so•ca cocina latina

This was my drink. It was called Little Mendoza.
It was a pretty little cocktail with a way not little punch. 

This week was one of the longest weeks in creation.

Seriously.

So. Very. Long.

But fortunately for me, I had a night out with a friend at the delicious so•ca restaurant in Raleigh.

The food at so•ca was delicious. And the atmosphere was fantastic.

It was a weeknight, so it wasn't horribly crowded. And although the temperatures were mellowing out, we decided it would be more comfortable to eat inside.

Actually, I deferred to the host and he suggested inside. We agreed. Comfort over outdoor seating. North Carolina seems to have glossed over spring and it has to be much later in the evening to enjoy an outdoor meal. This is unfortunate, as I love the cooler temps.

Even last night on my way home from dinner (different meal) I opened the window in the Uber and enjoyed the breeze, then looked at the temperature and it was still 80 degrees. What on earth?

But back to so•ca.

We decided to start with a small plate, choosing the Colombian Pan de Yuca.

This picture doesn't do it justice. It was these buttery garlicky cheesy bread bursts with pickled onions. And I probably could have eaten several more servings of it - maybe they'll add an unlimited version to the menu just for me? (A girl can dream.)

I think that the next time I go I'll be ordering several little plates so I can leave room for dessert. Because the dessert options and beverages looked amazing, but I was too full to eat anything else just then.

I ordered the Pollo a la Brasa for dinner. It was beautiful. And delicious. Which matters more, certainly, but still. Look at how pretty it was plated.

The chicken was amazing. So well-cooked. And the avocado and tomatillos? Yum. I will let you know that the green stuff? Salsa verde. A little bit of an unexpected kick for me - the spice wimp - so if you order it and can't do spicy? Be warned. But get it anyway. I'm sure they'll help accommodate your taste needs.

so•ca offers a variety of options for your meal, and I've already decided that I really want to get back there for brunch sometime, because, omg, yum.

Have a look at these huevos rancheros from their Instagram feed? I mean, seriously.

Hello, so•ca brunch, here I come.

View this post on Instagram

Saturday! We are HERE for these huevos rancheros! #stafffavorite #saturdaybrunch

A post shared by so•ca raleigh (@socaraleigh) on May 18, 2019 at 9:31am PDT

So if you're looking for somewhere new to try and can't decide where to go? I highly recommend so•ca. I think you'll find whatever you're looking for and more. And I hope you enjoy it!

* This is not a sponsored post. I went to dinner at so•ca and thought I'd share some info about it with you. I had a wonderful experience and the staff is great, so why not spread the word, right? I hope you decide to go and do let me know how your meal goes. * 

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The Dunhill Hotel and The Asbury

I had the recent pleasure of heading to Charlotte for a weekend, and was given the opportunity to stay at The Dunhill Hotel and eat dinner at The Asbury, the incredible modern southern restaurant on site.

The hotel accommodations were available to us at a discounted rate, and our dinner was comped, with us adding just a few essentials. Like dessert. The Asbury's pastry chef is very well-known, and you'd be a fool to pass up any of her creations.

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Morgan Street Food Hall - Raleigh, NC

I have been to Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh more than a handful of times.

It has quickly become one of my favorite places to eat.

Whether you're in the mood for empanadas, tacos, pizza, hummus, salad or lobster (yes, you're reading this correctly, I did say lobster), the food hall has you covered!

After attending a press event there and then going back repeatedly with my friend Kate of Life of a Ginger, she and I recently went back to the Food Hall to attended a hosted brunch event with our fellow Triangle bloggers and influencers.

But we were far from the star of the show at this event, y'all.

The vendors and businesses there were incredible. We had so many options to choose from, I likely won't get to spotlight them all, but I would love to introduce you to a few.

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Kanki Restaurant for Hibachi Entertainment

I recently had an opportunity to have dinner and drinks at Kanki Restaurant in Durham, and the meal was one of the best I've had in quite some time. Please note that while I was hosted by Kanki, my personal thoughts about the dining experience are what I've shared here with you.

