Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Julie and Julia and sort of...me

I saw the movie Julie and Julia, last week and cried throughout. No, it wasn’t a tear-jerker for my son who so graciously accompanied me, but I wish I brought more tissues.

In this flick (without giving anything away), Julie writes a blog, adores cooking, and enjoys writing (me too.) She obsessed with Julia Child and writes about preparing each dish in Julia’s cookbook over the course of a year (not me). Laced throughout this film was a passion for cooking, eating, and appreciating all of the wonders the world of food offers. I especially loved that the respective husbands and friends of the two main characters joined in welcoming the gastronomic fireworks each dish provided, whether in a bistro in Paris or a tiny kitchen in Queens.

I, however, never had any desire to do anything with a duck or the hoof of any animal, or use butter as if it were the only food in the supermarket. Although so many touching scenes pulled at my heart strings, it’s my heart (and the hearts of my husband and 3 boys) that keeps me from adding too much of that amazing yellow delight! I do use butter sparingly when I bake because certain recipes just scream out for that magical taste…but for the most part, you can cook and bake more healthfully with a little creativity.

If you’re hooked on butter and you think you need to cut back, try using less or substituting healthier fats (canola oil, olive oil) instead.

Bon appetite!

Monday, August 31, 2009

Life as a Foodie

I love everything about food: I love to shop for it, cook it, learn about it, teach people how to choose it, read about it, talk about it, and write about it. Some would say I'm a foodie. (Ya think?)

According to Wikipedia.com, a foodie is, “an informal term for a particular class of aficionado of`food and drink.” But don’t confuse foodies with gourmets: gourmets are “epicures of refined taste who may or may not be professionals the food industry,” whereas foodies are “amateurs who simply love food for consumption, study, preparation, and news.” Although gourmets want to eat the best food, foodies want to “learn everything about food, both the best and the ordinary, and about the science, industry, and personalities surrounding food. For this reason, foodies are sometimes viewed as obsessively interested in all things culinary.”

OK, so maybe I’m a little obsessed. I have counseled patients for over 3 decades and, as I’m sure you’re aware, many people get obsessed with food and food-related topics. For many of the patients I counsel, their obsessiveness fuels poor eating habits and inappropriate food behaviors. But I'm here to help you have fun with food and learn about how a blend of the right colors, flavors, textures, tastes, and nutrients will help you feel good both inside and out.

I will try to guide you by helping you to think of food in a different light: each bite you eat will have a function and appear somewhere on your bodies. Whether its to repair cells and tissues, give energy, or expand a waistline, the foods we eat have a variety of functions. For some, the key to making wise choices involves planning ahead. In my opinion, it’s not obsessive if, at breakfast time, you’re thinking ahead to what you’re going to be eating for lunch or deciding what you’re cooking for dinner. By coordinating your meals, you can balance out your day and assure that you’re not going to overdo it or miss out on the essential foods your body needs.

As a foodie, I'll be sharing recipes with you and help teach you to substitute one food for another to help create a dish that suits your family's preferences as well as your wallet without breaking the calorie bank. We'll talk about the powerhouse of foods to keep on hand as staples, so you can whip up a meal at anytime without running to do last minute shopping.

Foodies also love to read and write blogs…so here I am! Do you think you’re a foodie? You can write a comment to this blog and tell me about some of your favorite food stories or share your recipes. Feel free to ask questions and please visit my website at www.bonnietaubdix.com.