Keeping Track - daily (sorta) notebook

Best Veggie Chili Ever Recipe

2012-02-04T09:36:00.000-05:00

Recipe: Vegetarian Chili - I made this up and just used what I had in the house. It was awesome. You can use whatever you like but the thing that really makes this is the cashews, sauteed veggie burger, myriad of vegetables and fresh (frozen, as in not dried) herbs.

black eyes peas
red kidney beans
peas
choppedspinach
corn
diced carrots
diced celery
diced onion
diced peppers
brown rice
veggie burger - see prep instructions
can of diced tomatoes
chopped cashews
flax seeds - see prep instructions
packet of leftover taco sauce
red hot sauce
cajun spice
cayenne pepper
salt
black pepper
olive oil
minced cloves of garlic
smoked paprika
tumeric
rubbed coriander
cumin powder
fresh thyme
fresh rosemary
ton of fresh sage
agave nectar
broth or water (& and veg bullion)

Separate pan, real quick toased up the flaxseeds with paprkia, like you would with sesame seeds. Set them aside. In same pan, in evoo and garlic, sauteed chopped veggie burger. Set aside. In large pot, in olive oil and garlic sauteed onions, peppers, carrots, celery til tender. Add everything else. Pour in water til it is just covering everything. Stir well. Bring to boil then quickly turn to simmer over med low heat, stirring occasinally. It's ready when the rice and carrots are tender and it tastes like all the flavors have melded. Let cool and then reheat to warm for serving. Top with muester cheese and pepper flakes.

2/3/12

2012-02-04T09:23:00.000-05:00

We finally had our post-Christmas Yankee Swap. 7 of my friends from high school and I get together to regift terrible gifts and swap nice ones. We also eat a lot.

bfast: coffee, soy mik, agave, blue bfast bar
snack: cheese bagel twist from Dunkin (treat from the 3rd gr teacher!), banana, tea, apple strawberry sauce
lunch: skipped
dinner: carrots, tomato, hummus, ranch dip, 6 cheese and crackers, 1/4 of small veggie calzone, spinach and chick peas salad, EIGHT miniature choco chip cookies (my biggest weakness), 2 wine, 2 *diet* creamsicle martinis

Bad For You: 8 servings of things (bagel twist, calzone dough, 2 cheese servings, martini, mini cookies) not bad for a party day. Must do much much better today, as tomorrow is another party day. GO PATRIOTS!!!

1/31/12

2012-02-01T18:17:00.000-05:00

Hmmm...what did I have yesterday?

breakfast: coffee, soymilk, agave nectar 2 big cups, granola bar, banana
snack: carrots and spinach artichoke greek yogurt dip, mango greek yogurt, tea, cheese crackers, apple sauce
lunch: purple dinner leftovers - blue potato, indigo lentils, beets, red onion with carrots, celery and seasonings ina red wine beet juice sauce, so it was purple-y, tea
snack: chocolate caramel ghiradelli square (just one!)
dinner: red wine (2), goat cheese fritter salad with apples, pecans, field greens, balsamic dressing and brioche croutons

Walking around town, particularly the South End. Also went to see the play "Red" about painter Mark Rothko. It was a good day until the very end when I started to feel sick with cold symptoms AGAIN. Second cold of the season! This one is chills with stuffiness and sinus pressure. Last one was probably more likely a flu strain. This one is easier to cope with, so far, at least.

Sat 1/28/12

2012-01-29T12:34:00.000-05:00

As I put on my FB status yesterday, if someone could see me on my day off, puttering around the home, how I hop like a flea from one project to the next, abandoning and restarting, they'd think I had sever ADD.

Breakfast:

3 cups of coffee (because I can enjoy it at home and I wanted to do lots) with soy milk, agave nectar and cardamom
blueberry yogurt with molasses pecan granola mix (so yummy)
black eyed peas, spinach and brown rice in spicy sour sauce

Snack:
3 Hershey's kisses
black tea with lemon balm

Lunch:
black tea with lemon balm
wh wh flat bread with cheese and veg burger

Dinner:
glass red wine
bowl of veggie chili (my best ever made, swear)
tea

I took a walk around the neighborhood and did errands as well as getting some chores done. read a bunch, wrote a bunch. It was a low key but nice day off.

Fruits - What's Not to Love?

2011-09-26T19:11:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I was thinking about it and I realized that there isn't one fruit that I dislike. The closest I've come is Kumquats. But I think they were underripe when I tried them. Also, I displike Red Delicious apples, but I do like lots of other types of apples.

My Generic Grocery List

2011-09-26T18:48:00.003-04:00

PRODUCE

bananas
apples
sale/ other fruit _________
leafy green salad
tomatoes
cucumbers
potato
onion
sale/ other veg _________
hummus

BREAKFAST
eggs
eggs
breakfast bars
honey/ agave nectar
coffee
tea
cereal

SNACK
box crackers
snack crackers
chips
popcorn
veg juice
nuts/seeds
dried fruit

LUNCH
bread
butter
cheese
yogurt
soup

DINNER
diced tomato
tomato paste
tomato puree
tomato sauce
chick peas
black beans
black eyed peas
white beans
red beans
lentils
pasta - type(s) _____________

___________________
rice - type (s) _____________

___________________
frozen spinach
frozen broccoli
frozen pepper and onions
frozen peas
frozen corn
frozen mixed veg
soy chickeny thingy
veggie burger
frozen burrito

OTHER
olive oil
veg stock or boullion
balsamic vinegar
cider vinegar
breadcrumbs
sriracha
hot sauce
Bragg's
salt
pepper
ranch dressing
bleu cheese dressing
goddess dressing
salsa
good mustard
pickles
olives
hot peppers
spices- type (s) _____________

___________________

SPECIAL
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________

8/4/11

2011-08-05T00:39:00.000-04:00

Thai green curry soup
baked falafel wrap
mashed sweet potato
water
coffee
whole wheat chocolate chip cookie
decaf coffee

PYRAMID
veg: spinach, peas, peppers, broccoli, basil, carrots, beets, lettuce, tomato, sweet potato, cucumbers, carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes
fruit: coconut
grain: whole wheat wrap, cookie*
legume: falafel, soy milk
dairy: cream (1/4 srv)
other: honey, green curry, wine
bad: chocolate chip cookie
activity: chores, walking

8/1

2011-08-01T20:20:00.000-04:00

Breakfast: plain PB, english muffin who whe, crenshaw melon (2 big slices), coffee with almond milk and honey

Lunch: water, whole wheat with boursin, mush, spin and hummus

snack: small moch shake at DQ

Dinner: bean, cheese and rice burrito, plum, peptias and dried pineapple, water

PYRAMID
veg: spin, mush, burrito
fruit: melon (2), plum, pineapple
legume: burrito, hummus, pb
dairy: boursin, al milk, shake
gr: eng muff, bread, wrap
nut/seed: pepitas
other: coffee, water, honey
bad: shake

Recipe Idea: Thyme and Parmesan open face toasted sandwiches

2011-07-26T23:02:00.000-04:00

Mix fresh thyme with fresh shredded parm. Sprinkle over slices of a whole wheat baguette. Toast on a cookie sheet til just brown at 425 for about 7 minutes

Recipe Idea: Dill weed and eggs

2011-07-26T23:01:00.000-04:00

lightly beat one egg in a bowl
add some evoo
heat up some butter in a pan
when it's hot pour in the eggs
sprinkle chopped dill weed over the top
shake the eggs in the pan till they're just cooked
serve

Recipe Idea: Cucumber Chick Pea Salad

2011-07-26T22:58:00.000-04:00

I think I will make this from my garden tomorrow. I will let you know how it works out:

1 tbs minced lemon balm
1 tbs lime juice
1 tsp honey
2 tbs cider vinegar
2 tbs evoo
1 heaping tsp some kind of good mustard
finely chopped cucumber
whatever (reg) oz can of dried chick peas
1 bunch of parley, chopped (like, grab a fistful, de-stem and roughly chop)
coriander
salt and pepper

Mix and fridge for a while. Let the parsley go a little limp, as if in tabouli. Serve on a bed of red leaf lettuce with shaved carrots.

Summer is so yummy!

July 19

2011-07-21T00:16:00.000-04:00

Breakfast: iced coffee with honey and soy milk, almonds, apple sauce
Snack: cherries, Doritoes
Lunch: pineapple, cherries, pb & honey on hot dog bun
Dinner: 16 oz coke, water, vegetable biryani
Snack: Cheez-Its, olives, rye bread, hummus, beer

Pyramid

Veg: biryani
Fruit: cherries (2), pineapple, applesauce, olive
Grain: rice, bread, bun
Legume: pb, soy milk (2), hummus
Dairy: none
Nut: almonds
Bad: Doritoes, Coke, hot dog bun, Cheez Its
Other: coffee, water, honey
Act: hours swimming, about 3 hours in the ocean and the pool

I put on sunblock over and over but still my face is one giant freckle. What am I going to do?

Log for 7/18

2011-07-18T18:16:00.002-04:00

So far, where am I? Well:

Skip breakfast (not a usual thing but happened today)

Lunch: four small slices of fresh baked rye bread with about 1 ounce of buttermilk bleu cheese and fresh basil leaves, 12 fresh cherries, coffee with soy milk and honey

Snack: Iced coffee with soy milk and honey

dinner: 2 slices of cheese pizza, apple sauce, and tea

Pyramid so far
Veg: 1/2 serv with basil leaves as a green, 1/2 serv pizza sauce, cucumber
Fruit: cherry (2 srv)
Dairy: cheese, pizza cheese (2)
Grain: bread, pizza crust
Legume: soy milk, hummus
Nut/seed: tahini
Other: coffee (2), honey (2), evoo, spices
Unhealthy: pizza has its crests and pitfalls
Exercise: 20 minutes walking

I need to up the veg and the exercise! It's too late now so something tomorrow

Today's Calorie Count

2011-05-01T22:52:00.003-04:00

I don't count calories but I'm watching last week's Top Chef Masters with the stars of the Biggest Loser and they have to make dishes under 1500 calories.

whole wheat pasta, 1.5 cup: 261
butter, 1/2 tbs: 61
scallions, 1/2 cup: 16
grape tomato, half cup: 14
arugula: 3
evoo, 1 tsp: 42
basil, 1/2 tsp: 1
oregano, 1/4 tsp: 2
garlic, minced, 1 tsp: 5
soy chikn nuggets, 3 pc:

3 eggs omelette: 216
zucchini: 2
broccoli: 10
spinach: 2
goat cheese: 160
butter ?amt ?tbs: 102

toast, 2 slice, multi grain: 138
butter ?1 tbs; 102

homefries: 270

tea: 4
coffee: 4
honey: 22
soy milk: 5

3 pc chocolate: 220

beer: Um, we interrupt this calorie count to note that it was right around now that the President came on the radio, TV, etc to report that Osama Bin Laden is now dead. So, what was doing during this historic occasion? I was in the kitchen about to get tomorrow's coffee ready. I turned on the radio. I heard Obama's voice, which was weird for a Sunday...then I heard what he was saying. Unbelievable.

Anyway, 1/2 bottle of hefeweizen (though I might finish the rest in a moment of acknowledgement to the relief of a collective consciousness...): 104...finished the bottle while watching CNN: 208 =sigh=

And I gardened, cleaned around the house and walked for 2 hours. Good day!

I should consume 2300 to maintain my weight and about 500 less to lose weight, which is what I did and all without even realizing it. Hm. Interesting. Though not as interesting as the other news of the day.

The Okinawa Program

2011-04-27T17:59:00.002-04:00

I'm currently reading The Okinawa Program by Bradley & Craig Wilcox and Makoto Suzuki. Instead of being a diet plan book with an odd regimen of leaving whole swaths of things outs, this is more of a comprehnsive study as to why, historically speaking, the Okinawans enjoy the highest rate of longevity in the world.

I just think these nutrion studies and wellness studies are good to read, though I take nothing Biblically. I like to learn the lessons and adapt.

2/27 report

2011-02-27T21:42:00.001-05:00

List:

cream of asparagus soup
coffee with cream (1/2 tsp) and raw sugar - 3
lavender tea
mixed green salad
2 1/2 small slices of veggie flat bread pizza
coconut, walnut and dark chocolate
spinach salad with braised brussels sprouts
roasted chick pea, carrots and collard greens in cider vinegar, agave nectar, broth, evoo, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, water (recipe to come)

7 veggies, 1 nut, 1 legume, 2 dairy, 1 grain, 1 fruit, 1 "bad" thing and a bunch of neutrals

Down two pounds already since Friday's frightening post New Orleans weigh in. (Yikes!)

My New Pyramid

2011-02-27T00:08:00.003-05:00

I'm trying to get more veggies, less dairy and whole grains. I think that will help with nutrition and staying away from grains that aren't the best type (fortified, etc.)

