That Michael Pollan...he's always on to something.  While I'm name dropping, I think I'll include a few excerpts from an article that Mark Bittman recently wrote on Pollan's new book, Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation:

"We do find time for activities we value, like surfing the Internet or exercising. The problem is we're not valuing cooking enough."

Affirmative.  The other night, I was slaving over my cutting board and stove for what seemed like hours and I immediately thought to myself, "Why am I spending my time like this?"  And then, BAM!  It hit me like a flying avocado.  My inner voice retaliated, "OH REALLY!? {in thick Indian accent} What else is so much more important to be doing?"  Riiight....for the amount of time I spend dilly dallying around the house (which I must value a heck of a lot considering how much of my "spare time" it consumes), I can totally make time to cook.  I got my priorities back in check.

"People who cook eat a healthier diet without giving it a thought. It's the collapse of home cooking that led directly the obesity epidemic."

In other words, the creation of Shake Shack :)  On a train ride home from DC recently, I was overwhelmed by a craving for a thick, juicy burger and a vanilla milkshake.  I started texting hubby to prepare him for a gluttonous evening of "sometimes food"at the aforementioned restaurant, but hit backspace and instead suggested a trip to Whole Foods.  Hubby does make the best burgers in town and I wanted to try my hand at a homemade vanilla shake in the Vitamix.  Boy, did I get a shocker.

One entire cup of vanilla ice cream + milk yielded this much.  I would have consumed way more at Shake Shack, innocently drinking from their "small" cup.  Not knocking them since one does go there for the whole experience, but very grateful to have made this discovery.  Of course I wanted more when I finished my glass, but considering that I normally serve myself less than half a cup of ice cream in one sitting, I decided the buck needed to stop there.

"We need public health ad campaigns promoting home cooking as the single best thing you can do for your family's health and well-being."

Homecooked burger + baked sweet potato fries + milkshake

Pollan captures it best.  When you cook at home, you tend to use higher quality ingredients, reduce additives and are keenly aware of portion sizes.  Time and energy are always impediments, yes.  But while I might take an hour or two to cook, most real adults can manage in a half hour.

And that half hour goes a long way for health.

Now if only J Timba would make a song about bringing home cooking back...the masses would definitely start valuing that.

Who do you want cooking your food, a corporation or a human being?

Roadtripping on the Coast of Cali - Post 1

While there are those who cherish raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, I hold recycling on street corners and composting in restaurants in special favor.  As I become more and more steeped in food reform as a result of my current line of work, I am feeling captivated and intensely concerned about food waste and sustainability.  The whole recycling bit goes way back...since I was very young, if green bins were nowhere to be found, I would haul stacks of paper with me until I found an appropriate home for them. Unsurprisingly, I thought Al Gore was THE man.  More recently, on a trip to India, I was struck by a simple act of recycling - while visiting my mother's village, when I couldn't find the "dustbin" after lunch, I handed my plate to the servant and watched as he tossed the chicken bones and inedible stems of spices in the backyard.  Of course!  Was I ever a fool.  There was no sophisticated system of garbage disposal there.  Return what comes from the land to the land.  If you choose to bring in products wrapped in the likes of plastic from the city, then take it with you on your way out or risk "soiling" the pristine land - this observation made my own footprint so easy to understand.

A Salad for All Seasons

When you step away from your phone and come back to ten group text messages on the topic of making quinoa...you know you are in good company.  I am very proud of my friend, Saaam, who is making a conscious effort to revolutionize her diet and eat for good health.  To encourage her new "foodstyle", we are keeping a food diary via text message to inspire each other - and, let's get real - keep each other in check.  Accountability works wonders for motivation.  My sis and I did this food diary thing awhile ago and it was really useful.  Share what you're eating, inspire your friends to try something new and celebrate small successes - I'm sure there's an app for that :)

Chicken Tortilla Soup for a Chilly Night

Shame on us.  We didn't cook ALL week.  One weekend away and we were totally thrown off schedule!  Needless to say, I will be kicking off my Groundhog Day with a looong visit to the grocery store - at least I know what I want to make, that's always half (err, 3/4) of the battle.  The beauty of this recipe is that everything I needed was already in my kitchen - doesn't get better than that with the sound of the wind whipping outside.

Homemade chicken tortilla soup is suuuch a nice way to warm up amidst the resurgence of this wintry weather.  AND how come no one ever told me that boiling chicken makes life in the kitchen so much easier?  I feel like I am really late to this party, but I am loving this new method.

From Corporate Carol to Non-Profit Neema

Sorry I have been MIA for awhile, friends.  I got caught up...becoming "gainfully employed" (to quote Someera) - woohoo!!!  And I've decided this momentous occasion is my cue to finally talk about the elephant in the room (thank you, Modern Family, for providing the visual - you never fail me).

Now this is a story all about how

My life got flipped turned upside down

And I'd like to take a minute just sit right there

I'll tell you how I became the prince of a town called Bel-Air my new career came to bear

Seeing the World, One Food Market at a Time

If you ever doubt that romance is alive, just read and re-read this kind, thoughtful, creative & innocent request posted on goodfoodjobs.com.  This man is keenly aware that he eats to live while his girlfriend lives to eat, acknowledges their differences and then figures out how he can still make her happy.  Just so sweet.

It inspired me to share some pictures from the fantastic food markets I've visited: Borough Market in London with hubz and Meera (easily our favorite venue on the whole trip); Old Port Farmers Market in Quebec City where hubby and I celebrated our 2 year anno; and, Jean-Talon Market in Montreal.  It was also a gentle reminder of how lucky I am for the many kindred spirits in my life.  And in case you are wondering - in the spirit of paying it forward - of course I am applying for the position of "foodie friend" - in fact I'm using this blog post as my submission!

The Incredible Husk

Sign #1

(you know how much I LOVE plays on words)

Best. Commercial. Ever.

I was quite unsure of whether to go down this path on my blog but then I got a few signs which all echoed a resounding YES! DO IT!  I mean, what the heck, this blog is mostly about food and friendship, and digestion is an important, relevant topic to both.