3 parts Cali, 3 parts Italy

Easing back into eating at home.

Italy:
Parmesano reggiano
olive oil
white wine vinegar from Modena

California:
avocado
cabbage
greens 

Have you tried nettles?

Nettles are very good for humans, containing tons of nutrients like calcium, A, C, and iron.  They've also been used forever as a treatment for arthritis, since the stingers will cause an anti-inflammatory response.  I found them for $2 a bunch at the Saturday Santa Monica farmers market, and I tried them on my sore neck and wrists, in my eggs, and with my shrimp.  It was fun and strange to gently tap them against my sore spots and feel the minor stinging.  I did feel some relaxation later, and I thought they tasted good with my normal eggs and greens breakfast, as well as with the curry shrimp and cabbage shown.

Bitter foods are good for you

I crave arugula and radicchio, and lucky for me they're really good for you.  They even reduce sugar cravings!

The photo is salad greens topped with radicchio in oil and white wine vinegar, fried onions, and a filet mignon with ricotta salata crumbled on top.

Weird stuff in our meat

Chicken doesn't agree with me anymore, and I find it simply doesn't taste like chicken.  Or not very much like chicken, maybe it's watered-down chicken?  The last good chicken I tasted was from an Amish store in the midwest. 

Although 90% of the beef I eat is grass finished and grass fed, from a small farm that feeds no growth hormones or antibiotics, I've still been able to enjoy a piece of commercial beef now and again.  But nowadays there are new drugs that make the muscle grow like crazy, so that might be ending too.

Binge eating, food addiction, and athletic performance

I read The Hunger Fix by Dr. Pam Peeke with some interest. Sometimes I binge, making excuses about binge foods and what I'll do to mitigate the effects, and I feel horrible afterwards.  I would look at my tummy in the mirror and beat myself up.  I would weigh myself, sigh, and promise myself to be better. Although I didn't enjoy reading the book, it turns out that its suggestions have been effective and powerful for me, with some unintended consequences.  Instead of following the complete program, I used behavior modification techniques that appealed.  Specifically, I came up with ways to trigger dopamine and serotonin release that didn't involve food.  When I wanted to gorge, for instance, I would give myself a facial or roll out my muscles instead.

Not enough time has elapsed to say I am cured, but in two weeks since I've read the book, I haven't binged.  I've experienced common binge triggers that have precipitated a massive feed, such as the fact that it's Friday night, or the mere presence of more than one serving of cheese, but it hasn't happened.  In fact, I haven't been very hungry at all, abnormal in any situation. I didn't skip meals, but I cut my intake.  Very soon, I looked and felt great, how I always hope to maintain.

I competed in a kettlebell lifting contest a few days ago.  I trained hard, I reached my goal several times in practice, and I was ready.  When the moment of truth came, I wasn't able to finish.  I'm pretty sure it is because I hadn't eaten enough.

Food additives to avoid

Bless the Caltons for researching these dangerous chemicals the FDA allows in our food.  You probably already read labels carefully, but here are a few more crazy ingredients to avoid.  I haven't read their book yet, but it is on my list.

Healthy - what does it mean?

Healthy means eating your colors. If you can walk to get your groceries, prepare, and enjoy them with loved ones, friends, or pets, even healthier.
This year, my cranberry sauce was enlivened by fresh grated ginger.

Winter is full of gorgeous tasty greens.