Filed under: Food, HFCS-free, MSG-Free, Nutrition, Travel, Virginia, Washington DC Metro | Tags: bringing lunch to work, Caesar salad, cooking, Food, HFCS, HFCS-free, meal planning, MSG, MSG-Free, old town alexandria, organic, protein, Whole Foods
Inspired by Whole Foods’ fresh market “Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad,” I decided to peruse the ingredients for a reason why this Caesar was the most delicious I’ve ever had. Upon first glance, I saw only the basics: Chicken, pasta, Romain lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing. But, when I looked in those wonderful parenthesis provided to reveal all of the ingredients, it became obvious to me that this Caesar dressing was an usual recipe.
It consists of the following: Canola mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, anchovies, garlic, Dijon mustard and white wine vinegar.
To make this salad, I seasoned chicken breasts with olive oil, garlic and Parmesan. Baked on 350 degrees during the rest of the prep work.
Next, I crushed and minced the garlic and anchovies, added a bit of white wine vinegar, the juice of one lemon, some Dijon mustard, and a ton of Olive Oil mayonnaise – ’cause I couldn’t find a Canola-only one. There was a bit of salt and pepper, and some taste-testing, before I realized I was missing the cheese! I knew something wasn’t right… I added shredded and grated Parmesan before letting the thoroughly mixed ingredients infuse in the cold air of the refrigerator.
I boiled the Fusili pasta and chopped some Romain lettuce. I made sure to cool the chicken and the pasta before adding all of the ingredients, plus a ton of shredded Parmesan. I had to mix everything with a clean hand in a huge bowl. The result? Lunch with the rest of the week!
Filed under: Food, HFCS-free, MSG-Free, Nutrition, Product Limelight, Travel, Virginia, Washington DC Metro, lactose-free | Tags: alexandria, Food, food shopping, friendship, grass-fed, HFCS, HFCS-free, lactose-free, metro, MSG, MSG-Free, old town alexandria, organic, Travel, Virginia, washington dc, Whole Foods
After reading three-quarters of Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemna, I realized that a supermarket is a supermarket is a supermarket. Mass production aiming for mass consumption is part of a much larger problem, and no matter how much “greener” a store like Whole Foods tries to be, it still remains a part of the system that supports nationwide transport of food – and the inherent processing that goes with that.
On the bright side, Whole Foods advocates grass-fed meat, pesticide-free meat and produce, purchasing from local farms, and all the many things organic has come to mean. The company also provides a wide selection for those with diet-specific needs such as gluten-free, MSG-free, vegetarian, vegan, and lactose-free. One can go in there and find products like soda, crackers, breads, boxed baked goods, and other processed items without high-fructose corn syrup. That’s not an easy thing to do at your regular grocer.
I introduced a friend of mine to Whole Foods a few hours ago, which is always a thrill for me. I love the bulk nuts, seeds, and grains, the exciting organic snacks, the stacks of exotic cheeses, and – most especially – the exquisite feeling I get being surrounded by employees and fellow shoppers who care about something, even if it’s simply the quality of food they allow into their bodies.
This particular experience was new not just for my friend but me as well. We drove into Old Town Alexandria and parked in the designated two-story parking garage off of Duke Street (For those using the metro, the King Street station is a .2 mile walk). It was my first time at this particular store location. My friend wandered off in the store, dazzled by soy yogurt and ice cream, spices, and granola. I was looking over the various choices of honey when I saw a couple pick up a bottle of creamed honey, off-white colored behind the glass. I asked them why they bought the creamed kind and what they did with it, and as they were explaining to me that they enjoyed the marshmallow-like texture, a Whole Foods employee kindly interrupted to ask if we wanted a taste.
Not even a minute had gone by before he was back with several spoons, handing us each one and opening the jar the couple chose and another jar of creamed honey that was somewhat or entirely raw, containing the royal jelly and bee spit and whatnot. Both were extremely rich and sweet. The “raw” one felt like Marshmallow Fluff in my mouth. Or lighter. Then he signed the bottles and gave the couple the “raw” creamed honey and me, the one they were going to buy. These were gifts, from Whole Foods!
