Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits with Fresh Whipped Cream

Combine the goodness of a sweet buttery drop biscuit, with the sweet bursts of juicy strawberry chunks and top with a rich, creamy vanilla and cinnamon whipped cream and you've got my Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits.

Perhaps, an excuse to have desert for breakfast, this is, in my opinion, the perfect way to start a lazy summer weekend day.

Should you desire to partake in the goodness, here's what to do:

1) First, I take about a half pint of rinsed strawberries and cut them in fourths so they're nice and chunky.

2) Then, I prepare my Easy Sweet Drop Biscuits recipe.

3) I add my strawberries to my drop biscuit batter and proceed to cook as usual

4) During the ten minutes while the biscuits are cooking, I make my whipped cream. In a small single serve blender, I mix:

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon

It takes two minutes to get perfectly peaked, rich whipped cream when using a single serve blender or bullet.

5) Don't forget to let the biscuits cool before you dig in. You can skip the butters and jams and garnish directly with the fresh cream.

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Exploring Brooklyn Bridge Park or Walking the Baby Out!

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It's official, I'm past my due date and am anxious for this little guy to swim on out!

Instead of lounging on the sofa in front of the AC with a pint of ice cream, Mark and I set off to explore the brand new Brooklyn Bridge Park.

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Brooklyn just keeps getting better and better! I rarely go to Manhattan anymore.

We began at Pier 5, walking our way past ice cream vendors and wooden benches pointed toward the glistening Manhattan sky line. A weekday afternoon is the perfect time to go. The park wasn't crowded and we even found a parking spot!

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This Brooklyn gathering space has everything you need for summer fun- a state of the art soccer field, a sandy beach volleyball court, picnic tables, public grills, a water fountain for kids to splash around in, swings, a small garden, and a gourmet food court featuring brick oven pizza, Blue Marble Ice Cream and Dough donuts (you must try these if you're visiting Brooklyn!).

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Dismissing my cravings, I continued my "out you go little baby" walk. We wandered along one of the wooden piers, in front of us, the brilliant Manhattan sky line, behind us, the Statue of Liberty. Yachts and sail boats dotted the water.

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"It's a beautiful world. Come on out baby, come on out!"

But despite my best efforts, he didn't stir an inch.

So we went home and plotted our next "baby come out" adventure. One more adventure to look forward to, before an even greater one begins...

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Summer Giveaway! Win a 4oz. Jar of Organic Mosquito Repel Whipped Butter!

UPDATE: Congrats to Dramamamafive! It's Friday, it's the end of June, Summer is officially here, it's giveaway time!

I haven't held a giveaway in a while, so I'll make this one light, seasonal and fun.

I'm giving away a luscious 4 oz. bottle of Organic Mosquito Repel Whipped Butter from my newly re-named line Sojourn. Herbal Apothecary.

Whether you're getting ready for a tropical summer vacation, preparing for your annual camping trip, or are trying to protect the kids without using heavy chemicals while they play in the back-yard, the Organic Mosquito Repel Whipped Butter is a light, organic, herbal alternative to chemical bug sprays. Safe for babies and people with sensitive skin, the whipped butter moisturizes skin, has a light citrus and lavender scent and will keep pesky mosquitoes at bay.

Here's how you can enter to win a free 4 oz. jar:

1. Visit my blog- Sojourner's Sojourns

2. Enter your email address to subscribe to weekly updates which include travel tips and inspiration, DIY herbal remedies, and valuable wellness tips.

3. Once you've subscribed, you'll automatically be entered to win! A winner will be chosen at random on Sunday, June 29th and will be notified via the email address provided.

That's all folks!

Let the summer giveaway fun begin :)

DIY Lavender Talc-Free Powder

So, I was sitting around the apartment on partial bed rest, wondering what to do with myself when it hit me- BABY POWDER!

I'd been researching various talc-free brands to buy for the little guy, when I was like, wait! What am I doing? I can make my own!

Out came my Ayurveda binder and this absolutely fabulous recipe was born!

