Thursday, April 30, 2009

Italian Sausage and Polenta




This was tonight's supper, I stir fried onions, garlic, sweet Italian chicken sausage (from whole foods), red pepper, zucchini and squash green beans, snap peas, mushroom, Italian herbs in olive oil. Then added a big can of plum tomatoes. It was served with polenta.

Lovely, Jasmine like it.
Polenta is another good baby food (basically like yellow grits!)

Enjoy

Rebecca

Todays Oprah Show: Food for Thought




Kirstie Ally was on Oprah today stating that she has regained the weight after resigning from her post as a Jenny Craig spokesperson. I am sure it took guts to take the stage and confess to this, again it highlights how difficult it is for folks to lose weight and keep it of long term. From working as a dietitian for over 8 years, I have learned for most folks, weight is a outward symptom of how they deal with stress, often turning to food for comfort. In any weight loss program for long term success there needs to be

- a counseling component learning to cope with stress, as life will always have stressful events
- a long term goal even today Kirstie was falling into her old pitfall of trying to loss weight to get into a bikini by November and Oprah stopped her from doing it on National TV
- support, Kirstie regained the weight when she stopped being a spokesperson as they no longer came by her house to weigh her weekly, folks who keep the weight of have a great support network of friends and family to cheer them on. I would highly recommend a good dietitian and keeping those follow up appointments even when you re gain the weight, its at those times you need the support the most
- weight yourself, Kirstie didn't weight for 1 1/2 years, when your aware of it its easier to make changes along the way
- Take small baby steps and be kind to yourself, its not easy but it can be done, if you have a bad day don't worry tomorrow is a new one.

email or comment for support,

Much love

Rebecca

Last Nights Vietnamese feast!

Last night we ate in a wonderful Vietnamese restaurant with friends in Greensboro, and had papaya salad with fish sauce, and hotpot- the flavors were wonderful and so fresh. There is a fair sized Vietnamese community in the area and that translates into great food!

Will try out some of the dishes in future, and go to their grocery store to get those fresh herbs- lemon grass and Basil.







Even our little daughter had a small dish of vermicelli and loved it, she truly is an international eater for an 8 month old.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Great post on Whole Grains by Nutrition Nibbles

http://nutritionnibbles.blogspot.com/2009/04/whats-whole-grain.html

This is a great post explaining what grains are whole grain by a fellow dietitian and thought it was worth sharing


Rebecca

Get in Shape Prior to Pregnancy

The American Dietetic Association issued a position paper today highlighting the need for woman to get in shape and be a healthy weight prior to pregnancy to decrease the risk of gestational diabetes, pre eclampsia and neural tube defects.


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090428124400.htm


I found eating well and being active prior and during pregnancy really helps, you feel so much better and recover faster. Pre natal yoga was awesome. Also small meals and often helped, lots of fruits and vegetables and good home cooked meals. Remember when the little one arrives you will lead by example!

For tips feel free to message me or Sweta my other RD blogger buddy!!

Rebecca

Home Made Baby Mac and Cheese


For the moms and future moms-
This was little Jasmines lunch home made mac and cheese with little baby pasta from Italy. Make Cheese Sauce with a little flour and butter to make the roux then slowly add in milk, cheese and then mix with pasta and veggies.

Quick and Easy with no hidden extras!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Cool Gadget: Poach Pod






This is a neat way to poach an egg, boil water turn to a simmer, float poach pod in the water add a little oil, then break the egg into it and cover cook for 4-5 min, and its done. Eggs have a bad reputation but can make up part of a balanced diet they are rich in protein in fact providing all the essential amino acids, vitamin A and D, also iodine needed for thyroid hormones. It does contain cholesterol but most research shows that dietary cholesterol does not have a significant effect on blood cholesterol. You need to cut the tran's fats out, found in a lot of processed goods.



So go on enjoy your eggs once in a while, the dietitian says so!

Rebecca

Monday, April 27, 2009

Amma's Idly/Dosa Recipe









Today I made idly and masala dosa after a long time, in fact maybe 7 months, jut after my mother in law left back to India after Jasmine was born. She made it all the time being from South India. The last time I made it, it didn't ferment well and was a disaster and since then I was too chicken to try again!, but since the weather has been in the 80's I thought why not.

