19 Feb 10
My Day in Food: Enough with the Spinach! My afternoon snack consisted of… not spinach: A tangerine from the aforementioned Door to Door box and a hard-boiled egg. Just a few words about the egg: Hard-boiled eggs aren’t hard to make (put eggs in a pot; fill with water so eggs are covered by an inch; bring to a boil; remove from heat and let sit for 15-17 minutes; immerse eggs in cold water bath immediately after). But on my last trip to Trader Joe’s, just for kicks, I picked up a bag of pre-made hard-boiled eggs. You get 10 of them for about $3.50, so while it’s more expensive than buying raw eggs and cooking them, it’s not prohibitively more. The point of all this being, though I can and do make my own hard-boiled eggs, the pre-made ones from TJ’s are SO MUCH BETTER. How do I describe the difference? I don’t know! They’re creamier, perfectly cooked, not rubbery, not smelly… everything that my homemade ones aren’t. So if you have a few extra bucks and are short on time, do yourself a favor and pick some up. Even though it doesn’t seem possible, this is just one more thing Mr. Joe does better than I do. Oh, and Rachel, who recently asked if we’d met her boyfriend Joe (“he’s a trader”)? You’re going to have to fight me for him!

My Day in Food: Enough with the Spinach!

My afternoon snack consisted of… not spinach: A tangerine from the aforementioned Door to Door box and a hard-boiled egg.

Just a few words about the egg: Hard-boiled eggs aren’t hard to make (put eggs in a pot; fill with water so eggs are covered by an inch; bring to a boil; remove from heat and let sit for 15-17 minutes; immerse eggs in cold water bath immediately after). But on my last trip to Trader Joe’s, just for kicks, I picked up a bag of pre-made hard-boiled eggs. You get 10 of them for about $3.50, so while it’s more expensive than buying raw eggs and cooking them, it’s not prohibitively more.

The point of all this being, though I can and do make my own hard-boiled eggs, the pre-made ones from TJ’s are SO MUCH BETTER. How do I describe the difference? I don’t know! They’re creamier, perfectly cooked, not rubbery, not smelly… everything that my homemade ones aren’t. So if you have a few extra bucks and are short on time, do yourself a favor and pick some up. Even though it doesn’t seem possible, this is just one more thing Mr. Joe does better than I do.

Oh, and Rachel, who recently asked if we’d met her boyfriend Joe (“he’s a trader”)? You’re going to have to fight me for him!

Review: Door to Door Organics (aka Organic Produce for the Lazy)

This past Tuesday, my sis and I got our first delivery from Door to Door Organics. Here’s what came in our “Bitty Box” (for $23):

3 ea. Murcott Tangerines
2 ea. Navel Oranges
1 ea. Meyer Lemons
1 ea. Spinach
2 ea. Gala Apples
1 lb Potatoes
2 ea. Fuji Apples
1 ea. Romaine Lettuce
2 ea. Cucumbers
1 ea. Broccoli

We also had the opportunity to buy additional items like cherry tomatoes, rainbow chard, and avocado (we didn’t buy any this time). Doing the math, we figured that we’d probably pay around $20-25 for the same amount of organic produce at a grocery store, so I think we’re getting a good deal. And the best part? It’s DELIVERED TO OUR DOOR. Lazy people, rejoice!

So far, I’ve tasted the spinach (ya think?), apples, cucumbers, broccoli, and tangerine. They’ve all been very good. That’s not to say we won’t occasionally get bruised apples or wilted lettuce, but I’d say the quality is slightly above what you can find in a traditional grocery store. The quantity also seems just perfect for two people. We’re only getting a box every other week, so we might have to supplement a little, but this is a good exercise in using all that we have — no more, no less.

You can customize what produce you get by indicating your likes and dislikes on the website. I think you can get fruit-only and veggie-only boxes as well. All in all, if you live in Colorado, Kansas City, Michigan, or on the East Coast, you should at least try it out! You can subscribe and cancel at any time, so there’s really nothing to lose. I promise they didn’t pay me to say anything of these things, I’m just all about this concept. Anyway, check out the website for more info.

