24 August 2010

Inside the Secret World of Trader Joe's

The behind-the-scenes happenings at one of my favorite stores in the world.

(via peterwknox:jratlee)

And in case you needed more inspiration to make Joe your boyfriend, here’s a list I posted a while ago with some of my favorite TJ’s items.

Ten TJ’s Items to Try:

1. Flavored Greek yogurt (honey, blueberry, and pomegranate): Though fun-flavored Greek yogurt is popping up all over the place now, I’ve always had a special place in my heart for TJ’s version. This yogurt is filling, has great flavor and consistency, and is fairly affordable.
2. Just A Handful trail mix: Yes, it’s true, you CAN make your own trail mix and portion it out into individual baggies. But let’s keep it real: Will you? This is such a great item to have on hand, and I almost always keep a pack in my desk at work or in my purse. I think they make two or three different types, but they all contain a mix of dried fruit and nuts in a nice portion-controlled serving size. If you do want to make your own trail mix, TJ’s sells a plethora of affordable dried fruits as well as a variety of nuts (some flavored).
3. Apple cranberry bran muffins: I’m in awe of the nutrition stats on these babies: 80 calories, 13g fiber, and 5g protein. These make for a perfect (filling) snack or accompanyment to breakfast. I’ve mixed them into yogurt and oatmeal, too. A warning: these muffins are pretty “branny” (read: they taste like they have as much fiber as they do), so if you’re not a fan of bran, stay away.
4. Multigrain cereal: I’ve basically replaced oatmeal with this stuff. It looks like oatmeal, tastes like oatmeal, but boasts better nutrition stats (see the linked post for more info). I usually mix in PB and banana for a little more flavor.
5. Organic peanut butter: The first time I had organic PB, I almost chocked. That stuff tasted nasty to my Jiff-seasoned tongue! But I was relieved to find that TJ’s peanut butter doesn’t have the weird texture and taste that other organic PBs do. And peanut butter is one of the things to definitely buy organic (nuts can soak up a lot of pesticides!). Their almond butter is also affordable and delish.
6. Shelled edamame: Trader Joe’s is one of the only places I’ve found that sells shelled, NON-FROZEN edamame. It’s perfect for snacking or adding to stir-fries, etc.
7. Precooked grains and beans: I know this is kind of a cop-out answer, but for the time-crunched chef, TJ’s sells all the precooked time-savers you could ever ask for. I’ve heard the frozen steel-cut oats are great, and they carry lots of premade rices and other grains. The precooked beans (like lentil and fava) come packaged rather than canned, so they don’t have that weird tinny taste. They’re great for throwing in soups or salads.
8. Dark chocolate wedges: These come in a little tin by the front of the store. At 35 calories each, they’re a great way to get a portion-controlled hit of dark chocolate without having to break a bigger bar with a hammer.
9. Banana, flattened: This “banana roadkill” (tm delishyourdish) is a great portable snack. Turn it into a roll-up by spreading on some PB or AB, and adding dark chocolate chips if you like. Say “yum.”
10. Mirepoix: This one’s just on the list for it’s pure usefulness. It can be the base of almost any sauce or soup, no chopping necessary! A great thing to have around.

23 August 2010

Soul-Soothing Soup: How I Got My Cooking Mojo Back

As I’ve mentioned before, I haven’t felt like cooking much lately. It’s a combination of things, but primarily the weather (who wants to spend hours in the kitchen when it’s nice outside?) and my busy schedule have made cooking seem pretty unappealing. Plus, I have a few strategies for keeping it healthy and avoiding takeout even when I don’t feel like cooking.

But this weekend, for whatever reason, my cooking mojo came back in a BIG way. I mean, I seriously got the sudden urge to cook something complicated. Or, not complicated, just… time-consuming. And nothing says real COOKING to me like soup. Soup starts with such basic elements — meat, veggies, spices, water — and turns into something that completely transcends those things. I know, I know, who wants to cook soup in the summer? Well, it was a glum, slightly cooler day, so it felt right.

I have plenty of go-to soup recipes (that exist in my head), but I was in the mood to cook something new. Something with a lot of ingredients. Something over-the-top.

Who better to turn to for that than Paula Deen? Now, I’m not a Paula Deen apologist, but I do love that she embraces ingredients that other chefs would gasp in horror at the sight of. She’s not afraid of butter. Neither am I!

Some quick Googling on the way to Whole Foods yielded this recipe for The Lady and Sons Beef and Vegetable Soup. With a novel of an ingredient list and a total cooking time of 2-3 hours, I knew I had a winner.

I spent a small fortune on ingredients, but it was worth it to reclaim my mojo!

I did all the cooking at casa del boyfriend, so I had to buy even more spices that he didn’t have on hand. Like I said, a small fortune, but worth it.

The best part about this soup? The massive amount of meat involved!

I had to brown this nearly three-pound slab of boneless chuck roast (local, my friends!). In an unusual twist, I followed Paula’s recipe nearly to a tee. And I also used a gigantic pot to fit everything!

