banshee: I'm a bit of a lazy eater. Sure, I'll ge

The Sausage King of Chicago (

banshee) wrote,
@ 2008-02-11 20:32:00

I'm a bit of a lazy eater. Sure, I'll get a burst of culinary energy and get crazy in the kitchen, but too often I lean on things like 'just heat and serve' pasta dishes and frozen garlic bread. I figure I need to stop relying on easy, processed stuff so much.

So, I'm easing in. I was watching someone on CNN discussing the atrocious eating habits of America, etc, and how we should be shopping the periphery of the supermarket, rather than the middle. The guy was kinda annoying, but he had a point that stuck with me. The outer perimeter of the grocery store is mostly the produce, the meats, the dairy, the breads...the interior aisles are mostly full of processed, packaged, shelf-stable foods. Obviously not a hard and fast rule, but good to think about when you're wandering the aisles.

Anyway, we're not making our own mayonnaise yet or anything, but I am trying to be better at making choices. We've been doing brown rice instead of white, wholegrain bread and pasta, organic milk, etc. I bought the $5 chicken sausage over the cheaper version, because it only had a handful of natural ingredients and no funny stuff. Just a little better, but better. I'm trying to stock up on 'power foods' - avocado, banana, salmon, spinach, etc...I spent about $16 on berries! I also picked up some Super Yogurt, which sounds so amazing, it may actually do my laundry for me. We'll see.

Oh, and tonight's dinner: baked, creamy/herby tilapia, brown rice, and steamed broccoli. Er, and a cupcake. Baby steps.

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	twinstar 2008-02-12 01:54 am UTC (link)
	Super Yogurt contains fish... wtf??? (Reply to this)(Thread)

	banshee 2008-02-12 02:02 am UTC (link)
	Surpriiiiiise! I can't wait to make fish smoothies tomorrow. Erp. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	mothinflight 2008-02-12 03:15 pm UTC (link)
	sad for us vegertarians---it also contains beef (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	fleming122 2008-02-12 04:53 pm UTC (link)
	watch out for their omega breads and whole grain breads- also contain fish oil! (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	mothinflight 2008-02-12 05:55 pm UTC (link)
	yeah, we've been on the look ouy for that for yrs! ie: tropicana healthy heart oj (fish oil). i always have a bottle of flax oil on hand :) (sorry for weird grammer: nak) (Reply to this)(Parent)

	roxstarred 2008-02-12 01:58 am UTC (link)
	baby steps are happening at this house, too. but that's okay, i think. drastic changes don't tend to stick; small changes become habits before you know it. we made this tonight: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/240752. really easy and very good! (Reply to this)(Thread)

	banshee 2008-02-12 02:05 am UTC (link)
	Oh, I just bookmarked that; thank you! You have a great point. We're not ballsy enough to go all-organic and slow food necessarily, but we do shop local in season, and do what we can. The little stuff seems so much easier to adopt. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	clovecigarettes 2008-02-13 11:18 am UTC (link)
	The biggest problem I've had (I've been on a crazy health-food/whole-foods kick for a few years now) is that sometimes I just want a little snicky-snack and I don't have anything to munch on. I've started trying to have carrots available at all times, which helps, but not when you want something carby like pretzels. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	a_spark 2008-02-12 02:03 am UTC (link)
	Hey, we had tilapia for dinner too! Yours sounds delicious. Ours was a clay pot variety with coconut milk. Yummm. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	banshee 2008-02-12 02:07 am UTC (link)
	Well, that sounds fantastic! Ours was just slathered with lowfat mayo, garlic, pepper, parsley, and dill. And a sprinkle of parmesan. Would you have a recipe handy for yours? I need new ways to do up tilapia! (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	a_spark 2008-02-12 02:09 am UTC (link)
	I burn water, but J is a master chef. I'll get the recipe from him! It seemed pretty easy- took him about 15 minutes to prep and then it just kind of bubbled on the stove for awhile. I actually COULD cook if I tried but he won't let me in the kitchen. It's his way of imprisoning me :) (Reply to this)(Parent)

a_spark
2008-02-13 11:37 pm UTC (link)

Ok! Recipe per J (sorry he's not particularly exact on some stuff):

In a pan, sautee onions and bell peppers in a little bit of sesame/peanut/coconut oil (whatever kind of oil you have.

Then add 1 can of lite coconut milk and 7 tbsps of Patak's Madras Curry Paste (or substitute but this is what we use, be careful as I guess all curry pastes are not equal in terms of hotness)

Whisk together.

Add 2 tsp. soy sauce, 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth (our is out of a box, fyi ;) )

1/2 to 3/4 lb tilapia, cubed into 1 inch squares.

Add 2 stalks of lemongrass cut into 1 inch pieces, a piece of ginger the size of your thumb, peeled and sliced into 1/2 inch pieces, add a tablespoon of Madras Curry Powder (not the paste) or turmeric.

Once it's all combined, let simmer for 20 minutes on low, test the fish, "once the fish is done, the dish is done".