I was invited to come on out and bring a friend, and so my friend Kate of Life of a Ginger and I spent several hours enjoying appetizers, drinks, dinner and a wonderful Hibachi chef (Shout out to Ricky!) perform for us as he diced and chopped and lit our veggies aflame!

Have a look at how deliciously entertaining this meal was by checking out my Facebook Live video:


The meal itself was delicious. We had our appetizers and drinks in the bar area, before heading to the Hibachi table (as shown above^). I had edamame - which is always a favorite. I also enjoyed one of their specialty drinks, while Kate tried sake for the first time with a fruit infused sake flight sampler. And I will admit that I had never tried flavored sake before and this may very well have changed my opinion of sake for good.

And I love the variety on Kanki's seasonal menu. I didn't see it before I ordered my appetizer and drink, or those flash friend Brussels sprouts and Godiva martini might have been the way to go for me.

I have learned that they've recently updated their seasonal menu - and are now offering amazing dishes like Korean Fried Chicken and Black Tiger Shrimp. I am pretty sure that I would try the chicken and that Kate would get the shrimp, but which one would you choose?

The staff at Kanki were welcoming and friendly, and, of course, entertaining. And the meal itself was one I won't soon forget. I've been already missing the Hibachi chicken and rice.

Along with this wonderful meal, the Kanki team has given me something for my local friends. Use coupon code GOODGIRLGONEREDNECK to receive a free appetizer with purchase of an entrée.

Want to find out more about what's offered at Kanki in Durham? My friend Tiffany of TheMrsTee has information about Kanki's business lunch over at her place. Stop by and tell her I sent you.

As indicated, this dinner was hosted by Kanki Restaurant. All expressed opinions are my own.

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The Cultured Seafood Festival in New Bern, NC

*Posted on behalf of the Cultured Seafood Festival in New Bern, NC. I was not compensated for this post, but was offered a ticket to the event in exchange for sharing.*

On the evening of Friday, March 9, 2018, the North Carolina Aquaculture Development Conference (NCADC) is closing out their conference with the Cultured Seafood Festival in New Bern, North Carolina.

The event is a part of the NCADC's effort to educate the public about aquaculture species.

The Cultured Seafood Festival offers a fun, family-friendly environment with an abundance of delicious food crafted by Chef James “Smoke” Boyd.

Boyd is one of New Bern’s top chefs and owner of The Flame Catering and Banquet Centre. 

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Maverick's Smokehouse and Taproom in Durham, NC

Last week I had an opportunity to enjoy dinner hosted by Maverick's Smokehouse and Taproom in Durham.

It. Was. Amazing.

I went with my friend Kate from Life of a Ginger, and we ordered the BBQ nachos with pulled chicken (as seen in the photo above^). Oh my sweet goodness - they were amazing. I think I ate too much of them as I wouldn't let our waitress take the plate away, even when she brought us our completely full trays of food for the main meal.

Now, I ordered the smoked southern brined fried chicken.

I've never tasted fried chicken like this before. Ever.

The skin was really delicious, but I'll be honest, I picked through a lot of it to get to that smoky chicken. It was so strange - you could tell how delicious it was going to be - and yet, still find yourself surprised at how good it actually was.

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Steel Cut Oats In The Instant Pot

* Heads up - there are going to be affiliate links throughout this post! Happy shopping! *

I really like my Instant Pot. If you're in my Facebook Foodie Group, you probably know that I've been adventuring into a number of recipes over the months (Year! It's almost been a year.) that I have had it.

But, honestly? So far most of them have included apples.

I have spent some time living off of my Instant Pot Applesauce.

LIVING.

And I'm also a big fan of the steel cut oats in there.

They're so good.

So SO good.

Here's a step-by-step, all in one place, recipe for you.

