Neighborhood Gem

I don't usually post too much about restaurants, but last night when we got home, Chris and I stopped in at this Greek restaurant, Dafni, which opened in our neighborhood this summer. We'd always walked right by it, sort of writing it off because of its proximity to Port Authority, but man, were we wrong!

We split an order of kolokithokeftedes—zucchini fritters with onion, mint and cheese served with tzatziki—and the vegetarian moussaka—layers of vegetables in a tomato sauce with cucumber relish and fava dip on the side. That shut us up.

If you ever find yourself in the area, you should definitely drop in. They also have a pretty good wine list, which I'm looking forward to exploring in the near future.

Photo from restaurant website.

Thanksgiving Yogurt Adventure

As I sit writing this, I am at Chris' mom's kitchen table trying to get motivated to do homework. Yesterday's celebration at his dad's house was really nice, and afterwards, Chris and I stopped by the house of one of my friends from college. A whole collection of people I know from the Boston poetry scene were there, so it was great to catch up.

This morning involved going to the gym with Chris' mom and then enjoying some hot coffee while looking out over the river. Since she's only been in this apartment for about a week, there wasn't a whole lot in the fridge, but there were a few containers of Stonyfield Farms yogurt she told me to help myself to. There was also a half-finished container of whole milk plain yogurt left by the previous tenant.

I tend to prefer plain yogurt, so I will admit, I actually tasted the leftover stuff. It was still good, but I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of whole milk yogurt. I'm sure if I were used to it, I wouldn't have found the taste so weird, but it was just kind of...funny. So I reached for one of the "berry pomegranate" flavored varieties.

The yogurt was pretty good, if a little sweet. While scanning the ingredients, I noted the organic evaporated cane juice (sugar) and the organic fruit juices and the ubiquitous "natural flavor." I always find it funny how companies try to convince you that their product is somehow healthier because it's sweetened with fruit juice or with evaporated cane juice. I mean, sugar is sugar is sugar, and gram for gram, different varieties have the same nutritional value (nil). This yogurt also had pectin in it, which is a naturally occurring substance (a polysaccharide, which is a sugar) found in fruit peels and skins. It's basically what allows cooking apples to gel, and it's often used as a thickening agent.

While I guess it's better than the gelatin I saw listed in a suspisciously-thick Yoplait Light yogurt I had at a rest stop on Wednesday, it just seems weird that one would want to have their yogurt specially thickened. I mean, what's wrong with regular yogurt? It seems thick enough to me. This stuff felt a bit like eating creamy jello.

I don't think that people who buy pre-sweetened, thickened yogurts are bad or anything. Sometimes it's a better alternative than other offerings, especially if you're traveling. I just think it's annoying that the food companies add such weird stuff to otherwise innocuous products.

Anyway, that's my two cents for the day. Tonight we're going to a dosa restaurant in Central Square and to see some of Chris' high school friends. Hope everyone is having a lovely holiday!

McDonald's Goes "Green"

By the end of 2009, about 100 McDonald's restaurants in Germany will be swapping the traditional red background for a hunter green intended to boost the chain's eco-friendly image in Europe. Some locations in Britain and France have already made the change.

Granted, this does reflect the company's recent changes to more environmentally-friendly refrigeration methods and converting used oil into biofuel, but I don't know, reading stuff like this kind of annoys me. This is why I guess I'm not working in PR anymore. I feel like McDonald's is in no position to be luring in customers attempted to lead a greener lifestyle. Can we talk, just for a minute, about the strain obesity (to which a diet rich in fast food may contribute) has on the planet?

Read more here.

"Food Holidays"

While there are a lot of things to love about this time for year (I, for one, get really excited about all the lights), I get so sick of magazines running the same regurgitated story about how to avoid gaining weight during the holidays. How did Thanksgiving come to be such a drama?

Someone asked me the other day what I see myself doing with my degree, and the first thing that came out of my mouth was that I see myself serving as a sort of marriage counselor for America and Food. Of course, what I learn in school and will continue to learn is how to get both parties on the couch as well as how to facilitate an open, constructive discussion.

I have always gotten annoyed by all the hoopla around "Food Holidays" like Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's not the whole "let's celebrate by slaughtering a big bird and gathering around it" thing that bothers me because I can appreciate the tribal element, even if it's not my scene. What I'm talking about is the emotional stakes and the anxiety surrounding the meal. Dealing with your family is stressful enough for a lot of us!

I am of the belief that a lot of people who feel they have problems "controlling" themselves at such events feel that way because they've been told they have problems with self-control around food and therefore they need to buy this or that magazine so it can tell them how to reign it in and stay in line like a "good" girl (or boy). If a publication tells you you're an emotional eater, you're more likely to subscribe to that idea and incorporate it into your behavior. Power of suggestion.

