cookin' a whole chicken

Last night I hit up Trader J's for some groceries. I freaking love grocery shopping. I got:

-avocados

-garlic

-grape tomatoes

-2 jars organic marinara

-free range/organic whole chicken (5 lbs)

-mushrooms

-a bunch of wild caught sole

-smoked oysters

-carrots

-romaine

-parsley

-cilantro

-pecorino romano

-two bags of mozzarella cheese

-two tubs of cottage cheese (pissed I couldn't find full fat)

-no boil lasagna noods x2

-some other random household goods

-probably a bunch of things I'm forgetting

All organic. All for $78. So tight. I would've easily spent over $100 at Yes Organic Market.

I've never cooked a whole chicken before. That shit is daunting. Turns out it's not hard at all. Covered it in salt and pepper, some spice mix in my pantry that smelled like Thanksgiving and olive oil. Popped it in the oven at 425 for an hour and a half.

Going in.

Coming out.

I was concerned it would be dry but it turned out pretty juicy. And now I can eat chicken throughout the week. I noshed on these babies while the chicken was cooking:

Tomorrow is lasagna night! I'm having a lasagna night for a few of my friends, specifically Joel for doing me a solid recently. A while ago I started using cottage cheese instead of ricotta to make my lasagnas. I thought this was pretty crafty, until I realized that a bunch of other people had the same idea before me. Oh well. I bet my lasagna tastes better.

weekend recap

So. My weekend was pretty sick. On Friday I went to Rosa Mexicano and forgot to photograph any food because I am a genius. I did however photograph this pasta I made on Saturday:

Brown rice penne, clams, a shit ton of butter, tomato paste, garlic and pecorino romano.

Saturday was my girl Jackie's costume birthday party. I was going to go as Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, but that didn't really pan out. Instead, Nick, Tasha, Dale and I went as a gang. I dressed as a cholo. Close enough.

And there was this.

Sunday I went to the Death Cab For Cutie show. It was pretty tight but we didn't stay for their entire set. We headed out early to grab food at Cheesecake Factory. And again, because I am just so smart I didn't take any pictures of my seared tuna salad. Today I hit up Chipotle for lunch because I have neglected grocery shopping like an MF.

Tonight I'm getting my hairs done and hopefully hitting up Trader J's if I'm not too tired from last night's lack of sleep. Haaappy Monday!

benefits of eating raw meat

So I've mentioned before that I've been making an effort to eat more of my meat raw, or at least semi-raw. Some of the benefits of eating meat raw include intact enzymes and other vitamins and nutrients. It's also just easier on the ol' digestive tract. Several cultures all over the world eat raw meat regularly. There is even evidence that eating raw meat increases fertility, and eases childbirth. When Weston A. Price studied and explored cultures untouched by our modern diseases, majority consumed some form of raw animal protein! Mike recently shared some of his New York strip with me so I decided to cook it up, or rather barely cook it up. I seasoned each side with salt and pepper before searing it in coconut oil. I seared it for maybe thirty seconds on each side. I had it with mashed potatoes, which I don't usually eat but I was craving them. I just used organic red skin potatoes, butter and milk. I also had a salad, which I've been meaning to eat more of.

Yep.

Suuuper rare. At first I thought I might be skeeved out, that it might taste weird or I'd be turned off by the texture. Turns out it was freaking delicious. I've always preferred rare meat. The flavor was really good with a nice sear. While it was not entirely rare, the center was not even warm. This did not bother me. I don't think I could just nosh on an entirely raw steak, as that does not seem even slightly appealing to me. And keep in mind that people have always eaten raw meat. Now, I am not suggesting you go out and buy some cheap meat in the grocery store from a CAFO farm. I get all of my meat from a local, trusted farmer whose cows are grass-fed. It might be a good idea to look into eating more of your meat rare, or even raw. It is easier to digest, and our overall health begins with our digestive tract and what we are eating.

