreads

Drinks:

Alcohol, coffee, caffeinated beverages, soda pop, soft drinks

Sweetners:

Refined sugar, white/brown sugars, honey, maple syrup, high fructose corn syrup, evaporated cane juice, Splenda®, Equal®, Sweet’N Low®

Condiments:

Chocolate, ketchup, relish, chutney, soy sauce,

barbecue sauce, teriyaki, other condiments

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Shake

(you might notice that I cant have chocolate but the chocolate shake has only "Dutch processed cocoa" and that is in the green!)

YUM YUM Chocolate shake with vitamins . The Clean Program gives you  5 vitamins to take at varies times. the vitamins in this picture are taken 3 times a day with every meal.

Completely epic: My first meal with food(!) since the Juice Cleanse. I steamed asparagus, made a  hearts of palm, avocado, mango and nectarine salad, and  I teamed up with mom to grill one of my favorite fishes  the Mediterranean sea bass known as "Branzino"(a very meaty fish). I made cherry relish by reducing about 16 cherries with a table spoon of raw blue agave nectar. This relish was the crowning jewel for my fish. This relish was so good that I even made another batch today ontop of my Amish turkey- kinda like ThanksGiving =)

 

DAy3

COOLER CLEANSE TOGO BAGGY

I've made it,... thank the lordddddddddddddddd

Finishing Day 2 was ruff.  Drinking water was even difficult- I am just craving something that I can chew- thank goodness for my Gum haha. Felt queazy-SEAA SICK. I had definitely gotten a bit of what I wanted to challenge me and my determination. The bath was really nice- it pushed the detox...  

HOOTY HOOT DAY 3

I will be going to the Farmer's Markets to pick up some veggies and fruits for the 21 day "CLEAN" program. So excited that it came in the mail today.  I am pushing to get through. I am very very very excited to chew something other than gum on FRIDAY!!

Day 2

9:30pm August 10th -Finishing Day 1,

had some unexpected twists. I thought I would wrestle with the upset stomach that screams "feeeedd me!" But instead I was barely hungry at all.... and I think I know why... lol..

The drinks were (well some) difficult to swallow to say plainly. On  the contrary the fact that some were harder than others I could compare. When drinking the drinks that I favored-  the juice was gone in a flash and left me wanting more . When drinking the drinks that I didn' t like so much- the juice was around much longer and left me not looking at any food product in a desiring manner. 

2:10pm August 11th- Middle Day 2

Surprisingly I had a deep deep luxurious sleep last night. I feel energized and happy. I am thinking about taking a hot bath tonight haha may need it. I am on 4 right now and I made a slushy out of it with putting the drink in the freezer- nice little change. I decided to not watch any TV the first day and it didn't last long ahah so instead I made a compromise with just muting the TV during commercials because of the many Food advertisements that I would rather not see. Now that I actually forgot a few times to mute the TV I saw that hearing and seeing food does not bother me. Stay tuned for Day 3- the last day of the Juice HOOT

DAY 1-down low

IT has arrived. Ready or not here it comes....

 Statement: I am doing a 24 day cleanse. I am extending an invite to all of my readers to come with me and see my struggles and insight from this blog turned cleanse diary. I will share pictures and comments on all things temptation and desire.

What exactly is going on?: This 24 day cleanse will consist of me doing two separate cleanses from two separate companies. I will begin with a 3 day juice cleanse. No way jose! I am definitely not doing the infamous cayenne pepper grapefruit juice and maple syrup cleanse, oh no, because you all already know about that cleanse and I don't think it is extremely healthy. Instead I am doing the newest of new juice cleanses that are committed to deep cleanse and higher health. This company is called "Cooler Cleanse"

A cooler cleanse? still need help: The "Cooler Cleanse" is revolutionary. Not only dose this company ship all over the US and are super committed to bring you the best and most creatively helpful cleanse around but they also have 4 different ways to detox with 4 fantastic cleanses. 

1) The 3 Day Juice                  (what I am doing)

2) The 5 Day Juice   (what my mom is doing)

3) Customize Your Own Juice

4) The Raw Cooler ( Seems so awesome yum Raw Food Detox)

Here it From The Source: How it works

There are my drinks. 6 each day. including tons of water =)

Start  off the day with Hot lemon water to cleanse the Liver 

Followed by many many packs of my security blanket: SugarFree Gum

What is next after the 3 day is complete?: Once I shovel my way through this 3 day juice cleanse I am going to begin the "Clean" program done by Doctor Junger MD. This 21 day cleanse is set up with constant vitamins, a shake for breakfast and dinner and then a light solid meal for lunch. I am not going to go into lots a detail about the "Clean"

Program right now- only that is has been used by Stars such as Gwyneth Paltrow and most recently Demi Moore is half way through her cleanse now. Here is more press.

WHY I AM DOING THIS?:  I am not doing this to lose weight. (Though if you are interested in losing weight then this would be the best way to start) I am doing this to test my determination, revitalize/rejuvenate my system and spirituality(in a nut shell). Being at boarding school for the past 5 years was a wonderful experience and I wouldn't change it for the world yaddah yadda lol, but when one goes through something so difficult- emotionally and academically - one develops baggage. This is my way of releasing everything thing that might have weaseled its way into my worries over the years and start fresh. Like one purge oneself of clothing that doesn't fit- with me is getting rid of the cage that has developed around me that is/has been prohibiting me from being more spiritual. I want to reconnect.  I am getting rid of it all in order to find more about myself and to become enlightened. 

XO CARTER

AMISH yumyum

THE CHICKEN EXPERIENCE> AMISH STYLE

I brag, I rave, and I consume the best chicken, ribs, turkey, ham and yams around- all done by the wonderful Amish of Lancaster county(the largest Amish population in the country). But how dare I talk and drool about the Amish chicken without have pictures to support my raving. Luckily I purchased this chicken just as it came off of the skewer from cooking. When I got it home, I couldn't wait to eat it, and right when I opened it steam continued to erupt. The chicken, sitting in a pool of its juice, was the best of the best Amish chicken I have gotten. Lucky, you and I get to enjoy it together.

JUICY DOWN TO THE BONE

SWEET, SWEET YAMS

The yams are rotated below the chicken and collect the drippings that run off the chicken above. I didn't like yams, I actually reaaaaaly didn't like them- but these are unlike anything else.

CHiNA D0ll

Hello You!

I bring you a look with some familiar names. My sparkle-black collared button up is done by J-Crew. Not a big fan of J-Crew, I thought it was a store that didn't do much with the integrity of the garment- I felt like their motto was - "typical shape crazy pattern"- not my style. BUT I walked in one day waiting for my mind to be changed and I walked out with this shirt. Still on the fence about J-Crew, as a whole, though.. 

The skirt is by McQueen. I gobbled this baby right on up. I have this creme colored and a black. SUPA chic.  I really love the ruffled pockets of fabric made from buttoning it up. A nice twist on a pencil skirt.

The shoes are patent leather and are one of my mother's Designs from her line "Shei Shei Designs."

So I buttoned on the shirt and the skirt, slid the shoes and accessories on and finished it all with a top bun like a china doll tehehe. Ready for Business...

LOTs of  Love