Lori, Author at Fake Food Free

A Country without a Food

January 26, 2009

I think I neglected to mention that I finally got my hands on a copy of Michael Pollan’s Omnivore’s Dilemma. Although I am now half way through it, I was only a few pages into the intro when I knew I would love it. This was all due to the comment below:

As a relatively new nation drawn from many different immigrant populations,
each with its own food, Americans have never had a single, strong, stable
culinary tradition to guide us.

The moment I read it I wanted to exclaim, “Yes, that is exactly what I had been thinking!”

If you are from the US (or even if you aren’t) have you ever thought about this issue? It is one of those things that really came to the forefront for me when I moved abroad. The US doesn’t have a traditional claim-to-fame food. We try to say foods such as hamburgers and fries or apple pie, but the truth is most of those things can be traced back to European countries.

There are some things here and there, but none of them really stand out and say US. You know, like Brazil and feijoada, Ireland and shepherd’s pie, Germany and sausages, France and bouillabaisse, Japan and sushi. The list could go on and on, and the truth is many of these countries have multiple dishes that hold some portion of their identity.

The main reason this issue comes to mind as a traveler and ex-pat is that many of us go to other countries to experience the food. Then we have conversations with those of that country about coming to the US. If you’ve ever had a discussion like this you know where the food conversation goes.

Yep, you guessed it – fast food.

Around here, people go on and on about all the fast food places we have in the US. This always makes me cringe. It is downright embarrassing. Is this really what we are known for in the world of food? Unfortunately, to many people, yes.

I live in a smaller city in Brazil and every year they have a world food fair. At this event there are booths that serve foods typical to other parts of Brazil and other countries of the world. Want to know what they have in the US booth?

Hotdogs.

And people are lined up for these every night. It is a foot long hot dog bar. You get to choose the toppings of your choice.

At first sight of this I was pretty disgusted. I mean, I love a good hot dog at a cookout or better yet a Chicago style dog, but, once more I ask, is this really what we are known for?

Then again, when I tried to think of a substitute nothing came to mind. It was when I read that statement by Michael Pollan that I realized that we really don’t have a food.

That isn’t too say we don’t have great food. Our melting pot is brimming over with delicious eats, but when you get to the core of things nothing stands out as ours.

As the book somewhat suggestions this is what might lead to our unrealistic accusations that come out about once every few years identifying a certain food as an enemy – white rice, pasta, potatoes. I can only imagine what other cultures think of our damning these real foods they see as staples. Not to mention the fact that we feel these foods are killing us and the countries who regularly consume them seem to be happy and healthy without problem.

So what do you think of this issue? Is there a food out there I am missing?

Does our lack of a food of our own make us who we are as a melting pot or is it hurting our ideals regarding healthy eating?

Photo by Nicolas Raymond, http://www.morguefile.com/

Links to a Healthy Weekend

January 24, 2009

Happy Weekend! I’m not sure about everyone else, but this week went by so fast for me. I didn’t get to do all the blog reading I wanted to, but I did find some interesting things this week.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. Have a great weekend and I’ll see you on Monday!

Healthy Discoveries had an interesting post on Nia (Neuromuscular Integrative Action). I had a coworker back in the States who taught this, but unfortunately I was never able to try a workshop. It looks sounds so interesting hopefully someday I’ll get the opportunity.

Zesty Cook had an awesome recipe for easy beer bread. I love beer bread! I think I’ll make mine with Guinness.

Will the recession make you fat? My husband sent me this article from MSN this week about how having less money to spend on meals may cause people to choose less expensive, unhealthy foods. Certainly something to think about.

Back in Skinny Jeans had a post about eating out less and hosting dinner parties to save money. First of all, I love hosting dinner parties. I don’t save much money that way, but I guess if you rotated hosting with friends you could.

