More Holistic Eating

 We are what we eat. How many times have we heard that adage? Yet it's true. If we eat better and more holistically , we'll feel better. It's just a question of eating what's best for our bodies and not our taste buds.

I felt this way yesterday when I underwent my third gall bladder cleanse. Yes, I finally got rid of what looked like hundreds of stones but I couldn;t stop wondering, what if I had eaten better? I wouldn't be in this dilemma It was a rough flushing out that did and didn't end well. (it was vile let's leave it at that).However if I had eaten sensibly I wouldn't have gone through all of this, the horrific prep and the even more so aftermath. This is where holistic  food shopping and eating comes in.  Holistic nutrition means eating food in its' most natural state.This means what we ingest has to be unrefined, unprocessed, and organic locally grown food. If I had been on a diet of these food stuffs, I definitely would not have the problems I have now. This is not only true for me but for others who succumb to taste over value. Can I reform my eating habits? Definitely. There's another old adage -you're never too late to learn. Anyone can refine his or her diet. It';s just a question of will power and determination. 

How do you start a holistic diet when you're feeding yourself one of sweet and salty fat and transfat laden foods?Take it easy for starters. Start with sweet. We're hard wired to reach for sweets since our Neanderthal days when sweet meant safe. We should go back to those fruit gathering days. Start thinking about having fresh fruit for dessert and when you're craving a cupcake or cookie. One  favorite snack/dessert of my  is a Winesap apple sliced and rolled in pure cinnamon. Don't add any sugar to the cinnamon. The Winesaps are sweet enough.  Pears are out right now and again, they're the perfect as an lunch or dinner time dessert. Groceries also offer containers of all varieties of cut melon. These are not only refreshing but low in calories. From the sweet graduate to the savory. Fresh veggies are hard to come buy right now however there are frozen veggies that  have the same nutritional value  more or less. Think about a broccoli salad with good for you olive oil and fresh garlic or even better a string bean salad. As for protein , yes you can have meat but only lean cuts. Try white meat poultry such as chicken or turkey breasts grilled with a little lemon and herbs. Fatty fish is a must so stock up on salmon, lake trout and mackerel. These can be steamed with sage or turmeric for flavor. Holistic dining can include beef but make it very lean sirloin and try to have it only once in a great while. 

Eating better means feeling better. It's just s question of steeling yourself away from the bad and eating the good. It will be hard but it's the first step towards a better life and a better body.

A Different Kind Of Easter

This Easter will be different. Yet maybe a cozy holiday in is what we need. It's not quite the same with the restaurant brunches or big family gatherings. It will do.

We can still have Easter ham with plenty left over. Hopefully everyone has their roasts and sides picked out. Baked beans are one great one. If you haven't bought a can you can still create you own. Just use onion powder, tomato sauce and three sweeteners, brown sugar, maple syrup and molasses, Apple cider vinegar and dried mustard are added for tang along with a splash of apple juice. It's then soaking and boiling the beans. Meanwhile, you can fry up the bacon and then add all the other ingredients. Many have potato salad with their Easter hams. A quick recipe involves boiled ones cooled and sliced. Add a good dollop of mayo and chopped celery (if you don't have it, then use celery salt) along with hard boiled eggs- which you should have.

Easter is a time of sweets, For a fun indoor/outdoor Easter egg hunt put chocolate eggs in the plastic ones. Another idea is creating cupcakes with clues in the frosting. Draw arrows or little pictograms in the icing. Since the kids are in a nd looking for activities , think about a frosting bar. Bake the cupcakes tonight and make a buttercream or chocolate butter cream as the first layer. Have jellybeans or  smaller bowls of colored frostings to create dots and stripes. It's a nice way to pass an afternoon. You could even have a contest for creating the most decorative or the one that looks the most like an Easter egg. Another fun Easter night treat is an Easter candy sundae. Layer whatever ice cream you have with jellybeans or any chocolate eggs. The last can be split in half for easier eating. Easter cookies can be turned into ice cream sandwiches.it's just putting a small scoop on one cookie, then topping it with another.

Easter will be different this year. Celebrate with traditional dishes and fun treats. Make the day memorable with favorite flavors and foods.

BJ's Brewhouse Fun And Food

BJ's Brewhouse is one of those places where you have to take friends. It offers a wide variety of different dishes and best of all - ales. The chain lives up to its' name , for sure , although it has many other offerings too.

