food

Random 5 Friday: Farms, Fiber, Food!

September 13, 2013 by admin

Thanks to Nancy at A Rural Journal, I’m connecting up with some great bloggers for the Random 5 Friday!

Here’s my list for the week:

At last, my roma tomatoes arrive on Saturday morning, so Monday is designated canning day! Though I’ve had a banner year growing tomatoes on my deck, we eat them like candy no matter how many I pick, so I need a little help from a nearby farm to keep me in pasta sauce for the winter.
This weekend is the annual Fiber & Farm Tour. Last year we had visitors, so we just saw a few farms, but this year we’re making the rounds! I’m hoping to get some garden ideas, compost, and great food. Hubby plans to buy an Icelandic sheep fleece so that he can sit comfortably out on the deck in the cold weather…last year he saw one but didn’t buy it, and this year he refuses to miss out! We love our local farms and are excited about immersing ourselves in them this weekend.
I make my own shampoo and other personal care products. This morning I made a new batch as well as some moisturizer. I get my recipes from Organic Body Care Recipes by Stephanie Tourles. This is another great way to re-use containers and avoid some of the many toxic ingredients in the store-bought stuff.
The spiders have been busy again, as you can see by the photograph. Looks like a spider condo to me!
My stepdaughter is now a Dog Mom courtesy of a recent animal rescue effort. Like all new moms, she’s sleep-deprived, as little Mason has kennel cough. I guess that makes me a grandma! I’ll take whatever I can get. Many thanks to all of those in the Staten Island area who rescued and are caring for these animals.

As you can see below, hubby is happy to deliver produce by bicycle. Yesterday he came home with two giant zucchinis.

Have a great weekend!

Love to Eat? Three Books About Food

May 8, 2012 by admin

Apple-Rhubarb Pandowdy, from Local Flavors by Deborah Madison

One of my readers, SuZen, commented on my recent “Woman Up” post. She wrote, in part, “…The Food Industry and the whole issue of GMOs (genetically modified) is all but being ignored by most of the population who naively believe the government that food safety laws are in place for their “protection”. Women not only give birth, but feed and nurture. Wouldn’t you think that they would wake up to dangers of consuming most of the crap in the grocery stores? Women, of ALL people, should tune in to this, start demanding better labeling, boycott brands that are phudes. We vote with our pocket books – but we are not!”

Like SuZen, I am troubled by our system of industrialized farming. It creates so many problems on so many levels, from energy waste to animal cruelty. Even the nutritional values of what author Michael Pollan calls “Frankenfoods” is appalling compared to those of fresh, local food.

I suspect that many people are still unaware of the problems with GMOs, in part because the industry is so successful in its marketing efforts. I remember being surprised the first time I tasted a farmers’ market carrot. It was as though I had forgotten how a carrot was supposed to taste! I’ve also tended to hold my nose when eating greens, because I haven’t been fond of them. Now, eating chard from my garden and kale from the market, I’m in love with greens, because they’re filled with flavor!

There are a lot of great books out these days about growing and making healthful, nutritious food. I’ve chosen three to write about today that approach the subject matter from different but complementary angles.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

A friend recommended this book to me, and I’m so grateful! I knew of Kingsolver as a novelist, but I didn’t know that she was a woman after my own heart. AVM is part memoir, part food education, and part recipes. Written with her husband, Steven L. Hopp, and daughter Camille, Kingsolver takes us into a year in their life. They have uprooted from Tucson to live in Appalachia. For a year, they agree to eat only locally produced food, including that which they grow in their own garden. While Kingsolver provides thoughtful reflections, Hopp discusses the facts, the science, and the benefits of eating in this manner. Daughter Camille provides additional reflections and recipes.

One update since this book was printed in 2007: Kingsolver wrote that Territorial Seed, a seed company, purchased some of its seeds from Monsanto. Since I had bought some seeds from Territorial (before learning that our local farmers’ market sells organic seeds), I worried that I had unwittingly put some pennies into Monsanto’s pocket. Apparently Monsanto had bought a seed company that was a source for Territorial, but Territorial has since terminated that relationship.

