Since I am an avid reader, I could name many books that have influenced me in some way. For this post, however, I will discuss only one. It's Mediterranean Women Stay Slim, Too: Eating to Be Sexy, Fit, and Fabulous! Yes, the title is long, but the book is fairly short and a quick read.
The author is chef and restaurant owner Melissa Kelly. She is from an Italian American family and relates many family stories as well as her experiences as a chef. I have been re-reading this book because it has so many great tips and recipes.
One point she makes is about the social aspect of eating in her family as well as in the Mediterranean culture. When we make meals a social "event" as well as nourishment, the meal is more satisfying and we tend to eat less. I have noticed that is true with me. Even on Thanksgiving, when I cooked for a dozen people and there were so many dishes, I did not eat too much. There was so much energy in the room, so much to talk about and share, I actually ate less. When I eat alone or eat with my husband in front of the TV, I tend to eat more and usually enjoy the meal less.
Melissa makes the point to eat at the table, to turn off the TV or other distractions, focus on the food and the companionship. When I do that, I do have a more enjoyable meal. It's easy to eat on the run, eat in front of the TV or PC or even with my phone in hand.
This book is not a diet book; it's a book about enjoying life, fresh food, family, and friends. It's inspirational. I am going to try to live more like the Mediterranean culture, right here in my Midwestern town.
If you want to see more about this book, go to Amazon. Right now the book is bargain priced and well worth every penny!
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Influential Books
Can I choose only one influential book? Of course, there are SO many. I love to read, and read a variety of genres. I will avoid the obvious (The Bible) and choose a collection of books that changed my approach to food, which changed me both inside and out.
A few years ago, I became bogged down in the everyday routine of work and household. With teenage boys (one in college) and all that comes with, I had lost interest in cooking. It had become dull and stressful. I then signed up for a personal chef service, someone who came up with exciting meals (based on our likes and dislikes), bought the food, prepared it in our home, cleaned up (yes, cleaned up) and put the meals either in the freezer or fridge. She prepared enough for 10 meals in one day. I came home to the smells of beef stew, turkey saltimbocca, and individual pizza turnovers.
We did this for over a year, then she started to change. She rented out a commercial kitchen, so she no longer cooked in my home. She delivered the food, but it just wasn't the same. But the biggest change was the summer I did not teach. With extra time on my hands (no papers to grade!), what could I do? I started watching shows on Food Network, especially Rachael Ray and Giada de Laurentiis. They used fresh ingredients, made homemade sauces, they made me hungry and made me want to cook! I picked up a cookbook from each of them. I found a way to spend some of my "free" time and be productive. I found my passion for cooking again. Cooking real food with fresh ingredients.
With this new found passion, we "fired" the personal chef. My husband became by sous chef. We shopped at farmer's markets more. We felt healthier. We did not need packaged, processed food (like rice mixes and such). The meals were often made within 30-45 minutes (or used the Dutch over or slow cooker). Cooking well was not that difficult.
Thanks to Rachael and Giada for all they have inspired me to do! I know own most of Rachael's cookbooks and two of Giada's, plus two from the Barefoot Contessa. These are my favorite cookbooks, but I do have a collection of others, used less frequently. I just got Rachael's new Look and Cook book and tried the Chicken Cutlets with Orange and Arugula (but I used lettuce instead of arugula). What flavor the chicken had!!
A few years ago, I became bogged down in the everyday routine of work and household. With teenage boys (one in college) and all that comes with, I had lost interest in cooking. It had become dull and stressful. I then signed up for a personal chef service, someone who came up with exciting meals (based on our likes and dislikes), bought the food, prepared it in our home, cleaned up (yes, cleaned up) and put the meals either in the freezer or fridge. She prepared enough for 10 meals in one day. I came home to the smells of beef stew, turkey saltimbocca, and individual pizza turnovers.
We did this for over a year, then she started to change. She rented out a commercial kitchen, so she no longer cooked in my home. She delivered the food, but it just wasn't the same. But the biggest change was the summer I did not teach. With extra time on my hands (no papers to grade!), what could I do? I started watching shows on Food Network, especially Rachael Ray and Giada de Laurentiis. They used fresh ingredients, made homemade sauces, they made me hungry and made me want to cook! I picked up a cookbook from each of them. I found a way to spend some of my "free" time and be productive. I found my passion for cooking again. Cooking real food with fresh ingredients.
