Health & Wellness Archives - Page 14 of 14

Evening, Fellow Foodies:

If you’re watching the Academy Awards, enjoy. I’m just not into it. I’m not insulting anyone who enjoys it, just. . .not my thing. I understand at this moment that Life of Pi won an award for something. Of course, I REALLY enjoyed the picture on Facebook of a big guy in a little boat eating pie with the front of the boat out of the water and a big ginger kitty at the helm. TOO funny, but not enough detail to show it here. Darnit. Beautiful kitty, too.

Speaking of kitties, Jezebel the Step-kitty got out today and literally went over the wall. Once I got my heart re-started, I went out and got her. She got some milk today, though, guess it gave her the gumption to jump up a 5′ Hardy Plank wall. Darn cat. I did buy a lot more kitty food for her today, though. She likes the Fancy Feast with the little cheese bits in it. Hope it’s good for her. The owner says she’s “spoiled.” Got a thing or two to teach HIM about taking care of cats.

I’ve been on a quest for good health for many years, never wanting to be unnecessarily sick with stuff that’s preventable. I’ve never smoked, never used illicit drugs, and rarely drink. It helps, I guess, but I’m not testing that by trying something different.

My father for many years told the story of an unnamed cousin who started serving her family TV dinners when they first came out, because they were new and “so easy!” Then one day, she woke up and couldn’t move her left side; she ended up in the hospital herself with malnutrition. I have no idea who this person is, we never met her; I’d presume she’s long ago gone to her reward. But that stuck with me, truth or fiction, and I vowed it would never happen to me.

A few years ago, there was an email circulating with people from all over the world with a month’s worth of food. While Italy was pasta and things, Asian folks had rice and stuff, but this is what they showed for Americans:

I found this picture on Google, it’s been around a while, so I’m guessing the little guy is full grown now. I’m sure they’re nice people, but. . .it’s all processed food and takeout pizza! There is no REAL FOOD here.

I’m all for the occasional takeout when life gets overwhelming, but there is no nutrition in this kitchen. The cheese on the pizza is likely not real cheese, depending on where it was ordered from.

I get it. We’re busy. But this is what a good part of Americans eat now. And it shows when you go out in public and see the results. Until folks get it that processed food isn’t really food and WILL make you sick eventually, we’ll see a lot more obesity, diabetes, and other preventable illnesses.

I never forgot that picture, and it’s even more true today. Honey Boo Boo, anyone?

In the name of health, wellness and keeping my weight down, I’ve done low-fat, low-calorie, low-carb, yeast free, “just eat good,” and yes, vegetarian eating. (Thought I’d starve to death with that one.) Because “red meat’s gonna kill ya!” (Rubbish.) Low carb is my favorite, because you don’t have to go hungry, and the food is good if you know what you’re doing. (Note: avoid stuff marked “low carb” because it likely has stuff in it that you don’t want.) I like eggs nearly any way you can fix them. However, as far as losing weight, the hCG diet is what took off nearly 65 pounds before things went pear-shaped for me last year. I’m working on getting back my equilibrium, one bit at a time.

I shifted from low-fat to low-carb when the original version of SugarBusters came out. I know you can get the “mass market” version on Amazon now, but I have the original 1995 self-published version, which was only published in New Orleans. I actually attended a dinner with one of the authors–I don’t know which one–in 1997. It was an interesting lecture, and he was very nice. I didn’t completely understand cutting carbs yet, but I quit using powdered coffee creamer immediately. (Yuck!)

Then all my friends who were doing SugarBusters shifted onto the next big thing, which was the blood-type diet. I stuck with SugarBusters until I started reading Suzanne Somers’ books, which were pretty much along the same line (and had delicious food in them, too!) A couple of years ago, my own doctor told me that my blood type is the one to avoid wheat and eat low-carb.

I am, as I’ve been saying for years, a cat. I have blood tests to prove it.

Anyway. . .since I started reading Wheat Belly and its companion cookbook, I’ve seen lots of recipes for dairy, something I quit a few years ago. I did the Yeast-Free diet one day and never went back to dairy. A little butter here, a little occasional cheese, but no milk, cream or half-and-half, just almond milk. But Dr. Davis, author of Wheat Belly, says, eat that cheese! I wanna kiss this man! (Missed my chance, but you get the idea.)

