Get ready to drool.

Check out what we made today in the second day of the Creative and Mindful Cooking Workshop!
Today was “protein” day and we learned some great spa secrets on how to cook chicken, fish, pork and elk (yes, elk!) in a healthful way. We made healthy rubs, cures and marinades and even learned how to make grape tomatoes taste like bacon.

The secret? Chef smoked them on a make-shift smoker to get an end result of a smoky little flavor burst. I’m on team bacon with this one but it sure was interesting. Who woulda thought? I’d like these eggs with a side of smoky grape tomatoes. Mmmhmmmm.
My favorite dish of the day was definitely the seared escolar topped with fire roasted pineapple salsa (third photo down). Totally going to make that at home…like, next week. It literally melted in my mouth.
As much as I love MEAT, I’m pretty excited for tomorrow because we are working with Kim, Miraval’s pastry chef, to learn some healthy dessert techniques. And speaking of dessert, I ordered and TWO of them tonight.

Chocolate tacos with white chocolate mousse and berries

White chocolate blondie with cranberries and pecans, topped with vanilla ice cream.
Verdict? The blondie won.

Other than dessert, I also ate these lovely tofu spring rolls for dinner:

Mmm can you tell I’m in foodie paradise? Because I am. In fact, I’m head over heels in love.
Yikes! Gotta get to bed—up at 5:15 to do a four mile hike in the desert!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat)
July 23, 2010 at 10:45 pmOne word: PARADISE!!!
Audrey
July 23, 2010 at 11:05 pmyou need to post these recipes!!!!!!!! everything looks amazing!
Janna (Janna's Keeping It Real)
July 23, 2010 at 11:07 pmwhite chocolate blondie. oh good heavens.
you’re pictures are looking amazing lately, lady! =0) keep it up!
Jackie (Peaces of Earth)
July 23, 2010 at 11:08 pmAhhh, I can’t take it!! Amazing amazing! Enjoy your hike tomorrow. 🙂 And of course, can’t wait to see those deserts!
Bridget
July 24, 2010 at 12:14 amI grew up in Wyoming, and in my area, elk was our staple meat! It’s so good in so many recipes. Looks like you are having a great time–lots of inspiration. Good luck with the early morning hike!
Katie S
July 24, 2010 at 2:18 amWho is taking care of Dexter while you’re away?? I miss the Dexter pics!
jenna
July 24, 2010 at 5:25 amAlmanzo…I think they are bonding. 😉
Suzanne de Cornelia
July 24, 2010 at 3:08 amGorgeous foodie nirvana. Beautiful pix. A dawn desert hike sounds divine, too. What an inspiring place and time.
Rosey Rebecca
July 24, 2010 at 4:23 amChocolate tacos with chocolate mousse and berries? Um. I’m running there.
Your pics are so great! Just curious- did you take a food photog. class or are you just brilliant?
jenna
July 24, 2010 at 5:25 amUmm neither. I just stole (borrowed) Almanzo’s amazing and expensive lens before I left California.
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine
July 24, 2010 at 4:41 amI just showed my parents this post and we all drooled over the chocolate tacos. This place looks like heaven!
Jess.
July 24, 2010 at 4:45 amall the food there looks so incredible…. it seems like the food alone is reason enough to go there!
Alyssa
July 24, 2010 at 5:04 amWatch out for that escolar.. I’m sure you know about the “side effects.”
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
July 24, 2010 at 5:24 amThe tofu spring rolls look divine! Although, really, what *doesn’t* look divine? Yum. Absolute YUM! 😀
eatmovelove
July 24, 2010 at 5:25 amThis is all like a dream.
Is it possible to get a JOB there?!
I’d wait tables or scrub floors just to be around all that…
Definitely spa-looking food!
Chelsey
July 24, 2010 at 5:26 amoh man – that looks insanely good!!!
Evan Thomas
July 24, 2010 at 5:30 amA chocolate taco sounds so so good!
Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews
July 24, 2010 at 5:38 amWow that’s awesome about the tomatoes! I want to try them and see if they really taste like bacon!
Jenna
July 24, 2010 at 5:54 amWow!! You are having a great time I see!!
Camille
