the real jersey shore...

the jersey shore (this was the beach outside my condo in Atlantic City)

Lawd, oh, LAWD.. oh my freakin' gawd..  Yes, yet another show about Joisey is now airing.  What is the fascination with Jersey this year? My home state has rec'd so much spotlight and it doesn't seem to be stopping.   It's almost embarrassing.   Actually, it is. 

Jersey Couture is the latest, highlighting the garden state.  And much less cringe-inducing as the hot mess  'Jersey Shore' and 'Jerseylicious'. Although I do thoroughly enjoy Jerseylicious and the train wrecks on that program.  'Jersey Couture' however is about a family owned boutique in Freehold.  I actually have been in this place with a girlfriend.  It's hard not to when you go shopping in Freehold.  It's not that large a town.  

Never-the-less.. every show on jersey so far, has portrayed what we in south jersey refer to as north jersey.  The guidos and overly tanned messes that always come down to the shore and reek havoc.  They fist-pump in the clubs, they wear too much product, dress like cheap ho's and they have major freakin' attitudes.  This is not south jersey, this is not the jersey shore I know.  We are not this.  This is what invades our shores all summer long and we endure and pray for September when all the "shoobies' go home.  Yes, that's what they are called by the locals.  Rumor has it, that originated from all the bennies that would drive down for the day and bring their lunches in shoe boxes. For real. September is the most perfect month.  The beaches are empty and the weather is perfect... nothing but locals. Ahh, love it.
 

Point of reference...  you know you're from jersey when you meet someone and you ask "what exit?".  The GSP (garden state parkway) runs from top to bottom and that is what we refer to.  We grew up at exit or mile marker 26/25 (Ocean City).  Jersey Shore house is at exit 82 (seaside heights) 57 miles north of where I grew up.  Jersey Couture is at exit 100 (freehold).  Jerseylicious is 140ish (Green Brook, I believe).  NYC exit off the parkway is 148ish.  Honestly, this just shows you how the state really should be 2 states.   Separated right around exit 70ish. There are great things about north jersey, but most of it ain't being shown on tv.  That's for sure. And south jersey is just a whole other mindset. 

Anyway, being so far away from home, I get really homesick.  For the beach, the shore and so much jersey.  Then I watch the mess on tv and think, eh.. not so much.

Honestly though, most of this is just giving jersey a bad name. (as if it could get any worse!) Glad to see Jersey Couture and really, really hoping they help show the better part of the state. Please stop embarrassing me!!

Me and my nephew in Seaside Heights (a few years ago.. he's 15 now!)

almond whole wheat pancakes

Always in search of a healthy breakfast.. I've tried too many recipes for whole wheat pancakes (yuck) and finally came upon the perfect pancake for me and scarlett loves them, too!  The addition of ground almonds is a health boost & really delicious along with the blueberries or bananas that you don’t even notice these are whole wheat. Well, you do.. but in a good way.   

Serve them however you like..  with maple syrup w/ a few blueberries and raspberries dropped in before heating.  Or as I prefer.. if there are enough blueberries or bananas dropped into the pancake.. these need no extra sugar/syrup.  The hot blueberries are like little burst of "blueberry syrup”.   ***See my note for freezing fruit/veggies when they are ripe. Recipe can be halved, but I like to make the whole batch.  Then wrap & freeze individually.. enabling me to easily pop in the toaster for a quick healthy morning on the go! 

Almond Whole-wheat Pancakes w/ Blueberries

  2 cups organic whole wheat flour*

  1 cup organic almonds, finely ground** 

  1.5 t Baking powder

  1/2 t Baking soda

  1/4 c sugar

  1/2 t sea salt

  2.25 cups milk

  2 eggs, lightly beaten

  4 tablespoons melted butter

  1/4 t vanilla extract

Melt butter, let cool slightly.  Sift together dry ingredients in a bowl.  In a separate bowl mix egg with milk adding butter & vanilla.  Mix into flour mixture, stir just to blend.  Don’t over-stir.. it will toughen the pancakes!  Let sit for 5 minutes.

