tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67911975278398718862012-01-29T00:18:13.274-08:00On a mission to find delicious-healthy food, Mona creates recipes and looks for restaurants/stores that defy the widely held notion: that healthy food tastes bad.monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345796330571259827noreply@blogger.comBlogger151100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6791197527839871886.post-89156048621775273002008-12-15T14:17:00.000-08:002008-12-15T15:21:01.274-08:00

I have a secret desire to be Brazilian. With a culture full of sexy and beautiful things, Brazilians dance samba all night long, drink regularly, speak in gorgeous Portuguese that makes anything sound delightful, and eat everything with black beans, rice and plantains....they know how to live!After moving to Culver City, I got a taste of my wish by visiting Café Brasil. This Venice Boulevard (

monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345796330571259827noreply@blogger.com80tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6791197527839871886.post-43611992338784547782008-10-13T15:36:00.000-07:002008-10-25T13:20:31.908-07:00

Every couple of months or so, an errand takes me into Orange County. It’s a trek, so I break up the drive with a stop at my favorite raw vegan restaurant: the magnificent Au Lac. I make excuses to head there now, because it’s impossible to find food like this anywhere else.There's an ongoing rumor about Au Lac's Chef Ito, that he hasn’t spoken in 10 years. I can’t confirm this because every

monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345796330571259827noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6791197527839871886.post-87390139452522791982008-04-21T18:12:00.000-07:002008-10-25T13:34:39.560-07:00

I'm proud to say that I'm from Pasadena. It's a fantastic city, complete with the Tournament of Roses Parade (I was even a Rose Princess), San Gabriel mountains, the legendary and beautiful Rose Bowl, and a jam-packed, grease-filled restaurant row.KFC, McDonalds, Burger King, Roscoe's Chicken n Waffles, Carl's Jr and Taco Bell...they're all here in one city block. And nestled right between them

monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345796330571259827noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6791197527839871886.post-21954378416519534622008-01-14T17:40:00.000-08:002008-01-22T19:53:04.607-08:00

Are you one of the carb obsessed? I don't worry too much about carbs...BUT I believe there are certain ones that are not so good for you. Wheat doesn't work for a number of reasons: with very little nutritional value, the body tends to have a hard time processing it aka "moving" it out. I've been living proof that eliminating it from my diet was one of the best things I could have done for

monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345796330571259827noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6791197527839871886.post-16750923811357901952007-12-26T17:50:00.001-08:002008-01-02T23:05:45.901-08:00

I should have an inflated head, because my friends tell me over and over again, “You’re such an interesting cook!” If they only knew the truth: I typically prepare and eat the same things over and over again, week after week, and year after year...So when I discover something amazing and new, it's a real event! But making these culinary leaps into the unknown without the right kitchen

monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345796330571259827noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6791197527839871886.post-42819751783330575402007-12-10T10:14:00.000-08:002009-01-27T07:32:39.524-08:00

True, the only meat I eat is seafood.  But many of my friends don't eat animals, so watching them navigate through most restaurants...they have a little bit of a challenge.Since my husband is vegetarian, here's what his dining out experience is like:Bland, underseasoned or just straight up funky food.  I mean funky in the least flattering way.  There seems to be an agreement throughout the veggie

monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345796330571259827noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6791197527839871886.post-19751726242845452372007-12-07T20:55:00.000-08:002007-12-07T21:16:10.295-08:00

I get my best ideas when I'm being lazy. I simply didn't want to go to the store today. So I made do with what was in the kitchen. A frozen pack of seafood, tomato sauce, spices and pasta made me proud. Too bad I couldn't share it with anyone, because I ate it all at one sitting.Mona's Damned-Tasty Cioppino2 tablespoons olive oil1 small onion, chopped fine4 cloves of garlic, minced1 teaspoon

monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345796330571259827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6791197527839871886.post-34293162782607104772007-12-01T12:47:00.000-08:002007-12-03T19:23:43.969-08:00

Working in restaurants has its benefits. I've learned so much from chefs, cooks, waiters and customers. My friend Katja (executive chef at Ciudad Restaurant) introduced me to sunchokes. They kept appearing in her recipes and she kept raving about their flavor. They're commonly known as Jerusalem artichokes. Here's what I don't get, they're native to North America. And they're really healthy and

monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345796330571259827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6791197527839871886.post-61216356614318695722007-12-01T09:54:00.000-08:002007-12-11T19:42:25.223-08:00

These are easy, healthy, flavorful. Cucumbers can be tricky to prepare - how else can I make them other than in a salad with tomato? This Korean-inspired idea makes for a quick and healthy meal or side dish.3 Persian cucumbers (they're really flavorful, try to use smaller size, but anyone you prefer will work...)2 tablespoons kosher salt2 cloves of garlic (chopped)1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345796330571259827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6791197527839871886.post-50000070662561471332007-11-23T19:48:00.000-08:002008-10-25T12:51:45.013-07:00

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

monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345796330571259827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6791197527839871886.post-49229045177893458162007-11-21T12:18:00.000-08:002007-11-21T13:31:50.596-08:00

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.

monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345796330571259827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6791197527839871886.post-57426638893715022732007-11-14T08:43:00.000-08:002007-11-24T12:35:53.753-08:00

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

monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345796330571259827noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6791197527839871886.post-8003587342191050122007-11-14T08:19:00.000-08:002007-11-14T09:00:31.038-08:00

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

monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345796330571259827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6791197527839871886.post-56878942809463978922007-09-28T19:28:00.000-07:002007-09-28T20:01:49.131-07:00

I hear this ALL of the time. Especially when I'm invited over for dinner. Given my dietary limitations of no wheat, yeast, dairy or sugar...most folks feel like nothing I eat tastes good. I only wish you could come to my house, so I can show you how good food can be healthy.Here's what my usual day looks like.BREAKFAST - fresh pineapple and/or Ezekiel bread with fruit spread. This sprouted

monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345796330571259827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6791197527839871886.post-92065144254506118902007-09-28T18:50:00.000-07:002008-11-13T19:47:18.411-08:00

Because it might make you feel better. I'm no nutritionist, physician or health-buff. I'm just a woman who figured out an empowering way to get healthy. Let me explain...Five years ago, I ate whatever I wanted. I had a serious love affair with butter, cream and french fries. When I met my (now) husband in 2003, I remember telling him that, "I don't do nonfat." Along with a decadent

monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345796330571259827noreply@blogger.com1