Food Snob

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My husband thinks I am a food snob, and perhaps I am.

Monday Mussels

Mussels on Monday

Or maybe I am aware enough to demand an increase in the quality of the food that is served in this world.

It is easy to have my ‘food snob’ preferences met while living in Brooklyn, but when I travel (which I have been doing recently) I’m not as in control of the choices I have to eat and my food snobbiness begins to surface.  Here are some recent examples:

  • We go out for barbecue and I genuinely wonder where the meat came from.  I wished with all my might that it was local, grass fed, and hormone free.  Pretty sure that wasn’t the case so I turned a blind eye and ate it anyway.
  • I saw hot chocolate advertised outside a cafe, and dreamed of drinking a mug of thick, creamy, and rich hot chocolate made of real ingredients only to find out it was made with nesquik and milk – I politely declined, and was thankful I inquired.
  • While at brunch the waiter asked if I wanted orange juice.  I asked if it was freshly squeezed, he replied yes, no sugar added, and poured the orange liquid from the carafe – it was from a carton.  Who knows when those oranges were actually squeezed.

I’m disillusioned by supermarkets, I’m disenchanted by the dwindling quality of what can be called and referred to as food.  I want to eat real food, made by real people, with real ingredients – because that is the equation for GOOD FOOD, which is what I’m all about.

Food Mantra

Food Mantra

I’m starting to wonder if that is really such a preposterous request?  Is it absurd to desire local apples that are minimally treated if not straight up organic, real chocolate made with cacao +  sugar – nothing else, bread made from flour, yeast, and water  – that’s it.

When these things aren’t available I eat crap and then I just end up wanting and eating more crap. I grab a bag of peanut m&ms for that 4:00 pick me up and crave more, because I’m not satisfied.  My body isn’t full of real ingredients & nutrients – just fake stuff trying to appear as real food, made by machines & labs rather than people.

So if you find yourself making ‘bad’ choices, give yourself a break.  With all the chemicals and additives it’s very hard not to be addicted to all this junk.  Instead add in some real food (veggies, fruits, beans, grains, etc), and see what happens.  Your body will begin to crave REAL food and it will feel so good.

vibrant veggies

vibrant veggies

There is no sincerer love than the love of food.
(just remember to love food that loves you too!)

– George Bernard Shaw

So go ahead and be a food snob.  Your body will thank you.

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The Aisles of Demise

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Last week I had to pop into a random grocery store to pick a few things up.  This quick errand was quite telling as to how far my awareness towards food has become.

It was depressing walking around this store.  The produce was wilted.  The air was stagnant.  The tiny organic section was super expensive and very far from fresh.  I had no idea where any of the produce came from… New York? Mexico? Maybe Chile?  Who knows!

I continued my journey throughout the store to see the typical suspects displayed front and center: the sugary cereals, Oreos, and Ritz crackers since they pay top dollar to be put there.  Right by the checkouts there were stacks of soda, so convenient to simply add to the groceries.

Trying to make healthy choices in a store like that can just be down right confusing and seem impossible at times.  I was so thankful I am able to shop at a coop (even though I HATE working my shift).  I am there for the fresh & organic produce at an affordable rate.  I appreciate how they inform the shoppers as to where the produce has come from, so you know how long it has been traveling for.  And as far as packaged items go – there are only the best versions (mostly) of crackers, cereals, granola bars, pastas, and so on.

A Farmers Market Find

A Farmers Market Find

So you may not be able to shop at a place like this – but here are three things you CAN do to ensure a healthy shopping trip:

  • Shop the Perimeter – this is the stuff you want to load into your shopping cart.  This is where your fruits, veggies, beans, nuts, and seeds are going to be.  Do your majority of your shopping there – and then scoot into the aisles to get the specific things you may need.
  • Write a List – I only recently discovered this phenomenon and it cut my wandering time consuming trips to the market into laser brief ones.  Plus I was less likely to load up on things I really didn’t need.
  • Frequent Your Farmer’s Market – This is one of the best times of the year to shop locally and get fresh often organic produce.  Plus you may discover some delightful seasonal delights.

Pay attention.  It’s all a marketing strategy.  It’s all about making money – forget about health.  So keep on doing your best to make healthy choices in this unhealthy world.

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Thanksgiving in a Bowl

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… in April.

… for breakfast!

Quinoa Porridge

Here is the scoop:

Make it warm:  Add some pre-cooked quinoa & sweet potato bits to a pot with a few glugs of coconut milk (or your preferred milk choice).

Spice it up:  Toss in some shakes of cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg and cardamon and mix.

Add some more flavors:  Pecans & dried cranberries.

Pour into a bowl, grab a spoon, give thanks and dig in for an excellent start to your day.

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