It’s been a while since I last posted. Every day, I’ve wanted to write something. And every night, bedtime rolls around without the post getting written. It reminds me a lot of my dietary tendencies from a few years back: tomorrow, I promised myself every night for a million years, would be the day I would eat better, eat less, eat healthier.
The bottom line is this: we moved continents one month ago, I was full-time Mom-ing until this week, we co-sleep so I basically go to bed when Vida Lev does. Most embarrassing though, I don’t have any new recipes to share.
We are trying to find a routine knowing that in just a few weeks we will be moving again. We search for an anchor, something familiar and feel homesick while embracing this newness with joy.
I am happy to be here, I truly am. But right now everything feels completely up in the air, like aluminium foil confetti – not that pleasant at times but quite pretty at others.
And, of course, there’s a little girl with a huge amount of emotions that she can’t quite express yet to consider and love. The other day, she went and found a picture of the lovely lady who took care of her in London, pointed at it and burst into tears. So, you know… cooking isn’t number 1 on my list these days.
Most nights, I’ll throw a bunch of something in a pot – lentils, wild rice, sprouted quinoa, roast or steam something to go with it – squash, broccoli, maybe add some kind of dressing or protein – zucchini hummus, guacamole, nutritional yeast. Nothing too exciting; but this is the grounding, simple food we are craving at the moment. (by the way, if you have yet to experience the lentil/roast squash combo, I urge you to do so on a cold wintery night. It's comfort food at it's most warming)
And, happily, I have landed in a place where I can actually buy things to eat. Not online, not a million miles away. At the grocery store, or at the place where these things are actually made. Hoorah!
American food is usually synonymous with oversized portions of fake weirdness drenched in alien sauces that could survive nuclear explosions. What is rarely mentioned is the flip side of that coin: the myriad of healthy, health-conscious companies doing their best to keep our lives easy and our energy high.
So, for the first time in years, I am no longer forced to cook every single meal. And I’m loving it! I’m loving the organic/local, green, nothing-added, fresh produce and products. And DW is loving all the fun stuff he can add to his daily bread without warranting raised eyebrows from his wife.
In light of this, I thought I’d share some of my favourite things that make my life easier without compromising my health:
* Artisana Coconut butter: if you know me, you know how much I love coconut. This is made from the flesh of the coconut and isn’t just oil. A wonderful addition to smoothies and desserts though a friend of mine spreads it straight onto her morning toast.
* Ezekiel tortillas and cereal: while I don’t personally eat these products as I can’t have gluten, I’m happy knowing that DW is treating himself well. Even Vida Lev has given them a shot – the jury’s still out on that one.
* Norwalk green juices: there’s something about how they bottle these babies that prevents oxidation. So while I’m still in flux and without my own juicer, these are a real treat – note that I say treat because they ain’t cheap. (I buy them here or here or at Whole foods)
* Faux Gras: Ella, the Queen of Brooklyn (otherwise known as The Regal Vegan), produces her wonderful product in small quantities and guarantees quality. It’s lentils, walnuts, caramelized onions and other delicious goodness.
* And so much wonderful, unpasteurized coconut water. As much as I can afford.
* Kelp noodles. I believe I’ve mentioned these once or twice... Try them. They’re awesome. Here’s the recipe I use.
* Raw breads that contain nuts, seeds and sometimes sprouted buckwheat. Vida Lev loves them too.
* And of course I have found dessert. I already had my faves: One Lucky Duck Oreo ice cream and/or cupcakes from Babycakes. But recently, desert has become a rich chocolate pie from Hail Merry or Rocking Raw’s cinnabuns. Gluten Free, Vegan, Raw. And yet absolutely delicious. Yes. Really. Ask my husband if you don’t believe me.
As we ease into life here, create our place, we will begin to cut corners, and splurges will probably involve more kitchen gear so I can make everything I need at home. But in the mean time, we’re drinking, eating and loving it up in this wonderful, crazy, disgusting, holy, miraculous, fun, dank, amazing new city we’re starting to call home.
N.B. DW reminded me that no list of products would be complete without sharing my favourite one of all: my lip balm. I remember crying at the price tag a decade ago, but have still not found anything better or cheaper.
On a final note: I was not paid by any companies, nor was I sent any samples of these products for review. However, if you’re reading this, lovely people who make these lovely things, I’ll happily accept if you feel like sending me some…
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