The Weight of the Nation (HBO)

I know we talk a bit about weight on here - and it may all be a bit ad nauseam - but I wanted to encourage you to watch HBO's Weight of the Nation (in 4 parts) if you have not already.
Per HBO - http://theweightofthenation.hbo.com/films/main-films/Consequences
Per YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/user/HBODocs/featured

Even though this issue is nothing terribly new, I think it's the faces and the stories that continue to matter...To each person who struggles with it, advocates for it, and knows someone who lives with it - let's not push it under the rug until tomorrow or after the holidays/celebrations or the new year.  I've experienced an uncomfortable silence during gatherings when I mention weight or show concern for both my partner and my amount of abdominal fat (a potential indicator for diabetes) or refuse purely liquid calories (no beer, sodas, or other sugar-sweetened beverages please!) - but why!?  This is not shameful nor should it be guilt-ridden - just honest.

Bacon-Wrapped Scallops with Shrimp Kebabs and Calamari

 

 

We had had a fairly heavy meal the night before, so I opted for a lighter, low carb meal this evening.  Lowe's Food had these scallop & shrimp kebabs in the 'clearance bin', so I paired them with homemade calamari (one of my favorite restaurant appetizers, but always a bit overpriced).  The panko didn't quite enrobe the squid as well as I would've liked (probably needed an eggwash pre-dip)...still yum, though!

Recently, I've been watching old Julia Child (the inimitable!) videos on YouTube, and she had an episode on The French Chef about kebabs/skewers in particular.  Her advice - which I found to be so true - was to keep the items on the skewers about the same cooking time...thus vegetables and bacon should be separate from the meat, since they all have different cooking times.  How sensible!  In this case, the bacon on the scallops really needed much more time than the quick-cooking seafood items...

If bacon was wanted, perhaps...cooking it separately, THEN wrapping them on the scallops??  Any ideas?

Salmon with Quinoa and Roasted Vegetables

The other week, I splurged on salmon and wanted to keep the rest of the meal pretty light, so I opted for some simple preparation.  The skin didn't come out as crispy as hoped - higher heat next time, maybe?

Quinoa is my go-to grain for these occasions with its light, yet quick-filling attributes.  Come to think of it, I pair a lot of seafood dishes with quinoa...I also roasted some fresh and frozen vegetables - evidently, frozen veg will nicely cook in the oven! - though came out a bit dry due to insufficient oil-ing.

I take that back - apparently, I like to pair fish with crusty bread, too!  (I think this one's a tilapia with beurre blanc sauce in the dipper.)

Brownies for Friends

I've been making bread for neighbors and friends lately (will make one tomorrow, too - must remember to take a picture!), and I came across this old picture of brownies I made for my partner's game night with his co-worker buddies.

Apparently, they went over well and requested it again for another gathering of his friend's.  The top has a peanut-butter swirl...and the inside includes coffee, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg for a more 'adult' brownie.

Come to think of it, rum brownies with semi-sweet chocolate chips sound quite lovely, too!  #mentalnote

Happy Monday to you all!

Make Time + Break Time = Cancer Protection

I wanted to take another moment to speak about weight, particularly as it relates to obesity.  I received an e-mail update from the AICR (American Institute for Cancer Research), which I subscribe to, about the importance of limiting long periods of sedentary movement during the day.

Yes, exercise is important, but moving is also important.  I, too, tend to stay on the couch once I sit (on the search for a firmer, slightly less comfy couch!) - a work in progress - but I also think back when I was working a regular job and the sheer amount of sitting & typing that were involved day after day.  I remember just getting up to get water/coffee, go the bathroom, and saying "Hi" as an excuse to get up...and wake up.

So I encourage all of us to at least try to remember to get up and just go...move...do whatever!  Last semester, we had to create a mock intervention, and I'm reminded of my own - which I called "Get Up and Go...Together!"  So true.

Here is the graphic that the AICR included with more information here:

Mental Health: "Depression, Suicide, and Disparity"

I recently received my Daily Digest Bulletin from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (part of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services), and it primarily discussed the state of U.S. mental health - and it's a bit sobering.