With this new found passion, we "fired" the personal chef. My husband became by sous chef. We shopped at farmer's markets more. We felt healthier. We did not need packaged, processed food (like rice mixes and such). The meals were often made within 30-45 minutes (or used the Dutch over or slow cooker). Cooking well was not that difficult.
Thanks to Rachael and Giada for all they have inspired me to do! I know own most of Rachael's cookbooks and two of Giada's, plus two from the Barefoot Contessa. These are my favorite cookbooks, but I do have a collection of others, used less frequently. I just got Rachael's new Look and Cook book and tried the Chicken Cutlets with Orange and Arugula (but I used lettuce instead of arugula). What flavor the chicken had!!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Reading Time
I have been an avid reader since I was in grade school. Having a book to read before bed, while waiting for appointments, during breaks (especially my afternoon coffee break) is great. Books entertain, inform, educate, and promote discussions.
For my birthday in November, I got a Kindle (Amazon's e-reader). After much research and comparison, I chose that one over the Nook (Barnes & Noble's e-reader) because the longer battery life, the e-ink screen (easier on the eyes than the LED screen) and the generally lower prices on Amazon. I love shopping at B & N, but I buy more from Amazon. I got the Kindle with 3g,so if there is no WiFi, I can still connect to the internet (I got internet access while in Cozumel in December).
It's been fun downloading books (many are free 99 cents or less than $10), sample chapters (those are free), and games on my Kindle. I have nearly 60 books on there now. I can read them on the Kindle itself or on my laptop or phone with the Kindle app. The Kindle is lightweight, and it's easy to use. I can take it on trips and have multiple books at my fingertips. I think I will get most of my books now electronically. The only exceptions I see right now are some textbooks I teach with (easier to use the paper book to mark up and direct students to specific pages), cook books, and some travel books. The Kindle is black and white, and the graphics are not as great as would be in physical color cook books and travel books.
A few of the books I am currently reading on the Kindle are the following:
1. Juliet: A Novel by Anne Fortier
2. Key Lime Blues by Mike Jastrzebski
3. America the Edible by Adam Richman (he has a show, Man vs. Food, on Travel Channel)
I also peruse the free sample chapters I have downloaded. That is a great feature. I can see if I want to buy the full book by reading a couple chapters for free.
Does anyone else use an e-reader or e-reader app? What do you think of them? Any favorite books? Do you use the e-reader for textbooks?
For my birthday in November, I got a Kindle (Amazon's e-reader). After much research and comparison, I chose that one over the Nook (Barnes & Noble's e-reader) because the longer battery life, the e-ink screen (easier on the eyes than the LED screen) and the generally lower prices on Amazon. I love shopping at B & N, but I buy more from Amazon. I got the Kindle with 3g,so if there is no WiFi, I can still connect to the internet (I got internet access while in Cozumel in December).
It's been fun downloading books (many are free 99 cents or less than $10), sample chapters (those are free), and games on my Kindle. I have nearly 60 books on there now. I can read them on the Kindle itself or on my laptop or phone with the Kindle app. The Kindle is lightweight, and it's easy to use. I can take it on trips and have multiple books at my fingertips. I think I will get most of my books now electronically. The only exceptions I see right now are some textbooks I teach with (easier to use the paper book to mark up and direct students to specific pages), cook books, and some travel books. The Kindle is black and white, and the graphics are not as great as would be in physical color cook books and travel books.
A few of the books I am currently reading on the Kindle are the following:
1. Juliet: A Novel by Anne Fortier
2. Key Lime Blues by Mike Jastrzebski
3. America the Edible by Adam Richman (he has a show, Man vs. Food, on Travel Channel)
I also peruse the free sample chapters I have downloaded. That is a great feature. I can see if I want to buy the full book by reading a couple chapters for free.
Does anyone else use an e-reader or e-reader app? What do you think of them? Any favorite books? Do you use the e-reader for textbooks?
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Summer Reading
Now that August has arrived (and fall classes will soon be starting), I must admit I have not read as many books as I had planned to. I had half a shelf filled with books I had started but not finished plus scattered around were lots and lots of "to be read" books. Of course, I bought at least a half dozen new ones to add to the mix.
Where did time go? Hmmm, summer classes, gardening, supporting Steve in his triathlons, cooking, cleaning, shopping (mostly for food), catching up on Facebook, etc. But I have been trying to read some every evening before bed.
I also discovered Shelfari (thanks to Dianna Rockwell Shank). That is a cool site where you can build a virtual bookshelf and fill it with books you are reading and have read. It's shown here on my blog page with some of the books I've read.
