Random stuff | My Foodie Call

Category: Random stuff
- Make friends with…Bean Pasta.
  
  Posted at 8:00 pm by myfoodiecall
  
  Nov 2nd
  
  Bean pasta.
  
  Sounds like an oxymoron of some sort.
  
  But it’s a thing.
  
  yes. These are beans camouflaged as pasta. For real, just beans.
  
  And because these products are just beans, they are naturally gluten-free.
  
  If your into that sort of thing, which I am.
  
  For those of you that don’t know, I got a Celiac diagnosis back in March after a biopsy from my Endoscopy showed damaged intestinal villi. I have a long history of GI problems (10+ years) so this was both a shock and a relief to finally have some answers.
  
  Yes, I did mourn the loss of certain wheat and other gluten containing foods. Corona on a hot day, cake batter ice cream, and Trader Joe’s Kringle. RIP old friends.
  
  On a positive note, this is a great time to be living with a Celiac diagnosis. The gluten-free trend doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon, so there are many other fantastic options out there to fill the void.
  
  I can’t live without carb-y alternatives. These are a fave of mine. So, so good. Pfft. Who needs gluten.
  
  But gluten-free pasta? That’s a different story. I had already tried several gluten-free pastas (made from rice) before my diagnosis, but what I found with most of those pastas is that they were just not good. I found the pasta to either be slimy, clumpy and just not worth the time or effort. That said, when I found out that I had Celiac Disease and could no longer have anything with wheat or gluten, I had to venture a bit further to get my fix.
  
  Best discovery ever?
  
  Bean pastas.
  
  High protein. Just beans and water.
  
  First off, I can’t believe the nutrition profile of these babies. Just beans. What?
  
  Seriously.
  
  And check this out.
  
  25 g of protein in one serving?
  
  And let’s not kid ourselves. I’m not eating one serving.
  
  So come again. 50 grams of PLANT-BASED protein in 2 servings?
  
  You ask, but how does it taste?
  
  Happy to report that it tastes fantastic and has amazing texture. Chewy, but not rubbery.
  
  I have been eating bean pastas for about 6 months now and am super psyched to have these in my kitchen arsenal.
  
  Worth noting, the My Foodie Call kids approve of this pasta as well. Once they got past the funky color…
  
  yes. looks weird…but they got over it and you can too.
  
  Here is where I purchase my bean pastas.
  
  http://www.amazon.com/Explore-Asian-Organic-Spaghetti-7-05-Ounce/dp/B004NSG8F6
  
  Of course today’s post wouldn’t be complete without a recent recipe I whipped up to get you going on your bean pasta journey (if there was such a thing.)
  
  …and its a one pot recipe. So no mound of dishes to do. Sweet.
  
  Here is what you start with.
  
  Cook up that pasta with your bouillon cube.
  
  Add the jar of pesto.
  
  Add your diced tomatoes and (gasp) more beans….
  
  That’s pretty much it.
  
  Ingredients
  
  1 package Black Bean Pasta (7.05 oz)
  4 cups water
  1-2 Vegetable Flavor Bouillon Cubes (to taste)
  1 jar Pesto (7 or 8 oz)
  1 can No Salt Diced Tomatoes (14.5 oz) (Why no salt? Check out the sodium in those bouillon cubes. Plenty of salt. you don’t need it in the diced tomatoes.)
  1 can Cannellini (white kidney beans) rinsed and drained
  1/2- 3/4 cup fresh Parmesan Cheese (to taste)
  
  Directions
  Add pasta, water and bouillon to a large saucepan.
  Bring to a boil. Cook according to package directions, stirring frequently. When pasta is tender, do not drain, but reduce heat to low.
  Stir in jar of pesto.
  Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until sauce has reduced slightly.
  Stir in diced tomatoes and can of beans.
  Cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
  Sprinkle with cheese before serving. Season to taste.
  
  Hearty, filling and seriously delicious.
  
  Posted in Make friends with..., Meatless mealtime | Tagged beans, gluten free, pasta, vegetarian
- Small changes…Eat what’s in season.
  
  Posted at 8:00 pm by myfoodiecall
  
  Oct 11th
  
  Woah, fall snuck up on me. Almost missed my apple moment.
  
  This guy.
  
  Do you embrace fall flavors and choose your food by the season?
  
  Apples in September, Pumpkin-laced EVERYTHING through October and beyond…
  
  Here’s a personal apple fave:
  
  Trader Joe’s Honey Crisp Cider.
  
  It’s “seasonal” and is crazy good. Love Honey Crisp apples. To have it in cider form? Seriously.
  
  But hey, I’m getting off topic.
  
  Do you eat seasonally?
  
  …on purpose?
  
  Here are 5 reasons you should try to PURPOSELY stay in season when planning your weekly menu.
  
  1)Better Flavor
  
  Duh. Seems obvious, but really, how do those packs of strawberries taste in January? They certainly don’t come close to the juiciness as if they were picked in June. If you choose produce that is in its rightful season, the flavor will be at its peak. (What to do in the winter? Buy the berries frozen. You will never catch me buying fresh blueberries in January. Like, ever.)
  
