Food Aversions - What's Yours?

I am not a picky eater, the one thing I damn near refuse to eat is okra. It is a gooey vegtable that oozes slime and doesn't even want to be a part of itself. Grant it, I have been given the argument for fried okra a few times...but what isn't all but remedied when fried?!? I am not buying in, I know what it was before the grease.

My weakness is salt. Not cake, not sweets...salt.

Today I could totally relate with a friend's food aversion. At lunch I made a pick up order for a yummy Black Bean Burger from Pita Jungle and subbed the garlic potatoes with brown rice so I could eat that side later. Got back to the office, opened the box and all the burger toppings were strewn about the to-go box. There were tons of long pickle slices all jumbled about the bottom and the juice had leaked onto my rice. [I actually cringed]. I love the salty, crunch of pickles on burgers---but when I thought about the dill pickle juice getting all over my brown rice? Gick, that little place in the back of my jaw locked up tight and I shuddered.

Now I know how E must feel every time she sees a pickle on her plate. Poor girl.

UP FISH!

Last weekend my friend encouraged me to buy whatever crap food I wanted while at the grocery store because I only 1/2 hour out from my house burning. So I brought potato chips into the house (2 kinds) and a ton of beer. I was crazy as I was still trying to play hostess and brought some sour cream to make dip...never got around to that.

This weekend I hear ...

UP FISH! I-I CAPTIAN. [BONK, BANG, CRASH!] Ow. [Drilling] Can you see my light? No, can you see my light?!? Crap, give me a wall plate.

...Being yelled from inside my construction zone home and from the ceiling. You see, Curtis is geeking out. While the insulation in our roof has been sucked out and soon to be replaced, he decided it is the perfect time to put Ethernet drops throughout our home. [CO - C would be so proud --at the technology improvements]. And it was good timing for wiring, but both Lenny and I were not happy having our routines disturbed again.

I nervously nibble on pumpkin seeds in my computer room trying to hole myself away from the commotion. At one point I left in the rain to get out of the house to run some errands for the other intention to keep my sanity. Lenny was left with the boys and has always been apprehensive of the ceiling...think Chicken Little --The Sky is Falling mentality with ceiling fans. Now our home's ceiling has been on fire, making vacuuming sounds (insulation coming out), people climbing around up in there, painting and evaluating our roof trusses, etc.

Maybe there is something to his skitty greyhound theory.

RIP Mini-Costco

We are blessed. We've had this catastrophe in our home, but it is only a portion of our home. I think at this point I am repeating this for myself and also to emphasize to you dear readers I am not complaining...just trying to work through all the emotions that go along with this event. I can't begin to imagine how people cope who have lost everything. It is all very unsettling and a destruction of routine and generally life as you knew it to exist when you are displaced. It is nothing to dismiss.

The insurance company and the contractors are taking great care of us and the "process" is moving along quickly "on-site." I feel so detached from what is happening...

Now we come home to see what has changed while we were away at work. They are like strange little gnomes with angel wings combing through our house, they muck things about--but they do it for the best. Yesterday I left the house in a very emotional state with the contractors there inventorying our stuff. I suddenly realize the huge amount of things I have squirreled away in the laundry room/garage area. We shop in bulk at Costco, so there are tons of sundries, cleaning product and paper goods that have been thrown away! It freaks me out to throw away that much stuff when I question if it was damaged. They are the experts and reassured me that...now is no time to be "green" (for the environment's sake) and it could be a health hazard to use these products. And I do see the point when it is toilet paper & Kleenex...which you put in some very sensitive areas...and then plastic forks & paper plates that you could ingest particles from them. [ick]

I saw the black garbage bags and inquired what is in there?!? My stomach twinged as he described some of the items being thrown away. Still all silly things...an ASU "Sparky" beanie baby I bought in college for school spirit, the stuffed bear that was given to me before my spinal surgery...I swallowed hard and stammered that..i-i-it's okay (I guess). It is just stuff. But this time, I didn't believe myself when I said it. Yes, they are just objects...I didn't expect anything to touch me and in the end I still have the memories associated with those things. Maybe it's more about the feeling of it being taken away from me.

Curtis put it well --"what they deem replaceable may be invaluable to us." So I asked to not have C's childhood train set thrown away (that was sitting in some insulation soup). And left the house for the day to return to work and force myself to focus on the normal.

...Now it is just a waiting game to see what surprise is around the next corner.

We're a Team

I feel as if I should give an update due to the general upsetting nature of my last post (our home was on fire!). It is all still settling in and I think we are still trying ignore the fact that we could have easily lost our whole house. For the most part we can try and ignore that portion of our house since it is all a mess.

