Lunch

PB&J and the Sun

I’m back in Orlando and its nicer here than it was Tampa this morning! Its all sunny and warm and I’m actually about ready to go lay by the pool and study for a little while. Not bad, right? For lunch today I stopped at my parent’s house on my way out of town and made a toasted peanut butter and jelly sandwich on wheat bread with some organic blue corn tortilla chips and an apple.  A short weekend, but it was still nice to go home and hang out with my family last night. I take what I can get!

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  • Annie
    February 25, 2008 at 7:10 pm

    Nicole,
    I tried the Cactus Pear today, and honestly for someone who loves EVERY fruit, I wasnt really impressed. When you cut it open, its bright pink inside, so I thought it was going to be really good (not sure why..the color intrigued me I guess ?) but the texture and taste were kind of off. I didnt even finish it. I dont really know what to compare it too, but it wasnt horrible, I just wouldnt buy one again.
    Sorry, Probly not the best help, but its worth trying once I would say. You just cut it in half, and then just peel back the rind and cut it up..just watch out cause I got the pricklers stuck in my finger!

    Good luck tonight on your test Jenna.

  • Betsy
    February 25, 2008 at 7:15 pm

    the phrase “lay by the pool” makes me sooooo jealous. Out side my window we have 6 inches of snow. I call myself a “4 seasons kind of gal”, but I could use some summer weather right now!

  • VeggieGirl
    February 25, 2008 at 7:26 pm

    Oooh, toasted PBJ sandwiches are incredible – you should try them grilled as well, like a panini!! Divine!! :0)

    Enjoy laying out by the pool!! Today it’s in the 40s here, which is basically a heat wave, haha – so I’ll be enjoying the outdoors as well.

  • Meghan
    February 25, 2008 at 7:27 pm

    Hey All! Yeah…I’m in Savannah and although I COULD lay by the pool (the weather is beautiful!) I’m stuck in the library writing a speech. I decided to do my persuasive speech on the cost of healthy eating. I will be arguing that it is actually NOT significantly more expensive than eating junk. Does anyone know of any interesting articles, books, or websites about this? I’ve found a lot but everyone here seems to be pretty health-savvy so I figured maybe y’all had some interesting information. Have a great day!

    P.S. Jenna, I LOVE BLUE CORN CHIPS!

  • Emily W.
    February 25, 2008 at 7:38 pm

    I JUST had a fresh from the oven vegan chocolate chip cookie and let me just say that that recipe is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.! I dont thoroughly enjoy the tate of carob chips, so I was a bit sceptical, but that doesnt matter because the batter is the best cookie dough batter I have ever tasted! Anything would taste good in that batter!

    My first round of cookies that went into the oven I just plopped the cookie dough down on the sheet and they looked like little muffin tops when they were done (didnt flatten out like the average cookie).

    The second round that went into the oven, I flattened the dough out into a normal shaped cookie and those popped out of the oven looking a bit more average.

    The funny thing is that they both tasted the same! GREAT! Though the first batch looked like a muffin, they tasted like a cookie! MMMMMM

    Bake them if you have not tried them yet! You will not be disappointed! (and I am not even vegan!)

  • Patricia
    February 25, 2008 at 7:45 pm

    Meghan,
    I live in Savannah as well. Where do you go to school?? It’s a beautiful day outside, I wish I could lay by the pool… but I’m stuck at work!

    I think EatLikeMe Blog had an article about the cost of healthy living a couple of weeks ago, you could check on Cristin’s archives. I hope this helps.

  • LT
    February 25, 2008 at 8:16 pm

    it’s a sunny breezy 80 degrees here in College Station, TX!

    Ok I have a question. about gas.