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What You Need For Your Whole30

If you have been reading my blog for a while you are likely familiar with the fact that I have completed several rounds of Whole30. And while I've tried to find my way back to it a few times in 2017, I'll admit that emotional upheaval has kept me from giving up my carbs and left me still focusing on labels and the like when it comes to hidden ingredients, but also left me wishing sometimes that I'd go back to eating the things that filled me up in the right ways.

So. I have decided to share a few ideas with you all - and I've decided to start a Whole30 today. I'm not sure what round this is for me, but I'll try to figure that out later on.

I'm starting another round in hopes that I'll continue to remind myself that when I follow certain eating habits it represents positive changes that give me and my body the boost I'm searching for. It's not restrictions or limitations, but a way to see exactly how my body does best.

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The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar

Earlier this week my fellow NCSocial friends and I were welcomed to The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar in North Hills (Raleigh, NC) for a multi-course meal of deliciousness. This post is a thank you for the glorious meal that they treated our group to. I was not compensated for this post. 

I believe in the past I've introduced you to the NCSocial Facebook group my friend Kate of Life of a Ginger and I run for North Carolina influencers. We welcome bloggers, social media influencers and entrepreneurs. Consider popping in and joining us if you fall in this category. We are currently open to anyone located in NC, but our events have mostly been coordinated in the Triangle area.

Anyway - back to the reason for this post! Kate coordinated with the team behind The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar in Raleigh and we had the most incredible evening out. A party of 15, we enjoyed all that The Cowfish had to offer. From appetizers to alcohol (we covered that part!) to dessert. No question, the food is incredible.

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Friday Free Write: Good Eats

So. I know. It's another Friday. In case you haven't noticed, I've been working pretty hard around here. I finally got my new header live. I'm excited about this. I love it. It's got the look and feel I've wanted to have over on my site for a while. A lonnnnng while.

Unfortunately, the template/format isn't exactly the way I wanted, but I worked on it for a hot minute the other morning and pulled something together. It's not perfect, but it's going to be. Whenever I find my way back to perfection, or something.

Anyway, today's post is a free write about some good eats. Including pictures.

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Raise A Glass To TOPO Organic Distillery

* This event was coordinated by the NCSocial Facebook group (run by me and Kate Kelly of Life of a Ginger) and TOPO Organic Distillery. The distillery tour was hosted, as was much of the meal. All attendees purchased their own dinner entrées. *

I live in Durham, so I'm not over in Chapel Hill very often. That said - I absolutely must remedy that. Because after my tour of the TOPO Distillery and dinner at Top of the Hill? I need to go back. As in, really, really, really need to go back. 

The drink was lovely. Quality liquor without a horrible aftertaste or a rubbing alcohol smell to it. 

The food? Incredible. I could live off of the appetizers, certainly, and the Moonshine Mule I got to drink? Yeah. Dangerous. Tasted like Sprite. So good. So so good. 

And my dinner was amazing. So, as I said, I need to go back. And I'm quite certain that you need to go there, too. 

Let me talk about the distillery first. 

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8 Must-Have Cookbooks

If you're like me, cookbooks have become collectibles in your home.

I love them. I probably have too many of them. Even when I give some away or donate them, I wind up adding more to the mix. Here are a few that I've added to my shelves, and, let's admit it, countertops, this year - with some information on why you need them, too.

As always, y'all, there are affiliate links throughout this post that invite you to head on over to Amazon and shop to your heart's content. So, please do. 

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One Full Year

If you've been with me for a while you'll know that I'm the kind of person who writes fairly personal posts now and then.

I have shared my struggle through grief after losing my father unexpectedly several years ago, I've opened up about my anxiety - postpartum and every day, and I've spoken fairly freely about my struggle with my weight, including trying over and over again to establish some sort of fitness regimen that works for me.

I can't say I've made it to a point in my life where I've got it all figured out. I don't think any of us ever really DO reach that point. Not as far as I can tell, anyway. But I do want to fill you in on what's been happening with me over this last year of my life.

