Tag: vegetarian

Trunk or Treat and Meal Delivery

Trunk or Treat and Meal Delivery

Hello everyone! I hope you had an awesome week. We had a pretty busy weekend for Halloween. I spent most of the week just recovering and trying to keep things together. But it was good to have some healthy things for us to eat during 

Maleeya’s Minnierella 4th Birthday

Maleeya’s Minnierella 4th Birthday

I can’t believe that Maleeya is already 4-years-old. It’s almost a month later and I’ve been slacking on my food blogging, but this was a very special birthday party catering and since I’ve blogged about each of her birthdays, I can’t stop at 3. So 

Beautiful Bountiful Body Retreat from Judgement

Beautiful Bountiful Body Retreat from Judgement

 

kimberly fujitaki yoga BBB

I’ve had a few weeks to reflect and enjoy the memories and events that took place  during our Beautiful Bountiful Body Retreat from Judgement at Lido Palms in Desert Hot Springs. This week has been such a busy week of staying in the moment, being present to the flow of opportunity and really being intentional and authentic in my actions and words. I’m truly blessed to be exploring such amazing opportunities in my career and life.

 

I managed to wear my yoga pants and chef coat at the same time. This has been a dream of mine since I stepped away from the professional kitchen and onto the yoga mat full-time. My love of culinary arts will never leave me, nor does it have to. I am at home in the kitchen, just as I am on my yoga mat, which feels like a tremendous honor and privilege to be able to express my passion for union through culinary arts, asana, pranayama, meditation and mindfulness.

 

When the amazingly talented Thea Pueschel (artist of living, body positive yoga instructor and hypnotherapist) asked me to venture out into the desert to look at the venue where we would be holding the yoga retreat, I honestly didn’t know what was going to happen. From walking around the space and seeing the rooms, I knew that I would be able to make amazing meals there because if there is one thing you learn from working in a professional kitchen, it’s that you don’t need much to make a great meal. I’ve cooked using camp fires, tin cans, hot plates, 20-burner ranges, expensive gas ranges and electric stove tops, but the thing is, they all can be used in ways that produce amazing food.

 

So we took a gamble. After we drove a few hours away, we talked it over and agreed that we should give it a go. Thea made the big moves and put herself out there with the intention and desire to be of service and that’s just what she did. Just a few short months later and we were one room from being sold out! It was an amazing showing of how perseverance and hard work truly pay off.

BBB Yoga practice

The healing mineral water pools and warm desert climate made for the perfect October evenings. Thea offered insightful workshops and yoga sessions, including her signature detox to retox, yoga nidra and gentle practices to soothe and aid the body in compassionate, body positive and deeply connected practices. She also acquired the amazing reiki skills and compassionate body positivity of Adriana Franco, who conducted mini reiki sessions with all of the attendees and offered her graceful wisdom and heart felt conversation and connection with us all. Women from all over joined us and truly met themselves on the mat as they were, with open hearts and open minds. This was truly a retreat from judgement and a gathering of powerful intention to love ourselves deeply and practice self-care.

 

My menus were designed with many things in mind. Even with dietary restrictions, we all cared and nourished our bodies in abundance, which is what Unrivaledkitch is all about. We are more than the things we aren’t and that is what we have to focus on. Many of us seem to highlight the things we can’t do or things we don’t do, instead of celebrating the things we can do and will do, and for me, this goes for food as well. Whether you can or can’t eat something, I always strive to find accommodations for people to nourish their soul and I truly felt that this was accomplished. The menu was a plant-based seasonal vegetarian meal with a variety of vegan options. Here are the menus I created for this special Unrivaledkitch event for the Beautiful Bountiful Body Retreat.

 

Beautiful Bountiful Body Retreat

Special Fall Menu Prepared by

Chef Kimberly Fujitaki of Unrivaledkitch

BBB Welcome Dinner

Welcome Dinner

Cheese Plate

Vegetarian Honey Goat Cheese, Red Leichester, Pere Brie and Gorgonzola

Crudite Platter of Raw Seasonal Organic Vegetables

(Vegetarian, Legume-Free & Grain-Free)

 

Fresh Organic Heirloom Tomato, Basil & Garlic Flatbread BBQ Pizza

with Buffalo Mozzarella Cheese and Parmesan

(Vegetarian includes Grain and Dairy & No Cheese Option)

 

Grilled Mediterranean Vegetable Skewers

with Oregano, Basil and Red Pepper Flakes

(Mushrooms, Bell Peppers, Eggplant, Zucchini)

(Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Legume-Free & Grain-Free)

 

Autumn Pear Salad

Organic Living Lettuce with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Shaved Pear, Walnuts, Pink Beets and Cucumbers

(Crumbled Blue Cheese on the Side Vegetarian Option)

(No Cheese Vegan, Legume-Free & Grain-Free )

 

Grilled Fall Fruits with Whipped Cream & Cinnamon

Pears, Persimmons, and Apples

(Whipped Cream on the Side Dairy-Free Option)