    I got hooked on this BBC show “You are what you eat” over Christmas and the nutritionist/host Jillian McKeith said once that you should eat fruit first and THEN your meat and veggies because the fruit moves through your system quickly while it takes longer for the veggies and meat to digest. She said to do this because if you eat in the reverse order it can cause gas b/c the fast-moving fruit will be rammin’ up behind the slow-moving veggies causing gas and such. I personally prefer to eat my fruit last so as to end on something sweet, but I hate to admit it, I do tend to be a bit gassy with all the whole grains, beans, and veggies in my diet! So, basically I would just like to know if you or anyone else has anything to say about this topic b/c I will surely change my ways if it means I will toot less! Thanks!

  • Rae
    February 25, 2008 at 8:36 pm

    Meghan,

    I would focus on the lower cost of health care…I am sure there are studies that those that are overweight or eat less healthfully have more health problems. Just a thought! Good luck!

  • SDF
    February 25, 2008 at 8:52 pm

    Afternoon everyone!
    I am so jealous of everybody who’s out “laying by the pool”. I live in Canada and yesterday I went for an hour walk because it was so beautiful outside…and the temperature was 37 F (if that).
    I have a question that really ends up being all about will power. I work in an office where there is always free food! Everywhere! If there’s a conference (which there always is) then in the morning there’s fruit, bagels, croissants, etc. and in the afternoon there’s soup, sandwiches, pasta, dessert. I bring a lunch to work everyday, but always get a little snacky. As well as I know that the food that’s available is going to be delicious….so how do I not eat it???
    Any suggestions would be great!

  • Serena
    February 25, 2008 at 8:58 pm

    Emily, you don’t have to use carob chips for the cookies next time – there are vegan chocolate chips available! I made them that way and they were so tasty. I think the maple syrup gives them such good flavor. I’m not vegan either, and I made regular chocolate chip cookies this past weekend, and I have to say, I think I prefer the vegan ones!! Jenna, I think you really turned a lot of people on to that recipe!

  • Meghan
    February 25, 2008 at 8:58 pm

    Patricia, I go to SCAD, where do you go?

    Rae, good idea! Just before reading what you wrote I actually added that subject into my speech. Thanks for reinforcing my idea!

  • Beth
    February 25, 2008 at 9:18 pm

    SDF – I have the SAME problem at my job. In fact, I just ate a few slices of leftover pizza from a meeting :(. It’s so hard to resist free food, especially when it looks so delicious! I would also appreciate any thoughts you all might have on skipping the free food and sticking to planned meals/snacks.

  • melissa
    February 25, 2008 at 9:35 pm

    Hi LT,

    In my experience, the food combining principles are very helpful in avoiding bloating and gas on a high veggie fruit diet, especially a raw one. I think Natalia Rose explains the principles of food combining to make digestion as easy and seamless as possible for the diet. I love her book The Raw Food Detox Diet. It isn’t about becoming a raw foodist, you don’t have to give up meat, dairy, grains, cookies, chocolate or cooked food–just select the highest quality ones. Despite the title, it’s more a lifestyle than a diet, it’s intended to clean the cells for optimal energy and vibrance. All of her books have great recipes too.

  • nicole r.
    February 25, 2008 at 9:54 pm

    Annie–

    Good to know about the cactus pear—maybe i won’t try it then haha. Thanks for being brave hahaa

  • Patricia
    February 25, 2008 at 10:02 pm

    Meghan,

    I go to Armstrong. I’ve lived in Savannah for three years now, but I’m originally from El Salvador. How do you like it here?

    I think eating healthy is more expensive than eating junk… but hey, everything that’s good and worthwhile is going to cost you, isn’t it??

  • Lisa
    February 26, 2008 at 1:50 am

    Meghan…what are you studying at SCAD? I SOOO badly wanted to go there for college…I majored in interior design…but it was too expensive 🙁

  • anotherfoodie
    February 26, 2008 at 3:03 am

    I am very skeptical of the tip for the week and the post about eating fruit separately. The human body is amazing, and there is no need to eat anything separately to best absorb enzymes. In fact, most enzymes are protein in nature, and fruit has very little protein. At any rate, in a healthy individual, the stomach can make more acid to digest food, doesn’t matter how it is combined or if a meal is taken with water or another liquid (some may have heard that you should not drink with meals, only after). Most dietitians would agree that it is physiologically best to eat fat, carbohydrate and protein all together, not separate. There is nothing wrong with eating it separate, but it is not necessary.

