The Black and Orange

The Black and Orange Cocktail

Serves 2

Ingredients:

All photos by © Suzanne Spiegoski

1.5 oz. Scotch
.5 oz. Amaro Meletti
.5 oz. Yellow Chartreuse
.5 oz. fresh lemon juice
1.5 oz. fresh pressed carrot juice
Fresh ground black pepper for garnish

Directions:

Shake all together with ice and strain into a Collins glass filled with ice.
Grind the black pepper on top to garnish.

It's Thirsty Thursday and I couldn't help but make another cocktail! Like I've mentioned before, I'm not even an occasional drinker. I might have a few drinks within an entire year, but I've been so into mixology as of late! Since the first couple of cocktails I created were mostly focused on Korean vodka, I wanted to change it up to a different kind of liquor and to make a cocktail fitted for the spring season. Created by Rob Krueger from Brooklyn's Extra Fancy, the Black and Orange pulls in lemon and carrot juice for a drink that's entirely refreshing. Also with a scotch base, this cocktail takes its cues from Yellow Chartreuse and Amaro Meletti, which lift up the brown spirit in a delightful way.

My favorite part of this drink? The fresh ground black pepper as a garnish! It really gives the drink a pleasant palette, along with a stimulating aftertaste. I received an Ozeri electronic pepper grinder and a set of 4 Curva Artisan Series Double Wall Beverage Glasses and Tumblers in order to facilitate a review of their products. The Ozeri pepper grinder is not only electronic but gives you 3 set ways to grind the pepper. From fine to coarse, all it takes is one push of the top button and voila! I wasn't a fan of picking up 6 batteries for the darn appliance, though! That was the only setback in my opinion. The cups I received as well are handmade, double-wall thermo glasses, each glass boasting a unique curvature that holds 8 ounces. They are small, but what's great about these beverage cups is that they can be used for both hot and cold drinks! I love kitchen products/appliances that can be used for more than one task. In this case, these are my new favorite drink cups! You can find both the cups and pepper grinder at Amazon. Next on MaQ + Suz? A brand spanking new Korean fusion recipe! Stay tuned...

LOVE & XX'S,

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

The Way of Tea

80 bristles made of bamboo, this exquisite Matcha whisk is utterly sublime.

Next and last pick-up: a tea scoop (茶杓 chashaku)

Ready to be whisked!

Starting the process...

Almost finished...

Refreshment at its finest!

Gorgeous Japanese stoneware Matcha bowl from Teavana.

I woke up to some devastating, heartbreaking news. A friend of mine was killed in the line of duty yesterday afternoon in Euless, Texas. Officer David Hofer served with the Euless Police Department for two years and previously served with the New York City Police Department for five years, where during that time frame I met him at a Union Square bar, originally called Forum. He was a giant teddy bear with a quiet but confident demeanor. What first struck me about David was his never-ending wit and sense of humor. Being that I almost became a cop at some point in my life, I found this attribute to be rare and extremely endearing. I liked him immediately. He moved to Texas for a better quality of life and to embark a new beginning with his fiancée. He was only 29. 

I had planned to blog about my new favorite obsession with Japanese matcha tea this morning, but after hearing about David, I'm finding it difficult to write, let alone concentrate. This hits so close to home. Why do the good die young? You never really know when it's going to be your last day, so you better be doing something you abso-FU#*^ng-lutely LOVE. Nothing less than that. So in honor of my friend, I'm going to keep it moving and keep pushing forward. This cup of tea's for you, dude. (Since I don't drink very much alcohol, if ever.)

Did you know that powdered green tea was first used for religious rituals in Buddhist monasteries? Matcha, the Japanese ceremony tea has been around since the 12th century. The style of the tea preparation where green matcha powder is placed into a bowl, then hot water added, and finally the tea and hot water whisked together, was introduced to Japan by a monk, on his return from China. The little tea seeds he took back with him eventually produced tea that was considered to be the finest quality in all of Japan. I think they were onto something because ever since I've been drinking matcha tea, I'm more focused and energized and with an extreme appetite like I haven't had in YEARS. Especially in the morning after a run or rollerblading session with MaQ, that cup of tea makes me ferociously hungry for breakfast. Overall I'm feeling healthier and because I've been taking extra steps in taking care of myself, I have never felt better!

