All You Create

I love food. More specifically, if I were a player on “Survivor,” I would love food, but as I’m just an average Jane doing my thing in this world and not having to eat bugs to survive, I love good food. One part of food — one of many, I dare say — which I love most is the language of it. Food in its presentation state isn’t just food; it’s much grander than that.

For example:

• Cow is not cow; it’s beef.
• Pig is not pig; it’s pork.
• Goose liver is not goose liver; it’s foie gras.
• Bull testicles are not bull testicles; they’re Rocky Mountain oysters.
• A pan full of everything but the kitchen sink is not a pan full of everything but the kitchen sink; it’s paella.

Granted, nothing in the above list would make it onto my pescetarian plate (not even seafood paella, as I’m relatively picky when it comes to seafood, as well). However, the point is the same: The language of food romanticizes what ends up plated in front of eager patrons.

One such subtle change in the language of cuisine that I’ve recently noticed has to do with beans. Yes, beans. Those plain-ol’, little, inexpensive peas, beans and lentils are also known as pulses. I think I heard the term a year or so ago (which could easily mean I heard it five or more years ago) but dismissed it as random terminology.

Pulses are random no more. Not only is Wikipedia fully up on it, but pulses also made it onto the menu of the restaurant that just topped — for the second year in a row — the S. Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. That’s pretty impressive for a lowly seed and its brethren.

Pulses carry with them a bevy of benefits:

• High in protein
• High in fiber
• High essential amino acid content
• Virtually fat-free
• Affordable
• Versatile (pulses are either a mainstay or an accompaniment in nearly every world cuisine)

For me, though, the main emphasis of this post is to emphasize the use of the term “pulse” rather than the oh-so-2010 term “bean.” Since it seems to be incorporating itself into the lexicon a bit more frequently these, days, I’m thinking that making a three-pulse salad or American chili with pulses and Cherokee purples sounds much more palatable and in-the-know.

Et tu?

Happy trails!

SAK

Ice cold and not so sweet — that’s how I like my tea. Apparently, that’s how the AP Stylebook folks like referring to the political tea party, as well.

OK, fine — I’ll try to keep my political views out of this.

The 2011 AP Stylebook succinctly explains the tea party as a “populist movement opposing [the] Washington political establishment.” That’s a short and not-so-sweet account of what the tea party is for those who may not have yet heard of the movement. All two of them.

Please note the lowercase “T” and “P” in the name. That’s really the reason for this post. I’ve seen Tea Party just about everywhere. The AP Stylebook — the ultimate writer’s guide (or should that be “the ultimate guide for writers? See? This writing gig is no cakewalk, folks) — lowercases the phrase, and so I intend to do the same. I wish the same for you.

Now this is a tea party! (photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/preppybyday/5076312167/)

Iced tea, by the way, is a fantastic drink to sip all day long if you’re looking for some flavor without calories or weird sweeteners. Regular tea has caffeine, so try non-caffeinated teas if you’re worried about being too wired. Either way, drinking tea keeps you hydrated, which (in my opinion) is a quick cure for a lot of what ails us.

Look at that — not a thing to do with grammar. Oy!

Happy trails!

SAK

For those who don’t know me well, I will share this morsel with you:

I’m all about food.

Granted, I’m a pescetarian — someone who doesn’t eat land animals (e.g., chicken, cow, pig, sheep, etc.) — but I do eat seafood and fish, in addition to fruits, dairy products, grains and the occasional vegetable. And tomatoes? They’re OK, I suppose. I’ve eaten them my entire life but haven’t really been in awe of them.

Not, that is, until the past decade, when a friend introduced me to Insalata Caprese. Now, I’m hooked.

Insalata Caprese translates from Italian into English thus:

Read the entire article.

The term snacking carries negative connotations: It’ll ruin your meal. It adds unnecessary calories. It consists of high-fat, low-nutrition items. However, munching on healthy snacks — such as sunflower seeds — actually has a positive effect on diet, weight and overall health.