Of course, this is just a theory. I am one of the (supposedly) freakish few people who are not emotional eaters—I have the opposite issue, which can be just as problematic. For example, I've been told that whenever I'm upset, as a woman, of course I always reach for my pals Ben and Jerry. I do? I mean, is that what I'm supposed to do? Am I somehow less of a woman because I prefer to throw a pillow across the room or go to a yoga class? And I'll admit, at times, I feel a little out of the cultural loop. I can observe and speculate but I don't know if I can ever truly understand. I just see what I see and it makes me crazy.

Whatever happened to just enjoying a meal and the company at the table? Why does food have to be the enemy? We seem to have forgotten that food is nourishment, one the basic things we need to stay alive. I hate hearing people talk about guilty they feel for eating a certain item or how "bad" they are for having a slice of pie or a piece of cake. I'm always tempted to say, "Well, I'm not." Actually, what I'm really tempted to say is, "How guilty you feel is your choice. Spare me."

Don't get me wrong, I do like Thanksgiving food okay, but to me, it's simply a nice meal someone put a lot of care into making, and like at any other meal, the foods I place on my plate are placed there to give me energy and the nutrients I need in balanced proportions, not sabotage my life...

Cake Wrecks

More with the birthday stuff. My mom asked me what kind of cake I want, and even though I have my preferences, I usually find myself thinking more about what everyone else would like to have. Meaning, I think I'm one of the only people I know who genuinely loves carrot cake, and for some reason, that's where my taste buds are at this season, but I don't want the rest of my family to be like, "Ew. Carrot cake? Seriously?"

But it's so moist and delicious...

Anyway, I spent the day Christmas shopping with my mom, and near the end of the day, we stopped in a book store with my sister. I swear to god, we laughed over this book Cake Wrecks for a good ten minutes at least! Holy s**t! And there's a blog version too, full of hilarious pictures of cakes gone wrong!

This reminds me of my Confirmation party when I was 14, and as a joke, my mom had the purse-toting purple teletubby put on my cake. I still have no idea what that was about. The bewildered expression on my face in those pictures is almost as good as the ones of me trashed and giggling with a knife in my hand at my 21st.

Oh, memories. And cake. Check out the website, it's a good time. Hardly nutritious, but f-ing hilarious.

Thanksgiving By the Stars

I found this fun little Gobbling By the Signs list that tells you what your astrological sign's typical Thanksgiving behavior is.

I was amused to see that my sign, Sagittarius, is most likely to just go camping for the long weekend. That sounds about right. Well, maybe not camping—I think a tropical locale would be much more my speed. At least that's what I'd rather be doing. I'm not a big fan of Thanksgiving and other holidays that involve traveling and sitting still for long periods of time being on good behavior. Ideally, I like to be able to work in the kitchen or get out and take a walk at some point for some fresh air and alone time.

This year, my family is going up to Boston to spend Thanksgiving with Chris' family. I'm sure it will be fun, but I'm definitely bringing my yoga pants. It's not quite the same as a long walk on the beach, but I'm sure I'll be needing to take me a few vinyasas.

Feast on some astrological insight into the holiday eating habits of your friends and loved ones.

Aries starts eating before everyone else has been seated.

Taurus accepts only the finest pieces of white meat.

Gemini grabs both turkey wings for themselves.

Cancer spends all day slaving over a hot stove and cries when the meal is over too soon.

Leo sulks that Capricorn is at the head of the table.

Virgo will only accept a minimum helping of the meal.

Libra does their best to make sure everyone gets equal portions.

Scorpio puts extra garlic in the mashed potatoes.

Sagittarius goes camping for the long weekend.

Capricorn sits at the head of the table.

Aquarius makes a meal entirely out of soy products.

Pisces wants to be one with the turkey.

Way to be part of the problem, Ms. Moss

I don't know if any of you guys have been hearing about Kate Moss' recent comment in a Women's Wear Daily interview that "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels."

Ohhhh dear...

While I'm sure there are some who would argue that she just doesn't realize how dangerous a statement like that can be (that exact slogan can be found on websites promoting anorexic behavior in girls), I have a feeling there are plenty more who are outraged and think Moss is being irresponsible. And, um, is this a good time to note that she has a 7-year-old daughter? And that she's supposedly writing a cook book (at least according to British Vogue)?

It all kind of makes my head spin. I had a very interesting email exchange with a friend yesterday about the pressures on women to look a certain way yet not too much so and not to look like we actually take the time to take care of our minds and bodies. That might be portrayed as selfish or snobby. And is it a good thing or a bad thing to be a "skinny bitch?" So many blurred lines, so much confusion.