This post is part of Real Food Wednesday.

busboys and poets and tomato soup

The Busboys and Poets finally opened by my house! I've been so stoked for them to open since they have a lot of organic/gluten free items on their menu. Mike, Renee, Dale and I recently went for dinner. We started out with some drinks, Mike and I got organic IPA's while Dale got a Peach Woodchuck and Renee got wine.

Draaanks.

I got the shrimp and grits.

Looks small but the portion size was actually pretty generous. I've never had an issue with restaurants serving too big of portions. Hello?! Leftovers!! Two meals for the price of one. The shrimpies were in a cajun cream sauce on top of aparagus, corn, tomaters and onions. Topped with fried basil grit cakes. I cannot say enough good things about it.

Mike got the grass-fed meatloaf

Also super tasty. I know because I tried it, like I tried everyone else's food at the table. That is a red wine sauce on the side, and I wish I could get the recipe for it.

Renee got the crab cakes

They were also decently sized and I really liked them. Sometimes it's hard to come by a good crabcake, especially for this Maryland girl.

Dale got a shrimp and sausage pasta.

For dessert we took home a chocolate cake for all of us to split. But in reality, I demolished most of it. Whaddya gonna do.

So, inspired by Renee making some awesome tomato soup, I felt the need to try and recreate it. I was craving it so bad! So I rounded up my ingredients:

-4 large tomatoes from the farmers market

-1 pint colorful cherry tomatoes from the market

-1 large onions

-several cloves of garlic

-lots of fresh basil

-butter

-cream

-REAL chicken stock, the gelatinous goodness

-red pepper flakes

I tossed the cherry tomatoes in a baking pan

Chopped the large tomatoes

See how gorgeous they are?! Never thought I'd be the type to refer to tomatoes as gorgeous.

And I roasted them under the broiler.

While they were roasting I sauteed an onion and  garlic, and added the tomatoes to the onion along with some chicken stock. At the very end I added the basil and cream. Then put it in the Vitamix.

I probably should've taken a more attractive picture. But I forgot to. This was snapped when I had the soup for lunch the next day. Go me.

Shannon's turkey burgers

On Saturday Nick, Dale and I headed over to our friends Wes and Shannon's new digs for a little cookout. We started out with some drinks

I love Landshark! It's such an appropriate summer beer. And then I had some turkery burgers (plural because I ate 1/3 of my first one before dropping it on the floor like the graceful girl that I am).

This burger was so  good! I got the recipe from Shannon to share with ya'll.

1 lb of ground turkey (dark meat)

1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 cup italian flat leaf parsley

1/2 cup bread crumbs

3 tablespoon ketchup 

1 egg

3 cloves of garlic minced

1 small onion grated or finely minced

1/2 cup of pecorino or parmesan cheese

Shannon is a really good cook. This was actually a meatball recipe that she turned into a burger recipe. Wes grilled 'em up to perfection and topped them with raw cheese from Heyer's farm. I. Want. More.

We hung out some more and then decided we were all going to go out. So the ladies took the party upstairs to get ready. I love these girls, it was some of the most fun I've had just "getting ready" with them.

Attempt #1

A little better...

Katie D, me, Jackie. Wish Shannon was in this photo, but clearly Jackie is the best aspect of it.

No words.

Me and my gorgeous girlfran, KTD.

Turns out we just ended up hanging around the house some more. Where I snapped these gems

Nick, me, Joel. Nick taking a picture of someone taking a picture.

Charles and Shannon. I love her dress!

Joey and Nick being...Joey and Nick. *That whiskey shirt Nick is wearing is actually Mike's, and my grandmother bought it for him. No shortage of ridiculousness in these here parts.

I have no idea why Dale makes these faces.

Sunshine and I!

What an awesome night.

buckfest

Finally got some pictures to upload via a new app on my phone. I am SO behind and have so much to share, but I'll start with Buckfest. As always, it was awesome. There was a band

And tons of food, this isn't even half.

Crabs and lots of Budweiser...

