Food of the Week #2

It has become the next superstar in food...Kale!  Hopefully a certain fast-food chain won't sue me for this but...Eat More Kale! (Why would they sue?  Read up on this crazy story...Eat More Kale)  This is a  green that packs a super-punch of goodness. 

It also delivers a judo-chop and a roundhouse kick.



Origin: Originated in Europe but has traveled widely and many varieties have been cultivated.

Nutritional Info:  Is high in Beta Carotene (Vitamin A) and Vitamin's K and C.  It contains the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin which are good for the eyes.  It also contains some calcium and fiber.

Season:  All year but especially good in winter when less fresh produce is available.

Varieties:  The three most commonly seen are Curly, Lacinato (or Dinosaur) and Red Russian

Cooking:  This is a very versatile green.  I often saute the lacinato variety in oil with a little garlic and then either add a tahini sauce on it, serve it over a grain with some lemon squeezed on it, or mixed into mashed potatoes.  The curly variety tends to do better raw, chopped up small into salads (make sure to marinade it for a while in the salad dressing to soften it).  The curly is also better to make kale chips with...chop into bite-size pieces, drizzle some oil and whatever seasonings your in the mood for on them and stick in the oven for 5-10 min. or until they are crispy.  Yum!

Let's Get Physical

So, this is a bit off-topic but I said I may do that from time to time so I warned you.
Anyway, I wanted to talk a little about body image since posts like http://weknowmemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/fuck-society-this-is-more-attractive-than-this.jpg and http://www.designbyhuongrevealed.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PlusSizeModel.jpg have recently been circulating.  There is an great article that discusses why these are merely pitting women against each other rather than getting to the basic problem of scewed body image in our society (you can read it here: http://girliegirlarmy.com/lifestyle/20120120/the-problem-with-skinny-bashing/)

But, I want to approach this discussion from a different angle.  Namely, that we should be looking to a different source for our body image;  not what our bodies looks like, but what our bodies can do.  Case in point...one of my favorite physical features are my legs.  Not necessarily because of what they look like, my thighs are bigger than what media likes to portray, but I love them because of this because they allow me to run.  I feel my best when I am running and my body image is deeply tied to my physical fitness. 

I believe if our society shifted more towards this attitude, we would have healthier bodies as well as healthier body images.  Now, I'm not saying everyone has to be an athlete.  Not everyone can or likes to run.  That was just my example.  It's about finding what your body is capable of doing, not what size clothes your body can squeeze into.  Whether it be skateboarding, lifting weights, dancing, playing soccer, as long as it is something you find enjoyable in and of itself, not as a means to an end (ex. getting uber-skinny).  It's being proud of your body for what it can do, not having to do something in order to feel good about your body.

 This is one of the reasons why I think extracurricular sports are so important, more so than P.E.  I know there still are image problems for students on sports teams, but I believe that that is from society at large still saying they have to conform to an image and, possibly, from unrealistic expectations of a coach.  This can be solved by giving student athletes education on health and realistic goals.  This is anecdotal, so take it with a grain of salt, but I have found that those who are physically active seem to have the healthiest body image and the healthiest attitudes towards eating.

And now it's time for a cute owl pic :-)

Challenge #2 - Loco for Local

There's a lot of public outcry these days about corporate greed and the need for policy change.  Yay, that is awesome!  But, policies take a long time to be voted on and come into effect plus there will be lots of opposition from those said corporate types who wield a lot of power.  So, what are we supposed to do in the meantime, sit around and twiddle our thumbs?

Thumb Twiddler



Of course not!  This is a capatalist society and in capatalism, money speaks.  Your wallet is actually one of your most powerful weapons against Coporate America.  It's quite simple, really...do not give your money to corporations you do not like by buying their stuff.  But, you say, that is so tedious to figure out what products are sold by which companies and such a downer to say no to things I may have previously liked in my ignorant bliss.  Well, that is where the challenge comes in.  Read on...

This week's challenge is not about limiting your buying choices.  Instead I want to turn that on its head and expand your shopping experience.  So, this week, focus on local.  I want you to find a local company for something you usually buy.  This can be a product or a service.  Of course, local is a relative term so I will let you decide whether that means within your city, state, 100 mile radius, as far as you can hurl a spear, or any other definition that suits you.  Discovering something new is always fun and, if you meet the people directly who made the product or service you're buying, it makes the experience so much more satisfying then just mindlessly grabbing whatever's on the shelf.  Now, go out and explore!