I finally got to visit the one in my area yesterday and was not disappointed. I was always near it in the Teterboro's restaurant row even parked in BJ's parking lot when the other chains had no parking. The eatery had been on my radar for almost two years and I was excited to go. Yes, it is a chain, started in 1978 but unlike other chain restaurants it offers a wide variety of different house made beers.  The most intriguing right now is their pumpkin ale (does it have the same spices as the lattes?) and Piranha ale. I'm not a beer drinker by any means , but my next visit will probably include a mug of the last, - a citrussy tasting brew. They even have hard cider - wild berry, made with raspberries and blackberries instead of apples. That's another quaff on my radar.The chain has won several awards for its' brews , including the North American Beer Awards. Another plus is their home made sodas  that include root beer and black cherry. There is wine too and even champagne for those who want to celebrate a special occasion. I like their iced teas and the fact diners receive free refills even when the first large glass is only half drunk.

The menu itself is mind blowing, being more of a thick book with so many different choices. There is everything from handcrafted burgers to  lighter fare called Enlightened Favorites. BJ's Brewhouse is also famed for their pizzas which come in four(!) different sizes from a mini six inch to the largest fourteen inch. There's even a lower calorie  flatbread version with the same sort of topping choices. I went for the lighter fare . First it was the avocado egg rolls with huge chunks of avocados. This is a meal in itself and should be shared. I loved the tangy dipping sauce which went well with the avocado , along with the shredded carrots and cream cheese with it. Then it was the Englightened Favorites, Enlightened Lemon Thyme Chicken. I loved this dish !!!! It is two herb roasted chicken breasts rubbed with Big Poppa's Desert Gold Rub  - a mix of lemon, honey and a host of spices such as garlic and paprika. What made it for me are the roasted Brussels sprouts which were many. They made the dish. There were also red peppers, onions and tomatoes over arborio rice. It was so huge that I had to take it home for a second meal. I would have liked to have had BJ's signature dessert the pizzookie, a giant cookie,brownie or monkey bread  topped with ice cream, syrup and whipped cream.

Try BJ's Brewhouse not just for the house brewed ales but for the delicious dishes.There are so many to choose from. You won't have just one favorite - you'll have several as you become addicted to this fun restaurant.

Shutdown Support

We are in the middle of a rare government shutdown. Thousands of families are affected, thanks to a president bent on getting his ways. We need to support all those workers  in whatever way possible.

There are many ways to help out. Making a casserole or large shepherd's pie  is always welcome. It'll not only feed the family but also provide leftovers. Another idea is hosting family dinners or inviting the kids over for a Taco Tuesday or Meat Loaf Monday .  For a really nice treat, take them out to their favorite  restaurant. Getting together, even with the kids , is a great way to temporarily forget what's going on.It'll save on food bills for the affected families.Many families may balk at the idea of charity however there are a couple of ways around this. One is telling them you'll save them a shopping trip and shop for them. Tell them that they can pay you later when the shutdown ends. You can also give them a belated holiday gift in the form of a gift certificate for their favorite supermarket. $100 dollars may not buy a lot these days but it's enough to get the basics, from fresh fruit and vegetables to toilet paper and paper towels.If the whole neighborhood or family chips in, there could be close to five hundred dollars of gift certificates. This could last a couple of weeks  if those affected are frugal.

This idea can also apply to smaller food purveyors and restaurants.Bakeries can definitely help out with whatever overage they have. There are so many loaves and rolls  that will be turned into breadcrumbs.Even offering a free cookie or cupcake helps and brings even just a glint of  happiness.Family owned restaurants can give certain percentages off on lunches and dinners. Diners can follow suit as well.Since some food pantries will also be affected , smaller shops can donate meats, fruits and vegetables.Mid size companies that produce pasta and ice cream could also donate along with any of the artisanal  food producers.As for food pantries, a very good portion are welcoming those hurt by the shutdown.There's no shame in accepting help .It will just be temporary and food pantries can provide the sustenance needed during these hard times.

We need to stand shoulder to shoulder with those affected by this shutdown.Unlike our government, we will be there for them.We will make sure they do not want.

Pecan The Perfect Holiday Nut

Pecans are tasty.Their rich buttery flavor makes them  the perfect add in for both savory and sweet recipes.Use them in everything from snacks to hors d' oeuvres , from stuffings to pies. They are versatile  - the perfect ingredient for upcoming holidays.