I have read a few cookbooks. Yes, I mean read them, not just flip through the pages looking at the pictures or searching for a recipe. I read the intro, the stories that go along with the recipe, the recipes themselves. I have read books about food--buying, cooking, growing, etc. I have read books about food and the environment and our health. I even read the book about the founders of Facebook (an interesting, fast read), The Accidental Billionaires. I finished Fatally Flaky, a mystery with a caterer heroine (yes, food again--there are recipes included).
Now I must turn some of my attention to reviewing the texts for my fall composition and grammar classes. But I will still try to whittle away at my fun reading list.
If you have read a good or great book, let me know. I always have shelf space for one more!
Where did time go? Hmmm, summer classes, gardening, supporting Steve in his triathlons, cooking, cleaning, shopping (mostly for food), catching up on Facebook, etc. But I have been trying to read some every evening before bed.
I also discovered Shelfari (thanks to Dianna Rockwell Shank). That is a cool site where you can build a virtual bookshelf and fill it with books you are reading and have read. It's shown here on my blog page with some of the books I've read.
I have read a few cookbooks. Yes, I mean read them, not just flip through the pages looking at the pictures or searching for a recipe. I read the intro, the stories that go along with the recipe, the recipes themselves. I have read books about food--buying, cooking, growing, etc. I have read books about food and the environment and our health. I even read the book about the founders of Facebook (an interesting, fast read), The Accidental Billionaires. I finished Fatally Flaky, a mystery with a caterer heroine (yes, food again--there are recipes included).
Now I must turn some of my attention to reviewing the texts for my fall composition and grammar classes. But I will still try to whittle away at my fun reading list.
If you have read a good or great book, let me know. I always have shelf space for one more!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Summer Reading
I had high hopes to read a few novels and finish the half-read non-fiction books once spring semester was done. However, summer classes and other adventures have limited my free time.
My current read is The United States of Arugula by David Kamp. So far, it's interesting, exploring the "great American food revolution."
Last week I finished In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. It was on my "to read" list for awhile and certainly opened my eyes to some of the problems with the food industry and farming trends. I like his approach to food and eating. It makes sense to me.
When I go on vacation next week, I'll be reading Julie & Julia on the plane. It should be entertaining. Reading, writing, cooking, and eating are my interests too. I must remember to bring snacks on the plane if I'm reading about food.
Once I finish Julie & Julia, I will finally get to Fatally Flaky by my favorite mystery writer, Diane Mott Davidson. Her protagonist is Goldy, a caterer who helps to solve murders.
I know what you are thinking. I read too much about food. It seems to be a theme lately. I'm interested in eating better and eating well, understanding how foods affect us and how the food industry has affected what and how we eat. Through all my reading and cooking, I have become a picky eater. I avoid fast food restaurants because the food does not appeal to me anyone and I know what's in it. I prefer freshly prepared food from fresh ingredients. Even chain restaurants like Applebee's and Olive Garden are not enticing.
I have an entire shelf of "food" books (not including my bookcase of cook books--that's another blog). It's a fascinating subject. Now if I can only get myself back to the YMCA on a regular basis.
My current read is The United States of Arugula by David Kamp. So far, it's interesting, exploring the "great American food revolution."
Last week I finished In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. It was on my "to read" list for awhile and certainly opened my eyes to some of the problems with the food industry and farming trends. I like his approach to food and eating. It makes sense to me.
When I go on vacation next week, I'll be reading Julie & Julia on the plane. It should be entertaining. Reading, writing, cooking, and eating are my interests too. I must remember to bring snacks on the plane if I'm reading about food.
Once I finish Julie & Julia, I will finally get to Fatally Flaky by my favorite mystery writer, Diane Mott Davidson. Her protagonist is Goldy, a caterer who helps to solve murders.
I know what you are thinking. I read too much about food. It seems to be a theme lately. I'm interested in eating better and eating well, understanding how foods affect us and how the food industry has affected what and how we eat. Through all my reading and cooking, I have become a picky eater. I avoid fast food restaurants because the food does not appeal to me anyone and I know what's in it. I prefer freshly prepared food from fresh ingredients. Even chain restaurants like Applebee's and Olive Garden are not enticing.
I have an entire shelf of "food" books (not including my bookcase of cook books--that's another blog). It's a fascinating subject. Now if I can only get myself back to the YMCA on a regular basis.
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