Sunflower seeds are a prime example of a healthy, weight-conscious snack food.

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So 2010 is in full swing and you’ve committed to taking better care of yourself, this year and beyond. What better way to get motivated and in shape, all while helping to eradicate several forms of cancer, than to join the Team in Training (TNT) program?

Help yourself while helping others and you, too, can have wings (photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/spine/240193069)

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) introduced the program in 1988 to help people reach monumental fitness goals — running a full or half marathon, completing a triathlon, finishing a century (i.e., 100-mile) bicycle ride or enduring an extensive hike — while raising money to fund blood cancer research. Since then, more than $950 million has been raised and almost 400,000 people have achieved their fitness goal.

Now, it’s your turn.

Read the entire article.

With the end of 2009 looming and the beginning of the new year nearly here, many people start scrambling to make resolutions to improve their lives somehow, some way. Resolving to do something different — or just smarter — seems like a terrific idea. So why do so many resolutions get broken?

Out with the old, in with the new (photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/optical_illusion/4219923214)

The answer, perhaps, lies in the fact that most people throw their resolutions out there with one motion: Umph, it’s out there. Now what?

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The holiday season is in full swing and people are scurrying around, trying to cross names off of their gift-giving lists. But what to buy? For those looking to not only give a present but enrich their loved ones’ lives, a gift that emphasizes good health shows the recipient how much they are loved; for what says “I love you and want you to be around for a long time to come” better than a present that proves it?

So what do you get for the young and the young at heart? For the relative with relatively nothing and the family member who already has everything? No matter your budget, you can surprise friends and family with gifts from the heart that are, well, for the heart. Here, some ideas to get started:

$500+ A yearly membership to a gym. For example, the Wichita YMCA costs $37.70 per month for one person, with a $50 sign-up fee — that’s just over $500 a year, and less if you work for a company that has a discount with the YMCA. A family membership runs $49.90 per month (also eligible for a corporate discount) and the YMCA offers reduced sign-up fees during certain times of the year. It’s a one-time gift that lasts all year long.

$200–$500 A global positioning system (GPS) watch. The sports watch with a GPS function measures speed, distance, pace and calories, as well as including typical watch functions. Garmin makes several variations of the Forerunner that are popular among Wichita runners. A GPS watch makes a great, if a bit expensive, stocking stuffer, but it also wraps nicely for an under-the-tree surprise.

$100–$200 A boxing bag and gloves. What better way to break a sweat and get out post-holiday aggressions than taking it all out on a boxing bag? Heart rates will sore and muscles will get defined with this terrific form of exercise. Make sure to include proper boxing gloves to protect your love one’s wrists. The only caveat is that the bag may be difficult to maneuver (i.e., heavy gift) and wrap.

A punching bag is a terrific cardio and strength-building gift for males and females alike (photo: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/08girlfight02.jpg)

$50–$100 A new pair of athletic shoes. Whether you are buying for an aerobics guru, a walking queen or a running fool, your friend or family member probably needs new shoes. Check out First Gear (111 N. Mosley St. in Old Town) if you’re in the market for running shoes. If you don’t know which shoes to buy, pick up a gift certificate, because the recipient can take his or her old shoes to First Gear, where the fine folks who work (and live) there will check out the shoes’ wear and evaluate the runner’s gait on a treadmill; they know their stuff. If online shopping is your game, RoadRunnerSports.com is the name. It has a gazillion shoes and, if you’re lucky, free shipping.

$25–$50 A gift basket with healthy goodies. Really, this could go for less than $25, but an overflowing basket will probably run a little more. Visit any of the local health food stores, such as Green Acres (8141 E. 21st. St., in Bradley Fair), Food For Thought (2929 E. Central Ave., west of Hillside) or Whole Foods (6574 E. Central Ave., 2172 Amidon St. or 10555 W. 21st St. N.). These specialty stores have a huge variety of organic, pure and interesting items, including foods, cosmetics and gifts. Even the mainstream grocery stores, such as Target, Walmart and Dillons, have a health food section.

