I was pleasantly surprised while opening a pack of Blast-o-butter popcorn that only 5 cups of the popcorn equals a full serving of whole grain. Ok pleasantly surprised might have been a strange word to use. I was kind of appalled. If anyone consuming popcorn that has enough fake butter in it to make the bottom of the bowl pool with yellow grease, thinks that said popcorn is at all healthy they should probably just stop eating right now.
I am not going to lie I tried to eat a whole bag of the popcorn so I could say I had a whole serving of whole grains, that and I was hungry. I am a little bit surprised though that it takes 5 cups of popcorn. Corn is a grain. You're supposed to get 48 grams of whole grains a day, according to the USDA Dietary Guidelines. That's about 3 ounces. I have no idea how the makers of Blast-o-butter popcorn got 5 cups out of 3 ounces. I guess they just tried jump on the whole grain bandwagon in an awkward way. Eating a bowl of cereal for a complete serving of whole grains is totally doable. A whole bag of buttery popcorn is going to give you a heart attack by the time you're 30.
Looking back on this decade in food, there have definitely been many crazy fads. Now everyone wants whole grains. Bread went from wheat to whole grain to 7 grain to enough-grain-that-there-is-no-bread. It's hard to forget the no carb craze. I think my mom lasted a week, but everything around that time was low-carb or no-carb. Of course low fat is always a good old stand by. I love when those disgusting sparkling waters say no fat, no calories. They just sort of ignore the copious amounts of fake sugar that will make you hungry within a few minutes.
I think the best food craze of all was the organic craze. A lot of people fell for the idea that mass produced organic food is any better than mass produced regular food. Buying from a farm is good. If the farm smells like poo, then it is probably a good farm. Whole Foods doesn't smell like poo, but your wallet will be empty by the time you leave.
I am hoping that the next decades aims at real food. I would love to see "Real Food" labels everywhere I go. I would love even more if there was "fake food" labels on food as well. Honestly I don't trust labels, so food manufacturers should start making light of the fact that food labeling has become a sort of comical thing, and in the new decade use their labeling to inform me that what I am eating is real or fake.
Tonight at 12 and 1 second it will be 2010. I can't wait. As I get older, the year seems to fly by faster and faster. I can't wait to see what kind of year 2010 brings. It's bound to be tasty.
Happy Eating!!!
Emily
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Goodbye 2009
I have begun to say goodbye to 2009. It was a fairly good year. Any year that involves a puppy, a wonderful boyfriend, sharing my food life with the world, and lots of chocolate can not be a bad year at all.
I think one of the most important lessons of 2009 was how smart my mom really was. The dinners that she made us every night were edible, normally tasty, and mostly wholesome. She knew what she was doing. One of my favorite of these meals is stuffed peppers. My mom made stuffed peppers and stuffed cabbage on a fairly regular basis when we were little. It was an easy meal, tasty, and could be adjusted to each of her picky eaters.
Stuffed Peppers:
1lb of ground turkey (if you are anti-ground turkey (Matthew), you can use ground beef)
1 cup of rice, cooked
3 Green Bell Peppers, cut in half (If you aren't a pepper fan stuffed cabbage is the same basic concept only you stuff the mixture in a cabbage leaf.)
Salt
Pepper
Adobo
32 oz. can of tomato sauce
Mixed the ground turkey, rice; add some salt, pepper, and adobo. Cut the peppers in half the long way. Stuff the peppers with the meat mixture. Place the peppers in a 13x9 inch pan. Pour the tomato sauce over the peppers. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour. If you are worried about doneness, cut it in half. You pour the extra tomato sauce over pepper so no one will know.
If you have a few brats on your hands, like my brother and I were as children, you can take the meat out of the pepper once it's all cooked. You can also not pour the extra sauce on top. Mom says the pepper flavor is still there, but I still don't eat the pepper. This meal is great because it is cooked exactly the same, but can presented a few different ways. Makes the pickiest eater think they are being treated special and in reality they aren't. My mom was not into actually making different meals, but she was all for tricking us into eating the food she made.