  2)More Nutrition
  
  Produce have way more nutrients when eaten in season. Think about it. If an organic apple is grown, picked, and packaged in New Zealand, by the time it reaches the states it’s already lost some of its nutritional value. A seasonal fruit or vegetable usually doesn’t have to endure as much travel, so it will be able to retain vital nutrients.
  
  3) Enhances your Creativity
  
  Want to feel like Bobby Flay? Step out of your comfort zone. When you eat seasonally, sometimes you are forced to explore new vegetables. Maybe its time to learn new recipes and get creative in the kitchen. For example, about 10 years ago I received a CSA box with celeriac in it. Had NO clue what to do with it.
  
  Do you know what this baby is? Crazy looking thing. Celeriac (yes, like celery). Anyhow, this became soup in my household. and it was good. Came so close to being the soup that never was (sad face)….but hey, I was forced to venture out.
  
  4) It helps to support your body’s needs
  
  Eating seasonally is better for your bodies needs during that particular time of year. A good example of this? Think about your traditional summer produce: Watermelon, berries, cucumbers…all very hydrating during the hot summer months. Autumn vegetables? Squashes, yams….All starchy, complex carbohydrates and a bit more dense. Your body needs preparation for the colder months.
  
  5) It’s better for the environment
  
  It is way easier to get locally produced foods when it is in season, therefore it doesn’t need to travel as much. Remember my example above about the organic apple from New Zealand? The apple would need to travel by air, boat or truck…Any form of transportation produces fossil fuels, which creates whats called a carbon footprint. So the further it travels, the larger the carbon footprint. So yeah, we are inadvertently messing with those poor polar bears habitat. Aren’t we all trying to help global warming not hurt it?
  
  Peace out and go local.
  
  Hey, did you know that this October 24th is Food Day??? Perfect day to practice.
  
  http://www.foodday.org//
  
  Posted in Small changes
- 10 Healthy Grab-N-Go Trader Joe’s Snacks
  
  Posted at 8:00 pm by myfoodiecall
  
  Feb 13th
  
  So do you remember when I posted about 10 healthy snack packages from Walmart and also snack options from Target?
  
  I found it fitting to include Trader Joe’s of course. After all, it is my go-to spot.
  
  1) Apple + Mango Fruit Bar
  
  Although there are four fruit bar flavors, I chose to profile the Apple and Mango. Tis my fave.
  
  And check out the ingredients. All 2 of them. Yes that matters. Should be two. Apple and Mango. And for $1.00? all around winner.
  
  2) Fruit Bar with Flax & Chia Seeds
  
  For those that want to step up their health game we have the fruit bar except for this time it is laced with chia and flax.
  
  Another fantastic nutrition profile. Also, like the Apple + Mango Bar above, only a buck.
  
  3) Roasted Seaweed Snack
  
  Okay you have probably seen these around. If you have already tried them and didn’t like them, I highly suggest you give it another shot. These are completely vegan, because seaweed is a “sea vegetable”, and a super source of iodine. Also only a $1.00.
  
  4) Inner Peas
  
  Ive always been a fan of these. Either straight from the bag, or tossed on a salad for crunch. It all works.
  
  And really…it’s just peas. Go ahead, eat the whole bag. Not judging.
  
  5) Just Mango Slices
  
  Just Mango Slices. Sometimes dried fruits have a bunch of added sugars. But these babies are, yup…Just Mango. A good alternative to the real thing.
  
  Great nutrition profile as well.
  
  6) Roasted & Salted Pistachios
  
  Pistachios. I push these on people. A lot. High Fiber, Plant protein. And only with a touch of salt.
  
  7) Roasted Plantain Chips
  
  Might be my favorite TJ’s snack so far. I dip these in almond butter or guacamole and I feel like I’ve died and gone to plantain heaven. And these are under $2. Seriously. Try them.
  
  8) Inner Bean
  
  Yes, these look strangely familiar and that’s because they are Inner Peas’ long lost cousin. Big difference is that these babies are made with black beans instead of peas. For $1.50? Definitely worth a toss into your cart. Tired of your carrots and hummus? Try these dippers instead.
  
  9) Cold Pressed Juice
  
  Okay green juices are all the rage, don’t you know??? This product is cold pressed and what that basically means is that when it is processed, there is no heat generated therefore leaving all of the awesome plant enzymes intact and ready for you! These things are $5, which may seem hefty but when is the last time you bought a cold pressed juice for that price?
  
  And for those that just can’t do the green juices? There are two other Cold-Pressed options: Red and Yellow Juices that have a little less punch.
  
  10) Seasoned Kale Chips
  
  Have you made kale chips at home? Not hard, but slightly time-consuming. These things are so good and when you are in a pinch for time, a great alternative. And for the bargain price of $4.00. I have seen some stores sell the same-sized pouch for $8.
  
  Happy Shopping!
  
  What would you add to this list??
  
  Posted in Random stuff, Snacks | Tagged chia, kale, Snacks
- Small changes…10 healthy modifications for your July 4th.
  
  Posted at 8:00 pm by myfoodiecall
  
  Jul 2nd
  
  Hosting a fourth of July gathering? Or heading to one?
  
