Start a Revolution

Oh my goodness, I am totally obsessed with Jamie Oliver's new shoe "Food Revolution".  We just watched all three episodes on YouTube, and I can't wait for the next one.  For those that don't know, Jamie Oliver is a pretty famous chef and has gone to the unhealthiest town in America to try and make some changes.  It's no surprise that someone as in love with food as I am is really into this show.  There are definitely flaws.  He handled some things poorly, and there is obviously the whole reality show sensationalism aspect.  Here's a preview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-mYAoWu-O8

It just blows my mind what is considered "good food" to feed our kids.  And, the thing is, this is coming from way up above.  This isn't the schools or the school cooks, it's the system that isn't valuing children's health.  In my opinion, that's completely unacceptable.  A french fry should not count as a vegetable.  Don't get me wrong, I eat some not-so-amazing things sometimes, including french fries.  But, that's sometimes.  For the most part, I eat very well, very balanced.  Anyway, I guess it's a goal of mine to have my future children know what vegetables at least look like :)

Heaven in a jar

So, I've been noticing all over the foodie blogosphere a little thing called coconut butter.  It's the meat of the coconut, blended up.  So many bloggers out there are using this and can't stop talking about it.  They're putting this nectar on absolutely everything. Now, I love me some coconut in all of it's forms and this looks like a goodie.  And, I SERIOUSLY wanted to try this stuff.  But, where to get it???  I live in Labrador for pete's sake!

Aha!  This is where Heather comes in, of this blog: http://heathereatsalmondbutter.com/.  I've been enjoying her site, when lo and behold!  She decides to MAKE her own coconut butter!!!  Here is the link to her adventure: http://heathereatsalmondbutter.com/2010/03/09/homemade-coconut-butter/.  Thank you HEAB!

So, I went to the grocery store today, picked me up some unsweetend flakes and went to town.  And, you have to go to town, and by that I mean blend the crap out of it.  I threw that stuff into my magic bullet and blended my butt off.  It was so worth it.  Oh my heavens, was it ever.  Folks, if you like coconut you have to try this stuff!  Anyone out there try coconut butter?

Travel Bug

So, I've barely gotten home from a quick trip to the Island when I am off again in two days.  This is making me most happy, for a variety of reasons:

1.  I get to see some really wonderful folks (one of which I have been friends with for about 18 years!) who happen to have a really wonderful baby.  Who likes to wipe her grubby hands on me :)  She also likes to get up at about 5 in the morning, but I am not holding that against her :)  She's way too cute for that.

2.  Kill some major time while the Dom is away on his nearly month long school/olympic adventure.  I'm so proud of him, and happy he got to check out a hockey game, but jeez!  This is a loooonnnngggg trip.

3.  Food.  In the form of lovely vegetarian Pad Thai, homecooked chicken heaven, and soon to be sushi in ma tummy.  And, I usually get an awesome breakfast made while I'm there, cause Dave is great like that.

4.  Really awesome decaf, dark roast, fair-trade, organic coffee.  It's the best decaf I've had.  It's so good we're questioning just how "decaf" it is.

5.  Wedding magazine browsing.  Jen is getting married this summer, and it is indeed fun to laugh at those ridiculous dresses!  I know I want to try one on at some point in my life, but I can't imagine actually wearing some of those creations.  I guess I just like to be comfortable.  Strange.

Anyway, I'm pumped about this trip.  I'm leaving a bit earlier than my meetings, just to get some good visiting/eating/shopping for various food items unavailable in Labrador.

1 step forward, 700 steps back

So, I am trying to make preventative plans to manage my disease for when I actually get pregnant and everything seems to come back and bite me in the butt! I've always heard that turmeric is great for inflammation, and recently read about turmeric tea here : http://meghantelpnerblog.com/.

