Dreaming of Rice Cheese

A few weeks ago, I actually had a dream about what I thought was a fictional item: rice cheese. I enlisted my husband to create such a product for me and lo and behold, he finds this magical item. It DOES exist!!

At Whole Foods, we picked up a bag of rice cheese by Galaxy. We chose the shredded mozzarella flavored shreds. Our main uses for the cheese was as a topping for whole wheat pasta and eggs. While it had a bit of a grainy flavor to it, for the most part, I didn't taste too much of a difference.

I decided to conduct a nutritional analysis of rice cheese versus cow's milk based cheese. The nutritional information on rice cheese is on the left hand side and from Galaxy brand. The cow's milk cheese is on the right hand side and is Sargento brand.

Rice cheese has less fat, saturated fat, less cholesterol, more vitamin A and calcium but also more sodium and less protein. Obviously the serving sizes are different, 1/3 of a cup versus 1/4 of a cup so you get less cheese if you use cow's milk based cheese. I'm unsure how to convert all the nutritional information to equal out but I would guess the protein would be equal since the difference is negligible and the sodium would still be higher in rice cheese.

Overall, for folks that can't or won't do dairy, I do believe rice cheese is a viable alternative to cow's milk cheese. I have heard Daiya brand rice cheese is quite tasty as well, so if I get the chance to get to Whole Foods again, I will have to compare the nutritional analysis of those two cheeses. I would also like to compare the preservatives listed in each of these cheeses but I find myself not quite as knowledgeable of all the ingredients. That may be a longer post in the future dissecting each of the ingredients. If any of my readers have any knowledge on rice cheese, please feel free to share in the comments section. It's still an exciting new prospect for me!

Heading out,
Mama A

Resurfacing

Apologies for the break, readers. A lot happened all at once but I'm back in the swing of things now. I missed this place!

A few updates:
The detox I had posted about last month didn't last for me, but I managed to stay vegetarian for 47 days. This week is the first week I'm reintroducing meat and I have to say, it hasn't been rainbows and unicorns. I definitely haven't felt as energetic or healthy as I did for the 6 weeks prior to this week. I've also had to up my fiber intake as well as my water to combat ... "digestion issues." I've had a constant mix of indigestion. sugar cravings and excessive hunger. I also feel like I had far less bloating and a much nicer mid-section when I was not inhaling flesh. This week could be a balancing week so I won't judge the future by it, but I do think my body and my moods seem to be better when I'm on a vegetarian diet. The challenge of being vegetarian has also piques my creativity for cooking because what's easier than making dinner with the same old boring chicken? I've definitely flexed my culinary guns for the last few weeks in thinking of balanced meals and I think it's been a wonderful, eye-opening experience.

So for the time being, I've decided is to limit my meat intake to only high-quality, organic sources to a maximum of twice a week. If I feel weak or feel like I need more protein for any reason, I can always increase my intake. That said, I don't quite see that happening though. ;)

Hope everyone has been having a healthy and happy few weeks. I plan to update more frequently so check back soon!

Mama A 

Meatless Everyday

This'll be a post and run, readers but I've given up meat for a while and just wanted to share some meals I've been trying out. Let me know if anyone wants recipes!

Spanakopita

Carrot/Zucchini Pancakes



Chickpea Lemon Burger
Topped with spinach and a yogurt cucumber sauce



Blackened Salmon
Had this with some mashed avocado and greek yogurt spread

FRESH Fight Against Food Dyes

Hi readers,

I apologize for the delays in posts. It's been a crazy month! However, I just recieved a petition to share for the FRESH, the movie team and I wanted to share:







Coloring in our food is linked to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. These artificial colorants are changing the neurochemistry of our brains. It's been proven by three decades of studies and Europe has already acted. So why is the FDA still sitting on its hands?

Dyes are everywhere, and it's impossible for even the most vigilant of us to avoid them. They are hidden in everything from cereals to cough medicines. That's why we're calling on all of you to protect American children.

After years of pressure by activists, the FDA is finally holding a meeting to review this issue on March 30. Sign now to tell the FDA: we don't need bright food, we need healthy food. Ban artificial food dyes now.

http://action.freshthemovie.com/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6068

Food safety officials in Europe have moved much more quickly to protect children from artificial dyes. As a consequence, Kellogg, Kraft, McDonald's, and other American companies that do business in Europe use safe, natural colorings there-but harmful, synthetic petrochemicals here.

We have until March 23rd to tell the FDA it's time to get rid of these toxic chemicals!
http://action.freshthemovie.com/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6068
Here's to (naturally) colorful lifestyles,

The FRESH Team

Recipe Box: Detox Salad + Protein Plus Mix

Morning readers!

I've instituted a no coffee, no milk challenge for myself this week in an effort to detox. In place of my usual cup of coffee, I'm drinking herbal ginger tea. I'm not one of those people that can live on drinking lemon water and pepper all day (gag), so I wanted to share a salad with you folks that caught my eye. It's fairly hearty but I've also added a part two to the meal for some protein because I don't find that salad to be a complete meal. All of the ingredients are minimally processed or raw. Music to my ears!

Part One

Salad:

• Half a head of red cabbage , chopped
• 3 carrots , shredded
• 1 red apple, chopped

Dressing:

• Dash of ground ginger
• Local honey
• 1/2 lemon
• Olive oil

It’s best to just eyeball the amount of olive oil and honey. Just make enough to lightly coat the salad. Store in an airtight container so there is minimum wilting action.

