Snap Krackle 'n Pop!: Why you should visit Florence, Tuscany...

Snap Krackle 'n Pop!: Why you should visit Florence, Tuscany...: Tuscany is like a great bottle of wine: lovingly created and carefully aged, and the longer you spend contemplating it, the better it gets...

Snap Krackle 'n Pop!: Our Cocina prides itself on healthy cooking.

Snap Krackle 'n Pop!: Our Cocina prides itself on healthy cooking.: Quinoa Mac'n Cheese with garlicky Collard Greens Luscious Quinoa Mac'n Cheese While we are a Cocina Criolla for the ...

Why you should visit Florence, Tuscany...

Tuscany is like a great bottle of wine: lovingly created and carefully aged, and the longer you spend contemplating it, the better it gets. With each visit, you fall a little more in love with its rich hues, unforgettable personality and sheer beauty.  

Filippo Bartoletta, wine enthusiast and travel writer.

Among so many other things, Tuscany is known for its utopic landscapes, its artistic treasures, and its influence on high culture.  Regarded as the birthplace of the Renaissance, innumerable influential figures in the arts and sciences throughout the ages have been proud to call it home.   With such well-known museums as the Uffizi and the Pitti Palace, it is an artist’s paradise.   As producer of some of the world’s finest wines such as Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Morellino di Scansano, connoisseurs of wine, as well as epicureans, continuously flock to the area in search of gustatory highs.   With such a strong linguistic and cultural identity, Tuscany is considered a nation within a nation.   It has over 120 protected nature reserves.   Seven of its localities have been designated as World Heritages Sites, making Tuscany and its capital Florence one of the most popular of tourist attractions worldwide.

Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is considered the "Athens of Europe".

Panoramic view of Piazza della Signora

It is the birthplace of the Renaissance. 

Some of the best wines such Chianti and Montepulciano are found here. There are acres upon acres of grape growing with beautiful wineries for wine tasting.

Partial view of Piazza della Signora

Leonardo and Michelangelo were born here and you can see their many works throughout the city.

Leonardo's birthplace

Some of the world best museums are found here: the Ufizzi is a must visit. Spend an entire day lost in the arts.

the Piazza at night......

Statues and fountains abound everywhere. 

Equestrian Statue of Cosimo I de' Medici - head of the Florence Republic in 1537

There are so many beautiful churches and you won't want to miss any.   

The rich Florentine cuisine is based on fresh produce from local farms. 

Plan your next vacation to Florence. You'll be so glad you did. 

Palazzo Vecchio

Our Cocina prides itself on healthy cooking.

Quinoa Mac'n Cheese with garlicky Collard Greens

Luscious Quinoa Mac'n Cheese

While we are a Cocina Criolla for the most part, we are about healthy eating. So growing up eating rice and beans the loving creations of so many generations of serving wholesome meals with little or no dessert, we are no strangers to healthy eating.

Clockwise: Pastel de Guineo (Green Banana), Arroz con Habichuelas  (red beans) and a salad of assorted lentils, lettuce and tomato - Courtesy: Elba Santiago

Recently since being diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a condition that is linked to poor eating habits, I decided to give sugar, gmo, and gluten-free foods a closer look. 

Galicky Collard Greens, seasoned, and sauted in olive oil.....

I must admit, I have found hope.  Hope in a healthier and longer life free of pain and fatigue. But what's really exciting is that that these foods can be just as delicious as our moms and grandmother's typical dishes. 

Voila!

Take for example,  the Quinoa Macaroni and Cheese.  

Ancient Harvest Quinoa found in most supermarkets

As the above states, quinoa is being touted as the "super grain of the future" and with good reason!  Trust me, my highly discerning palate did not taste anything but a yummy creamy flavor.  And I did not feel cheated—after my serving of Mac'n Cheese I felt full.   Ancient Harvest is rich and creamy, gluten-free, organic, non-GMO, and delicious.  So next time you're out shopping, pick up a box or two and see for yourself.  You may never go back to regular mac'n cheese.  

Already over that New Year's resolution?

It's only been one week since New Year's Day, and already we feel like we're ready to throw in the towel regarding the diet resolutions we made. 

Well, if like me you're one of those people, I'm here to save you. Don't give in!  Fight back!  

We have the solution to keep you from falling off the wagon--these yummy--looking pancakes. 

As decadent and as unhealthy as these pancakes may look, we can assure you they're actually good for you.  

Uh huh, you heard right (or, in this case, read right)!

These satisfying hot cakes are totally gluten-free. They are made with free-range chicken eggs, organic fresh homemade sweet whip cream, and real maple syrup.  

We have generously sprinkled some Simply Lite, no-sugar added, milk chocolate over them for the sweet-tooth in you.  But trust us, you won't find any funny sugar-free taste, or after-taste, in this chocolate. 

We have taken all the guesswork out of this healthy and delicious gluten-free breakfast so you don't have to.

Even the coffee has a generously amount of whip cream to fill you even more.  

We had two medium size pancakes, and could only finish half. I put the other half in the fridge for a mid-morning snack, though we highly doubt that will be the case.  Our guess is that after this filling breakfast, you will probably want to skip lunch. However, that's entirely up to you. 

So go ahead.  Indulge your taste buds and your tummy without the slightest guilt or remorse. 

If you don't have the ingredients on hand, chances are your local supermarket has an array of nutritious options to choose from in the health foods section.  

So don't deprive yourself. Get out there, and then head back into your kitchen.  Whip yourself up a nice Sunday breakfast. We know you deserve it. Your taste buds and your tummy will thank you.  And we guarantee you'll be smiling through the better part of your day. 

Ingredients

Gluten-free pancake mix

Organic or free-range eggs

Pure maple syrup

Almond milk

Butter

Simply-Lite dark or Milk Chocolate 

Organic Whipping Cream