Celebrating Food

Moderation. Small helpings. Sample a little bit of everything. These are the secrets of happiness and good health.

             -Julia Child

I love food. That’s why I have this blog. I especially like colorful veggies and anything with chocolate

Since I never do those “this is everything I ate today” posts, I thought I would use this page to give a better view of what I actually eat.

FOODS I EAT EVERYDAY

• Fruits and veggies- In the midst of all the conflicting nutritional research and recommendations out there, I think one of the only facts that pretty much everyone agrees on is that eating lots of different fresh fruits and veggies is beneficial for your health. I also think that they are the most delicious and satisfying foods to eat .

Favorite fruits and veggies: Granny Smith apples, bananas, berries, pineapple, avocado, spinach, sweet potatoes, asparagus, eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, baby carrots…this list could get really long…

Whole grains: I love really fresh whole wheat bread! So wonderfully delicious and comforting. There are some great local bakeries in my town, and I’ve even tried to make my own once. I also eat oatmeal for breakfast most mornings .

whole wheat sourdough bread (5 &10 restaurant; Athens, GA)

• Something sweet: I indulge in at least a little dessert everyday (see bottom of page) 

FOODS I EAT ALMOST EVERYDAY (or everyday in smaller portions..)

• Dairy: I use milk to make my oatmeal and in my coffee. I also eat yogurt a couple times a week (recently a fan of vanilla Oikios and Chobani!).           
  

  vanilla Chobani with a cashew cookie Larabar crumbled on top!

• Nuts: I like to eat pecans, almonds, cashews, and walnuts. I also love almond butter smeared on a banana or Granny Smith apple, or I mix it in my oatmeal . 
• Poultry: I like turkey sandwiches (with avocado, hummus, and spinach on whole wheat bread) for a quick and easy lunch. I also eat chicken sometimes.
• Fish: Salmon! Seared tuna steak! Sushi!!! Ok, I guess I wish I ate fish almost everyday. Fish is super healthy and delicious! I usually eat fish when I order it at restaurants, get my dad to grill it when I go home, or I occasionally attempt to cook it myself. I would eat grilled Wild Alaskan salmon everyday if it wasn’t so expensive and I had a grill… 
• Hummus: I definitely eat hummus almost everyday. On sandwiches, as a veggie dip, or with my finger a spoon .

FOODS I EAT SOMETIMES:

• Red Meat: I like a good steak from time to time, especially when I’m at home and my dad grills out. I’m not really into hamburgers, but I will eat duck, venison, or really almost anything if it’s prepared well. Check out this dish I got once at a restaurant in Atl:      
  

  pan seared duck over sauteed spinach and butternut risotto topped with a black currant reduction

• Eggs: I like to buy them fresh from local farmers when possible…they are so flavorful and colorful! Also, I like to use whole eggs, not egg whites. The yolk is where most of the nutrients are — calcium, iron, folate, and vitamins A, B6, B12, D, E, and K! 
• Cheese: I love cheese–  manchego, brie, havarti, feta, sharp white cheddar, fresh mozzarella!! I buy the high quality, full fat stuff, and use in moderation. Sometimes you only need a little to make a good meal great! Also fun to snack on with wine .

FOODS I HARDLY EVER (OR NEVER) EAT:

• Processed Foods: It’s hard avoid all processed foods 100% of the time, but I try to eat as little processed foods as possible — chips, crackers, and basically anything thing that comes in a box and has high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and lots of ingredients I can’t pronounce.
• Sodas: I don’t really like soda, and I avoid HFCS.
• Artificial Sweeteners: I used to use Splenda all the time, but not anymore! If I want to sweeten my coffee, I use raw turbino sugar. I also avoid diet drinks.
• Fried foods: I don’t really like most fried foods…I’d much rather have something fresh tasting than greasy. However, I do have a weakness for french fries (especially with feta dip! mmmm…).

**Note: I’m not promoting this as an ideal diet that everyone should follow; it’s just the way I like to eat! This is what makes me feel healthy, energized, and satisfied **

A TRIBUTE TO DESSERT!!

My diet is not completely virtuous by any means. I LOVE SWEETS! Here is a montage of some of my favorite indulgences…try not to lick the screen