$1–$25 Lots of goodies fit into this category:

• Athletic socks that wick moisture away from those hard-working feet make terrific stocking stuffers (think socks inside of a sock).
• Workout shorts that work as hard as the socks do at wicking moisture are an always-useful item.
• A bottle of red wine is festive and heart healthy — one glass at a sitting.
• Dark chocolate is the healthier choice if chocolate is a must-give gift.
• Gourmet artichokes or hearts of palm are yummy in salads or with pasta and are a healthy alternative to loading the stocking with chocolate bells.
• An iPod clip or armband allows the athlete in your life to work out hands-free.
• A cookbook highlighting yummy vegetarian or healthy cooking options introduces tasty suggestions.
• Movie passes are a terrific way to offer a night of relaxation after the craziness of the holidays is over.

The list is boundless. Have fun shopping for your friends and loved ones, knowing that you’re doing a little something to keep them around that much longer. Happy, healthy holidays to you all.

Perhaps known best as the 1980s quintessential mom from “Family Ties,” Meredith Baxter went on national television Dec. 2, 2009, to announce that she is a lesbian. Although not an expected topic for healthy living, Baxter’s outing is, indeed, an exercise in living life as it should be: uninhibited by social norms and stereotypes.

Baxter should be commended on several levels. Her bravery in talking publicly about a much-debated topic, despite her desire to live a private life even as a celebrity, was apparently brought about because of the threat from a tabloid to expose her story without her consent. On the morning television show “Today,” she talked with anchor Matt Lauer about the inevitable political slant that comes along with any announcement of being gay—and the responsibility to stand up for herself and everyone else who has come out of the proverbial closet. She wanted to tell her own story, rather than have it twisted in the media.

Meredith Baxter at the 1992 Emmy Awards (photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alan-light/252472589)

At the interview’s conclusion, Lauer asked Baxter how she felt now that the news was officially out. Baxter was visibly nervous and joked about it, but she was happy to not have to hide her sexuality anymore. She said that she has been able to live a relatively normal life in Los Angeles, but the implication is that she could be herself anywhere now.

Why is this integral to healthy living? Because it underscores the point of living life free of secrets—secrets that weigh the soul down. Keeping secrets of any sort—birthday presents and surprise parties are obvious exceptions—wear down a person’s psyche and are difficult to maintain; one seemingly innocuous lie leads to others, which end up being too complicated to maintain. In the meantime, the psyche’s turmoil can lead to physical issues:

• Stress
• Irritability
• Headaches
• High blood pressure
• Mood swings
• Eating disorders
• Inability to concentrate
• Nervous tics

The truth eventually comes out, so why not just get it out there immediately? Doing so will clear the conscience and help alleviate a lot of the physical ailments that often follow secrecy.

One other note about Baxter: On “Today,” it seemed obvious that she has not had any plastic surgery performed on her face, even though she has probably been approached about it due to her acting career—a profession that notoriously encourages a youthful appearance.

Baxter looks fabulous. She looks her age, with some facial wrinkles, but not like a plastic, stretched version of her former self. So many famous people—men and women alike (no names mentioned here, but you can probably think of a few)—who have been in the camera’s eye are now plasticized, and each example is more questionable than the next.

Yet here is an undeniably pretty woman who has chosen to age naturally. It’s refreshing to see. Again, Baxter looks lovely as ever. And that’s a lesson that needs to be taught more often: Living naturally while taking good care of yourself is very, very good.

Traditionally the biggest meal of the year, Thanksgiving seems to equate to stretching one’s stomach out just as far as humanly possible. This is, of course, not the healthiest of practices, especially considering the fattening fare that tends to take over the table. What with gravies, sauces, creams and fried onions—not to mention eight kinds of pie—it’s no wonder that diets crash and scales tip the following days and weeks after Thanksgiving.