So, my new pyramid is:

~4 or 5 vegetables

~4 or 5 fruits

~3 legumes

~2 whole grain

~2 low fat dairy

~1 nut or seed

~0 or 1 or 2 bad things

~limitless neutral

~sparse oil

~weekly

ieieie - I've gone downhill

2011-02-16T21:22:00.002-05:00

These holidays, man. I'm telling you. Between the bitter cold making outdoor exercise completely unappealing and my animal instinct to fatten up for the winter a la a bear or whale, and the influx of Valentine's day candy--i am not making good eating decisions!

And Friday I go to New Orleans. Well, I just refuse to limit myself in that city, but I'm telling you, when I get back--time to crack that whip.

List of bad things I ate today: fries, goldfish, Coke, Coke (both small but still), cookies, apple pie.

Super Quick Alfredo Broccoli and Ground "Meat" Recipe

2011-02-14T18:30:00.005-05:00

Recipe: Super Quick Alfredo Broccoli and Ground "meat"
Ingredients:

1 package Knorr Alfredo Broccoli Pasta sides
1 1/2 cup water
2 tbs fat free sour cream
1/3 cup shredded cheese (any kind you like or is handy or on sale)

1 package Green Giant Simply Steam Broccoli and Carrots in garlic sauce

1 cup ground "meat" (chicken, beef, turkey, soy product)
garlic to taste
onion to taste
2 tbs olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste (be aware that Knorr & Green Giant have sodium in them already)

Directions:

In a medium sauce pan bring water to boil. Steam vegetables 3 minutes in microwave. Chop meat, garlic and/or onion. In frying pan, heat pan until hot, add oil, then when oil is hot, add garlic and onion, heat for a minute, then add meat/soy. Saute until cooked over miedium-high to medium heat, stirring occasionally, then set aside. Meanwhile, when water comes to rolling boil, add contents of package. Do not add butter or milk as directed. It's not necessary. Cook noodle over medium heat as directed for 8 minutes covered. Once noodles are cooked, add frozen vegetables, sour cream, cheese, and ground protein. Stir all ingredients well and cover. Let sit on lowest heat for about five minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve and eat. For quick sides, try plain apple sauce (no sugar), sliced cucumbers or bagged leafy greens as salad.

Note: This isn't the healthiest thing in the world, nor is it the worst thing you could eat. There are preservatives in the prepackaged food, but for a meal that takes about 15 minutes to prepare, this is pretty good. Instead of using whole milk and butter, I used fat free sour cream and a little extra cheese. I amped up the vegetable content by adding frozen veggies and I used vegetarian ground soy "meat". If you wanted, you could replace the Knorr with Annie's alfredo or whole grain and replace the Green Giant with organic frozen broccoli or veg medley and add some seasoning like veg boullion powder, garlic, parsley, basil, and/or paprika and follow the same steps. It's just that Knorr was on sale for a dollar as was Green Giant, so I took advantage!

Flaxseed Oil capsules

2011-01-29T15:29:00.002-05:00

I take a Flaxseed Oil capsule every day as part of my vitamin & supplement regiment. I have heard in various places that a lot of these pills provide only "dead" vitamins because the body does't absorb everything it gives.

I looked up the effects of flaxseed oil. I think that because it is just the straight up real thing (flaxseed oil in a gel capsule) it isn't "dead". The benefits are pretty neat-o.

It says it can help with memory and depression. It helps with heart health. As a whole seed, if has dietary fiber. It has thiamin, niacin, B6, vitamin K, riboflavin, trace C and E along with copper, phosphorous, iron, zinc, selenium and calcium and, it's most star feature: omega 3 fatty acids for brain health.

Genetically speaking, brain health and digestive health are important for me since colon cancer and Alzheimer's run in my family.

It's been a while

2011-01-17T13:27:00.003-05:00

I'm still a vegetarian and I still eat mostly Mediterranean EXCEPT I'm eating bad things like chocolate and cookies way too much. Still have tons leftover from Christmas. And weekend have been designated soda times. Not good.

So, after today (already ruined it by having 2 mint oreos and 2 chocolate chip cookies). I'm going to keep clear track of the bad things only but if I'm so inclined write down everything else too. And try to go back down to 0-2 bad things.

Today so far:

Breakfast: almond milk, 2 wheetabix, 1 banana, instant coffee with honey and almond milk
Snack: 2 chocolate chip cookies from Trader Joe's
Lunch: coffee with honey and soy milk, arugula salad with celery, tsp goddess dressing, spalsh cider vinegar, sprinkle of bleu cheese crumbles, chopped celery stalk
Snack: coffee with soy milk and honey, 2 mint oreos

Super Veggie Chili Slow Cooker Recipe

2011-01-17T13:05:00.004-05:00

Recipe: Super Veggie Chili Slow Cooker

I did a "semi-homemade" type. I used Pacific Natural Food Poblano Pepper and Corn Chowder as a base for the chili. This recipe isn't to follow so much as it is to look around your pantry and decide what creative things you can do to make a chili.

1 Poblano Pepper and Corn Chowder single soup serving
1 can of dark red kidney beans
1 can of black beans
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 can of water
2 veggie burgers, chopped
1 single serving Green Giant peppers and broccoli antioxidant blend
about 1 tbs olive oil
1 tbs dried chopped onion
2 tsp Sriracha hot sauce
1 heaping tsp Fiesta Part Mix from Tastefully Simple
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp veggie broth powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp black pepper

Dry ingredient first then wet. Stir and simmer in crock pot until it looks like everything comingled well and ready to eat, about 4 hours.

Drunk Lentil Curry Stew Recipe - Slow Cooker

2011-01-17T12:55:00.005-05:00

Recipe: Drunk Curried Lentil Stew

2 part water
1 part wine
1 part red lentil

In my case I did

1 quart water
2 cups wine
2 cups lentil
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup peas
1 cup chopped greens
1 small chopped onion
1/2 cup brown rice
2 tbs curry
2 tbs olive oil
1 heaping tbs dill weed
1 bay leaf
1 heaping tsp dried parsley
1 heaping tsp veggie broth powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp cinnamon

I like to add all the dry ingredients first, just so I can keep track then the wet ingredients. Stir and cook in the slow cooker for about 4 hours or until the lentils and rice are tender.

Pumpkin Risotto Recipe

2010-11-09T17:50:00.002-05:00

Recipe: Pumpkin Risotto

1 can pumpkin puree
1/4 c veg stock (from the 6 cups for rice)
1 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
salt & pepper

6 cups vegetable stock (set aside 1/4 c for pumpkin mixture)
2 cups aborio rice
1 cup dry white wine
4 sprigs of rosemary
1 chopped onion
1 heaping tsp minced garlic
1 tbs oil
salt and pepper
1/4 c. grated parmesan
1 tbs butter

In a separate bowl, mix together the pumpkin ingredients and set aside. Prepare risotto like all other recipes call for: heat oil med high, add onion and garlic heat until tender and clear. Add rice, stir to coat. Add wine stir constantly until wine is evaporated. Add 2 sprigs rosemary and 1 cup stock. Stir constantly until cup absorbed. Continue ladling in stock to top of rice, stir until absorbed, with about 2 cups left add the remaing rosemary sprigs, then continue ladling, stirring and ladling and stirring until all stock absorbed and rice is chewy and al dente. Set to lowest heat setting. Remove stems of sprigs. If desired, allow rosemary petals to remain, unless you'd like less rosemary flavor, then just remove altother. Stir in pumpkin mixture and cover to let the flavors cook together for about 2 minutes. Removed from heat. Garnish with cheese and butter for creamy finish.

I served this with an apple "soysauge." I'm sure other real sausage would be good, too, if you like to eat poor little adorable piggies.

Autumn Barley and Lentil Soup Recipe for the Slow Cooker

2010-10-06T18:09:00.003-04:00

Recipe: Autumn Barley and Lentil Soup Recipe for the Slow Cooker

1 cup dry barley
1 cup dry lentils
2 quarts water
4-5 chopped parsnips
4-5 chopped carrots
handful of rainbow swiss chard, finely chopped (any dark leafy gren you want, I happen to have that handy)
1 veg bullion cube
2 tbs "nice" oil (olive, avacado, vegetable, something light)
1 tbs good butter
1 tsp minced garlic
1 heap of curry powder
1 heap of cumin
1/2 tsp plain paprika (not smoked)
to taste hot sauce ( I didn't use a lot this time, just a teensy bit for a smidge of a boost)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
salt & pepper

2 huge bunches of parsley, chopped

Add everything except the parsley to the slow cooker. Stir and cook until beans and barley are tender, about 4 hours. Add parsley and stir. Let stand about half hour then serve or store.

You Are What You Eat

2010-10-06T17:56:00.002-04:00

I just received this message as a forward. Rather than send along a forward (those can get cumbersome) I'll pass it along here at the blog.

EAT LOTS OF SWEET POTATOES

Nature gives us great clues as to what foods help what part of our body! Amazing!

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... And YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.

Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries

Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.

How're Things?

2010-10-05T23:55:00.002-04:00

Breakfast
-veggie fruit juice
-coffee with soy milk and honey
-breakfast bar

Snack
-pineapple greek yogurt
-V8 spicy

Lunch
-curry tofu and veg with brown rice

Dinner
-lentil and barley soup
-kalamata olive bread
-green olive hummus

Snack
-chocolate chocolate chunk cookies
-decaf, part reg, with milk and skim milk and half and half

Night
-Octoberfest Ottercreek

Pretty average to good day. But my limited amounts of sleep are keeping me from losing weight, despite the healthy diet and lots of activity. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5595T020090610

How My Doin'?

2010-09-17T00:20:00.002-04:00

MEALS

breakfast:
- 1 lrg pumpkin flavored dunkin donuts coffee with milk
- egg and cheese wrap
- hash browns (BAD)

snack:
- orange
- 3 butterscotch chip oatmeal cookies (BAD)

lunch:
- 4 sml slices fresh Italian bread
- sharp cheddar cheese
- mustard

dinner:
- cashews
-1/2 decaf, 1/2 regular coffee with part skim, part whole milk and one honey packet
- spicy V8 juice (2 srv)
- carrot sticks and cherry tomatoes

snack:
-Thai Basil Ramen Noodles (BAD)

Thai Basil Ramen Noodle - vegetarian but not mediterranean

2010-09-16T23:56:00.003-04:00

This is one of those semi homemade things. It's not really mediterranean diet friendly. But it is yummy and vegetarian.

1 package Oriental flavor (meatless flavor packet) Ramen
1 generous tbs of Bragg's Liquid Aminoes
1/2 tsp srirachi sauce
1/2 tsp curry powder
1 bunch fresh Thai basil - roll them up then thinly slice using kitchen shears
2 tbs hot starchy ramen noodle water
1 flavor packet

Mix all but noodles together. Cook ramen til al dente. Strain. Add to sauce. Toss. Eat. Yum.

Leek and Lentil Soup Recipe with kale, carrots and potatoes

2010-09-05T22:53:00.002-04:00

1 tbs olive or vegetable oil
1 tbs butter (optional but double oil)
2 leeks-very thinly slice the bottom white part and set aside with chopped onion, then make 1/4 in slices for the green part to go with kale)
1 onion, chopped
approx 6 chopped fresh sage leaves
3 carrots, peeled and chopped (half coins)
3 potatoes (Yukon Gold), washed and chopped (approx 1/2 in)
1 bunch of kale, very finely chopped
1 cup dry lentils
1 tbs honey
1 cup wine
1 qt veggie broth or water plus bouillon cube
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 heaping tsp of curry powder (or more or less to taste)
sprinkle of cumin
salt & pepper

Taste the broth as you go along for your taste preference of tang, savory-ness, spice, blandness or sweetness. Lentil and kale can be very savory flavors. Carrots, potato, leek greens and honey add sweetness. Wine and leek whits and onion add tang. The herbs and spices enhance flavor.

Heat butter and oil over med high heat, when pan is hot, add onion and leek whites, salt, pepper, chopped fresh sage and stir. Heat until a little bit of the mixture gets browned. Stir then add carrots, potato, kale, leek greens and lentils. Pour in wine, water-bouillon cube/ broth, honey, spices and stir. Bring to a boil for a couple minutes, then simmer medium low, stirring occasionally. It's ready when everything reaches desired tenderness. 30-40 mins.

OPTIONAL: sieve out 2 cups of the soup trying to get as much potato as you can. Blend in blender, food processor or with hand blender. Return to soup and mix. It adds a bit of creaminess without actually adding any dairy.

This is one of my best soups yet, I have to say!

Drunk Lentils

2010-08-29T00:52:00.002-04:00

Recipe: Drunk Lentils

1 cup cheap dry white wine
1 1/2 cup water or veggie broth
1 cup lentils
1 tbs your favorite curry spice
1/2 tsp minced garlic
2 tbs Bragg's or soy sauce
salt & pepper

optional: smoked paprika, cumin, hot sauce, chopped carrots, onion, celery, herbs like parsley or coriander

Add all ingredients to a medium sauce pan and stir. Bring to a rolling boil then simmer over low heat for 40 min. After lentils are thoroughly cooked, mash with the back of a spoon or a masher or whatever. Serve as a dip for crudites or crackers. Eat warm or refrigerated.

