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Hey All,
I was just thinking about the passion most of us reading this have for food. This is no ordinary appreciation or awareness, but full blown obsession for many people. I know for myself there are certain foods or dishes which elicit descriptions of rapture-like proportion. So what's up with that and is it good or bad to be this way? And could it ever change?
I know for myself this relationship began early. By about age 4 or 5 I was so obsessed with chocolate I would steal it from my parents' high shelf by standing on my tippy toes on a step stool, nearly breaking vital body parts in the process. Even at a very young age I ate pretty much anything on my plate, but things like candy or cookies were as important to me as my dog or my sister (okay, waaay more important than my sister). Was it my parents who instilled this in me? Could it be in my DNA? Well turns out that it likely is a little bit of inherited attributes, some good old fashioned family values, and a big dose of the food industry's formula for addiction.
The food industry began the move into developing the perfect combinations of fat, sugar and salt right when I was growing up. Having turned 58 this week I know that I got sucked in early on and my life has revolved around food ever since.
But I feel liberated in a certain sense at this point. Yep, I still obsess over chocolate, but I can take or leave lots of other foods which were my staples when I was heavier. My liberation happened several years ago when I finally keyed into the food industry's overall intentions and it made me mad enough to decide not to support them anymore. In case you do not know what their game plan is, it is not to feed the world healthy food...it is to make money. Lots of money. And if this means keeping people fat and sick, well then so be it. Think the tobacco industry, only affecting many millions more people.
So either you are rolling your eyes at that last line, or nodding in agreement. If it is the former think about it for a minute. Have you observed the food industry's propensity to increase portion sizes over the years? Have you noticed that they have changed the names of certain dangerous ingredients like high fructose corn syrup on packaging (look for it as evaporated corn sugar) to fool you into still buying it? How is it that pizza is considered a serving of vegetables in American public schools? The food industry plays lip service to making their products healthier, but in reality if they do not keep you hooked they lose millions. So they will do anything they can to hold you in their clutches. For every person who dies of a weight-related illness there are 3 more kids begging their mothers for another 64 oz Big Gulp (1200 calories!!!).
Those of you in agreement with me, bravo. But I would challenge you to look at how you might still be supporting them. If you are buying lots of pre-packaged foods, or still driving guiltily into a fast food drive thru now and again you are not doing yourself any favors, but you are helping an industry executive buy a new yacht. Meanwhile your arteries are clogging up, your blood pressure is increasing, and you could be taking a whole lotta years off your life.
I challenge everyone reading this to begin reading package labels. Decrease your consumption of packaged foods overall and EAT FRESH!! Get rid of the drive-thru and go to a salad bar as a fast food treat. Let's all work together to help ourselves get healthier, as the food industry will certainly not do it for us.
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These meetings are fun, educational, supportive and motivational. You've tried lots of different ways to lose. Come learn a different way of approaching the weight loss journey. Weigh-ins are optional, and the program is actually easy, sensible, and will get you eating healthier than you ever thought you could.
SMAR T SNACKING
For many of us snacking is a necessity that makes us feel satisfied throughout the day. This meeting will focus on the smartest and most satisfying snacks. There will be yummy samples...some things I have brought to previous meetings and some different and unique ideas!
NO MEETINGS WEDNESDAY, JULY 4TH!
(this topic will be covered the week following in the Wednesday meetings)
The week of July 9th
 READING NUTRITIONAL LABELSMost of us read labels now and again and might not really understand a lot of what is on them. We will learn what information they contain and how they can inform and also mislead us. If you have a question about a certain food bring the package in and let us parse apart the label.
NEW MEETING ADDED: THURSDAYS 5:15pm, ANNADEL FITNESS CENTER: 4283 MONTGOMERY
(at Mission) SANTA ROSA I have a new meeting at Annadel Fitness Center! 5:15pm, so those of you who work can come afterwards. Annadel Fitness is a wonderful place featuring lots of Zumba, Body Conditioning and other types of classes. You do not have to join to go there, nor do you have to take any of the classes there in order to come to my meetings, but I will say there are wonderful teachers and opportunities here including a great class which will follow mine: Zumba with Ali.MEETING SCHEDULE: MONDAYS: 9:30AM: TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH 275 E SPAIN ST SONOMA
TUESDAYS 9:30AM LOMITAS SCHOOLHOUSE
2421 LOMITAS AVE SANTA ROSA
WEDNESDAYS 9:30AM: TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH 275 E SPAIN ST SONOMA
4:30PM LOMITAS SCHOOLHOUSE
2421 LOMITAS AVE SANTA ROSA
THURSDAYS 5:15PM ANNADEL FITNESS
4283 MONTGOMERY SANTA ROSA
FRIDAYS 9:30AM SEBASTOPOL CENTER FOR THE ARTS
DEPOT ST SEBASTOPOL
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RECIPES FOR THIS ISSUE
In the most recent meeting we discussed social eating and I put forward some ideas for delicious appetizers. Below is one which many were interested in having the recipe for, so here it is.
The second recipe was a wonderful collection of odds and ends we had in the house and it came out so wonderfully I had to name it and include it here. The picture is off the internet so not quite accurate, but trust me when I say you will not be disappointed.
My website recipe page was updated recently and more will be added in future weeks.
