All posts tagged: healthy eating

Tuesday Topics of Interest

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We’ve had Spring-like weather in San Francisco for a couple of weeks now, and although I wish it would rain more, I am happy with the chance that I can enjoy the bright sunny days. So although the plan this morning is to attend one meeting after another, I wanted to share some interesting topics I came across. Just in case you are bundled up at home aching for a distraction or two or three. 😉 Have you see 11.22.63 on Hulu? A suspense thriller based on Stephen King’s novel about the assassination of JFK. Although since it is based on events which actually happened in American and even world history, I found it most interesting to get a glimpse of what would have happened if time travel allowed us to go back in time and ‘fix’ a problem or two. If you have seen it, I have to ask. What did you think of the actor portraying Lee Harvey Oswald’s character. I was feeling a little off this past week, and probably my worst …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Salad with Avocado, Mango and Feta Cheese

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I bought mango over the weekend – not the usual kind but Ataulfo – which I remember having a version of it in the middle east as a child. Weird I know. But I did – in the hills of Lebanon, somehow, someone had sliced and chilled a few and served it to us one very hot summer evening, seated on a terrace, chatting up with friends and family. Anyway, this is the reason I bought the Ataulfo mango and I guess the internet realizing my nostalgia, offered up this recipe for me to consider for tonight’s dinner –  and instead of feta which I don’t have at home, I will be slicing up Cotija cheese. Recipe 2 ripe mangos, cubed 1 avocado, cubed 6 oz of feta, cubed handful of mint, chopped handful of chives, chopped handful of basil, chopped 1/4 cup of pistachios, chopped juice of 1 lemon 2 tbsp good olive oil flakey salt to taste fresh ground black pepper to taste {more} {featured image and recipe full credit On another note …

Lifestyle: Back Pain and Other Remedies

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I’ve been dealing with the worst of back pain lately – sitting at a desk for eight hours doesn’t help either. But the pain is border line agonizing. Tylenol helps and walking seems to do the trick temporarily, there is apparently seven yoga moves that also help relieve the pain.   While efforting to Superfood my way to a healthier me – I learned about Lucuma Powder – and just figured I’d put it out there, in case, you struggle like most of us with all sorts of health issues. Animals are probably the best creatures to aid in your well-being, past the meds, and all other stimulants, I prefer the holistic method to calm and tranquility: Struggling to set your boundaries, or perhaps you feel setting them is out of your control – since being so mindful of other people’s feelings – but, take it from me, not setting them will impact your overall mental and physical health: Can social media cause depression? I’ve been considering this claim and have included a supporting article, …

Food: Plant Based Desserts

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Would you ever consider a plant based diet? You know, to help flush out the impurities in your system and somewhat recharge your body. Well, I’ve been leaning towards this concept and have been doing much research to determine if this style of life is the right one for my body. With that said, the first thing I did was research if desserts could be made with only plant-based ingredients and look what I stumbled upon! Would you try the diet or the way-of-eating since plant-based diet isn’t considered an actual diet? Or are you too much of a meat lover? I’d love to hear your side of the story

Food: Dinner Tonight – Vegetarian Burrito

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I am still trying to understand why it is I crave heavy meals when the weather is so hot? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? But then again, I  have trouble understanding my body makeup and the types of cravings I need to resolve. For example – it was 98 degrees in downtown yesterday, and I wanted a full on burrito – with pulled beef, and all sorts of trimmings with a tall order of fresh squeezed lemonade. So, tonight, I am aiming for burrito at home – but a vegetarian one – not with tofu as this recipe suggests but with grilled-in-the-oven diced cauliflower.   Recipe ½ cup onions, chopped 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1 package extra-firm tofu  ( using cauliflower in stead for my recipe) 1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained 1 cup cooked quinoa 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 tablespoon ground cumin 2 teaspoons dried oregano 2 teaspoons tamari 2 tablespoons lime juice 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast  (omitting for my recipe) pinch of salt as needed to serve: burrito-style whole wheat …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Grilled Salmon