I also mixed this with my homemade tabouleh and just ate that mixture for lunch. YUM!

Pasta Peas and Soysauge

2010-08-10T16:53:00.003-04:00

I'm jealous of the prosciutto and peas eating people, so I decided to create my own vegetarian version. It involves fake meat, which isn't very Michael-Pollan-doctrine of me, but everyone needs a smidge of a splurge sometimes. This recipe can take a million variations. This is the one I made this time around based on what I had at home, but when I make it again (and I will, because it was delicious) it will probably be a bit different.

1 tbs butter
1/2 tbs olive oil
1 tsp minced garlic
1/4 cup of sliced and chopped onion
1 or 2 chopped soysauge
2-4 chopped mushroom "meatballs"
2 tbs red wine
1 cup frozen peas
1/4-1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 8 oz cup of plain greek yogurt
1/4-1/2 cup pasta water
1 tsp lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 package of just al dente cooked whole wheat pasta
1/3 cup grated parmesan
salt and pepper to season accordingly

Cook pasta just to al dente, drain, saving some of the starchy pasta water and then side aside. In the now empty large sauce pan used to cook the pasta, add the oil and butter and heat on medium high. Stir and when butter is all melted and hot, add the garlic and onion. After about minute add fakes meat. Season. Stir and heat till onion is tender. Add peas, red pepper flakes, paprika and wine, stir and let alcohol cook off. Season. Remove from heat to cool a moment so that it is not too hot for the next step, which is the yogurt. In a medium sized bowl, mix yogurt and water and stir, then add lemon juice. Pour into sauce pan, add basil and parmesan, return sauce pan to low heat. Stir all ingredients well and let sit for a minute then toss in pasta, toss well, season, cover and let simmer on low heat for a few minutes. Serve and eat. It's yummy.

ABOUT THE RECIPES

2010-08-09T04:03:00.004-04:00

When it comes to recipes, I'm always watching or reading them from professionals and adapting them because I'm a vegetarian. That's how I've always watched the cooking shows, or reading a menu, thinking, "How can I adapt this to my vegetarianism?"

With that in mind, I've added a list to the right hand side of the blog about the recipes I've posted and what I envision any potential reader doing with them. I've also outlined those ideas here below in this post (please note I've stolen a lot from my Nigella Lawson YouTube viewing, particularly her "Nigellla Express" clips):

~ "All cooking has to be about changing things to your taste" ~Nigella Lawson

~ These recipes are a blueprint

~ Substitute as you see fit

~ Adapt, add and delete to your tastes, supplies, budget, and desires

~ NOTHING in the recipes are GOSPEL

It's always taste, Taste, TASTE. Everything's just an idea. YOU make it happen.

Chick Pea, Cannellini and Pineapple Curry in the Slow Cooker Recipe

2010-08-09T02:44:00.005-04:00

I mentioned in a recent previous post that I've been watching a lot of Nigella Lawson off of YouTube. One thing she stresses is BALANCE in recipes. Where there's heavy there should be light. Where there's mellow there should be zest. Keeping that in mind, I amended this recipe after it was "done" but unsatisfactory.

Slow Cooker Recipe: Chick Pea, Cannellini and Pineapple Curry

1 can of chick peas

1 can of cannellini white beans

1 heaping tbs yellow curry powder

1 tsp cumin

2 tbs Braggs

2 tbs habenero sauce

1 cup brown rice

2 cups vegetable stock

1 heaping tbs of chopped onion

2 tsp olive oil

3 tbs chopped fresh parsley or cilantro or whatever green herb you have fresh and is zesty

salt and pepper

Put it all in the slow cooker and simmer until rice is cooked. Turn off the slow cooker THEN...

[I'd done just this and it was too spicy and too savory SO]

From one can of crushed pineapple, add the juice to the stew. Put the pulp in a frying pan and slightly brown. Add to the stew, stir well, re-cover the stew and let it cool. Once the stew is cooled, store it in the fridge. Reheat the next day and serve.

The mildness of the beans, the zest of the fresh herbs, the sweet and tangy-ness of the pineapple and the smoke hotness of haberno make a perfectly balanced dish. Prep time is minimal and the stew is hearty and healthy

Sun Tea

2010-08-08T01:15:00.002-04:00

My mom left me her sun tea pitcher; didn't pack it with her down to New Orleans. I LOVE this thing and make unsweetened iced tea in it all the time. It is so easy. All you do is add the tea bags to the filter side, then add water and leave it in the windowsill. The sun steeps the tea. Once that's down, remove the filter, which mixes the tea in the pitcher, and place the tea in the fridge, ready to drink.

Here are some tea mixtures I've made:

white lavender iced tea - two white lavender tea bags
green mangosteen and orange herbal
plain green and orange herbal
orange lavender and green

I've got earl grey, rose and mint to play with, too.

At Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Bodum-10619-10-102-Ounce-Iced-Tea-Infuser/dp/B000NYQSS6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1281244619&sr=8-3

Easy Tomato Basil Mozzarella

2010-08-08T01:10:00.003-04:00

This only works if your grocery stores has one of those olive salad bars.

about 5 globs of fresh mozzarella from olive bar- chopped

about 5 sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil from olive bar -chopped

1/2 cup chopped tomatoes (in today's case, 3 small chopped)

two handfuls of fresh basil (fresh from my garden!) - chopped

some more olive oil if necessary (you eyeball it and decide how "wet" you want the mixture)

Add all ingredients to bowl. Mix well. Let sit for at least half an hour. Serve on whatever bread you like. I had it on Olive Ciabatta Loaf slices. Omagahd, awesomely yummy.

Parsley and Boston Lettuce Salad with Lime Dressing

2010-08-08T01:00:00.003-04:00

I've been watching Nigella Lawson on YouTube lately, both for recipes and fashion tips. She's not a vegetarian but most of her recipes can be easily adapted. She's so beautiful and she's by no means skinny. Check out these "Nigella Lawson: Forever Summer" episodes for your inspiration. Below is my salad recipe, inspired by her 'Forever Summer" salads.

Dressing:

about 2 heaping tbs of thinly sliced and chopped red onion

zest of a lime

juice of a lime

salt & pepper

splash of Bragg's Liquid aminos

enough water to immerse onions (about 1-2 tsp)

2 handfuls of fresh parsley, roughly chopped

1 head of Boston lettuce, washed and torn

halved and sliced cucumber

1/2 can chick peas

1 tbs evoo

Prepare the dressing and let sit in fridge for at least a half hour. Prepare rest of ingredients and toss in large bowl. When lime dressing ready, add to salad and toss. Serve and enjoy.

Daily Report 8/3/10

2010-08-03T18:32:00.002-04:00

REPORT
I'm not going to try to post every day here, but I am going to keep track of things in my daily planner. If I get to posting here, good. If not, I need to make sure I am keeping track somewhere. Sometimes it's hard to get to the computer.

MEALS

breakfast:
green eggs and ham
coffee with chocolate soy milk

snack:
choc covered almonds - 6

lunch:
coffee with chocolate soy milk
water
cashews and a bit of dark chocolate
1/3 V8 Splash - NOTE: DO NOT PURCHASE V8 SPLASH. It's not the same as V8 Fusion--it's made with effing HFCS (blech!) and has very little juice. I was highly bummed. I threw it out because I didn't want to drink the grossness. I hate wasting things, though.

dinner:
will allegedly be red lentil stew, sweet potato corn chips, hummus, lavender iced white tea, banana

snack:
will allegedly be orange, peanuts, water and lavender white iced tea

PYRAMID
veg: parsley, dill, soysage, tomato
fruit: banana, orange
legume: lentil, hummus, soysage
grain: sweet potato corn chips
dairy: choc soy milk
nut: cashew
other: coffee, tea, water
weekly: 2 eggs
bad: dark chocolate, choc covered almonds
vitamins: no
activity: cleaned kitchen, weeded garden, short walk for errands
sleep: 9 hours

Framingham Public Schools Lunch Program

2010-08-03T18:23:00.003-04:00

School lunches can be seriously atrocious. I know. I witness it daily during the school year. Apple go uneaten. Chocolate or strawberry milk is chosen over lowfat plain milk. Chicken nugget, pizza and mozzarella sticks get consumed whole heartedly while carrots, brown rice and lettuce remain untouched.

However, this afternoon I heard a story about the school lunch director for Framingham Public Schools. Brendan Ryan is a real chef, which makes a difference on what he serves, and he's doing a remarkable job with the resources at hand. "Calzones from scratch...a make your own burrito bar...simple things like chicken on the bone, red bliss potatoes and green beans, all fresh not frozen..." It's made his food become very popular -- demand is up for school lunch in FPS and he did so without resorting to the processed food we've all come to know and loathe at school cafs around the country.

Also of note: by 2012, school will no longer be allowed to offer junk food in vending machines, school lunch lines or school stores. Here's hoping that will help change things!

RADIO BOSTON STORY ON CHEF BRENDAN RYAN:
http://www.wbur.org/2010/08/03/framingham-chef

Green Eggs and Ham Recipe - vegetarian!

2010-08-03T17:55:00.002-04:00

Recipe: Green Eggs and Ham

Of course there isn't any actual ham and the eggs aren't green either. But the dish is mostly green in color.

3 heaping tbs chopped fresh parsley
1 heaping tbs chopped fresh dill weed
1 heaping tsp chopped fresh chives
2 eggs
salt & pepper
1 or 2 of fav soy sausage, chopped
1 tsp evoo

In a medium skillet, heat olive oil on med high heat. In a medium bowl, mix all other ingredients. When skillet is hot, add contents of bowl to skillet. Stir occasionally. Serve hot with toast and 100% fruit juice. YUM!!!

Purging, Organizing and Living More Simply

2010-08-03T17:27:00.004-04:00

I posted this at my on-line creativity notebook "Commonplace Book" just after I helped my mom pack up 30 years of stuff from our house. I am adapting it for this blog, because I think pairing down and getting organized can also help with staying healthy.

I like to walk about among the beautiful things that adorn the world; but
private wealth I should decline, or any sort of personal possessions, because
they would take away my liberty.

First, I am done helping my mother pack up her house. It was full of 30 years of things. Next, I am helping her move all these things acorss the country to New Orleans. After that, I am going to purge my apartment of so much unnecessary clutter so as to avoid being overwhelmed with the things that don't matter and to develop a better appreciation for the things that do. Now I'm going to recommend a book. It's sort of a self help book for people who need to purge their lives of excess:

30 Days to a Simpler Life http://www.amazon.com/Days-Simpler-Life-Cris-Evatt/dp/0452280133

I read it years ago and had a nice "cleansing" by following the steps. But moving and working and jumbling of life has happened and things like pairing down and taking care to keep only the useful, beautiful things, that's sort of gotten away from me.

This goes along with staying healthy in one key way. Time is the precious commodity between professions, vocations, hobbies and interests, friends and family and also every day life things. Dishes, laundry, cleaning, sweeping, cooking. The time to balance all of those things and stay healthy is very complicated when there's too much of everything.

Today I thought to myself: Why am I taking up time sifting through a closet of albeit REALLY ADORABLE shoes I hardly ever wear trying to find the more practical daily shoes? Why do I store pieces of paper with potential projects that I never worked on from 4 years ago? It's not going to happen! Let it go! It's getting in the way of the piece of paper from the thing I am working on right now. If I can get rid of the little things that are in the way, I can clear up way more time for the things that matter.

If I make sure to have an organized house, a reasonable schedule and less of anything that's getting in the way, then the chances of me having time to exercise and pay attention to maintaining a healthy diet are much higher.

Time and Health - Thinking about Regimen

2010-08-03T16:37:00.005-04:00

It's so much easier to be healthy and conscientious when one has the TIME to do so. Things fell apart when I was working at the school, the library and the store. Add to that all the family members moving away and all the gatherings and errands and tasks associated with that, and I was headless chickenish for a solid 6 months there. Things didn't even get any better when the school year ended because I had to do so much with Mom's move to NOLA.

My goal is to create a regimen that makes it easier for me to eat healthy and get exercise in, even when I am back to working all three jobs again. Now it is August. Vacations and moves and parties are out of the way. I have a limited budget but a lot of free time this month (no library until Sep 6 after next week, no school until Sep 1; hence the limited budget but extra time). So, I can get into a routine and get a lot of clutter and other things that took up unnecessary time out of the way now and be ready for when I have a busy schedule. That's why I have been clearing out and cleaning up and organizing my house.

I need to make exercising a priority in my routine. What I'm thinking is that I will have three and a half hours between jobs in the begining of each week. I can use that time for lunch, commuting, errands and EXERCISE. There's a beautiful national historic site with a wonderful walking/biking path near one of my jobs. I could take my bike in my car and BIKE for a while there or go for a nice WALK. I can take a half hour for lunch after I get out of work, then head to the park for an hour of exercise, travel to the next job for a half hour commute, then take an hour or so every day for either reading and writing or errands. Then head in a little early to work to freshen up and start the next shift.

