Friday, November 23, 2007

Turkey Day Revisited

By now, you may already know that I don't eat meat, except seafood. There's no animal activist rationale behind my choice....I LOVE meat. Up until two years ago, In & Out Burger was a regular stop for me on my way home from work. (For those of you outside of California, this is THE place to get your red meat on.)

In 2005, my girl Jazmin and I ate nothing but raw fruits, nuts and vegetables for three months. Caught up in the raw food* movement that seemed to be all over LA, it was an experiment to see if we could do it. We had energy for days, clear skin, a sense of accomplishment, and the added bonus of losing weight.

What I tell my raw friends now: eating hot food is underrated.

Plus, planning my days around intricately prepped meals, not being able to eat out...I saw no way to keep this lifestyle up. So I went back to my regular ways, with another bonus: my appreciation of a green salad.

Perhaps I made a poor choice with my first meal after three months of veggie hell: a skirt steak. Three bites later, nauseous, and a solid kick to my own tail...I knew this was the last time I'd eat steak. I can't explain it very well, I just knew that I never wanted to have this feeling again. And I was laid out in my bed 30 minutes later, wondering when the stomach pain would go away. Within six months, chicken, pork and turkey left my list too.

So I've adjusted. I'm okay with it. But right now, I'm watching my husband eat a hot turkey sandwich with giblet gravy. He hasn't looked up from his plate since taking the first bite. It smells fantastic. It's probably very comforting.

(Heavy sigh...)

I won't eat it, after all this time, I know meat just doesn't work for me. But does he have to make that sound? That "I love what I'm eating" noise, along with heavy chewing and an occasional "Ummph?"

Thanks honey.

*Wikipedia's definition of a raw diet consists of "Unprocessed, raw plant foods that have not been heated above 115 °F (46 °C). 'Raw foodists' believe that foods cooked above this temperature have lost much of their nutritional value and are harmful to the body. Typical foods include fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and sprouted grains and legumes."

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

The best pot of rice. EVER.

Simply put. I really don't like brown rice. I much prefer the white variety. Why? It's more satisfying to eat a bowl with that sticky, fluffy, yummy texture that only white rice can provide. If you've got ANY suggestions on how to make brown rice taste better...I'm ALL EARS.

Try this. It sounds tedious, but far from it. I absolutely love how wonderful and simple a good bowl of rice can be. And it was even better while my husband and I grilled firm tofu on the Foreman Grill until it turned brown, then marinated it in a blend of sesame oil, hemp oil, whole grain mustard, Bragg's Liquid Aminos, garlic and maple syrup to your own taste. We steamed spinach, then added the same marinate.

Perfect Rice

Take a cup of rice, and place in a pot. Cover the rice with water. Take a handful of rice and massage between hands by rubbing them together. You don't need to take too much time in doing this...just until the water turns a milky white color. Rinse and repeat two more time.

You're almost there. I promise. It's SO worth it.

Then rinse without the massage three times in a row. Just fill the pot, and rinse. Now that the cleaning is complete, fill the pot with two cups of fresh spring water. Then put the rice in the pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 8 minutes. Remove it from the burner and cover with a tight fitting lid. Let it stand for at 20 minutes.

Lift the pot, and you'll agree. It's a damned-tasty pot of rice.

M.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Grilled "Cheese" & "Bacon"

I lied to my friend.

I said we were having grilled "cheese" and "bacon" sandwiches for lunch. She eyed me suspiciously, but said yes. She knows that I don’t keep items like these in my house, but hunger can make your memory and common sense take a temporary lapse.

My husband invented this recipe on a cold night that required comfort food. She ate it, and while I’m not sure she’s fully convinced that being a vegetarian is the way to go...she still asked for a second one.

And while this isn’t the healthiest recipe, but compared to its meat/cheese cousin...the fat content is significantly lower, cholesterol free, and the tasty factor is HIGH.

Grilled Soy Cheese & Facon Sandwich
2 pieces Ezekiel Bread
Trader Joe’s Margarine Spread
2 slices Trader Joe’s Sliced Soy Cheese Alternative (Cheddar Flavor)
2 pieces Morning Star Farms “Bacon” Strips

Use a non-stick pan. Microwave slices of “bacon” for two minutes. Place margarine spread on one side of each slice of bread. Place one slice of bread face down, add a slice of “cheese.” Layer “bacon” over the “cheese.” Place other “cheese” slice and other slice of bread (margarine side up) to complete sandwich construction. Cook over medium heat until bread is light brown and cheese is melted.

Green Drinks

I know that green drinks are good for me. Weeks after daily green doses, my skin looks like I've been going to daily spa treatments. My doctor says to do it, I've read about the benefits of green drinks on countless sites and books, and experience a feeling of serious refreshment and energy when downing a fresh juice in the morning.

But why does it have to taste so awful?

A friend offered a really simple tip. Throw in a piece of apple, pineapple or any sweet fruit to contrast that strong green taste. And surprisingly, most fruits work beautifully. Here's my usual morning greenie:

3 stalks of celery
5 med-large carrots
ginger (to taste)
3-4 handfuls of spinach
3 small pieces of pineapple

Blend all ingredients in a juicer. Place handfuls of spinach in chopper with other vegetables.