So, I know that this blog is all about healthy eating and quick and easy recipes, but there is one family tradition that I have to share that involves frosting, lots and lots of candy, and more frosting. Every year, we get together and assemble gingerbread houses that range from ginger shanties to ginger mansions, and have a total blast doing it.
To make them, the first thing you need is a group of people. This year, we had seven, but four or more is usually good. The foundation for the houses are pint-sized cartons, and the ones that we use are for single servings of orange juice. Target carries six packs, and we either drink the juice or dump it into a pitcher for later.
We use graham crackers for the walls and roof of the houses, and frosting to bind things together and stick the candy onto the houses. There is no specific way that these have to be assembled, just use your imagination.
Here is a list of different type of candy that can be used:
Continue Reading>>
12.07.2008
Gingerbread Houses
11.15.2008
First date dining rules
So, you’re on a first date and everything is going great. He brings you flowers, she laughs at all of your jokes and you have so much in common that time is flying by and before you know it, 10 p.m. turns into 2 a.m.
The last thing you want to worry about is whether or not you have something stuck in your teeth or if your breath smells bad, right?
We can fix this little problem.
The first date is all about making a great first impression and hopefully getting that wonderful goodnight kiss or something more if you're lucky.
There are certain rules to follow when your first date involves food.
Rule number one, do not order pesto pasta or spaghetti. The little green pieces of pesto will get stuck in your teeth and you‘ll be chatting away about your annoying roommate with green all in your teeth. It‘s not a good look. Spaghetti was cute for the dogs in Disney’s Lady and the Tramp, but it is too messy for a date. If you have to keep putting the napkin up to your face and you are even a little bit worried about the spaghetti sauce splattering everywhere then don’t order it.
Rule number two, do not order something with a lot of garlic, or a medium amount for that matter. If you’re not sure just ask the waiter. Your date will greatly appreciate this and hopefully get the hint too.
Rule number three, do not order anything that might upset your stomach even a little bit. If your date wants to go to a new Indian place and you want to get lucky at the end of the night, I’d suggest Chili’s.
Some of these rules may seem like no-brainers but sometimes we are so comfortable with ourselves and used to what we like, we forget to think of how it will affect other people. You need to be able to eat and carry on a conversation because that is the whole purpose of a date, whether it‘s the first one with a really hot girl or a family member.
Here are some more helpful hints to help you lock in the make out session at the end of the night.
Try to eat more protein and less bread.
We all get nervous sometimes and eat way too many chips with salsa or bread sticks because we don’t know what else to do but bread along with the rest of your entrée will feel too heavy and protein will give you energy for whatever it is you will be doing after dinner. Wink, wink!
Like I said, we all get nervous on first dates and along with eating or fidgeting with everything around us, we tend to drink a lot more alcohol than we normally would. This can be a very bad decision if you cannot hold your liquor. You could end up talking about things that you will regret the next day and possibly not even remember. Depending on your size and weight, you should probably only have two drinks maximum.
If you think the end of the night could be a little more than just kissing, there are some foods that can work in your favor. According to Foxnews.com, protein is a good energy source and it also provides an increase in stamina. You can find protein in foods besides meat like beef or chicken, there is also a lot of protein in pine nuts.
Asparagus contains foliate which is necessary for histamine production and histamine is necessary for both males and females to reach orgasm. Oysters are a well-known aphrodisiac and contain zinc which increases libido.
Last, but certainly not least is dessert!
Chocolate is known to release serotonin, which can provide a calming effect in your brain and helps get you in the mood.
Good luck! And remember, just be yourself (unless you love garlic like I do and tone it down a notch).
Continue Reading>>
10.19.2008
Maybe Some Pie Will Cheer You Up!
Sacramento Magazine is pretty notorious for having a great food and wine section. A dedicated team to let readers know the best wines with what food, the best summer salads and, of course, the best restaurants.
While on their website, Sacmag.com, I noticed that there are numerous columns by Kira O’Donnell, that are not only good but always leaves my mouth watering.
O’Donnell’s recent column is about one of my favorite things in this world - cheese.
She writes about the different kinds of cheeses from gruyere to, one of my favorites, blue stilton, how to use them, what to drink them with and where to buy them.
She starts off by naming the specialty food shops in Sacramento such as Corti Bothers, David Berkley and the Sacramento Natural Food Co-op, then lists each cheese and how to use it when cooking.
She uses words like tangy, nutty and creamy to get you in the mood for a cheesy pizza or a simple quesadilla.
For November, O’Donnell has chosen to review the restaurant Biba, a authentic Italian restaurant, calling Biba Caggiano the, “Doyenne of Italian cusine in Sacramento.”
She describes Caggiano’s dedication, persistence and passion for writing cook books, cooking and even hosting a cooking show called “Biba’s Italian Kitchen.”
One thing O’Donnell said in her review really caught my attention, though:
“For those of us restaurant diners used to loud background music, saccharinely friendly waiters and oversize televisions in every available corner, this was a refreshing and genteel step back in time.”