The rest of the week is free time and I can add YOGA to the mix. Which I keep saying I'm going to do but keep backing out. I'd also like to join the community center and get back to SWIMMING for exercise, as I am a fish and love the water.

Even when I am busy, I have to take better care of myself. The other thing I have to do with my free nights and weekends is PREPARE FOOD FOR BUSIER DAYS. It's when I go out to eat that I waste money and consume less healthy, fresh food. I'm going to take advantage of my slow cooker to make meals for the upcoming week on Sunday. And better use of the freezer.

I need to also make sure to GET ENOUGH SLEEP. Being tired all the time was what lead to the crappy snacking. I wrote about this before but Dr oz, of Oprah fame, said that a lot of time when we are tired, we think we are hungry. And we end up consuming sweets for the instant sugar rush. But really what we need is a nap or we are dehydrated. Staying HYDRATED is important. We need to drink a glass of water before we decide what, if anything, to eat.

Is it really possible to get this done, even when life gets hectic? This is a lot to think about. It seems doable in the abstract. But thinking about it and trying to prepare for any pitfalls is a big help in sticking to being healthy. And I have this blog to report to, once again, to make sure I do.

Stay tuned...

Check In

2010-07-25T20:02:00.002-04:00

Sometimes, my brain works well and desires only healthy food. Other times it's too easily tempted by the tasty fatty sugary stuff.

How'ma'doin today?

BREAKFAST

granola with flaxseed and soymilk

lrg glass grapefruit juice

water

LUNCH

large iced coffee with one sugar and lotsa soy milk

1/2 small bag of plain potato chips (snack with 5 ingredients, not AS BAD as it could be)

1/2 V8 juice

8 delicious garden fresh cherry tomatoes

SNACK

1 iced chai latte with reg milk (forgot to ask for soy! oopsy!)

1/2 cup fresh tabouli and 6 extra dark pretzels

DINNER

haven't had it yet, won't be ready til later but it's the Red Lentil Stew

water

1/2 V8 juice

Sweet and Savory Red Lentil Stew Recipe

2010-07-25T19:51:00.003-04:00

Recipe: Sweet and Savory Red Lentil Stew

VEGAN

SLOW COOKER

I bought some organic hard cider to try but it wasn't nearly as good as the homemade cider my friend makes, so I decided instead of dumping it, I would use it to cook beans with.

1 cup dry red lentils

1/2 cup dry brown rice

1/4 cup dried currants

1 cup hard cider

1 cup chopped tomatoes

1 cup or more (depending on how thick you want the stew) water

2 tbs Bragg's Liquid Aminos

2 tbs evoo

1 tsp chopped fresh dill weed

salt & pepper

1/2 tsp srirachi, if you feel like it

1/4 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp cinnamon

Add all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook until rice and lentils are tender. (Four hours).

Tabouleh Recipe

2010-07-25T19:44:00.002-04:00

Recipe: Tabouli

Since I have a HUGE amount of parsley in my herb garden, I made a giant batch of tabouli (tabouleh, tabbouleh, tabbouli).

2 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 cup chopped tomato

1 cup cooked quinoa (trad recipe calls for bulghar wheat, but I had quinoa at home, and I like that variation)

1 tbs chopped red onion

1 tbs chopped fresh chive (traditional calls for 1/2 c onion, but I had fresh chive so I did this)

salt and pepper to taste

2 tbs evoo

1 tbs lemon juice

1 tbs red wine vinegar

2 tbs water

1 tsp mince garlic

1/4 tsp cumin

Mix all ingredients in med sized bowl, cover and chill overnight in fridge. Ready to serve. I scooped it up with Utz Extra Dark pretzels for a snack. YUM!

Food, Inc

2010-05-23T23:36:00.003-04:00

I'm watching the documentary Food, Inc. It's pretty gruesome and depressing. If I weren't a vegetarian who tried to buy local and organic as often as affordable, then I'd be unable to watching this in its entirety.

http://www.foodincmovie.com/

2010-05-23T23:20:00.002-04:00

Meals:

english muffin with peanut butter

coffee with whole milk and honey

blueberry breakfast bar from Whole Foods

grapes

water

banana

jalapeno Dirty Chips

1/2 egg salad sandwich

earl grey tea

Comella's Mess and Stuffed Shells (penne, stuffed shells, mozzarella, "mess" tomato sauce)

Cherry Wheat

Anchor Summer

PYRAMID

veg: tomato sauce, romaine

fruit: banana, grapes

legume: pb

grain: eng muffin, granola, pasta, multigrain bread

dairy: mozzarella, ricotta, whole milk

other: egg, water, coffee, honey

bad: Anchor, Cherry, mayo, Comella's (half okay, half bad)

exercise: some walking

Glamour magazine is making me hungry...

2010-05-13T21:06:00.002-04:00

As far as fashion magazines go, I think Glamour does a fantastic job with its feature articles and how tos. This month's issue features a series of recipes from model-turned-cook book author Sophie Dahl, granddaughter of the Fantastic Mr Roald Dahl (auth of the Fantastic Mr. Fox, Charlie and the etc etc and, my favorite, the BFG). One for chicken stew looks mighty tasty, but I don't eat chicken. So think I might make it with white beans for the protein:

The ingredients will be...

olive oil
white beans
white wine
fennel bulb
can of chopped tomatoes
vegetable stock
pitted green olives
fresh basil

I'll let you know how it turns out.

Today's Whole Foods Salad

2010-05-06T21:17:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to post the ingredients of the huge, yummy salad I had from Whole Food RTG salad bar today:

-steamed and chilled kale
-mixed baby greens
-baby spinach
-sauteed mushrooms
-marinated beets
-flaxseed
-hot and sour tofu
-macrobiotic salad
-falafel ball
-cucumber
-evoo
-rice vinegar
-Bragg's
-salt & pepper

It was a great dinner and better snack. (Too much to finish at first, but that's what I ate for "snack" later.)

Yesterday was half fruit and legume, very little cow dairy and practically no bad things. I had a bad sotmach yesterday so I wanted to treat it well so it'd be better.

Today's another 13 hour work day so exercise ahs been limited to playing catch at recess and walking around for the patron counts at the library. Ah well.

EXERCISE! 4/29 Report

2010-04-29T23:49:00.002-04:00

REPORT

It's getting really bad out there. I'm not exercising enough. I have been sleeping almost immediately upon coming home.

So, let's do it. And report it here EVERY DAY or almost every day; if I'm not working 13 hours, that is.

Today I worked 13 hours. I walked around the playground, Whole Foods and the library. The end.

MEALS

breakfast

-coffee with honey and soy milk

-water

-multivitamins

-granola

-5 choc covered almonds

snack

-V8 juice

-cashews

lunch

-Amy's pizza pocket

-water

-chips

-banana

dinner

-salad with: steamed kale, baby spinach, shredded carrots, sauteed mushrooms, cucumbers, old grain salad (or something like that with all these grains, like winter grains and quinoa and veggies-delish), braised tempeh (meh, good enough, won't get it again), toasted almonds, liquid aminoes, olive oil, rice vinegar

-komigacha or whatever tea

snack:

-raspberries

-chocolate soy milk

-tea

-apple

-fricken chocolate chip cookie

-carrots

-small glass of white wine

Bad: choc almonds, cookie, no exercise

Fell Off the Wagon

2010-04-19T01:49:00.002-04:00

I ate POTATO CHIPS. Bad bad bad. And cheeseburgers without meat, french fries and iced mocha from McD's. TERRIBLE. That was Saturday's break down.

Today was better. 2 pieces of pizza (not the best nutritionally speaking but only 2) and salad, a good breakfast as lunch of eggs and veggie homefries and tea.

Tomorrow is an easy day, just 6 hours at the store, though I do have a lot of errands to run for my upcoming trip on Tuesday to NYC.

YOGA YOGA YOGA is my April vacation resolution. I need to start yoga and start walking again. I have to update here that I've done enough exercise for the day and stayed away from the bad snacks.

Easter Candy & Report

2010-04-14T17:03:00.002-04:00

Oh man. I go along having these grand old dinners of edamame broccoli and brown rice or spicy vegetarian kale soup and then BLAM that Easter candy somehow comes into my hands...I'm trying to be moderate in my indulging.

I didn't realize it, but this week is a 70.5 hour work week. Yikes. And today's work, though a half day, felt more like a day 3 times as long as usual. Ah well. It's over and I am home. I spent some time outside reading writing and lollygagging in general. Always a good thing.

I think tonight, being Wednesday, is Spaghetti Night. Spicy Red Pepper Tomato Sauce and whole wheat linguine with basil oregano, rosemary and parsley. The sauce is just from Classico (they do well; no corn syrup, chunk sauce, soybean and olive oil, tasty and affordable) and I add the herbs to make it a little "fresher".

Nap time!

Edamame, Broccoli and Brown Rice Stir Fry Salad Recipe

2010-04-12T20:47:00.003-04:00

Recipe: Edamame, Broccoli and Brown Rice Stir Fry Salad

1-2 tbs evoo

1/2 small chopped onion

1/2 16 oz bag frozen and shelled edamame

1 small bunch of broccoli, well chopped

2 tbs Bragg's Liquid Aminoes

1 tbs water, or more as needed

1/2- 1 tsp minced garlic

1-2 tsp sriracha chili sauce (how hot do you want it, baby?)

1 cup dry brown rice

2 1/4 cups water

1 tsp sriracha

2 tsp Bragg's

Combine brown rice, water, tsp of sriracha, 2 tsp Bragg's in one med sauce pan. Bring to boil, cover and simmer 45 min until brown rice is tender.

Meanwhile...heat evoo to med high in large frying pan (or wok, if you go one...). Add onion, cook until slightly brown. Add edamame, Bragg's, broccoli, water, garlic and chili sauce. Toss until everything is evenly coated. Heat about 2 mins so edamame begins to tender and broccoli to get brighter. Turn to low heat and cook for another 10-15, until is smells good. Taste. If beans taste right, remove. If not, adjust flavors and continue cooking.

Remove everything from heat. Combine in a large bowl. Add more Bragg's if flavor is too absorbed. Water if not. Cover and refrigerate. I'm putting mine in individual container to eat throughout the week and having the soup (see previous post) for today's dinner.

Spicy Vegetarian Vegetable Kale Soup Recipe

2010-04-12T20:38:00.003-04:00

Recipe: Spicy Vegetarian Vegetable Kale Soup

1 tbs evoo

1 tbs butter (optional-double evoo if not using butter)

1/2 small onion, chopped

2-3 celery stalks, chopped

2 tsp chipotle haberno hot sauce

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1 heap tsp minced garlic

1/2 tsp dried oregano

salt & pepper

1 16 oz bag frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn, green beans and lima beans)

1 can chopped tomatoes

1/2 bunch of finely chopped kale

1/4 cup dry barley

4 quarts water

1 bullion cube

1 bay leaf

Heat butter and evoo over med high heat. Saute onion and celery until onion begins to get clear. Add hot sauce and spices and garlic and salt & pepper. Stir well. Add mixed veggies, canned tomato, bullion, water, kale and bay leaf. Stir well. Bring to a boil. Set to low and simmer 30-45 minutes or until all ingredients look cooked through. Taste for readiness. Garnish with cheese, parsley or nothing at all!

How'd I Do?

2010-04-12T16:24:00.002-04:00

After noting I'd been slipping, how did I do? Well, I ate hummus and whole wheat crackers, water, then went to sleep. Coffee with soy milk and honey and the protein plate from Starbucks (boiled egg, salt, pepper, 2 small slices of cheese, grapes, apple, mini whole wheat bagel, plain peanut butter.) Whole wheat broccoli and cheese squares, 4 bleu cheese and triscuit crackers, LOTS of water (gallon, practically), V8 juice, veggie burger (crappy white sesame seed roll), 2 beers, more water.

Better. I have to get it so that I have more fruit and vegetables, even on the busy days when I don't have time to plan out my meals (frequent, these days)...

Just have keep conscious of these things.

Slipping!!

2010-04-10T22:14:00.003-04:00

The last two days I've been slipping! Let's see: so far 4 beers, whiskey, very greasy cheesy delicious pizza (3 slices), french fries, grilled cheese on white bread, Cadbury egg, nonfat mocha latte, onion bagel with cream cheese.

Good things: olive salad, Vruit, 365 brand type nutrigrain, almonds, baby carrots, naan, hummus

I've done some walking and some bowling. That counts a bit for exercise but not nearly enough for canceling out all this. I just thought I'd write it down so I could think about better decisions for the rest of the weekend.