Ingredients: 4 cups Idly Rice, 1 1/4 cup whole urad dahl, 2 tablespoon fenugreek seeds, a little salt.

1. Soak the rice and Urad Dahl in separate containers and soak for 8-12 hrs, I did this overnight on Saturday night (add fenugreek to urad dahl and salt)
2. the next morning grind the rice for 35 min, then the urad dahl for 45-50 min, make sure it doesn't stick to the sides and gets into a nice soft paste,
3. Mix both together with a little water if too thick.
4. Leave outside for 12 hours to ferment- I put it on the deck in 80 plus degree's.

Then refrigerate until needed, it will last up to a week.

We ate it today with potato curry and tomato chutney. Coconut chutney is awesome and sambhar. This dish is a traditonal South Indian breakfast food.

Tastes amazing but to cook the traditional way is a lot of work, hats off to Indian ladies around the world.

The motto of today's story is not to give up, try and try again, this time it worked. I intent to keep trying to pitch ideas for articles in my attempt to become a freelance writer, God willing it will all work out.


Rebecca

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Bread and Butter- 10 Fun Food Facts

http://breadplusbutter.blogspot.com/2009/04/10-fun-food-facts-of-day.html

This is a wonderful little post with fun food facts by a fellow foodie and blogger, enjoy, wow Banana plant is a big herb! and look what the first soup was made of !!

Have a blessed Sunday

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Spicy Fish Cakes



Heres my first attempt at fish cakes, I found the recipe in a Thai cook book and gave it my own twist, they turned out pretty good.

Ingredients: 2 cans tuna, one can salmon, 1/2 green pepper, 1/2 red onion, a little flour, salt, 1 tablespoon Thai peanut sauce, 2 tablespoon fish sauce, 1 spoon soy sauce, a little chilli oil, 1/2 chopped tomato, some fresh cilantro (home grown!), a little red chilli, 1 beaten egg

1. mix all ingredients in bowl, then add a little flour and beaten egg (to hold it together)
2. lightly pan fry it in olive oil until golden on each side

We ate this with rice, black means and steamed snow peas.

This is a very tasty and quick dish rich in omega 3 fatty acids.

Enjoy

Friday, April 24, 2009

My First Article!

http://www.nursetogether.com/GlobalNursing/GlobalNursingArticles/GlobalNursingArticle/tabid/108/VersionId/8746/Default.aspx

This is an interview with Anna Obi one of my dear friends wife an infectious disease nurse working in Scotland.

My next interview is an ER nurse, marathon runner and fellow blogger I found on line so watch this space!

So if anyone knows of any nurses around the world I can interview drop me a line!


Have a fab weekend all

Rebecca

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Tonight's Supper



Salmon poached in milk, with dill, a little butter, lemon juice and mustard - very nice, first time using fresh dill.
With mashed potatoes with mustard, had this in France, and Asparagus with garlic, onion, cherry tomato, Italian herbs and a little truffle oil!

When traveling you can pick up tips along the way, and make up new recipes on your return home, Jasmine had Cream potato and salmon.

20% of America's 4 year olds are obese




http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/results.php?storyarticle=6644

In a study of 8550 children nationwide it was found that 20% of American 4 year olds are obese, thats a BMI over the 95th percentile or a BMI of 18. This sets them up for multiple health risks in later life such as diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol and more.

This is indeed an alarming statistic as a Nation and as parents we need to create homes, where healthy meals around the dinner table and family activity is the norm.


See below for BMI charts, (BMI- weight in Kg/ Height in m squared)
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/growthcharts/set3/chart%2015.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/growthcharts/set3/chart%2016.pdf


Feel free to email or comment for suggestions and help, rebeccasubbiah@yahoo.com


Rebecca

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Get Your ZZZ's





http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/results.php?storyarticle=6626


In a recent study conducted by the National Institute of Health looking at 1455 people who were catorgorized into long sleepers over 8 years, mid 6-8 hrs a night and short sleepers less than 6 hours. It was found that the short sleepers had 356% higher risk of impaired glucose tolerance a marker for future diabetes.

Lack of sleep also has a strong link with obesity.

