what's that REALLY mean?

gooooooooooood morning everybody!

source.

how is everyone? i feel like i've been a little out of the loop here recently! i've been doing my own thing here the last few days - school, researching, and sorting through emotions - and haven't really had a chance to dive into google reader. bear with me... your posts are important to me, too! 

and i really can't thank you all enough for your support during my little blog break. seriously - you guys blow me away with your kindness. i am so grateful for each one of you!

something i find noteworthy? checked google stats today for the second time... and gotta love the people that land on my blog after searching "muffin love letter." well, i hope they found what they were looking for.

source.

ok, but seriously though, i finally finished researching that post i've been going on about for days.

it's my desire for every person to have information available to them about what they're eating. the decision they make with it afterwards is theirs, but i believe we all at least deserve access to that knowledge. if we can have the calorie count of our soup posted at restaurants, why can't we know what's in it?

as a disclaimer: if you're struggling with emotional eating or disordered thoughts, please realize that this post shouldn't be your biggest concern. like i've said before, emotional health always triumphs food quality... please take care of your heart and mind first! there's plenty of time to deal with the grocery store later, and please know you can ALWAYS email me. always.

i used to have very distinct impressions about what product labels meant. to me, "cage-free" chicken sounds like the good life: grass to roam on, no tiny cage, pecking their food off the ground. old school, ya know?

it wasn't until i started reading about farming procedure that i realized most food companies use labels to confuse us. they want us to have those quaint little visions about where our food comes from so we feel confident purchasing their products over and over. when something says natural, aren't you more likely to buy it? of course! but do you really know what natural means?

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terms you'll encounter at your market, and what they mean*:

wild-caught - fish caught by net. can be raised for up to 50% of their lives in hatchery farms, fed grains/farm feed, and released to be re-caught later.

fresh - frozen fish that has been thawed upon arrival. for the most part, the same fish that's in your freezer section, thawed for you.

free-range - access to outdoors. no requirements on the size of cages, size of range, or how frequent (if ever) animals can access the outdoors (usually gravel).

cage-free eggs - exactly that - no wire cage. no regulations on other conditions (space per chicken, food, access to outdoor access).

grass-fed - raised without grain feed until deemed mature (3-6 months old), then transported to feedlots for fattening until slaughter. not organic, and still receive hormones/antibiotics unless otherwise certified.  

natural - can be applied to nearly any food, as long as at least one ingredient is derived from products of plants or animals (can you think of one that's not?). not monitored/regulated by the FDA/USDA.

natural flavors - similar to "natural," any additive approved for the use in food that was once derived from something in nature. no standards for processing.

genetically modified organism (GMO) - product that has new genetics produced in a lab. viruses used to transfer DNA to new product. unless your product is marked organic or NON-GMO, assume it's a GMO (92% of soy, 80% corn, 70% all packaged products, almost all wheat bread).

organic - approved by USDA, avoids most chemicals (38 synthetics considered exceptions), GMOs, and sewage sludge (say wha?), grown on pesticide-free land for at least 3 years, contain at least 95% organic ingredients.

made with organic ingredients - ingredients must be at least 70% organic, other 30% may be GMOs.

certified naturally grown - holds the same standards as organic, but approved for smaller farmers who cannot afford the label.

certified humane - treated with no hormones or antibiotics, free to roam with no cage, processed as gently as possible (regulated by the ASPCA's welfare program)

raw - non-pasteurized/homogenized, or treated with heat not exceeding 105-118 degrees (depending on source).

* this is a compilation of research i've been working on for a few weeks to ensure accuracy. if you would like the link to my sources, shoot me an email and i will track them down for you. all my information came from government/nationally-funded sources, such as the FDA, USDA, ASPCA, MyPyramid, and PBC, cross referenced with general knowledge, such as Wikipedia and news sources)

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i hope by defining labels of what we're buying, we see a more accurate picture of what we're eating and make informed decisions.

this certainly isn't the whole story. there surely are a few farmers who are genuine, but unfortunately, they're in the minority in the US. do you know your farmer? wonderful! ask lots of questions, get to know their procedures, where they get their livestock, and make a relationship with them - they are potentially the closest thing to natural. now if only they could get their products into the supermarket...

do you buy a product for the labels?

what do you buy straight from the farmer?

