A Skinny Foodie Says...

yet another article about meat and weight

2010-07-29T16:14:00.000-07:00

coffee is not breakfast

2010-07-23T06:56:00.000-07:00

whenever i get into a passionate conversation about food and healthy eating, i commonly find this misconception that if you don't eat breakfast, or just have coffee or something small, that it will help with weight loss. no, no silly billy. that's the WORST thing you could do to improve your health. i try to have a full breakfast when possible. but sometimes i just don't have time. on those days, i'll call ahead to my local diner and order a HALF order of french toast to go, pick it up, and eat it at my desk while i work. and when it's too hot to eat big breakfasts, i like to have fruit. or juice with a carb of some kind. if donuts are my only choice, i get the plain cake. i don't drink coffee, and cannot survive the day with juice.

this morning's fruit salad:
strawberries ($1.79 per box)
bananas (89 cents a pound)
grapes ($1.79 a pound)
a splash of OJ

makes 2-3 servings, takes 5 minutes to prepare, healthy, light, super yummy!

Tony Hayward better hope he never runs into me on the street.

2010-06-04T08:08:00.000-07:00

Wildlife suffers from BP oil

I'm seriously considering going down there myself and giving these birds a bath.

dolphin hunting part 2

2010-05-26T12:08:00.000-07:00

I made a previous post about the HIGHLY RECOMMENDED film, "The Cove", a documentary about the brutal slaughter of dolphins taking place in Taiji, Japan. It shows Ric O'Barry (from TV series "Flipper")and a team of activists trying to stop the dolphin hunts and expose the truth to the world. Since the film I have not eaten seafood. Just today, I read this, about Denmark doing the exact same thing. It breaks my heart. Perhaps the people hunting/eating them will suffer a slow and painful poisoning due to mercury. Maybe then they will learn.

F*ck you, BP

2010-05-26T09:11:00.000-07:00

so i know i've been slacking on the blogging lately, sorry. i've been:

1. busy.
2. trying to organize and edit www.amandascuglia.com
3. saddened, angered, and repulsed by BP and the damage being done by the oil spill.

it's day 37 since it started and it doesn't seem like they have enough of a sense of urgency about the situation. a lot of blame is going around, but what about solutions? i like these guys' idea!!

try something new: sardines

2010-04-30T08:26:00.001-07:00

i had these guys in spain, but had forgotten all about them until the boyfriend alerted me that they were a super food. they are ultra rich in Omega 3 oils, protein, and vitamin D & B12 among others. plus they are SO CONVENIENT because they require zero preparation. we had them right out on the can last night, but you can put these guys in pasta, on crackers, or even sandwiches. if you buy them in water or mustard or tomato as opposed to oil, they will taste less fishy. the reason why they are better than eating larger fish (salmon or tuna) is because they are less likely to acquire so many toxins like mercury due to being lower on the food chain.

laugh

2010-04-30T07:01:00.001-07:00

via http://thatsprettycool.blogspot.com/

make the connection

2010-04-20T12:14:00.000-07:00

"If I could make everyone in the world see one film, I'd make them see Earthlings," --- Peter Singer.

"Watching Earthlings is the greatest gift I have ever received. I can't believe how ignorant I've been in the past."
---Bryce Dallas Howard

i wasn't going to. but i changed my mind. see short vid below. you can watch the full movie on the website for free. it's a very violent film, with a VERY valuable lesson. EARTHLINGS is a feature length documentary about humanity’s absolute dependence on animals (for pets, food, clothing, entertainment, sport and scientific research) but also illustrates our complete disrespect for these creatures.

many people will refuse to even look at it. i get it. but ignorance is not bliss. because it's effecting our food. our health. our earth. and it's not only about food. it's our whole attitude towards other species. and it's heartbreaking.

my intent is not turn you vegan. even though i've cut down, i still eat meat, but only locally or certified humane. the point is to be aware of what's going on. so that you can made educated decisions. you can watch the full movie here, free. i warn you, the film is very difficult to watch. here's the few first minutes with an introduction to the whole deal.

