For one night, America's favorite fast food @McDonalds went highbrow! #Photo Highlights from the #McDChefEvent

For one night America's favorite food went highbrow and gourmet, and I stand pleasantly surprised. Not that I'm surprised that McDonalds wasn't afraid to re-invent itself, but when I think gourmet they are not necessarily the first name that would have come to mind... Until now that is!

New York City Tastemakers, Press/Media, Bloggers, Nutritionists (and I even met a few dietitians and nurses in attendance) were all presented with a three course gourmet meal where Chefs came together to put a creative spin on the ingredients we all know and love.

Check out the menu:

Menu for the McDonald's 2013 Chef Event!

Don't worry if the menu is a bit hard to decipher, here are the photos of the dishes with captions naming each dish below:

Kicking things off!

I had to focus in on the floral centerpieces at Table 15 where I was seated!

Old Fashioned Cocktail with Applewood Smoked Bacon

Chef Jessica Foust, RD prepared the Cocktails and Hors D'oeuvres for the McDonald's 2013 Chef Event in New York City!

Above: This was the best Old Fashioned I have ever tasted! It Featured McDonald's Applewood Smoked Bacon as a Garnish with a Maraschino Cherry too and it was super flavorful and really delicious! So good in fact I forgot to sample or even photograph the other cocktail which was the Mango Pineapple Mojito that used McDonald's Mango Pineapple Smoothie as the Base! If only they added this to the menu at my local franchise location! LOL! This cocktail really does prove the theory that everything is better with bacon!

Chef Dale Talde discusses the inspiration behind his dish, the Kung Pao Chicken Appetizer Pictured Below:

Kung Pao Chicken Appetizer by Chef Dale Talde!

Above: Chef Dale Talde presented us with a Kung Pao Chicken Appetizer featuring McDonald's Chicken McNuggets, Sweet and Sour Sauce, Rice Wine Vinegar, Peanuts and Iceburg Lettuce. YUM! (and I thought I could get creative in the kitchen at the end of the month!)

Chef James Tahhan discusses the inspiration for his dish pictured below

Entree One: Tortilla Española with Garlic and Saffron Aioli with an Apple and Cucumber Chipotle Salad by Chef James Tahhan.

Above: Entree One by Chef James Tahhan was a Tortilla Española with Garlic and Saffron Aioli featuring McDonald's Hashbrowns, Eggs and Onions paired with an Apple and Cucumber Chipotle Salad with Cucumbers, Red Onions, Chili Lime Tortilla Strips, Fresh Limes, Spring Mix and Chipotle BBQ and Honey Sauces. Um, YES PLEASE!

Chef Aaron McCargo, Jr. discusses his inspiration for the dish pictured below at the McDonald's 2013 Chef Event in New York City!

Entree Two: Bold BBQ Chicken by Chef Aaron McCargo, Jr.

Above: Entree Two was Bold BBQ Chicken prepared by Chef Aaron McCargo, Jr which featured McDonald's Crispy Chicken, Hashbrowns, Chipotle BBQ Sauce, Espresso, Cheddar Jack Cheese, Onions, Eggs, Applewood Smoked Bacon and the Salad included: Cucumbers, Red Onions, Tomato, Fresh Lime, Cilantro Lime Glaze, and Grill Seasoning! 

Entree Three: Slow-Cooked Beef with Blueberry Pomegranate Sauce prepared by Chef Jessica Foust who was already pictured above as she also prepared the Hors D'oeuvres and Cocktails.

Above: Entree Three was a Slow-Cooked Beef with Blueberry Pomegranate Sauce and Mac Fry Gnocchi featuring McDonald's French Fries, Eggs, Blueberry Pomegranate Smoothie Base, Carrots and 100% Beef Ground that is the same that McDonald's uses for their hamburger patties!

Dessert Pumpkin Spice 'Biznut' (Biscuit Donut) by Chef Jessica Foust

Above: For Dessert Chef Jessica Foust prepared a Pumpkin Spice 'Biznut' (Biscuit-Donut hybrid) which featured McDonald's Biscuit Mix, Pumpkin Spice Latte Syrup, Praline Topping, Cream Cheese and Whipped Cream. For those that know me I don't eat pumpkin flavored stuff and I don't tend to like Pralines much but I really enjoyed this and that was my absolute biggest surprise of the evening! Kudos to Chef Jessica she worked her tail off with the Cocktails, Hor D'oeuvres, Entree Three and Dessert all being done by her!

Check out the Big Mac inspired macaroons in the little gift box on the left of the coffee cup for us to take home!