These statistics particularly hit home as I went through dark times some years back, so it's something I hold close.  If you'd like to learn more, I encourage you to go to HealthyPeople.gov for stats and other evidence-based resources.

For those living with depression or know others who do, Feeling Good:  The New Mood Therapy by David D. Burns, M.D., may be a helpful resource.  This book was recommended by a counselor at UNC-Chapel Hill's counseling and wellness services.

Mother's Day Gathering - The Menu!

For Mother's Day, I was able to shoot a few shots of our spread before things got too hectic and people started coming in.

For our new (and bigger) space this year, we decided to hold a 'family fusion' gathering with my partner's family and his (new) sister-in-law's family.  And you know it's a good party when people stay later than anticipated cos the time flies by.  Ponderponder about Father's Day...

My personal favorites were the spinach and tomato quiche (so buttery!) and the caprese (mozzarella, basil, and tomato with balsamic glaze).  I've been convincing my partner to try quiche - finally a convert!

I also had some chickpea/garbanzo bean salad with cilantro & lime, sweet & red potato hash, and roasted turkey breast to round out the meal.

What are some menu ideas for Father's Day?  Apparently, something steak-related is a MUST...(go figure)

Sausage Puffs with Quinoa and Red Cabbage Cole Slaw

I've been playing around with lighting with my somewhat crappy Canon PowerShot (I do have a more powerful Nikon, but it's bulky so I'm trying to make do with my more accessible Canon).

Here are sausage balls that I rolled in lightly seasoned panko crumbs.  Somewhat lightly fried in my cast iron - very nice crunch.

I wanted to keep the veggies and grains pretty light (honestly, this is a more meat-heavy meal than I usually do), so I used quinoa and a quick red cabbage 'cole slaw' (just balsamic vinegar, some oil, seasoning, carrots, and scallions/green onions...might've also added lemon - note the veganness!  Vegan slaw?).  Must say that I love the color burst of red cabbage, which is more expensive than its green counterpart, but also has a bit more texture and flavor (so my partner noted).  I'm a fan.

Weight, Health, and Race

As a continuation to my last post, an article was published from the NY Times:
Black Women and Fat 

This got me thinking about how race can inform weight and health.  I don't think being thin/skinny is the ultimate goal here - but just to BE healthy, whatever that means to you.  I think as long as we eat healthier and have some physical activity - and also nourish our mental/emotional sides - weight (like age) ain't nothin' but a number.

I did find the Black experience of weight to be informing, and it got me thinking about my own Asian experience of weight - which is somewhat the opposite.  It is about being thin and trim, yet eating as much as possible so as not to offend your parents/hosts.  But in my family, it's all about the white rice, meats, and processed sugary beverages, pastries, and other sweets.  This is not healthy.  And no, Asian sweets are not necessarily less sweet than American's.  And yes, our sugary drinks (juices, teas, soymilks, bubble teas) may not necessarily be carbonated sodas - but c'mon, can you REALLY call it 'healthy'?  And though the average weight of Asians may be less than other races/countries, this is not to say we're healthy either.  Not when parents force their kids to study and stay inside all day - where's the physical activity in that?

Like all things, health is not black and white...(pun not intended - but I like it!)

Weight and Health

First, I wanted to share a recent article about my state's overall health (hint:  not great):
Two N.C. health categories receive failing grades

Evidently, nutrition (grade F) and physical activity (grade D...obesity got an F, as well) are not our strong points.  Although this grading reflect new, tougher state and national goals for 2020 - and I'm not quite sure what definitions were used for these health indicators - I think it still reflects that...well, North Carolina has room for improvement.  One of my big interests is nutrition & wellness - I would say physical activity, but I wouldn't want to sound like a hypocrite....maybe once life imitates art (or something like that)...it's a work in progress!

I think we can do better, but I always have trouble thinking how I can affect people in my own way amongst the people I know.  We're holding a Mother's Day Gathering this Sunday with healthier fare that some of them will probably think I'm crazy, but it's really time to just be a source of change if possible.  I like to think maybe this is one way to say, healthier foods are OK, not scary, and perhaps delicious! 