After excitedly telling the tale to my friend, I went to the meat display where the butcher behind the counter helped me pick out a New York strip grass-fed steak. I was asking him all kinds of questions about what cuts of steak he likes and how he cooks ‘em. He suggested cooking the single-pounder I bought on two-hundred and fifty degrees for twenty minutes, then broiling for five on each side. Next, I looked at some of the packaged meats, and he came over to tell about the lamb and buffalo ground meat. He found me in the store a couple minutes later to gift to me A.A. Bosari original seasoned salt. Two gifts in one night, how about that? I later cooked the steak (albeit much longer than he suggested) with the spice mix to much delight!
Along with the free spice mix and free pure clover creamed honey, I also picked up a simple salsa (made by Whole Foods), a Mediterranean sea salt spice mix, one my favorite yogurts, pepitas, a probiotic blend recommended by a third super-friendly employer for my recurrent infections, ground flax seed, lactose-free organic milk, and of course, the strip steak.
Filed under: Food, MSG-Free, Nutrition, Product Limelight, Vegetarian | Tags: eating with a fork, fruit, fruit salads, protein, refreshing, smoothies, summer, summer foods
Raspberry-Pineapple Protein Smoothie
I recommend Jay Robb’s Egg White Protein (I used the vanilla flavored one here), ground flax, peanut butter, or quality yogurt to make your shake a real meal. I also like to add the natural juices from a can of pineapple instead of water or sugar-added juice. The great thing about smoothies is that you can make ‘em anytime ’cause frozen fruits of all kinds are available year round. This one contains kiwi, strawberries, mango, pineapple, raspberries, and cantaloupe.
Island in the City Salad
What can I say about fruit salads? My roommate likes to eat hers elegantly, with a fork. That sounds great, so I cut the pieces up into fork-sized bites. I also added 1/2 cup of orange juice to keep the apples from browning and to brighten up the delicious fruits. This bowl contains strawberries, raspberries, pineapple, apples, nectarines, and kiwi.
Filed under: Food, Health, MSG-Free, Nutrition, PCOS/IR, Product Limelight, Vegetarian
I am always trying to come up with more exciting breakfast ideas! I think, if I can start with something special, I can carry that joy throughout the day. Here’s one of my favorite ways to spruce up a frozen waffle.
Strawberry-Pecan and Vanilla Waffle Topping
Ingredients:
1/8 cup pecans
1/2 cup frozen strawberries (small, or slice the big ones in half while cooking)
1/4 cup of vanilla yogurt
(I prefer Wallaby’s)
2 waffles, toasted
(Try Kashi’s Honey Oat or Strawberry)
Directions:
On medium-low heat, melt the strawberries till they are soft enough to cut and hot on the inside! Add a tiny bit of water to create a strawberry sauce. Meanwhile, crush the pecans and add ‘em into the pan to heat a for a minute. Pour the strawberry-pecan sauce onto the waffles and drizzle some vanilla yogurt on top. The warm sauce and the cold yogurt make an enlightening morning combination. Plus, you’ve added protein, a serving of fruit, and a bit of calcium to your already-healthful waffles.
Filed under: 1-2-3 Foods To Eat, Food, Health, MSG-Free, Nutrition, PCOS/IR, Product Limelight, Vegetarian | Tags: Easy foods, Granola, Kashi, Lactose Intolerance, Natures Path, Quaker Oats, quick foods, Snacks, Wallaby, Yogurt
1. Lactose intolerance or not, yogurt is a good choice. Why? ’cause it [usually] contains probiotics that help our bodies digest better. Probiotics boost immune system functioning and keep yeast at bay (a problem faced by both the male and female population). Wallaby Yogurt comes in so many flavors, fruit-on-bottoms, plain, key lime, and of course, my two favorites: vanilla and dark chocolate. Their yogurt is organic, and “it contains living and active acidophilus, bifidus, bulgaricus, and thermophilus probiotic cultures.” But, the real reason you should try it is ’cause it is the creamiest yogurt I have ever tasted!
2. Trail mix
The great thing about trail mix is that you can make your own. Buy the nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and etc.’s that you like, throw it in a bag with our without added sweeteners – and you’re good to go. Of course, sometimes we need our food options to be a bit easier than that. I’ve been on the search for a trail mix that doesn’t add sugar to the fruit and have finally found a delicious option that only contains sugar ’cause of the chocolate:
3. Granola Bars
This is a must-have item in my day-to-day life. Granola bars are the very reason I survive low blood sugar attacks during busy days. What could be easier than a bar of protein, fiber, and carbohydrate? Listed are three of my favorites. The first two are organic and absolutely great for you. The third definitely has HFCS and other strange ingredients but is still a great protein source – sometimes you gotta’ bend the rules if it keeps you from breaking ‘em. All three are, you guessed it, delicious!