08 Feb 10
For L.A.-ers: Visit the Spice Station

I just got this tip from Kallah Maguire via comments. She says:

For anyone in LA, I just visited an amazing spice store today in Silver Lake. It’s called the Spice Station (http://spicestationsilverlake.com) and they have an amazing selection and really reasonable prices. They hubby and I picked up some white peppercorns, long black peppercorns, sweet smoked paprika, and ghost pepper salt. We got to smell and taste everything before we bought, and they owner is really knowledgeable.

So if you’re in LA or passing though I highly recommend visiting the Spice Station. It’s also the cutest little store with a beautiful courtyard and fountain in front.

I really want some of that sweet smoked paprika… yum! I’ll try to post a recipe that incorporates it. Thanks for the tip, Kallah!

05 Feb 10
Upgrade Your Pantry Staples

I love Real Simple’s latest article about which staples to splure on. I totally agree with their calls:

Black Pepper

Pepper is one of the last things you add to a dish, so its flavor has a big impact. Always grind your own.
The upgrade: Tellicherry black peppercorns ($4 for a four-ounce bag, penzeys.com).

Butter

Use creamy European-style butter on the rare occasions you use butter for cooking. Buy unsalted to control the sodium.
The upgrade: Organic Valley, Horizon Organic, or Land O’ Lakes Ultra Creamy Butter ($3 to $3.50 for eight ounces, in supermarkets).

Canned Tomatoes

Organic tomatoes come in enamel-lined cans, so there’s no metallic taste―just a fresh, natural flavor.
The upgrade: Muir Glen Organic tomatoes ($1.50 for 14.5 ounces, in most supermarkets and health-food stores).

Chicken Broth

Broth from bouillon cubes is overly salty and suspiciously yellow. Low-fat, low-sodium broth is ideal.
The upgrade: Swanson Natural Goodness 100% Fat Free ($3 for 32 ounces, in supermarkets).

Eggs

Spring for organic eggs from free-range chickens. The yolks are bright yellow-orange, not a muted yellow, and the taste is full, rich, and downright eggy.
The upgrade: Greenbrier or Trader Joe’s ($2.50 to $3.50 a dozen, at health-food stores or Trader Joe’s, traderjoes.com for store locations).

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

There is a huge difference in quality between the big-brand varieties and oils made by small producers. A flavorful extra-virgin olive oil can transform a simple salad into something spectacular.
The upgrade: Lucini Italia ($19 for 500 milliliters, lucini.com) or Bertolli Gentile ($6 for 500 milliliters, in supermarkets).

Parmesan

Bypass the canned version. The best-tasting Parmesan is from a specific region in Italy and has the Parmigiano-Reggiano stamp on its rind.
The upgrade: Authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano ($9 to $18 a pound).


Peanut Butter

The kids’ stuff is loaded with sugar. The natural kind contains only peanuts and salt.
The upgrade: Smucker’s Natural Creamy Peanut Butter ($3 for 16 ounces, in supermarkets).

Salt

Kosher and sea salt are clean-tasting and easy to control with your fingers.
The upgrade: Maldon Sea Salt ($7 for 8.5 ounces, thespicehouse.com) or Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt ($3 for three pounds, in supermarkets, or call 800-428-4244).

Tuna

Italian-style light-meat tuna packed in olive oil delivers a double dose of good fats. It has more calories than the all-white-meat, water-packed kind, but it doesn’t need a lot of mayo when made into tuna salad.
The upgrade: Genova ($2 for six ounces, in supermarkets).

Vanilla

Use pure (not imitation) vanilla extract and you’ll be wowed by its complex, heady perfume.
The upgrade: Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract ($20 for eight ounces, kingarthurflour.com) or McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract ($7 for four ounces, in supermarkets).

01 Feb 10
Local, Organic Produce for the Lazy: Door to Door Organics

Door to Door Organics

Before you guys get offended by the title of this post, know that “lazy” is mostly in reference to myself. I admit, in the winter, the idea of getting up early on a Saturday morning to go to my local farmer’s market is pretty unappealing. I also don’t like making five stops each time I go grocery shopping. There has to be a better way to get local and organic produce! There is, friends, there is.