This was a great observation, only I am too young for it to be a “step back in time” but I know exactly what she means.
Besides the appearance, every detail in the food is mentioned, from the way it looks on the plate to every sensation of how it tastes.
The final verdict was that it simply wouldn’t be right to compare Biba to other Italian restaurants because it would be like comparing “biscotti and breadsticks” or “pantyhose to tube socks.”
What has this talented food and wine columnist done in the last year?
This pastry specialist, who used to work at restaurants like Auberge du Soleil in the Napa Valley, Original Joe’s in San Francisco and Chez Panisse in Berkeley, definitely knows what she is talking about.
Not only are her columns delectable but she has opened up her very own pie shop called the Real Pie Company, located on 1201 F st. in Alkali Flat. While doing an interview with food columnist Mike Dunne, she explains, why pies?
O‘Donnell says, "I have had a lifelong love affair with pies - there's just something special about them. And they make people happy.”
Continue Reading>>
10.15.2008
An Alternative to Leatherby's
Over-sized sweatpants? Check!
Television set to Greys Anatomy? Check!
Frozen yogurt with a mountain of toppings? Check!
Thursday nights would not be the same without my recent obsession with frozen yogurt.
I appear to not be the only one that loves this delightfully fat-free snack considering all the different frozen yogurt shops moving in everywhere I look.
The trend hadn’t hit me until I was in the East bay and tried Coco Swirl, a frozen yogurt shop in Pleasant Hill.
The craving for it was almost unbearable. Since my friend lives very close to Coco Swirl and it is relatively inexpensive, there has never been an excuse not to go. After noticing this obsession of mine, I decided to see what the frozen yogurt status was in Sacramento. Over a period of three weeks I’ve tried four local frozen yogurt shops.
The first one I tried was Mochii, an all natural and fat free form of frozen yogurt, located on the corner of 16th and P st. in Midtown. It has a great artsy Japanese feel and even though parking is on the street, it was doable.
They get their name from a Japanese and Chinese rice cake made of glutinous rice that is pounded into paste and molded into shape. They make the mochi fresh in their shop and even have flavors like cherry, strawberry or lime.
It may not sound very appetizing based on the description, but think about it like mix between a gummy bear and a marshmallow. Their yogurt was very good, but a little over my price range. They do not weigh the cups, instead they charge per size and per topping, which can get very expensive if you like a lot of toppings like I do.
There was another frozen yogurt place that just opened that I kept seeing on my way to work called Yogurt A Go-Go, located on 18th and L st. also in Midtown. This place weighs your cup to know what to charge you and has up to five different flavors of yogurt, even some in sugar free, to choose from, not to mention the array of different toppings from Oreo cookie to any fresh fruit you can think of. They also have mochi in many different flavors.
This place was not only a good price but they give you a punch card so that every time you come you get a punch and on the tenth time, you get one free. Now that’s good motivation.
Most of these yogurt shops are health conscious, but if you have a little more of a sweet tooth then I suggest Big Spoon Yogurt, located at the Arden Fair mall and just past 37th on J st.
The display of toppings is pretty impressive. They have everything from hot fudge and whip cream to many different cookies and candy you can think of. The only problem is, if you are looking for fresh fruit, forget it, this is not the place for you.
The final yogurt shop and winner of this “yogurt challenge” was Yo Yo Yogurt, located on Fair Oaks blvd. less than two miles from Sacramento State’s campus. Not only are they close to campus but they give a 20% discount to Sacramento State students with their I.D. cards. They also have a punch card that works just like Yogurt A Go Go.
At this rate, there is no reason why you shouldn’t go out there and try something new and delicious. Instead of going to Leatherby’s go try some tart raspberry yogurt with fruit and that yummy mochi I was telling you about, you won’t regret it.
Unless you’re lactose in tolerant and then you’ll just have to watch Greys Anatomy without this yummy dessert.
Continue Reading>>
10.08.2008
Vegan cake recipe
So, I'm pretty sure that no one is going to believe me about this until they try it, but there is a way to make a cake, or cupcakes, with a box of cake mix and a 12 oz. can of soda. The cake uses no eggs, and is mostly vegan (nonfat milk is listed last on the box, so there is a very small amount of milk in the mix).
About four years ago, a vegan friend of mine taught me how to make a birthday cake out of those two simple ingredients, I tried it, and the cake rose and was delicious. There are many combinations that can be tried, too, depending on the soda and flavor of the cake. Last night, I made one using orange soda and chocolate cake mix, and it tasted a lot like a chocolate orange.
To make it, pour the mix and the soda into a large bowl and whisk until the cake mix is saturated. Pour it into whatever pan you like, and bake according to the directions on the box. It is that easy. I baked it for 35 minutes, but you can bake it to your preferred moistness.
Frosting is optional.
Continue Reading>>
