Eating WELL in the New Year & a Giveaway

Happy New Year!

Try and read thru the end of my ramble (or skip to the last paragraph, there is a great giveaway!).

Since the beginning of Stacey Snacks almost 3 years ago, I have broadened my horizons and opened my eyes to new ways of eating and cooking.

I have always loved to cook, and eat.
As a kid, I used to read the Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook (the one w/ the red & white checkerboard cover) at night in bed, and jot down notes on what I would like to prepare for my imaginary dinner parties when I grew up.

Since reading food blogs, I have opened my eyes to new ethnic foods & their cultures; about the "SLOW food movement"; sustainable farming; cooking what is in season from my local farmer's markets; and have become a better cook, all from people like you, who have an interest and love for food.

I had never heard of ramps, fiddlehead ferns, ghee or scapes before reading food blogs.
(I truly could have made it thru life without knowing about or trying them!).

I am now more AWARE than ever about chemicals and additives in foods.
I NEVER eat fast food or prepared foods.
I ALWAYS read labels.
I TRY and buy my meat (especially sausage & ground beef) from a local butcher or organic farm when I can, and am really trying to eat less of it.

and the most important thing: I only eat REAL foods.

This means, I don't eat artificial foods such as, diet sodas or anything processed with sugar substitutes (no Splenda or Nutrasweet).
A good example of an artificial food: NO FAT POTATO CHIPS made w/ OLESTRA (is that even still on the market?). Who wants to eat chips that give you diarrhea? Sure, you'll lose weight that way!

I realize that not everyone has the time to bake their own bread, but you can certainly find a whole grain bread at the supermarket that is high in fiber, 100% natural and good for you.

No excuses.



We live in a society where people feed their kids chicken fingers or a hot dog every night for dinner.

My mother was a pioneer in the 70's, even if she wasn't a good cook, she always wanted us to eat a healthy meal.
She never bought junk food, and we always had a balanced meal of vegetables with a salad as well as a baked potato and an animal protein.

MODERATION is the key. I love a hot dog, who doesn't? But it should be a treat.....not a daily meal.
Hey, I am going to die of something, but I just don't want it to be a disease that I could've controlled thru what I put into my body.



I will never be a vegetarian, but I love this saying by author, Wendell Berry, from The Pleasures of Eating:

“Though I am by no means a vegetarian, I dislike the thought that some animal has been made miserable in order to feed me. If I am going to eat meat, I want it to be from an animal that has lived a pleasant, uncrowded life outdoors, on bountiful pasture, with good water nearby and trees for shade.”

It's a nice thought.

There must be a reason that so many Italians (living in Italy) live well into their 90's.
It's probably because they buy their food from local markets daily and eat a ton of vegetables mixed in with their meats and poultry.
(and I am sure that glass of red wine everyday doesn't hurt!).

Here is a comment from Mark Bittman's blog from Mario in Italy (not Batali), he says:

“ Just a comment from the other side of the ocean (Italy). I am always a bit puzzled by the U.S. attitude toward food. Here you seem to distinguish between healthy/non-healthy foods judging on the calories content. Well I would rather look at the quality of the fat content and the amount of chemicals inside. If it's good and with a lot of calories, you just eat it in reasonable quantity. ”

So true!

I am certainly not preaching and I don't claim to be a nutritionist (though I play one on t.v.)....but it's good to just be AWARE.
You are in control of what goes into your body.
This is also how I maintain my weight, give or take 5 lbs. No diet sodas or products that trick your body into craving more crap.

OK, I have spoken. Now I will shut up. Thanks for listening and thanks for teaching me so many new tricks these past few years.

For 2011, I am giving away 2 copies of the beautiful Ottolenghi Cookbook. Though I have never visited their establishments in the U.K., I am in love with their beautiful cookbooks Ottolenghi and Plenty. They know how to do vegetables and meats right.



Post a comment about how you are eating better and healthier this year and 2 winners will be randomly chosen on Jan. 6.

Have a Happy and HEALTHY New Year!

Love,
Stacey