Here's how to make a gentle talc-free lavender scented ultra silky baby powder-

You'll need: a jar (I used a 6 oz. mason jar but any size between 4-8 oz. will do well) corn starch french green clay lavender essential oil

Here's what to do (so easy!): In your jar combine 3/4 parts corn starch to 1/4 part french green clay.

Combine until uniformly blended (I screwed on the cap and gave the jar a good shake). Tap the lid to make sure that the powder has fallen into the jar, then unscrew and add ten drops of lavender essential oil.

Screw the top on again and give your powder a good shake. Tap the lid again to encourage your powder to fall into the jar, then open the lid.

Leave the lid off for an hour so that the powder can dry. Make sure the room is dry and not humid or you won't have great results.

While your top is off the jar. Take a hammer and nail and punch holes (a small circle in the center of the lid with holes close together is best) so your powder can flow freely when needed.

Ta da!

Note, this is not just for babies. In fact, I may need to make another batch for my little-one because I'm having so much fun using this silky lavender scented powder. This is perfect if you need to go outside on a humid sticky day.

Another note, never shake powder directly onto your baby. Yes, this powder is talc-free so you don't have to worry about your little one ingesting talc, but it is always best to sprinkle the powder on the diaper or onto your hand so that you can pat it onto your little person's parts as opposed to shaking the powder directly onto them where it will most certainly billow about and form a cloud for them to breathe in.

Enjoy :)

Make Your Own Mouthwash!

As simple as preparing tea and highly satisfying, making your own mouthwash is not only better for you, but will take you on an aromatic journey.

I have always been slightly suspicious of traditional store bought mouthwash. Why the need for bright unnatural electric green and neon blue colors? Why so much alcohol? Why the slew of unreadable ingredients? And what really happens if I accidentally swallow a cap full? Judging from the unnatural smell and burning/tingling sensation in my mouth, it wouldn't end well.

As a result, I make my own mouthwash. It is so easy and the anti- microbial, astringent, and anti-bacterial qualities of clove and tea-tree oil do a wonderful job cleaning my teeth and gums and freshening my breath - the good old fashioned natural way!

After all, if it ain't broke, what's there to fix?

Here's what you need to make a batch of my all natural (organic if you want it to be) clove and tea-tree oil mouthwash-

Directions:

You'll need- 1 heaping teaspoon of ground cloves,  1/4 teaspoon of sea salt, 5 Drops Tea Tree Essential oil Bring a cup of water to a boil. Add the cloves and sea salt and reduce to a simmer for five minutes. Allow the pot of water to cool until lukewarm.

Pour into a mason jar using a coffee filter to strain the cloves. Add the Tea Tree essential oil to the strained mixture in your mason jar and shake vigorously. Gargle twice daily as you would with regular mouthwash. One batch should last about a week.

A Paste and a Preparation to Reduce Even the Most Gruesome Shiner!

A Paste and a Preparation to Reduce Even the Most Gruesome Shiner!

Saturday morning, my husband came home with a gruesome shiner. For the last two years, he's trained seriously in Krav Maga (an Israeli martial art). In the beginning, he'd come home with a bruise here and a sore spot there, but as he's moved up in belt rank, so have his injuries. This was by far the worst.

Nonchalantly, he strolled into the living room, looking like a victim in a slasher film. I was completely horrified. The left side of his face looked disfigured; but once I got past my shock, I sprang into Herbalist Florence Nightingale mode.

Not only did he have a black eye (well purple and maroon at that point to be accurate), but his entire eye was swollen shut and there was a bleeding scrape on the top of his eyelid.

He refused to let me photograph his misery for the purposes of my blog, but you get the picture.

As he settled onto our sofa and tuned into ESPN, I worked to devise a plan. My first objective was to cool the area and try to reduce the inflammation and swelling. He'd already iced the area to no avail, so I decided to pull out my cooling summertime face mist and a roll of cotton rounds. I sprayed the rounds with the cooling mixture and placed the sodden pads over his entire eye. I repeated this for about five minutes. The witch hazel and aloe cooled the area, while the lavender and witch hazel worked to clean the scrape on his eyelid.

Next, I wanted to stimulate the blood flow to reduce the discoloration and inflammation.