If you are into tea, matcha is the way to go. I'd strongly recommend purchasing a matcha whisk like this one from Teavana. It is carefully well-made with 80 bristles of bamboo, which won't misshape or break easily. You'll be whipping up a great, smooth cup of matcha every time. There's also a wide range of sizes and styles when it comes to tea bowls, and they're used for thick and thin tea. Shallower bowls, which allow the tea to cool extremely quickly are used in summer; deep bowls are used in winter. This beautiful white clay tea bowl, also from Teavana, was exactly what I was looking for when it came to my first real Japanese tea bowl. And the color of the stoneware complements with the green matcha color very well.

No one is getting any younger and in my opinion the earlier you start to think in terms of your body being a temple and that it should only be worshiped, the better you'll start to feel about yourself, both physically and mentally. Whatever you intake is also the final output of yourself. In everything you do. Botox won't take care of you. Neither will liposuction. That's only temporary and you're injecting your body with poison! Think in a non-materialistic way, such as eating right, drinking healthy goodies such as water, natural juices and tea, exercising and doing WHATEVER it takes to be at your best all-around. And don't do it because it'll make you into a skinny-mini or because it's some hot, new current trend - do it because you're genuinely interested in taking care of YOU or because you actually enjoy/love it! Whatever that may be, as long as you're not hurting anyone or yourself, you're good to go! That's the way I've always seen it. For example, I'm not even close to being Japanese, but the Way of Tea brings me peace of mind. And this has been my highest priority for 2016 because I believe everything else around my life will follow in this Way of Thinking. Taking care of me comes first. Mind. Body. And Soul.

Hug your loved ones a little tighter today. There is so much to be thankful for.

LOVE & XX'S,

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Meisterdish

Incredibly easy dinner meal kits delivered on-demand, no subscription.

Everything is prepped, Meisterdish saves time in the kitchen for us busy New Yorkers!

Cherry, kale & walnut salad with radicchio, Pecorino cheese and pumpkin seeds. Yum!

Cherry, Kale & Walnut Salad with Lavender Steak on Pearl Couscous from Meisterdish in NYC.

This past week I tried out Meisterdish — incredibly easy dinner meal kits for New Yorkers delivered on-demand, no subscription. You can choose from a daily menu curated by top chefs. I went for the cherry, kale and walnut salad with radicchio, Pecorino cheese and pumpkin seeds as the starter and then for the main course; a lavender steak on a beet-reduction pearl couscous with green beans, leeks and cashew nut. Can I just say that I've never had lavender spice with steak and HOLY MOLY is it off the chain! And the beet juice rendered into the couscous was absolutely delicious. I'm still dreaming about it! 😊

I really love how the ingredients come washed, prepped and chopped, where I've heard mixed reviews on Blue Apron's prep time. Why bother getting a dinner meal kit when you have to do all the work to begin with? Sort of defeats the purpose, in my opinion, but with Meisterdish you can complete a complete, savory meal in 15 minutes! They've got a killer Korean bulgogi meal up this week but note that their menu changes on a daily basis, which was the only little thing I hope they'll be able to fluctuate in the future.

As a New Yorker who is crazy in love with cooking & food, my crazy schedule tends to make it nearly impossible to cook dinner every night. I don't even have time to prep in advance like some of my friends do! This is such a terrific option for those busy nights where you literally have only twenty minutes to whip something up in the kitchen. And no subscription required is definitely a plus in my book! I will definitely be trying Meisterdish again soon. If you're in New York City and into Blue Apron, I strongly recommend trying Meisterdish!

Get 50% OFF your first order by going HERE! Have a nice weekend, everyone. ❤️❤️❤️

Love & xx's,

Wake & Unwind Body Scrubs

Oh my goodness! I'm so thrilled to work with SAVONBOX again! I did a full product review on their monthly luxury soap bars for December, (go here to read article) and today I'm reviewing their new line of body scrubs!