Heat a griddle or skillet that is lightly greased. (I use canola spray)  When the skillet is hot enough, a drop of water will sizzle and dance!  

Ladle 1/3 cup of batter onto skillet.  Spread out a bit, if necessary.  Drop blueberries on & press into batter.  Note: If you are going to save for later & reheat in the toaster.. take a spoon and spread batter to cover the blueberries. (otherwise, might make a mess in the toaster)

When bubbles/holes appear.. time to flip.  2nd side will take less time to cook through.  

*I use white whole wheat flour.  (You can also use a mix, half of all purpose, half wwheat.. both works out fine.)

**I ground whole or slivered almonds in an electric coffee mill.  Blitz til powdery.  (Or available in bulk or natural section of grocery store)

***Tip for perfect frozen Fruit/Veggies year round.  

When blueberries, strawberries, peaches.. whatever, is at the peak of ripeness locally, I purchase as much as I can to freeze.  If you individually freeze small whole fruit (berries) and veggies and slices of larger fruits/vegetables, you will never have unrecognizable blobs of whatever later on.  How to?  wash and dry what you are going to freeze.  Place in single layer (not touching) on a parchment lined baking sheet that will fit in your freezer.  Freeze till solid, depends on size of item.  Then pop in a zip lock freezer bag, making sure to get all the air out and place in the freezer.  Way better than frozen veggies and fruits that you have no idea where they came from or have developed into a big ice block.

  

So, let me know if you try it, how you liked it.. what you did different or added. 

xoxo

.. and we are live. (again)

my little dreamer...

Yes, finally got the blog started back up. For all of you that joined me on Belleocchio, thanks for following me over to here.. my new blog, Annaoj.

For those of you who don't know.. Annaoj is the name of my label, my design company and my artist signature. And now, read on if you'd like to know why someone would choose such an odd name for their life-long work. Well, it all started in the 8th grade. Doesn't every silly idea? Well, this one stuck. Or I stuck myself with it. I am sure I was dreaming and doodle-ing (most likely when I was supposed to be doing homework) when I came up with the name Annaoj Airam. The name of my fashion house that would grace the pages of Vogue, my signature couture line, the oh-so-important label that would be on everyone's rear (when they were wearing my denim, of course), the sign over my boutique in new york and paris. Yes, I had a plan and it all came together when I wrote my name backwards. There it is. Joanna Maria.. Annaoj Airam. But, please, pronounce it correctly. Not Anna-Oh-Jay (as my mom would say) but think french, fashion, sexy and let it roll... ANNA-ahhjuh. (pronunciation? dunno. this one clearly isn't on webster.com) Try again. ANNA-ahhdge. Ay yi yi. Well, even if you can't say it.. it is what it is. Not exactly the best formula for brand marketing. But it has stuck thru design school, thru my twenties and into my thirties... let's stop there. It is over 20 years old! Excuse me while I go put on some wrinkle cream. Ouch.

So, here we are. Still pursing my dreams, although they have evolved over the years. Spent over 15 years as a design professional, many years experimenting in the kitchen (some of which getting paid for), much travel around the globe and a whole lot of learning. There is no Annaoj fashion house in nyc or paris. Most of the design work I have done in my professional life has been for others recognition and profit but that hasn't been a bad thing either, as looking back I am grateful to have been fortunate to have work all these years usually doing what I love. Creating. Travel expanded my world to beyond my backyard, my city, my country, my dreams... for that I am grateful. My life has been blessed; most recently, with the addition of my beautiful daughter, Scarlett Giulia.  Julia is the namesake of my dad's mom.. spelled in the Italian way. 

So, join this jersey girl in my quest to surrender to the beauty of life. I will share what's happening here, just like before.. design, recipes, style, tips, interviews, finds .. whatever. Exactly. Get ready for a whole lot of whatever. ;)

xoxo

Jo

...and yes, a whole lot of her!