If you live in Colorado, Kansas City, Michigan, or on the East Coast, that way is Door to Door Organics. For a mere $23 a week (or biweekly), you can have fresh, local, seasonal, and organic produce delivered right to your door. The $23 will get you the “Bitty Box” (the smallest size they sell), which they say is appropriate for an individual, couple, or roommates. I ordered that box to come biweekly. Here’s a sample menu of the Bitty Box:

  • 4 Bananas
  • 4 Bosc Pears
  • 2 Braeburn Apples
  • 3 Orlando Tangelos
  • 2 Cucumbers
  • 1 Romaine Lettuce
  • 1 Celery Heart
  • 1 Sunburst Squash
  • 1 Sweet Baby Broccoli

You can also customize the box according to your taste. I’d say getting all of that organic produce delivered to my door is worth more than $23. You can also get bigger boxes if you go through more produce. I’m thinking that this $50 worth of produce each month means we’ll barely have to buy any at the store. Sister, aren’t you excited?! (My sister/roommate hates shopping for produce, for whatever reason.)

10 Nov 09
Tips for Your Health: The Secret to Avoiding Premature Spoiling of Fruits and Veggies Don’t you hate when you try to be all healthy by buying a bunch of produce, but it goes bad before you can even eat it? Annoying. The key to preventing spoilage is separating ethylene-producing and ethylene-sensitive produce. Learn which is which here, and never make excuses for skipping the produce again!

Tips for Your Health: The Secret to Avoiding Premature Spoiling of Fruits and Veggies

Don’t you hate when you try to be all healthy by buying a bunch of produce, but it goes bad before you can even eat it? Annoying. The key to preventing spoilage is separating ethylene-producing and ethylene-sensitive produce. Learn which is which here, and never make excuses for skipping the produce again!

29 Oct 09
Trader Joe is my boyfriend (shhh, don’t tell the real one). Read on to find out which of his amazing qualities I love best. maryrambin: Top Ten Best Trader Joe’s Purchases —By Nutritionista A few days ago, I got a question from reader Mary Beth. She’s one of the lucky ones who’s getting a Trader Joe’s in her neighborhood, and asked me for a list of my top ten favorite items. What a great (but hard-to-answer!) question. It’s no secret that I love Trader Joe’s and basically think it’s the mecca for healthy foodies everywhere. So I thought long and hard about this question, and here’s what I came up with (note that this is not a comprehensive list of all great TJ’s items, just some of my classic and versatile favorites!): 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. 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). 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 accompaniment 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. 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. Organic peanut butter: The first time I had organic PB, I almost choked. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.” 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. I know there are so many other great items at TJ’s that aren’t on this list. And now I feel really bad for those of you without a store nearby. I also feel bad for rubbing it in just now. Sorry! I’m sure someday, you’ll get to know Joe. Anyway, for those of you who shop there already, what are some of your favorite healthy Trader Joe’s finds?

Trader Joe is my boyfriend (shhh, don’t tell the real one). Read on to find out which of his amazing qualities I love best.

maryrambin:

Top Ten Best Trader Joe’s Purchases

—By Nutritionista

A few days ago, I got a question from reader Mary Beth. She’s one of the lucky ones who’s getting a Trader Joe’s in her neighborhood, and asked me for a list of my top ten favorite items. What a great (but hard-to-answer!) question. It’s no secret that I love Trader Joe’s and basically think it’s the mecca for healthy foodies everywhere. So I thought long and hard about this question, and here’s what I came up with (note that this is not a comprehensive list of all great TJ’s items, just some of my classic and versatile favorites!):

  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 accompaniment 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 choked. 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.

I know there are so many other great items at TJ’s that aren’t on this list. And now I feel really bad for those of you without a store nearby. I also feel bad for rubbing it in just now. Sorry! I’m sure someday, you’ll get to know Joe. Anyway, for those of you who shop there already, what are some of your favorite healthy Trader Joe’s finds?

25 Aug 09
Whole Foods on a Budget from According to Lia »

Lia says:

I am unapologetic when I say that we spend a lot of money on food. I firmly believe that a quality diet is some of the best preventative medicine out there and as the old saying goes “you are what you eat”. Despite my commitment to quality, the limitations of our budget prevent me from spending freely. During the warm summer months we are lucky enough to have a beautiful farmer’s market in town. Unfortunately, as the months turn cold there are less options for delicious produce and Whole Foods becomes a more frequent stop. Of course Whole Foods is notoriously expensive and often referred to as “Whole Pay Check”. While I realize that it is far from the cheapest option I will say that it doesn’t have to be outrageously expensive. With a little strategy you can get in and out of Whole Foods with enough money leftover to pay your rent.