What are some ways you open people's minds to healthier lifestyles?

Bread: Loaves and Buns

For some reason, each time I make whole wheat bread (whether loaves, rolls, hamburger or hot dog buns), they always turn out a little bit different.  Some are airier, some denser...some overproof, some probably underproof...and then you have the weather variability. 

One day, I'll get a stand mixer to help me knead the dough properly (I get the feeling I also tend to underknead the dough).  Anyway, my new oven has turned out much better bread products than my old ancient one in my last apartment (and I have a window to watch the progress) - hooray!

Just a few of my lovely buns!  :oD  Mmm yeast.

I do play around with the type of flour...I've used bread, whole wheat, all purpose, and white wheat in various combinations with flax seeds, spices, and add-ins.  I think buns are best airier and loaves a bit denser.  Thoughts on the perfect combination/ratios?

"Healthy" Fats - Avocadoes (& Weddings)

The other weekend, I attended my partner's older brother's wedding (congrats to Garrett & Layla - it was beautiful and so so touching!).  At the reception, guacamole was serve and someone commented that she loved gauc...but couldn't eat too much because it had so much fat.  She then turned to me and said, "...Isn't that right?"

Well, I can't comment on the healthy-ness of the guac since I didn't make it and not quite sure what was in it (maybe it was pre-made/highly processed?  high sodium?)...but the avocadoes!  Now that's a different story.  Although I believe it does have some saturated fat, it is also high in the good mono- and polyunsaturated fats.  Correct me if I'm wrong in my thinking, but I liken it to fish oil, flax seeds, and EVOO.  Come to think of it, I wonder if she was associating nutritional fat with being/getting fat.  Hmm.

[Tangent...] I remember Dr. Oz called fish oil 'brain food' given that your brain is quite fatty and needs those kinds of fats (and also your neurons/myelin sheaths - hello, Lorenzo's Oil!)...I admit I'll eat more of these 'fatty foods' when I'm really working my brain (exams!) - but any effects are probably just in my mind.  :oD

But everything in moderation, dear readers!  (Though I wish my local grocery sold avocadoes regularly...hmmm, boo.)

Feel free to share your personal thoughts on this!  If you have particular interest in this topic, I might wrangle my friend who's a doctoral student in Nutrition...She would probably have more expertise in this area!

FREE "Family Fun Day" at Camp Weaver on May 19 (Greensboro)

For those with families/children living in the Greensboro area, please consider going to Camp Weaver for a FREE "Family Fun Day"!  They will have pony rides, ropes course, archery, bounce houses, food, and tons of free activities.

This is sponsored by the Parent Academy, YMCA of Greater Greensboro, and the Guilford Coalition on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (GCAPP)...so I encourage you to go and support some great non-profits!

Here is a link for more info and the blurb from the ad:

Family Fun Day at Camp Weaver

 

To register for this event, click here then select Action/Join Group. You may also register by calling 336-279-4924.

Families are invited to join Parent Academy, the YMCA of Greater Greensboro, Guilford Coalition on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, Guilford County Association of Educators and the Guilford County Council of PTAS to this fun and FREE event. Come check out Camp Weaver and all it has to offer--canoeing, kayaking, a ropes course, basketball courts and much, much more.

Saturday, May 19 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Camp Weaver
4924 Tapawingo Trail
Greensboro, NC

TransportationIf you need a ride, shuttle buses will be provided every hour on the half-hour starting at 9:30 a.m. The last pick-up will be at 2:30 p.m. The following locations are pick-up/drop-off sites:

• Smith High, 2407 S. Holden Road, Greensboro, NC
• Dudley High, 1200 Lincoln St., Greensboro, NC
• Gateway Education Center, 3205 E. Wendover Ave., Greensboro, NC
• High Point Central High, 801 Ferndale Blvd., High Point, NC

The shuttles will leave Camp Weaver to return to the drop-off sites at the top of every hour, starting at 11 a.m. and going until 4 p.m..

SupervisionPlease remember to bring your whole family! Adult supervision is required.

Fun stuff!