Food Trends

Food. I love to eat it, cook it, look at it, and talk about it. I could talk about food 24/7, which I do. That's why I have this blog. So you guessed it, today we are going to talk about food, food trends that is. I love you quinoa, kale and Sriracha, but you are so 2014. Now at almost half way through 2015, I've started to catch on to what's cool for food in 2015.  Below, I've rounded up 12 food concepts that are trendy for 2015.

I decided to join Eventbrite in their project on trends in food & drink which is asking bloggers to talk about the results of a study they conducted that you can view here - and also to share my favorite trends and predictions for 2015. I've used Eventbrite on various occasions, which is a great platform that assists you in finding events in your areas. They also have free event management tools to get the word out about your event here.

1. Coconut Oil- You can use it on dry skin, on your cuticles, as chapstick, on split ends, in your coffee, as a butter substitute, as an oil substitute, the list goes on! Coconut oil is on the rise, but with all it's usages and health benefits it should really stick around. Follow this link for 99 more ways to use coconut oil. 

2. Beets- In the past year this veggie has really gotten a facelift. Before it seemed you only heard of them pickled in a can, but now they are being found roasted, juiced and baked with. Beets are actually super good for your liver and a great detox veggie. In this article they are stated as one of the healthiest foods in the world! I have this beet tart pinned and ready for me to bake! 

3. Lavender- I love me some lavender. I've used it in cookies, cupcakes, smoothies, granola etc. My current favorite is getting lavender in a cocktail. This little flower keeps popping up and I'm not complaining.

4. Homemade English Muffins-My instagram has strangely been filled with food bloggers and friends making homemade english muffins. It is currently at the top of my "to bake" list. English muffins have always been around but kind of overlooked if I had to say. 2015 is making a change for these little guys though. I plan to use this recipe soon, as seen on  Sharing Thyme

5. Hybrid Vegetables- Ever heard of a kalette or broccoflower? Farmers must be getting bored of their average carrots and kale because they are now mixing this with that, and that with this to create a whole new genre of  hybrid vegetables. Keep your eyes open and you may start seeing these veggies show up on your menu more often. 

6. Cashew Milk-Almond milk I love you, but step aside because cashew milk is stepping in. Non-soy, non-dairy milks reached $1.8 billion in sales by the end of 2014. Many people have complained that almond milk is just filtered water but cashew milk is much more. Since cashews are so soft they create a really thick creamy liquid almost similar to a watered down milkshake.

7. Grapefruit- Such a great source of Vitamin C. I've been seeing them pop up in salads, brΓ»lΓ©ed on breakfast menus, in cocktails and even in sushi rolls. Citrus is so good for you and grapefruits are a great change of pace from oranges.

8. Whole Foods- Eating more whole foods and less processed food was one of my new years resolutions. More and more people are switching up or adding more simple whole foods to their diets. The Whole30 diet has also become super popular. This is a trend that needs to stick around. 

9. Craft Beer- The industry jumped up 18% in the last year and craft beers are now 1 out of 10 beers sold in the market. I just had a friend do a whole year long project on the craft beer industry because of it's current demand and popularity. "Not too early in the day for one of these I hope, I'm thirsty!" 10 points for whoever can name that movie. 

10. Food Trucks- I swear a new food truck pops up everyday. In Oklahoma City we have food truck parks and food truck festivals to celebrate these restaurants on wheels. I had to include them on my list because food trucks are definitely fun and trendy, but in my opinion, 2015 may be the last big year for them.

11. Brunch- No longer is it a meal after church, but now it is a weekend staple and hobby for most people. It was  recorded to have gone up 65% in the past year and the most popular brunching cities include NYC, DC, San Fransico, Atlanta and Chicago. Snaps for my beloved DC. My favorite DC brunch spot was hands down my mushroom tart from Le Diplomate.  

12. #foodporn- Guilty as charged. If you follow me on instagram, you know I'm all about my food grams. So many of the accounts I follow are solely food based. It's so natural these days for someone's meal to come out at a restaurant and before grabbing for their fork they grab for their phone to take a picture. 

