Hello Readers...
I have finally gotten back to writing my book after months of hiatus. Those of you who write likely have some sort of pattern you have developed which shows up in how you go about it. I am noticing I will write several pages and then I do not look at it for 6 months. At this rate the book will be finished when I am 80.
The book has me going back into my past and retelling my story and it is bringing up is the reality of what happens when parents introduce food in a certain way to their kids. In my case my parents were both overweight, both loved indulgent food and cooking, and they used food as reward and enticement.
As I re-read the last paragraph I think it is important to say that there is nothing wrong with loving food. Food should be loved. It is amazing: especially given where we live and what is at our fingertips: insane abundance. We are blessed in this area to be able to experience foods from all over the world which can be combined in imaginative and loving ways. And even loving indulgent food isn't bad, if it can be consumed in moderation.
But too often food becomes reward or a fixer. How many mothers and grandmothers are guilty of promising cookies if a room is cleaned or a chore completed? How many fathers have taken their sons out for pizza after a losing game, to make them feel better?
My father gave us a hot fudge sundae for every A on our report card! For me that was a lot of hot fudge sundaes, smarty pants that I was. Whenever I was injured or upset my mother would offer food of some kind. My grandmother gave me a chocolate bar every day after school as a reward for coming home and doing my homework right away. Eventually I got the message that food was more than just sustenance: it was a stroke of approval, acknowledgment, and of deep comfort.
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RECIPES
Recently I discovered a whole new favorite way of making cauliflower: cauliflower rice! I was surprised at how utterly easy and delicious it is, and it was a kick to have my husband think it was couscous! There are two photos to show it cooking and with a fish/vegetable topping.
And I love eggplant! I am discovering more and more delicious ways to make it come alive. This recipe gives you this glorious vegetable combined with another: spinach.
The full recipes for all are on my
Website Recipe Page
 
BREADED EGGPLANT ROUNDS ON SPINACH
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WHITE HOUSE PASTRY CHEF RESIGNS
A part of me feels bad for this guy, but it tickles me pink to hear that the "demonization of butter and sugar" by the Obama family has left him no choice. Yay Michelle! You are my hero! This guy would quit if I were first lady too! 
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INDIVIDUAL COFFEE SERVINGS?
Some of us have gotten into those groovy individual serving coffee machines. Mother Jones writes an enlightening article about the dangers, to us and to our environment from these little convenient friends... 
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KEEP FRUITS AND VEGGIES FRESH WEEKS LONGER!
Kavita Shukla, a recent Harvard-graduate-turned-entrepreneur, came up with a brilliant invention for keeping vegetables and fruits alive a fresh much longer. Based on traditional herbal combinations learned from her grandmother she has created a magic paper. Very cool...
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FAKE MEAT ANYONE?
If you have not yet tried the myriad of meat substitute products available on Whole Foods and other grocery shelves you're in for a rather big surprise. They taste amazingly like the real thing.
Why eat the reproduction instead of the actual meat? Fat, cholesterol, calories to name 3 things. The raising and slaughtering of animals and destruction to our planet are 2 others. All research leans towards a plant based diet being the key to longevity. Why not explore how these amazing products can give you all the satisfaction of eating beef or chicken but you are not eating animal.
 READ ARTICLE
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ANOTHER AMAZING PARENT/CHILD COMBINATION
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LIFE COACHING/WEIGHT COUNSELING
Sometimes we just need someone to motivate and encourage us to get moving towards our goals. Consider Life Coaching and/or Weight Counseling to get you in gear!
And did you know most Lifecoaching is done by phone? Easy and effective.
Contact me to find out more.
jciel@sbcglobal.net
WEBSITE COACHING/COUNSELING PAGE
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