08 Jun 09
As usual, I prepped some food as soon as I got home from the grocery store. Along with chopping all my dry salad veggies, I made tofu crispies and sweet potatoes. Here’s a revised recipe for the crispies: You’ll need: 1 block extra firm tofu olive oil salt & pepper Preparation: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut tofu into 1/2 inch cubes. Grease the bottom of a non-stick baking sheet with a swipe of olive oil on paper towel and spread tofu evenly on baking sheet. Add salt & pepper to taste. Cook for about 30 minutes, turning once or twice, or until tofu is fully golden and crispy. These little lovelies are delicious on salads, in stir fries, or plain as a crispy snack.

As usual, I prepped some food as soon as I got home from the grocery store. Along with chopping all my dry salad veggies, I made tofu crispies and sweet potatoes. Here’s a revised recipe for the crispies:

You’ll need:

  • 1 block extra firm tofu
  • olive oil
  • salt & pepper

Preparation:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  • Cut tofu into 1/2 inch cubes.
  • Grease the bottom of a non-stick baking sheet with a swipe of olive oil on paper towel and spread tofu evenly on baking sheet.
  • Add salt & pepper to taste.
  • Cook for about 30 minutes, turning once or twice, or until tofu is fully golden and crispy.

These little lovelies are delicious on salads, in stir fries, or plain as a crispy snack.

Shop: Long Overdue Groceries Instead of splitting up my shop between Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods like I usually do, I spent all my time (and money) at Whole Paycheck. I love that place, but I definitely recommend buying staples at TJ’s. It saves a ton! Today’s shop included: Producekalesweet potatoesapplesbananasred & yellow pepperbaby carrotsavocadosnectarinesgrape tomatoeswatermelonspinachFrozenokraharicot vertsspinach (back up!)edamamevarious Amy’s & Kashi entreesDr. Praeger’s spinach pancakesDr. Praeger’s california veggie burgersQuorn cutlets (what can I say? They grew on me)Coconut Bliss coconut milk coconut ice creamOthergoat cheeseNewman’s Own lite balsamic vinaigrettehemp protein powderAmazing Meal powderZico coconut waterLesserEvil Krinkle Sticks (these got opened in the car on the way home)whole wheat pita pocketsmedjool datesrolled oats Total: $133 (Whole Paycheck indeed!)Pricey, yes, but it should last me at LEAST two weeks. Plus, I consider investing in good food like investing in a healthy and fit body, so I don’t mind. There are much worse things I could be spending money on.

Shop: Long Overdue Groceries

Instead of splitting up my shop between Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods like I usually do, I spent all my time (and money) at Whole Paycheck. I love that place, but I definitely recommend buying staples at TJ’s. It saves a ton! Today’s shop included:

Produce
kale
sweet potatoes
apples
bananas
red & yellow pepper
baby carrots
avocados
nectarines
grape tomatoes
watermelon
spinach

Frozen
okra
haricot verts
spinach (back up!)
edamame
various Amy’s & Kashi entrees
Dr. Praeger’s spinach pancakes
Dr. Praeger’s california veggie burgers
Quorn cutlets (what can I say? They grew on me)
Coconut Bliss coconut milk coconut ice cream

Other
goat cheese
Newman’s Own lite balsamic vinaigrette
hemp protein powder
Amazing Meal powder
Zico coconut water
LesserEvil Krinkle Sticks (these got opened in the car on the way home)
whole wheat pita pockets
medjool dates
rolled oats

Total: $133 (Whole Paycheck indeed!)
Pricey, yes, but it should last me at LEAST two weeks. Plus, I consider investing in good food like investing in a healthy and fit body, so I don’t mind. There are much worse things I could be spending money on.


Now Serving: Your Nutritionista

I love food. I love food that tastes good, is satisfying, energizes, and delivers lots of nutrition. There's lots of food like that out there. Let me prove it to you. Email questions, comments, or suggestions to yournutritionista@gmail.com.

Disclaimer: I'm not a Registered Dietitian (RD) or mental health professional. For medical or psychological counseling, please consult an RD, certified nutritionist, doctor, or mental health professional. All content on this blog is based on my own acquired knowledge/research and personal experience. It is not meant to qualify as medical advice.

The Six Nutritionista Principles: Read First

Navigation

Start Here

Eat

Burn

Learn

Read

Search

Subscribe to Podcast on iTunes Icon