A baby pool that this guy kept jumping in to cool off

And I ate a ton of food, without any regard for whether or not it was healthy. The food at Buckfest every year is always so good, there was no way I was passing any of it up. Plus, there was amazing Filipino food. So throughout the day I had this:

And this:

And this:

It was a long day! My contribution to the food was a tomato/basil/mozzarella joint that I totally forgot to photograph, which sucks because it was actually attractive. It got really good reviews! I just sliced up some tomatoes from the farmers market, added a chopped ball of mozzarella, basil from the market, raw garlic, olive oil and s&p.

I played redneck games

...turns out I really suck at horseshoes.

Spent the rest of the day dancin', drinkin', seeing old friends and hangin' out with these ladies:

Katie, Jackie, Tasha, Dani and Jenny. I love these girls so much! I'm seriously sad that Buckfest '11 is over but I had a ton of fun. Can't wait for next year!!

My. Pictures. Won't. UPLOAD!

unrepentent documentary

I don't really have a food related post for you today. Last night was spent running around and replacing my cracked iPhone. As a side note, Apple is awesome. When I had originally called when we were already on our way there, I was told I'd need an appointment to replace the screen and it would cost $200. I was bummed. But when we got there, they fit me in and told me they wouldn't charge me for it! Apple has the best customer service in the world. After that we ran around some more and by the time we got back to Hyattsville no cooking was going to go down. So I just hit up Elevation Burger.

Today I came across a documentary, Unrepentent: Kevin Annett and Canada's Genocide. I had no idea that genocide has occurred in Canada, and in the sixties at that! I've been watching it in my down time at work. It truly is awful what happened to these people, and we're all so oblivious to it because it had been covered up the Canadian government and the Catholic church. If you'd like to watch it or read up on it, click this link. 

For lunch I went to Teaism.

Recycled picture. I no longer get the brown rice, I get the broccoli.

And just for good measure, and because I really have nothing else to say, here are some cute pictures of Caedus.

D'awwww

So sassy.

Anyway, Buckfest is tomorrow! I'll make sure to take pictures of all the amazing food. Have a great weekend!

Renee's tomato soup

Last night I got to nosh out on some delicious tomato soup courtesy of Renee. Seriously so good. I had it with a grilled cheese that I made using organic soaked spelt bread, raw cheese, tomato and lettuce.

Renee couldn't remember the recipe exactly, but it was a mix of tomatoes from her CSA box, basil, onions, chicken stock (homemade!) and half and half.

Really awesome with a grilled cheese. I am sad I do not have more. I'm definitely craving it. Maybe I'll try to make my own tomato soup this weekend.

I also got to spend some time with this cutie face:

Blurry picture. I couldn't get him to stay still. He is getting so big! I can barely walk him, he is so strong. He is going to be a giant. But he'll still be my baby! And then later last night I was introduced to The Benson Interruption. Super funny.

Anyway, I'm so thankful it's Thursday and that we only have one more workday before Buckfest! Buckfest is Mike's dad's birthday/a crab feast/awesome. Their family gets together, a ton of our friends come and there is a slip and slide! Not to mention all of the awesome food (including really amazing Filipino food courtesy of Mike's stepmom). We all look forward to it every year, and there will be a band this year. I am so stoked. Have a happy Thursday!



YOU CAN FARM!

Yesterday I got off work early to go to one of everyones' favorite places: the MVA. It wasn't too terrible, I was thankful to get off work early. I'll share my new license picture with you because it's too hilarious not to.

Who is a total fat face?! THIS GIRL!! Also, if you are not an organ donor, you might be an asshole.

I came home and made burgers. They are just so easy and delicious! I added a pound of ground beef with organs to an egg, worcestirshire and salt and pepper. I just tossed 'em in the over under the broiler. While they were cookin' I steamed the following:

-broccoli

-garlic

-cauli

-peas

-mushrooms

Once cooked through I let it cool a bit before adding a shit ton of butter and a little bit of milk.