I hope you are enjoying your end of the year festivities. For all who care, I am still waiting on one of my grades because my professor is a nut job; but everyone else gave me an A. That would bring my GPA to a 3.972. GROSS!!! Oh well I'll get over it. If the nut job gives me a B I'll probably have a post full of tears; lets hope it just doesn't happen.
Enjoy the pictures and my continued look back on 2009 and this crazy decade that took me from PA to JWU to Oregon to Maine to Boston. Hope you are overindulging till the New Year!
Happy Eating!!!
Emily
Monday, December 28, 2009
National Chocolate Day
I was told that today was national chocolate day, so like any good chocolate lover I wished everyone a happy chocolate day and then I searched it out. It appears October 28th was National Chocolate Day too. I am a tad bit confused, but I am all for celebrating chocolate whenever I can.
I am in a desperate need of chocolate today, because I am anxiously awaiting final grades. I work myself to tears during the semester for that illusive A. Anyone who tells you that it's not about the grades is probably getting B's and C's. I am neurotic about my grades. Right now my GPA is at a 3.962; that grade actually frustrates me to no end. One A- and I'm not at a beautiful 4.0. All I have to say is if I get a B, I will be devastated and by devastated I mean I will cry myself to sleep for the rest of break. Yes chocolate day could not have come at a better time.
I know the picture has nothing to do with chocolate day or food, but a pit bull and a cat happily chilling on my sister's leopard sheets is a rather unusual occurrence. Luckily this is an every day event at our crazy house. And you wonder why I need chocolate?
Happy Eating!!!
Emily
Saturday, December 26, 2009
A Very Puerto Rican Christmas
Crispy pork skin is possibly the closest thing to heaven on earth. Next comes Titi Annie's red rice and beans, and pasteles rounds out the meal. Puerto Ricans know how to eat. I would argue that we have the best food known to man. You can disagree, but I am pretty sure I'm right.
Christmas this year was nearly a flop. My Titi was going to have everyone over on the 19th and no one knew who was going to have everyone over. Then the snow storm happened. No party. Titi decided that she'd do Christmas instead. I was all for this plan since on the 19th I was crying over my ethics final. I guess Titi wasn't up for a ton of cooking on Christmas, so she told my cousin that she was thinking of making a lasagna.
"We are not white people!"
My cousin convinced my Titi that the lasagna was not such a great idea. Instead she made a pork roast, a giant pot of rice, pasteles, and all kinds of yummy dips and foods. Ahhh heavenly! Before you get the wrong idea, my cousin has nothing against white people. We just feel bad for them. I mean can you imagine sitting at Christmas dinner over lasagna and reminiscing over that 3rd grade science project that didn't work out so well, then the awkward silence happens.
*Side Story* We went out to dinner in Philadelphia when my cousin graduated from med school. It was just us girls, and we were laughing and joking. Across from us was another family. Not a one of them were talking. Their food must have been terribly interesting is all I have to say. *End side story*
I grew up in a relatively average size family with a HUMONGOUS extended family. Two rather large extended families actually. With my dad's family there is always good food and I literally laugh so hard that my stomach hurts. Between stories about my cousin who's a surgeon and my Uncle Tony remembering my Abuela throwing a spoon at my Uncle Hector's head. It was metal and actually stuck into the wall; Uncle Hector obviously moved fairly quickly.
My mom's family may eat creamed hot dogs (think hot dogs in a white cream sauce and then throw up a little bit in your mouth), but they are also a rather good time. If creamed hot dogs are on the menu, I just eat before I go.
What constitutes a white person? Well I think vanilla people would be a better definition, because I know a lot of rather exciting white people. (I love you mom!) Food should be something you are in tears laughing over. It shouldn't bring the family together. It should bring the family running to the pile of plates to fill up on food before someone else gets the crispy burnt rice on the bottom of the caldera (rice pot).