I made a paste using 1 tablespoon shea butter, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper and 1 teaspoon turmeric. After mixing the paste, I applied it liberally to the swollen puffy area beneath his eye (being very careful not to get any inside his eye). After five minutes, I rinsed the paste off and repeated my summer skin cooling mist application.

We began a cycle:

1. cooling summertime face mist
2. paste application
3. cooling summertime face mist
4. ice
5. repeat

Two hours later, the swelling went down tremendously and he was able to open the eye 90% and his skin color began to return to normal.

It looks like Mr. Musician will be able to return to the stage again in no time.  As for the gym, that's a completely different story.

This regimen works well for bruises and swelling of all types as long as you don't have broken skin (if you've got a scrape or cut, don't get the paste in it! It will burn).

Cooling Summertime Face Mist

Boy oh boy, the heat is rising!

Don't get me wrong, after the crazy winter that hit basically every corner of the US, heat is a very good thing.

But, as a city dweller and resident of the swampy North East, the increased heat and humidity can be irritating to the skin.

Recently, I came home after an afternoon in the sun, wiped a tissue  across my face to find a smudge of sooty debris- gotta love NYC!

Even if you're not in the city, sweat and humidity can leave your skin itchy, blotchy and inflamed.

My cooling summertime face mist is one of my favorite ways to soothe and quickly revitalize sticky, hot skin.  Not only does the mist calm inflammation and clean out your pores, but it's hydrating and cooling.

This Cooling Summertime Face Mist is a keeper!

I keep a batch in a spray bottle in my refrigerator and help my face to a squirt or two every time I come in from the heat. My two year old swears by this spray as well. He hovers by the refrigerator door once we enter the apartment chanting "spray, spray, spray!"

So here's how to make my cooling summertime face mist. It is extremely easy to put together and will last all summer long.

Steps:

In a sterilized spray bottle combine 1/4 portion of witch hazel with 1/4 portion of aloe juice. Gently shake the aloe juice and witch hazel together until combined. Add 1/2 portion of rosewater along with ten drops of vitamin E oil and five-ish drops of lavender essential oil. Shake your concoction gently and place in the refrigerator.

Step outside, go for a run, take a walk, go to work then when you come back home, go straight to your refrigerator (don't forget and let it disappear behind the leftovers), shake your spray bottle and mist away!

Spritz on your face and neck to combat a steamy summer day. The aromatherapy will calm frayed nerves and encourage relaxation.

*Note: If you have a sunburn, this spray works wonders to soothe the burning sensation!

Happy misting!

The Original Little Italy- Arthur Avenue in the Bronx

 

In the congested Belmont section of the Bronx, lies a hidden gem. A singular strip with some twists and turns, Aurthur Avenue also known as the original Little Italy sparkles red, white and green in the afternoon sun.

From old fashioned Italian butcher shops to the ubiquitous pizzerias and bakeries, Aurthur Avenue is one of the best places in the city to go to sample Italian food and culture.

Whether you're into espresso, fresh baked bread, pasta, pizza, wine or baked goods, Arthur Avenue will leave you satisfied and craving your next visit.

The original Little Italy on Arthur Avenue, like many things in the Bronx, is a hidden gem in an unsung borough. On Arthur Avenue,  you will not find crowds. You will not have to contend with tourists and long waits. You will get an authentic and delicious taste of New York Italian culture and food at a relaxed pace, reminiscent of life in the old country.

If you love Italian food, Arthur Avenue is a must!

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Bath and Beauty Essentials for Your Next Warm Weather Trip!

I love the anticipation of warm weather trips. Whether it's February in the frozen NorthEast and I'm heading to a tropical paradise, or whether it's summer and I'm heading to my local beach destination for a weekend of relaxation and Zen, there is such a spirit of carefree anticipation. I find summer and warm weather packing to be a sweet relief. Farewell bulky sweaters, thick socks, boots, and heavy jeans, hello, lightweight sundresses, sarongs, sandals, floppy hats and bathing suits.

Unfortunately the same ease can't always be applied to packing toiletries. In the summer and beneath the sun, our skin and hair have so many more needs. There's the need for sun protection, after sun protection, bug protection, and these needs can take up a lot of space in your suitcase or bag.