So try and make sleep a priority have a good bed time routine, take a bubble bath, read a book, unwind from your day and go to bed at the right time, to get in those precious zzz's to feel your best.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Spicy Tomato Pasta Sauce





Heres a quick pasta sauce recipe with a kick!

Ingredients; 4 Roma tomatoes, 8 cherry tomatoes, 3 cloves of garlic, salt, 1/2 pack of Italian salami, 1/2 red onion, 3 crushed red chilli's, 1/4 green pepper.

1. Saute the onion, garlic, green pepper in olive oil until nearly cooked
2. Then add tomatoes and simmer slowly (about 20 min until fully reduced down) with salami, and a pinch of italian herbs, salt and red chilli's

Serve with green salad and linguine.

Enjoy this simple and healthy meal, with 1/2 a plate of salad and 1 cup of pasta.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Guest Blog: Spotlight on Peruvian Food



Ravi Guruswamy just returned from a trip to Peru, Equador and the Galapagos Islands! wow I am so jealous.
Here he is to share his favourite food experiences, pictured is the famous Pisco Sour a cocktail made with Pisco (a grape liquor), egg whites, lemon or lime juice and simple syrup.

I consider myself privileged to be able to pursue my passion for sampling different cuisines and experiencing as many cultures as I possibly can.

Starting with Ceviche--amazing!!!. people who are into sushi should try this - raw fish marinated with lime juice, peppers, cilantro and onions. Ideally the ingredients are fresh from sea, prepared on a daily basis, not to mention that its entirely protein and healthy.

Coca leaves- purported to be the redbull of the inca's, leaves that you can chew raw or drink as a tea. We were offered coca tea as an invitational drink at our hotel which apparently also serves as an effective remedy for altitude sickness.

We were told by our guide that the Inca people favoured the meats of the Llama, guinea pig and wild hare. If it weren't for the Inca's, perhaps we wouldn't have potatoes and corn... They cultivated them and now Peru boasts more than 250 varieties of potato.

As a physician I noticed that folks had good portion control and ate less carbohydrates also each meal was started with a soup, so you ate less at the next course!

Guest Blog: Anita Raj Healthy Indian Recipe Links

Check out these links from Anita for great healthy Indian Recipes:

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/collections/healthy_indian_recipes.html

http://www.tarladalal.com/


http://indianfood.about.com/

http://www.yogapoint.com/Yoga_Food/part1.htm

http://food.sify.com/fullstory.php?id=13609083

Healthy Indian Recipes, Menus and Cooking Tips - Eating Well
Source: www.eatingwell.com

Savor the unforgettable flavors of these healthy Indian recipes and menus.

Savor the unforgettable flavors of these healthy Indian recipes and menus.

Enjoy

Friday, April 17, 2009

Food Recalls

Spice Recall mostly affecting the West Coast

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30245664/


Pistachio recall


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30134735/




Just thought I would post these links so you can check your cupboards to be safe, wow so many food recalls lately, hope the FDA improves !!

Have a fab weekend

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Get Back to Basics: Eat like a French Soldier 1000 years ago!!





While in France we visited a delightful little village perched on a hill side over looking the Mediterranean and Monaco. There we visited Roquebrune Cap Martin Castle. These pictures show the ancient kitchen and the one with the flag is the chimney. I asked the guide what the soldiers would have eaten she stated, rabbit, fish and vegetables, local olives and salads. So all in all a very balanced and nutritious diet I am sure they were also very active in their jobs and climbing the endless staircase to the castle!
In today's society our diets are often based around highly processed foods, and wouldn't be as fresh and locally grown like the soldiers diet. When the rabbit and fish were more than likely hunted that day and the local villagers grew the vegetables and fruits. We really need to get back to basics one or two ingredients on the label of products and cook fresh simple food.

Interesting the old wood fired oven is still in use in the area, and of course it cooks great Pizzas.

In Near by Italy the dough is made fresh and it has tasty toppings with little cheese.

So lets start a new trend of eating the way our ancestors did !

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Follow Your Dreams!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-KiGva9dV4


It's never too late to follow your dreams, a wonderful story of a 47 year old singer from Britain's got talent. A must share, enjoy. Heres to all our dreams and following them no matter what!!!

