25 August 2010

Profile of a Healthy Eater: Kathleen

Hey, it’s a healthy eater! Her name is Kathleen, and she’d love a recipe for gluten-free pasta and will pass on the fake meat (but thanks for asking). Check out her profile to read more about her foodie style.

Kathleen hiking in Central California with a lemon-lime seltzer, her “absolute favorite thing to drink.”

1. What’s your foodie style? I try to eat as much unprocessed, all natural food as I can. Not too much meat. I’ve been experimenting in the past year— I was a vegetarian for 6 months, flirted with veganism, and now I’m eating meat again and trying gluten-free (as much as I can). I don’t eat processed sugar at all anymore because I get headaches from it. Makes fruit and honey that much sweeter! I live next to an organic farm, and love to eat local as often as possible!
2. Something people consider “healthy” that you think is anything but? Fake meat products. And I used to eat them All. The. Time. I think they are unhealthy for two reasons: 1) They are highly processed and full of weird stuff and 2) I think they are psychologically unhealthy. If you are trying to eat a healthier diet, you need to teach your body and mind to crave real, healthy food, not sub in fake, processed buffalo wings or chicken cutlets or burgers. 
3. Favorite food/health blog? Nutritionista for health! Also, I’m seriously addicted to Serious Eats, though it’s not really a health food blog… I think they have a fun, infectious love for food of all kinds, like me. 
4. Your go-to five-minute meal? Eggs, veggies and cheese in a corn or whole wheat tortilla. 
5. Perfect last meal? A classic French brasserie feast: start with escargot, artichokes and crusty bread. Then a gorgeous piece of trout or snapper over garlicky, buttery haricots verts and new potatoes. And of course, copious amounts of red wine.
6. Favorite method of cooking and why? I sautee something everyday, but I love, love, love to roast under the broiler. It’s super easy and makes everything delicious. 
7. Craziest diet you’ve ever tried? Never really tried a diet, but in college I once started the Perricone Prescription the day my boyfriend left for three months abroad. Never try to start a diet on that day… I think I ended the evening crying into a tuna noodle casserole, and scrapped the idea the next day. 
8. Restaurant you’d go to every day if you could? Bar Tabac in Brooklyn, NY or Justine’s Brasserie in Austin, TX.
9. Food/dish you’ve always wanted to learn how to cook, but haven’t? I really want to learn how to make fresh pasta… not sure how that’s going to go with my gluten-free kick… 
10. Dream dining companion? Jamie Oliver! I love his adorable British accent. We’d make risotto and talk about how bad processed food is for little kids.
    
    
    

18 August 2010

Profile of a Healthy Eater: Katie

This week, meet Katie. Katie is wary of Vitaminwater (as she should be!) and would carb it up Italian-style for her last meal. Read on for more of her foodie personality!


Katie, another healthy eater!

1. What’s your foodie style? Whole foods-based. I absolutely love eating whole grains, lots and lots of ruits and vegetables, and beans too. I am a recently converted vegetarian (lacto-ovo) and I love finding new ways to get protein, whether it be nuts, greek yogurt or tofu! My background is Middle-Eastern, so I guess that’s where I get my love of fresh foods. I also make all baked goods in my house from scratch - people think I’m crazy, but that’s how I was raised. I don’t think people realize how easy it is to bake treats from scratch, but it really is quite easy!
2. Something people consider “healthy” that you think is anything but? Diet drinks for sure! People drink SO much of that stuff, and think it’s great because it has zero calories. What they don’t realize is how many chemicals there are in it! It’s absolutely crazy, the amount of artificial junk they’re putting into their bodies. As well, I think Vitaminwater and other brands of vitamin-enhanced water are overhyped. Sure, you’re getting lots of nutrients, but you’re also getting lots of sugar and 120+ calories per cup. I would rather take a vitamin supplement if I lack a specific nutrient.
3. Favorite food/health blog? I really enjoy the Sparkpeople blog, and well as fANNEtastic food and Sarah Dussault’s nutrition and fitness blog, SarahFit. Of course, I also love the spunky flair of Your Nutritionista. :)
4. Your go-to five-minute meal? I love making quesadillas, especially since I just got a panini press. I chop up loads of veggies, like carrots, broccoli, green and red peppers, and onions, and saute them for a bit. Then I put them in a whole wheat tortilla with a mozzarella/cheddar blend, and some salsa, and cook it. It’s dee-lish!
5. Perfect last meal? Probably an Italian feast, with everything from vegetable lasagna to garlic bread to Caesar salad to spaghetti. It would definitely be carb-heavy, with lots of chocolate ice cream at the end!
6. Favorite method of cooking and why? I love to saute vegetables. I use sauted vegetables for my quesadillas, omelettes, pasta dishes, and stir-frys. It is such a versatile way to cook, and when you add broth or some sauce, it adds a whole new dimension.
7. Craziest diet you’ve ever tried? I tried going carb-less once. I lasted probably about a day and a half? I love carbs, they’re my biggest weakness, but I absolutely could not live without them.
8. Restaurant you’d go to every day if you could? Villa Gallace in Clearwater, Florida. It has extremely original and amazing Italian food, it was the best meal I’ve ever had at a restaurant.
9. Food/dish you’ve always wanted to learn how to cook, but haven’t? I have wanted to make eggplant parmesan, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. Also, I have wanted to learn to make really good pies, like my grandma made.
10. Dream dining companion? Any Food Network star would be awesome! I would love to just sit and chat with them, and ask them all of my questions!

