To Thine Own Self, Be Food

So much for keeping record of my wine drinking. This is a blog I definitely do not want to discontinue, but I am not as ambitious in recording my beverages as I originally thought I was. However, I am finding that I am passionate and interested in food (wine included), and so I've decided to use this blog to preserve my thoughts and insights about all things food - and that includes the great grape. Ready? Here's my latest mental meanderings: My parents are coming to my house for Christmas Day dinner, and this year, my mom wanted to really do something different. I suggested doing a Mediterranean meal, and she was all for it. As I researched, I found (and it's really not new news to me) that Mediterraneans eat much differently than we do. For example, this is our food pyramid, courtesy of the USDA: At first glance, it seems to tell you so much...but then you realize it's telling you so little. 1. What does it mean to "go easy" on juices? 2. ...

First, a thing about our No-Restaurants experiment. This past weekend, we traveled with good friends to Kansas City to the Renaissance Fair. We made a pit stop at Gino's Italian Cuisine in Kearney, and I'm not exaggerating (much) when I say Brent and I both copiously salivated for days before the trip. It would be our first outing since the inception of NR. And really, the food was good...but I wouldn't say it was the most amazing meal of my life. And yes, both Brent and I spent some time on the toilet the next morning because of it. (Better on it than in it, I say) So, end point, the experiment continues (although, it seems less of an experiment now and more of a lifestyle choice). The kids agreeably are on board with continuing, so now maybe the challenge is to see how long we can go before we cave into the pressure/desire to visit a local eatery. Second, my obsession with purchasing food-related texts is nearly at a climax. I have not even finished with Marion Nest...

I've been reading Marion Nestle's "What to Eat" lately, and let me tell you, it is quite a tome. Overwhelming, perhaps. The more I read, the more I am convinced that a. Food consumers are not stupid, but yes, ignorant. b. The food industry is fraught with unscrupulousness. c. Various concerns about public health and safety come in second place nearly every time to companies who have a lot of money and lobbyists. d. All of the above. I suppose you could look at it two ways: one, it's depressing to think how duped the American consumer has been for all these years...and yeah, an isolated tropical island free of politicians is looking pretty appealing right about now. OR Two, this is Enlightenment. This is evolution of the human species. Knowledge is power, and knowing is half the battle (via G.I. Joe). Now, we can start making good and right choices. Me, I choose No. 2. Nestle's section on fish is rather extensive...at various points, it occur...

On September 5, 2010, the Nelson family undertook the great task of withdrawing from all restaurant outings. The final pronouncement: Not painful at all, and actually, worth continuing. Oh sure, there were times we craved non-homemade-food. I mean, how can we physically not crave it when we live in such a processed-food-world? But mostly, suppressing the urge to indulge was easy (or at least, grew easier with time). So, dear readers - let me give you the highlights. 1. I purchased a nice, new food processor, which has allowed me to make fresh salsa, mashed sweet potatoes, and broccoli pesto - just in the last week. 2. Slowly but surely, Brent and I keep dropping weight. I believe this can be attributed to smaller serving portions and the elimination of junky, processed foods from our pantry. 3. We have become more resourceful. Bags of lettuce or produce are no longer being thrown out because of spoilage - we are actually eating them before they go rotten. This in turn leads...

Week Three of No Restaurants is rapidly approaching, and I honor that anniversary with a quick rundown of important happenings. 1. When it comes to literature I have read about food, there are three that form My Power Triad: "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver "Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan "Food Rules" by Michael Pollan So, I have recently purchased a new book, which I think I have mentioned here already: "What to Eat" by Marion Nestle. And now, the Power Triad shall become the Power Quad. Page twelve is when I came across this tidbit: "Nearly half of the typical family's food budget goes for foods prepared and eaten outside the home, where businesses with motives having nothing to with health are in control of content and amounts." <---- That was me when I read that. We were about a week or so into the OOR Experiment, and talk about vindication! Never had I felt so justified about this ...

Yesterday might have been, by far, the dark nadir of this whole desperate No Restaurants experience. Ok, nah, scratch that. Not really...but a little. Energy levels were running pretty low yesterday. Soccer practice, bowling league, and Opening Night were the key factors in this late-week exhaustion. Subway beckoned to us, ever so seductively... But then I asked, what's in it for us? Sure, Subway is tasty food, but we could probably get that at home too, if we looked hard enough. It certainly wasn't going to be quicker than eating at home; not by the time we piled everyone (clad in various soccer or bowling or theater accoutrements) in the Sedona (this would probably be after several minutes of hassled shouting, “Hey, get your damn shoes on!”) The point here is, there was no legitimate reason. So, why? In the town I live in, there are many chain restaurants and a few local joints – places I’ve eaten at several times. I wasn’t hankering for anything special. So, the que...

One week has passed since the Great Resolution of 2010. And how have we been doing? Twenty-one meals have been consumed either here at home or with food taken from our home. No restaurant meals! It hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be. The kids have not complained, and Brent has been an oak, as well. Friday night was a bit of a weak moment, as I contemplated an end-of-the-week trip to the local sandwich shop (as a reward for completing the week, I guess??), but in the end, opted for a much more fun and interesting "Fend For Yourself" pantry scavenge at home. Today was our first real challenge, as Kirby had a soccer game this afternoon in a town 20 minutes away. In the past, we probably would have headed straight from church to Subway (or similar) to grab something before we left town. Today, though, the kids packed their own lunches and drinks...to be eaten on the road. Nobody missed the turkey flatbread or meatball sub. I'll admit, I've craved...