Sprouts 101

2010-04-13T07:32:00.001-07:00

"Sprouting is the practice of soaking, draining and then rinsing seeds at regular intervals until they germinate, or sprout." - Wikipedia

They are one of the most nutrient-rich foods and they are easy to make(grow) at home! You could purchase them at the grocer, but they won't be as fresh and you risk food-borne illness with commercially grown sprouts.

There are many uses for these little miracle foods...

- add to sandwiches or wraps for crunchy texture
- use in salads
- add to stir-fry or soups
- puree into fruit or vegetable shakes or juices
- or eat them fresh as healthy snacks!

The health benefits are abundant. Here's just a few taken from Herbs Are Special.com

- Sprouts are a powerful source of antioxidants in the form of vitamins, minerals and enzymes
- Sprouts are a good source of essential fatty acids
- Sprouts are one of the highest food sources of fibre
- Sprouts provide a good source of protein

And they are environmentally friendly too, as you can make them in any climate, in any season and the preparation does not produce waste.

Watch the video below to see how it it really is to grow sprouts in a mason jar on your countertop! Enjoy!

are you effing kidding me?

2010-04-08T09:33:00.000-07:00

KFC introduces the new Double Down sandwich for the "carb-conscious" folks, eliminating bread and using 2 pieces of chicken to hold together bacon and cheese. Not only is it revolting, but it's calorie count is over 1200! that's the same as 8 fried doughnuts, or 2 Big Macs. There is a REASON gluttony is considered a sin. This would be gross even if it was homemade, but it's even more disturbing that it comes from one of the biggest and shadiest companies. [the video below is not spam. Pamela Anderson has some insights for you. Please watch.]

When you eat at places like KFC, you are supporting the horrific act of factory farming, severe animal abuse, and other damaging effects (don't forget swine flu has been linked to such conditions). KFC buys their stock from Tyson. PETA and other animal rights organizations (even KFC's own animal welfare advisors) have asked KFC numerous times to make slight changes in their system, and they repeatedly refuse.

I can count one hand how many times I've eaten KFC in my life, on road trips mostly. After learning about their practices, no more.

a happy animal is a better dinner, and a better future.

2010-04-07T08:17:00.000-07:00

"Farmed animals have no federal legal protection from horrific abuses that would be illegal if they were inflicted on dogs or cats: neglect, mutilations, and drug regimens that cause chronic pain and crippling, transport through all weather extremes, and inhumane slaughter. Yet farmed animals are no less sensitive, intelligent, or capable of feeling pain than are the dogs or cats whom we cherish as companions." -PETA

A PLEA:
if you're a vegetarian, super. if you're a vegan, even better. if you're an omnivore like me, PLEASE BUY YOUR MEAT FROM LOCAL FARMERS in an effort to stop the evil that is factory farming. if you MUST eat fast food, at least go to Chipotle, who is known for serving humanely raised meat.

this past weekend the farmer's market opened in wichita! i bought 2 strip steaks for $10. they were local, veggie fed, hormone and antibiotic free, free range meat. and they were tasty! they vendor even offered to give me a tour of his farm!

my heart breaks for the abused animals. not only because im an animal lover. but because it's all connected. the more meat we consume, the more animals get abused, the fatter we get, the faster we die, the more factory farming, the bigger the dent in the environment, the less of a future for our kids and grandkids and great grandkids. can't we find a balance? we must eat sustainably.

watch this

2010-04-04T16:28:00.000-07:00

i saw another fascinating and heartbreaking documentary, "The Cove"... about the slaughter of dolphins in Taiji, Japan. This movie was both enlightening and entertaining. I didn't know dolphins were killed on purpose. I thought the only murdered ones were of fault to tuna fishing. These dolphins are being sold and placed in captivity, and then the remainder are slaughtered for their meat, which by the way, is toxic by high levels of mercury. This film is a "Ocean's Eleven" type story about a few individuals who come together and use their skills in creative ways to help put a stop to this violent nonsense.