11 August 2010

Profile of a Healther Eater: Joanna

Joanna thinks that poetry and food are the perfect match, and HER perfect food just might be moussaka and lemon potatoes. But you’ll have to read on to find out why!

Joanna looking flyyyy!

1. What’s your foodie style? Mediterranean-based, since I’m Greek and Italian. It’s impossible for me to stray completely from my cultural background, especially because we love to cook, and mostly, we love to eat. While I love foods of various cultures, I find myself more attracted to fish, and a few well-prepared vegetable sides. I’d rather taste the food I’m eating than drown it out in a sauce. Also, both of my parents are diabetic (and heart disease runs in my family), so I often try to eat as healthy as I can given a situation. I try to eat as little fried food as possible, and I’m also trying to cut down on eating sweets except on birthdays, and other special occasions. 
2. Something people consider “healthy” that you think is anything but? A lot of “organic” foods, or foods sold in places like Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. While I do regularly shop at those stores, I always read the labels to make sure that what is being marketed as ‘healthy’ is actually healthy. A lot of granola bars or health cereals contain a lot of sugar, carbs, or calories from fat. I notice it’s become very trendy to sell “healthier” desserts, like reduced fat cookies. Some of them aren’t too bad, but in most cases, it’s not really worth it. Most of the time, the serving size is one cookie, and I know I’m not the kind of person that will only eat the one cookie, so I tend to stay away from stuff like that. 
3. Favorite food/health blog? Your blog! Some other favorites are The Kitchen Sink and The Recipe Girl, which I find interesting and down to earth. 
4. Your go-to five-minute meal? Either sauteed vegetables in a wine sauce with sprinkled cinnamon (trust me, it’s good!), a baked sweet potato, or an egg sandwich on either pita, toast, or a wrap. I usually try to change up my recipes, so I don’t get too bored. A tuna melt is never bad, either. 
5. Perfect last meal? Ironically, I’d have to go with a really unhealthy choice, and say moussaka with a side of lemon potatoes. For dessert, I would choose vanilla ice-cream with sliced, hot bananas, and a little bit of hot fudge and whipped cream. We’re not counting calories here, are we? ;) 
6. Favorite method of cooking and why? I love to bake and sautee. I usually tend to bake some kind of fish, meat, or vegetable (say salmon or eggplant) in a wine sauce with spices, and then sautee some kind of vegetable on the side. It’s usually quick, easy, and healthy. 
7. Craziest diet you’ve ever tried? I never tried an actual diet, but I’ve tried cutting out “all unhealthy foods,” and never allow myself to eat dessert. Except, I realized the hard way that it doesn’t work, and you end up with worse cravings than you did before. Now I realize that it’s just better to eat things in moderation, than completely deprive myself. Also, instead of ordering my own dessert, I usually share it with a friend or my date. 
8. Restaurant you’d go to every day if you could? Bahari estiatorio in Astoria, NY. They have delicious food, and great portions. It’s also a very laid-back and calm environment. 
9. Food/dish you’ve always wanted to learn how to cook, but haven’t? I love to bake, but I’ve never made cheesecake, so I’m really wanting to do that this summer. 
10. Dream dining companion? Walt Whitman, because poetry and food are a perfect match.
    

