Quinoa for the Flossless Anonymous

A couple of months ago, my terrific naturopath doctor recommended some changes to my diet to help combat stress and stress related insomnia. I discovered since then, that eating healthy is much easier than it seems. My previous attempts at trying to eat healthy were all based on random facts garnered from the Internet and common folklore. Getting an actual consulation with a naturopath or dietician made all the difference. What really worked for me is that my doctor tweaked my diet rather than have me start from scratch.
I was always aware of the ills of simple carbs in white rice/ white flour when compared with complex carbs in whole grain bread/brown rice. I had been trying brown rice, white-brown combination with mixed results as it did get boring after a while. However, I wasn’t aware that there are many white rice substitutes out there – one of them being quinoa - a grain with high protein content. My first reaction when I saw a bowl of cooked quinoa (I washed/cooked it like rice in my pressure cooker) was that of amusement. There was something just plain cute about cooked quinoa with the little white tails on each grain. Other than being yummy, quinoa is healthier and not as chewy as brown rice.
My doctor had also removed protein from my diet and had me increase my consumption of healthy nuts, especially almonds. Now that I have been almonds by the fistful for a few weeks now, I was wondering how much calories I was obliviously putting on as a result of this. I noticed this info in a Seattle Times article about healthy Super Bowl snacks. Apparently 3 ounces of almonds (72 nuts) have 580 calories. With that math, I probably eat about ~100 calories in almonds per day – not a bad thing at all!
For years now, I have been cramming a six monthly quick floss at the 11th hour before my dental cleaning appointments with the desperate hope that my flossing habits (or lack of) will not be exposed. I then mutter some vague pleasantries when the dentist asks me if I have been flossing. The most exciting part of my renewed organic eating lifestyle was that instead of the usual tsk tsk.. from my dental hygienist, I almost jumped out of that dentist-chair-which-is-so-difficult-to-get-out-of when I got a miraculous “Wow – your gums are actually looking healthy” remark this time. I almost asked her for a gold star to stick to my toothbrush. I guess the Tom’s of Maine toothpaste helped too..

We are what we eat

That saying never made a lot of sense to me. I have drastically cut back on meat and junk food and am rediscovering foods that are natural for this time of year (a surprisingly small set). But I don’t feel particularly flattered to me a butternut squash rather than a turkey. Jokes aside, I have been feeling pretty good ever since I turned veggie and organic after reading Skinny Bitch.
I have always noticed that when I really get into something that I think may be odd, I discover scores of people who are into the same hobby, passion, goal.. Organic food is a whole subculture out there. Some of the popular vegetarian restaurants such as Sunlight cafe, and Carmelitas are quite busy and I have been running into more and more born-again vegetarians lately. I was pleasantly surprised to find several CSAs in the area that supply farm fresh food right to my doorstep. I am currently trying Pioneer – they have a cool feature on their website that allows you to customize your order. Its been fun so far – grocery shopping, for organic food – no less, from the comfort of my laptop. I think the only remaining outdoor chore (besides window shopping ) is getting gas.. hmm smells like some conspiracy.
Anyway, the downside is that some of the veggies are not perfectly shaped and squeaky clean. Kinda like from back home..
They are nice enough to send recipes with some of the seemingly eclectic veggies.. though I have so far been quite happy using the simple recipes of my reliable, spiral-bound, feel good, green Simply in Season. Did I mention spiral-bound?
I saw some pink cherry blossoms already on Sunday and today’s weather was a sneak preview of spring (trying not to think about the brief hail episode). I have managed to keep my indoor plants thriving through the cold spell and am looking at spring gardening challenges with renewed enthusiasm! My mind is already bursting with ideas but I have to first find those fall bulbs and sneak them into the soil - ouch!

Hair-raising experience

In retail, selling an add-on is a common sales strategy and something that most of us encounter when we go a-retailing. But what about being offered hair products after a haircut with the looming threat that the cut is only guaranteed with the product being offered? Add that to an already 3 figure tab and we are talking serious money here.
On the other hand, there is nothing more exhilarating than a haircut and whats another 60 bucks in hair product? Buy when you are depressed, buy when you are euphoric.. buy buy buy.. but I digress.
So there I was clutching Paris made organic hair product that as sadly discovered couple of days later did nothing for my hair – in fact reminded me of some of the earthy. old-wives type treatments from back home. However, I didn’t realize that expensive haircuts come with customer service and follow up! They actually took it back.. wow! Oh the things you can return! Hmm.. Maybe I should call my car dealership, that is if they are still in business after the shady deals they have meting out.
Holidays and 2007 is behind us. 2008 sounds very promising – what a beautiful number! Happy new year to all!