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Salmon is the only fish I’ll eat, when it comes to seafood. My recipe is simple, salt, pepper, sliced lemon, a touch of grass-fed butter, and ginger, bake in oven for until its done to your liking and serve with grilled asparagus. But tonight I am tempted to try this recipe – and see how the family takes to it. Minus the cumin – which in my household is used only for middle eastern or Mediterranean cooking. INGREDIENTS 1 (2 pounds) wild caught salmon (skin on) 2 tablespoons + 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 2 teaspoons cumin 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated zest and juice of 1 lemon 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes kosher salt and black pepper 1/4 cup dijon mustard 1/4 cup honey 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper AVOCADO BASIL SAUCE 1 avocado, halved 1/2 cup fresh basil, plus more for serving 1 jalapeño, halved and seeded juice from 1 lime BASIL TOMATOES 2 cups cherry tomatoes 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil  {more}  On another note – have you tried these? I’ve been addicted for a while now – and although try my damndest to walk past it at …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Quinoa Salad

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I cooked quinoa last night – but it was too warm to make a salad out of it just yet. So I switched gears and went with sliders for dinner with a side of home-made coleslaw. But tonight, we are having quinoa salad with a side dish – open-faced grilled cheese baguette. Since this is my first attempt at quinoa salad, I found a recipe here to try. Except I realize, I should not have boiled the spinach leaves. May have to go to the grocers and pick up a fresh bag of spinach leaves. Ingredients For the Dressing: 1/4 cup olive oil 1 clove minced garlic 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 large lemon 1 tablespoon golden balsamic vinegar or champagne vinegar 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup or honey Kosher salt and black pepper to taste For the Salad: 2 cups cold cooked quinoa 2 cups fresh spinach leaves chopped 1 cup chopped cucumber 1 cup halved grape or cherry tomatoes 1 large avocado pitted, peeled, and chopped 2 green onions sliced Kosher salt and black pepper to taste  {more} {recipe and image source}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Chicken Soup With Orzo Included

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On Monday, I announced to my family that I would be making chicken soup for dinner – except, when I got home from work, I realized I did not have the chicken broth in the cupboard as I imagined I did while on the commuter train. And since then, I’ve been too lazy to go to the supermarket and get the one important ingredient to make the soup I’d been craving for four days now. Yes, I do know I can make my own chicken broth simply by using the water the chicken was boiled in, which I do. But store bought chicken brought adds just the right zing or heartiness my taste buds crave. So, to the supermarket after work it is and home to make this delicious version of chicken soup: INGREDIENTS 2 chicken breasts (about 1 pound) kosher salt and black pepper 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 8-12 large cloves of garlic, smashed (use to your taste) 6 carrots, chopped  {my go to is parsnip, I prefer the taste more}  1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves kosher salt and …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Butternut Squash Pizza

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A few weeks ago I had food poisoning from a chicken salad I bought for lunch. The same one I normally ordered from an organically sustainable eatery in downtown.  After that incident, I haven’t craved meat and the idea of seafood makes my stomach turn. Not sure what happened, but it’s as if my stomach has realigned itself and I have no choice but to obey. So for tonight – since I was craving pizza at 3 in the morning – I plan to make these wonderful beauties instead. Ingredients 12 slices of butternut squash 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon of salt 1/2 tablespoon of water Freshly ground black pepper For the seasoning 300 g (1 cup) of peeled datterini, or tomato pulp Extra virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano Salt 250 g (1 ½ cup) of mozzarella torn into pieces 2 tablespoons of grated pecorino romano  {more} {photo source}  

Food: Dinner Tonight – White or Cannellini Bean Stew

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In Rome, for a mid day fuel, I searched for restaurants which served Cannellini bean stew and if they didn’t offer it, I kept on walking until I found the one place that did. Cannellini bean stew drizzled with olive oil and dusted with fresh Parmesan cheese – is probably the best meal I’ve had in Italy. Anyway, tonight, we are having cannellini bean stew in my household, and this recipe is one that sparked an interest because…1 tablespoon of tomato paste added to the beans. Which is something my mother used to do with the white bean stew she made centuries ago in her Mediterranean kitchen.   The other part I plan to do is instead of the meatballs, I will saute Italian sausage without the case in a touch of olive oil and garlic, and then add it to the bean stew. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of finally chopped Italian parsley and serve. This cuts down on time and tastes equally good.  Ingredients For meatballs 200 g (7 oz) of ground beef 100 g (3,5 oz) of fresh …