just because you can, doesn't mean you should

2010-03-31T08:21:00.000-07:00

remember when your parents taught you to finish everything on your plate? you should probably try to unlearn that.

when i first moved to kansas, i was shocked by the portion sizes given in the restaurants. they are twice the size of portions in new york and probably three times the portion in most european restaurants. i noticed the most outrageous portions were those at chain restaurants. we wonder why eating out can be so expensive. we wonder why we are obese.

all my life people assume that since im skinny i must not eat very much. then they get to know me, and find that it's quite the opposite. half of it is genes. the other half is the WAY i eat. i NEVER skip breakfast, rarely go without dessert, and snack often. (i don't ever let my stomach growl) this keeps my metabolism high, and my stomach small. when you eat largely in one sitting it stretches your stomach, which makes your body need more to fill it. i RARELY eat more than my abdomen is comfortable with. i WILL stuff my face on thanksgiving, i WILL have appetizers, entrees, sides, and desserts at premium steakhouses, but on a daily basis, i don't let myself eat to the point where i have to unbutton my pants. it's just not necessary.

i had the privilege of living with a fantastic family of 5 in madrid, spain for a few months last year. i remember blogging about my first dinner experience with them. eating is an entire event to the europeans. it's spiritual. they respect their food, and their bodies. everyday they eat a small breakfast, a late lunch, la merienda (a snack around 5 or 6pm consisting of fruit, yogurt or wafers), and a late dinner. lunch is their largest portion. dinner is ALWAYS at the dinner table and always together, no excuses. they shop mostly at outdoor markets with local farm fresh meats, fish, fruits and vegetables. we really could learn a few things.

as a society we are consuming waaaay toooo much, and it's killing us. only take what you need, only eat until your stomach is satisfied. if you have more food left on your plate, save it for leftovers.

i dare you

2010-03-29T06:52:00.000-07:00

I dare you to skip meat one day a week. You don't have to be a vegetarian to make a difference. Small efforts make massive impacts. If every American skipped meat one day (at least) per week continuously, we'd make a colossal dent. You CAN make a difference. By simply choosing to eliminate certain foods. Red meat isn't the only problem, it's the chicken and pork as well. Pastas, salads, and pizzas are so easy to make without meat. Try substituting portobello mushrooms on top of a salad.. or eggplant with pasta. And don't forget the fresh baked baguette bread for 99 cents! We had it with our eggplant parmesan last night!

there are SO many meatless recipes out there. vegan and not. do yourself, and the world, a favor.

the fast food myth

2010-03-25T08:45:00.001-07:00

All I hear is this chatter that fast food is cheaper than home cooking. I guess it depends on what you eat. Let's try lunch for example.

Taco Bell:

1 crunchy supreme "beef" wrap thingy
1 side order of nachos and cheese product
1 small soft drink

=$7. only 1 serving. (and with my experience at Taco Bell, you'll probably be hungry again in an hour or so)

or Chiptole: (slightly healthier)

1 chicken burrito
1 drink

=$9. only 1 serving

Now let's take The supermarket:

2 organic chicken cutlets
1 large tomato
1 block of cheese
1 jalapeno pepper
1 pkg of soft tortillas
1 small container of sour cream

= $14. and 2-4 servings of quesdadillas, meaning leftovers. meaning the average cost per meal is cheaper than fast food, AND healthier! not to mention, you probably won't use all the cheese and tortillas, and both of these items keep well in the fridge, so you can add them to your next meal, which also saves you money. the rule generally is, more $ up front, the less it costs you in the long run. kinda like paying off your credit card.