Worried you're a vanilla person? Well never fear there is still hope. I think pork is a great way to liven things up. Just bite into the crispy skin and you will smile and remember a great story to send everyone into fits of painful laughter. There's actually a hunk of pork sitting in our fridge right now. I'll send out that recipe and pictures when we make it. Hope you are happily stuffed on holiday goodies. Diets don't start till January 1st so be sure to overindulge.
Happy Eating!!!
Emily
Christmas this year was nearly a flop. My Titi was going to have everyone over on the 19th and no one knew who was going to have everyone over. Then the snow storm happened. No party. Titi decided that she'd do Christmas instead. I was all for this plan since on the 19th I was crying over my ethics final. I guess Titi wasn't up for a ton of cooking on Christmas, so she told my cousin that she was thinking of making a lasagna.
"We are not white people!"
My cousin convinced my Titi that the lasagna was not such a great idea. Instead she made a pork roast, a giant pot of rice, pasteles, and all kinds of yummy dips and foods. Ahhh heavenly! Before you get the wrong idea, my cousin has nothing against white people. We just feel bad for them. I mean can you imagine sitting at Christmas dinner over lasagna and reminiscing over that 3rd grade science project that didn't work out so well, then the awkward silence happens.
*Side Story* We went out to dinner in Philadelphia when my cousin graduated from med school. It was just us girls, and we were laughing and joking. Across from us was another family. Not a one of them were talking. Their food must have been terribly interesting is all I have to say. *End side story*
I grew up in a relatively average size family with a HUMONGOUS extended family. Two rather large extended families actually. With my dad's family there is always good food and I literally laugh so hard that my stomach hurts. Between stories about my cousin who's a surgeon and my Uncle Tony remembering my Abuela throwing a spoon at my Uncle Hector's head. It was metal and actually stuck into the wall; Uncle Hector obviously moved fairly quickly.
My mom's family may eat creamed hot dogs (think hot dogs in a white cream sauce and then throw up a little bit in your mouth), but they are also a rather good time. If creamed hot dogs are on the menu, I just eat before I go.
What constitutes a white person? Well I think vanilla people would be a better definition, because I know a lot of rather exciting white people. (I love you mom!) Food should be something you are in tears laughing over. It shouldn't bring the family together. It should bring the family running to the pile of plates to fill up on food before someone else gets the crispy burnt rice on the bottom of the caldera (rice pot).
Worried you're a vanilla person? Well never fear there is still hope. I think pork is a great way to liven things up. Just bite into the crispy skin and you will smile and remember a great story to send everyone into fits of painful laughter. There's actually a hunk of pork sitting in our fridge right now. I'll send out that recipe and pictures when we make it. Hope you are happily stuffed on holiday goodies. Diets don't start till January 1st so be sure to overindulge.
Happy Eating!!!
Emily
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Maybe it's time for some cooking classes
MSNBC reported yesterday that a woman in Texas called 911 because her husband would not eat dinner. Aside from making obvious claims on the woman's sanity, (please tell me that you have already made claims on this woman's sanity) I am thinking that maybe this woman just can't cook. Either that or she has a rather picky eater on her hands. Both of these situations could send someone over the edge, especially if sanity was already compromised (I said if. Don't judge!).
Now there have been many instances when my mom made something completely inedible for dinner. I love my mom dearly, but we ate wallpaper paste red rice and beans for months before she got it right. It was always a monstrous pot of rice too, so we all had to learn the swallow without chewing techniques. I also became an expert at "this is a lot closer than the last one" discussions. My poor Pennsylvania Dutch mother. She was meant to stick to potatoes and celery, and not to venture into the world of Latin cuisine.
In honor of this lovely and possible loony woman in Texas, I am of the firm opinion she was trying to poison her husband and he knew about it, I decided that we all needed to think up some truly 911 worthy food emergencies. Sometimes I wish there were a food version of 911. "Hello, operator, my oven coil just burned out and the turkey just started to cook AND it's Thanksgiving and 30 people will be arriving in 5 hours." It would save so many people from resorting to Chinese food during the holidays.