-rebekah

reviews, races, and remembering momma.

ok... so when did i fall off the face of the blogosphere?

i have a bit to catch up with you guys!

first, can i just say how much i love robert downey jr?

om nom nom.

if going to prison is wrong, i don't wanna be right.

ahem.

iron man 2 was really good! i liked it better than the first one.

and i'm not gonna lie, as much as i want to hate her, can i trade lives with scarlett johansson?

she's absolutely crazy in this movie.

ironic how they're posing identically.

anyways, if you liked the first iron man, go see the second one.

or if you didn't give a crap abou the first one, go watch my husband robert downey jr!

on a completely related note, i got to go to a new favorite restaurant last week!

palani drive is a cute little place in the older part of richmond. the best way i know how to describe it is... fusion? like a mix of vegetarian, mexican and asian food...

...which, coincidently, is the food that will be served in heaven.

salsa? hummus? tahini? cashews? peanut sauce?

i'll take it.

i'm little sister, she's big sister

and apparently i have a killer vein attacking my neck.

... no wonder i have such an attractive boyfriend.

Spicy Thai Peanut – rice, black beans, spinach, spicy peanut sauce, tomatoes, scallions, crumbled peanuts, chile tortilla – 5.95

la mama and i split this, and also ate this:

Palani Salad – mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, scallions – 5.95

... and yes, that is a box of currants and a bottle of hot sauce in the background.

what, you don't bring your own accessories when you go out?

what do you carry in your purse then!?

also a noteworthy nosh:

from whole paycheck's hotbar, of course.

roasted beets, yeller squash, lemon asparagus, and the best 5 bean salad that must be recreated.

... jessica, get on that!

seriously, i could eat those beans every. flippin. day.

moving right along - today was one of the best days i've ever had.

bright and early, mom and i headed downtown to run the susan b. komen race for the cure,

a 5k fundraiser to fight breast cancer and increase prevention awareness.

there was a great crowd...

a few thousand people, for sure.

god totally blessed us with a perfect spring day to race.

love that breeze!

most of the race took place on the bridges over the river, which was really cool.

new favorite picture!

this fall, mom will have been in remission for 4 years.

needless to say, we were feeling a little celebratory mid-run.

the 804, baby!

home stretch...

the view from the bridge.

sometimes, va ain't all that bad.

post-race, in all our shweaty glory.

shameless health plug:

you guys, if i can encourage you to do anything this mother's day, please lovingly encourage your mom to get a yearly mammogram!

my mom, like a lot of other incredible moms, put her health on the back-burner to raise her kids. if she had just taken the time for her mammograms, though, she might not have had to endure hell fighting breast cancer.

other things also raise your risk:

- drinking alcohol, even one drink a day

- being overweight, even a few pounds!

- not exercising consistently

these things seem like "normal" parts of life, but they're not healthy habits.

so please, please, please, nag your mom to make her health the top priority this year.

she can't be a good mom if she doesn't put herself first every once in a while, and prevention through a healthy lifestyle is the only way we can stop this monster.  

phew, you bored yet?
hopefully, tomorrow i will get the chance to post the second part of my thoughts i've been working...

and i've been really thinking about your definitions of beauty.
thanks for your thoughts, and keep 'em coming!
-r

something fishy.

so.

you know how to shop for shoes, your picky boyfriend's christmas present, and an apartment that doesn't have a leaky toilet or rat infestation... terrific. But can you safely shop for fish?

Ordering and purchasing fish has been a bit of a hot commodity as of recent, so it was high time someone explained the process in terms that human beings can comprehend and not just rocket scientists!

What’s the big deal with seafood?

1. Sustainable fishing practices – basically, a fish is considered “sustainable” if the way it is harvested doesn’t harm the environment or the quality of the fish. If a company is depleting the water’s supply of a certain fish, it is not sustainable. Anytime a seafood risks becoming an endangered species, you don’t want to support that company. can you imagine life in ten years without shrimp? just because a fish is farmed instead of wild doesn't mean it's sustainable, either.

2. Safety – not to point fingers, but certain countries are not exactly known for their standards of cleanliness. Sure, they get their jobs done, but do you really want to buy a bag of frozen shrimp and find “mystery pieces” in with your dinner? Or eat fish who just so happened to be raised at the bottom of a sewer? Contamination by pollutants or poisonous metals is a real threat, too – one of my dear friend’s dad has permanent physical damage from eating contaminated fish. Your fish’s country of origin is crucial.


