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To Eat and (What) Not to Eat

To Eat and (What) Not to Eat

By on July 30, 2008 in Cooking, Food

Thank you, New York!!!

With the induction of calories to all chain restaurants in New York, reporters have been quick to eat up (pun: intended) the now, perhaps overly, visible calorie counts appearing on menus and signage across the city.

I was lucky enough to hear on Wall Street Journal This Morning (subscribe via iTunes!) that a wonderful indulgence of mine, something I try to have when I head back to my native of Chicago, is a real, legitimate and traditional slice of Chicago style pizza. No, just because it’s deep dish does NOT mean it is Chicago style…trust me. Anyhow, I digress. My point is that I started my morning by hearing that a slice of the most famous pizza in the city, Pizzeria Uno- has 2,330 calories. Sick. Seeeeee ya Uno!

So to better lift my spirit, I loved seeing the Times’ piece today on “The 11 Best Foods You Aren’t Eating.”

Here are their recommendations- now go be bold and fill up your baskets (and stay AWAY from pizza!)

photo courtesy of New York Times

1. Beets: Think of beets as red spinach, Dr. Bowden said, because they are a rich source of folate as well as natural red pigments that may be cancer fighters. How to eat: Fresh, raw and grated to make a salad. Heating decreases the antioxidant power. ***WIT Note: A favorite salad of mine at the best neighborhood restaurant by me, Luella, combines spinach, golden beets, and pecan-crusted warm goat cheese and is completely do-able in your own kitchen. If that doesn’t make you like beets- you never will!***

2. Cabbage: Loaded with nutrients like sulforaphane, a chemical said to boost cancer-fighting enzymes. How to eat: Asian-style slaw or as a crunchy topping on burgers and sandwiches.

3. Swiss chard: A leafy green vegetable packed with carotenoids that protect aging eyes. How to eat it: Chop and saute in olive oil.

4. Cinnamon: May help control blood sugar and cholesterol. How to eat it: Sprinkle on coffee or oatmeal.

5. Pomegranate juice: Appears to lower blood pressure and loaded with antioxidants. How to eat: Just drink it. ***WIT Note: pomegranate is everywhere right now- so stock up and definitely try POM juice- it’s sweet goodness and loaded with antioxidants!***

6. Dried plums: Okay, so they are really prunes, but they are packed with antioxidants. How to eat: Wrapped in prosciutto and baked.

7. Pumpkin seeds: The most nutritious part of the pumpkin and packed with magnesium; high levels of the mineral are associated with lower risk for early death. How to eat: Roasted as a snack, or sprinkled on salad.

8. Sardines: Dr. Bowden calls them “health food in a can.’’ They are high in omega-3’s, contain virtually no mercury and are loaded with calcium. They also contain iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese as well as a full complement of B vitamins. How to eat: Choose sardines packed in olive or sardine oil. Eat plain, mixed with salad, on toast, or mashed with dijon mustard and onions as a spread.

9. Turmeric: The “superstar of spices,’’ it may have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. How to eat: Mix with scrambled eggs or in any vegetable dish.

10. Frozen blueberries: Even though freezing can degrade some of the nutrients in fruits and vegetables, frozen blueberries are available year-round and don’t spoil; associated with better memory in animal studies. How to eat: Blended with yogurt or chocolate soy milk and sprinkled with crushed almonds.

11. Canned pumpkin: A low-calorie vegetable that is high in fiber and immune-stimulating vitamin A; fills you up on very few calories. How to eat: Mix with a little butter, cinnamon and nutmeg.

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w&w Essential Guide to: Summer Soirees

w&w Essential Guide to: Summer Soirees

By on July 29, 2008 in Cocktails, Cooking, Food

In just a few short weeks, my roommates and I will be playing hostesses for a summer night dinner party. Think homemade guacamole, strawberry soup, crisp salads, vodka lemonades and fruity sangria! So delicious. My planning got yet another kick start with reading Glam’s post on Summer Gatherings and Dining Al Fresco.

So in the spirit of sunshine and summer here are a few things I deem essentials to a summer soiree of your own:

photo courtesy of flickr.com

1. Fresh, cool recipes. Don’t serve anything hot and remember that fruits and vegetables are a plenty at this time of year so utilize them! Get a head start here. Orson (by famed chef Elizabeth Falkner) in San Francisco makes an incredible dessert of fresh pluots, honey and olive oil foam. It’s heavenly! (And try substituting figs as well- equally as delicious. Go to Real Simple for inspiration for your summertime menu- they have hundreds from which you can peruse and choose.

2. Flowers. Add color and cheer to your dining table or patio by wrapping bright flowers like hydrangeas or gerber daises, in vases wrapped with big bows in complimentary colors. Use them as centerpieces or as decoration through the space in which you’re holding your get-together. Haven’t quite mastered your horticulture skills yet? Look at your local flower stands or head to 1800flowers.com for inspiration.

3. Music. Nothing sets the tone of an evening like the music being played. Create a light, but upbeat playlist for guests to hear in the background. Some of my favorites for this sort of event include Michael Buble, David Gray, John Mayer and Heather Headley.

photo courtesy of 1800flowers.com

4. Summer cocktails! Who can forget this essential? (Let’s be honest, some people may come just for this!) Your options are never-ending, but I prefer to have a few from which guests can choose. Fruity sangria (add fresh strawberries and/or peaches to your favorite recipe) and vodka lemonades with strawberry garnish are my favorite. They are cool, refreshing and full of bold fruit flavor. They also tend to be a lot easier and cleaner than battling your kitchen appliance to concoct up blended drinks like margaritas or daiquiris.

photo courtesy of Real Simple

Got other essentials you’d just have to have at your party? Do share!

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Cupcake Queens

Cupcake Queens

By on April 23, 2008 in Cooking, Food
If you ever want to bribe me, just offer me one of two things- B or C (or both if you want to be my favorite person in the world):

 

B)loomingdales
C)upcakes

 

But I have to say the latter is a sweet treat I can’t ever seem to resist. What cures a hangover, brings sunshine into your day, is better than having a slice of cake and will make you glow with happiness afterwards? Yep, I’m talking cupcakes. The sweet little morsels deserve to be sought after and they bring me joy. No, seriously. They do bring me joy.

 

The new trend of cupcake “boutiques” is just fabulous. For roughly $3 you can get a delicious cupcake that is entirely more deserving of your money than an iced coffee or scoop of ice cream. Here in San Francisco we have several good ones from which you can choose. I love That Takes the Cake red velvet (seriously it is so delicious) and Kara’s Cupcakes sweet vanilla will change your idea of “vanilla” forever. Citizen Cupcake and Miette offer sweet treats that can satisfy when shopping in Union Square or enjoying the sun at the Ferry Building.

 

What’s best about these treats? They are pretty much designed to never disappoint. So make a cupcake date as soon as you can. And get an extra for me and I’ll love you forever.
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