But it doesn't have to be this way! I find many warm weather items and toiletries can serve a multi- purpose.

Here are my easy to pack bath and beauty essentials for your next warm weather trip!

1) Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Castile Liquid Soap

Cooling, and light, this liquid soap tingles the skin and soothes after a day beneath the hot sun. This was my savior, when I went to Zanzibar during the peak of the summer heat. Each cooling shower (and I took about three a day) provided the perfect dose of cooling relief.

Dr. Bronner's Peppermint soap is great because it can be used in many different ways. You can use the soap as a shampoo and as toothpaste. I also used this soap to wash out my swim suits after each brush with salty/sandy ocean water or chlorinated pool water.

2) Sojourn Herbal Apothecary's Whipped Herbal Mosquito Repellent

Formerly known as Touch of Ohm, Sojourn Herbal Apothecary's Whipped Herbal Mosquito Repellent is a wonderful, organic, alternative to chemical bug sprays. The whipped shea based cream goes on smooth and absorbs into your skin without leaving a greasy residue. It smells like a bouquet of lavender and is gentle enough to use on children and babies. Most importantly- NO BUG BITES!

3) Benefit Bad Gal Lash

I love this super dark, lash lengthening mascara for so many reasons. It's light weight, doesn't clump, doesn't run down my face in tracks if I begin to sweat or pool around my lower lid creating the effect of a fresh shiner. In the summer, when your skin is already glowing and lovely, it's nice to take a break from a full make-up routine to focus on one or two key assets. I always begin with the eyes as they are the first thing people see.

4) NARS Eyeliner in Kyoto

Adding to the theme of eye enhancement, you can't go wrong with this golden olive shimmer eyeliner. It's a great summer shade and looks good on every skin tone.

5) Fresh Sugar Berry Lip Tint

I love this lemon scented ultra moisturizing lip tint. Not only do my lips look like I've just eaten a pint of berries, sugar berry lip tint can double as a rouge or blush. A swipe on each cheekbone with a quick blend of your finger, will leave a splash of sparkly color.  Suddenly, without much fuss, you're ready for a night out!

6) Kiss My Face Continuous Coverage Spray Sunscreen with Anti-Oxidant Defenders

Paraben-Free, Aluminum-Free, Sulfate-Free, and chock full of anti-oxidants I use this sunscreen on both my face and body. The formula is light weight and most importantly sprays on clear (for those of you with darker skin- no chalky blue residue!). This sunscreen has a pleasant coconut scent and is not greasy or sticky.

7) Sojourn Herbal Apothecary Provence Whipped Body Butter

This light, not at all greasy whipped shea butter is the perfect skin moisturizer for a warm day. I'm deeply in love with the calming lavender scent and love the fact that this product can double as a leave in conditioner for thicker curly/wavy hair.

Have you tried any of these products? What are your warm weather favorites?

The Brooklyn Children's Museum A Pint Sized City Escape

Inside a flamboyant yellow building, shaped somewhat like a space dome, lies a surprisingly tranquil and interactive pint sized world.

Last weekend, Ohm had a play date with his little buddy Matteo at the Brooklyn Children's Museum. It was our first visit.

Pint sized playrooms with colorful trim and shelves full of old fashioned toys, percussion instruments, dress-up clothes and trains are open for the playing, so go to town!

Ohm was a fan of the elaborate water table room, with boats and pals, watering cans and sea creature toys.

Matteo couldn't be drawn away from the sand table room, with shovels and rakes, pans and trucks.

An outdoor greenhouse makes the perfect escape. Little ones frolic amongst herbs and flowers, bud covered shrubs and butterflies.

Small amphibians and reptiles crawl about behind glass aquariums, while model habitats show what Brooklyn once looked like a long, long, long, time ago.

There's a percussion room, with drums from around the world, inviting little hands to play, play, play.

The model grocery store won't disappoint, as long as you're willing to scan and bag your own groceries,  neither will the life sized MTA bus with a steering wheel everyone can take turns manipulating.

The cafeteria has healthy kid friendly treats and seats. The food is ridiculously pricey (three dollars for a drink box and it only goes up from there), but you can always bring your own lunch and use the cafeteria all the same.