911 Moment #1: I have run out of butter. This is perhaps worse than death. Butter makes the most lovely of foods. The lack of butter is just so sad.
911 Moment #2: Beef Stroganoff. Really this has to be the worst meal known to man. Whoever thought of this dish needs to just crawl into a hole and apologize for the wrong they have done to the world. Any dinner with this concoction is a 911 worthy moment for everyone expected to partake.
911 Moment #3: Is that blood? You're cutting away at some vegetables, and you don't feel it but you slice right into your finger. All of the veggies need to be thrown out. Washing them off is not an option and if you think it is, you should probably just stop cooking for good.
911 Moment #4: It doesn't turn out. You have made your famous apple pie a million times for yourself. Every time you make it, it turns out perfectly. You have been telling your friends about it and finally decide to bring it to the holiday party. It is a flop. The crust burns the apples are hard. 911 moment if I have ever heard of one.
Of course not a one of these moments are truly worthy of calling 911. Emergencies are only emergencies because they happen infrequently and only when the situation is truly dire. In the food world, there is a real need for a 911 number. Maybe if we give Congress a Christmas deadline, they'll work something out for us. Until then instead of calling the poor operator about your husband's lack of appetite, you should probably just find a girlfriend to complain to or a cooking class to take.
Happy Eating!!!
Emily
Now there have been many instances when my mom made something completely inedible for dinner. I love my mom dearly, but we ate wallpaper paste red rice and beans for months before she got it right. It was always a monstrous pot of rice too, so we all had to learn the swallow without chewing techniques. I also became an expert at "this is a lot closer than the last one" discussions. My poor Pennsylvania Dutch mother. She was meant to stick to potatoes and celery, and not to venture into the world of Latin cuisine.
In honor of this lovely and possible loony woman in Texas, I am of the firm opinion she was trying to poison her husband and he knew about it, I decided that we all needed to think up some truly 911 worthy food emergencies. Sometimes I wish there were a food version of 911. "Hello, operator, my oven coil just burned out and the turkey just started to cook AND it's Thanksgiving and 30 people will be arriving in 5 hours." It would save so many people from resorting to Chinese food during the holidays.
911 Moment #1: I have run out of butter. This is perhaps worse than death. Butter makes the most lovely of foods. The lack of butter is just so sad.
911 Moment #2: Beef Stroganoff. Really this has to be the worst meal known to man. Whoever thought of this dish needs to just crawl into a hole and apologize for the wrong they have done to the world. Any dinner with this concoction is a 911 worthy moment for everyone expected to partake.
911 Moment #3: Is that blood? You're cutting away at some vegetables, and you don't feel it but you slice right into your finger. All of the veggies need to be thrown out. Washing them off is not an option and if you think it is, you should probably just stop cooking for good.
911 Moment #4: It doesn't turn out. You have made your famous apple pie a million times for yourself. Every time you make it, it turns out perfectly. You have been telling your friends about it and finally decide to bring it to the holiday party. It is a flop. The crust burns the apples are hard. 911 moment if I have ever heard of one.
Of course not a one of these moments are truly worthy of calling 911. Emergencies are only emergencies because they happen infrequently and only when the situation is truly dire. In the food world, there is a real need for a 911 number. Maybe if we give Congress a Christmas deadline, they'll work something out for us. Until then instead of calling the poor operator about your husband's lack of appetite, you should probably just find a girlfriend to complain to or a cooking class to take.
Happy Eating!!!
Emily
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
I think I'll call her Julia
My sister's name is Mara Cruz. She was named after my dad's grandmother Cruz Della Cruz. My brother's name is Jeshua David. He was named after my dad. My name is Emily Elizabeth. I was named after Emily Elizabeth the owner of Clifford the Big Red Dog, you know the children's books. I find it fitting that my mom was the one who picked my name and I was named after a fictional children's book character. It's pretty much the same as being named after my mom, and my life has been just the adventure such a name should bring.
