Back in the saddle.

I have been tracking my meals on myfitnesspal again. I have really enjoyed it because this time more people I know are actively using it and I really cave to peer pressure.

My coworkers and I have been eating salads and/or soup at lunch. Some days I love my salad and some days it goes more like this:

Always a pleasure, Garfield Minus Garfield.

My husband and I have been supporting each other and again, that peer pressure makes all the difference.

The Mayo Clinic Williams-Sonoma Cookbook: Simple Solutions for Eating Well

The Mayo Clinic Williams-Sonoma Cookbook: Simple Solutions for Eating Well by John Phillip Carroll

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Nice ideas, clear nutrition facts and beautiful pictures. Some recipes were fancy and some were super simple. I ranked it lower as it did not really address common "special" diets for health (diabetic, heart disease, etc) and some of the recipes were such no brainers- they could have offered more flair or methods to gussy up whole foods.

Book Review: Simply In Season (World Community Cookbook)

Simply In Season by Mary Beth Lind

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


We received this as a wedding gift and I love it. It is divided based on the growing seasons and also the kinds of meals one enjoys eating during the seasons (cool salads in summer, heavy soups in winter, etc.) I like to take it out before I hit the farmers market. It would be a great gift for a gardener.

I have found that many of the recipes can be adapted for our goal diet or that they inspire me to improvise.



View all my reviews

Book Review: The Grower's Guide to Herbs

The Grower's Guide to Herbs by Geoffrey Burnie

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I have a tiny herb garden this year with some great neighbors. No clue what to do with some of them; I grabbed this book hoping to learn a bit more.

This was a fine breezy read with basic information on the most common herbs. It was aimed at beginners and I appreciated that. There were very simplified directions for growing and harvesting the herbs and not a lot of detail on ways to cook with them.

I guess my next stop will be a book on cooling with fresh herbs.




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Book Review: From the Olive Grove: Mediterranean Cooking with Olive Oil

From the Olive Grove: Mediterranean Cooking with Olive Oil by Helen Koutalianos

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I would love to visit an olive grove!

This book was written by a family with such true passion and dedication to the craft of fine olive oil. The introduction was educational, entertaining and alluring, made me wish I could afford more decadent ingredients.

There are so many stylish and approachable recipes in this book, but not all in our dietary plan. I did note a couple recipes to try later and if I had a broader diet I am sure I would try more.



View all my reviews

Book Review: The No-Salt, Lowest-Sodium Cookbook: Hundreds of Favorite Recipes Created to Combat Congestive Heart Failure and Dangerous Hypertension

The No-Salt, Lowest-Sodium Cookbook: Hundreds of Favorite Recipes Created to Combat Congestive Heart Failure and Dangerous Hypertension by Donald A. Gazzaniga

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


In 2009, my 37 year old husband has had a rough year. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and then had a very damaging heart attack. Like the author of this book, he was told he may need a heart transplant. Of course he/we have been eating better and trying to find the most flavor bang for our buck AND sodium count. We love to eat out and try all kinds of foods and we wanted to keep that as a part of our life. I have loved this book because it reads like more than a cook book. I enjoyed sitting down and reading it, I looked forward to going back to it despite the fact that I was so bummed about NEEDING it in my life when I picked it up. I cannot say that about many of the chronic disease diet books I have been browsing!

In addition to the recipes, the book gives a great primer on low-sodium eating, where sodium is found, what it is used for, and how to live low-sodium all the time. The author goes to great lengths in his own life to be at around 500mg of sodium a day, super low, and it is inspiring to read his commentary. I also like the board of people he used to help write the book. Even better, my husband and I have enjoyed all of the recipes we have tried so far. I like how the recipes are not bland and all areas of dinning are covered (comfort food, holidays, potlucks, light snacks, dressings, salads, sweets). The nutrition information on each dish is included, which is helpful for other areas of diet that we are monitoring.

The book has me excited because it is helping me adapt my cooking and shopping to what I was hoping: that being low-sodium does not mean flavorless and boring.

