Stick with Me

Sorry for the week off. My sister came to visit after I've complained for years that she's never come. So taking time out to Blog seemed just not nice. I wouldn't want to give her a reason to never come again either.

Two entries keep rolling around in my head:

1. I think I am addicted to dieting. More on that tomorrow.

2. Why do we give our children food we've not touched since the freshman fifteen?

My sis, niece, and I had a good time. We saw Shrek The Musical which was loads of fun. I took her to Canal Street, Chinatown, where she haggled, bartered and clawed her way to 6 "designer" handbags for $160. My niece scored big at the American Girl Place with a Molly doll plus PJ's for her and the doll. They looked so cute at night I need insulin They dragged me to Time Square and Rockefeller Center plus the aforementioned Chinatown-places I don't dare to go in my normal life as a New Yorker. My friends and family can gauge how much I love them by where I am willing to tread.

Will expand tomorrow night.

Quinoa Casserole--The Poverty Diet's Healthy Friend

When I embarked on the Poverty Diet, I knew I'd have find a healthier alternative to white carbs like pasta and bread. Since becoming a vegetarian 6 years ago, I used Quinoa in my diet, but it's preparation scared me and I witnessed many diasters. It would come out too soggy or too hard. The art of cooking anciet grains escaped me. Until one day last year, out of boredom, or maybe a wish to really screw up so I'd forever purchase ready made Quinoa at Whole Foods, I boiled the germ in butternut squash soup. Wowsa! I am a culinary genuis. I've since used Veggie Broth, Mushroom soup, and tomato broth. Last night, I hit up the Garden of Eden Grocery on Broadway with 5 dollars credit and 8 dollars cash. Here is my creation:


Ingredients:(My brain numbs when faced with numbers and measuring so I eyeball it! And I'm only hurting myself, and my roommate, if I mess up.)


Kidney beans
Onion
Zuccini
portabella mushroom
red pepper
spinach
broccoli
garlic(only fresh, anything less is sacrilige to the muse of spices)
red chile flakes
salt
pepper
ginger
1 cup Quinoa
2 cups water, or broth of your choosing.

Boil the liquid and Quinoa-when it reaches a boil, cover and simmer. In the saucepan heat olive oil, garlic, onion. When it starts to brown, in stages, add the zuccini, red pepper, portabella, and spinach. The veggies with the lowest water take longest and don't lose their flavor and texture when cooked. When the Quinoa has absorbed the water the veggies should be done. Add them to the pot with the beans, mix then spice to taste. I put the broccoli in last because I like it crunchy.

Loaded with protein and I made enough for six servings at a cost of 10 dollars.

Picture to follow when I get home.

Food Fear Factor

First I'd like to say thanks to all my new readers. I appreciate all the support. And shout out to my reader in Atlanta, Ga. for being the best fan, and friend, a girl could have.(I am talking you, Miss M.C.R.)

So today's topic is Fear.
Poverty week has me eating salad, hummus, and PB and SJ(Strawberry Jam) sandwiches. Kinda boring but I feel that this is good for me. Food should not be the center of my world; I don't work for the Food Network.

Last night I stayed at my friend's place who doesn't know how to just throw a meal together. Everything requires cooking and chopping plus always tastes good. He prepared Bean Burritos with spicy guacamole, fresh bread, and veggies with blue cheese. I wasn't terribly hungry but I ate anyway then felt the fear takeover. I thought I had vanquished my fear issues, but it seems they come up at times. I worry that their won't be enough food or feel like I have to load up because I won't be fed again. This worked for Neanderthal man, but not for Manhattan woman who never has burn more than 50 calories to obtain sustenance.

Another example of the Food Fear Factor at the 116th and Fredrick Doughlas Rite Aid:

The poverty diet works because I cannot afford anything like Easter candy. Yea!! Oh but I wanted it so bad the other night at the Rite Aid. They had the 'Hersey's Candy Coated' Chocolate Eggs, my other favorite which I had not had this season. I only had 9 dollars for gum, diet soda, and tampons. Good tampons are expensive!! DAMM. I never noticed before. Then the evil fear thoughts started: What if they don't have them anymore? Get this bag and then you wont buy anymore till next year. That's bull you will totally get more this year. Don't give in. ARGH! Go eat some spinach both of you crazy people living in my head.