As I was reading Julia Child's book My Life in France, I decided that my first daughter would be named Julia. Go ahead and laugh, but it's Christmas so I can have my epitomes about whatever I like. Emily Elizabeth was so brave and wonderful and she had that big red dog named Clifford. Julia Childs was equally brave and wonderful. She was the Barbara Walters of food. She believed in the American housewife when everyone else was trying to sell them boxed cake mixes. While all of those things are great, I think the most important thing about Julia Childs (and the reason I would name my daughter after her) was that she believed in herself. That sounds so silly and Halmark-esque, but she didn't believe in herself in the self-help gimicky sort of way. She really knew that she could do something great, and she got stuff done.
I was hoping to find out the happily-ever-after in Julia Childs' book today, but instead I had wonderful conversations with people in the airport and with the two people next to me on my flight. I didn't put on my ipod once, and it was wonderful how much human contact I had. Technology is great, but there are definitely times when too much technology causes you to miss the woman bitching out her husband because he didn't get in the wrong line. It's not a secret I'm nosy, but when you can't actually hear anything but The Mamas and The Papas singing about Monday the nosy me gets sadly ignored. I think I really need to stop doing that; nosy me is way more fun.
I am so thankful to be home. My dad went out and bought me a new phone to replace the phone I had that dies every two seconds. I love my dad! My mom and I went grocery shopping. When I was little, this was one of those pretend-to-be-a-big-person tasks. I would remember our weekly list of meals and help make sure mom did not forget bread for my dad for work. I felt very important. Now that I live on my own, going grocery shopping with my mom is one more reminder that I can't pretend to be grown up anymore, because in many ways I am grown up. I check price tags and disclose my thriftiest secrets. Oddly this feels completely natural. Life is strange like that.
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. My sister is planning a romantic breakfast of bacon and eggs for her boyfriend and her. Bacon is involved so I'll definitely be there. Hope you are just as actively embarrassing your family on this lovely holiday.
Happy Eating!!!
Emily
As I was reading Julia Child's book My Life in France, I decided that my first daughter would be named Julia. Go ahead and laugh, but it's Christmas so I can have my epitomes about whatever I like. Emily Elizabeth was so brave and wonderful and she had that big red dog named Clifford. Julia Childs was equally brave and wonderful. She was the Barbara Walters of food. She believed in the American housewife when everyone else was trying to sell them boxed cake mixes. While all of those things are great, I think the most important thing about Julia Childs (and the reason I would name my daughter after her) was that she believed in herself. That sounds so silly and Halmark-esque, but she didn't believe in herself in the self-help gimicky sort of way. She really knew that she could do something great, and she got stuff done.
I was hoping to find out the happily-ever-after in Julia Childs' book today, but instead I had wonderful conversations with people in the airport and with the two people next to me on my flight. I didn't put on my ipod once, and it was wonderful how much human contact I had. Technology is great, but there are definitely times when too much technology causes you to miss the woman bitching out her husband because he didn't get in the wrong line. It's not a secret I'm nosy, but when you can't actually hear anything but The Mamas and The Papas singing about Monday the nosy me gets sadly ignored. I think I really need to stop doing that; nosy me is way more fun.
I am so thankful to be home. My dad went out and bought me a new phone to replace the phone I had that dies every two seconds. I love my dad! My mom and I went grocery shopping. When I was little, this was one of those pretend-to-be-a-big-person tasks. I would remember our weekly list of meals and help make sure mom did not forget bread for my dad for work. I felt very important. Now that I live on my own, going grocery shopping with my mom is one more reminder that I can't pretend to be grown up anymore, because in many ways I am grown up. I check price tags and disclose my thriftiest secrets. Oddly this feels completely natural. Life is strange like that.
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. My sister is planning a romantic breakfast of bacon and eggs for her boyfriend and her. Bacon is involved so I'll definitely be there. Hope you are just as actively embarrassing your family on this lovely holiday.
Happy Eating!!!
Emily
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