Why hello again!

So I just realized I could post my Goodreads book reviews to Blogger kind of simply; the first is below.

I have been trying to read up on the diverse world of the Mediterranean Diet as it is very healthy for all of us, but especially for my partner (per science (Go Gophs!) and several of his doctors). We have the lofty goal of a no added salt, low carbohydrate, no animal fat, no red meat, low white meat, fatty fish, consistent vitamin K, low cholesterol, low sugar, high fiber, high protein, spicy, satisfying, and delicious diet.

Believe it or not, the Mediterranean region covers a lot of these bases, but I have to really read the recipes and plan to play around with herbs and peppers for flavor.


I thought I would share my search with others, first with the book reviews and later with recipe reviews. Book or other source suggestions are welcome!

Book Review: The Mediterranean Prescription: Meal Plans and Recipes to Help You Stay Slim and Healthy for the Rest of Your Life

The Mediterranean Prescription: Meal Plans and Recipes to Help You Stay Slim and Healthy for the Rest of Your Life by Angelo Acquista

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This book was ok, I ended up being distracted by the author's love of his own cooking, which seems odd as he certainly must be a good cook to have a cookbook. Also, I turned out not liking the weight-loss solution tone of the book. I am not so much a diet person, but I am trying to pull and understand elements of this vast way of life to improve the quality and health of my cooking. Overall it was ok.



View all my reviews

Blueberry BLAST!!!!

Have I already told you about the best trail mix??

Good Sense Blueberry Blast! Ow!

Sweet blueberries!Yum!

An yogurt covered raisins:

Hello!

There are nuts and cranberries too.

They sell it at the little convenience store in Coffman Union. Where else do they sell it?!?

New friend! Opa!

Several nice friends encouraged me to try Greek yogurt and I trusted them, thankfully!

Meet my new best snack friend:

Fage!

They sell it at SuperTarget near the normal yogurt; I am sure at other places have it too.

Even a favorite artist, Gary Baseman, sold out to Fage:

I add some Bob's Red Mill 5 Rolled Grain Cereal to mine sometimes. In fact, I JUST did, that is why I had to hurry here to tell you this.

The little snack version comes with a few different sides. I like honey and cherry the best. I also like to add frozen raspberries and blueberries on my own.

Why didn't I bring more to work?

I wish I would use the bigger size with less packaging. I am working on it. I put blueberries in a little to-go cup with some plain and for some reason it was just not the same. It did not taste as good. I have the same problem with regular yogurt. WHY?!? Too much air?

Also, I bought the Stoneyfield Farms variation and I was not as pleased, though not utterly unhappy.

Meh.

ALSO (!) I have used it in cooking to make healthier sauces. Nice.

Thanks recommenders!

I do my best to avoid taking favors from the Family.

(I cannot remember where I saved this from now, crap. When I find out I will cite.)

Heart troubles coming on...

First off, I just got home from the gym with my Todd. for the first time he had to find me because I was still exercising and he was ready to leave!

I am not going to guess how much the New Yorker article on
Wes Anderson influenced my getting there.

Nice.

Second, I have had more interaction with cardiologists, endocrinologists, and other metabolic experts in the last year than I care to count. I am grateful for all of them, I just wish I never had to meet them!

It is a love/hate relationship.

Unfortunatly, a loved one was treated for their 2nd heart attack/disturbance/major artery blockage today. I am grateful for those caring for them, for their choice to seek help, and for their health insurance. I am very grateful that they are recovering nicely and can continue this wonderful life.

I bring this up because as I waited for news and absorbed this reality today, I kept thinking about the elements of our health that we can control.

There are so many factors involved in our health: genetics, fate, environment, circumstance, HOWEVER, despite the efforts of public health professionals, public policy makers, and health care researchers, millions of us do not take control of the elements of our health that we can impact.

Remember: I am not a health professional or a graphic designer.
I urge you to seek professional advice for your health and promotional materials.