Then, I thought, "I drink a green smoothie nearly everyday. Why don't I just add it to my smoothie?" And, I did, that very morning. I also started making plans to really up my drinking of juniper tea (it grows wild here) during my future pregnancy. This stuff is the shiz-nit. I've heard that they (you know, "they" being the medical establishment) are actually studying it as a treatment in cancer patients.

So, I got to the office (what? Am I supposed to be working at the office?) and started googling these things, just checking them out, reading all about their lovely benefits, when I get down to the contraindications: to be avoided while pregnant. What?!?!? But, what about my plan? I know that the majority of women go into remission while pregnant, but that doesn't usually happen until the second trimester or so. What about the first few months of no meds?

So, my question is: are there any natural anti-inflammatories out there that can be safely used while pregnant?

My dirty little secret

I have to fess up. I do it, too. Pretty well every day. It gets me really excited and happy, and I just can't stop looking. That's right, I'm addicted to food porn. According to Urban Dictionary food porn is: close-up images of juicy, delicious food in advertisements. Oh yeah, baby.


I love eating and I love looking at pictures of food. How am I not 400 pounds? Do I have an eating disorder? Or perhaps I am just appreciative?

Anyway, this is what I've been doing with most of my computer time lately. It's kind of ridiculous, cause I don't even like to cook! Fortunately I live with a good cook and get some of my own "live" food porn at home :) Looking at all those lovely pictures with the different types of veggies and what-not really makes me wish sometimes I lived elsewhere and had access to different types of food. Ah well, such is life.

Fa la la la la, la la la la!

Wheeeee!!! Okay, it is no surprise to anyone who knows me, but I LOVE christmas!! I love the snow, the food, the family time, the time off from work, the music and the movies. My sister and I have already done our long-standing tradition of watching "The Santa Clause". She slept through the whole thing, as usual. What's unusual is that I stayed awake :). Domino didn't have to watch it by himself this year.

So much love and giddiness. We kick-started things last weekend by decorating the house. I actually realized how many decorations we have, and I guess didn't previously put out due to living in a one bedroom, basement apartment. Now that we are having our first christmas in our ridiculously big house, there's plenty of space for every knick-knack.

This weekend we are going out on ski-doo to cut our tree down. This is not a new tradition, but exciting none-the-less. We'll possibly throw the dog in the komatik, though last year she was not too impressed about sharing space with a tree. Despite the fact that she is pretty big, she demands to be lifted in and out. Except when a tree is involved, then she is as agile and high-jumper-esque as they come. We'll see.

Also, all of my in-laws may be coming in boxing day! Driving for at least two days!! Over a snow-covered highway!!! After just returning from Mexico!!!! Should be fun times :D And involving some serious acclimatizing :) I sincerely hope they make it, the parents have only been once (in may), and the brother and his girlfriend has never been. In my opinion winter is one of the best times to come to Labrador. Mind you, I like snow. Mind you, again, I don't shovel it.

Despite being a self-described "non-cook" I'm itching to do some kind of baking. Which is not helping my not-wanting-to-gain-any-more-fat plan. Hmmm, any easy ideas for those of us that are kitchen-challenged?

Mmmmm :)

I just wanted to write a post about how much I love cheese.

Soooo goooood. And I'm not talking about neon orange cheddar here. No, no, no, I'm talking about triple creme brie, creamy blue, goat cheese covered in ash, other cheese with ash in the middle (what's up with ash? WHO CARES - soooo goooood), and curds. Sweet, delicious, save my life curds. Curds on their own, in poutine form, straight to my mouth, squeaky curds. If curds don't squeak, they ain't good curds.

Cheese is good when it's on it's own, in a salad, on a cracker, paired with fruit, on pasta, melted in the oven with maple syrup and walnuts then scooped up with really nice crusty bread. In case you haven't noticed, I've eaten some really good cheese lately.

This post is brought to you by the Dominator, who just got back from Montreal (land of lovely cheese and sweet mother-in-laws who buy said cheese).