4/8 Report

2010-04-08T19:34:00.002-04:00

So far so good today. lots of fruit and veg. Easter candy is getting to me at places (like for BREAKFAST!!!) but I'm mostly good:

breakfast
-almonds
-coffee with almond milk and honey
-1 Reese's Peanutbutter Cup Easter Egg (VERY bad!)

snack
-peanut granola bar from Kashi
-apples

lunch
-V8 juice
-Amy's Breakfast Burrito
-water
-orange

dinner
-Hazelnut Rice Milk Shake
-macrobiotic salad (brown rice, edamame, fungi thingy, orange glaze, ginger & some other stuff), hot and sour tofu, mixed greens, baby spinach, shredded carrots, sauteed mushrooms, Braggs, olive oil, orange glaze, salt & pepper
-a teeny side of buffalo tofu with some old fashion potato salad

snack
-water
-strawberries
1/2 vegan chocolate chip muffin (meh...)

This is an 11 hour work day for me, so no exercise, really. Just the everyday runing around like a crazy headless chicken. (Beats a cubicle job ANY DAY!)

Bad Weekend Good Weekend

2010-04-05T01:06:00.002-04:00

REPORT

It was a really good weekend because it was a 3 day weekend and I had a nice time doing all the things I did. It was also a bad weekend because there was a reason to go off the diet throughout and I seemed to take every opportunity to do that.

BAD LIST

wine, whiskey, fries, Coke, beer, eggplant parm, white baguette slices, wine, champagne, chocolates, cake, wine, beer, chips, dip, Coke, Coke, Coke (9 oz cans though), cake, chocolates, eggplant parm, white baguette slices, chocolates, cake

Thursday I went out because there was no work Friday. Saturday was my sister's family good bye party, so that was the reason for the drinks and junk food. Today was Easter and Opening Day at Fenway (awesome game!) so yet more reasons to eat crap. I played ball with Daisy quite a bit, but barely exercised but for that. I'm a big blob of blobbiness right now and I am getting back on track tomorrow. I'll be more conscientious and keep track and try to report tomorrow too. Maybe even get the bike out, or turn the sod for the expansion of the garden after I get out of work.

3/30 Report - Having a Cold Stinks

2010-03-30T22:19:00.004-04:00

Report: Sickly and therefore all over the place in terms of eating and energy and all of that.

-grapefruit juice
-Zicam drink

sleep for four hours

-leftover healthy mock hamburger helper
-grapefruit juice

sleep for four hours

-Three Sisters Sweet Wheat Cereal** & soy milk
-Zicam drink
-Echinacea, Goldenseal & Oatstraw tea with honey

-pickles
-2 pieces Pupolo candies chocolate (for the soul)
-cheese and crackers

-Hearty Kale and Lentil Soup (see recipe in previous post)
-Zicam drink

I've been taking more than the regular one dose of Vitamin B Complex & one does of Echinacea & Goldenseal. You can have up to 3 doses a day, so that's what I'm doing. After all that sleep and rest and tea and herbs and good food, I am feeling better. Tomorrow is a half day at work, so I should be able to make it through and rest the rest of the day. By Thursday, here's hoping I've kicked this thing. I hate getting sick!

**A long time ago, I stopped avoiding gelatin, even though it is animal derived. This cereal uses gelatin, so if you don't consume gelatin under your vegetarian diet, beware that this cereal contains it. I will have to think about that whole gelatin thing---it's omniscient, you see, and sneakily so, which is why I stopped trying to give it up....

Hearty Kale and Lentil Soup Recipe

2010-03-30T22:06:00.004-04:00

I've made kale and lentils before, but this recipe is one of the more heartier flavored ones. The smoked paprika is the thing in this one. All the ingredients are good things to combat a cold, too.

Recipe: Hearty Kale and Lentil Soup

1 cup dry lentils
1/2 cup brown rice
about 1 cup of finely chopped kale
about 1 cup of chopped carrots
2 quarts water & veg boullion cube -or- 2 qts broth
2 tbs evoo
2 tbs Braggs Liquid Aminos
1/2 tsp dill weed
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp curry powder
1 bay leaf
salt & pepper to taste (easy on salt, as Braggs provides salt naturally)

Put all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a boil. Simmer med-low until rice, lentils, carrots, kale are tender, about 45 minutes. Monitor for water, add more if it needs it. Stir occasionally. When ready serve and enjoy.

Echinacea Oatstraw Tea - cope with a cold

2010-03-30T19:19:00.002-04:00

I have a cold. It's been just two weeks since I got over the last one. I think I pushed myself too much with the last one, not taking any time off until I was too sick to think. This time, I took today off after progressively getting worse. This week is a short week at the school, regular week at the college and the store is close for Easter, so it's a low key one.

Today and yesterday I've been drinking a tasty and helpful tea. One echinacea & goldeseal pill, opened and the powder used for tea (as it suggests to do in the directions) with 2 tsp of pure Maine honey (so good; hint of orange not too sweet--yum!) and oatstraw tea in 3/4 steaming hot tea pot. Nice and hot, it helps with the cold, the cough, the sore throat and is a diuretic (pee out all the bad germs?).

Just a suggestion. Doesn't cure a common cold (nothing does!) but helps with the symptoms of it.

Healthy Hamburger-Helper-Wannabe Vegetarian Recipe

2010-03-29T18:59:00.006-04:00

1 box of whole grain Annie's mac n cheese pasta
1 small container of plain greek yogurt
2 tbs chipotle habenero sauce
1/4 cup hot pasta water

1-2 of your favorite veggie burger
1/2 cup chopped mushooms
1/2 med onion, finely chopped
2 tbs evoo
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
2 tbs Bragg's Liquid Aminoes

1 heaping tsp of parsley

Cook pasta according to directions on box. In a separate small bowl mix the plain yogurt, hot sauce, hot water and cheese packet together. Set aside. While the pasta cooks, set the evoo to med high heat, add onions and cook until clear, add chopped up veggie burger and mushroom, paprika. Stir and heat to brown then add Braggs, cover and simmer until pasta is ready or mushrooms look mostly cooked. When pasta is cooked, drain, return to cooking pot, add cheese sauce and mushroom/veggie burger saute, sprinkle parsley and stir well and heat over very low heat for about 5 minutes so that all the flavors can hang out together and get to know each other better. When ready, serve and enjoy!

3/25 Report

2010-03-25T19:12:00.004-04:00

Dr Oz says that when we're tired, we think we're hungry. It's Thursday and I have already worked 47 hours this week. I have another 23 to go. I'm always tired; therefore, I'm always hungry. Yesterday i had a sweets fit: reeses pb cup, bite size butterfinger and two mini vanilla scones. Good gracious. I'm trying to be better today...

Breakfast
-half blueberry scone (bad)
-coffee with soy milk and honey

snack
-baby carrots

lunch
-one lowfat cheese stick
-2 slices bakery olive bread
-pomegranate greek yogurt
-1/2 serving kashi go lean
-spicy V8 juice

dinner
-kombucha tea with spirulina, blue algae, & chlorella (srsly)
-steamed kale, mixed greens, baby spinach & macrobiotic salad (tofu, edamame, some sort of fungi thing, brown rice, ginger, garlic, orange juice) with hearts of palm & shredded carrots plus a dressing I made up of olive oil, rice vinegar, orange glaze, sarachi, salt and pepper. It was really really good

snack
-blackberries
-blood orange
-almonds
-water

OMG I want a Snickers bar sooooo bad right now. Tee heee heheahahahaha.

Sorry, in need of sleep. Maybe the caf has a really expensive dark chocolate health energy bar thing....

UPDATE: settled for Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate (60% cacao) squares and more almonds. I hope I only have two of the squares. We shall see.

UPDATE on UPDATE: One square with more almonds did the trick. Yay. Still hungry, but no longer craving a Snickers bar. Am moving on to grape tomatoes.

Whole Food Ready to Eat

2010-03-22T19:02:00.003-04:00

Today I had a gigantic 9/27 thing from the salad bar and hot bar but tomorrow I'm going to be a bit more frugal. Today's dinner was:

Spinach, mixed greens, sauteed mushrooms, marinated beets, toasted almond slivers, evoo, Bragg's, hot pepper flakes, ground pepper, sea salt, fake chikn salad, hearts of palm, roasted garlic AND sesame noodle with sesame tofu, roasted garlic, carrots, peppers, onion.

Tomorrow, since I've now discovered the wonder of Bragg's, I'm just going to do greens, beets, chick peas or lentils, mushrooms, almonds and Bragg's.

Notice the lack of carbs--just the noodles and teeny bit at that.

Lunch was tofu and veg again. Go me!

update for week ending 3/21

2010-03-22T18:37:00.002-04:00

Well, well. It was a week, I tell you. What with a full weekend free from jobs, two parties and a championship hockey game on Saturday (the better school, The Maine Black Bears, sadly, lost to those Arrogant Eagles of BC. My roomie won gracefully and said nothing of this devastation. It was a long shot. Ah well. There's always next year...), a major-if-you-are-from-Boston holiday (St Patty's) and Sunday lunch with an aunt, the calories did tend to build. It was a one step forward two step back kind of thing.

While my St Patty's Day dinner consisted of mostly carrots, cabbage, turnip, and onion, two plain potatoes and two soysage patties, it was accompanied by 2 Guinness, followed by green frosted sugar cookies and 1 and a half more Guiness. Earlier in the day, I indulged in the goodies laid out for faculty and staff at the school (gracious me, it is a never-ending sugary refined carb fest on that table in the staff room!), which I'm usually good about avoiding. While the weather was nice, I did just a bit of walking & some catch with Daisy (who is moving to Cali with Chrissy next month--but how will I work on my wiffle ball skills without my Daisy?) and that was about it.

Saturday was an early dinner out with the roomie, something we hadn't done in a while. A party at E rin's, though I was stuffed from dinner (mushroom fettucinni; I left a lot of the pasta and ate mostly the veggies with some bites of pasta; plus we had a great salad and a nice stuffed roasted tomato) I got a little bit of a walk in with Maddie. Then I accidentally napped on and off while watching the Hockey East score run up to football type numbers. Afterwards, I went to Weymouth for my sister's goodbye/bday party. I ate some chips and had another Guiness. Baddy bad.

Sunday was lunch with Aunt Eiko at Asian C. I am avoiding seafood again. (Just got the Oscar winning documentary "The Cove" from Netflix. Just from what I heard about it, I think I'm giving up unsustainable seafood. So, sardines are in. Just about everything else: out.) So I had cucumbers, sweet potato tempura sushi (4), edamame and thai curry tofu and veg with rice noodles. The noodles were icky, so I didn't eat more thana few bites, which is probably for the best. I'm trying to tip my pyramid to a more veg and fruit dense way. Chrissy made tomato, hot sauce, and cheese omelet with honey wheat english muffin and that was my nice dinner.

Because of teh out-to-eat and party-party indulgences of last week, I'm going to try to get back on track, maybe even over compensate this week with extra veggies and legumes and less sweets and carbs.

Bragg's Liquid Aminoes

2010-03-22T18:31:00.002-04:00

I had heard of bragg's froma friend a little while ago but never had the chance to try it until today at the salad bar at Whole Food (omg soo many yummy things to eat!). This stuff is amazin' and I'm looking forward to tomorrow's trip back to Whole Foods (working at the library all week, so I head straight there for dinner after leaving the school).

http://bragg.com/products/la.html

Seriously. Yum!!!!

Eighteen Years of Vegetarianism

2010-03-18T22:38:00.004-04:00

Happy 18th Anniversary, my vegetarianism! That's right, for almost 2/3 of my life, I have been a vegetarian. How is it going? Fantastic! I'm still finding new things every day. For instance, today I purchased smoked paprika, which I hear goes really well with lentils and kale. (Read it on a recipe somewhere. The smoked paprika has the same tones of the things that we vegetarians often tend to miss the most: bacon!)

If you're considering vegetarianism, here's a great fun book for you (I just posted a review at this site):

http://www.worldcat.org/title/365-good-reasons-to-be-a-vegetarian/oclc/37928580&referer=brief_results

If you're on the verge but need something to seal the deal, uh, while it's not pretty, this Oscar nominated very honest look at the Agribusiness Complex, FOOD, INC, might convince you:

http://www.foodincmovie.com/

Report for today 3/11

2010-03-12T00:43:00.002-05:00

I haven't done one of these for a while:

MEALS
breakfast:
-coffee with soy milk and honey
-grapefruit juice
-granola bar

lunch:
-Strawberry Banana Smoothie
-granola bar
-water

dinner:
-Whole Foods prepared food

snack:
-one cracker with plain peanut butter and some raw chocolate
-pepitas
-water
-1/2 beer

MEDITERRANEAN PYRAMID
veg: beets, artichoke, kale, carrots, onion
grain: couscous, quinoa, whole wheat noodles, granola (2)
fruit: strawberry, banana, cherry
dairy: soy milk, yogurt smoothie
legume: tofu (2), butter bean
nut/seed: pepitas
other: raw chocolate, honey, coffee, water
bad: beer (though not really because I am not finishing it)
activity: work keeps me busy

Okay, there you go. Doing well and all that. Still sick with a cold but it's almost gone.