For me, I struggle with diet and exercise. I trust that what "they say" about a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and being physically active is true, but I struggle to live it.

Par exemple: This open faced Croque -monsieur was fantastic and had 3 dipping sauces! 3!
It was delicious with nearly zero nutritional value. Le sigh.

People spend a lot of energy worrying and discussing all the terrible health problems that occur in this life to ourselves and others, news media outlets make a killing feeding a culture of health care fears. People spend a lot of money trying to find the fitness secret that will save them, some find it but not without a lot of sacrifice and commitment to lifestyle change (the hard part).

Many sacrifice Oreos, for example.

I am still searching for my best game plan for a new normal of healthy foods and consistent exercise. I have been exploring cookbooks, changing how I shop, taking nutrition classes, trying nutritional supplements (ground flax seed and fish oil), and of course facing the gym. This blog is one of my personal attempts to stay on task- I think to myself: "tell the world, and then live it!". I also like to track what I have tried and to hear feedback from others.

There are so many ways to improve your diet and exercise and invaluable health related reasons why it is important to try, to explore, to think twice and to ask for help. Some are peer based, some are spiritual, some are fun, some are strict, some are social, some are free, some are expensive, some are sweaty, some are heavy, some require a surgeon, and some can be dangerous.

You are invaluable! Take care of yourself!

It is very overwhelming, but thankfully there are many others in the same boat and they can help you to get motivated and see results. Success stories can be found all over, like in books, online (some are linked in the right had nav), on tv, and at your local gym. I thank you and Google for this blog, it is not much to look at, but it does help me keep tabs on myself. Let me know if you would like to join me, or pipe in with your own ideas!

I wish you clarity and patience as you seek the best ways to stay healthy. Of course I wish you health!

In which I shame NPR for luring me with a doughnut to talk about belly bugs!

(I have no clue why the fonts are all messed up, sorry!)

NPR had a little piece today on some early mice based research on fatty food and an increase in MICROBES LIVING IN OUR DIGESTIVE TRACKS!

BAH!

They lured me into the piece online with a delicious picture of a doughnut in coffee. The nerve!

Not the photo. In fact, this is the least alluring doughnut and coffee picture EVER!
I will be working on burning this image into my brain.

I suppose if they put a picture of microbes I would have run away screaming and never read/listened.

Giant Stomach Microbe Plush Toy! Sorta cuter than the doughnut picture. Sorta?

The Gut Response To What We Eat

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

"A high-fat, high-sugar diet can quickly and dramatically change the population of microbes living in the digestive tract, according to a new study of human gut bugs transplanted into mice."

Thank you, brave Mice, for helping humankind!

PS: I am sure Nell Greenfieldboyce is a lovely person, but her promo picture makes her looked possessed! Or as if she is trying to seduce us. Look:

"You will make a donation during the pledge drive this month.
And the pledge drive next month too."

Macro Awesome!

Ok, so we have practically no food in our house. Honestly. Where does all the time go?

I'll tell you what, eating healthy takes time and budget management, so I am floundering right now. I hope to get my kitchen act together.

I have been trying to bring my own lunch, which is wonderful on so many levels, but I had to buy my lunch today and I bought Macro Vegetarian Thai Dumplings at the little store by the post office in Coffman Memorial Union.

Macro Vegetarian Thai Dumplings are not pictured here, but this is what their friends look like.

What a happy plate! Yum! Flavorful, hearty and smells delicious too!

Happy plate decoupage from this etsy shop.

Plus the dish is macro-biotic and vegan with pretty great nutritional value.

Healthy! And I have been weighing myself everyday for the study, it is odd to do.

The drag is that the meal cost $5.99. Not something to get everyday, but perhaps inspiration for meals to prepare at home. I guess that is less than the awesome salad bar at Coffman costs.

One other bonus is that if I took the stairs up and down to the East River Road to get to Coffman I burn some calories and build some muscle. How much money is that worth?