Nature’s Path Peanut Choco’ Granola Bars:
Dark Chocolate Cherry Granola Bars:
Chewy Protein Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola Bars:
Filed under: Journaling | Tags: anxiety, broken, change, foolishness, friendship, love, nature, the future, Travel
I’ve been trying to say this for months.
What happened in me over Spring Break (and the weeks that followed) was life-affirming, a big reminder of who I am and what I want. The experience brought me back to a very real and natural part of myself that was mostly hidden and screaming all of my life, though it has surfaced and tried in desperation to come through. I feel found. After I returned home, I brought up the anchor I had in him and I was surprised that the changes stuck. I floated free; I felt free and no longer afraid. The stupid anxiety that was repressing and containing and suffocating me had become energy to move, to engage my senses, to learn, to devour…and to be, where before I had limits to being.
And I know I was foolish. I know that I lost my best friend somewhere in there. I mean that it’s dark now and I surely can’t see the girl who believed in me and really loved me, only a girl that was sure I’d fuck her ex-boyfriend in her bed with only a thin wall between her and I, that I would do it with or without her permission so why bother being vulnerable with me and trusting me ’cause she was sure there was some innate destructive desire in me that needed to be fulfilled no matter how much it would hurt her if I filled it. It’s so dark that I don’t (and will never know) if she was right about me, if she was merely being honest with herself about my limitations – though what kind of love did we really have in that case? I mean that it’s dark now and I’m crawling around on the words of all the people she swore she could never love even half as much as she loved me and yet they knew her and they weren’t surprised and I am, quite frankly, the last to know. “That’s just Josie,” they shrugged, unmoved…while I cried and tried to reconcile what one night of silently wondering how it would feel to hold his hand did to our friendship.
It’s dark and I would give anything to listen to her slow, meaningful words assure me that this experience was necessary, that my heart will be redeemed, that he’s just the friendly asshole he’s always been and it could have happened to anyone, and it was just a moment of silly curiosity and I will be fine. It will happen for me. I will love…and be loved. It was a clumsy move that doesn’t define me anymore, that I have changed, that things will be changed in the future, that I’m not a fucking home-wrecking disconnected soul who can’t be or have good. I have to tell it to myself now. I try to replicate her sound, her thoughtful pauses, her dead-on stare and melting smile, “My dear, he would never have been good enough for you.”
I’m left to ask myself, ’cause I can’t ask her, “Will anyone?”
Will I ever want someone who is available to me, single, addiction-free, living in the present, and connected? Will an available guy be good enough for me?
Will he be: inspiring, gorgeous, adventurous, curious, analytical, intelligent, passionate, slightly restless, child-like, sweet, nice, thoughtful, honorable, strong, endlessly amusing, simple yet layered? Will he take every opportunity as it comes? Will he see through me when I won’t or can’t reach out? Will he tell me story after story and still have another story to tell? Will he express himself (emotionally, mentally, physically, and sexually) despite his fears? Will he grow and move and flow? Will his ego be as big as mine? Will he feel the need to take his big ego out into the world so that it can expand for miles and contract and humble at the sight of it all?
And all I know to do when the answer is unclear and I’m feeling so hopeless is to pick up where she so elegantly left off lying, and tell myself one last one: “He will find you, hun.”
Filed under: Health, MSG-Free, Nutrition, Vegetarian | Tags: dieting, Diets, eating for health, meal planning
What is a diet?
My definition of the word “diet” is somewhere between my mother’s definition and the original definition of the word. My mother, like most people in the U.S. (and abroad?) think of a diet as a temporary regime in which one restricts a part of his or her intake (calories, fat, carbohydrates, portions) till a specific goal (usually weight loss) is achieved. In actuality, everyone is on a diet all of the time – as a diet is really just whatever you’re eating. Of course, few people think of it that way, including me. When I speak of my diet, I am discussing all of the method and madness that comes with eating day to day. I have restrictions and goals, both of which are [or should be] permanent fixtures in my life. I’m not “on a diet;” rather, I have a diet.