There's a toddler room and an infant room so the little ones can enjoy developmentally appropriate activities and don't have to worry about being trampled by the older ones.

Convenience abounds around every turn. Nursing? no worries, there's a space for you to take a break. Need a changing room? There are plenty of options.

The most difficult part of your trip, will be keeping up with your little one and convincing them, after a few hours that it's time to go.

The only thing they're missing is a parental re-charge/caffenation station/nap station (I intend to write a very earnest letter).

We arrived somewhat skeptical, in need of caffeine, and interactive stimulation, we left, with an exhausted smiling toddler and a family membership for the next two years.

The Brooklyn Children's Museum is located in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn at: 145 Brooklyn Ave

Do you have a favorite museum?

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Best Ever Super Moist Banana Bread

We've all been there, overambitious grocery shoppers who pass a bunch of beautiful yellow bananas and think, I need these. How lovely they'll look hanging from the banana hook in my kitchen, we think. I'll make smoothies this week, we promise ourselves.

You take them home, display them on their hook and your week begins. Suddenly it's Friday, you haven't made a single smoothie and aside from the one banana you had for breakfast on Monday, there they hang.

By Sunday, they've turned on you. No longer yellow, they're brown, shriveled, sad looking, they are beginning to attract fruit flies.

Well, no longer do you have to feel guilty about throwing a bunch of bananas away.  I've got a delicious, moist recipe to help you turn those mushy brown bananas into a delicious breaded delight.

Introducing, quite possibly, the best ever, super moist banana bread. And yes, if you're a regular visitor to my blog, you know my affinity for baking with superfoods, this recipe features two of my favorites.

Here's what you'll need:

2 sticks butter (you may substitute coconut oil for a more heart healthy option)

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

3 eggs

3 very ripe mashed bananas

4 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 cup sour cream

1 tablespoon flax (ground)

1 tablespoon chia seed (whole or ground)

Here's what to do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In one bowl, mix your white and brown sugar together until the consistency is somewhat blended and uniform. Add your softened butter and whip the sugar and butter together until a frosting like consistency is achieved. Add your three eggs, one at a time, beating as you add each egg. Next, add your mushed banana mixture.

In another bowl, combine your flour, flax, chia, baking soda, cinnamon, and sea salt. Once the dry ingredients have been blended together, slowly fold them into your wet ingredient bowl. Make sure that your batter is thoroughly mixed.

Grease two loaf trays with coconut oil.

Bake for 45 minutes, or until fork inserted comes out clean and top is golden brown.

Communing with Nature in the South Bronx

 

I spent the day volunteering at Brook Park with my second graders. There's something so rejuvenating about stepping outside and into nature. Waist deep in weeds, my nails caked with soil, the smell of fresh mint in the air, it was easy to forget where I was.

Once an abandoned lot, Brook Park is now a flourishing community garden in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx. In addition to vegetables and herbs, the park features a community greenhouse, a chicken coop, a beehive, a large compost heap and space to gather peace and repose.

Community events are held regularly. Coming up,  a fascinating Indigenous Culture Festival on May 18th.

Where do you retreat, to catch a moment of repose?

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Head to the Brooks Atkinson Theatre to See What Happens 'After Midnight' !

The energy on stage is trance inducing, the syncopated rhythm of tap shoes, the pleasant cacophony of notes both smooth and sharp from the horn section.

Sinking into the burgundy velvet seat with a smile, I submit and am taken on a journey, a journey back in time, to Harlem, the year is 1932, the location - The Cotton Club, where after midnight, the joint starts swinging.

Easily the best musical I've experienced in years, Broadway's hit 'After Midnight' is a glorious celebration of life. It is impossible to leave the  Brooks Atkinson Theatre with anything but a smile on your face.

'After Midnight' features some of the best dancing and singing on Broadway alongside the musical genius of the esteemed Jazz At Lincoln Center All-Stars playing the music of Duke Ellington. Win! Win! and Win!!!

The numbers move quickly, the music swings wildly and after the hour and a half is up, your tapping feet are left wanting more.

If you leave the theatre unable to face reality, you can always head up to Harlem and visit the Cotton Club for yourself.