I do want to say that one of the best ways to save money is stop eating out. This is the main way my husband and I save our money to travel. In Brazil, it is much less expensive so we tend to do it more often, but when we lived in the US we probably ate out about twice a month.

I would always come across people giving me the “must be nice” attitude when we would head out for a trip. Meanwhile they were spending buku bucks on lunches out every day. Eating from home can really save the dollars!

Goats: The Green Way to Kill a Weed

January 22, 2009

I’ve got a bit of fun info for you today that is somewhat related to both food and the environment. For the last few months I’ve been trying to figure out a way to incorporate goats into one of my posts.

I enjoy a little goat cheese mixed into dishes although I’ve never used it at home myself. Then there is goat meat, but let’s not even go there. I’ve seen it on the menu in places like Jamaica, but I simply could never eat goat meat whether it means I’m not being open to other cultures or not.

And this is why:

Although I didn’t talk about it much at the time, when I was home visiting my family over the summer 4 of my parent’s goats were pregnant. I got to experience the birth of 6 baby goats including 2 sets of twins! I’m smiling now just thinking about how much fun it was.

I saw them over Christmas all puffed out to keep warm in the cold temperatures and this is what brought the topic of goats to mind again.

I was flipping through a magazine this past weekend and I finally found my goat topic – kudzu. Kudzu is a vine/plant that was imported to the US from Japan in the mid-1800s and was first used to prevent soil erosion. Soon it took off and got completely out of control, mostly in the southern parts of the US – Georgia, North Carolina, etc. Now it is considered a very annoying weed. Some states have even mandated that people remove it from their property.

This is where the goats come in. As you know, and I assure it is true, a goat will eat anything. So instead of herbicides which don’t work anyway, land owners are using goats to clear the kudzu from their property. Apparently the goats love it and nutritionally it is pretty good for them, according to what I’ve read.

When I came across the story it struck me as such a positive example of an environmentally safe way to eliminate a weed. No chemicals or dangerous materials, just a cute goat munching away. And of course, it gave me an excuse to share my photos.

Stuffed Zucchini

January 21, 2009

One thing we always had a lot of growing up was zucchini. My dad’s garden would overflow with it for a few weeks each year when it was at its peak. During this time we would overdose on it – fried, boiled, in bread, as fritters. Shredding it was never fun, but the end result was usually worth it.

While zucchini is a summer squash this dish has all the comforts of winter for me. I found it on the Food Network a few years ago. If I can score an overpriced zucchini this time of year at the store, I like to whip it up for something different. It always makes for a lean, high protein, healthy carb dinner with all the vitamins tomatoes and squash have to offer.

I like the zucchini stuffed better than I do the peppers so while the original recipe is Stuffed Zucchini and Red Bell Peppers my version is just zucchini. Below is my adapted recipe, click the link to see the original.

Stuffed Zucchini

Adapted from the Food Network and Giada De Laurentiis

Olive oil
1 small onion, grated
¼ c parsley, chopped
1 egg
3 tbsp ketchup
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
1/3 c grated parmesan
¼ c dried bread crumbs
1 lb ground turkey
3 to 4 zucchini, halved and hallowed out
1 ½ c marinara sauce (I use my homemade version)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Drizzle oil in oven proof baking dish. Whisk together – onion, parsley, egg, ketchup, garlic, salt and pepper. Mix with ground turkey, bread crumbs and cheese. Stuff the zucchini with the meat mixture, arrange in dish. Cover with marinara (you could also top it with cheese) and bake for 45 minutes.

Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee

January 20, 2009

As you know I recently returned from a trip to Jamaica. There are many things I love about visiting Jamaica, but one that tops the list is Blue Mountain Coffee. When we go I have to bring back some of this amazing stuff. To me, it is truly the best in the world. I’ve had a lot of different coffees including 100% Kona and none can compare to real Blue Mountain Coffee.

Some quick facts on this variety:

The name Blue Mountain Coffee can only be given to coffee grown in at the highest elevation in the Blue Mountains and it must be board certified.