A year ago yesterday I started my first round of Whole30.

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What I Ate On My Whole9

If we're Facebook friends or you follow me on social media you probably know by now that I am at the tail end of a Whole9. The Whole9 is a mini-Whole30. And the Whole30 is a way of eating that encourages you to eliminate several food groups and ingredients to help you determine which are the ones that are causing you inflammation and irritation - internally - and it's a really great way to reset your body. 

I've done two of them, my first round back in September of 2015. It was a pretty fantastic experience and I've become one of those people who sings praises of the program to anyone who asks. It was a fairly easy transition to life after Whole30, and I did a second round in January of this year. I started the new year off right. And then February came and I fell off that wagon. HARD. 

So - here I am - you find me on Day 9 of my Whole9, which is my little reset. I need to bring myself back to remembering that I don't really need cheese on my salad (which I broke on my visit to the Lowcountry, and people, it was so worth it!) and I can stick with my almond or coconut milk creamers in my coffee. 

I'm sharing some of my menu for this Whole9.

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Sugar Crush: How to Reduce Inflammation, Reverse Nerve Damage, and Reclaim Good Health

Thanks, TLC Book Tours, for the opportunity to read and review Sugar Crush.

Sugar Crush: How to Reduce Inflammation, Reverse Nerve Damage, and Reclaim Good Health (title link - here and throughout post are affiliate links) by Dr. Richard P. Jacoby and Raquel Baldelomar is an introduction to the impact that sugar has on our bodies. The impact is a huge one - and it's no coincidence that many eating programs these days require a drastic cut of sugar intake, or quite possibly the removal of any additional sugars at all. 

If you've been following me for a while you know I have done a few rounds of Whole30, and in doing so I have learned what removing unnatural sugars does for my body. And it's a lot of really good things. I've got a slight introduction to this concept because of my experience. 

Life after Whole30 isn't the easiest when it comes to omitting extra sugars from my diet, but Sugar Crush is an important reminder of why I need to stick with it and do so.

One section in the book that struck me was the How to Cope with Cravings information. As per Sugar Crush, "addicts crave what they're addicted to, so you should expect sugar cravings as you work on eliminating it from your life." (p. 136)

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Incredibly Informative Paleo Cookbooks

If you've followed me for a while you're aware that I did a Whole30/45 program from September through October. I'm frustrated that I've fallen somewhat off of that so-called wagon and would love to get myself on a more Paleo-oriented track. To do so I'm keeping an eye on some great cookbooks and figured I'd share the ones I've found, purchased, etc. with all of you.

There will be affiliate links throughout this post - and if you use them you'll help me save money to buy the next cookbook that catches my eye - so thanks in advance.

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November is Winding Down: Where I Am.

I'm not doing very well with NaBloPoMo this year.

My November has been filled with lack of inspiration, a need to read and catch up on some television, and not enough writing.

My fitspiration has been lacking some, as well.

I've gotten myself on track this past week, minimally. Baby steps. Let's just say my MOVEmber isn't a success. Dang it. But I thank my mom for supporting my efforts, anyway. The money goes to a great and important cause, ya know? And VISA Checkout matched my donation, which is kind of awesome. So I feel a little good about it. Not A LOT good, but a little.

Also - last week I had no Thankful Thursdays post. No guest post and I should have written my own post and instead I got lazy and that was that. Le sigh.

This post isn't exactly inspiring, is it?

I'll tell you the best thing to happen this week. Are you ready?

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My Whole30 Experience

If you've been following me this past month or so you already know that I'm a newly crowned Whole30 alumni. Woo hoo! *Throws glitter everywhere*

And so I figured I'd update you all a little bit about my Whole30 experience and give you some insight to what the past two months (just about) have been like for me. I hope you'll stick around and let me know your thoughts.

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Easy No-Cook Overnight Oats

So if you're like me you're always looking for the easiest of breakfast ideas because you know that it's the most important meal of the day - and you know your kids need it to give them enough energy to last them til lunch time.