Joel Fuhrman's Nutritarian Pyramid

2010-03-12T00:25:00.002-05:00

I saw this, or something like this at Whole Foods today. Except for the lack of cheese allowances (I haz a sad), I can dig this pyramid. Dr Fuhrman's also pretty disgusted by the silly USDA pyramid.

I have a collection of unreliable resources and this website is one of them:

http://www.mypyramid.org/

It's a spoof of the USDA pyramid. Where the USDA says to have 6-10 of grain, making 4-6 of them whole grains, the "U S Dept of Agribusiness" site flips that and recommends "make half yoour grains processed" etc etc.

The trouble with Dr Fuhrman's pyramid is the lack of oil -- there's so much to say for "good fats" within the Mediterranean Diet. They make you feel satiated. And you need a little bit of fat to go with your nutritient rich food so your body can absorb the nutrients better. As this Scientific American Frontiers episode I referenced previously stated, having some good fat is good for the hunger signals in the brain; they get satisfied.

What everyone agrees on is the fact that legumes, veggies and fruit and really swell things for being healthy.

Whole Foods cold and hot ready made foods

2010-03-12T00:12:00.002-05:00

That was my dinner today. Yum!

-tofu, chicken salad style
-tofu, buffalo style
-quinoa salad
-couscous salad with cranberries
-steamed kale
-balsamic marinade mushrooms
-cauliflower with parsley
-beets
-cold Japanese noodle salad
-artichoke heart

Just a few bites of everything. Very full!

Scientific American Frontiers episode on weight loss

2010-03-12T00:10:00.002-05:00

http://www.pbs.org/saf/1401/

This episode is on right now. I'm going to bed, so I can't finish watching it but it's interesting. I'll be tuning in to Video Archive at some point, later.

Change in Regimen

2010-03-06T12:33:00.003-05:00

Instead of working 30 to 35 hours a week, I'm now working 45-55 hours a week. I have a third job. This is good because I can finally make up for all that was lost while underemployed.

This means a change in my daily regimen though, for certain. Breakfast is at quarter to 6, lunch at 1, dinner at 4 and another light meal, supper at 10 or so...

So, how do I stick with the tenets of a Mediterranean Diet with such a hectic schedule? A few things. I keep up my vitamin and supplement regimen by getting it ready at night before bed. I eat a simple breakfast of oatmeal or toast, orange or grapefruit juice and coffee with honey and soy milk. I set aside a water, granola bar, V8 juice, pretzels or triscuits, banana or apple or apple sauce or raisins, and some kind of nuts - almonds, cashew, mixed, etc - along with a piece of dark chocolate for snack and lunch.

For dinner, whenever I have a free night, I make sure to make extra of whatever I'm having and put that in the fridge for the nights that I have to work. In the case that I don't have something, or don't want what I have but don't have time to make anything, I know what the smart food choices are at the "fast food" places near where I work. Example: mint tea and spinach and tomato egg white wheat wrap at Starbucks. Or orange juice and veggie burger at Burger King (with the splurge of french fries, obv.).

When I come home, it's usually a snack of carrots and hummus, triscuits and cheese, olives and tea with the occasional cookie serving (3) and glass of wine or beer.

So far, it's working out well. The only trouble is getting enough exercise, however, the day time job keeps me constantly active, so I'm not going to worry too much about that for now. Especially considering I have lost another 4 pounds from my big holiday drop, which is great.

The daily reports might dwindle significantly because of the busy schedule but I'll continue to post recipes, health and wellness related things and whatever else I come across that I think might belong here.

Here's to a decent income during the recession!

Super Bowl - a list

2010-02-08T16:34:00.002-05:00

I just did the fun thing and ate food and watched football and the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet yesterday. It's important, I think, to let loose every once in a while....

REPORT

-coffee w/ whole milk and honey

-water

-almonds

-yogurt

-cocoa almonds (delish!)

-mashed potatoes

-mixed steamed veg

-mushroom, romaine, 3 bean and olive salad with balsamic vinegar and 1/2 tsp ranch

-grapefruit juice

Not bad, right? But then came the night:

-2 Hurricanes (for New Orleans, of course; it's a drink feat. 3 juices and 3 types of rum...)

-mushroom and onion mini tortes - 6

-cheese and crackers (2)

-veggie pancakes - 3

-popcorn fried shrimp - 6

-carrots and hummus

-dark pretzels and spinach dip - many

-sandwich with soy chik pattie, provolone, mozzarella, olive salad (diced: pickled carrots, cauliflower, pepper, black olives, Spanish olives, kalamata, pickles, celery, roasted red peppers, fresh green bell peppers, olive oil, red wine vinegar) on scali roll (a vegetarian muffaletta)

-cheese cake

-pumpkin beer (1/2 small glass)

So, there you go. Lots of food. But it was fun and the Saints won, just like we'd hoped! Yay!

2/5 Report

2010-02-06T01:13:00.002-05:00

REPORT

Doing my best.

MEALS

breakfast

-grapefruit

-coffee

lunch

-mint tea

-pumpkin spice english muffin

-plain crunchy peanut butter

snack

-almonds

-V8 juice

-3 salt and pepper Cape Cod chips

dinner

-baby spinach, bacos and honey mustard dressing

-margherita pizza

-gluten free beer (weird but fine)

snack

-olive oil and pepper triscuits

-chipotle hummus

-dill chip pickles

MEALS

grain: triscuit, crust, english muffin

veg: V8, spinach, pickles, tomato

fruit: grapefruit

legume: hummus, peanut butter

dairy: soy milk, cheese

nut: almond

other: coffee, tea, beer, honey, basil

bad: sorta the pizza, sorta the beer and those 3 chips

x-out: nothing today but a lot this week

rdg: half of book of Frank, another ch of Digressions

writ: none but some editing ideas in the shower har har

corn syrup: nope

VSM: yes, feeling good too - placebo effect?

sleep: 8

2010-02-01T22:32:00.002-05:00

REPORT

Hmm...It's 10:30 and I'm still hungry so let's see what I've had do far...

MEALS

breakfast

-coffee with cocoa powder

-bread and brie

lunch

-water

-spinach, red bean and barley soup

snack

-pretzels with low fat veg dip

-diet ginger ale

dinner

-spinach salad with tofu, hummus, raspberry balsamic vinegar and honey mustard dressing

dessert

-4 Lindt chocolates

Okay, so I think I'll also add herbal tea and penaut butter and fruit spread on crackers

1/28/10 report

2010-01-28T00:06:00.002-05:00

REPORT

Finished clearing out my old bedroom, which Mom had turned into a storage room after I moved out. So much weeding through of everyone in the family's artifacts. As usual, I went crazy with the smoothie making while in Weymouth. Mom had this Ghiradelli hot chocolate powder that had really good ingredients. So, I added that to my smoothies in small portions. Very yummy.

MEALS

breakfast

-coffee with soy milk and honey

-blueberry banana chocolate smoothie

snack

-almonds

lunch

-blueberry banana chocolate smoothie

-1/2 tomato mozzarella basil and red pepper sandwich on scali roll

dinner

-herbal tea

-ranchero egg sandwich wrap (from SBux)

-black beans and rice

snack

-buttermilk bleu cheese & whole wheat crackers

-wine

PYRAMID

grain: roll, wrap, whole wheat crackers, brown rice

veg: red pepper, tomato, basil

legume: black bean (2 srv)

dairy: soy milk (4 srv), bleu cheese, mozzarella

fruit: banana, blueberry (2 srv)

nut/seed: almonds

other: coffee, water, honey, tea, eggs, hot sauce, spices, 1 tsp choc

bad: 2nd tsp semi sweet hot choc

activity: cleaning, work

x-out: finally cleaning for Mom

reading: Persuasion

writ: journal

HFCS: none

VSM: none

sleep: 8.5

1/19/10 REPORT

2010-01-20T14:23:00.002-05:00

REPORT

Busy day with the special election and work. I accidentally went to work an hour early Oopsie. Better an hour early than an hour late. I made lentils the night before and they came out really nice. I was also thinking about all the down-and-out looking peeps who come through the store and how i fear looking or smelling like them someday. I'm remembering, too, how beautiful my skin was all spring, when I wasn't drinking. So, I'm going to peg myself to two or three maximum nights a week for having anything to drink in the drink drink way. It will also be good for my wallet!

MEALS

breakfast:

-coffee

-water

-lentils and brown rice (they smelled too good not to try right away!)

snack:

-granola bar

-water

lunch:

-mint tea

-egg salad on multigrain

-banana

snack

-Hershey's kisses

dinner:

-milk thistle tea

-water

-spinach and mushroom lasagna

PYRAMID

grain: brown rice, bread, granola, lasagna

veg: lasagna sauce, mushroom, spinach, tomato base for lentils, lettuce

fruit: banana

legume: lentil

dairy: soy milk, lasagna cheese

nut/seed: almonds in granola bar

other: coffee, water, tea, egg

bad: chocolate

corn syrup: some in granola bar

activity: 2 mi walk approx

x-out: just the immediate things

VSM: all I had, but out of B complex

rdg: Cultural Affairs in Boston, one of my favorite books of poetry

writ: not a lot, have to catch up on the revising

sleep: 8 hours

Spicy Lentils and Brown Rice Recipe

2010-01-20T14:22:00.001-05:00

Recipe: Spicy Lentils and Brown Rice - wicked easy!

1/2 c dry lentils
1/4 c dry brown rice
1 small can of tomato sauce
2 1/2 c of water
1/2 small onion, minced
1 heaping tsp cumin
2 bay leaves
sprinkle of Tobasco sauce
1 tbs soy suace
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
sprinkle of garlic

Put all ingredients in a med sauce pan, stir and cover. Bring to a rolling boil for a minute or so, stir and simmer until lentils and rice are tender, about 40 minutes.

High Fructose Corn Syrup Is Poison

2010-01-17T02:28:00.003-05:00

High Fructose Corn Syrup: "It's toasted"

I have a completely unproven theory based on anecdotal evidence. It seems to me that people of my generation are all hooked on antacids, man. Hooked, I tell yah. And why? Because we were brought up on processed food.

My typical diet growing up was like this:

Breakfast: Frosted Flakes* and 2% milk/ Peaches and Cream Instant Oatmeal*/ Cracklin Oatbran* & 2% milk, apple juice
Recess: Quaker granola bar with chocolate chips*/Doritoes*/Fruit Roll Up*/Gummi Fruit*
Lunch: Skippy peanut butter* on white bread* or Portuguese muffin, partially eaten apple, Oreo cookies*
Snack: cookies*/ chips/ cheddar cheese & Ritz crackers*, milk
Dinner: rice pilaf, chicken, peas, milk
Dessert: ice cream*

*denotes a food containing corn syrup or High Fructose Corn Syrup - about 14 listed here...

While parts of it were good (dinner particularly) a lot of things had corn syrup or High Fructose Corn Syrup (granola bar, peanut butter, cereal, instant oatmeal, fruit roll up, white bread).

But what's the big deal, right? You've see those commercials---

Oh ho ho ho ho! And there it is RIGHT NOW! That disgustingly deceiving commercial that gets my goat: the promotional ad for corn syrup being okay. (Serendipitous!)

The woman who doesn't like corn syrup can't think of a thing to say about why she doesn't like it to the woman who blithely feeds it to her kids and says, "It's made from corn, has the same nutritional value as sugar and is fine in moderation."

Gross.

#1 As Michael Pollan noted the other day on The Daily Show, the cocoa leaf is just fine to chew on but boiled down to it's barest part as CRACK, you're body's like "Uh, WTF?" The SAME EXACT concept applies with corn syrup. It's all one thing with no complexity to it. Such a highly processed thing is something your body doesn't know what to do with. (Hence our crappy guts).

#2 Why is it a good thing that something has the same nutritional value as sugar? Sugar is a bunch of empty calories. Why would it mean that corn syrup wasn't bad because it's just as bad as sugar? (Except it's worse than sugar because sugar's a teeny bit more complex and therefore your body has a teeny bit easier time breaking it down, but not by much.)

#3 Corn syrup in moderation is a very difficult thing, especially if you're going to be pouring cups of corn syrup sweetened bright blue liquid for your children from a gallon jug. That one Solo cup's worth is about all anyone should ever have in a month's time. But then you start looking and find that this crap called corn syrup is unbelievably ubiquitous. Pick up your inexpensive loaf of store bought bread. Read the package label. Corn syrup, three or four ingredients in. Look at your yogurt, your fat free dressing, your diet drink. Corn syrup corn syrup corn syrup. If your kid had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, he's probably already had his fair share of "moderate corn syrup" intake. He certainly has way too much if you add candy, ice cream, snack chips, and bright blue liquid drink.

Then you have to ask yourself, "Why does the High Fructose Corn Syrup industry feel the need to even air these misleading commercials?" And all I can think of is that episode of "Mad Men" when Lucky Strike comes in because they're worried about the recent (from the 60s) health warnings about smoking. Don Draper comes up with an (evil) genius creative campaign to successfully distract the potential customer from the fact that cigarettes are bad for you. "It's toasted." They say about the Luck Strike tobacco, as if that makes it special.