This bean comes from the Arabica variety and the Blue Mountains produce the perfect location for its growth.

It is known for its non-bitter taste and mild flavor.

Most of this coffee exported from Jamaica goes to Japan.

You can order it online from various brands (or take a trip to Jamaica!). It is well worth an occasional splurge if you are a true coffee lover.

I love coffee of all kinds and it is one of those things that I believe can benefit our health. I’m not saying you should drink it if you simply don’t like it (tea is great too), but those of us who enjoy it shouldn’t be worried.

There is so much research out there and more coming everyday about how coffee can help your health. Many of the negative views of coffee are now being dispelled as myths. For me, coffee is like white rice. Many cultures have enjoyed it for many years as a staple in their diets.

I would need much more hard evidence to eliminate coffee from my daily routine. It is as much about the ritual for me as it is the flavor. I love my mornings working at my laptop with warm coffee nearby in my favorite mug. I do exercise moderation having about 2 to 3 cups a day.

I’ve gone through phases where I’ve had a lot more and I don’t think this is healthy. Especially considering how it makes me feel. At the level I consume right now I look forward to it, but I do not suffer from withdraw headaches if I don’t have it. This is what has made me realize I’m at a healthy balance now.

Here are a few things studies have suggested regarding the moderate intake of coffee. Keep in mind that these are findings, and of course, as with most science, not exactly hard fact yet. For me, they are enough evidence to hang on to my coffee habit, though.

It may reduce the risk for Type II diabetes.
It may reduce the risk for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
It may have a protective effect against some cancers.

These kinds of things really don’t surprise me because coffee is a real, natural food. Now that I live in Brazil I see coffee plants all the time. Did you know that decaffeinated coffee is totally foreign in Brazil? I’ve had friends here ask me about it and they don’t understand it at all.

Many times I think the ritual of coffee drinking may be what can help us mentally. While I know it is perking my body up, the act of drinking it is comforting and stress reducing for me. Maybe you feel the same way. Let me know in the comments.

Back to the Blue Mountain stuff. A few years ago I had the chance to go on a bike tour of the Blue Mountains in Jamaica and check out this coffee for myself. I’ve posted a few pictures below.

And I just couldn’t leave this post without giving you a recipe. I made these late last year for a friend here in Brazil. I didn’t have Blue Mountain coffee at the time so any finely ground variety will work well. Careful! They pack a huge coffee punch. I was amazed at how good they are and plan to make them again soon. Enjoy!!

Jamaican Coffee Brownies
Taken and slightly adapted from epicurious.com

2 cups sugar
15 tablespoons (2 sticks minus 1 tablespoon) unsalted butter
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons finely ground Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee beans
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9x2-inch metal pan with nonstick spray. Combine sugar, butter, cocoa, ground coffee, and salt in large bowl. Place bowl over saucepan of simmering water and whisk until butter melts and ingredients are blended (texture will be grainy). Remove bowl from over water; cool mixture to lukewarm if necessary. Whisk in eggs and vanilla. Add flour over and fold in.

Spread batter in prepared pan. Bake brownies until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool brownies in pan. Makes about 15 brownies.

Well, It Is Here

January 19, 2009

There has been a repetitive ad in every single health magazine I have read in the New Year. (It has been a lot of magazines, by the way. It was a long flight to Brazil!)

What is that ad, you ask? Truvia™

If you remember back in October I did a post about the Great Sweetener Debate where I talked about the sweetener stevia and some of the concerns that exist at the moment regarding its safety.

We knew it was coming and here it is. Truvia™ is the commercial name they have given to stevia rebiana. It is likely you are going to see it popping up in products a lot now if you haven’t already.

It looks like our FDA gave the company the thumbs up on safety in foods. However, the product is still quite controversial around the world. It is widely used in Japan, some countries have put a limit on what can be considered safe intake amounts and it is still banned in Europe. The bans result from early studies suggesting it could negatively influence reproduction and be carcinogenic.