Welcome Dinner BBB


 

Beautiful Bountiful Body Retreat

BBB Breakfast table

Breakfast

 

Homemade Breakfast Pumpkin Cookies

with Pepitas, Raisins, Cranberries and Whole oats

(Vegan Dairy-Free includes Wheat and Oats)

 

Soy Yogurt

(Vegan includes soy)

 

Greek Yogurt

 

Vanilla Granola

(Contains Wheat and Oats)

 

Dried Fruit & Nuts

 

Whole Grain Toast

with Organic Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, Peach Jam

and Organic Mixed Fruit Jam

(Includes Wheat and Oats)

 

Fresh Fruit

(Bananas, Oranges, & Apples)

 

Tea/Coffee

 

Green Smoothies

(Kale, Ginger, Apples, Strawberries, Oranges, Banana & Spinach)

BBB breakfastBBB Practice


 

Beautiful Bountiful Body Retreat

BBB Lunch Table

Lunch

 

Grilled Vegetable Tacos

Assorted Chopped Grilled Veggies spiced with Cumin and Coriander

Zucchini, Peppers, Squash, Broccoli & Cauliflower

(Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Legume-Free & Grain-Free)

 

Soyrizo Potatoes

(Vegan, Contains Soy, Gluten-Free)

 

Served on Corn Tortillas

 

Taco Bar Includes

Pico de Gallo, Roasted Jalapenos, Cilantro and Onions,

Lettuce, Guacamole and Cheese

 

Cumin-Scented Mashed Organic Black Beans

(Cheese on the Side Vegan Option)

 

Fire-Roasted Red Pepper Organic Spanish Rice

with Roasted Corn and Tomatillos

(Vegan)

 

Fresh Fall Fruits

Pomegranates, Persimmons, Apples, Pears

BBB Lunch


Beautiful Bountiful Body Retreat

BBB Dinner table

Dinner

 

Spaghetti Squash “Pasta” & Polenta

 

Roasted Vegetable Sauce

with Butternut Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Zucchini,

Carrots, Celery and Onions with Olive Oil,

Garlic, and Fresh Basil

Walnut Pesto with Parmesan Cheese

 

(Spaghetti squash, No Pesto Vegan Option

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Legume-Free and Grain-Free)

(Vegetarian Option Polenta with Pesto includes Dairy)

 

Spinach Salad

Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Cherry Tomatoes,

Avocado, Cucumber and Sherry Vinaigrette

(Vegan Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Legume-Free & Grain-Free)

 

Roasted Fall Vegetables

(Vegan Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Legume-Free & Grain-Free)

 

Seasoned Grilled Tofu

(Vegan Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

 

Green Tea & Homemade Pumpkin Bread

(Vegan)
BBB Dinner dishes


 

Beautiful Bountiful Body Retreat

BBB Brunch table

Brunch

 

Mini Vegetable Frittatas

with Mixed Vegetables and Roasted Jalapenos

(Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Legume-Free & Grain-Free)

 

Autumn Vegetable Hash

Butternut Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Acorn Squash,

and Zucchini with Fresh Herbs and Spices

(Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Legume-Free & Grain-Free)

 

Vegan Sausage

(Vegan includes Grain, Gluten, Barley, Red wine)

 

Fire-Roasted Potatoes O’Brien

with Peppers, Onions and Spinach

(Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Legume-Free & Grain-Free)

 

Fresh Fall Fruits

 

Fresh Berries with Yogurt

 

Lemonade and Iced Tea

bbb brunch


 

I was also privileged to teach my signature Deeply Rejuvenated Restorative Yoga practice. Restorative Yoga is such an important practice for self-discovery and self-study. We learn from stillness that our body can gain a tremendous benefit from slowing down, resetting our nervous system and replenishing the oxygen supply in the blood.  Under the beautiful star-filled sky, we offered out our intentions and connected with the inner authenticity as we breathed and let go deeply. This was truly one of the highlights of my yoga teaching thus far and I was truly privileged to teach such an amazing group of empowered women, relaxing and leaving the practice deeply rejuvenated.

Restorative Yoga KFY BBB

The weekend ended with laughing, tears, joy, and for me, a sense of accomplishment, hard work paying off and extreme gratitude for this opportunity to blend my two favorite things in the whole world. I shopped, catered, packed, cooked, cleaned and repeated these steps many times throughout the weekend and I know I will do it again. I am truly humbled by this amazing experience and I hope you’ll join us on our next yoga retreat.

10547919_314752352046452_1328736761571136101_oPhoto by Adriana Franco

I want to thank all of the wonderful ladies who came to practice in the desert with us for a retreat from judgement. And of course, an extra special thank you to the amazing Thea Pueschel for bringing me along on this wonderful journey.

 

Namaste!

