Archive for the ‘resources’ Category
Sunday, October 12th, 2008 |
When it comes to traveling, I am a planner. I like to know way ahead of time where I am going to stay, what I am going to do, and where I am going to eat. Some might say that this takes the fun and excitement out of traveling, that I miss out on those serendipitous experiences of stumbling upon a gem bed and breakfast, or discovering the best brisket ever. But to me, not planning is like playing the slots, where you pursue an elusive jackpot with the odds stacked against you.
Most of my friends and family spend some time planning their trips, usually booking the hotels and activities ahead of time. But they tend to go the gambling route when it comes to food and dining. When I am planning a trip I like to do a little bit of research and put together an eating itinerary, which helps take away stress during traveling, heightens my overall experience, and ensures that I get good value for my dining dollars.
planning for feelgood eating on the road
My first stop when planning an eating itinerary is Chowhound, which in my opinion is the most helpful restaurant resource on the web. The reviews on Chowhound are generally fair and the Chowhound members seem to really know their stuff. With an emphasis on narrative and description, Chowhound avoids rating systems that aren’t very helpful (if it is three stars for you, does that mean it is three stars for me?).
The rule of thumb with Chowhound is to search before you pose a new question/start a new thread - sometimes the hounds get aggravated with repeat requests. If you can’t find what you need through a search, then start a new post and be as specific as possible (not “heading to San Francisco-where should I eat?”). It’s considered good chowhound courtesy to follow the thread and thank those who respond. (more…)
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Monday, August 4th, 2008 |
Growing up, canned tuna was always present in my mom’s pantry and it most often showed up in the form of a sandwich in my brown-bag school lunch. Nowadays, I generally avoid canned products, preferring fresh and local foods, but I have recently found myself scouring grocery shelves for canned tuna. What gives? Well, this summer I’ve been focusing on Mediterranean inspired salads and light dinners and I have been surprised to find many of my favorite cookbook authors calling for canned tuna. Hence my return to the canned tuna aisle in the grocery store.
Of course, these recipes weren’t just calling for any canned tuna. They were pointing to premium canned tuna, imported from the Mediterranean and packed in olive oil that preserves the tuna and seals in the flavor. With prices ranging from a couple of bucks to fourteen dollars, I knew that I needed to do a bit more research to figure out which brand offered the best canned tuna - and the quest for the best was born. (more…)
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Thursday, May 15th, 2008 |
Over the past couple of years I have been prowling used bookstores for culinary gems and have put together a nice cookbook library. I often refer to cookbooks for straight-up recipes, culinary inspiration and tips on ingredients and techniques. I thought it might be nice to share some of my favorites. This is a list targeted for new cooks but I think they are a great addition to any collection.
I try to purchase all of my cookbooks second-hand, either from local shops or on mega-sites like Amazon where you can buy from individual sellers - this definitely helps the budget and is also a bit more fun finding hidden treasures (I think this is how people who like to antique must feel!). (more…)
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Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 |
When walking down the health and nutrition aisle in your local bookstore, you can’t help but be overwhelmed by the sheer number of books related to diet and nutrition. Considering the health crisis that we face today (a rise in diabetes among the youth and an increase in diet-related degenerative diseases among older adults), it’s no wonder that there are so many texts trying to define the way to eat. However, it is important to note that this overabundance of diverse diet information reveals two things: there is a strong market for diet-related books, and there is no single dietary answer that fits everyone’s needs.
While there may not be a dietary text that will answer all of your questions and concerns, Nina Planck’s Real Food: What to Eat and Why, does an excellent job providing solid dietary advice in a very approachable way. (more…)
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Thursday, January 24th, 2008 |
Each person is bio-chemically unique, and our ancestry and our environment should inform the decisions we make about the food we eat. This food philosophy is something that works for me – and it may or may not work for you. What I want to emphasize is that I do not advocate that this is the Right way to eat, but rather that this has been the right way for me to eat.
My food philosophy is founded upon the belief that traditional, whole foods are the best sources for optimal health and happiness. These are the foods our great-grandparent’s ate. They closely resemble their natural state and have been refined as minimally as possible. Traditional, whole foods do not come from the giant single-crop farms of agri-business sprayed with chemicals and grown in empty soils, but rather are grown on smaller farms that minimize the use of chemicals and respect the soil. Traditional, whole foods do not come from a box on a mega-mart shelf but are best when transferred directly from the farmer to you hands.
I follow a plant-based diet but I also include animal products that have been raised in a humane and sustainable manner. After years as a vegetarian, I have found that I need to incorporate diverse animal products in my diet in order to thrive. I refrain from eating animal products that have been raised inhumanely and unsustainably in factory farms.
I believe that eating is a political act. By buying from small, local farms that participate in sustainable agriculture I know that I am strengthening my community. Foods grown in a sustainable way do not strip the soils of valuable minerals or dump chemicals into our waterways. By being aware of where my food comes from, how it was grown and how it was prepared I am resisting the onslaught of marketing pressures created by corporations and big business whose only goal is profit. I vote with my fork and my goal is health and well-being for myself, my family, and the earth.
I also believe that eating should feel good and be a positive part of our day. We should enjoy the food we prepare and share it with our friends and family. I believe that we should sit at a table, light some candles, relax, and chew. Sometimes the meals I create take thirty minutes to make and sometimes they take four hours, but I have learned that it is important to take/make the time to enjoy the simple pleasure of cooking and eating.
Feelgoodeating:
Get Informed:
• The most important step to take when transforming your diet is to begin to pay attention to where your food comes from and how it was prepared. The food you eat is only as good as the quality and freshness of the ingredients.
Eat Whole, Traditional Foods:
• Eat With The Seasons.
• Eat Local, Organic, Sustainable.
• Eat the foods your great-grandparents ate.
• Eat a plant-centered diet but include animal products.
• Eat diversely; try to incorporate a range of foods into your diet.
Be Wary of Industrial/Processed/Refined “foods”:
• Foods in a bag, box, or can.
• Foods with a long shelf-life
• Ingredients that you can’t pronounce or don’t recognize.
• High-fructose corn syrup and other refined sugars.
• Factory farmed meats.
Be Kind To Yourself
• Take it slow. Changing eating habits is a developmental process. At first, changing your diet can seem overwhelming, it is important to take small steps so you don’t become overwhelmed.
• Relax. No matter how much local organic food you consume it won’t do any good if you are stressed out about it. No one is going to arrest you if you eat some potato chips now and again. Do the best you can.
• Get Moving. No matter what you eat you won’t feel good if you don’t exercise. Our bodies are built for movement.
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