And maybe you're tired of microwaving mini-pancakes every morning, or watching soggy cereal go down the drain. And maybe you're tired of having to figure out what YOU should eat, too.

Because deciding what to eat day after day after day? BORING.

I've got the answer for you.

Overnight Oats.

I know. It sounds a little crazy. You've probably heard of them before. Maybe even looked at them as too much work or were skeptical about the taste. But you should try them anyway. Because you might be surprised.

I definitely was.

And? Bonus? My daughter loves them, too.

Start with rolled oats. You can use steel cut, but I did some digging and rolled oats work fine - and taste great, in my opinion.

Grab a 1/2 c of oats and toss them into a mason or canning jar or some other clean and lidded jar.

Cover the oats with 1/3 c of milk. I prefer unsweetened almond milk, because the sweetness will come later and that gives me some leeway with the calories.

Add 1/2 c of Greek yogurt. I use vanilla, because FLAVOR. And if you don't like Greek yogurt you can give it a try with regular yogurt. Plain works fine because you're adding a lot to it, but again, I prefer the flavor of vanilla yogurt to plain. It's a complete preference thing.

Top that off with a drizzle of honey. Be generous. Or don't. It's good stuff, though.

Sprinkle in some flax seed. Or chia. Or protein powder, if you use that sort of thing. I've even seen people say they use peanut butter powder, like the kind you'd toss into smoothies. I might be curious enough to get some and give it a try.

Last step? Add the fruit of your choice. I've made it with strawberries, you can slice about 4-5 and put those in. Or cover the top of the jar with blueberries. I don't eat bananas but I've heard that they work well and don't get too gross, but I can't speak to that first-hand. I used up those so these pictures here have some diced and peeled (personal preference) apple. They turned out amazing. The apples softened just enough and it kind of tasted like apple pie - but healthier. And less syrupy.

Lastly, if you're interested, sprinkle some cinnamon on top before you finish up. You could also add more honey at this point, if you prefer your oatmeal sweet.

Be sure to leave yourself enough room.

Most recipes will tell you that you can shake it up once you put the lid on. And you can, but I prefer to give it a quick mix to make sure that the consistency throughout is the same.

It will look like this.

Put it in your fridge and you're good to go.

Golden, in fact.

Some ideas for additional layers or mix-ins:

raisins (golden raisins taste especially amazing)
dried fruits
preserves
cocoa powder
walnuts
almonds
peanut/almond/nut-of-your-choice butter
maple syrup

Honestly, I think whatever you put in regular oatmeal you could add to overnight oatmeal.

So - give this a try and let me know what you think. I hope it helps make breakfast-time easier for you and your family. Let the little ones help you choose and fill the layers and they'll feel like they're a part of the planning, and when they feel a part of something they're more likely to dive right in when you serve it. It's a win-win all around.

If you want to make things easier for yourself, just click on this recipe card image below, save it to your computer or phone. Print it out (it's kind of huge - sorry!) or just keep it on-hand. You'll have the info you need available for easy prep (and shopping!).

And if you're looking for a different kind of oatmeal recipe that can also be prepped in advance and warmed up in the the morning check out my pumpkin oatmeal by clicking the image below.

* Thanks to Home Cooking Memories for this recipe card template. 
* There are affiliate links for products on Amazon scattered throughout this post. 

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Recipe Round-Up: Pasta Favorites

I haven't done a recipe round-up in a while, but I'm itching to get some pasta recipes jotted down, and what better way to do that than to ask my friends to share their favorites with me - so I can share them with you!

So, here you have it - some of the yummiest looking pasta recipes around. And what I really love about them is that some of the ingredients seem easily adjusted to meet your tastes. Switch out the pasta of choice for your favorite. Change the ground beef to turkey. Add some extra veggies if you prefer to see more green on your plate. Drop the meat if you want to go vegetarian. Opt for gluten-free noodles to meet your dietary needs.

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