Above: See the cute gift box to the left of the coffee cup? That little big mac inside which replicates the details of an actual McDonald's Big Mac to the tee, is actually comprised of Macaroons! The pain staking detail was off the hook, and it was really good too! (and odd for me because I'm usually not a big Macaroon fan).

Left: ME! Ascending Butterfly, Center: Melanie from Melanie in the Middle Blog and Right: Rick Wion, Social Media Manager for McDonalds!

My Jacket and Dress pictured above are both by IGIGI by Yuliya! I am wearing the Aileen Dress, and the Jacket is the Monroe Jacket in Black. You can tweet with Rick and McDonalds on twitter at @GoMcD - and because I like to keep things entirely transparent, this is NOT a sponsored or compensated post in any way. Ascending Butterfly and Melanie are both RMHC Ambassadors, that Ambassadorship is a pro-bono one as well and it is NOT compensated! I was excited to be reunited with my team-mates from my recent Chicago Immersion Experience!

My Take:

I love events that help you see a brand you think you know in an entirely new light. This was unique, super creative and fun. I have always been a creative cook and that's what I appreciated most about this event, none of the ingredients weren't something you can't find and they were all ingredients that McDonald's uses daily, just prepared in a whole new way!

They have also been offering more 'healthy' choices on their menu and we learned that for 2014 you will have the choice of getting a side salad as an alternative to French Fries with an Extra Value Meal! I know many people have been asking about this for awhile now, they really are listening folks!

Which Dish would you have loved to try most? (Sorry it's been so long, hopefully they will come back for a giveaway soon!)

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored or compensated post. No monetary compensation or other form of compensation was exchanged for our event recap coverage. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Weekly Moment of #Gratitude + Active #Giveaway: Happy Cinco de Mayo Edition!

What I am grateful for:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Girl Time! -  I got to spend some time after an event hanging out with one of my favorite bloggy buddies, Milena from beyourbestmom.com, she tagged me on a great post she wrote called the '10 Things I learned this week'. We spent time hanging out at a pub that I had heard the name of, but had never visited, Pig 'N' Whistle (36th Street in New York City). I highly recommend the Calamari there, and I'm pretty picky about my Fried Calamari! It's definitely enough to share! It's actually not far from Macy's, so if you are shopping and want to wet your whistle, I'd definitely recommend them. I get to hang out with such amazing New York City Bloggers, but mostly at events, which means we don't always get a chance to just have girl talk and really connect, so I'm super grateful that Milena and I got to take a moment that wasn't event related to break bread and just talk! (Well it was somewhat event related, because we hung out after an event, that I will recap here soon!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Veg Time! - I spent some downtime catching up on movies I hadn't seen yet on cable, totally dis-connected and just watching some Movies, just what the doctor ordered!

I have been keeping my own daily list of things I am grateful for and taking time to acknowledge my blessings daily. A bit of concentrated focus on what you do have, instead of on what you lack or need, can make a huge shift in your life!

What are YOU most grateful for today Butterfly?

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What are you grateful for today? I'd love for you to write in and share what you are grateful for this week. The more you say it, the more you speak it, and the more you live in gratitude, the more you will find reasons to be grateful for, and the more reasons that the universe will send you to be grateful for. So join me on this journey of gratitude and inspiration. And you can post here daily (even though my list will be posted weekly).

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me on Twitter here (@Tracy_Iglesias) Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field at Twitter:

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias This Week's 'Moment of Gratitude' and Active Giveaways!  - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

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Active Giveaway!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Just in time to get my butterflies ready for swimsuit season, this month's Ascending Butterfly Book Club title is The Fast Metabolism Diet by Haylie Pomroy, don't forget to enter, you've got to be in it to win it!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Entries are currently being processed, and we hope to announce a winner soon for the $100 Wilsons Leather Gift Card Giveaway.

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Gratitude Journal Reco:

For those of you who are interested in keeping a gratitude journal this year, here is my recommendation and where to purchase it (I love that it gives you writing prompts for when you feel stuck on what to say!):

Make this Your Best Day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, all opinions are 100% my own. Journal Recommendation uses an Amazon Affiliate Link. Questions about our Disclosure? Please visit: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html

Finally the perfect Argan Oil Product for Fine Hair! My Day in Morocco with @AgadirInt #moroccanspaday

Last week the Rooftop bar of the Library Hotel in New York City was transformed into a Moroccan Paradise for the Agadir International's 'Journey to Morocco with Agadir Argan Oil' event.  Guests were able to indulge in Manicures, Massages, Henna Tattoos, as well as hair styling to help match each guest to the appropriate Agadir Argan Oil Product for their hair.