    And Jenna, I mean no disrespect, I love your blog and I share your passion for food, but dairy is ESSENTIAL to the human body. Decades of research support the fact that calcium from animal sources is absorbed best and most bioavailable. (caclium is #1 nutrient in bones, hence animal sources are best) Milk/Dairy IS the most basic of needs = babies are ideally nourished when they are breastfed for the first year of life. Seems weird, but that is dairy at its finest. And there is nothing wrong with getting it from a cow later in life.

    Sorry for the long post, I have never posted before, but I just had to share my thoughts.

  • jenna
    February 26, 2008 at 4:05 am

    anotherfoodie,

    Everyone is entitled to their own opinions..that’s what makes the world go round! I’ve actually spoken to my doctor about this and read many articles (by M.Ds as well as my nutrition textbook) that all say we don’t need it and it is not as essential as others think. There are plenty superb substitutes out there. How would people that are actually allergic to dairy survive? Decades of research HAVE shown what you stated to be true, but we live in an amazing country thats always coming out with new studies and new findings. All that said, if you eat/drink it and like it–go right ahead! I just don’t believe we need it and I am backed up by very credible sources.

    And of course it is not necessary to eat fruit alone–but it is better for your body to absorb the fruit enzymes alone. That’s why its so great to eat fruit as a snack. That is also something I learned throughout my nutrition certification program.

  • jenna
    February 26, 2008 at 4:13 am

    Here’s a follow-up on my last comment for anyone that is interested in the dairy debate (and its a popular debate with everyone these days!) written by Dr. Walter Willet, author of Eat, Drink and Be Healthy and chairman of the nutrition dept. at Harvard.

    He writes:

    “Should you get calcium from milk?

    When most people in the United States think of calcium, they immediately think of milk. But should this be so? Milk is actually only one of many sources of calcium, and there are some important reasons why milk may not be the best source for everyone. These include:

    * Lactose intolerance
    Many people have some degree of lactose intolerance. For them, eating or drinking dairy products causes problems like cramping, bloating, gas, and diarrhea. These symptoms can range from mild to severe. Certain groups are much more likely to have lactose intolerance. For example, 90 percent of Asians, 70 percent of blacks and Native Americans, and 50 percent of Hispanics are lactose-intolerant, compared to only about 15 percent of people of Northern European descent.

    One alternative for those who are lactose intolerant but who still enjoy consuming dairy products is to take a pill containing enzymes that digest milk sugar along with the dairy product, or to consume milk that has the lactase enzyme added to it.
    * High saturated fat content
    Many dairy products are high in saturated fats, and a high saturated fat intake is a risk factor for heart disease. And while it’s true that most dairy products are now available in fat-reduced or nonfat options, the saturated fat that’s removed from dairy products is inevitably consumed by someone, often in the form of premium ice cream, butter, or baked goods.

    Strangely, it’s often the same people who purchase these higher-fat products who also purchase the low-fat dairy products, so it’s not clear that they’re making great strides in cutting back on their saturated fat consumption. For more information on dietary fats, click here.
    * Possible increased risk of ovarian cancer
    High levels of galactose, a sugar released by the digestion of lactose in milk, have been studied as possibly damaging to the ovaries and leading to ovarian cancer. Although such associations have not been reported in all studies, there may be potential harm in consuming high amounts of dairy products.(9, 10)

    * Possible increased risk of prostate cancer
    A diet high in calcium has been implicated as a potential risk factor for prostate cancer. In a Harvard study of male health professionals, men who drank two or more glasses of milk a day were almost twice as likely to develop advanced prostate cancer as those who didn’t drink milk at all.(11) Moreover, the association appears to be with calcium itself, rather than with dairy products in general.
    Clearly, although more research is needed, we cannot be confident that high milk intake is safe.”