I'm going out a limb, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense to me: given time, after seeing the effects of what this product is doing to our bodies, I wouldn't be surprised is High Fructose Corn Syrup went the way of tobacco: a banned or highly frowned upon substance that has remarkably terrible effects on our bodies that we get sort of hooked on and take a long time to stop consuming; almost as much time as it takes to work off those empty calories.

1/16/10 Report

2010-01-17T01:47:00.004-05:00

REPORT

Busy day! A baby shower, the American Library Association Conference and pizza and a movie with some of the WeyGirls. I think I did fairly well. I was chatting with the girls about the junk we eat and what's good and what's bad and have decided to keep track of a new thing: corn syrup. See the next entry for what I'm talking about.

MEALS

breakfast:

-1/2 corn muffin

-coffee with spices, honey and milk

lunch:

-cheese sandwich with mustard on bakery roll

-salad with cukes, tomatoes, celery and romaine and 1/2 tbs ranch dressing

-1/4 c. potato salad

-1/4 c. pasta salad

snack:

-berry 100% juice box

dinner:

-3 slices cheese pizza

-10 peanut M&Ms

-2 glasses of wine

-2 bottles of water

PYRAMID

grain: pizza dough, roll, potato, pasta

veg: lettuce, peppers, olives, carrots, tomatoes, tomato sauce, celery

dairy: cheese, 1 tbs veggie dip

legume: none

fruit: banana, berry juice box

nut seed: none

other: coffee, honey, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, wine, water, vinegar & oil

bad: M&Ms, the bad stuff from the pizza (grease etc), mayo

corn syrup: M&Ms

activity: tons of walking, probably 3 miles

rdg: um, the ALA midwinter conference covers me for reading for the whole weekend!

writ: lots of editing and revising this weekend

VSM; none

sleep: 8 hours

x-out: tons, busy day

1/7/10 Report

2010-01-08T13:37:00.003-05:00

REPORT

I didn't seize enough of what this day off from work should have afforded me. Ah well. Coulda shoulda woulda.

MEALS

breakfast:

-coffee with soy milk

lunch:

-water

-mixed nuts

dinner:

-cup of salmon and potato chowder

-dinner roll with ha'f pat of butter

-broiled scallops with crab meat stuffing

-mixed veg of green bean, broccoli, carrot, cauliflower

-baked potato with sour cream and a teeny bit of butter

-water

-Coke

dessert:

-Hoegarden

-half slice of carrot cake

-water

-oat straw tea

We had a gift certificate for a the Corrib Pub, so we used it.

PYRAMID

grain: potato, roll

veg: broccoli, carrot, cauliflower, green beans

fruit: none

legume: none

dairy: chowder, sour cream, soy milk

nut: 2 srv mixed

other: coffee, water, salmon (1/2 srv), scallops, crab (1/2 srv), tea, beer

bad: soda, cake, butter

activity: 1/2 mi walk (need to join gym--too cold for reg walks!)

x-out: a bunch of the little things, none of the big things

rdg: king Arthur

wrt: blogs

VSM: all

sleep: 8 hours

Wed 1/6/10 Report

2010-01-07T23:21:00.002-05:00

REPORT

Just a day like any other day. Work and whatnot...

MEALS

breakfast

-coffee with soy milk

-toast with plain peanut butter

lunch

-lentils with barley

-water

snack

-mixed nuts

-water

dinner

-Starbuck Proteion Plate: 1/2 boil egg, 2 cuts of cheddar cheese, 1/2 apple, 1 tbs plain peanut butter, mini whole wheat bagel, 10 grapes

-hot chocolate with soy milk

snack

-3 beers

-parmesan triscuits and fresh parmesan cheese

-apple

-M&M (but not tons...)

PYRAMID

grain: barley, bagel, toast, triscuits

veg: carrots, onion, celery, tomato

fruit: apple (2), grape

legume: peanut butter (2), lentil (3), white beans

dairy: cheddar, parmesan, soy milk

nut: mixed nuts (2)

other: coffee, water, beer #1, herbs & spices

bad: beer 2 & 3, hot chocolate, M&Ms

VSM: yes

activity: work, about 3/4 mi walk

x-out: not enough

writ: a little

rdg: a little

TV/comp: a lot

Michael Pollan is on my radar

2010-01-05T02:29:00.004-05:00

The other day at work, a co-worker lent me the book "The Omnivores Dilemma" by Michael Pollan after learning that I was a vegetarian. She was interested in my diet but also skeptical that is was fully healthy enough.

Side Note: Since I've been a vegetarian (with occasional pescitarianism) for almost nineteen years now (HOLY COW!), I'd say I'm fine. As a matter of fact, the times when my stomach gives me these terrible little flare ups is when I'm either 1) stressed, or 2) eating very bad food. I feel better by eating mostly raw and vegan until I feel better.

And now, Michael Pollan is on the Daily Show talking about his new book "Food Rules: An Eater's Manual". UPDATE: video now available: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-january-4-2010/michael-pollan

The video for that isn't available yet, but his interview with Stephen Colbert from June is, so I'll post that. Here he is promoting "In Defense of Food":

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Michael Pollan

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

Economy

I read this interview from the Toronto Star, which was also informative:

http://www.thestar.com/living/food/article/743865--michael-pollan-offers-64-rules-for-eating-well

Happy New Year! 1/4/10 Report

2010-01-05T01:59:00.002-05:00

Back on the healthy eating wagon!

REPORT

I'm making a point to watch less TV and read more and play less on the internets, too. I did that today and a little bit of shoveling, along with some tidying up and other tasks.

MEALS

breakfast:

-whole wheat toast and plain peanut butter

-coffee with soy milk and honey

lunch:

-low salt triscuits with cheese

-water

snack:

-one mini reeses peanut butter cup

dinner:

-whole grain spaghetti with homemade cheesy marinara sauce

-glass of chianti

PYRAMID

grain: two whole wheat pieces of toast, whole grain spaghetti

veg: marinara (tomato, parsley, onion)

fruit: none

legume: peanut butter

dairy: gouda, bleu, goat, soy milk, mozzarella, parmesan

other: coffee, water, honey, herbs, wine

bad: mini Reeses cup

x-out: a bunch

sleep: 8 hours

activity: shoveling

wrt: journal, blogs, poems

rdg: The Long Good Bye

VSM: all

computer: intermittent & had pandora radio on continuously

No More Excuses

2010-01-05T01:56:00.002-05:00

Ha ha ha. So the holidays are over and I can no longer just put all manner of food and drink into my mouth and laugh and say, "It's sweater season!" I can't button some pants and this makes getting dressed far more difficult than it should be.

I would like to list the things that I did not eat in the last few days:

-Hershey's Kisses

-spicy fries

-another glass of wine with dinner

-the rest of the Pringles

-the mysterious M&M's that appeared in the kitchen

Isn't that good of me? Full report on today's doing in the next post...

12/18 Report

2009-12-19T00:17:00.002-05:00

REPORT
I must remember how not difficult it is to walk in the freezing cold so long as you're well bundled in layers. I got about 3+ miles in today. I also made some corn chowder and some stove top oatmeal. (Corn chowder recipe in previous post...)

MEALS
breakfast:
1 c. cooked oatmeal with 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp shredded coconut & 1 tbs milk
coffee with soy milk and honey

lunch:
tomato and spinach egg white wrap
African Red herbal tea

snack:
cashews
water
6 spicy fries

dinner:
kahn chowdah
slice a cheese pizza
ginger beer from Hahhhhhhpoooonn

PYRAMID
grain: potato, pizza dough, oatmeal, wheat wrap
veggie: corn, tomato, spinach, parsley as veg
dairy: chowdah, milk, soy milk, cheese (2)
fruit: coconut
legume: none today
nut: cashews
other: honey (2), dill weed, coffee, tea, ginger beer, tabasco
bad: 6 spicy fries AND THAT'S IT (unlike yesterday's TWO sugar cookies and one brownie bite)
TV: 1 hour of PBS so far...
Sleep: 8 hours
Computer: 2 hours
Rdg: none
Writing: blog only
VSM: all
x-out: TONS!!
activity: errands, walking, chores, 7 hours wk

Kahn Chowdah Recipe - AKA Corn Chowder Recipe

2009-12-19T00:12:00.002-05:00

Recipe: "Kahn Chowdah", which is merely Corn Chowder made in New England

Yeah, this is super simple, half fresh, half not corn chowder recipe.

1 qt water
1 boullion cube (or you can have a quart of broth and skip water and boullion)
1 qt milk
1 bunch fresh parsley (chopped makes about 2 heaping tbs)
1 can of whole corn
1 chopped med onion
1 diced large potato (make them approx. 1/2 in squares so they cook faster)
1 heaping tsp dill weed
sprinkle of paprika & hot sauce
salt & pepper

In a large pot, add everything except the milk. Stir well and bring to a boil. Turn to med high heat and simmer about 10 minutes. Turn heat to med low. Stir again and let sit for about 5 minutes then add the milk. Stir and simmer 20-30 until potatoes are tender. Serve & enjoy.

Possible garnishes: fake bacon, real bacon, smoked paprika, shredded sharp cheddar, hot sauce
http://www.uri.edu/artsci/lsc/Prospective/admissions_pro.html

Super Simple, Semi-homemade Meditteranean Pasta Recipe

2009-12-06T21:38:00.003-05:00

Recipe: Super Simple, Semi homemade Meditteranean Pasta

-1/2 various delcious acoutrements from your local grocery store's olive bar--being sure to gather as much of the oil, brine and/or marinade with the stuff, roughly chopped
-handful of your favorite fresh herbs
-1/2 box whole grain pasta

Cook pasta as directed. Drain and set aside. In cooking pot, add olive bad and herb ingredients and stir. Turn on very low heat. Add pasta. Toss. Heat for a minute or so. Serve.

Musroom and Sundried Tomato "Cheating Risotto" Recipe

2009-12-05T12:14:00.002-05:00

Recipe: Mushroom and Sundried Tomato Mock Risotto

1 packet of brown boil-in-bag rice leaving four minutes off the instructed cooking time
1/2 c. Mushroom Gravy
1 heaping tbs Dried Tomato from Tastefully Simple -or- 1/4 c. marinated sun-dried tomato, like from Pastene
1/4-1/2 c. broth or water
salt and pepper to taste

After rice is boiled separately, add almost cooked rice, mushroom gravy and sundried tomatoes to skillet plus tbs of water/broth. Stir and simmer about 5 mins, stirring occasionally. If rice is absorbing too much moisture (perhaps sticking to the bottom of the pan), just add some more water/broth in tbs until at satisfactorily moist. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve and enjoy.

12/4 Report

2009-12-05T11:46:00.002-05:00

REPORT
Woke up at 803, had to be at work at 8. OOPSY! Got there in 7 minutes because I dressed, used the facilities, brushed teeth, gathered hair in bun and gathered my pre-packed bag 9thank goodness for small favors) and walked around the corner to work. Only problem is a I DID IT AGAIN this AM. Two of my alarms were muted, one I must have ignored and the other I set wrong. Dumb dumb dumb. Yesterday was a nice day anyway. Rene and I started the holiday decorations, got dressed up for no good reason and split some fancy drinks then watched Elf. Work went by fast and I did some errands and made a really healthy dinner after.

MEALS
breakfast:
-Kashi coconut almond bar
-SBux with honey and soy milk

lunch:
-water
-2 slices Pleasnt Cafe pizza

dinner:
-spicy lentils
-carrots with dill weed
-brown rice with mushroom and sundried tomato
-1/2 glass red wine

snack:
-1 1/2 shrimpcake with chipotle ranch dressing
-homemade corn chips with fresh spinachand artichoke dip
-kalamata dirty martini with 3 gorgonzola stuffed kalamatas
-1/2 pineapple vodka single on ice
-1/2 Glenlivet
-2 Alhambra Hot Chocos

PYRAMID
grain: brown rice, pizza crust, granola, corn chips
veg: artichoke, spinach, carrot, tomato sauce, olive, mushrooms
fruit: dates, coconut
legume: lentil (2)
dairy: soy milk, cheese, gorgonzola, mixed cheese
nut/seed: sesame seeds
other: coffee, honey, herbs, evoo, chocolate, wine, water
bad: hot choco, 1 nip baileys, 1/2 nip vodka, 1/2 nip scotch, 1 martini
activity: work, 1.5 miles, errands, chores
x-out: nothing major but some small stuff
TV: Elf, Celtics in the background while decorating - about 2 hours
Comp: 1 hour
Sleep: 6 hours
VSM: just prilosec
rdg: Poetry Project newsletter!
writ: none

12/3 Report

2009-12-04T00:45:00.002-05:00

REPORT
Wednesday was a real blah feeling of a day. I turned things around by the evening by psyching myself up using cosmetics. Seriously. I've found that sometimes when I'm feeling "meh", putting on some pretty clothes and doing nice hair and make up really turns my mood around. as far as eating a exercising though, it wasn't a good day. Today, however, I seized the gorgeous recording breaking (slightly scary ina global warming sense) weather. I ate mostly well -- mostly. And I did quite a bit of stuff.