Though I tend to say that everyone is entitled to their opinion, I think that Moss is being irresponsible. She may or may not realize that people only listen to her because she looks a certain way and that her looks give her an influence she really doesn't deserve—or that if she does deserve it, those qualities are rarely on display. For years, girls have looked up to her as a role model, weirdly enough, and at some point, one should acknowledge the responsibility they have to use their influence for good.

Spouting pro-anorexia BS to WWDis not exactly the way to use your (unearned) power to promote a positive message.

Le sigh. I hate the fashion industry.

Happy Early Birthday to Me!

My aunt just sent me this ten-days-early, very grim birthday card. By "grim," I mean darkly comical, and inappropriate for any of your vegetarian loved ones. Lucky for her, I do eat eggs. I laughed.

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Happy Birthday!

Powdered Peanut Butter

I know this stuff is kind of old news, but it just crossed my radar again—Powdered peanut butter sounds a little weird, and while I can't say I'd be able to justify paying a lot for it, I am rather curious. It could be really good in yogurt, smoothies, oatmeal, baked goods, and other stuff. True, you could just add peanut butter or almond butter, but this is powder! So weird! So convenient!

Haha I hate when I am won over by marketing and novelty. If I get around to trying it, I'll be sure to post.

What To Eat When "Healthy" Isn't An Option

Okay, so I know that women's magazines aren't exactly the best sources of dietary advice, but sometimes it's interesting to see where the rest of the world outside of a nutrition grad program is at.

On Glamour Magazine's Health and Fitness section this month, there is a piece called "What To Eat When Healthy Eating Isn't An Option," which describes various scenarios in which you might find yourself in a "nutritional wasteland," and what types of lesser-of-two-evils choices you can make to get the most nutritional bang for your buck.

Check it out here.

Seafood Watch

I don't know about you guys, but sometimes I get overwhelmed by all the dueling information about seafood there is out there. What's safe to eat in which areas at which times of year? Who can you trust? Where does my fish come from? Which types should I avoid and why? What about overfishing? The environment? Omega 3's?

The list goes on and on and on. It's hard to keep track and keep a clear head. Luckily, there are a few organizations out there attempting to help people make educated choices. Check out Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch for starters.

Recipe Modification

As you can probably guess by reading this blog, I love to cook. I also happen to have quite a few people in my life with various food allergies and sensitivities and preferences, so I often find myself modifying recipes so that everyone can eat what I make. I am also fascinated by the science of it—using the properties of the ingredients to predict how they will react with each other under various cooking techniques is so much more fun to me than the stuff in my chemistry textbook! I'd rather talk about food than methane.

For a school project, I recently had to adapt a recipe to make it appropriate for someone following the TLC (Therapeutic Lifestyle Change) diet to lower the risk of chronic heart conditions. I chose pumpkin pie, as it's one of my seasonal favorites. But who am I kidding? I would eat pumpkin pie in July.

I found the easiest way to lower the saturated fat and cholesterol in the pie was to make it vegan, and then I remembered that my friend Leah, who is vegan and sensitive to gluten, was having a birthday celebration today and that I had offered to cook some vegan, gluten-free goods.

Hence, a gluten-free, vegan pumpkin pie! Chris suggested the pecans on top—beautiful!

Here's your "No, duh" for the day!

Echoing what dieticians have been saying for years, an Australian study shows that low-carb diets can be linked to grumpiness.

According to a study of 106 obese people, those following a diet that was low in fat and allowed some carbohydrates tended to be less angry, depressed and confused after a year than those on a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet.

This study was published yesterday in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine. You can read more about it here.

I was surprised that the article I read didn't mention the fact that we need glucose for energy and that you get glucose from carbohydrates. If we don't have enough glucose in our system, our body starts to break down protein and fat for energy. That may sound like a good thing to those trying to lose weight, but some brain and nervous cells rely exclusively on glucose, so a shortage can make you feel mentally and physically sluggish. Of course you're going to feel cranky!

While it's worth noting that both diets were equally effective at reducing overall weight, wouldn't you rather, well, not be in a bad mood for a year?

Let Me Down Easy

On Saturday, Chris and I got student rush tickets to see Anna Deavere Smith's Let Me Down Easy at the Second Stage Theatre. If you have the opportunity, go see this! It was not exactly cheerful, but you will come away with a lot to think about. You may be stirred up, but you will not be disappointed.

I'd first encountered Smith while I was doing my undergrad at Emerson, when my honors class studied her play Twilight, and ever since, I'd been hoping I'd have a chance to see her perform live. The way she embodies her incredibly varied interview subjects on stage is mind-blowing to me, especially as someone who has performance in my background.

In this one-woman show, she portrays twenty different individuals she interviewed for the play, ranging from Lauren Hutton to Lance Armstrong to a doctor from Charity Hospital in New Orleans to her aunt.