4 August 2010

Profile of a Healthy Eater: Renee

Miss Renee has a laundry list of last-supper foods (and they all sound perfectly delightful!). She also likes cooking anything “on/near/with bacon.” I can definitely get down with that. Eat on, Renee!

Renee’s pooch and “part-time GQ model” who loves to watch her cook!

1. What’s your foodie style? Seeing recipes on Food Network, talking about it to my mom, adjusting recipes to what we get in the CSA!
2. Something people consider “healthy” that you think is anything but? Coffee! Haha, I don’t think a lot of people think coffee is healthy per se, but I have so many friends who are addicted to it, and I think that’s scary! I never drink coffee and I feel pretty confident that I’m going to live a little bit longer because of it.
3. Favorite food/health blog? love Nutritionista! And La Cuisine for beautiful food pictures and recipes.
4. Your go-to five-minute meal? Tomato-avocado (and cucumber if I have it) salad - toss with salt, pepper, dash of balsamic vinegar… sigh, soooo wonderful (and pretty colors).
5. Perfect last meal? Okay, this is about to be a laundry list (and including plenty of NON-healthy things): fried chicken, perfectly crispy bacon, chicken cutlets and egg patties (mom’s recipe), dill pickles, molten chocolate lava cakes, fro yo with various toppings, perfect mac and cheese, pizza with tons of toppings, my grandma’s pasta, the aforementioned tomato-avocado-cucumber salad… and yes, not quite sure I could fit anything else into my last day of food on Earth. :) 
6. Favorite method of cooking and why? I love my grill pan… I also like cooking anything near/on/with bacon.
7. Craziest diet you’ve ever tried? Luckily, I do not have the will power to do any crazy diets. Although I read a whole book about the 21-day total detox- mostly just terrified me.
8. Restaurant you’d go to every day if you could? If I could go to one NEW restaurant everyday, I’d much prefer to do that! (on some mysterious benefactor’s dollar, that would be even better!!).
9. Food/dish you’ve always wanted to learn how to cook, but haven’t? B [what is this, Renee?!].
10. Dream dining companion? My whole entire family - past and present, immediate fam, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and the good enough friends who can keep up with us.

28 July 2010

Profile of a Healthy Eater: Kelly

Kelly, another souffle-aspiring food lover, shares her love for good ol’ meat and potatoes and pretty food (see pic below!). She writes her own food blogs at The Gouda Life and Nosh Food.

Kelly’s clearly not scared of kitchen utensils.

1. What’s your foodie style? I am a strong believer in local, seasonal foods. I try my best to buy everything in season when I can.  This is beneficial to my cooking style since it forces me to change up my routine every so often.
2. Something people consider “healthy” that you think is anything but? I think people assume ‘fat free’ = healthy… and I whole-heartedly disagree. Especially when the ingredient list reads like a newspaper article.
3.  Favorite food/health blog? I’m a pretty big fan of Heidi Swanson at http://101cookbooks.com.
4.  Your go-to five-minute meal? Definitely a salad of arugula, toasted pecans, goat cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette.
   
   
   Beautiful food by Kelly!
   
   
5.  Perfect last meal? I would have to go with mashed potatoes, sautéed swiss chard, and a medium rare steak.
6. Favorite method of cooking and why? I love roasting. I eat a lot of vegetables and I adore the nutty, sweet flavours it brings out in what some people would call the less desirable vegetables like beets, Brussels sprouts or parsnips.
7. Craziest diet you’ve ever tried? Can’t say I’ve ever been on any crazy diets. I come from a family that has pretty good self image so it’s never beensomething I worry too much about.
8.  Restaurant you’d go to every day if you could? Murray Street, Ottawa ON, Canada.
9.  Food/dish you’ve always wanted to learn how to cook, but haven’t? I have always wanted to try my hand at soufflés but it’s just never happened!
10. Dream dining companion? Anthony Bourdain (it doesn’t help that he’s handsome, right?) or Julia Child.