Small but Steady: A Transformative Theory

Please excuse the brevity of today's post, I am taking a graduate exam tomorrow morning and I am pressed for time, but, as promised, I will not neglect my dear blog readers! The main thrust of my posting today is inspired by my own (so far seven-day-long) sojourn to a healthier, better version of the me I was in 2010 and the speed bumps I am already experiencing along the way. (Stupidly) I have been weighing myself each morning and was more than a little shocked to discover that I have steadily gained back the 2 pounds I had lost over the course of the past few days. But alas! I resolve to never wade in the mental muck of numbers and instead trudge on towards my 2011 resolution, knowing that my present weight is not a reflection of poor choices but rather of a sloooooow process that I need to be patient with. Trust me, I am doing all I can, eating superbly (if I do say so myself,) and exercising regularly and with full vigor, so I know that I will get there and am doing all I possibly can, just as assuredly as I know that YOU will get there too, you just need the ability to ride out the minor setbacks with calm and cool and the endurance to last you until 2012, when you will be so happy that the changes you set out to conquer--a year-long in the making--are finally, brilliantly, spectacularly realized. I guess this is my little pump-up post to say that I believe I can do it, but more importantly I believe you can do it, so let's get this done together and make 2011 the year of transformation, positive resolution and personal growth.

Okie. And so ends my little inspirational rant. I promise, after tomorrow, back to good recipes and great food!

Xo

As an additional note: Perhaps it is because I am currently studying for a test in which my writing abilities and grammatical know-how will be vigorously tested, but reading the egregious errors in syntax, grammar and word choice committed by some bloggers makes me feel very sad for the future trajectory of the english language. Now don't get me wrong, most blogs I read, (and every blog I follow) are well written and full of lively figurative language, but every once in a while I come across a blog, (and usually a popular blog,) that is so satiated with errors it is almost painful to read. Is it too pretentious of me to hope that blogs become a sphere for creative self-expression, personal knowledge distribution and the striking up of unseemly but productive blogging accords and not the cyber location wherein traditional structure, style and usage of the english language go to die? No? Yes? Oh I've gone too far haven't I. Scratch that last bit! Carry on blogging buddies, carry on....

Myth No More: Foods that Taste Good and are Good For You

Woody Allen once said, "in order to live a long life, you have to give up everything that wants to make you live a long life."

Today, in this what-will-surely-be-a-supremely-epic blog posting, we will debunk this myth with ten foods that are not only healthy but also taste delicious with the right preparation. Of course there are more than ten, but I leave that to you, my faithful reader, to add in the comments section those foods which both delight your palate and your body which have been so gravely omitted from my humble list below...

My List:

1. Sweet Potato - made into fries, boiled, roasted, there really is no wrong way to cook a simple sweet potato (most preparations require nothing more than washing off the skin.) It can be eaten as a snack, as an appetizer, or even used as a crust on fish... however you devour it, there is no doubt that this potato is well... sweet!

2. Mr. Avocado (Robato?) - ok, ok so this one is controversial but seriously, avocado is delicious! I love that you peel the thick skin off a ripe Haas avocado and eat it without having to add a thing and it will be a filling, healthy snack. Yes it's fatty, but it's the good kind of fat (not the Krispy Kreme donut kind...) that enriches your muscles and contributes to your overall health....

3. Greek Yogurt - fine, I'll admit it, this one may take a leeeetle bit of tweaking to be edible, (unless you love all things sour, then by all means, enjoy plain!) but with a splash of honey, maple syrup or cinnamon, this creamy, soft yogurt deliciousness becomes a delicious treat that can double as either a snack or a meal! (Also, makes for great post-hangover eats, and that one I can tell you from first hand experience...)

4. Balsamic Vinegar - again, requires a bit of help to reach full yum-potential but there is nothing quite as luscious as pouring a cup of balsamic vinegar in a pot, adding a dash of cane sugar or honey, (and just a dash is okay folks!) and letting the brown liquid reduce to syrupy goodness... a perfect topping to those boring vegetables that without its sweet, sweet assistance would arguably only serve to reinforce Woody Allen's original idea...