Making smart choices that allow for all the interesting tastes of the season is a good move; such choices include maintaining portion control, exercising throughout the season and creating healthy side dishes. Choosing foods that please the taste buds while giving the waistline a break is easy with a stable of yummy ideas:

Sweet potatoes add fiber, color and flavor (photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/maggiejane/4111471354)

• Sweet potatoes—Also called yams, sweet potatoes are antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory powerhouses, as well as a good source of vitamins A and C and manganese. Substitute white mashed potatoes with sweet potatoes that have been either baked, roasted or mashed.

• Cranberries—These bright, red nuggets are antioxidant ninjas, cholesterol kickers and cancer fighters. Instead of smothering them in whipped topping, try boiling them with orange juice, minced fresh ginger and orange zest and cinnamon before adding in crushed pineapple and honey.

• Green beans—While the classic green bean casserole is an annual favorite, it’s also heavy on calories. Try lightly sauteing green beans with slivered almonds or with lemon and garlic.

• Veggies—Many a Thanksgiving table has been flanked with creamed corn, cheesy cauliflower and fried potatoes—all quite tasty but gut-busters nonetheless. Offer sizzling roasted vegetables, using only a drizzle of olive oil, a hint of salt and pepper and a smidge of Parmesan cheese for a gorgeous and nutritious side dish.

• Rolls—Doughy rolls fill you up without adding much in the way of nutrients. Fresh-baked whole wheat rolls are a better choice.

• Pumpkin pie—Seriously? Absolutely. Feel free to find a low-fat recipe for this holiday staple, but also feel free to have a slice of the real stuff; just be sure to have a smallish slice with the tiniest of whipped cream dollops, and pass on seconds. Enjoy every bite!

It’s true: The first food everyone thinks of when the wicked Wichita winds pick up, the trees change color and the temperatures plummet is chili. And that — when it comes to good health — is not a bad thing.

Chili is a hearty dish that satisfies the stomach almost as well as it does the soul. Many recipes call for ground beef of some sort, which is typically not the healthiest option. According to Dr. Andrew Weil, foods high in cholesterol — a contributing factor in heart disease — include red meat. A heart-healthy and very tasty option for a cold night’s dinner is vegetarian chili.

For those who still hanker for meat in their chili, take note: Veggie crumbles are found in the grocer’s freezer section. One bag equals one pound of meat, minus the high fat content but plus the texture of ground beef. The crumbles are so yummy in chili, you might find yourself trying them in other recipes, such as tacos or enchiladas.

Veggie chili comes in many forms and inventive cooks may add a bevy of vegetables; sweet potatoes, butternut squash, zucchini and corn all make terrific additions. Here is a classic recipe that calls for a fork — it’s that thick.

The spice that gives chili its enormous flavor (Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mckaysavage/3504585620)

Crazy-Thick, Crazy-Good Veggie Chili

2 tbsp. oil
3/4 white or yellow onion, chopped
2 tbsp. garlic, minced
1 green pepper, chopped
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can dark red kidney beans, drained
1 can black beans, drained
1 can pinto beans, drained
1 small can tomato sauce
Ketchup, 2–3 squirts
4 tbsp. chili powder, plus more to taste
Worcestershire sauce, several healthy shakes
1 tsp. cilantro
Pinch red pepper flakes
Black pepper, to taste
Water, as needed
Shredded sharp cheddar
Oyster crackers

Heat oil; sauté onions and garlic for 3–5 minutes. Add green pepper, sauté for another 2 minutes. Add next ingredients, through black pepper, stirring to combine. Let it simmer for 20 minutes to blend the flavors, adding spoonfuls of water as needed, but keep in mind that this is a thick dish.

Serve in bowls and top with grated cheese and oyster crackers. A frosty drink goes well with this chunky chili.