The Three Season Diet by Dr. John Douillard

Dr. Douillard suggests that the reason so many fad diets don’t work long-term is that our bodies are seasonal. He says that we need more greens in the spring to cleanse our bodies, carbohydrates in the summer when we’re more active, and proteins and fats in the winter. He provides evidence for his rationale, along with substantial food lists and recipes. He says that the more we eat on a seasonal basis, the more our bodies will naturally respond and start to desire the foods that are right for us.

I don’t particularly care for all the analysis of other diets that he includes in his book, but there’s good stuff in here, and hubby and I are moving more and more to seasonal foods. Since we are now buying virtually all our veggies at the farmers’ market, it’s easier to do. Right now, in my fridge we have kale, mustard greens, chard, spinach, lettuce, and kale raab. I’ve also been making a lot of nettle soup, though there were no nettles at the market this week! I guess their season is coming to a close.

But for some really good recipes, and an enticement to eat seasonally…

A lovely seasonal souffle made with all-local ingredients. Yep, it tasted good, too!

Local Flavors by Deborah Madison

If you’re like me, you don’t always know what to do with all these yummy foods. Madison to the rescue! In this stunning book filled with stories and information about farmers’ markets, Madison provides mouth-watering ideas for preparing local foods. Like that pandowdy photo? I grew up in Illinois picking and eating raw rhubarb — I love its tart taste! The sweetness of apple offers a nice counterbalance.

Big changes don’t happen overnight, but if you begin to buy organic where possible, especially at a farmers’ market, or even grow a tomato plant in a pot or herbs in your kitchen window, you’ll be helping yourself, your family, and your planet. Bon appetit!

Okay, this isn’t food, but the Supermoon the other night was awesome, and I had to share!

Weighty Issues

March 14, 2012 by admin

Some years ago, when my grandma was getting on in years, she started to lose weight. I had remembered her as carrying some extra pounds, but she was never fat or obese. When she lost weight, she also lost perspective and couldn’t see that she was getting too thin. If anyone told her of their concern, she accused them of jealousy.

Maybe some of you at midlife and beyond think it will never happen to you, but do a search on “anorexia at midlife,” and you’ll get a surprising number of hits. Apparently the quest for perfection doesn’t end in the teenage years.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been on a weight loss journey since mid-December, and I often think of Grandma in these past few months. While I have needed to lose some weight (we have heart disease in the family, and my cholesterol was slightly elevated), I want to stay in balance and not try to get too thin. I’ve been doing Weight Watchers online, and it’s been a blessing on many levels. One is that I HAVE to eat a certain amount every day, which keeps me honest. I’m also re-evaluating my goal weight and deciding what is “good enough.”

This weight loss journey has brought up a myriad of feelings and fears. I guess I thought that those were for people with a lot of weight to lose, but I’ve had quite a roller coaster with the 12 pounds or so that I’ve lost so far. Anyone relate to these?

1. How do I handle ________ (fill in the blank — Valentine’s Day dinner, kid visit, funeral food)?

The real dread is that I’ll fall off the wagon completely. One big dinner could turn into two or more, that slippery slope into relapse and weight gain. Lately, though, this hasn’t been a problem. If I’m going out to eat and the restaurant has a website, I check the menu and go in with a plan. If they don’t, I can divide my meal in half or more. If we’re getting pizza, I load up on veggies and have one slice, not the whole durn pizza.

2. I’m afraid I’ll gain the weight back overnight.

This has been weird. On Weight Watchers, we have discretionary “points” that we can spend during the week. Hubby and I enjoy a “date lunch” on Wednesdays and a dinner out on Saturdays, and I make the rest of our meals at home. When we are out, I still have to remind myself that it’s okay to enjoy myself, that having a pleasurable meal does not mean I’m going to instantly gain weight back.