Is that really any surprise? I mean, look at all the controversy surround aspartame, saccharin and sucralose.

I guess we’ll all just have to decide for ourselves. I’m planning to stick with my regular sweeteners of plain ol’ white sugar, brown sugar and honey. No, chemicals for me thanks. Even if it comes from a plant and is termed “natural” there always has to be something going on to mass produce it commercially.

If you want to read more about it there is a great article on treehugger, including some info about how the tribes of Brazil and Paraguay used to chew on the leaves believing it was a method of birth control. Yikes!

Tell me what you think.

Photo by Pat Her, www.morguefile.com

Links to a Healthy Weekend

January 18, 2009

The links are a little late this weekend, but I liked them so much I had to get around to posting them. I kind of dropped off the face of the earth with posts in the middle of the week. I spent all day Thursday and Friday traveling back to Brazil. I’m here now and posting will get back to a true normal next week. I’ve got lots of good health and food info lined up, and cooking will start back up for me.

We stocked up at the supermarket yesterday and this morning we went to the feira (farmer’s market) for our produce. I miss home, but I’m so glad to be back to inexpensive produce! Here are a few pictures I took today as well as my stash of goodies for the week.

Now on to the links I enjoyed this week…

Pink Bites posted a recipe for my favorite soup in Brazil. Try some Caldo Verde if you need some warm comfort food this week.

Buff Chickpea is sharing all her lemon recipes with us. Lemon isn’t always my favorite, but after the holidays and all the heavy desserts, lemon can be light and refreshing. I loved the cookies she had up this week. Yum!

Daily Spud posted a simple and unique dessert recipe that meets just about every food and eating style imaginable. A great option for those of us trying to get back on track with healthy eating after the holidays.

Different Way to Get Your Chocolate

January 13, 2009

In case you haven’t noticed, I haven’t been cooking a lot lately. I’m eating at home, but I really didn’t think you would get excited about the same ol’ oatmeal, scrambled eggs and all the other boring stuff I’ve been having. So I’m entertaining you with my travels and finds until I get back into the kitchen more, probably next week.

I visited a friend in Louisville, KY last week and found myself a Whole Foods. As I think I’ve mentioned before, I could never do all my grocery shopping at that store, but I love browsing the aisles for the unique. I ended up buying a few things to take back to Brazil with me including some bars so I’m not stuck paying $5 for a mini can of Pringles if I get hungry on my domestic flights.

Traveling is just about the only time I purchase bars, mainly due to their convenience. I will have to say the major bar-making companies are doing a good job of putting less and less ingredients in their products. While, I don’t consider them completely off the fake food list for me, many are getting darn close.

This time I decided to try a Clif Nectar Cacao bar in Dark Chocolate Raspberry. It looks like these officially came out in 07, but they are new to me. Along with the ingredient list, I was mainly convinced to buy it because it was decent size for the 160 calories it offers. I just can’t get into a tiny 1 inch bar that has 200 calories in it. Also, it was about $1.19 a bar. Not cheap, but nowhere near the most expensive in the bar aisle.

All the ingredients in the bar are organic. This isn’t of huge concern to me, but it may be to you. The list was short and included dates, cashews, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa and raspberries.

It was definitely a winning combination if you are looking for a sweet snack. I do wish they would take the “2 servings of fruit” off the front. Sure, it may equal that in some random way, but let’s get our fruit servings from fruit and not focus on getting them from bars. You know me though, there is always something.

Would I get this again – for sure! I was actually looking for them around my hometown, but didn’t find them. If you want to get some chocolate in a relatively healthy nutrition bar form I say go for it.

In fact, after looking at the ingredient list I’m wondering why I couldn’t throw that combination together and make these bars myself. I just might give it a try.