There are differing schools of thought on whether dairy is good for you or not. Me, I love it, but I mostly stopped it a few years ago. Like welcoming an old friend back, you know?

Along the same lines, there was an article last week in the distinguished Wall Street Journal by a lady named Melanie Warner. Her new book, Pandora’s Lunch Box, comes out this week. But after hearing Dr. Davis, and reading part of his books, this article is along the same lines, although she doesn’t go into wheat specifically here. But it’s another example of what we’re eating in the USA (and indeed, many parts of the world) that is far away from what real food started out as.

No, I don’t buy frozen chicken strips, or anything like that. I’m sure that if I had kids, they would consider themselves the most deprived children on earth because I would not give them “Lunchables.” Anyway. . . .

Today I decided to make a veg frittata for breakfast this week from last year’s Barefoot Contessa: Foolproof.

It has CHEESE!! And I don’t have to make breakfast this week. Just heat and eat. Well, this is what it looks like in the book:

Worked my paws off, and this is what mine looks like, without a food stylist:

Dunno why it’s all burned (it has since deflated.) And some of the veggies got a bit blackened. Wonder if the big oven isn’t heating correctly.

It has yummy Parmesan cheese and Gruyere cheese. Well, I decided to get some less-expensive Swiss cheese today, since it tastes about the same. I like Gruyere, mind you, but it was about $8 for a square, and the Swiss was about $3. Next time.

After two Larabars this afternoon (Chocolate Chip Cherry Torte) I didn’t really have dinner; I’ve been mostly nibbling on shards of Parm cheese, drinking tea with milk/half&half and, well, nibbling.

I’ll let you know how it tastes later. . .meantime, I’ve gotta hit the showers and get some sleep. And nibble on some more Parm cheese shards. Back on it tomorrow.

Happy Dining!

Hello, Fellow Foodies:

First, a thank-you shout-out to my friend Linda in New Braunefels, TX. Linda went to see the incredible jazz singer Bobby Caldwell in Austin, TX last Friday. Knowing that Mr. Caldwell does a meet-and-greet after and between concerts, I asked Linda if she would give him my regards. Not only did she do that, she took a picture with him, and they had a note saying “Hi” to me and a few other fans who couldn’t make it. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!

Second, giving a shout-out to Jennifer in the bakery department of Central Market in Houston. I met her a few weeks ago when I visited, and when I went back last week–she remembered me! Nice lady, and they produce some amazing works of confectionery art.

Unfortunately, I’m about to show my hypocrite side.

Yesterday, I had a delicious foodie adventure. And dessert was SOOO good, I had two. More on that in a minute. Of course, Miss Hip & Edgy Food Blogger walked out without her camera, so I could only do cell phone pictures. I also exercised last night when I got home.

I attended a lecture hosted by the wonderful folks from Woodlands Wellness & Cosmetic Center. The event was held at The Woodlands Waterway and Hotel and Convention Center, a Marriott hotel. Much like the Delray Beach Marriott in Florida, where I’ve been three times, the staff was also very nice and helpful

The featured speaker was Dr. William Davis, a board-certified cardiologist in Wisconsin who wrote the best-selling book Wheat Belly. It was a pretty popular activity–while it wasn’t a sellout, it was a packed house.

I’ve written about this kind of thing before–if you haven’t seen it, check out my post on Babycakes, the bakery and cookbooks for vegan/wheat free baked items.

There were a number of vendors there, including Frost Bake Shoppe, serving samples of a wheat-free cupcake they make. With chocolate frosting. Yes, I sampled it. More than once. Must go visit next trip to The Woodlands. Like I told ya, chocolate is my first love, that’s why I’m single.

Gluten Free Nation (formerly “Gluten Free Houston”) was also in attendance. I met the owner, Randi, a couple of years ago at a Farmer’s Market, who started creating these tasty things when she herself was diagnosed with celiac disease and there was just NOTHING for folks with these types of allergies. I tell people about her and Gluten Free Nation when I hear they have that problem. While I purchase things from Gluten Free Nation on occasion at my local health food store, there is a store on the west side of Houston. Their products are available locally at HEB stores and Central Market as well as online, and they ship nationwide. Great tasty treats for folks missing bread and cookies and pies. You can have some and not worry about getting sick.I’ve also written about these nice folks before, too (see Cupcakes And Capitalism.)