We are still living here, it gives us a nice sense of normalcy. Our house is currently a construction zone, but to have them act so fast on repairs is amazing. Go awesome insurance company with great contractors! They brought an industrial sized hepa-filter over on Monday to suck out the lingering smoke and more importantly to cut down on the insulation particles still floating about. This sucker processes all the air in our home 10-times over in a 24 hour period! For all those who know my OCD tenancies....this makes me giddy to think the air is clean!

They sent a crew over to wipe down our kitchen and that was a huge amount of stress off of me. If you wiped a single finger and inch down our counter top you would pull it up and evaluate a layer of black cellulose particles had gathered to coat your fingertip. [ick] I was going batty because I simply could not keep up with it and didn't deem my kitchen sanitary to eat or prepare anything within.

So slowly the stress is seeping away. Curtis and I are a great team and are handling this together. He takes care portions of the construction, coordinating, taking time off of work and then I switch off with time away from work and the logistical portions of the insurance. We are working to make our house a full home again.

Thank you for all your well wishes. We are all alive and uninjured, so that's what matters...everything after that is just stuff.

House Flambe'

On a multitude of amazing levels and being thankful for fire fighters/the fire house being just down the street, our own home is not reduced to a sad little foundation of ash. Everyone is fine and we are counting our blessings as only 10% of our house is gone. And again we are safe and grateful for astute responders...dispatchers, police, fire fighters, our friends, the on-call insurance agent, the contractor and the electrician who came at the end of their own Saturday to make sure the smoldering was gone from our rafters and wouldn't return to harm us.

Today there were big plans for the weekend, especially today. Dental appointment, Lenny nail trim, meeting up with friends at a beer festival, helping a friend pick out her wedding dress, a dinner out...luckily our rally point was our house and we were all running a 1/2 an hour behind to bolt out with our plans for the day. In a string of coincidences, it allowed me to walk through the garage, into the laundry room, into the house and to repeat those steps as I smelt burnt marshmallows!?!?? Beth thought it was popcorn when she walked in the living room. I checked, nothing visually singed by the hot water heater in that room, boys to investigate further, C reached up and touched the ceiling. A hot ceiling. (yikes!) More inspection through the attic crawl space ensued on a ladder with a fire extinguisher and eventually...where there is smoke, there really is fire!

After a very long and emotional day of 4 fire trucks, 5 cop cars, our street being closed down and our access room and garage being gutted and hosed/foamed down...we have had an electrical fire. F-I-R-E in our roof. The fire crews were all amazed that things were in such an early stage and we were repeatedly told how lucky we were and the gravity of us being just minutes later...or being home at night while this quiet death crept over our heads through our roof insulation [shudder]...or to come back from our days errands to find wet smoldering rubble where once our address numbers hung high.

So grateful we didn't rush out of the house without inspecting. And the pups. Oh the pups, we almost left them at home! Not only Lenny, but B's two doggies too!!!! My heart breaks to think of them trapped inside a house aflame. Again, everyone safe. [deep breaths] It would be maddening to be displaced from our home, to return to our daily lives, to start over with the essentials (hell to even have a scrap of paper to write my claim number on!!!!), being virtually homeless...astounding. In a stark contrast we just don't have hot water, dry wall, insulation (in a portion of our home that we can quarantine) and a very dusty home in the interim time.

We are exhausted...however we have each other safe, a dog to love, friends to hug, a home to keep us warm, we have a computer to type on, undisturbed beds to sleep in and wonderful locals who came to our rescue.

Thankful, to say the very least.

UPC Code

The week has been stressful busy, but luckily the ladies called and we did a happy hour/dinner (we try for one each month). It was very refreshing just to go out for a few hours and have that girl talk time. Where you just lay every problem out on the table, you don't expect it will be solved and it gets to be a nice vent session with the added bonus of beer! Then from there you may get feedback, laughed at or the shot of reality you needed to get over it. Always a good time and pooling of ideas.

Lately I have been trying to organize myself for the farmer's market trips or to join a CSA group (Community Supported Agriculture). In Phoenix I also have the option to have fresh veggies/fruit delivered to my door every Thursday morning before 7AM...it would be like Christmas once a week! And I wouldn't have to fight the grocery store crowd as often.

Most of the ladies commented they could never go through that much fresh anything in a week. Believe me, I have also had fresh food turn into fuzz balls in my forgotten crisper drawers. Well, I told them of my recent diet endeavors and whew! It is the same question--so are you vegetarian now or something?!? (It never has a fully encouraging tone) For Pete's sake I am eating at Buffalo Wild Wings...does this look like I have gone full veggie yet? Grrr. Then the next question proceeds (from any group, not just my gal pals) of what am I then? Really, do I require a label?!?