 

Kimberly Fujitaki

Executive Chef/ Owner

www.unrivaledkitch.com

Yoga Instructor

www.kimberlyfujitakiyoga.com

 

Roasted Cauliflower with Crispy Cavolo Nero

Roasted Cauliflower with Crispy Cavolo Nero

We’re all looking for new and interesting ways to eat vegetables, right? Well, we should be, even if we currently aren’t. Being on a quest for healthy living, we sometimes come across a dish that just appears so often on the table that it’s second 

Spanakopita Inspired Pasta  – Whole Wheat Penne with Feta Cheese, Spinach, Basil and Mushrooms

Spanakopita Inspired Pasta – Whole Wheat Penne with Feta Cheese, Spinach, Basil and Mushrooms

    This pasta was inspired by the Greek dish Spanakopita. Spanakopita is a phyllo dough pastry that has spinach and feta cheese in it. I love the flavors of this dish; it has herbs with a crunchy texture from the crisp phyllo. I didn’t 

Whole Wheat Berry Pancakes with Honey and Granola

Whole Wheat Berry Pancakes with Honey and Granola

pancakes

There’s something about a perfect fluffy pancake that can be heartwarming. I don’t mean going out to get some, because honestly, they’re so simple to make that paying $10 for pancakes just makes me cringe. So every now and again, when I’m in the mood, I’ll put together a little something different for a delicious breakfast treat.
I had pancakes like these in Seattle, over 2 years ago, in Capitol Hill at Glow . They were delicious and I remembered that particular set of flavors was really just wonderful, so one Saturday morning I decided to make my own rendition. Here’s what ended up coming out. I thought they were delicious I hope you do as well.

Whole Wheat Berry Pancakes with Honey and Granola
1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 ¼ cup milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon flax seeds
1 cup mixed berries (blueberries, strawberries, and/or raspberries)
Honey for drizzling
½ cup granola or 1 plain or honey granola bar, smashed
Optional powder sugar

Sift together all dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking powder) and put together in a medium bowl.
In another bowl, combine melted butter, sugar, egg and milk together.
Slowly pour the dry ingredients into the wet and whisk together.
Fold in berries and flax seeds.
Heat a medium-sized skillet and using non-stick spray heat over medium heat.
Place ¼ cup of batter in the pan, making one to two pancakes at a time. Be careful not to overcrowd each pancake.
Flip pancakes over when bubbles are around the sides of the pancake.
Finish cooking the other side and serve warm with crumbled granola, a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

cheers

-Unrivaledkitch

Arugula and Toasted Pita Salad with Tomato Red Wine Vinaigrette

Arugula and Toasted Pita Salad with Tomato Red Wine Vinaigrette

Anyone eat Fatoush salad? It’s that delicious bit of crunchy pita that satisfies your craving for extra bread and fresh vegetables, sitting in an acidic-flavored dressing, with a bit of middle eastern influence. I love it. Working with what I have, I decided that this 

An Early Mother’s Day Celebration at Summer Canteen

An Early Mother’s Day Celebration at Summer Canteen

Wednesday afternoon, we decided to celebrate Mother’s Day a little early because of my brother’s work schedule. So all of us (me; my sister, Kristen; my niece, Maleeya; my brother, Kyle; my mom, Trudy; my dad, Mark; and my boyfriend, Brandon) decided to meet up 

Spring Breakfast Bagel

Spring Breakfast Bagel

I’m always on the search for the perfect bagel. Something that’s not too crazy, you don’t have to be in the kitchen for too long making it, and it’s just plain satisfying. I don’t eat a bagel the same way twice, but this one made me think a lot longer about that statement, so I decided to share it with all of you. There is something about that toasty, crunchy, yet doughy substantial flavor of bagels that beats out other types of breakfast breads; sure, I love toast, mostly rye or sourdough, but I don’t know if I can get through a whole loaf of it on my own. English muffins are tasty, but just not substantial enough for my personal preference of bready morning goodness. Croissants are for luxury morning eating and sweet rolls are for those extra sweet lazy weekends. So what do you do when you need a good “get me going” breakfast on the go? Eat this Spring bagel and you’ll have enough energy for the rest of the day.  Pea shoots make for a subtle boost in flavor, and the freshness of spring veggies help kick start the day, with a spicy arugula finish.
1 everything bagel, sliced in ½ and toasted
1 small hand full pea shoots
½ cup arugula
½ medium yellow heirloom tomato, sliced
2 thin slices red onion
4 slices cucumber
1-2 tablespoons cream cheese, depending on your preference
Salt
Pepper
———–
Place toasted bagel down and spread cream cheese evenly over each side.
Then, add thinly sliced cucumber and yellow tomatoes. Season with a small amount of salt and pepper.
Add thinly sliced onions on top of tomatoes.
Mix together pea shoots and arugula and top the bagel with this mixture.
Top with other half of the bagel, slice in half and enjoy.
Cheers
-Unrivaledkitch
Maleeya’s First Birthday Celebration and Catering

Maleeya’s First Birthday Celebration and Catering

My niece, Maleeya, just recently turned one on Easter, which was April 8th, so we decided that it would be a good idea to celebrate Easter with our family, including a small birthday celebration for her and then, the following Sunday, have her huge birthday