Adapted from Dagmar's detox salad

Part Two

Protein Plus Mix:

·        One avocado, diced

·        One can of black eye peas, drained and rinsed

·        Half a lemon

·        Pinch of salt (It’s heightens the avocado)

Note: Dried beans are even better but if you’re in a rush and use canned beans, please be sure to rinse them. The sodium content on canned beans is a little scary.

I’m big on taste and I stand behind these recipes. These foods really do speak to your tastebuds with the added benefit of being easy on the eyes.

A picture of the magic:

I will keep my readers abreast of how this detox challenges goes and if there are any positive or negatives effects from it.

Happy and healthy eating to all,

Mama A

Recipe Box: Risotto!

Risotto has become a lover of mine, thanks to Food Network and shows like Top Chef. We've been enjoying our relationship greatly!

Some history on risotto:

Risotto is made of arborio rice. Arborio rice comes from Italy and is a short-grain rice. (Photo credit to Wikipedia)

Mixed with broth, wine, and your favorite vegetables and protein, it makes risotto. The best description I have for the taste of risotto - it's like eating overcooked, mushy rice. Total comfort food, except without all the processed junk. Making risotto requires a lot of stirring which releases it's natural starches. This helps the dish taste creamy without actually adding any cream. It's also slightly lower on the glycemix index than white rice so that is another plus for diabetics.

I've made a few risottos: butternut squash risotto, spinach and mushroom risotto, flounder (wild-caught, of course) risotto with a lobster stock and most recently, a swiss chard and (get ready!) organic roasted red-pepper chicken sausage one (now that was a mouth full).

I sliced the casing off the sausages because of a recent show I saw on how casing was made (I won't get too detailed but you get intestines if you're going organic, and cellulose or plastic if you don't go organic) so it was more of ground chicken sausage with swiss chard. Let me tell you, to. die. for. YUM!

Two things to remember about risotto: stir like your life depends on it and keep adding stock because that is what cooks the rice.

After slicing the casing off the sausages, I browned them in EVOO. I separately blanched the swiss chard and kept it on the side. Toasted the arborio rice in the pan and then added half a cup at a time of organic chicken broth until the stock was absorbed.

I didn't use wine in my recipe but lots of folks substitute half a cup of stock with half a cup of white wine. It usually takes about six cups of broth to really get the rice to the right consistency - firm, yet if you put it on a plate, it should spread (thanks, Top Chef for that tip!). Once I got to about the fifth cup, I added in the swiss chard. Here's a picture of the homestrech:

Add Parmesan conservatively. I never go by how much a recipe says to add because it's always too much. Don't be afraid to change a recipe based on your taste buds!

And voila, dinner is served. You have your carb, your vegetable and your protein all in one pan. No fuss, no muss!

Happy and healthy eating to all,
Mama A

Ruminations

I apologize for the lack of posts, readers.

Recently, a beloved family member passed away suddenly. The past week has been a blur and for the first time, I'm sitting down and several thoughts, most that stem from the crunchy mindframe seem to be flowing. I usually post regarding the physical levels of crunchy, but there is an emotional and mental component to being crunchy as well. Fulfillment, a sense of peace, calmness, ambition, happiness. I just thought I'd share some of my ruminations:

The realization any moment can be your last has cemented my gentle parenting ways despite it being called into question for almost seven days straight. I've come to realize that when close friends or family offer advice that goes against my parenting style, I don't need to take offense. They see me tired and just want to help. They're doing it out of love. But I just continue to show them my way works, for me and for my baby. On that front, I strongly urge all my readers to practice gentle parenting as well. Would you want your child's last memory of you to be a spanking, or letting them cry it out? An angry scolding? Don't do it, just don't. Life can be tiring and frustrating but just always have a smile ready for your child. When you leave the house, always kiss them goodbye and tell them you love them. Or, better yet, bring the child with you.

While part of being a grown up is going to work so your family can have insurance and a home, I think another part of growing is eventually finding work you can stand behind, that stands behind your family. Owning a diner can be as fulfilling as any other job if it means being with your family more, having a safe place for your son to hang out at after school so he still gets quality parent time. It may even help build your child's future career aspirations as a chef. ;)

As stressful and as annoying as family get-togethers can get, do them anyway. Do them and take lots of pictures. You'll be thankful you did. You never know when someone will pass away and you'll cherish every last moment you spent with them.

Breathe, live in the moment more. Enjoy what you're doing. Be good at the little things. There is honor and beauty in it. Eventually, you'll be good at the big things too.

De-clutter. No one needs that much stuff, it just continues to stress you out even if you don't realize it. The Japanese understand the beauty of empty space best. I aim to follow their footsteps.

I believe there is an optimal amount of space people need. Don't buy a house bigger than you need. Don't live somewhere smaller than you need. Find out what's right, what's comfortable for your family and stay with it. Don't upgrade because that's what's expected of you.
De-stress. Eat well, live well, exercise. Smile more. Don't be afraid to take chances. I honestly believe people are so much more capable of living out their dreams than they think. Find fulfillment.

Don't eat to live, live to eat. Enjoy your food. Buy organic. Cook up a storm. Every meal should release some anxiety, warm you up inside. Don't treat food as a minor concern; make meals to really enjoy as a family. Some of my favorite memories as a child are sitting with my family, laughing at the dinner table. Make some new memories with your families.

I hope this new year brings peace and fulfillment to all my loved ones and my readers.

Until next time,
Mama A