One reason is that I’ve had a lot of trouble losing weight in the past few years. My thyroid was off-kilter for a while, we traveled a lot, and after I crossed 50 my metabolism went south along with other body parts. My success of the past few months has been a pleasant surprise, and I’m pinching myself. My new mantra is, “What I’m doing is working.” I have to remind myself of that a lot so that I can enjoy our dining out, that building in some treats within reason is important.

3. I’m learning that less is more.

When I first started measuring my portions (a big reason, I believe, as to why I’m succeeding now), I would look at my meager plate and say, “Where’s my dinner?” I decided that I could get a larger helping if I really wanted one. Funny thing is, though, that smaller helping is always enough. Always. In fact, I don’t have those extremes of being either stuffed full or ravenous. Instead, I’m nicely full until the next meal.

4. Moving and Not Moving

I’ve been active for years, so the thought of exercising more seemed impossible. Instead, I’ve made a few adjustments. I walk more for mental health than exercise, and have stepped up the aerobic activity through exercise videos. Since my writing work is sedentary, I try to do some movement in the afternoon as well as the morning. I also use weights a few days per week, to build muscle mass and therefore improve metabolism. I’m working toward those Michelle Obama arms!

That said, I notice that I have to make myself take two days off per week. After years of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I have to find a middle way of exerting myself, but not too much. Even now, having been symptom-free for years, if my heart rate gets too high I have a little “crash.” I usually take Thursdays and Sundays off from exercise (unless I want a walk or some gentle yoga).

5. Depriving Deprivation

One thing I’ve learned about myself is that if it ain’t fun, I ain’t doing it for very long. Some diets are so boring they make me want to cry. We love good food, and deprivation doesn’t work. Fortunately, we love our veggies, and our meals are colorful, interesting, and delicious as well as healthful. Eating a healthful diet is always more pleasurable than junk food.

6. Taking the Slow Road

While it’s fun to watch the numbers go down on the scale, I’m taking a leisurely approach. Last year I took a few sessions from a personal trainer, but I felt like he was pushing me to lose faster than I wanted. Losing weight slowly, I am getting used to being a smaller person again. Yes, it’s an adjustment. Sometimes we’re scared of hitting that ideal weight — we’re afraid of attracting attention or having to change our identities in some way. It’s odd to see that thinner person in the mirror.

This journey has been rewarding, even the scary parts. I’m getting closer to my goal and am enjoying the sense of accomplishment that comes with it. In the past, maintenance has been hard for me, mainly because I’ve gone “on” and “off” of diets instead of making a lifestyle change. I’m learning that there’s no “there” to get to. Once I hit the magic number, it will take gentle attention to stay there — and that’s what I hope to keep in mind. Not pushing, forcing, straining, judging, or beating myself up…just some loving care. Some days I’m better at it than others, but I’m learning. Day by day, I’m learning.

Where’s My Dinner?

January 3, 2012 by admin

A lot of us start the new year with an intention to lose weight. For most of us, that resolution will disappear by the end of January or shortly thereafter. I’m no exception. The last time I hit my ideal weight was in 2006, and that lasted for about five minutes. Then the kids had their birthday (twins, May 18), Hebrew school graduation, and high school graduation, all within a few weeks. A move followed, and before I knew it, I had gained everything back. This is a tough pill to swallow for someone who never had to watch what I ate when I was young.

I don’t have a lot of weight to lose — 10-12 pounds. Being petite, though, a few pounds make a big difference. Plus, the family genetics do not tolerate extra weight well, so I have to keep a close eye on cholesterol and triglycerides. While some in my family need medication even at a healthy weight, I seem to be able to manage my numbers via the scale.

And I would be lying if I said I didn’t want my pants to fit better! I’m one of those “apple” shapes, so extra weight hits me square in the belly and waist. Things are a bit snug these days, and I’m too cheap to buy bigger pants.

