Soul searching during the Departmental meeting....

Today, while completely spaced out in the OT meeting, I began to once again contemplate my life's purpose. No, in fact, there was no better time to do this..... After the 20th minute rolled around of a discussion that should have lasted no longer than 2, I knew it was every woman for herself. Before I checked out, I casually glanced around the room and noticed that couple of my co-workers were shooting incredulous looks across the room at each other, one was scribbling disgruntled notes to her neighbor, and the other half had already ventured to where I was about to go.... Lala Land. After confirming that my mental capabilities would not be missed, I put my body into auto-pilot, and then cashed in my ticket.

During take off, I had to ask myself, "Is this it? Really?!?!" After tossing this question back and forth in my head a few times, I had to accept that for right now, it is. Again I looked around the room, nodding and making eye contact with my supervisor when appropriate ( They were still on the same subject, and where was Stephanie.... light years away lol). Although the meetings can be long, I have to say, I enjoy being an Occupational Therapist, and I love my job. I work with an amazing group of women, and my students aren't too shabby either :-).

But once my mind kicked into hyper-drive, what I wanted to do with my talents became clearer and clearer. I must have mentally whizzed past the Moon or flown through the Milky Way, because all I could think about was food. This is a food blog isn't it HAHA?
I read somewhere that to find your purpose in life, you should consider the things that you would do for free.

For me, that all revolves around food, health, and nutrition. Whether it's blogging, baking vegan muffins for the Back to school BBQ at church, or going to the grocery store with my friend Stacie so that she and her hubby to be, Dylan, can start making healthier food choices.... I do it because it like to, not because I'm paid to do it.

With this revelation, I knew that I could return back to Earth, and rejoin the last 15 minutes of the meeting. To my surprise (or not) I didn't miss a thing....

Cancer looooves High Fructose Corn Syrup

What's addictive, linked to obesity, found in most processed food, AND subsidized by your tax dollars? Yup, high fructose corn syrup. I don't want to sound preachy but this stuff is dangerous. If there is one thing that you can change that would make a huge difference it would be to '86 the HFCS. I guarantee that you will feel a difference in your energy levels and a decrease in your weight. Check out the above link and then do a little research. I'll help by posting some good info as I come across it. LA -Thanks for the link. *Sharing is Caring*



http://wn.com/CNN__Rick%27s_List__High_Fructose_Corn_Syrup_Speeds_Up_Cancer_Growth

Friends and Food

Nothing says I love you like the combination of homemade food with life long friends. Over the past week, and across state lines I've cooked, baked, ate, drank along side the best of my friends. So I figured that I would give a shout out to those who made this past week ( My last week before school starts) memorable.

Monday's shout out: Mom, Michael, Faith ..... and Michael's homemade carrot cake! Happy Birthday Mom.

Tuesday: Sherrie, Veronica, Tamarah (We missed you girl), Camille, Nicole, Chey, 3 bottles of wine, eggplant parm, white bean soup, salad with a simple vinaigrette, and my luscious muffins (that deserves a snicker lol). Although I only see these women a few times a year, it's nice to know that we ALWAYS pick up where we left off. Boy oh boy the conversation around the table... It was loud, passionate, hilarious, and laced with the love that only comes from yeeeeeaars of friendship. I'm surprised that no one called CCPD on us.

Wednesday: I spent mostly reading about food, and working on my own business plan - but Michael did score a free sandwich, and graciously gave it to yours truly ( he spoils me:-) )

Friday: I hung out with Manny at The Uptown Juice bar - This really great vegetarian cafe on 125th street. Most of my time was spent rolling my eyes at Manny and Manny nagging me about something as I try to eat my food. You'd think that after being friends for this long, he'd realize I'm never going to change lol. Thank God for Erin.

Saturday: Dun, dun, dun...Maybe it was the stress of hours and hours of searching for THE wedding dress, or perhaps it was the reunion of Danielle, Faith and I. Whatever it was... MOM's Organic Market in Bowie will not soon forget the Saturday that we descended. Chocolate chip cookies, Brownies, Onion chips, Pirates Booty (shiver me timbers haha), chocolate oat balls, chocolate bars - all in less than 10 minutes. Once we got to the car it was pure carnage a la the velosoraptors in Jurassic Park. Quote of the moment: "It's okay because it's all organic" Haha tell that to the new dimple in my ass. Did I mention that we had Chipotle a few hours earlier ????

Sunday: Danielle hooked Faith and I up with breakfast before we left... Now THAT's a good friend/woman/sister :-)


Here are a few of the recipes from the Tuesday night.

Easy Vinaigrette for salad

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/vinaigrette-for-green-salad-recipe/index.html


Not the exact recipe for Eggplant Parm - but close enough. Just substitute Marinara for the spaghetti sauce, and slip some fresh spinach leaves between the layers.

http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1950,154180-254194,00.html

White Bean Soup:

http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/18/recipe-of-the-day-luccan-farro-soup/


Happy cooking!!!!

More C please :-) .........

Fun Fact Wednesday: Vitamin C is Amazing! It has been shown to improve the look and feel of your skin, is associated with lower stroke risk helps out with the common cold, may help people whose immune systems are weakened by stress, improve macular degeneration, reduce inflammation, reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Sign me up!!!!! Unfortunately, according to research, Most people don't get enough vitamin C, but especially smokers and Black men.

In order to help you keep up with the C's :-P Web MD, listed the following foods as having the most Vitamin C: citrus fruits, green peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, white potatoes, and sweet potatoes. Other good sources include dark leafy greens, cantaloupe, papaya, mango, watermelon, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, red peppers, raspberries, blueberries, winter squash, and pineapples.

This morning I made cranberry relish to go on LA's turkey sandwich , and my Tofurky sandwich . It was very easy, and high in Vitamin C. YAYYYY!!!!! Here's the recipe:

http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1955,143162-225201,00.html


* Addendum* Because I couldn't find fresh cranberries I chose canned cranberries. After I made the cranberry relish, I read the ingredients list. On the back, I found my archenemies: HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP AHHHHHHHHH!!!! This goes without saying, I canned the leftovers. Please stay tuned for my rant on why I personally 86'ed high fructose corn syrup.


On another note: If you don't have time to spend in the kitchen buy a bottle of Zamu. It contains Pinapple, Mango and the Camu, Camu berry - nature's most concentrated source of vitamin C. I personally drink it every morning, and I love it. You can buy it from my Amazon website: http://sking.amazonherb.net/Zamu_Zamu.aspx

'Til next time,...

I almost forgot!

WiiFit weight: 176.6
Goal weight: 175.7