Do you agree, were you surprised, do you have more food trends on your own radar? I'd love to hear your thoughts to see what you think is on the rise in 2015!

Annie

Twenty Two

Today is my twenty second birthday. I'm not going to lie about it, I love birthdays. I love other people's birthdays and I love my own birthday.

Twenty two is an interesting one. I still feel extremely young, honestly younger than when I turned 21. Twenty one has such a title attached to it, unlike 22. I have no fear that my twenty second year won't to be anything short of awesome. So much change and new experiences are happening at 22. I'm pumped for it.

Just because I have to, "I'm feeling' 22."

Annie

Bites of My Life

Today starts big girl life. The real world is slapping me in the face as I slip on my business attire and head off to my first day of my real job. Good luck wishes are appreciated!
Last week I tried my best to soak in my last days of full freedom. The long weekend helped! There was back to back Bachelorette watch parties, Wine Wednesday, coffee and lunch dates, another quick trip out of town, lots of bites, lots of friend time, and a little bit of rest before this week starts!
-Maple Banana Nut Muffins made from ripe bananas and maple syrup soaked walnuts.
-An afternoon shift filling in at my favorite place!
-Wine Wednesday is really only about the cheese board.
-Green tea latte and a soy latte at All About Cha was the perfect addition to Kate and I's catch up date!
-Bahn mi's with dad! My adventurous foodie partner in crime!
-An unexpected Tulsa weekend round 2! None of us complained.
-Home style inspiration at a cutie Tulsa shop.
-Can't beat a classic BLT.
-Smoked salmon and grilled corn caesar salad inspired by this recipe.
-Fancy cocktails at OKC's newest spot.
-My barbecue craving was quickly fixed with this Memorial day feast. I kid you not the bone slid right out of the ribs, Dad has gone pro these days.
-Waited all weekend to finally try out Roxy's new brick and mortar shop! Pistachio for me of course!

Annie

Maple Banana Nut Muffins

A perfect moment happened the other day. I had the urge to bake, I wanted to make these muffins, and we just so happened to have perfectly extra ripe bananas just sitting in the fridge. God, is that you?

The thing I love about muffins is that they are kind of an acceptable way to eat a cupcake for breakfast. But, even better you can eat them anytime of the day. For breakfast with coffee, as a mid-day snack, or paired with wine during your Bachelorette watch party. At least that's how we ate them.

For these Maple Banana Nut Muffins, chopped walnuts got a soaking in maple syrup then were layered between thick banana muffin batter. Everyone drool with me now. 

Pictures on the floor to attempt the perfect shot...it didn't come out as pretty as I hoped.

Maple Banana Nut Muffins recipe adapted from  Week of Plenty
yields 12 muffins

Ingredients:
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1/4 cup pure maple syrup (not pancake syrup)
2 cups flour
2 tsps. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 tsps. vanilla extract|
1 egg
1/4 cup sugar
4 overripe bananas

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin tin with liners or make your own parchment paper liners using this  tutorial.

In a small bowl combine the chopped walnuts and maple syrup then set aside. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt then set aside also. Melt your coconut oil in 5-10 second incriminates until liquified. Combine in a large bowl with the vanilla extract, egg and sugar. Mash in your bananas with a potato masher or large fork. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients with a wooden spoon.

Spoon a small amount of batter into the bottom of each liner. Spoon a few of the maple syrup walnuts over the first layer of batter. Then top each with more batter (I had some leftover batter). Garnish each with a few more maple syrup walnuts.

Bake the muffins for 23-26 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Serve with a little pat of butter!

Annie 

What I'm Listening To

Double post today because I can't stop listening to Hozier's "Someone New." Take Me to Church was a little intense for me, but the soulful, Jack Johnson sound to "Someone New," literally has me listing to it on repeat. The music video is great but a little PG-13 for Take A Bite. I'll direct you here to watch it, I also advise you to watch the behind the scenes footage too!

Tell me if you get as hooked as I am so we can virtually listen together!
Annie