  Homework assignment for you.
  
  Try to do two of these. Or more.
  
  1) Skip ketchup on your burger.
  
  Why? Can you say high fructose corn syrup?
  
  Instead? Go heavier on the mustard. It has no sugar and 1/4 the calories of ketchup.
  
  2) Use whole wheat rolls.
  
  3 grams of fiber per roll? Your white rolls can’t say that.
  
  3) Skip cheese on your burger.
  
  Really. Isn’t this just habit to slap this on a burger?? Let’s break that habit.
  
  And 9 grams of fat per slice? You may as well just have bacon on that burger instead. Just kidding. Don’t do that.
  
  4) Skip soda.
  
  Seems pretty obvious, right?
  
  For some creatures of habit this might be a tough one. Try to get away from what you’ve always done and ditch the liquid calories. Also, wouldn’t you rather eat your food? I would.
  
  5) Bring your own chips.
  
  BYOC? Bring Your Own Chips. I will coin this phrase.
  
  This is for those of you who can’t step away from the chip bowl. If you must polish of a bag of something, better pick something smarter than Doritos. BYOC.
  
  6) Make this healthier pasta salad.
  
  Seriously? Skip me.
  
  7) Swap your burger for a veggie burger.
  
  Just better. and with no heart attack as a side effect.
  
  8) Don’t char grill your meat.
  
  See that black stuff? Carcinogenic
  
  Sorry grillmasters, but burning up your bbq at high temps creates Polycylic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PCAs). In short, PCAs cause cancer in animals.
  
  9) Skip the butter and salt on your corn.
  
  Don’t they call it “sweet corn” because it’s naturally sweet? Do we need to slather stuff on this? Try it without.
  
  10) Make S’mores with transfat-free graham crackers
  
  These are transfat-free.
  
  But the ones on sale at the end of the aisle? Not so much. You have to venture into the healthy foods’ section.
  
  Of course there are many more healthy modifications than 10. So let’s do this. Let me know your two (or more) changes this holiday weekend. Happy 4th!
  
  Posted in Small changes
- 10 Healthy Snack Options you can find at Target
  
  Posted at 8:00 pm by myfoodiecall
  
  May 5th
  
  How are your school lunches looking these days?
  
  Feeling less than enthused?
  
  Are you done packing thoughtful lunches?
  
  Have your Ants on a Log turned into one big celery stock wrapped in plastic?
  
  Let us moms unite, throw in the towel and just buy packaged snacks for these final 4 weeks of school. Pinterest moms need not apply.
  
  The fine print: No Lunchables. I’m not that desperate. We can still pick healthy packaged things.
  
  Remember my post about good snack choices from Walmart? Did you pay attention? Well if not here is another shot. Today is the same idea, but this time I using Target.
  
  10 Healthy Packaged Snacks from Target
  
  1) Fruit Burst Squeezers
  
  Del Monte Fruit Burst Squeezers
  
  Not too shabby of an ingredient list. I’ll take it.
  
  2) Simply Balanced Popcorn
  
  When you can’t be bothered to make your own.
  
  Only 3 ingredients, and a 3 cup serving size is only 100 grams of sodium? Your Baked Lays can’t make those claims.
  
  3) Fruit Cups (that are actually in their own juice.)
  
  Pineapple Tidbits. These are in straight up juice, not syrup. Of course fresh fruit is best, but if you are going with a fruit cup?? Go with the ones in syrup.
  
  4) Salmon or Tuna Packets (Admittedly, this is a weird snack, but keep an open mind.)
  
  This one is for all you high protein people out there. If you are a protein junkie, try to keep away from those protein bars and get your fix from somewhere that doesn’t have 20+ ingredients, all of which are produced in some lab.The cool thing about these tuna pouches are that they do not need to be drained, just have a disposable fork nearby and you are in business.
  
  5.) Clif Kid- Z Bar
  
  Speaking of bars, you can buy these in bulk. Sugars in these babies are not so bad and if you are going to stock an arsenal of granola bars, these should be at the top of your list.
  
  6) Siggi’s Yogurt Tubes
  
  Yogurt tube anyone?
  
  Nothing artificial and only 6 grams of sugar. Have you looked at how much sugar is in your yogurt lately?? I bet it’s double and for some even triple this amount.
  
  7) Simply Fruit- Fruit Rolls
  
  These are not fruit roll-ups, although they are pretty dang similar. Minus the high fructose corn syrup.
  
  But hey, wow, this actually has fruit in it. How about them apples?
  
  8) Single serving Cashew or Almond Packs
  
  These are great for anyone that has zero self control and would eat triple this amount.
  
  9) Vita Coco- pure coconut water
  
  Coconut Water. Super hydrating and way more potassium than a banana. Try to steer clear of the ones infused with juice. Keep it clean people!
  
  Check out those percentages.
  
  10) Chobani yogurt
  
  Love these packs.
  
  There are many greek yogurts on the market, but this one does not have as much sugar as some of those others.
  
  Happy Shopping. 4 more weeks, let’s do this!
  
  Posted in Random stuff, Snacks
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