On the surface, the play is about our country and its health care system, but it is also about life and death, winning and losing and all the disparities in between. This write-up in today's Times is a pretty good summary without giving away too much.

One thing I found myself wondering was if anyone will ever be able to write a successful play about our country's twisted food culture. At first, I was thinking, "Gee, someone should do an eating disorders play," but I really think food in our country is such a broad topic and so many different groups of people have so many different and passionate feelings about it, from consumers all the way up through the government and out into the industry. I don't know how you'd keep it interesting without getting too bogged down in "this bill and that lobbyist," but it could be really fascinating.

Lentils & Sweet Potatoes: Who Knew?

In the summer, I tend to eat a lot of salads for lunch, but once the weather cools down, I branch out a lot more and try different things. Today, I found a new favorite: lentils with sweet potatoes and spinach.

I actually got the idea from a blog called Runner's Kitchen, which a former co-worker turned me on to. Though I am by no stretch a runner, I do love exercise, and it's nice to see another young woman out there who sees food as fuel for her busy life and not as an enemy that must be conquered.

The dish was really easy to make—the only hard part was waiting for the lentils and onions to finish cooking. I also added a couple teaspoons of curry paste, mostly to see what would happen. It was a nice addition, but you could also go without it.

Here's my attempt at a single-serving recipe:

Ingredients

1/4 c lentils

1/2-1 c water (start with a 1/2 c and add more if the lentils get too dry)

chopped onions

2 tsp olive oil

1 c spinach leaves

1 small sweet potato

2 tsp curry paste (optional)

Directions

Sautee the onions in oil until translucent.

Add lentils and stir until coated lightly.

Add 1/2 c water and stir in. When the mixture comes to a boil, lower the heat.

While the lentils are cooking, you can cook the potato in the microwave for 4 or 5 minutes.

When it looks like the lentils are almost done, stir in the spinach until it wilts in.

Stir curry paste into lentils and spinach.

Peel and cube potato. Stir into lentils.

Pour into a bowl and enjoy.

Why Fast Eating Leads to Overeating

A group of Greek researchers recently conducted a study in which volunteers ate 300 mL of ice cream at various rates. Both before and after eating, their blood glucose, insulin, lipids, and gut hormones were mentioned.

What researchers found was that fast eating limits the release of gut hormones that tell the body it's full. Surprise, surprise. It's good to see some clinical evidence to back up what dieticians have been trying to get across for years: slow down so you can enjoy your food.

You can read more here. The study will appear in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Giving Thanks a little early this year

Today in one of my classes, we discussed renal diseases and the types of diets one must follow when kidney function is impaired.

Let me just say, the renal diet is incredibly complicated and bland—I can imagine it would be frustrating to follow. Not only do you have to limit protein in most cases, but you also have to avoid foods high in both potassium (you can pretty much kiss fresh fruits and veggies goodbye) and phosphorous (so long dairy, meats, and nuts—even soy milk!). Fluids also have to be restricted to as low as 500 mL per day in some cases! That includes soup and ice cream. You also have to monitor sodium intake.

As I downed coffee after coffee while studying for an exam today and washed an almond-butter-and-banana sandwich down with a little soy milk, I took a moment to enjoy the fact that I could.

It's easy to forget how lucky we are to be healthy when we're used to being well. It's important to remember to be thankful for that. I know sometimes I get really busy and focus more on the negative day-to-day events, but practicing a little mindfulness can be helpful—sometimes we need to clue ourselves in again to how lucky we are.

Unless of course you have renal disease and in which case, my sympathies.

Another Day, Another Beef Recall

While reading the paper this morning, I came across an article about another beef recall being put into action after two people died and more than a dozen people fell ill, possibly due to the same source of contamination: ground beef from a company called Fairbank Farms.

The voluntary recall, issued on Saturday by the company, includes 545,699 pounds of ground beef sold to retailers in 8 states: Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Some of the stores at which these products were sold include Price Chopper, Giant, Trader Joe's Wild Harvest, and Shaws.

While I know that cooking can kill a lot of the bacteria, I still get really nervous when I read stuff like this. It seems to be happening way too often. There is a lot that the consumer can do to lower their chances of falling ill, but if you're starting out with a contaminated product, there's not a whole lot you can do.

Since one of the few foods I don't like is ground beef, it's not a huge deal to me, but I know that my dad, for example, practically lives off of the stuff. I feel like when I read about these things, it's easy to feel like "oh, that's just something that happens to other people," but I'm sure that those people who get sick felt the same way.

While I'm not going to try to advocate a restrictive diet in which potentially dangerous foods are cut out (the list is way too long), I will say that events such as huge meat recalls should make people more concerned with knowing where their food comes from.