I was able to get a walk through of each of the products in the line, and I followed that with hair styling and a very helpful hair consultation with Carlos who asked all the right questions about my hair and my morning routine to help match me to the right products. Since I blow dry my hair daily and flat iron often, he recommended (as well as used on my hair on the spot) the Heat Shield 450 which will protect hair from high heat styling appliances like Blow Dryers and Flat irons, and because I have fine hair he also recommended the Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner.

Stylist Carlos gave me great ideas on what to do with my hair this summer at the Agadir Argan Oil Moroccan Spa Day Event at the Library Hotel in New York City!

I will tell you that after having it used on my hair I found it to be one of the most light weight Argan Oils I've tried so far, it didn't make the scalp and the hair toward the front look greasy at all, and it also offered me true versatility, whether I choose to wear it curly or straight, my hair looked shinier and healthier, it did hold the curl well and the front of my hair which was styled straight stayed straight.

Stylist Carlos is adding the finishing touches to my hair! I am holding the Heat Shield 450 Plus Treatment.

About Agadir ™ Argan Oil Hair Treatment:

Agadir™ Argan Oil is extracted from the rare and exotic nut (cross between a walnut and almond) of the Argan tree. This wonder oil has the characteristics of being very lightweight and non-greasy. Its conditioning powers are beyond compare when combined with our fine, professional formulation. Argan oil has a low molecular weight, which instantly penetrates into the hair shaft, without weighing the hair down. Agadir™ Argan Oil Hair Treatment is left in the hair for continuous conditioning, leaving it soft, silky, manageable with a long lasting, luxurious shine.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Agadir™ Argan Oil Hair Treatment Properties:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Contains 100% Pure and Certified Argan Oil

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Repairs, softens & strengthens dry, brittle, frizzy hair 

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Not oily or greasy + no buildup to make hair heavy and flat

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Reduces drying time (40-50%)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Quick absorbent, alcohol free formula

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Natural Antioxidant

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Moisturizing formula nourishes and eliminates dry, itchy, scalp

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Encourages healthier hair growth

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Great hair control and manageability

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Paraben AND Sulfate Free!

Who I am wearing: Green Jacket: Wilson's Leather, Blouse: Karen Kane Jeans: Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. Women's Curvy Skinny Jeans, Handbag: Ecco "Natal" Handbag in color 'cognac'

While I haven't had a chance to try out all the products that Carlos recommended that I got to take home, I did like the results he achieved with just the Heat Shield 450 plus Spray Treatment (that protects, repairs and shines!) and the Agadir™ Volumizing Hair Spray - Firm Hold. It helped me keep the soft, frizz free curl he added to my hair all day.

Had to capture a shot of this cute vignette I set up with the Daily Volumizing Conditioner and the Agadir Argan Oil Styling Mousse

Because I do have fine hair, he recommended the Volumizing products to help give my hair body, and still having the added benefits that Argan Oil offers the hair. They also have a blow dry round brush that actually has Argan Oil infused into bristles of the brush already, which helps to cut down styling time since the product is already infused into the brush! I have to tell you this brush totally ROCKS!

Got a blush of pink nail polish at the Mani Station plus a super cute Henna Butterfly Tattoo!

I also stopped over at the Manicure Station (they did my nails in the softest hint of pink!) and then followed that with my very first Henna Tattoo, I asked for a Henna Butterfly and couldn't be more thrilled with my Butterfly!

Later in the day the puffy top layer drops off and you are left with the Henna  Tattoo on your skin that lasts about 2 weeks!

We even had the option of adding Glitter to the Henna Tattoo which I definitely said yes to! It was also nice to have the chance to eat, enjoy the view on the outside of the rooftop and catch up with my favorite New York Bloggers!

My Take:

Butterflies Agadir Argan Oil is definitely one to watch and put on your Haircare Radar! Right now they are being sold exclusively in salons, but they plan to roll out their website so that consumers may purchase the products online at their site.  They did let me know that if you see it right now both online and even at Mass Market Drug Stores, the products you are seeing are more than likely fakes or even expired product which would make it less effective, so only buy these at the Salon for now until they are available for purchase directly from the Agadir International website.

I noticed that it seemed to really work well for ALL types of hair. While I was at each station I got the chance to see different people getting styled, and the products really worked well for such a diverse and wide variety of hair types.

Once I have had the opportunity to try out the entire line from A to Z on a regular basis, I will definitely report back to you with additional feedback!

Butterflies, Have you already tried Agadir Argan Oil? If so, please let us know how it is working for you!

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FTC Dislcosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post, no compensation has been received to share our feedback of the preview press launch, we were fed, pampered and given gift bags, all opinions are 100% my own!