So how can you know what’s safe, and what isn’t?
The ONLY way to know for sure is to do your research. If you’re buying the fish, check the package carefully. It is required to have where the fish came from printed somewhere on the bag. If you’re out at a restaurant, ask the waiter. Thankfully, restaurants are getting more fish-savvy, and nice places will usually have the origin listed right there on the menu for you. the only way to know if a fish is sustainably raised, however, is to look it up.

a lot of work, right?
never fear, i have a solution!

... just to make me less of a freak, along with the purse full of coupons, I also have a little printout of sustainable fish that I carry with me when I go out or to the store.
Seriously, it is so helpful – just go to this webpage, click on your state, and print a guide for yourself so you don’t have to memorize every fish available… unless you’re up for the challenge, I guess!

Fish is one of the healthiest foods for us – low in saturated fat, low in calories, high in protein, and full of omega-3s and amino acids that help fuel our bodies. but it's only good for you if it's safe to eat!

If you’re gonna shell over your hard-earned cash for it, you deserve not to have to pick out “mystery” pieces or worry about what chemicals still are lurking in your food. I hope this helps!


Do you guys cook fish? Eat sushi?
are you concerned about where it’s from?
- r

that's how i roll.

... like my sushi joke (hah hah??).

ahem.
moving on.

i am finally gettin' my groove back in the kitchen, y'all.
thank jesus.
after fighting with a highly irritable belly for a few months, let's just say inspiration in the kitchen has been... lacking.

what got my rear in gear?
last week, my boy took me to a little place across from his house because i was craving sushi like a raging pregnant woman (of which i am not. to clarify.).

we'd been there before, but i figured i should check out the menu again to see what looked good.
low and behold, they added a new roll to the otherwise standard menu - an avocado and mango roll.
my foodie heart leapt for joy!

it was surprisingly really flavorful, but i couldn't help thinking, "you know... i could do better."

... so, i did.

ugly but tasty homemade sushi.

- package of nori (i got ten sheets/servings at whole foods for $3.99)

- cooked sushi rice (instructions below)

- your choice of main fillings - i used laughing cow wedges, smoked salmon, mango, and avocado)

- thinly julienned vegetables

optional garnishes - sesame seeds, soy sauce, wasabi, pickled ginger

let's do this thing.

1. make your sushi rice.

there are plenty of credible websites that teach you how to make an authentic batch of sushi rice, but here's my completely unauthorized, unqualified version:

- cook rice with equal parts rice to water.

- take off the heat, stir in a pinch of sugar, a pinch of salt, and a splash of rice vinegar.

- let cool to room temperature.

2. while your rice is cooking, chop your fillings.

- because of previously stated craving, i used thinly sliced avocados and mangos for one, and laughing cow, salmon, carrots, and cukes for another i fed to my guinea pigs family and friends.

3. lay down a sheet of nori, sprinkle a layer of sushi rice (leaving an inch uncovered at the top and bottom), and line fillings towards top.

4. hold your breath and pray fervently to the sushi gods while you roll tightly.

5. wet your fingers and seal the edge WELL. wet a sharp knife and slice into 6 pieces, wetting between each slice.

6. top with sesame seeds and serve with soy sauce!

experience foodgasms.

consensus: score.

i'm not gonna lie, i can't really think of too many times recently when i didn't think i could do better after going out.

am i alone in this?

................................................................................................................

another motivation to get back into the kitchen?

my mom pestering me to make hummus for her.
again.
for the 10,000th time.

i kinda feel dumb calling this a recipe.

- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed well

- scoop of nut or seed butter

- juice of 1 lemon (watch those pesky seeds!)

- 1 tbsp oil

- 2 or 3 cloves of garlic, minced

- spices of choice

1. combine first 5 ingredients in food processor, and pulse until smooth (or not. it's your life.). i used chunky peanut butter for my nut butter and sesame oil for my oil, fyi.

2. season according to taste. start with a teaspoon or two of each spice, and adjust as you go. i usually use black pepper, smoky paprika, chipotle chili powder, red pepper flakes, cumin, and onion powder.

consensus: i love it in paninis, on crackers, with carrots, on english muffins...

you guys know this.

i'm preaching to the choir.