Yes, the Cotton Club is still in operation, located at 656 W 125th St, there are events most evenings.

Nominated for seven Tony Awards, 'After Midnight' is set to close this month, but if you hurry, you can still make it.

It is well worth the trek to Broadway whether you're coming from Brooklyn, New Jersey, San Diego, or Iceland.

You've got to see this show. You won't be sorry.

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Mango Guacamole- A sweet twist on a classic favorite

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I'm posting this absolute stunner of a recipe.

Who doesn't love a good scoop of guacamole? Creamy avocado, savory spices, the crunch of a warm tortilla. This recipe will engage your entire tongue as all of the tastes, sweet, savory, spicy,  are set into action.

Warning: You may have to break this recipe out on the fifth of every month, not just May! Here's what you'll need:

3 large avocados (soft to the touch)

1 mango (soft to the touch)

1/2 onion

1 small jalapeno pepper

1/2 tomato

1 orange

1 lemon

fresh chopped cilantro to taste

sea salt to taste

pepper to taste

Here's what to do:

Pull out your chopping board, because you've got a lot of dicing (small chop) ahead of you!

I like to dice in this order: onions, jalapeno, tomato, mango, and avocado (avocados turn brown quickly, that's why I save them for last).

Once everything has been diced and mixed together, squeeze the juice from the orange and lemon over the mixture. Add chopped cilantro, sea salt and pepper.

Depending upon your preferred guacamole texture you'll toss or mash. I like to do a combination of both. I don't like my guacamole too pasty, but I do like for it to be somewhat mushed together.

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Roasted Chick Peas: A Perfect Protein Rich Side Dish

Roasted chickpeas or garbanzo beans are a delicious protein rich side dish. I pull this recipe out a lot. Sometimes, I let go of the side dish notion all together and eat these as a snack like popcorn.

The recipe is easy, but requires a little prep time if you're using dried chick peas (like I do). Canned chick peas are your other option.

Here's what you'll need:

1 cup dried or canned chick peas

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

2 teaspoons olive oil

half a lemon

a pinch of sea salt and cracked pepper

Here's what to do:

If you're working with dried chick peas, soak your beans in your pan  for 2-3 hours. You'll know your peas are ready when they expand to about half their size and are soft, almost rubbery to touch. Once your peas are ready, preheat your oven to 425 degrees, rinse the peas and pour into a baking pan.

If you're working with canned chick peas, preheat your oven to 425 degrees and rinse your peas and pour them into a baking pan.

The peas should form a thin lining along the bottom of the pan.

Sprinkle your pinch of sea slat and cracked pepper on top of the peas and bake for 20 minutes, until golden.

Remove the pan from the oven and add your olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Mix everything together until all of the peas are coated with olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.

Before serving, squeeze half of a lemon over the peas and enjoy.

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Easter Candy with Goji Berries and Chia!

Happy Easter! Here's a great chocolate candy recipe that literally takes all of ten minutes. If you have kids, this recipe is very kid friendly. My two year old handles all of the mixing and pouring.

I've added some superfoods to make this recipe a healthy candy alternative (relatively speaking).

Here's what you'll need:

1 cup of high quality dark chocolate (chips are the easiest to melt)

1 rounded teaspoon of coconut oil

1 tablespoon ground goji berries

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Here's what to do:

In a small saucepan add your chocolate and teaspoon of coconut oil. On low heat (you don't want your candy to burn) stir the chocolate and coconut oil until it melts.

Grind a tablespoon worth of goji berries in an espresso grinder. Add the goji berries, chia seeds, cinnamon and sea salt to the melted chocolate mixture in the saucepan.

Once blended, spoon teaspoons of your chocolate into an ice cube tray. I fill each cube about halfway.

Freeze the chocolate for about ten minutes until firm and - ta da!