I topped the burgers with raw cheese, and cut up half of a tomato (topped with basil, olive oil and s&p) to serve on the side.



Prettyyy delicious, and so much of the food came from the farmers market, including the tomatoes, basil and broccoli. The eggs, cheese, milk, butter and meat came from Rainbow Valley farm. Local eating!!

I spent the rest of the night trying to read an enzyme nutrition book for school, but gave up in favor of this book I borrowed from Mike:

Joel Salatin is my hero. I mean literally, if someone asked me who my hero is, I'd say Joel. He is so passionate and an all around amazing person. I'm not too far into the book yet but I already feel so inspired. I feel like I'm beginning the journey and the process toward my dream of owning my own farm. I know it will be extremely hard work, and I will have to read and gain a lot more experience, but I am so excited to do that.

Renee made a bunch of tomato soup and I am SO stoked to have it for dinner tonight. I might do up the whole tomato soup with grilled cheese...Have an amazing day!!

childhood obesity

Last night I didn't cook, just hit up Chipotle.

Today I came across this article that discusses whether or not extremely obese children should be taken from their parents and put in foster care. While I don't agree or disagree right now, I do absolutely think that is a parents' duty to ensure their child is eating well. I think most parents who do not feed their children well are just ignorant...but is that an excuse? I mean, parents research neighborhoods to make sure their children grow up in a safe environment, they research schools to make sure they receive a good education, they research babysitters so they know they aren't leaving their children with some whack job...but a lot of time parents do not research how and what to feed their children. It is a basic right, and it is often overlooked. All children should have the right to health and an obesity-free future. I think the research should begin even before conception. If you are going to have a baby, you should make sure you have the healthiest gestation as possible. There are too many things that can happen to the baby (specifically immune deficiencies/autism). I realize this is often not the case, accidents happen! But when they do, it is important to begin research and make sure the baby is receiving everything it needs.

Unfortunately, the USDA guidelines are ridiculous and there is a ton of misinformation. But there are basics we all know are not healthy for anyone, much less children! Children should not drink soda. Children should not eat too much candy, cookies, cakes or ice cream. Well, children really shouldn't be eating sugar in general (which I assume most parents know, what's up, sugar high?!). Children should not eat processed, refined foods. Children should not be fed McDonald's because a person is too lazy/busy/tired to make dinner (at least go to Chipotle). Children should receive adequate amounts of fat (this goes for everyone, but specifically pregnant women and young children). The fat aids all cells, and is especially important for proper brain development. Don't forget, our brains are about 60% fat. Same goes for protein. Children should eat lots of veggies! And yeah, I've heard the whole my-kid-won't-eat-vegetables. Time and time again I've heard from parents who don't give their children junk food, that the kids eat whatever they make them and ENJOY it! Believe it or not, children who are not exposed to junk food actually prefer healthier choices. And here's the thing: children will not starve themselves. I actually saw an Episode of John and Kate Plus 8 in which someone asked Kate how she got her kids to eat the healthy food she served them, because they couldn't get their kids to eat healthy. She basically said kids get hungry, they aren't going to starve themselves, they will eat what is put in front of them. If they don't, they can go to bed hungry. She got her kids to eat well, and she has eight of them!

I do not have children. But if and when I decide to, I know that if it is a) planned, I will do my best to prepare for the gestation period or b) a mistake, I will immediately prepare my body for pregnancy. If you are unhealthy, if you are not willing to give your child the basic right to health, then don't have a child. In the article they discuss a 3 year-old girl that was 90 pounds. By age 12, she was 400. Her parents "had physical disabilities, little money and difficulty controlling her weight." Then they should have been responsible enough not to have the child, or to at least adopt. That is absolutely child abuse. I think that as a population (and I'm talking globally) we've started to treat having children as just another occurrence, like buying a car or taking a trip. We've become too nonchalant about parenting. These are lives. Having a child is no small endeavor. If you are going to procreate, at least do a good job. At least take care of yourself and your baby to ensure they have every opportunity and a basic right to their own health.