CLICK HERE FOR MY WEBSITE RECIPE PAGE
SPINACH DIP STUFFED MINI PEPPERS
Ingredients
2 bags fresh spinach
2 containers (plastic "clamshells") of miniature sweet peppers
1 red onion, diced finely
1 16 oz container low fat sour cream
1 can water chestnuts, drained and chopped finely
1/2 package Simply Organic French Onion Dip Mix (see product suggestion below)
Instructions
1) Steam spinach and chop finely
2) Mix all ingredients and add more dip mix to taste, if necessary.
3) Stuff peppers
Makes 4 dozen or more stuffed 1/2 peppers
Serving size: 2
Calories: 74
Fat: 4.2 g
Sodium: 350 mg
Cholesterol: 8 mg
Carbohydrates: 8.2 g
Fiber:..8 g
Sugar: 4 g
Protein: 1.8g2 points per serving
CHICKEN FIESTA
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 red pepper, sliced thin
1 onion, sliced thin
1 cup Trader Joes Fire Roasted Corn (see product recommendation below)
1 can artichoke hearts in water, drained and chopped
20 black olives, sliced
1 Tbl Pickapeppa Sauce (see product recommendation below)
Directions: 1) Grill chicken either on an outdoor barbecue or a Forman Grill (or simply pan fry it in spray oil). Chop and set aside
2) Spray pan with oil and saute pepper and onion until soft
3) Add all other ingredients and heat until bubbly. Use more or less Pickapeppa Sauce to taste.
Serve over brown rice or a brown rice/wild rice mix.
4 servings
Per serving (without rice) Calories: 258
Total Fat: 9.2g
Sodium: 650 mg
Cholesterol: 76 mg
Carbohydrates: 17.2 g
Protein: 28g
Sugar: 3g
Fiber: 5.3g 6 points per serving
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TRY THESE PRODUCTS!
TRADER JOES ROASTED CORN This amazing product, found in the freezer section at TJs, makes anything you cook with it taste 100 times better. Truly a worthwhile product to keep on hand.
PICKAPEPPA SAUCE I found this in Jamaica years ago and was so happy to discover it on the grocery store shelves in markets like Olivers, Sonoma Market, Whole Foods, etc. It is both spicy and sweet and a little goes a long way. This is a good substitute for steak sauce or Worcestershire sauce.
SIMPLY ORGANIC FRENCH ONION DIP MIX
Whole Foods carries this line of soup and dip mixes and every one I have tried has been better than the original Knorr version. Much less salt and nicer flavor. |
ANOTHER PRODUCT TO TRY:
MIRACLE NOODLE
Jane in Sebastopol told me about these interesting noodles. They sound similar to Shiritaki, which are made from tofu, but these are not. However they are practically zero in every way, and although Jane says they are very neutral in taste, the feel of them is true to pasta, so using them instead of pasta makes your meal incredibly healthy, yet feels indulgent. Only available on line. Check it out...
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PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ
Jim in Sonoma sent this charming flash mob video shot in what looks to be the bleakest of settings in Russia...Glad it went viral as it looks like only a few were on hand to see it live. It made me wonder whether they could not get permission to do it in a more public place like the usual shopping mall or train station. But it is really fun to see, so check it out!
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THE THINGS WE CAN DO WITH FOOD!
Recently Facebook friends, independent of each other, have all posted clever food "sculptures". Check these out... |
BIKER CHICKS!!
Biker Chicks Rides Continue Throughout Summer
NEXT RIDE IS JULY 22ND
Just a reminder that the next Biker Chicks ride will be Sunday, July 22nd at 2pm. It is just a joyous gathering of all ages, sizes and skill levels of women and I HIGHLY encourage any of you who have even a vague interest to take the leap and do this ride. You will NOT regret it!
We meet at the intersection of Santa Rosa Ave and Sonoma Ave at the "fish sculpture" plaza. Many people from Sonoma are going if you need to coordinate transport.
"Biker Chicks" offers a fun, supportive, social atmosphere for every woman and girl who wants to ride. All you need is a bicycle, a full water bottle, a tire patch kit and spare tube, snacks and a helmet (required for those under 18, recommended for everybody); you don't need special clothing, just wear what you like and ride.
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YUMMY, EASY AND LEAN!
Yes, its another cooking class! 
JULY 28TH 12 - 4PM
LOMITAS SCHOOLHOUSE
2421 LOMITAS AVE
SANTA ROSA
$35 if you sign up before 7/15 $40 after that date I hadn't actually planned on doing another cooking class until September, but several people have asked if I am doing one in the near future so I decided, why not?
This one will be a little different, in that I am going to do a whole class on what I call "intuitive cooking". This is cooking without really using recipes, but just combinations of various foods to create different ethnic combinations. I did a demo class in this several months ago and felt I just scratched the surface of what is possible cooking this way. With the right ingredients you can wow any picky eater without needing to know how to cook a gourmet meal. This is super simple and is an ideal class for those of you who do not do a lot of cooking and want to feel more relaxed in the kitchen.SPACE IS LIMITED! SIGN UP TODAY!
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BACON SUNDAE ANYONE?
Just in case you are doubting my rant on the food industry's insanity in the opening blog, check this out...
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/bacon-sundae-burger-king-203314332.html
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LIFE COACHING
Besides these meetings most of you know I am a certified life coach. Although my the meetings incorporate life coaching on occasion, it is not the same as one on one help. If you are challenged in your life to make change: to really lose the weight, find that great job, have a fulfilling relationship, life coaching is a wonderful path towards manifesting your dreams.
I always do a free half hour sample session.I work primarily by phone so your location is not an issue. Hope you'll check it out! EMAIL ME FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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