Now remember, Easter does not have to be your only excuse to enjoy chocolate! Dark chocolate (especially in this small amount), goji berries and chia seeds are good for you. Go on, have a piece daily and share one with someone you love :)

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Nigerian Cuisine at Its Finest at Buka in Brooklyn

If the velvety purple color doesn't put you under a spell, the flavor, most certainly does. Each cool sip, floral hibiscus, wrapped in mint, lightly sweetened, energized by ginger satisfies your palate in a way it's secretly longed for. You can't unwrap your lips from around the straw. It's embarrassing. Suckling sounds hiss forth from the ice at the bottom of your glass.  You've finished your drink with one long draw of the straw. There's nothing left to do, but exhale and smile. It was that good.

Buka, the home of New York's finest Nigerian food (according to a one prominent review) is a true gem. Located amongst the cluster of bars and restaurants off of Fulton Street in the Clinton Hill section of Brooklyn, Buka, quietly, beckons adventurous visitors from beneath her coy green awning.

Nigerian food? When it comes to ethnic cuisine, Nigerian is still not a very common occurrence, even in New York. Buka is changing this. On any given day, you will find Nigerian nationals gathering for a meal reminiscent of home, but you'll also find a slew of adventurous Brooklynites, who have made space in their palates for this new cuisine.

Entering through the seamlessly cool bar, Buka looks more like an art gallery with its polished wood floors, flawless brick walls and colorful framed paintings and masks. The furniture is eclectic, one part antique thrift shop, one part global bazaar. You'll spot hipsters and young professionals enjoying happy hour, taking in the exotic mixed drink flavors (think heavenly hibiscus and orange blossom) or bopping their heads to whatever live entertainment is on the roster for the evening.

As you make your way toward the restaurant seating in the back, you'll spot families with young children, couples enjoying a date night, local Brooklynites and Nigerian expatriates, hunched over their tables, taking in the savors and flavors of Nigerian cuisine.

What is Nigerian cuisine? It's so many things. There are definitely some things I'm not quite adventurous enough to try (cow feet, goat head...yeah, no thank you), but I do have my favorites (jollof rice, plantains, pepper soup). Dishes generally range from chicken and jollof rice (a spicy rice blend with a fabulous red sauce made of peppers and tomato), pepper soup (a spicy, hefty soup that comes with your choice of meat), tomato based stews, snapper, tilapia, goat, beef, large West African land snails, you can find traditional fufu, side dishes of beans, greens and sweet plantains, or you can help yourself to some yam fries and palm wine or beer at the bar just to name a few. The food is fresh, the flavors succulent and almost everything is spicy (be warned...).

In addition to great food, Buka has regular live music and entertainment. My favorite group is Mark and the Corner Pocket and it's not just because Mark is my husband (although I am biased).

And ladies, gentlemen too, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the fact that the wait staff is very attractive- so many added perks!

You can find Buka at 946 Fulton St (between Grand and St. James) in the Clinton Hill section of Brooklyn.

If you find yourself in Brooklyn, you've got to stop on by!

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Easy Sweet Drop Biscuits

This is a refreshingly simple, delicious quick bread recipe. Not only are these buttery little biscuits delectable to the last drop, they're packed with nutrients, thanks to a powerful trio of superfoods.

These easy sweet drop biscuits are my go-to weekend morning "mommy what's for breakfast?" quick treat.

Here's what you'll need:

2 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 3 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup buttermilk (very cold) 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted) 1 tablespoon whole flax seed

1 tablespoon chia seed

2 tablespoons goji berries

Here's what to do:

Preheat your oven to 475 degrees, with rack in the middle.

In a coffee grinder, grind the chia and flax seed down to a coarse powder. Set the mixture aside in a small bowl.

Add the goji berries seeds to the coffee grinder and grind down to a coarse powder. Add your goji berries to the bowl with the chia and flax.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, salt and chia/flax/goji berry mixture.

Add the melted butter to this mix and stir until crumbly.

Add the cold buttermilk and stir until a smooth texture is accomplished.

Prepare an oiled baking sheet. Scoop about a tablespoon of dough onto your sheet for each biscuit. Create enough space for your dough to expand and rise (about an inch all around).

Cook for ten minutes, or until golden brown.

These biscuits pair perfectly with apple or pumpkin butter or your favorite jam.

The recipe makes approx. a dozen.

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Waltz of the Taste Buds at the Brooklyn Flea

 

It is not a bad problem to have. Not a bad problem at all.