Before making a list and setting out to the market, one must consider…What goals do I want to achieve with my diet? I can think of at least six categories of answer to this question, all of which are important to me.
- The infamous weight loss goal: Personally, I could stand to lose a good five pounds, or five percent(ish) of my body weight. The numbers on the scale are irrelevant and confusing though, reflecting only an overall heaviness without any interpretation. For anyone really concerned with their size or amount of fat, he or she should use other methods of measurement, such as body fat percentage and measuring tape measurements on different body parts. Too many numbers can trigger obsessions with me, however. Instead, I use my eyes and my clothes to keep track of progress.
- The muscle gain, or support for exercise goal: Whether you’re one of the lucky few genetically inclined to thinness, starting or upping an exercise plan, or looking to gain muscle mass, you will fall under this category. As I am training to [train to] become a yoga instructor as well as dealing with certain health issues in which increased muscle mass is beneficial, this goal is always a necessary factor in my diet. Real scientific research has always supported increased protein intake for healthy weight gain, and I support this research. Of course, a diet must consist of more than just protein to be healthy and effective.
- The healthfulness goal: Yes, we want to eat healthier, be healthier. This can only be achieved by balance, portion control, and nutritional focus. Further, I attempt to eat msg-free, HFCS (high fructose corn syrup)-free, and as minimally processed as I can while still affording to live in a country that overuses msg, HFCS, and processing. I also try to keep the majority of my diet vegetarian (which means I eat fish, eggs, and cheese but reduce my intake of animal meat) and choose organic meat when I do eat it.
- The specific health goal: Some of us have “issues” that not only affect our food choices but radically change what we can and cannot eat. I have three really big issues to consider: (1) stabilizing my blood sugar, (2) maintaining hormone balance, and (3) minimizing lactose. To achieve the first, I have to aim for everything on the above list items as well as eat enough fiber and protein in every meal (not an easy thing to do in this carb-friendly world!). To achieve the second, I drink organic dairy, eat organic meat, and only eat soy on occasion. To achieve the third, I drink the right milk, boycott evil mozzarella, and try to eat regular or Greek yogurt (both of which contain active cultures) – all of which allow me to continue eating dairy.
- The overall well-being goal: We don’t just want to be healthy, we want to FEEL healthy. For me, following all of the above isn’t enough. I’ve discovered a missing link though – MUFA’s! I’ll discuss this in the follow-up post.
- The ease of living goal: I wasn’t really sure what to name this particular goal, but it’s really the one that always pushes me into diet-mode. ’cause of the nature of ED’s, those of us with a history tend to fall back into old habits easily – when anxious, sad, overwhelmed, frightened, happy, bored, busy, whatever. For me, it’s as simple as not paying attention. When I’m not paying attention, I may or may not eat meals, go grocery shopping, eat enough or as often as I should. In the midst of this not eating well/enough, I stop caring, and the cycle gets worse. Thankfully, this behavior doesn’t last long (and is no longer stood for by me!), hence diet refreshers! I need ideas. I need plans. Especially now that I have so many necessary and healthy rules, I need to know what to eat.
In the next post, I will share the layout of my diet and spotlight some of my favorite (old and new) foods. In the meantime, check out Jess’ diet post over at Modern Renaissance: The Kick Butt Breakfast.
Filed under: ADHD, Food, Health, MSG-Free, Nutrition, PCOS/IR, Vegetarian | Tags: academia, ADHD, college, cooking, cooking with what you have, disability, finals, mental health
I have so much to share, but so little time. I’m going to take a short break to reflect on what’s happening right now. Yesterday we will save for another day!
This time – the week before finals and finals week – isn’t an easy one for most students, especially those of us struggling with “mental health” issues such as ADHD. In the past, it was a week of coffee and uppers, three or four hours of sleep total, and a sense of unbearable stress that could at any moment crush me. I’m still procrastinating these days, but I’m treating myself with kindness. I gave up coffee. I eat meals. I sleep when I’m tired. I get excited by the prospect of finishing my work and getting back to play.
Eating well should not be thought of lightly! There was a point in my life when juggling finals and nutrition at the same time did not seem possible.
