Grilled Cheese Strikes Again!

May 22, 2012May 22, 2012 / still a dreamer / 10 Comments

When you want some veggies but don’t feel like salad or even like putting too much energy into your meal, the occasional grilled cheese with some healthy additions is always good. So here’s my latest grilled cheese. (Apologies for focus on the photo; I wanted to eat my sandwich while it was hot and rushed a bit on the picture taking!)

I’m using The Baker bread again, this time whole wheat and bran. On that I have sliced tomatoes, lots of shaved sweet red onion, and a mix of 50% reduced sharp cheddar and fat free Feta. Although I do love butter, I don’t always make my grilled cheese sandwiches with it. This time I used organic Smart Balance to keep the fat content in check. Still comes out quite good, but in my opinion, butter is ALWAYS better. And on the side, Dude Ranch Tortilla Chips from Early July.

Enjoy!

Salad Called My Name

May 15, 2012May 15, 2012 / still a dreamer / 2 Comments

Salad and I haven’t really been talking much of late. In fact, we’ve been on the outs.

Although it’s been a warm winter out this way, soup, veggie pizza and many other vegetable concoctions have really been hogging the conversation. Salad just didn’t seem to have much to say.

It’s not like Salad and I don’t get along. We go way back. But as of late? Salad’s mind seemed somewhere else and so did mine. I started to wonder if it was really over. You know … OVER.

But then while food shopping this past weekend, Salad caught my eye in some half-pleading, half-come-hither kind of way. Next thing you know, some veggies I hadn’t entertained in my cart in a while were along for the ride. And on their way home with me.

And then, fellow blogger D. LaSauce, featured this beautifully plated salad yesterday. It felt like a conspiracy, but Salad was somehow working the magic behind the scenes.

Lunch today? Salad totally had me. Called my name and I waltzed to the kitchen helplessly in thrall and put together the tasty organic dish you see above. That’s Spring baby greens, red onion, cucumber, orange bell pepper, and feta cheese tossed with light salt and pepper, extra-virgin olive oil and lemon juice.

That Salad’s a pretty clever one, eh?
Being back together is always sweet and Salad knows it.

The Dirty Dozen … and Safer Eating for You

May 11, 2012May 11, 2012 / still a dreamer / 2 Comments

Are you looking to make some healthier changes in the way you eat? Here’s one way – lower your intake of pesticides. The timing is perfect as yummy fresh produce is making its way to local merchants of all kinds.

The Dirty Dozen is a list of produce which carries the highest pesticide load of any fruits and vegetables in the U.S. This list has been publicized by many including Dr. Andrew Weil, Martha Stewart, Prevention Magazine, Oprah, the Environmental Working Group and more, yet this information still seems to not have reached a great deal of the general public. Pesticides, particularly organophosphates, which are the most widely used, can harm the nervous system and are stored in tissues. The developing brains of young children and festuses are at the highest risk. Organophosphates are also used to make nerve gas, and often remain present even after washing and peeling. What to do? Don’t be discouraged … just make better choices.

The Dirty Dozen – it is recommended that these 12 fruits and vegetables be purchased as 100% organic** and that baby food including these 12 be also purchased as 100% organic. Here are the Dirty Dozen – apples, celery, peaches, strawberries*, spinach, nectarines (imported), grapes (imported), sweet bell peppers, potatoes, blueberries (domestic), lettuce and kale/collard greens. (Prevention Magazine – see link above – covers this more broadly and includes how pesticides are also found along the food chain in meat, dairy, etc.)

The Clean Fifteen – and now the good news – the following fifteen fruits and vegetables carry the lowest pesticide load and can be eaten safely: onions, sweet corn, (this is one of the most common GMO crops in the U.S. — if a concern, buy organic), pineapples, avocado, asparagus, sweet peas, mango, eggplant, cantaloupe (domestic), kiwi, cabbage, watermelon, sweet potatoes, grapefruit and mushrooms.

It is always recommended that we eat a good variety of fruits and vegetable to assure we are not taking in particular pesticides to excess.

*According to Prevention Magazine – “Strawberries are the crop that is most heavily dosed with pesticides in America. On average, 300 pounds of pesticides are applied to every acre of strawberries (compared to an average of 25 pounds per acre for other foods). Thirty-six different pesticides are commonly used on strawberries, and 90% of strawberries tested register pesticide contamination above safe levels.”

* *Here’s more good news. With the arrival of Spring, farmer’s markets and roadside stands are popping up and selling fabulous fresh produce. Ask your local farmer about how he uses pesticides. Increasing numbers of farmers may be growing organically but not going through the costly, (as I understand), process of being certified, or are growing their food sustainably with a minimum of pesticides. Don’t be shy … ask! They’ll usually be happy to share what they do, and you can make more informed, safe and delicious choices.

(Note: Although this is not generally the subject matter of this blog, I thought I would share this information due to the timeliness and the season.)

April Is Grilled Cheese Month!

April 13, 2012April 13, 2012 / still a dreamer / 3 Comments

Even grilled cheese can be healthy.
Take a look at this beauty I made for lunch today.

On The Baker 7-Grain bread, I layered Organic Valley white cheddar, roasted sweet pepper and avocado. Couldn’t be simpler and soooooooo delish!

In need of a little celebrating this month? Have a grilled cheese!

p.s. Why organic? Read all about it!

It’s National Potato Chip Day!

March 14, 2012March 14, 2012 / still a dreamer / 6 Comments

I learned from a commenter on my friend’s blog earlier that today is National Potato Chip Day. How could I not celebrate? The thought that there might be thousands – no, millions – of chips out there, waiting hopefully for someone to take them home and celebrate … well, it was more than I could bear. It would be like living around the corner from a good friend and not taking them out for their birthday. Sacre bleu! Did you know that Americans consume 1.2 billion pounds of potato chips each year? It’s the nation’s favorite snack food!

So I took a stroll at lunchtime and selected a bag of eager celebrants, and off we went. Knowing it’s their special day just seems to make them that much more delicious, but piling a big handful on a plate with a yummy veggie cheeseburger really made their day. It’s not too late to celebrate National Potato Chip Day if you’re reading this post today, March 14. Literally millions of eager chips of every flavor are waiting for a chance to party with you. Don’t let them down ….

As for the history of the potato chip? According to Punchbowl, an Irish chef named George Crum invented potato chips in Saratoga Springs in 1853. One day, a picky customer kept sending his fried potatoes back to the kitchen, complaining that they were too thick and soggy. Crum responded by slicing the potatoes so thin that they couldn’t be eaten with a fork. The customer was so pleased with Crum’s crispy creation that they became a regular item on the restaurant’s menu!

Now should you be disappointed because you’ve read this post after National Potato Chip Day, take heart – you can still celebrate food. March 18th is Oatmeal Cookie Day, the 19th is National Chocolate Caramel Day, and March 23rd is National Chip and Dip Day. Why, it’s an endless cavalcade of feasting! Sláinte!