Soon these steps will be closed for the winter and I will watch people try to walk or slide cautiously down them from my office.

Goodreads review that I wrote pasted here for you!

The No-Salt, Lowest-Sodium Cookbook: Hundreds of Favorite Recipes Created to Combat Congestive Heart Failure and Dangerous Hypertension by Donald A. Gazzaniga


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My 37 year old husband has had a rough year. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and then had a very damaging heart attack. Like the author of this book, he was told he may need a heart transplant. Of course he/we have been eating better and trying to find the most flavor bang for our buck AND sodium count. We love to eat out and try all kinds of foods and we wanted to keep that as a part of our life. I have loved this book because it reads like more than a cook book. I enjoyed sitting down and reading it, I looked forward to going back to it despite the fact that I was so bummed about NEEDING it in my life when I picked it up. I cannot say that about many of the chronic disease diet books I have been browsing!

In addition to the recipes, the book gives a great primer on low-sodium eating, where sodium is found, what it is used for, and how to live low-sodium all the time. The author goes to great lengths in his own life to be at around 500mg of sodium a day, super low, and it is inspiring to read his commentary. I also like the board of people he used to help write the book. Even better, my husband and I have enjoyed all of the recipes we have tried so far. I like how the recipes are not bland and all areas of dinning are covered (comfort food, holidays, potlucks, light snacks, dressings, salads, sweets). The nutrition information on each dish is included, which is helpful for other areas of diet that we are monitoring.

The book has me excited because it is helping me adapt my cooking and shopping to what I was hoping: that being low-sodium does not mean flavorless and boring.

View all my reviews >>

Healthy cooking in a rush.

I stole this quote from a friend's blog:

"My goal tonight was to use them up before they rotted."

I feel like this is the goal with way too much of my cooking with fresh vegetables! My healthy cooking challenge.

I am inspired by this:


to make something like this:


But I get busy or forgetful and soon the vegetables in the fridge are looking at me like this:


I am working on a better game plan right now and I have learned to accept my limitations, for the sake of food and budget waste. Living in a climate with a short growing season, the vegetables will soon be pretty pricy, like 99cents per green pepper. That always seems like a lot to me.

How much are green peppers in other states?

Future topic:

Food dehydrators!
Do you have one? Do you use it? Is it good for making low salt, low sugar food? Or are those a part of the process?

I have no clue- I just know that dried food is delicious for snacks but can be so expensive, like Just Corn and Just Raspberries. Those are freeze dried, so I cant afford that machine but I may be able to swing a dehydrator.

I am working on the gym. Anyone out there who would like to motivate me or tag along with me, please pipe up!

Pacled love and voodoo diets

Ah. Monday.

I lurched myself awake and then worked and worked, I enjoyed the sun and had a healthy homemade lunch:


Not my actual dish, but you get the gist.

Basmati rice
tomatoes
garlic
jalapenos
green peppers
onions
red pepper flakes
chili powder
shredded chicken
black beans
corn
cilantro

I cooked them all up in my lobster pot and made 12 prepacked meals for my honey and I. Yum.

The I ate a crappy stale store bought brownie. Oops.



So not worth it.

Did I ever tell you that I once had an obsession with Little Debbie Brownies? I craved them everyday! They were hard to kick because a box of 10 cost like $1.50 and you could also get them at the corner store by my office for 25 cents.



I was embarrassed by my habit, but I let people know about it too. A friend of mine made a Little Debbie Voodoo doll for me, it really did the trick!

The Shoebox blog again...sorry!

They just hit the nail on the head!

Always on my mind

A miracle?

Last night, driving home in a growing snowfall, I stopped to buy some impulse ice cream at a wonderful ice cream shop.



I love to eat ice cream when it is cold. I got the Sweet Cream ice cream.

I continued the drive home, Todd put the impulse ice cream in the freezer, he put away the groceries, I went to cat sit, and I totally forgot to eat any ice cream!

I just realized that now.

For some reason I am really proud of myself even though I give most of the credit to my poor memory.