MEALS
breakfast:
-tea
-water
-mixed nuts w/ peanuts

lunch:
-swordfish kabob
-peas
-potatoes
-tea
-water
-1/2 slice of flour chocolate mousse cake (SINFUL!!!)

snack:
-crackers and tahini
-mixed nuts w/ peanuts
-tea
-water
-1 mini Reeses cup
-homemade applesauce

dinner:
-2 meatless cheeseburgers from McDs
-1 sml fry
-side salad with 1 & 1/2 tsp of balmsamic vinaigrette
-Blue Hill IPA
-water

PYRAMID
veg: peppers, onion, lettuce, tomato
grain: potato, crackers
legume: peas, peanuts
fruit: applesauce (2)
dairy: sour cream
nut/seed: tahini, almonds, cashews, brazil nuts, hazelnuts
other: swordfish, tea (1 pot), water (3), beer (1)
bad: 2 meatless cheeseburgers, small fry, flourless chocolate cake [lotsa bad things]
activity: cleaning, walking, working
reading: The Long Goodbye, Glamour, chapbook
writing: journal, blogging
VSM: all, finally!
x-out: little bit
sleep: 8 hours
TV: 2 hours
internet: 2 @ home; all work shift (obv)

Tomorrow's a full work day and then we're supposed to decorate the house for Christmas. Yay! I would like to work on some more activity and some more x-ing out and way less bad foods!

Vegetarian Gravy Recipe

2009-12-04T00:40:00.002-05:00

Recipe: Vegetarian Mushroom Gravy

Just in time for the holidays! I posted this on Facebook before thanksgiving but forgot to post it here. However, it's just the beginning of the holiday season, so I'm sure gravy recipes will come in handy!

This is my 17th Thanksgiving being a vegetarian! I thought I would share my gravy recipe for my fellow veggies out there. Non-veggies like it too!

Mushroom Vegetarian Gravy

1/2 cup finely chopped baby portabella mushrooms
1 minced garlic clove
1 veggie boullion cube, mushed up
1/2 tbs butter (vegetable oil if you're vegan)
1 tbs evoo
2 tbs flour
2 c. water (preferably the drained water from the carrots or squash that you boiled as part of the meal prep, for added flavor)
1/2 tsp gravy master
1/4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp parsley
salt and pepper to taste

Add butter and evoo to sauce pan. Heat pan to med high heat. As butter begins to melt and get hot, add garlic and mushrooms. Stir. After oil, butter, garlic and mushrooms are well incorporated, add mushed up boullion cube. Stir often until mushrooms begin to tender. Sprinkle flour over mixture, slowly, constantly stirring. Add 3/4 cup of water and spices & gravy master. Stir well. Bring to a boil, stirring often. Once gravy begins to bubble, reduce heat. When settled, check for consistency.

If too thick - increase heat, add more water (eyeball it), bring to a boil then simmer over low heat. Note that gravy will thicken upon standing.

If too thin - in a small jar with lid, mix 1 tbs flour, 1/4 c boiling water. Slowly pour in starchy water into gravy mixture, mixing well. Bring to boil then simmer over low heat.

Serve while hot for best taste and consistency.

Note: The trick with a good vegetarian gravy is that you have to find a way to simulate the "pan drippings" start of a standard gravy. This comes from a mix of hearty flavors - in this case portabello mushrooms, vegetable boullion cube and garlic - and some sort of fat - in this case, part butter, part evoo. This gravy recipe isn't "smooth" like a standard gravy because its base consists of chopped mushrooms. However, if chopped finely, and once thoroughly cooked, the "lumps" aren't too bad and the gravy adds great flavor to your dinner. It's also a little less fatty.

Substitutions/ variations: If you're not a fan of mushroom, other hearty flavored veggies will also work, like shallots, onion, carrot (though this is far more mild), or just plain garlic. You can also add red or white wine or a good, hearty microbrew beer to the beginning veggie sauteeing stage. Wait until the alcohol has burned off before adding the flour, water, etc.

And this is the end to the gravy lessons learned over 17 years of vegetarian holiday feasting.

12/1/09 Report

2009-12-02T01:05:00.002-05:00

Let's see...

REPORT
Short walks and work probably got me up to a mile and a half of walking if not more. But I did have fries and soda today at Real Deal. How can one say no to fountain soda? Honestly! And spicy curly fries? Seriously!

MEALS
breakfast:
-brie cheese, bleu cheese & reduced fat triscuits
-olives
-water

lunch:
-curly fries
-Dr Pepper
-Coke
-half black bean burger with mustard, avacado, cheddar, pickles, lettuce and tomato on fresh sourdough bun

snack:
-decaf coffee with peppermint flavor and soy milk
-water
-mixed nuts
-mango smoothie

dinner:
-other half of burger
-leftover stuffing with mushroom gravy
-water
-Harpoon IPA

PYRAMID
grain: bun (2), stuffing (1), crackers (1), veg burger
veg: olives, lettuce, tomato, veg burger, mushroom, celery & carrot, avacado
fruit: mango smoothie
dairy: brie, bleu, soy, cheddar
legume: soysages, black beans, peanuts
nuts: mixed
other: water (3), coffee (decaf), beer (1), mustard, gravy is essentially good - see recipe
bad: Coke, Dr Pepper, fries, ketchup
activity: walking, working and others
R&W: The Long Goodbye - several chapts, some journaling
sleep: 7 hours
TV: 3 hours
internet: 3 hours
VSM: forgot them for the last three days except the Prilosec; gotta get back on that!
x-out: none

Thanksgiving 09 Report

2009-11-28T08:33:00.003-05:00

Alrighty, how'd I do on the big day of gorging onself?

BREAKFAST
-light egg nog and coffee
-1 eggs scramble with garlic, musrooms and shredded parmesan cheese
-1/2 portugese muffin
-1 slice olive loaf bread
-water

DINNER
-1 shrimp cocktail
-5 mediterranean stuffed mushroom
-four crackers with dip
-Hop Devil beer
-Coca Cola
-mashed potatoes
-vegetarian Italian stuffing
-squash
-corn
-broccoli caserole
-sweet potato
-cranberry
-pearl onion in white sauce
-green bean caserole (you know the one)
-spinach salad with walnuts, cranberry and goat cheese
-mushroom gravy
-Black Chocolate Stout (1/2)
-water
-2 mint chocolate brownies
-checkered chocolate and vanilla Thanksgiving cake
-Hop Devil
-water
-2 more mint brownies

I also took a mile walk after the first round of dinner and went kite flying with my little cousins and my sister. That helped me digest and make room for the second half of that long dinner list. I accidentally won at the Disney Princess game on DVD, beating Meghan. But Gracie was sort of like a Red Sox fan cheering for the Yank's opponent, "Yay! Meghan didn't win!" So at least there's that.

Sunday is another little dinner with more of the same! Ah, the holidays.

11/17 Report

2009-11-18T01:59:00.002-05:00

REPORT

Stomach's been bad, but I've also gotten off the vitamin, supplement and acid reducer routine, so that might be the trouble. Also, I think I was missing out on veg and fruits lately, too. Got back to it today. It's funny how straying will get me back to miserable, uncomfortable April-type feeling. Gotta remember to stick to things, no matter how busy I am!

MEALS

breakfast:

-earl grey green tea, one pot

-water

-apple sauce

-3 slices of French bread with tahini spread

snack:

-mixed nuts

-1 pc dark chocolate

-3 mini reeses

-1 small packet of raisins

lunch:

-olives

-artichoke heart

-stuffed grape leaf

-chocolate protein from Odawalla

-weak weak weak earl grey tea (reused bag to make one more cup)

-water

dinner:

-6 or so baby carrots

-arugula salad with tomato, bleu cheese and rosemary balsamic vinaigrette

-vanilla herbal tea

snack:

-Baileys Hot Chocolate with Soy Milk

PYRAMID

grain: 3 french bread slices, rice in stuff grape leaf

veg: carrots, arugula (2 srv), olives, artichokes, grape leaf

fruit: raisins, apple sauce (homemade & delicious!), smoothie

dairy: soy milk (2 srv), bleu cheese

legume: protein smoothie, peanuts

nut/seed: tahini, mixed nuts

other: tea (6), water, oil, balsamic vinegar, dark chocolate piece

bad: Baileys, mini-Reeses (3)

VSM: multivitamin, psyllium (1), ginkgo biloba, B-complex, Pepcid

x-out: no

activity: 2+ miles walking

R&W: yes, lots!

sleep: 8 hours

Sam Adams Cream Stout - Adventures in Beer

2009-11-12T23:50:00.001-05:00

Sam Adams Cream Stout - First, I would like to mention that Sam Adams Imperial Stout is one of my most favorite beers, period. That being said, their cream stout is merely just fine. I don't dislike it but it's nothing special. No fun notes on the tongue, nothing dazzling or strong, but nothing bad either. I won't be purchasing it again, but I don't mind having four more to drink in the fridge, you know what I mean?

My Friend Tigh Emceeing Sam Adams Octoberfest 2009

Coffee House Porter - Adventures in Beer

2009-11-11T02:56:00.001-05:00

Coffeehouse Porter, Berkshire Brewing Company - whoopsy! Be careful when you drink this as I believe it has some real caffeine in it and all that. It tasted delicious, even if it did keep me up late. This was for the better, though, since Season 3 of Dexter expired On Demand yesterday, so I was able to catch the last three episodes before they disappeared to DVD land.

This porter has a thick, sweet taste. It's toasty, as well.

(Note the entry's time stamp. I'm up late tonight because the non-drowsiness of Advil Cold and Sinus is just as effective as the decongestant for me. But I took it anyway, since I didn't want to have a headache throughout my shift at work.)

http://www.berkshirebrewingcompany.com/coffee.html

11/8 Report

2009-11-09T01:35:00.002-05:00

REPORT
Got roped into working instead of going to little 7 year old cousin's bday party, as planned. Bummer. Met Mom and Chris for dinner at West.

MEALS
breakfast:
-kashi mocha almond bar
-coffee with pumpkin syrup and soy milk

lunch:
-mashed potatoes
-cream spinach
-veggie egg roll
-water

dinner:
-butternut and cider bisque
-1/4 plate pumpkin ravioli with sage cream sauce
-beet salad with mixed greens, candied walnuts, and goat cheese
-slightly dirty gin martini and two olives

snack:
-4 mini peanut butter cups
-1 Black Chocolate Stout from Brooklyn Brewery
-tomato and parmesan (4)
-gouda and crackers (4)

PYRAMID
grain: granola, mashed potato, pasta, crackers
veg: pumpkin, beet, squash, greens, spinach, cabbage, olive
dairy: gouda, goat cheese, parmesan, soy milk
legume: none
fruit: none
nut/seed: almond, pine nuts
other: coffee, water (2), sage, bite of salmon burger
bad: egg roll, pumpkin syrup, gin, beer, reeses
xout: none
writing: blogs
reading: Long Goodbye
activity: 6 hours work, 2/3 mi
sleep: seven hours

I'm still up! I need to go to bed. I want 8 hours of sleep for at least one night...

Adventures in Beer - a new series

2009-11-09T01:16:00.001-05:00

Beer is the new wine. That is, as complex and fun and different as wines tastes, and sophisticated, so does beer, nowadays.

So, here's a running list of my adventures in beer:

right now: Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout - even though "chocolate" is in the description, it's not sweet at all. It has the same mouth feel as very dark semi sweet chocolate. http://www.brooklynbrewery.com/beer/ Click on the Black Chocolate Stout

last week: Arrogant Bastard Ale - hard, hoppy, tangy and fun. Their label reads like Dr Bronner's soap label, all manifest-y and whatnot, and it's an arrogant manifesto, too, with a little dig, I believe, at my beloved Sam Adams. It reminds me of the poetry in-fighing, to be honest. And I just want to say, Stone Brewing Company, that there's plenty of room under the beer umbrella for us all. I know. I see the consumers almost daily.
http://www.arrogantbastard.com/faq/index.html

before that: Harpoon Leviathan IPA - definitely has that strong hoppy jowl-spot hit but then also a sweetness that some may or may not like

before that: Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA - yup, good. And goes down easy. And then you're like, "Whoo!" and you didn't realize it was as potent as it was. http://www.bearrepublic.com/ourbeers.php

before that: Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout - it being colder and all, stouts are selling like crazy. This is hearty hearty hearty. http://www.merchantduvin.com/pages/5_breweries/samsmith_oatmeal_stout.html

There's more, but we'll stop here. Look for more updates.

Coming back more often, I think

2009-11-09T00:52:00.001-05:00

Hello! I've been focusing on other blogs, journals and creative writing so I haven't posted as frequently here. But I think I feel like going back to it. See you in the next post!