







March 30, 2011
Sherri Meyer, MG Registered Dietitian
Protein, Carbs & Weight
Eating more protein & picking the right carbs may help avoid regaining lost weight.
March 29, 2011
Denise Simmons, Corporate Chef
I hope so! They are responsible for bringing a host of ethnic foods (or ‘world flavors’) to just about every large city in America. Food trucks also allow chefs, particularly young chefs, to offer their wares in a low-overhead environment.
I recently came across a website listing the 25 Best Food Trucks-Eat Cheap 2010 from New York magazine.
Just a few of the offerings listed for the 25 trucks:
I wonder if food trucks will ever make it to smaller cities? I realize they wouldn’t be able to support the variety of foods offered in big cities, but hope that one day I can hit downtown Roanoke for a Kobe beef hot dog with apple slaw or a wasabi pea ice cream cone. Well…maybe not the wasabi pea ice cream…think I’d rather have granola frozen yogurt.
March 29, 2011
Sherri Meyer, MG Registered Dietitian
Recently we made a trip to see my nephews in Ohio. My 3 year old son, Oliver, was beyond excited and wanted nothing more than to be just like his 8 year old cousins. Of course, this included eating anything and everything his cousins ingested. Fortunately, right now I still have some control over what Oliver is offered for his meals. However, as he grows up, I will gradually lose that control. Perhaps that loss is coming sooner that I had hoped.
When I went to the kitchen Saturday morning, the three cousins were lined up in front of the television mesmerized by Sponge Bob and shoveling down Lucky Charms cereal. The dietitian in me was horrified..."meals in front of the TV eating high sugar cereal... this is going to lead to a lifetime of obesity!" Luckily the rational side of me took over and I realized that this one-time breakfast enjoyed with his cousins wasn't going to make or break my son's health. Plus, I know it is not about these "special occasion" meals or treats but more about what we do the majority of the day. As long as children are active and their TV time is limited they will likely grow into healthy adults. So, I let Oliver munch on bowl after bowl of Lucky Charms (then, out came the Fruit Loops) in front of the TV, knowing that when we got home, it would be back to his "healthy" breakfast.
However, when my nephews requested McDonalds for lunch an hour later, I said "no." After all, I had to draw the line somewhere!
March 28, 2011
Leslie Phillips, Director of Business Development & Client Relations
More ways to kick the (trash) can:
6 servings
3 lbs - small red new potatoes, halved
1 1/2 lbs - asparagus, trimmed
1T - dijon mustard
2T- fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup - olive oil
2T - minced fresh chives
1/2 tsp ea - salt & freshly ground pepper
1. Cook potatoes in large pot of boiling water, about 20 minutes.
2. Drain & cool slightly.
3. Cook asparagus in large pot of boiling salted water until crisp, about 4 minutes. Drain. Refresh under cold water.
4. Cut asparagus into 1 1/2 inch pieces. Toss vegetables together in large bowl.
5. Combine mustard, lemon juice, and S&P in small bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Pour over vegetables.
6. Add chives & toss to coat. Serve warm or at room temperature.
March 23, 2011
Sherri Meyer, MG Registered Dietitian
The right foods can keep your brain young. Aim for colorful veggies.
March 21, 2011
Cate Smith, Director/Executive Chef
Water through your hands..
How much energy does it take to get clean water to you?
Ways to reduce your water waste
I love movies and documentaries. Over break I watched a movie called “Fat Head”. It’s streaming on Netflix right now. It’s a movie that shook things up with me. Basically the movie was a scientific study to disprove the assertions made in the film “Supersize Me”. In “Supersize Me” the host eats nothing but fast food for 30 days, he gains around 30 pounds, his cholesterol shoots up, and his liver enzymes go off the chart. In “Fat Head” the host eats nothing but fast food for 28 days and he loses 12 pounds, his cholesterol goes down 10 points, and his energy level shoots up. How is this possible? Of course there is more going on behind the scenes, but it’s definitely worth checking out.
I’m like most people: when I hear a convincing argument regarding a subject I tend to believe it, especially when it is backed by studies and experts. This sounds reasonable, right? Well, what do you do when conflicting sides of an argument are backed by the same studies? Polar opposites with equal scientific proof? What I am getting at is diet, more specifically vegetarian, vegan, low-protein diets versus a low carbohydrate, carnivorous diet. In the book “The China Study”, the author uses the “Framingham” study to make his point that an omnivorous, high protein diet, leads to heart disease and high mortality. In the film “Fat Head”, they use the same study to prove that there is no difference in mortality. The difference is that in the “China Study” which was published in 2006 they quoted research from 1961. And in “Fat Head” they quoted research from 1997. Which is accurate? The FDA says one thing and some expert says another. And then we’re off on conspiracy tangents — big business is forcing the FDA to recommend their foods in greater proportion than others, or the pharmacies recommending diets that ultimately create a need for their prescription medicines.
Of course I wouldn’t recommend a diet in this forum, but I would suggest watching “Fat Head.” For me, I’ve always carried extra weight. About 10 years ago I lost 80 pounds on the “Atkin’s” diet, eating hardly any carbs, of course I gained it back. Last year I lost 74 pounds going all vegan, with a high carb diet. And yes, I’ve gained it back. What’s next, exercise?!?!?!