Eating Like the Obamas

Okay, the two Obama posts in a row is a sort-of coincidence. I just wanted to share this recipe that someone had re-posted from People magazine, of all places. I haven't read People in years (though I did have to skim through it when I was working in PR to look for clips), and I guess it occasionally runs articles that apply to nutrition.

I tried this out last night on Chris, and he actually liked it! I served it as a side dish to homemade soup, but it might be really great with pork chops or even something like grilled salmon. I'm looking forward to having the leftovers with lunch. I might try it over quinoa and add some tofu or some of the pink beans leftover from yesterday's lunch. We'll see. Cleaning the fridge sometimes helps you flex your creativity muscles.


Obama-Style Sauteed Greens and Sweet Potatoes
Recipe adapted from Chef Sam Kass

Ingredients:

2 large sweet potatoes
2 bunches of greens (chard, kale or collards) (I used one bunch of collards)
2 cloves of garlic
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 ground cloves, minced
salt and pepper
1/4 cup olive oil or vegetable oil (for sauteing the sweet potatoes—I didn't need quite this much)

Preparation:

1. Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into bite size pieces.

2. Heat half the oil in pan over medium heat and add potatoes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until just brown on all sides and soft (about 12-15 minutes, depending on size). When they are ready, add spices and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

3. While the potatoes are cooking, wash the greens (do not dry), remove stems and cut leaves into small pieces. Heat remaining oil over medium heat, add the garlic and cook for a minute before adding greens. Stir often and cook until tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Combine potatoes, honey and lemon juice with the greens, stir and serve.

Another Reason I Like Michelle Obama

When it comes to health and nutrition, the first lady seems to have a good head on her shoulders.

On a recent trip to the Health and Human Services Department, she stressed that even small changes in diet and exercise can have a big impact. Got that? "Not totally evaporating your way of being as you know it today."

"Imagine what we'll be facing in 20 or 30 years," she continued, "if we don't get on this issue. None of us wants a future like that for our children."

I really think that's an important message to put out there, especially now, when stress levels are high and health—especially diet and exercise—is one of the first things to fall by the wayside.

Putting an emphasis on the need for that healthy balance in your life is something I wish we saw more of—why can't our country make a bigger deal out of the fact that preventative care can help you in the long run?

what kind of salad?

Today in the Op-Ed section of the Times there was an interesting critique by columnist Maureen Dowd of the way President Obama sends mixed messages about food. I'm not exactly sure what to make of it.

Her gripe is that half the time, he's preaching the benefits of healthy eating and exercise, talking about the White House vegetable garden and eschewing french fries in restaurants, except for when he's showing what an average Joe he is by chomping on burgers.

"Mix the salad, not the message," Dowd says.

Might that be an arugula salad, Maureen?

When Bush was in office, there wasn't a whole lot of talk about what the President ate (except the whole pretzel incident), but you see people looking to the Obamas for cues on how to eat. Obviously, Barak and Michelle know what they're doing and who's watching, but foods like burgers and fries can be part of a healthy diet as long as you're physically active and make room for indulgences by making good food choices the majority of the time.

While I do find it encouraging to see Dowd focusing in on the President's eating habits, I feel like she misses a few opportunities to talk about what a healthy lifestyle can include. She almost makes a good point about our country's need for a good role model but doesn't exactly go there.

It also bugs me that the public supposedly considers burgers and fries "average Joe" food in the first place. It's like when you go to a bar mitzvah, and the kids get chicken fingers and mozzarella sticks, while the adults get to nosh on prime rid and caviar. Why can't everyone line up for the same buffet? It doesn't have to be one extreme or the other.

However, living in a city full of "arugula-eating liberals" who can afford fresh produce, I have to remind myself that the concept of moderation isn't exactly a no-brainer in our country.

I guess we'll just stay tuned for now.