I'm always on the hunt for the next best thing in skin care, especially during the winter months where dry skin is more prominent than any other time of the year. And these body scrubs from SAVONBOX are the real deal. They are packed with vitamin e and linoleic acid - this helps repair skin damage that creates premature aging and improves tone and tightens skin. The dendritic salt is the purest salt with the finest grain to scrub away dry flaky skin, leaving you soft and perfectly primed to absorb healthy oils to nourish your body.

The grapefruit & mint Wake body scrub is perfect to the start of your day. The grapefruit essential oil's natural zing will have your skin refreshed and revived. It also helps to stimulate the mind, and is a natural antioxidant. It helps to keep skin clear and healthy, helping to fight the toxins that cause premature aging and wrinkles. The mint oil creates a gentle cooling sensation to help reduce stress. It helps to brighten and nourish dull skin, and improve the texture of dull and greasy patches. And with a touch of orange to add into the mix, you'll be smelling fantastic all day long!

The lavender & grape seed Unwind body scrub is preferably for the end of the day, especially after a long one. Lavender helps to naturally reduce anxiety, stress, and restlessness, and promotes peaceful, natural relaxation. The grape seed oil, a natural antimicrobial, helps detox and renew your skin. Suitable for reducing wrinkles, sun spots, age spots, and dry itchy skin. I highly recommend both, as one is for day and the other is for night. Check out below my before and after photos from the grapefruit & mint body scrub from this morning. I feel rejuvenated - my skin is incredibly soft to the touch and ready for the weekend!

If you want to grab a hold of these lovely body scrubs, go here or shop below.  Use my code SUZANNE216 for $2 off a body scrub. They are way too good to pass up! And your irresistibly smooth and scented skin will be thanking you for it. Naturally does a body good! 😉

Love & xx's,

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Midweek Lush Bath

Hump Day vibes are in! During the middle of the week, I like a good long soak in the tub. That's when I normally catch up on my reading or listen to some fine tunes with a few candles lit. Mmm... sounds heavenly right?! Well, I've recently discovered LUSH's bath bombs and bubble bars, and they are simply divine! When I went to the store for the first time with MaQ the entire place was so aromatic, my baby boy got super excited and started sniffing the store out like he was straight up from the K-9 unit! I really love that it's a pet-friendly store, as does MaQ, since he's constantly trying to score with the ladies! ;)

I picked up two bath bombs, first the Tisty Tosty which is scented with precious rose and orris root. Did you know rose perfume is known to ease tension and give people happy, positive feelings (just like falling in love)? It’s also very beneficial for dry or rough skin. I found this bath bomb to be very soothing and my skin was so soft afterward!

Lush's Tisty Tosty bath bomb fizzi in with The Comforter bubble bar, look at her go!

I mixed in half of one bubble bar, The Comforter, which has the friendly fruity aroma of a blackcurrant candy with the Tisty Tosty. Yum! This bubbler isn't called The Comforter for no reason. It truly is the ultimate relaxer, it brought me such a sense of comfort, just like as if I was huddled in a warm cozy blanket. And the color (I'm not a fan of pink usually) was cheery yet calming.

Sex Bomb & Tisty Tosty Bath Bombs.

The second bath bomb I picked up, which was my personal favorite out of all of them, was the Sex Bomb. With jasmine, clary sage and ylang ylang, these powerful aphrodisiacs are known to relax you as they warm your heart, and other body parts too. The soya milk makes the water milk and softens your entire body. It's one of LUSH's best-selling bath bombs, and I can understand why. The smell was intoxicating! It was even on Nylon's 2015 beauty hit list. You've been warned!

Lastly, the Milky Bar is a comforting milk bottle bubbler filled with moisturizing cocoa butter, skimmed milk and olive oil for supremely soft skin. And the delicate scent of orange oil is just incredible. I really did feel like I was on Cloud Nine! Just pure bliss. It reminded me of some of the milk baths I used to take with my mother's Korean bath products. Just as silky and delightful as I can remember! ♡

Splish-splash I was taking a bath! :)

Are you a bath freak like myself? I swear if I had the time, I'd take baths every day! They're the best form of R&R. How do you unwind after a stressful day? If you're a LUSH addict like I am, what are some of your favorite bath products? Do you like a different kind of brand? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below! Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday everyone!

Love &xx's

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