I like the idea of turning veg, but for now I could be called "flexitarian" ...maybe 3 small servings of meat find their way into my diet per week. Normally when I go out to a restaurant and for now I am still a confused cook who will soon reinvent my pantry staples for most of the recipes I would like to try. Flexitarian just seems like a cop out...maybe I should go with a classic label...something like "Omnivore Light." Whatever you want to call it...I feel alert and light and am loving it!

My Lungs Still Work...

...and my dog is still cute.

After more than a week, I went back to the gym...and by no miracle. My work out buddy went home to walk her husband and I still went! Now it's not to say that I didn't have some prodding or a gym bag already packed in the back seat of my car....but it was a cardio-rific 25 intense minutes later I was seen fleeing the institution. I beat traffic to get home to my Lenny.

We played fetch...and then I made a fetching meal:
Zucchini (1) , yellow squash (1), mushrooms, tomato (2), fresh basil, onion, garlic chopped and everyday seasoning (herb grinder from TD). Sauteed in a pan with some olive oil. Then placed on a bed of brown rice.

"Mad props" C says for the Matthew idea of frozen banana introduced to the food processor with some soy milk. Then topped with chopped pecans...and we couldn't resist adding vanilla wafers (not Matthew approved). It was a yummy, creamy dessert!

Meat Free Monday

I have just celebrated my first Meat Free Monday and I encourage you to join me next week. Sir Paul McCartney says you should. :)

Here's the website with recipes: http://www.supportmfm.org/getinvolved/

The Open Road Calls...

My moto has been sad for a whole week now. She sits in the garage waiting patiently to be taken out onto the open road. When I leave in the morning to go to/from work I apologize for not taking her out and hop into my mini-SUV. I really wish I could ride every day...Gracie's shiny, chrome-y self calls to me and I have to leave her behind. Well, this Friday that wasn't the case. I got to wear jeans to work (instead of the traditional suit and heels) and that means I am riding in!

Love it! The mornings are now cool (but not cold) and the evenings are so nice to cruise around. To add an extra bonus of riding the motorcycle in, it means I get to take the carpool lane home and save at least 10 minutes on my return commute at rush hour. Once home, I was welcomed by my hubby and his freshly washed moto in the driveway. Both handsome devils edging to get going somewhere out and about that night. Ab-so-lutely.

We decided to go up to Fountain Hills so we could enjoy a ride without much traffic. We didn't even stop for dinner...just all riding. A quick 50 mile jaunt up north and back was exactly what we needed to kick off the weekend right. We chased each other like little kids on an asphalt playground. It gives me such a feeling of pride to be my own driver, to have my own Harley and to see C looking studly on his own hog. We let out the throttles on the highway, putted around in a neighboring town, then a quick stroll around the park before we headed back home to get Lenny his dinner.

Being pup parents sure can be easy and spontaneous. Better enjoy these simple times of life now...before they get even better later!

Noms

So have you been curious what I've been eating this week? Well there is still meat in my diet for the time being. I am phasing it out of my house, going out for sushi b-day celebrations and integrating vegetarian-ish meals.

The "-ish" comes from last night's dinner of Mushroom & Herb Risotto from Trader Joe's (the ingredients include chicken stock from the box). Other than that it is pretty friendly. To make it a meal I added fresh portabella mushrooms (2 large/chopped), broccoli (2+ cups), roasted red bell pepper and grated parmesan to our box-of-yum:


Earlier in the week I made a favorite of Curtis' --this one's shocking cause he is not a fish fanatic. Mahi-Mahi tuna steaks dipped in a pistachio breading (crushed nuts, salt & pepper) over romaine lettuce, tomatoes and an avocado dressing.
Rough recipe:
Chop nuts (1/2 cup) combine with spices (1/4 tsp), bread fish, pan fry in olive oil to brown each side, 1-2 min each side. Then cook for remainder of time in oven (appx 10 min).

While baking, prep bed of romaine lettuce, cut tomatoes and make the dressing. Puree avocado (1), grated sweet onion (1T), add olive oil (1-2T), water (1T), lime juice (1T) and mix to desired consistency.

Combine and enjoy!

If you want a meatless alternative - last week I used seasoned bread crumbs, sliced egg plant and baked in my new (mini) convection oven till GBD.

Young and Dumb

I tell you this epic error so you do not do the same...and BTW don't read this while eating.