You're standing in the warm afternoon sun, staring at trays of large exotically flavored donuts (think dulce de leche, creme brulee, toasted coconut, blood orange...).

This is not in and of itself the problem, you see, your dilemma manifests as you become distracted by the hand blended natural sodas to your right boasting flavors such as hibiscus ginger, rosemary apple and lemon sage, while behind you, the buttery smell of fresh pressed custom order grilled cheese sandwiches wafts seductively into your nostrils.

Turning, you notice a booth that specializes in organic hand spun milkshakes. You can see your end. You begin to sweat. You're in heaven, but you're also in a lot of trouble, because you realize you can't possibly eat everything no matter how alluring.

At some point you will have to make a decision. Will you try a spicy tuna taco (hello Japanese/Mexican fusion), or will you opt for one of the extra large ice cream cookie sandwiches? It's a troubling moment. Granted we're talking developed world troubles, but you're torn nonetheless.

Fretfully you confer with your food loving friend Fred. Together you decide the best strategy is to divide and conquer.

He heads off towards the buttery grilled cheese, you stroll in the direction of the Japanese/Mexican taco fusions. You decide to meet later by the donuts, where together you'll move on to the ice cream cookie sandwiches and then the handmade soda waters and then, if you haven't toppled over from a heart attack or stroke or both, why not try some macaroni and cheese with sauerkraut?

Many people are attracted to the Brooklyn Flea because of its reputation as a top destination for those interested in shopping  for antiques, vintage clothes, handmade jewelry, pottery, collectables and boutique clothes.

In fact, it's been featured on HGTV and the Travel Chanel for those very reasons.

Although the shopping is nice, I have a different motivation. I go for the food!

Okay, and for the people watching.

But mostly for the food.

What you didn't get to see was my dark chocolate frosted donut with cocoa nibs from my favorite Brooklyn donut shop Dough. That's because I had to get it to go. I was way too stuffed after the cookie to fit anything else in.

Long story short, the flea attracts some of the best local food vendors and is the perfect place to sample goodies and discover new favorites.

So how can you join the waltz of the taste buds?

You'll have to come to Brooklyn!

The Brooklyn Flea is located in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn at 176 Lafayette Ave, New York (at the lot of Bishop Loughlin High School) and is only open on Saturdays from 10am to 5pm.

See you there!

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Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

A healthy twist on an old classic, I  am in love with this recipe. This is a dinner side dish hit every time and it's really easy to make.

Here's what you'll need:

Two medium to large sweet potatoes (look for potatoes with a hearty skin)

2 tablespoons of sour cream or Greek yogurt

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning

1/4 cup mozzarella cheese

pinch of sea salt

pinch of chives

Here's what to do:

4 sweet potatoes (pick ones that are a good shape for twice baked potatoes) 1 lime, juiced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp chipotle chili powder (or regular if you can't find chipotle) 1 whole chipotle, minced 2 cups spinach 1/2 cup chopped cilantro 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese - See more at: http://www.thestayathomechef.com/2013/05/chipotle-twice-baked-sweet-potatoes.html#sthash.JQaJ8X1p.dpuf

4 sweet potatoes (pick ones that are a good shape for twice baked potatoes) 1 lime, juiced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp chipotle chili powder (or regular if you can't find chipotle) 1 whole chipotle, minced 2 cups spinach 1/2 cup chopped cilantro 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese - See more at: http://www.thestayathomechef.com/2013/05/chipotle-twice-baked-sweet-potatoes.html#sthash.JQaJ8X1p.dpuf

1) Rinse your potatoes, prick with a fork and  place them in an oven preheated to 375 degrees. You're going to have to check on them, but it should take about an hour for them to become soft to the touch.

2) Remove your potatoes from the oven and set them out on a flat surface to cool. Once cool enough to handle, slice your potatoes in half and allow the potato to slip out of its skin into a bowl.

3) Mash the potatoes and add the cheese, salt, lemon pepper, garlic and sour cream or yogurt.

4) Return the mashed mixture to the potato skin halves, place on a baking tray, sprinkle with chives and return to the oven for 15 minutes.

Prepare yourself to receive some fabulous compliments!

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