Et voila! Let me know if you have any questions...it's SO GOOD.

(Reply to this)(Parent)

	a_spark 2008-02-13 11:37 pm UTC (link)
	Oh, and serve over rice! (Reply to this)(Parent)

	emptyk 2008-02-12 02:03 am UTC (link)
	I highly recommend checking out the book "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver & family. It is a really well-done book on how far away we have gotten from eating real food. But it's not overly preachy and has a lot of great simple recipes. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	banshee 2008-02-12 02:07 am UTC (link)
	I will definitely check that out! Thank you! (Reply to this)(Parent)

	great book workroom 2008-02-12 02:42 am UTC (link)
	i got the audiobook and it's wonderful... her voice is so soothing, and her husband and daughter chime in for their chapters! (Reply to this)(Parent)

	paperthinwalls 2008-02-12 06:28 pm UTC (link)
	seconded! that book is a revelation. i need to re-read it......... :) (Reply to this)(Parent)

	we_like_you 2008-02-12 11:59 pm UTC (link)
	Ooooooooh that sounds good.... (Reply to this)(Parent)

unquietmind
2008-02-12 02:44 am UTC (link)

Yay for better eating!
We had veggie Gyoza from Trader Joe's tonight, so I prolly shouldn't talk, but I really have changed the way we cook and eat in past few years.

A couple of my secret weapons
Elise Bauer's Simply Recipes: http://www.elise.com/recipes/ is constant inspiration

and Lidia Bastianich's simpe, accessible philosophy of cooking, eating and family just makes sense. I LOVE her book Lydia's Family Table: http://www.lidiasitaly.com/index2.htm

(Reply to this)(Thread)

	banshee 2008-02-12 09:51 pm UTC (link)
	Trader Joe's can't be too bad, right? I wish we had one. Thank you for those links! (Reply to this)(Parent)

	aquagirl 2008-02-12 09:59 pm UTC (link)
	I love Lydia! Everything she makes is amazing. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	lakme 2008-02-12 02:48 am UTC (link)
	Go back in my journal a few entries and look for the entry where I talk about going to Spain from the 6th. You gotta go to the restaurant site I link there and check out the food catalogue; for some odd reason I think you will really be amazed. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	banshee 2008-02-12 09:55 pm UTC (link)
	Oh dear lord. I am so hungry; that's just cruel!! ;) Well, clearly I need to go back to Spain. (Reply to this)(Parent)

devilettenyc
2008-02-12 03:59 am UTC (link)

we had homemade salmon cakes last night w/ broccoli. YUM. Tonight, turkey tacos. Not great but I don't eat the shell - only as a salad.

We don't do white rice/bread/pasta & we generally don't eat a lot of carbs. We try for most of those superfoods tho!

I bought a Japanese yam & a white sweet potato at the farmers market yesterday, can't wait to try them. Baked sweet potatoes are so.damn.good.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

	banshee 2008-02-12 09:50 pm UTC (link)
	More power to you with the low/no carb thing. I don't think I'd be able to commit to that! Agreed on the baked sweet potatoes. I also like them mashed and baked as wedges with chili powder in the oven. Mmn. I imagine you guys get a ton of fresh produce variety there, right? (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	devilettenyc 2008-02-12 09:55 pm UTC (link)
	Yes, but we don't get too adventurous actually. I like broccoli & spinach the best. And salads. We try to eat good. My boss brought in oranges & avocados from his yard tho - pretty cool! (Reply to this)(Parent)

	rivulet 2008-02-12 05:19 am UTC (link)
	I wonder if it was Michael Pollan. He wrote The Omnivore's Dilemma, and In Defense of Food which I am reading at the moment and really enjoying. Omnivore has more to do with the environmental effects of eating what we eat (I think), but this has more to do with what is best for your body. I like it and you probably would too! (Reply to this)(Thread)

mooflyfoof
2008-02-12 07:16 pm UTC (link)

I second this, The Omnivore's Dilemma changed how I feel about food drastically.

I'm much like you,

banshee, when it comes to cooking. I love doing it but will often resort to simple solutions over making every single thing from scratch. But I do the exact same thing you do, going for things with less ingredients (and none of the ones I can't pronounce), shopping at the periphery of the store, etc. I think every little bit helps, even if we're not, like, churning our own butter from organic hormone-free antibiotic-free grass-fed milk.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	banshee 2008-02-12 09:46 pm UTC (link)
	...which, you know, sounds like fun, but not as a weekly task. :) (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	mooflyfoof 2008-02-12 09:46 pm UTC (link)
	Toooootally :D (Reply to this)(Parent)

	banshee 2008-02-12 09:46 pm UTC (link)
	I'm going to look for that at the library this week! Thanks! (Reply to this)(Parent)

