On a quest for new and delicious natural foods recipes, I came across a jackpot of them at the Whole Foods website and thought I'd share. Not only are many of the dishes that you've sampled at their salad bar there, but these dishes are pretty easy to make and taste great - and they're at your fingertips.

For example, I recently made the delicious Wheatberry Waldorf Salad; and I have become a big fan of the yummified Morning Glory Muffins (tips: (1) there's a lot of chopping involved - make it worth your while by doubling the recipe, the batter freezes nicely, (2) these muffins are a hit for new parents - everyone hooks them up with dinner, but how about a nutritious breakfast/snack?)

Also of interest are these nifty items (for example):

A pantry makeover, including what staples to keep on hand in your fridge, freezer, and baking pantry.

Tips for kid-friendly recipes

Instructions on making delicious smoothies (this will surely be another topic for me - I've been a smoothie-making queen now that the weather is warmer...)

Meals for four under $15

Lots of cool info about various food topics such as traditional foods on chinese new year, smart snacking, and what things comprise the perfect Japanese pantry...

A bunch of useful facts about whole grains

A guide to soy foods

There's a whole lot more (really, no pun intended...) and you can even save your favorite recipes to the recipe box.

It truly is an impressive wealth of helpful information. Probably everyone knows about it but me - I feel like I just discovered a treasure trove...

Posted by Michelle on July 14, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

My nutritional life for the past year has been all about protein - trying to get enough of it. Being pregnant, having a tendon injury*, breastfeeding, having a pelvic injury*, and trying to shed the baby weight - all these events have called for copious amounts of protein and it's taken some dedication and creativity to get my recommended fill.

It's no secret that pregnant women need loads of protein to cook up a baby. Likewise for nursing them afterward. Something you may not realize is that if you have sustained any sort of soft tissue, muscular, or bone-related injury, your body needs lots of protein to make the repairs - so boosting your intake will support your body's healing mechanisms. Finally, while any diet, including a weight-loss diet, requires ALL of the macronutrients (protein, carbs, AND fat) - putting a focus on lean protein at every meal will help your body regulate blood sugar and burn fat more efficiently. So the universe sent me a big, neon, flashing sign... it says "Eat More Protein!"

Even being a nutrition counselor, I had a hard time adjusting my diet to meet the 60-100 grams of protein daily intake without becoming a raging carnivore. That said, I did increase the amount of meat I ate - I try to eat some every day (whereas before, it was more of a 2-3 times/week habit). Below are some of my favorite protein-rich foods and habits that I've developed in the past year.

Continue reading "Desperately Seeking Protein" »

Posted by Michelle on June 13, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Since the birth of my daughter, Lulu, I've been astutely aware of how much we all say "Time flies..." or "isn't it all going by so fast..." or "seems like just yesterday..." Other parents in particular comment on this, often. They remark that their child is now, say, 9 years old, but it seems like just yesterday that she was a baby as small as Lulu. Where does the time go?

That is a good question as far as I'm concerned. One I've been pondering often lately. It seems to be on everyone's [subconscious] mind. Do you think that in generations past, people talked so much of how quickly the time went? For some reason, I don't think so. I'm sure the sensation has been ever-present, but I think we're all, on some level, convinced that it's going faster and faster. And I think it is...

Continue reading "Waging war on flying time: On being Present" »

Posted by Michelle on June 5, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I was feeling adventurous at the market the other day. Lucky for me, it's Spring - when two of the most delicious, unusual and wonderful bits of produce are in season. I'd been hearing a lot about ramps (also known as wild leeks, depending on where you're from) this season - which I'd never heard of before. Boy am I glad I followed my instincts! Ramps are the most delicious cross between scallions and garlic. They're spicy all the way down to their greens (which make a great addition to a salad) and mellow beautifully when sauteed. They're also full of vitamins A and C, plus minerals. And they have the same good effects on cholesterol that garlic has. My husband decided to make "ramp bread" in much the same way one might make garlic bread - olive oil and ramps, a little salt, put it in the oven until toasty. Yum! The next morning I had ramps and eggs for breakfast.

The fiddlehead ferns are crunchy and very fresh, as well as a little nutty in flavor. And so interesting to look at! They also come packed with vitamins A and C. I found out that all ferns start out with a fiddlehead, but the most common to eat is the ostrich fern. I sauteed them with some garlic (although I could have used the ramps) and put them over buckwheat soba noodles with a few pine nuts for a light and easy dinner. (Note: fiddleheads should be cooked thoroughly - either by boiling or steaming, before consuming. Do not eat them raw.)

Here are the recipes:

Continue reading "Fiddlehead Ferns and Ramps, Oh My!" »

Posted by Jody on May 24, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I've discovered something. Physical trauma makes me crave carbs. Not the brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat kind of carbs. I'm talking cookies, ice cream, and yes, bagels.

Continue reading "Sometimes a Girl Just Needs a Bagel" »

Posted by Jody on April 10, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)