Anyone else motivated by fear when it comes to eating.

The Smartest Woman I know

My co-worker, E, bit into a Dulce de Leche Girl Scout Cookie. I did the same. We both found the cookie to be bland in the middle plus too sweet at the top. I for some reason sunk my teeth into the over processed cookie, as if my initial assessment lacked the power of all my taste buds.

E. walked over to the garbage and tossed in the remaining portion. "It's not very good, I'm going to throw it out." Brilliant woman. She's got a healthy figure, size 4.

Remember the food critic from the movie Ratatouille. His mantra, "I love food,so, if I don't love it, I don't swallow."

Good Advice! But how can this be practical, especially on the poverty diet and many people don't want to waste food. Also, this idea is in direct contrast to the 'eat to live' philosophy. But I get the idea: love food and appreciate it's beauty. Eat to feed your palate, not your stomach or soul.

The bottom of the Barrel

Guess What? I am broke.

Now I recall, sometime during the eighties, that Belinda Carlisle of the Go Go's lived on Peanut Butter and Jelly plus Mac and Cheese. She lost some much weight that a rock and roll promoter signed then to a record deal. We know how that turned out. (I looked for an interview to support this hazy memory of my teens, but I couldn't. I am 100% sure it was a singer, I am 90% sure it was Ms. Carlisle. It could have been a 'Bangle').

So, I am now going to embark on the poverty diet, at least for the next week and a half. I took an inventory of the freezer, fridge, and pantry. I have the following:
1 box Quinoa
1/2 box of spelt pasta
1/2 jar of peanut butter
1/4 jar of strawberry jam
can of chick peas
one peach
1/2 clove of garlic

Well, I think I need to scrap together some money for some bread. It will be a carb fest like no other, but with small amounts I think I'll be okay.
Anyone have recipe ideas, I've got plenty of spices.

P.S. I got weighed at the doctor today. Allowing for menstrual bloat and middle of the day fluids, I gained about 2 pounds from my Cadbury binge.

Think like a dog...

A thought occurred to me as I walked Sebastian, to the park the other day: He never thinks about what he looks like. . Sebastian doesn't think he is attractive or unattractive-he just is. Sebastian never worries about the extra two pounds he gained in the last two years which is probably my fault. He lives in the moment. He's always happy. I envy his uncomplicated mental state.

How can I learn to be more like him? How can I learn to just be?

Part of the problems I have with food relate to my obsession with it and my body. Is it possible to not think about it. That's what naturally thin people I know do. When they are hungry they realize they should eat. They eat; they are not hungry. They resume the business of living. It is statistically impossible to not feel a false hunger when 70 percent of my waking thoughts revolve around when and what I will eat. Is this just the genetic strand I was given. How can this be overcome?

Easter Candy-My Crack

The greatest chocolate on the planet-in my humble opinion. Pour one bag into a bowl and microwave for 30 seconds then shake then micro for another 15-30. The inside will melt slightly but the shell won't crack. Awesome flavor.
First sighting: Duane Reade 106th and Broadway. One week after Valentine's Day.
Consumed bag tally as of today: 3 large bags, 4 small.
Tally of Bags given to roommate for hiding: 1 large.
Thoughts of ransacking roommate's room to find candy: 5
Nausea events due to rapid and compulsive eating of candy: 2
Pounds gained : Terrified to weigh self. Probably one.
I never stockpile so except for the one, it will all be over after Easter. When is Easter? Not till April right. Oh my.

I know the people who read this blog understand how self control can easily be usurped by irrational compulsion and obsession. This is the hardest time of the year for me. On the happy front, my book is going well and I seem to have better control over my food choices as well as the amounts of the bad stuff.