Pecans have been around since pre-Columbian days, the name coming from the Algonquin language. The indigenous Americans foraged them and the nuts were an excellent source of energy. They could sustain tribes five times more than wild fowl and there was no preparation.The Spanish were the first Europeans to try them and brought the nuts and seeds back to Europe.In America, Georgia and Texas have the best , with the two states being rivals in producing the best tasting ones. Pecans are an excellent source of both manganese and folic acid as well as magnesium and phosphorous. Be careful though with them, Ten pieces are around one hundred calories and are very high in fat.Pecans can last two to four weeks in a pantry and nine months in the fridge. They're excellent for freezing , lasting up to two years in the freezer. Should you get the shelled or unshelled ones? That's up to you. Of course just shelled ones taste better but there's some work in cracking open the shells and then discarding them. If you opt for this kind, just be careful. The last thing you need is friends and family cracking a tooth or cutting their gums on an errant shell fragment . The nuts should be carefully sifted through before using them in any recipe.

Pecans are a great way to open any holiday dinner or party. Salted ones are super easy to make.It's tossing the nuts with melted butter and sea salt and then baking them on a cookie sheet for 15 minutes in a 325 F. oven. Add cayenne for color and heat or even turmeric for savory spiciness.  Chopped pecans can be added to cream cheese for a nutty spread on crackers or slices of toasted baguette.Combine roasted ones with blue cheese to create a topping that will go well with grapes.Pecans are a buttery and crunchy addition to traditional stuffing recipes. Try them and cranberries in filling for a savory and sweet mix or with apples for a crunchy textured one.They're also great rounding out side dishes. Pair them with roasted beets for a sweet textured salad, perfect not just with turkey but also ith  roast beef and chicken. Butternut squash benefits from them and onions, in a yummy saute.Of course, the best way to have pecans for dessert is in a tasty ooey gooey pie. Nothing beats a slice of pecan pie with a big puff of whipped cream. They can also star in cookies too. A holiday treat is a butter pecan cookie or a chocolate chip one studded with pecan bits. Pecan bars are another holiday sweet along with pecan clusters. This last is super easy to make. Just melt chocolate  in the microwave, then mix in pecan bits and chill on a greased cookie sheet.

Pecans are the most versatile holiday ingredient. Try them to open a party or to finish a meal. Try them in savory or sweet recipes. They are a treat both in taste and use.

Dad's Day Homemade Treats

It's usuall mom who gets the home cooked and baked meals and treats for Mother's Day . Dad usually gets the burger or the dog from off the grill.However he probably  yearns for a something fresh from the oven or something more substantial  than just a barbecue quick cook. Give him something fun and different - gifts that are both thoughtful and tasty.

Father's Day is all about the barbecue. Surprise Dad with fun kabobs such as spiced lamb ,interspersed with cherry  tomatoes and onions or a shrimp combined with red and green peppers.Instead of chopped meat , splurge and get him filet mignon .It is amazing on the grill just lightly seasoned. and served with a simple salad. If the sire still wants dogs then think the tastier bratwurst .It's flavor is perfection when  it's grilled  and it can be served plain or with cheese. Another great homemade gift is chili. This can be made either very mild or very hot , with beef for the real deal or turkey for a healthier , lower calorie treat. Soy crumbles can be subbed in for an even more healthier spin along with more beans and tomatoes. A real Father's Day treat is lobster and nothing beats a steamed one complete with butter and lemon.A fun idea is getting fresh lobster and steaming it , whether on the stove or on the grill . Make sure that there is plenty of butter and Wet Wipes for dad too. He may also want comfort food too. Think about an old fashioned Sunday dinner complete with meat loaf, gravy and mashed potatoes or spaghetti and garlic bread.

These meals have to have a sweet ending. Nothing beats a  homemade chocolate cake. Make it more interesting by adding stout which pairs well with the flavor. Guinness works the best for this because of its' richness and complexity. Frost with a buttery rich homemade chocolate fudge for added decadence. This recipe can be made for cupcakes too.Another dessert sure to win over his sweet tooth is bourbon  pecan pie. This is the classic Southern recipe with the  addition of bourbon. Only a splash of it is used to cut the pies' uber sweet taste. Another boozy baking idea are beer cookies.Use a wiessbeer or light colored one to make a variation on English shortbread.The best gift is chocolate or maple dipped bacon.It's a fun combination of super salty married with super sweet along with the flavor of pork. It's easy to do, especially when you use the microwave for both the meat and dip. For the maple bacon, liberally brush maple syrup on both sides of the individual slices  and then cook up. If the day is nothing but outdoor eating then finish it with s'mores or better yet bacon s'mores.Add a small square of it on top of the toasted marshmallow for a salty, squishy fun time.

Treat the dad in your life to something homemade and tasty. He'll appreciate the work and the effort along with the love that goes into it. It'll be a memorable Father's Day, for both him and his appetite.