The Floridian Quesadillas are a group of quesdillas that originate in Floridian kitchens. Here, a surplus of fresh vegetables year-round keep the group alive and ever-changing. They are a perfect meal during the week of finals – by their very nature, they are easy. They can be done a number of ways, and they will never disappoint. I keep my kitchen stocked for mexi-style cooking, including a pack of soft tortillas in the refrigerator, cans of black beans, and various cheeses – and I buy a few fresh vegetables weekly.
The Florida Quesadillas
Ingredients:
soft tortillas
fresh or canned vegetables
1 can black beans
1/2 cup cheese
olive oil
1/4 tsp parsley
1/4 tsp cilantro
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp onion powder
salt
pepper
Directions:
Sauté the following (choose 2-3) in minced garlic, parsley, salt and pepper, till hard items are slightly softened:
1 cup red, orange, yellow, or green pepper, sliced
1/2 sweet onion
1/2 cup asparagus halves
1/2 cup Roma tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup cooked corn
Lay vegetables on half of the tortilla. Pour black beans into the same pan used for the vegetables. Add cilantro, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Spoon some beans on top of the vegetables. Shred some cheese. Fold over the empty half of the quesadilla and press gently. Cook on 350 degrees till cheese is melted.
Filed under: Journaling | Tags: alcoholism, growing up, individuality, lomography, mistakes, photography, relationships, vacation, violence
This was not one of my best weeks. I made mistakes, lost my composure, fractured a bone in my pointer finger, and ended a relationship I had been having for almost five months. Or, maybe it was six? I’m not the type of girl to keep track of such things, but I’m sure he could tell me down to the day count.
As the years pass, it becomes clear that nothing is as simple as it first seems (and nothing is as complicated or difficult as it first seems, either!). We both want the break to be temporary, but wanting to be together is not enough. I would like to go on believing that two people wanting to be together is the strongest aspect of a relationship, stronger than all that might tear the two apart – but I’m, gasp, growing up.
I need time to think about what is most important to me, about what I can handle, about what I can control and change about myself, about what I’m willing to sacrifice and become in order to make us work. I don’t want to ask of him what I must ask – that he completely stop drinking around me – unless I can offer an equal or greater compromise. Fortunately, I will be taking a trip in the coming week that will keep me away from any big “talks.”
I also purchased a new camera that will hopefully arrive before I have to leave! And I promised my trip-partner, Casey that I would bring my Holga. Somehow, a destructive week became an opportunity to remember what is really important to me. I want to get back into the darkroom. I hardly take pictures anymore. I don’t even remember how it feels to be that girl behind the lens. I anticipate a lot more visual explanations of my life in the near future.
Filed under: Journaling
My heels click into the wet sidewalk one by one. I try to lengthen my steps, walk fast as though I am an important person who doesn’t have time for whatever life happens from building to car. I see you and my whole being shifts. I remember to look around me. Stick-branch trees have been stripped – a mock Florida winter. Students and violins and heavenly tributes to solidified love. The sidewalk suddenly has discernible patterns of stone and gum and concrete, glorious equations beyond my ability to solve.
I remember who I’m not. Not a classy lady. Not a girl who can maintain temperature shifts of any kind, or stand the chill up and down her weak legs. Not a mind who can stay awake or look you in the eye for too long while listening. Not the type to ask for real help, and certainly not the one who holds her life like a map, all plotted to an exact success point, here and there, and every which to-do.
I remember everything beautiful we did together, speaking, motionless, almost one with the musical chairs. I remember how you were there when I really needed you. You could see past all the walls behind which my heart was trapped. And when the shallow rhythms skipped a beat, you could hear that I wasn’t okay enough. You were always there.
I remember your hair and all of the things about you that I could hate and so very much love. I remember your drive, and how it drove you to my house, and how it drove you in circles that you paced like a trained monkey. I remember your habits like they were my own addictions, and I can’t not remember. I can’t not remember liking you, wanting you, needing you, lusting after you, trying to please you, trying to know you.
I slow to a pause, to a smile I can’t deny. Hello, you. Hello, me. I remember feeling alive now, only knowing what I’m not, only focused on the details and intonations and evidence. Come back to me. Come back and remind me every day. I don’t need anything else, any of this, any of me – anyway.