July 24, 2010 at 6:07 amOh my gosh, gorgeous food! Absolutely gorgeous!
MMiller
July 24, 2010 at 6:21 amI think I might need to get a part time job just to put money away to go here! I spent about 2 hours all together yesterday going through their website! It would be so great for my 25th anniversary next year! And would love to send my parents for their 50th next year too! I have bookmarked the site to go back to everyday!
So glad you are enjoying your trip and stay…and sharing it all with us! Thank You!
neen
July 24, 2010 at 6:28 amlooks like your having the best time!! tres tres jealous!
kate
July 24, 2010 at 6:49 amThis blog has become a series of advertisements – amazing grass, feta cheese, omega-3 fish oil supplements, steam ovens, and now an extravegant spa experience. It seems your “business” is now to procure free products/services from companies and then to promote them “objectively” on your blog. It sure beats earning an honest living, huh? Why is it that you think you “deserve” this spa package? You sure live a decadent life, given that you lack a steady income and manage to have others foot the bill for your lifestyle.
Susan
July 24, 2010 at 7:56 amWow you are cranky huh? Just trust try and be happy and enjoy the read… Come on Kate try and put some love in your heart, don’t be hat’in on Jenna she’s just too cute!
Jennifer
July 24, 2010 at 12:28 pmKate obviously missed this post: http://eatliverun.com/horse-sense/
Jessica @ How Sweet
July 24, 2010 at 7:14 amI want some chocolate tacos!
Rachel
July 24, 2010 at 7:16 amWow Kate, jealous much?? You clearly know nothing about Jenna or else you would know exactly where her “income” comes from, although honestly, it’s really none of your business anyway if she never wanted to say where she worked or what she does. Go back under your bridge now.
Jenna, all those pics look amazing… chocolate taco’s with berries?? I’m so hungry now!
Anya @ Fitness & Sunshine
July 24, 2010 at 7:29 amFoodie’s paradise indeed–it’s great that you’re having a good time. 🙂 Those blondies look amazing!
Dorry
July 24, 2010 at 7:47 amEverything looks amazing! Glad you are having a good time. 🙂
Tina
July 24, 2010 at 8:12 amIt’s official. I’m drooling. Have fun today!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
July 24, 2010 at 8:42 amThis all looks so good!!!!!!
alicia
July 24, 2010 at 8:54 amHoly chocolate taco!!!!!! Everything looks amazing! I would not have tried the elk, I’m not as daring as you, but all of the other plates would have been licked clean! I’m glad you get to share these experiences and products with the rest of us. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again…I live vicariously through you, and I don’t mind one bit. You seem like you’re such a fun person. Live it up!!!!!!!
Diana @ frontyardfoodie
July 24, 2010 at 9:21 amOkay, the blondie may have won for you but shoot, that chocolate taco looks like it would rock my world.
The Wife of a Dairyman
July 24, 2010 at 9:25 amI would love to try that blondie….YUM! Everything looked great:)
Erika @ Food, Fitness, & Fun
July 24, 2010 at 9:46 amMmmm! My mouth is watering! 😀
Exercise and Eat
July 24, 2010 at 9:53 amOMG! chocolate tacos!?! i used to get them at taco bell, bet yours tasted a wee bit different;)
ida
July 24, 2010 at 10:48 ambacon tomatoes and chocolate tacos- it’s like willy wonka over there:) it all looks amazing though. And that blondie sounds divine, I hope you can share the recipe.
Kristin (Cook, Bake and Nibble)
July 24, 2010 at 1:43 pmWOW. Amazing! So jealous 😀
xo
Kris
Daisy
July 24, 2010 at 3:14 pmthe title of this post is awesome. so is the looks of that chocolate taco. that is all.
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin
July 24, 2010 at 3:25 pmHoly cow, you seriously are in foodie heaven! That chocolate taco is so cute!
Kim
July 24, 2010 at 4:20 pmYour pics are looking really great! I am certifiably a blondie freak!!!
Katie
July 24, 2010 at 6:57 pmGosh that does look like food paradise! I’m so jealous!!
Dee
July 26, 2010 at 5:34 pmoh.my.gah. that dessert. i.die.