 In my {big, fat, Venezuelan} family, we ring in the new year wearing yellow undies for good luck and hold money in our hands for wealth, we eat 12 grapes right before midnight, then eat a cup of lentil soup first thing after midnight for prosperity, and in our grand finale, we run around the block with luggage hoping it brings travel... it's all totally normal.
Wishing all of you a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! And thank you for helping to make 2012 a memorable year - I am very grateful for your support!
"If cooking is like an art, we are making graffiti." - Giorgio Rapicavoli Last Sunday I was lucky to work at and attend a live chocolate cooking demo by one of Miami's most talented chefs, Eating House’s Giorgio Rapicavoli. Using Tierra Nueva Fine Cocoa’s “Cruz Chocolates” and “Coffee Thins” to prepare two original, chocolate-inspired dishes, Rapicavoli, who earlier this year became Miami’s first winner on Food Network’s “Chopped,” took the stage with chef and partner Henry Hané. Together they prepared a dish of seared scallops over a turnip puree infused with Tierra Nueva white chocolate and finished with brown butter powder, followed by a “Tierra Misu” made with Tierra Nueva’s Coffee Thins, a chocolate-free bar made with a blend of 100% natural coffee. Photos courtesy of The Cuban Art Project.
 My Coconut Chicken & Banana Waffles were featured on FOX 17 Nashville. Big, big thanks to Kelly Sutton for the mention. Bon appetite, y'all! ;) XO, Luisana
 Really great book with tons of grape recipes. Click pic for link! The California Table Grape Commission (CTGC) teamed up with the lovely and talented Chef Michelle Bernstein to host a Summer "Original Super Snack" Mixer and Luncheon at Michy's that featured a grape-based menu created by Chef Michy, and yours truly had the pleasure of attending. Chef Michy's three-course menu was designed all around the good ol' grape; it was especially refreshing given this summer's heat, and insanely flavorful given the arrival of grape season, which runs May through January. A huge thanks to the CTGC for having me and my fellow local bloggers, including my sister, The Fat Girl Inside. I'm inspired to create some grape recipes of my own. Please enjoy pictures from the luncheon below! XO, Luisana
 The Fit Cook's "Win Some Wasa" Giveaway!Great news! I'm excited to host my first ever Fit Cook giveaway. Starting today through Monday, May 14th, you'll have the chance to win a Wasa care package that includes Wasa Crispbreads and Flatbreads, a Wasa Pen and a Wasa drawstring tote! All you have to do is post your favorite way to enjoy Wasa Crispbreads or Flatbreads on my Facebook page -- photos are optional, but definitely encouraged! Next, get your friends and family to like your post. The contestant with the most likes will win. Sweet or savory, anything goes! Contest ends at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 14th, and the winner will be announced on Wednesday May 16th! Only one entry per person, please! My favorite way to enjoy Wasa? Wasa's Rosemary Thin & Crispy Flatbread topped with thinly sliced Parmesan cheese and a light drizzle of agave. It makes a great appetizer, too! Here's why Wasa is Fit Cook approved: they are baked with heart healthy ingredients and all-natural grains. They are also rich in fiber, so they are pretty filling, and can complement a meal or snack... what's not to love? Good luck, kids! And thanks for playing! XO, Luisana
 The Grind: if only they would have...... hosted it outdoors. Sigh. For so many weeks I looked forward to this event. What could be more fun than spending a Saturday night with my mom, my sister ( The Fat Girl Inside), and my friends while schkoffing the best burgers in South Florida and chugging Blue Moon? In theory, it was a pretty genius concept to have 30 local restaurants firing up their grills to serve hundreds of hungry foodies. It could have had the potential to blow Burger Bash out of the water... until someone decided to host this thing indoors. I won't get too deep into the details, as, in the end, no one said it better than The Miami New Times' Alex Rodriguez in his post "The Grind: Smoking Out Fine Burgers." Aside from sweating profusely, having to rub my itchy eyes with greasy fingers and being left with smelly clothes and hair, the beer was awesome, the burgers were delish and I was in great company. Here are some shots from the event... and here's to hoping for a big tent in the great outdoors next years. Because, heck yea, I am in! (Disclaimer: Serious, not so dainty, burger gobbling photos follow!)
 The Grind Miami:A Locals Only Burger BattleI didn't make it to Burger Bash this year, but I'm excited to learn about The Grind Miami. It's our very own Burger Battle, and will take place March 31st. I'm already hungry! I also love that The Grind partnered with the Miami Culinary Institute to give students the chance to work alongside these great burger chefs. Want to join me? Buy your tix here! Something else.. Blue Moon is sponsoring this - my favorite beer, ever!
Also, it’s worth noting that The Grind is participating in Feeding South Florida’s Extra Helpings program, which recovers food that may be leftover to feed the hungry. For the list of participating restaurants, click here... sounds like a real Burger Bash to me! See you there? XO, Luisana
 The Fit Cook hits the 2012 South Beach Wine and Food FestivalShots from a not-so-fit weekend.If you read my post, " How I Found My Happy," you know how happy the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. This year I was given access to quite a few events, thanks to some good friends, a hint of luck, and my blog...aka my baby! Here are highlights from another amazing, food coma inducing weekend! Click "Read More" for pictures.. Enjoy! XO, Luisana
I'm so excited to start my own Tweet What You Eat series on Twitter. I will randomly, and as often as possible, tweet what I eat on a day-to-day basis, including what meals I put together at home (ie, how I play with my recipes or come up with more quick fix ideas), what I pick when eating out (I do my best to keep it healthy, but once in a while, I do enjoy a little splurge), and my favorite snacks and drinks. Follow me on Twitter, @LuisanaSuegart, for the latest eat tweets. Tweet me using #tweetwhatyoueat to show me what's on your plate! Happy (healthy) eating! XO, Luisana
 My Game Day Chili, made with Goya ingredients, is the winner of Gran Familia Goya's #GoyaTwist Challenge. Thanks to Goya, I and a lucky sidekick will go to the South Beach Wine and Food Festival Brunch at Sea event, hosted by rockstar chefs Aaron Sanchez and Douglas Rodriguez.
Gracias, Goya!XO,Luisana
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