Visiting Vegas

January 12, 2009

Okay, so after this I’ll be back to my old self again. Just one more travel post for you all, at least for now. I just couldn’t forget to post about our New Year’s trip to Las Vegas.

My favorite thing to do in Vegas is to stop at all the restaurants as we go through hotels and check out the menus. Some of the most unique combinations and ingredients exist out there with all of the elegant dining. Often, I realize after seeing the prices that I will never be able to eat there, but menu browsing is fun.

Don’t worry, though, we did eat plenty. It was just at more middle-of-the-road (read: I can actually afford it) restaurants. The food was amazing, fancy restaurant or not.

I also love looking around the grounds of the hotels and seeing the beautiful decorations and landscaping. Funny thing, one of the coolest pieces of landscaping just happened to be food related.

We were headed down the side walk from the Wynn to the Palazzo and an intoxicating aroma filled my senses. I stopped and asked my husband if he smelled it. Upon looking around a bit, I found it.

The sidewalk was lined with rosemary that had been trimmed into a long running shrub. I love rosemary and smell was amazing. Definitely a unique idea.

Before I go on I should probably warn you that the food blows proper portion sizes and balanced nutrition out of the water. I just keeping telling myself – it was still the holidays. I’ve been recuperating since and the diet – defined as my daily food intake, not a weight loss plan (Always gotta define how I use that word) – is doing much better.

But, oh, was it worth the splurging!

Macadamia White Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory in the Forum Shops.

Fried Chicken and Waffles from Grand Luxe Café in the Palazzo.

The Rueben with Pastrami from the Carnegie Deli in the Mirage (This was shared and still not finished).

One of the many beautiful desserts at the Bellagio buffet. This one was Chocolate Raspberry Mousse.

Well, we didn’t eat this, but this deer in the botanical gardens at the Bellagio is made of pecans.

Grilled Cheese and Salad from the Cheesecake Factory in the Forum shops.

And from our one moderately-fancy dinner on the trip, from Mon Ami Gabi in Paris – Butternut Squash soup with Crème Fraiche and Chives, French Onion soup, Roasted Pork Shank, Steak and Frites and our view of the Bellagio fountains.

Links to a Healthy Weekend and a New Year

January 10, 2009

As I’ve gotten back into keeping up with my favorite blogs this week I’ve really enjoyed browsing the resolutions and goals. I’ve been reading some pretty inspiring thoughts. They’ve given me a lot of ideas for what I might need to focus on for myself.

I’ve had a few things on my mind regarding my own goals for the year.

Stay in the moment. It is going to be a busy year for us and I don’t want to get distracted looking ahead to the next step all the time. I want to remember to enjoy the present.

Improve my running ability.

Get away from standard gym workouts and increase my exercise variety. I am taking squash racquets back to Brazil with us and I want to do more hiking.

Explore the option of getting back into teaching group exercise. Pilates and yoga instruction are starting to appeal more to me.

Expand my web writing and get an article in a print publication this year.

Here is a list of some great goals I’ve read throughout the week. Thanks to everyone who posted them. They really got me thinking.

Striving Green has some very well rounded goals for mental, physical and environmental health.

Healthy Ashley inspired me with her focus on the spirituality, people and overall wellness.

Jenn@ Fit Bottomed Girls plans to run a ½ marathon this year. I was a huge fan of her very balanced and healthy training plan.

The Nourishing Gourmet listed her resolutions focused on wholesome real foods. You’ll also find a post about her carnival where you can find even more links to health-focused resolutions.

In other links….

I posted a bit about running and entering your first 5K on Charity Mile this week which was then republished on the Runner’s Lounge if anyone out there wants to take the first step this year.

If you enjoy travel writing at all an article I wrote about my 30th birthday trip to Ilha do Mel, Brazil was published on Tatiana’s Travel Corner this week – An Island as Sweet as Honey.

Have a great weekend!!

Photo of the southern coast of Jamaica.