5. Fresh Basil - there is nothing quite like the smell of fresh basil. Chopped, whole with a juicy red tomato, or made into pesto (try my own pesto recipe here: http://oeats.blogspot.com/2010/07/not-so-pesky-pesto-recipe.html ) it is undeniably one green that is neither gross nor gruesome.

6. Whole Wheats - Honestly, have you ever tried fresh bread baked from whole grains and wheats? Do it and you'll never want that bland white stuff ever again... (to me, white bread is the Voldemort of complex carbohydrates, that-which-will-not-be-named on this blog!)

7. Dark, Dark Chocolate (I'm talking 75% and over here people....) Yes, it's fatty, yes it's one of the evils of the food world for any and all trying to diet or maintain their weight, but a small piece of dark chocolate is choc-full (ha! I make a funny!) of anti-oxidants and a satisfying, complex snack or ending to any meal. Once you start eating it, tasting the entwining of cocoa and sugars on your tongue, understanding the love and care that went into the harvesting and molding of the deep, rich chocolate and you'll never want a plain old Milky Way or all-too-sugary Kit Kat bar again...

8. Medjool Dates - These things are like nature's answer to taffy. Intensely sweet, gooey, chewy and still technically in a discernible food group, (try classifying that Big Mac and you know what I mean...) medjool dates are truly a not-so-guilty guilty pleasure for all to enjoy.

9. Fresh Mangos- Bite into a fresh mango and tell me you'd rather eat a sugar-loaded piece of cake instead... I dare ya....

10. Butternut Squash - roasted, toasted... boasted? However you cook it, (and may I humbly suggest as a butternut squash soup a la my recipe found here: http://oeats.blogspot.com/2010/09/butternut-squash-soup-recipe-welcome-to.html ) it almost tastes like something you shouldn't eat. It's sweet--decadently so even--and has a comforting, smooth texture that makes for a great snack or addition to any meal. Delish I tell ya, simply delish!

Now of course you could also make a top ten list that goes something like this:

1. Dunkin Donuts (any and all flavors)

2. Butter croissants

3. Dorito Ranch Chips

4. McDonald's French Fries

5. Extra cheese pizza

6. Movie butter popcorn

7. Oozing Chocolate Souffle Cake

8. Chicken Pad Thai

9. Plain bagel with butter or cream cheese

10. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dynamo Ice Cream

But if you attempted to eat all items on this list in a day.... well... I don't want to discuss what would happen, (or be ejected for that matter...) whereas eating everything on the former list would actually be a full day's worth of healthful edibles. And you know what? The freshness and nutrition adds a level of enjoyment to those top ten that the bottom ten lack. Now, looking over that"junk food" list, it seems somehow empty, devoid of natural vivaciousness and life, unappealing even. So tell me, have anything to add??

Xo

In A Rush? Don't Skimp on Nutrition!

Isn't there something oddly creepy about this picture? Who actually enjoys slaving away in a kitchen? Or better question: who has the time? I have to admit, this post was inspired by an episode of "Everyday Italian" where Giada explains how a quick and easy meal is always a better option than anything you can squirt or splatter out of a can. Now, I've been a fan of this philosophy for years, but I think having a celebrity chef articulate it just solidified exactly what my point of view on the issue is. So here's the bottom line: Everyone has those days, heck some people have them every day, when you just don't have time to get anything done, (but everyone wants/expects you to be able to do it ALL...yes I'm looking at all you gorgeous working moms and inspiring career people...) and so you open up the can of tuna, splash in some mayo, or take out some soup from the can, add hot water to some Ramen noodles and call it a day. BUT.... have you ever stopped to think that with a well-stocked (but equally cost-effective) pantry, you can use that same time that it took to heat up the soup, (let's say ten minutes,) to whip up a fresh, healthier, significantly less preservatives-ridden meal? Well, stop and think about it now, then!

Here, check this out:

1 frozen pizza might cost you $7? $8 if it's organic? But stocking your pantry with frozen chicken, (often $5.99 for a breast,) or some peppers and mushrooms, (significantly less than $8, even if you buy both,) and using garlic and spices you already should have in any well-equipped kitchen, you have yourself the makings of a delicious, fast meal. Don't believe me? Here, try this recipe and discover for yourself....

A QUICK [insert protein or hearty vegetable here] Dinner!