It would be easy for me to say, “Well, I’m over 50, and I have a thyroid disease, so it’s hard to lose weight.” That would be true. At 50+, I am losing muscle mass, which affects metabolism. While I take medication to regulate the thyroid, it’s tricky to get the right balance.

But…

My big culprit is our travel. Even though our vacations are active, with plenty of hiking, biking, and more, we make up for it in the restaurants. Bread! Dessert! Wine! Oh, yeah, the entrees, too! We hope that with our upcoming move to Washington state, we can enjoy outdoor activities without having to leave home (and home cooking).

I started employing my 2012 weight loss strategies in December and lost 2.6 pounds in three weeks during the holiday season, so I think I’m on to something. I’ll write about exercise tomorrow, but here are my food strategies:

First, I had a check-up. I am waiting on the results, but my doctor thinks we may need to adjust my thyroid medicine. Low thyroid is common among women of my age, so it’s worth checking out.
I have returned to the tried and true Weight Watchers program. Some time ago they instituted a new program that didn’t work for me, but they’ve made some adjustments for 2012 that make sense. I do Weight Watchers online, but if I’m having trouble losing weight, I have promised myself that I will go to meetings.
My goal is to lose about a pound a week. Gradual weight loss tends to work better for most people. In my case, that seems to be about the most I can lose anyway — but I am going to allow myself all the time I need.
Helpful, though not required, is that hubby is on board, too. He lost 60 pounds several years ago before I met him, and he has to be diligent about keeping weight off. Having a buddy in cahoots with me makes a big difference.
I’ve ordered a food scale! When I recently started measuring portions with cup measures, I would look at my plate and say, “Where’s my dinner?” Apparently what I think is a cup of spaghetti is more like…three. Funny thing is, the measured portions are always plenty! The problem is, some of the serving sizes are listed in grams, leaving me clueless, so the scale should help keep me honest.
When I go out, I check menus ahead of time to create a plan. My sister-in-law prepared her annual Hanukkah dinner, complete with yummy latkes (potato pancakes). Because I knew ahead of time what was being served, I planned my choices and portion sizes in advance. Turns out that one latke is enough (I normally can eat three or four).
If I’m unsure of the “point” count of a meal in a restaurant, rest assured I can usually cut my portion in half (or more) and bring the rest home. As soon as I get the food, I divide it. I’ve gotten two meals out of my New Year’s Eve dinner, and still have some left over.
Speaking of New Year’s Eve, we avoided the fixed price multi-course special meal and instead ate earlier, when we could order the restaurant’s usual delicious fare. I checked the menu online ahead of time and walked in the door knowing what I would eat.
I load up on fruits and veggies, which I love. None of this 3-5 servings per day for this girl! I usually go for double.
I will not deprive myself. I simply cannot do diets that restrict my food choices. I served a chocolate cake at a family gathering on New Year’s Day, and yes, I had a small piece. I also had a glass of Chateneuf de Pape, which went well with my spaghetti and meat sauce, I might add. Weight Watchers allows for “discretionary points” so I don’t have to avoid the occasional treat.
We make our meals as attractive as possible, with lots of color. I buy as much as possible from farmers’ markets, with herbs from my garden (I have lots of greens growing nicely, too, as I write this). We believe that eating well should be pleasurable and fun, with fresh ingredients and delicious scents filling the home.
Each week I have foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids, often in the form of wild Salmon. I also take an Omega 3 supplement and have flax oil in my morning smoothie.
I power up my foods with herbs and spices that can have medicinal benefits as well as making foods more tasty. For example, my morning smoothie includes cinnamon that may regulate blood sugar; nettle for detox and extra nourishment; and turmeric for brain power. And, I hear that cayenne can rev up metabolism as well. At the very least, my food smells and tastes great!

Tomorrow I’ll write about exercise; Thursday I’ll talk about the ways I sabotage myself along with ideas on how I hope to end the sabotage this time.

Do you have any tips to share? Let me know!