That being said, I know some people who don't like to pack lunch because they want to leave the office at lunchtime. And in bigger cities, little hole-on-the-walls allow you to buy homemade food for cheap (corner pizzerias, bodegas, etc). But, for my local Wichitans, I have a recommendation! Today I ate at College Hill Deli (thanks to VERBict's review) where Mediterranean food is strictly home-made (except for the desserts). For $5.37 I enjoyed a vegetarian pumpkin soup with a fattoush salad (greens, olives, artichokes, tomatoes, pickles topped with pita chips). Um, it was delicious. And on a side note, the owner was super duper friendly and accommodating. He even gave me a free baklava! All you need to know is that all sandwiches on the menu are under $5.99 and come with a side. They even have Beirocks.

watch this

2010-03-23T15:00:00.001-07:00

As some of you already know from my desperate emails and texts, I highly recommend seeing the documentary "Food, Inc." You can rent it, or if you have Netflix you can watch it instantly! Don't be afraid, it's not a "for shock value" series of horrific images. But it is informative and does show what is actually happening to the food we consume and the chain of events that takes place in order to deliver it to our dinner tables. I promise you won't lose your appetite, but hopefully, you'll adjust it.

If from this, you only do 1 thing differently, let it be #5.

"stop the insanity"

2010-03-22T19:39:00.000-07:00

maybe we wouldn't need healthcare so much if we were healthier. i don't know if the reform bill will help or not. but i do know that if we control what we put in our bodies, chances are, over time, there will be less disease and demand for healthcare. heart disease is the number one killer in america right now. the good news is, it's preventable!

in the name of soup

2010-03-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

"fishermen often catch the sharks, saw off their fins and toss the sharks back into the water. Without their fins, sharks cannot swim and they sink to the ocean floor, where they're picked at by other fish and left to die"

all for a bowl of soup. and it's killing the ecosystem. read the CNN article here.

have a snack

2010-03-18T19:37:00.000-07:00

snacking is underrated. it's so good for you (in moderation) 1 because it keeps your metabolism going 2 because you will consume less at meal times and 3 because it's a pick-me-up during the day (and can be an alternative to your caffeine break)

need an idea? snack on edamame. it's take 4 minutes to boil (just add a little salt), it's super yummy AND a good source of protein. you can make/pack it ahead of time if you want to bring it to work. AND it's pretty cheap. it doesn't cost anymore than a bag of potato chips, and it's much healthier.

*found at the frozen section in most grocery stores.
**do not eat pod shell.

learn something

2010-03-18T07:47:00.000-07:00

If you are not familiar with the genius that is TED, please allow me to enlighten you. "TED is a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading." It's basically a very quick (10-20 minute presentation) from some of the most interesting, successful, brilliant minds. It's inspiring and IT'S FREE!

If you only have a "taste", let it be one or all of these:

~1. Journalist and author Mark Bittman's straightforward food message.

~2. Dan Barber's fascinating story about Foie Gras. A simple story with a compelling message. If that sparks your interest, he also tells of his affair with fish.

~3. Michael Pollan is the bestselling author of "The Omnivore's Dilemma. Hear his message from the plant's eye view.

I do realize not everyone is into learning/documentaries/biographies as much as I, but TED has something for everyone. Just go to the search box, type in any keyword that interests you, as see what pops up. On non-food related subjects my favorites are:

~1. The endearing artist, Raghava's inspiring life story.

~2. Energetic Gary Vaynerchuk's lesson on doing what makes you happy.

Statement of Purpose

2010-03-17T18:44:00.000-07:00

1. To spread awareness of the growing damage caused by our eating habits.

2. To provide ideas for better ways of eating.

3. To share highlights from my own love affair with food.

I am NOT a vegetarian. This is not an extremist lecture. I'm just a girl with a passion for food... and compassion for mother nature. This is simply a portal for information about the current state of our food system and the effects it has on our health, the planet and the creatures that inhabit it. You can expect to see a lot of links to outside sources, recipes, and other advocate's work... sprinkled with stories of my own experience.

This blog was sparked in hopes of making a difference. Personal contributing factors include 10 years of working in the food service industry, everything I learned from eating in Europe, a lifetime of hearing "you're so skinny" (and the misplaced notion that thin equals healthy), and my recent relocation from New York City to the Midwest.