Ingredients (roughly)

1 protein or hearty vegetable

All purpose flour

Some cold pressed extra virgin olive oil

Garlic cloves

1 shallot or 1 onion (or not if you don't have it... garlic alone will suffice...)

Onion powder

Cayenne pepper (optional)

Salt and Pepper

Chicken or Vegetable Stock (or even leftover consume soup from last night...)

That wine your 3rd cousin gave you that you're not sure what to do with

Directions

1. If you are using a protein: Place some flour in a bowl, add cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, onion powder or whatever spices you have on hand to add flavor to your protein. Dredge protein in this flour mixture.

1. If you are using a protein: skip the flour step.

2. Slice a shallot and chop a few cloves of garlic and add to skillet with olive oil until you smell the garlic-y, shallot-y (yes we're making up words here people, this recipe is THAT cutting edge...) aromatics

3. Place in protein or vegetable and allow to cook on both sides (VERY important if this is a protein,) and then add about 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock and then an equal amount of wine, (make sure that the flame is off when you add the wine or you could have a fire on your hands which is definitely not time or cost saving....)

4. Allow sauce to reduce to 1/3 amount (or until it reaches your desired consistency, this should take about the same amount of time it would take for a canned soup to get hot in a pot...)

5. EAT! Now wasn't that simple and way better than probably-seven-year-old-tomato glop or hard-turned-soft-with-hot-water (gross the more you think about it) noodles? Yep. I though so. Now stop reading this and go cook, you could've had an entire chicken dish prepared by now! (Plus, as an added bonus, don't mention how quick and easy the recipe was to your meal enjoy-ees and you will win serious bonus points for being an all around kitchen superstar.... Ah and wait! Added bonus #2, when the flavors are allowed to blend together overnight, it will taste even more delicious the next day!)

Much love,

Xo

PS As always, your lovely feedback is deeply encouraged :)

Warm Beet and Carrot Salad: A January Snack

This salad is the perfect side dish or main meal to get you through those cold winter nights. Filling, light, diet-friendly and filled with nutrients, I dare you not to try this too-easy-to-be-true recipe!

Ingredients

4 medium-sized Beets - peeled, roasted, cubed

3 carrots - peeled with a carrot peeler then chopped into fine pieces

1 shallot -rough chopped

1/4 cup vinegar

1 lemon

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tsp dried thyme

optional: 2 tablespoons of goat cheese

Directions

1. Place cubed beets and carrot pieces in a bowl, (to make the carrot pieces peel a carrot until there is no carrot left then chop those strips up finely.)

2. In a separate bowl, place shallots and vinegar. Allow to soak 10-15 minutes until shallots turn a rose-pink color. Drain shallots and place in another bowl.

3. In the "shallot bowl," add zest and juice of 1 lemon, 1 tsp dried thyme, salt and pepper to taste, dijon mustard. Strain in 1/4 cup olive oil and whisk until combined.

4. Pour this sauce over beets and carrots and place in warm oven or microwave until warmed, (unless beets are still warm from oven then obviously this step is extemporaneous.)

5 OPTIONAL. Top with goat cheese

Enjoy :)

And that has been your daily serving of Oeats!

Xo

The Diata Data

Inspired by Alton Brown's admission that he lost weight on a "diata" rather than a diet, (diata is Greek for 'way of life,') I have decided to change my own way of living and eating in this brand spankin' new year. So far, three days in and I'm going strong. I've been documenting my daily food intake over at everydayhealth.com (they have a great free registration to track your meals and weight loss progress.) For instance, here is what I logged in for today: (by all means if this bores you scroll down! Scroll down!)

Breakfast:

Butter - 1 piece (36 cals)

3 Eggs (216 cals)

Lunch:

2 cucumbers (24 cals)

2 tomatoes (44 cals)

Split Pea Soup (166 cals)

1 Sour pickle (3 cals)

Snack:

1 glass whole milk (149 cals)

1 Kiwi (46 cals)

Cashew Nuts (157 cals)

Dinner:

1 Sweet potato (86 cals)

Sea Scallops (96 cals)

Exercise:

Walking - light (-98 cals)

Spinning (-490 cals)

Etc. Etc. Somehow the act of knowing you need to write down everything you've eaten discourages the occasional cheat that would turn into the everyday cheat that would turn into the extra pounds I am currently trying to shake off.... highly recommended for anyone on a post-holidays diet plan!