Almost three years ago I was still looking for the quick fix way to lose weight. I just had a co-worker and some of her family members go through the "Lemonade Diet" and look amazing for it. It was explained to me that it was a fasting, but you were still drinking in all your "proper nutrients" while detoxifying [shudder at the memory]. Really it is a colon cleanse and I bought the book: The Master Cleanser by Stanley Burrough

Okay, like I said the WRONG thing to do and I learned my lesson the hard way. You will probably get it from these ingredients mixed up and chugged downed all day; lemon juice, Grade B maple syrup, cayenne pepper and water. Then laxatives in the form of a tea called the punny name: Smooth Move (at night) and then in the morning you drink QUART of warm water and sea salt to push whatever is left--> out [vile]. The objective is to do this for minimum of 10 days! INSANITY.

I can tell you that it did not work for me and I in no way advocate this cleanse. I have flash backs of this horrific choice and I had to throw away the containers I made the liquid-death in. I started on a Thursday night (had Friday off for some reason--planned to be at home for the literal sh*t storm that was going to happen). By Sunday/Day-3 I was so weak. I had gone for ground, I had zero energy and all I could do was poo mucus out my anus and lay back down on the couch in exhaustion. Supposedly the point, but I had nothing left to give...and for this project I was going to be a quitter.

Moral?
- When life gives you lemons? --Do not make this lemonade.
- Still had a supportive husband back then (why he can live his life with crazy is sometimes a mystery)
- My butt was not happy...however this is why I believe that dairy is a mucus producing food. I have seen my own evidence. Graphic I know--not sorry.
- If you want to do a cleanse, then do the purest raw food diet --that will get you pooping!
- Pooping is essential (if you've ever had surgery, you know it is really life or death to start that process again if you ever want to eat solid foods)
- There is never a quick fix
- Eat stupid, don't starve yourself
- Eat the right things and be active/exercise
- Stop making excuses, everyone can do it.

Ever feel like you know too much?!? It's like you know you got to this earth cause your parents did the biological tango one night and *poof* you are here. Then it is a whole 'nother thing to walk into the house and your parents are getting it on. TMI --I have heard your horror stories and I am thankful to have not had my eyes scarred by this actual event.

We've gotten the same way about our food. We don't see how 'A' (our food) got to 'B' (us/the consumers) and there is a LOT of production into making 'A' happen! Now I am warning you that I am going to stay on my soap box...so decide if you are in this with me...cause I am going to be talking a TON about what I am finding out and henceforth blurting out my thoughts here. You've been warned.

I don't want to be scarred into not eating foods, but wow. Knowledge is power and I can't ignore the overwhelming amount of science, documentation and results that are getting our food made/to the grocery store. Scoring out my own sugar/process food intake creeped me out and I eliminated "white" food from my house (marshmallows, you can stay for Lenny's benefit). I watched Food Inc. and thought, okay...buy local. I read The China Study and went whoa, okay I guess I will eat the highest quality of meat in extreme moderation, I read the Skinny Bitch series and that is the smack in the face I needed. Someone asking...are you stupid--why haven't you changed your ways already?!? [sigh] Life is on it's head and the transition begins.

Also it begins with a jolt. I watched Our Daily Bread last night and I recommend you see this artsy-fartsy film at home on Play x2 speed. Go normal rate to hear the beginning sounds of each scene (mostly the machinery parts) and hold your jaw up (if you can) while you watch the chickens and cows go through their "process" in real time. It still goes disturbingly fast and I was appalled. I have watched exposes' before and shrugged them off...now with part of the knowledge behind the industry---I am so turned off by meat. And I was really affected, the slaughter and inhumane treatment is extreme...but really I am more disgusted in myself that I have supported this maximized industry. Tsk, tsk...another shame ribbon for me.

The only so called "luxury" that I can inflict upon myself is my cherished sashimi and the naughty white rice bundled in little deliciousness of sushi. (BTW - I switched my house to brown rice only and have totally confused my mom...I haven't even "written home" to let her know I am thinking of eliminating meat...or at least eliminating it as much as they do in traditional Japanese cooking).

I still don't know where exactly I will go with this, but I know that I have my best friend at my side. My Irish, meat-and-potato loving husband is on board with me and is totally supporting my choices. [*glowing * proud *] I cook, so to a certain degree he is subject to it. However, there is more to it and he is not forced to do anything. Just as he supports me, I am not scandalized that he will choose to enjoy meaty treats outside of my kitchen. Hell, I am not opposed to cooking him meat and then I don't eat it. Sunday I did that exact thing for him as I had hummus and a salad with sunflower seeds. I also added to his plate a grilled chicken breast, the smell of chicken really threw my tummy for a flip --but I haven't been eating much (if any) meat and I feel great.