Thank goodness the boy has this enormous pot. I definitely don’t own one this big. After a fair amount of chopping, the soup began to resemble something pretty heart-warming.

For those of you who will never venture to Deen territory, this soup had: carrots, celery, onion, potatoes, green beans, black-eyed peas, butter beans, okra, and corn. After nearly three hours simmering, it was ready to eat. Pure bliss… in a bowl!

And that, my friends, is how I got my cooking mojo back. And now I have enough soup to feed a small army. Who wants to come over for leftovers??

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!

7 July 2010

Profile of a Healthy Eater: Callie

Callie says she’s recently revamped her eating style:

In the last six months my diet went from mostly processed, no vegetables, fast-food crazy, meat heavy, to mostly vegetarian, tons of vegetables, and lots of stay-at -ome cooking.It’s wonderful, because unlike the diets I’ve tried, I’m eating whatever I want — as long as I make it myself.

I love the idea of eating anything you want, as long as you cook it! Make fries, milkshakes, burgers — just make them yourself with high-quality ingredients! Read Callie’s profile below for more on her “DIY-delicious” foodie style.

Miss Callie is oh-so-cute!

1. What’s your foodie style? DIY-delicious. I’m constantly learning more about what is best to eat and how to incorporate lots of different foods into my diet, but the idea I’m following right now is: Make it yourself, make it mostly vegetables, and make it scrumptious.
2. Something people consider “healthy” that you think is anything but? Sugar-free/low-fat/low-calorie anything that, logically, should contain what they claim is missing.
3. Favorite food/health blog? I love this blog, and I love Rachel’s blog, too. The Daily Green also has some fantastic recipes, and they’re good for the environment, too!
4. Your go-to five-minute meal? Black beans, left over homemade pico de gallo, left over guacamole, on a tortilla.
5. Perfect last meal? Homemade spaghetti & marinara. Classic!
6. Favorite method of cooking and why? Blending. I love it when I know I’ve made something that is so minimally processed that I didn’t even have to turn on the stove.
7. Craziest diet you’ve ever tried? The 1200 Calorie Diet. I wrote about it on my blog recently, and it sounds like a lot of people have had a similar experience. It’s too obsessive.
8. Restaurant you’d go to every day if you could? D’Lish Very Vegetarian in Sedona, AZ. It’s fantastic food, great prices, and it’s all vegetarian.9. Food/dish you’ve always wanted to learn how to cook, but haven’t? Quinoa.
10. Dream dining companion? Michael Pollan, just because he was one of the major influences of changing my diet.

30 June 2010

Profile of a Healthy Eater: Leah

Hey, good food lovers! For this afternoon’s profile, check out Leah (love the name!). Leah is recovering from an eating disorder (so great to hear that!) and is a big fan of the Food Network. Read on to hear her unique perspective on food!

Leah: reader AND runner!

1. What’s your foodie style? Balanced meals: carbs (like fruits, whole grains), protein (like lean meats, almonds), veggies. Lots of water. Fresh produce. (Or frozen…. I go berry-picking every summer and I always freeze some of the fruit.) I’m a runner so balanced meals are really important to me.
2. Something people consider “healthy” that you think is anything but? Weight-loss pills. Slim-Fast shakes, although I admit to drinking them on occasion; something my nutrionist recommend for it I’m in a hurry and won’t be able to get a carb-to-protein snack. Also, being super, unhealthily skinny — eating disorders are affecting so many men and women all over the world, and I wish it wasn’t such a taboo topic.
3. Favorite food/health blog? Yours is the only one I follow, and I like it a lot :)
4. Your go-to five-minute meal? Oatmeal: Quaker Oats Weight Control Oatmeal- lots of fiber and a good amount of protein. Fresh fruit (like a banana, blueberries, or apple). Very satisfying. OR, frozen blueberries and almonds with Greek Yogurt for a quick snack.
5. Perfect last meal? Oh gosh… Definitely a well balanced one. Grilled chicken, steamed veggies (green beans, broccoli, carrots), some spinach, fresh herbs (garlic especially… I love garlic!) And for dessert, fresh fruit with Greek or frozen yogurt. Or, an oatmeal cookie with vanilla ice cream.
6. Favorite method of cooking and why? Grilling or broiling/poaching. I was always told those were the healthiest ways to cook. And I don’t like frying, unless I’m making stir-fry in a wok. Using fresh or frozen ingredients too.
7. Craziest diet you’ve ever tried? Well, I used to be bulimic. That was pretty crazy. I’m recovering now — I see a nutritionist, an exercise physiologist, and a therapist.
8. Restaurant you’d go to every day if you could? I like to try new things, so I’d rather go to a different place everyday. :)
9. Food/dish you’ve always wanted to learn how to cook, but haven’t? I want to learn to cook everything! I’m always watching cooking shows. I love making soups and pepper misto.
10. Dream dining companion? Julia Child, Bobby Flay, Giada DeLaurentis, The Barefoot Contessa.