Anyway, no recipe for today, just wanted to check in with all my bloggie buddies and let you know that I am going to be MUCH more active on this thing in 2011. Recipe coming this week, I promise!

Xo

An Oldie, Possibly a Goodie

I found this old blog entry from February 2010 whilst perusing my wordpress accounts. So why not post it? Yes, post it I shall....

Contemplation, Confidence, Careers, and Culinary Catastrophes

The snow was relentless in New York on Tuesday night, and continued to fall from shadowy grey skies well into the late afternoon. It’s been an odd week for me leading up to my birthday on Sunday (nobody cares that it is my birthday so of this event I’ll cease discussion now…) full of heavy contemplation that I will not bore you with at the present time. So much for the first “C” in my unnecessarily alliterative title above.

As for confidence, here is what I have to say: At a party on Friday night, I decided to experiment with my personality. Because of unforeseen circumstances, I haven’t been in the best of moods lately and I decided that on this particular night I would use my acting chops and fake some confidence, just to see if it would provide for a more entertaining night. While vibrantly chatting with the mid-town partygoers, I met someone who, long story short, felt comfortable enough with me to ask if I would like to have dinner with him on Sunday night for Valentines Day. It was, to be sure, a novel first date idea, so I (confidently!) agreed. What ensued that Sunday was a lavish, $65-per-person prixe-fixed menu filled with northern italian delights: decadent lobster, heavenly buffalo carpaccio, and pillow-soft cheesy gnocchi all topped off by a tower of oozing chocolate sauce draped over a perfectly puffed napoleon. My date ordered us a nice fruity wine to pair with our meal, and the conversation was fortunately as rich and satisfying as the cuisine itself. Though the jury is still out whether he’ll call for date number two, the entire experience made me realize just how far the phrase “fake it till you make it” can get you. Act like you’re having a good time, act like you’re someone people want to talk to and be around and soon enough they (and you) won’t know the difference between faux-confidence and the real thing.

Careers. Sorry, too soon.

Culinary Catastrophes: Well this one’s short and not so sweet – I always prepare fish (usually wild alaskan salmon) for dinner on Monday nights, experimenting with different spicy sauces to add flavor to the buttery texture of a well-cooked salmon filet. This week, as reflective of some other endeavors attempted recently, I failed miserably, in turn realizing once and for all that mixing miso paste, wasabi powder, minced garlic, orange juice and grade A vermont maple syrup will never make for a delicious sauce. And so it has been written, let it never be attempted again.

For now: Ciao.

New Beginnings

Time to start over for the new year. Time to wipe the slate clean and revel in the possibilities of what you can achieve, accomplish, how you can transform. For me this year is all about becoming someone I'm not. Make the changes you want to see in yourself. This year I made two resolutions:

1. Eat mindfully

2. Stop chasing love

The first one is pretty simple, we all have those days when you sit in front of the TV mindlessly eating, then rationalizing why you deserve to eat some more, or if you just eat those three cookies THEN go on a diet you'll be okay. I vow to stay resolute and to eat mindfully, like a food critic on Food Network, or an Iron Chef America judge. Food to me has a binary function. First, it is supposed to satisfy our body, give us energy. Then, it is also a source of enjoyment, of comfort, capable of churning up memories or being the stuff of creating new ones. Food can show your love, your devotion, food in this sense is an experience. So, combining both functions to me creates a philosophy for mindful eating. This means eating with a mind towards health, weight-management but allowing oneself the occasional indulgence but just enough to taste, not enough to stuff. It means chewing slowly, thinking about the flavor combinations, balance, ingredients, and adding a level of inquiry, analysis and intense enjoyment to the act of eating.

The 2nd resolution is self explanatory. They say you find something when you're not looking for it and I've spent far too long trying to actively search out love, carving my life around this expedition. This year, I'm doing me.

Also, am going to take care to be more active with postings and engaging my blogger/twitter community. It's part of what got me through the year and now, as a thank you, I want to give something back.

What are your resolutions for the new year? Any comments on how Organic Eats can improve in this new year? Is there a recipe/topic you'd like us to explore?