Also in attendance was Red Mango Yogurt–they have NUTELLA yogurt. OMG. No kidding. And yes, it is indeed gluten-free. It’s actually called “Nutty Potion No. 9,” but it really was wonderful. Hope they put more Red Mangoes around Houston.

Yes, I asked for an autograph for the book. I also admitted to the good doctor that I do, on occasion, visit Taco Bell. My doctor, who was standing next to him, is aware of this. He cringed! But there is the Cabana Bowl, which has rice but not wheat in it. Again, not very often, and I still have not tried that delicious looking cookie they have, ’cause I know I’d never stop.

Included in this activity was a delicious wheat-free lunch, personally selected by Dr. Sakina Davis (my doctor, no relation to the author) of Woodlands Wellness, and it didn’t disappoint. I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad meal in a Marriott hotel. What I also discovered was that a LOT of folks have not only read this book, but have put it into practice in their lives. I, unfortunately, have not read this book but am now in the process and will give a full synopsis when I’m done. However, the message I got was simply this:

STOP EATING ALL FORMS OF WHEAT. IMMEDIATELY. FOREVER.

Even if you don’t have a wheat allergy or wheat problem, it’s beneficial to stop wheat intake completely. I generally don’t consume wheat, except on occasion, but I’ll be reading labels a little closer once I finish the book and know what to look for.

Let’s talk lunch.

First up was a beautiful salad:

Work of art. Unfortunately, those “croutons” are grilled squares of tofu, so readers of my humble blog know what I did with them. (I didn’t eat them.) The dressing was a delicious vinaigrette, which was supposed to be made from miso, (oops) but the little bit I had didn’t bother me.

Feast your eyes on this wheat-free entree:

Chipotle chicken with roasted sweet potato and parsnip, and green beans with a couple of roasted grape tomatoes. My dinners don’t get artfully arranged like this, though.

Amazingly, NOTHING needed salt. I never touched the salt shaker. Honest.

And for dessert:

A crustless strawberry cheesecake with strawberry compote and that little twiggy stick is made of dark chocolate.

Why did I have two of these? Well, look at it! Wouldn’t you? Yes, it was worth it. Besides, I had to make *sure* it was suitable for human consumption. (It was.)

I don’t do that very often, honest. Most of the time, when I get a craving for sweets, I go for the Chocolate Chip Brownie or Chocolate Chip Cherry Torte Larabar. Yes, extra calories, but a lot healthier (wheat, soy and GMO free) than the regular desserts I could have.

Admittedly, the reason I had two desserts was that we weren’t a full table, and there was more than one that would likely get trashed. There were actually three salads and three desserts left, because there were three empty seats. So to reduce food waste, I had one of those extra desserts. I enjoyed it, as well as some other delish nibbles from the vendors named above.

Honest, I exercised for 45 minutes last night.

Admittedly, most restaurants and hotels will accommodate you if you ask for gluten free, kosher, or vegan/vegetarian these days. When I was at Bootcamp last year, I saw a couple of folks get “specialty” meal at the Delray Marriott; they just had to ask in advance. (Me, I figure, I’m on a trip, everything is beautiful, I’m gonna try all of it. Then again, I steer clear of wheat and soy and enjoy the rest within reason. Sorta.) However, one of my friends couldn’t quite get enough to eat doing the vegan thing, prompting an older waiter to say to her in his thick Eastern European accent, “You want to live to be 100? Eat red meat!” Much as I admire this lady, I had to laugh. I felt bad for her, because I understood, but I also agreed with Grigor the waiter.

Anyway, that’s what I was lucky enough to have for lunch yesterday. Understand that it was a special occasion, not an everyday affair for me. Today, it was the last of the roast chicken with pears. . .wait, did I post that yet? Ooops. . .coming soon, a recipe review. Soon as I finish reading Wheat Belly and give you a full report.

Happy Dining!

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