.........................................................................................................

and p.s. - i'm finally going back to school!!!

i'll be at VCU this august for community health education, then specialize in culinary nutrition. 

after years of doctors' visits, countless blood tests, and a whole lotta tears, i'm finally moving forward again with my life.

it's been so frustrating to be home... not because i don't want to be here, but because i feel like it's just one more thing standing in between me and accomplishing my passions.

i have things to say, places to go, and people to eat with!

i know that this illness has, and will, serve a purpose in my life, and hopefully many others' lives as well.

i am actually incredibly thankful for it.

not that it's been pleasant, but because it has shown me how much i take things for granted, and after this, i will NEVER do that again.

i cannot thank god enough for giving me the strength to move on, my family for hugs when i need it, and you guys for support and encouragement!

-r

grocery shoppin, thai food, important announcement, and first blogger meetup!

hey beauties!

i hope you guys are having a teriffic humpday morning.

i know i am. i am totally in love with spring weather!

before i bombard you with pics, can i just take a moment to say how grateful i am for you guys?

i love the community that i've been welcomed into!

you guys don't just make awesome food, but you're awesome people. thanks!

and shoutout to my dad - he just started reading! hey dad!

yesterday, i had an awesome foodie day - grocery shoppin, thai food for lunch, and my first blogger meet up at whole foods! and an announcement :)

shall we begin?

tom leonard's... richmond version of harris teeter i guess?

look how hairy this guy is!

local produce? yes please!

the staff kept looking at me funny when i'd whip out my camera,

so i exercised restraint. boo.

look what i found! someone excited?

i couldn't justify dropping $6 dollars on 4 bars when i had a CARTLOAD of produce...

priorities, right??

oh look. i found a few cows.

next stop? world market!

if you haven't even been, check out the website. they have a unique collection of foods and decor from around the world.

sign up for their rewards program for awesome discounts on wine, if you imbibe :)

A WALL OF HOT SAUCE!!!

i'm home.

i'm always keepin' my eyes peeled for a new kind of hot sauce or salsa.

i use them everyday multiple times!

if you guys have any hot sauce/salsa recommendations, please let me know!

ok... am i the only one with a dirty mind???

(sorry mom.)

next stop: thai diner too!

mom heard that this place was one of the best in richmond.

not sure anything could beat tara thai, but whatever.

we gave it a shot.

free appetizer neither mom nor i ate.

when i touched it, my hands got slimy... oil anyone?

their "tempura veggies" was a fried piece of broccoli... lol.

our entrees -

thai chef salad with scallops in chili-lime sauce...

...and bamboo shoots stir-fried in sriratcha.

if you guys have never eaten thai food before,

you should know:

when you say "hot" or "spicy" to a waiter in a thai restaurant, they don't mean american hot... they mean thai hot. if you aren't up for a tear-inducing, sinus-clearing experience, order "medium."

mom couldn't eat this, and she's a trooper!

last stop? my first blogger meetup!

so exciting!!! stephanie was sooo nice to include me in her date with miss brittany!

they go every month to a cooking demo at whole foods, where they cook following a theme.

this month was cinco de mayo, so we got AMAZING mexican food! and the chef was awesome - he went to johnson & wales for his culinary degree (my dream!), was really cool, and was pretty cute!

... and get this - he asked me for my blog link so he could follow me!!!

i have a follower! i'm just happy outside of my head right now.

(hey chef jesse!)

gettin' ready for my girls' date.

thanks so much to stephanie's mom for taking 10000 pictures of us!

she's so sweet, and gets the blog thing.

super weird?

stephanie's little sister was in my spanish class in high school!

small world, right?

and if you guys don't already read stephanie and brittany's blogs, check them out!

they are total sweethearts, and cook amazing food!

our menu - hello salsa!

my first taste of ceviche! this one was made with tilapia and jicama.

amazing!

chef jesse mixed it with his homemade salsa. i die.

i sense a homemade salsa recipe coming up... :)

guac!!!

i haven't had guac in years because it usually has sour cream added to it, and i HATE sour cream.

let's just say i am a fan ONCE AGAIN. as if i needed convincing with avocados...

amazing tacos with adobo chili hot sauce.

the damage...

what a great experience!

thanks again to stephanie for thinking of me!

and my announcement?

i got invited to be a hollaback girl!

a what?

the hollaback girls are a beautiful group of bloggers who think that health blogging needs a bit of help.

we don't bash our bodies, we don't complain about what we can't do, and we are strong, powerful women that treat our bodies that way.

head over and check out the site, and keep your eyes peeled for my first post!

happy hump day!!!

-r