	auralee 2008-02-13 03:25 am UTC (link)
	i'm also reading this and was about to comment about it. it really makes you think. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	roxstarred 2008-02-12 11:39 am UTC (link)
	oh! just thought of one other recommendation. i'm not sure if you listen to The Splendid Table--it's an NPR food show also available as a podcast. anyway, if you go to their web site (splendidtable.org) they have a weekly newsletter you can sign up for. they send one recipe per week and it's nearly always something i end up cooking. :) (Reply to this)(Thread)

	banshee 2008-02-12 09:45 pm UTC (link)
	You know, since we have an iPod dock in the kitchen, that would be an excellent podcast to listen to. How appropriate! I'm going to iTunes now. :) (Reply to this)(Parent)

	cherokeepurple 2008-02-12 01:32 pm UTC (link)
	Wish we were as well behaved as you! Sounds very yummy. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	banshee 2008-02-12 09:43 pm UTC (link)
	Pfft! Trust me, there are lots of slip-ups. I just ate a bag of chips at Target. GO ME. :) (Reply to this)(Parent)

missv
2008-02-12 05:04 pm UTC (link)

Since the baby arrived, I feel like I don't have time for real food. So we subsist on frozen garlic bread and a lot of those stupid Bertolli dinners or, as I like to call them, "frozen crap in a bag." If I'm feeling really ambitious, I'll make soup. Go me.

You've reminded me that I really need to sign up for the CSA this year. Its funny how getting a big box full of random veggies every week will force you to think more about what you're putting in your body. Sure, they have kohlrabi and collards at the grocery store too. But I never buy them. When they're in our share, though, I feel guilty about throwing stuff away, so we eat them. I need to fix this now, before Oscar gets older and starts eating solid food. I don't want him to grow up eating nothing but chicken nuggets and Go-Gurt like his cousins.

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	banshee 2008-02-12 09:43 pm UTC (link)
	That's just what we do! Bertoli is a pretty common dinner 'round here. We had a veg delivery in Brooklyn, but never cooked there! Here we try to stick to the farmers' market and force ourselves to buy something new each time. I agree, one needs a challenge, like having kohlrabi thrust at you unexpectedly. :) (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	devilettenyc 2008-02-12 09:58 pm UTC (link)
	ooh, good plan. I'm doing it next week! (Reply to this)(Parent)

	aquagirl 2008-02-12 10:07 pm UTC (link)
	Be careful, you may have to dodge flying kohlrabi next time I see you. I remember hearing of a similar veg delivery service here--Lori's or Abundance would have the info. Then there's the organic farm out East where you spend a certain amount helping at the farm and get to reap the rewards (if you wanna get uber-earthy). (Reply to this)(Parent)

aquagirl
2008-02-12 06:22 pm UTC (link)

Everything in moderation. I coulnd't imagine a diet without cupcakes.

Funny, I'd never heard the supermarket periphery rule, but that's essentially what I do. I go to the middle aisles for rice, canned beans, and shampoo. Everything else is fresh veggies, citrus (the only fruit I can eat) and tofu or chicken. On the rare occasion I have to find something in the center aisles I tend to forget my way around them and spend ten minutes looking for durned cupcake wrappers.

Which chicken sausage did you get? Those gourmet ones by the meat counters are super tasty.

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	banshee 2008-02-12 09:40 pm UTC (link)
	I bought this sausage. Have you tried that one before? Still haven't tried 'em yet. And every balanced diet should include cupcakes. I believe it might be that top bit on the food pyramid. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	aquagirl 2008-02-12 09:54 pm UTC (link)
	Ooo no, haven't tried that one yet. The Buffalo style are good, and the apple sound super tasty. With what are you going to pair them? (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	banshee 2008-02-12 10:00 pm UTC (link)
	I wanted something to go in a jambalaya, but don't like traditional sausage flavor and didn't want to go too spicy. I thought this might be ok...we'll see! (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	aquagirl 2008-02-12 10:08 pm UTC (link)
	Garlic sounds perfect for jambalaya. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	we_like_you 2008-02-13 12:04 am UTC (link)
	YAY GO YOU!!! :) I'm trying to eat healthier all the time, the more I learn about it -- but YEAH it's expensive sometimes. (Reply to this)

	clovecigarettes 2008-02-13 11:13 am UTC (link)
	I usually eat a really simple healthy wholegrain diet. Except when we were in Paris and now that we got back, I can't stop eating evil tasty white baguettes. There's definitely something to be said about a good diet -- my moods are loads better and I'm a lot less lazy if I've been eating well. (Reply to this)

hektik
2008-02-13 04:03 pm UTC (link)

j + i do 90% of shopping on the outer aisles. the only thing we go into the center aisles for are unsalted nuts, spices, canned beans and that's pretty much it.

don't buy berries now! they are so out of season, which is why they are so expensive. you can also help out by only buying produce in season that comes from closer to where you live. did you notice most of the berries now are coming from chile.

the chicken sausage is delicious. we get that all the time. we're both scared of cooking fish, so we haven't tried it yet.

last nights dinner? stir-fried baby bok choy, mushrooms + celery in a soy sauce/hot sesame oil + garlic sauce over rice.

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