Rebecca

Walkers Crisps Competition

http://walkers.com/flavours/default.aspx?ver=low

Just for fun check out the link, the flavours are submitted by contestants and the public votes till May 1st 2009. The winner receives 50,000 pounds and a 1% share of the profits and the flavour becomes permanent. What a cool idea for a competition.
The flavours:
- Builders Breakfast
- Cajun Squirrel
- Chili and Chocolate
- Fish and Chips
- Crispy Duck and Hoisin Sauce
- and Onion Bhaji.

I think its just goes to show how diverse the UK is.
Lays needs to do it next, post your comments for American flavours below!

Oh and Lays owns Walkers hence the similar logo, so watch this space!

Maybe we need to vote for the Nations best fruit or vegetable also!

You Know Your In London When .....







Here are a few pictures of very British things, like lancashire hotpot baby food, Jasmine liked this, egg and soldiers - is 1/2 boiled egg with small slices of toast to dip in it. This is a name of a restaurant in Clapham also Brew- or cup of tea. We had brunch here, bacon sandwiches, eggs, bread and butter pudding and of course tea!!
The flavors of crisps are very British also, apparently there is a nationwide competition to vote for the best flavour!!

www.walkers.com

Its great to go back home after living in the States for 6 years and see things through new eyes!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Italy Land of Coffee Lovers



While in Rome we had coffee in a small coffee shop, every morning the friendly staff would make 2 perfect cappucinnos for us and Jasmine would eat the milk foam!
I will miss the coffees!

Now in London for the last leg of our trip, drinking tea!, looking forward to coming home to the States and some home cooked food, and trying new recipes.

Calzone With A Surprise



While we were in Nice we ate at a local Nicoise restaurant in fact this was special to us as a year ago we ate at the same place while I was pregnant! Now we are there with our little daughter.
It was cool we found it again, on a back street next to an old church called Gesu.

I had a Calzone and inside found a fried egg, very tasty!

On the topic of eggs, and new beginnings

Happy Easter to everyone, God Bless

Rebecca

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Escargot French for Snails



We sampled snails or escargot in a small French restaurant in Mougins home to quite a few Michelin rated restaurants. I thought they may be chewy but actually they had a lovely garlic taste and went down very nicely. So why not give them a try you may be surprised as for cooking them I will leave it to the French!

Good Eating is Easy in Eze



In a small medieval town in the French Riviera we ate in a local restaurant called Gascogne Cafe in Eze. We sampled beef terrine, local nicoise style ravioli, pork chop and mustard cream potato and fish in a delicate pastry. For dessert we had a pear flan and raspberry mouse. The food was Divine and the presentation first class. Our little one enjoyed the cream potato and mouse! It was a set menu at 20 Euro pretty good value for money













Bon Appetite

Thursday, April 9, 2009

When In Roma Eat as The Romans Do!!


Now in Rome love it so full of history and beauty, here are a few travel tips

1. Get of the beaten track for restaurants, find back streets and ask the locals where to eat, you dont want to hear a lot of English spoken !! Yesterday we had lunch at La Foccaccia Via della Pace P.zza Navona, wow amazing food and laid back. Italian food is so much more than pizza and pasta but of course they are also great. I had a vegetarian plater, with cous cous! (recently becoming popular with the locals), zuchini, salad, eggplant and sauteed vegetables and Murug had home made ravoli. The waitress said to stay away from tourist areas as the pasta is often not home made but frozen!


2. A lot of awesome restaurants have buffets at lunch we had one at Gusto (this restarant also had a culinary shop full of cool kitchen gadgets!).
So many vegetables and colour, one thing I noticed is you pay per plate and the locals only had one plate!, portion control.



3. When in France you will often find set menus and lunch is much cheaper, and often an easier time with a baby!

4. Drink coffee at the bar its much cheaper, less than a Euro for a capuccino or espresso (most locals seem to do this) if you sit down its over 3 Euro but of course at times its great to sit and watch the world go by.

Our little daughter is loving the food along the way, she adored the french bread in France and Gelato here and pasta. I even found miniture sized pasta for babies in a local grocery store, that I am cooking for her!


The Italians are very family orientated and more than helpful with a baby, happily heating the baby food and providing a high chair.

I have taken loads of amazing food pics, will upload soon to make your mouths water.

Much Love Rebecca

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