- Lets Talk About Food -

[christa]

IMO, I think food is over-rated.

I think people eat way too much of what they shouldn't and way too little of what they should. I think people should care more about what they put into their bodies.

As for what I watch, I LOVE Rachel Ray! Her personality is what draws me into her shows! Doesn't matter which one, I love them all! I've considered buying her cookbooks but I really don't love her style of cooking, LOL . . . I have tried her 30 minute meals and I rarely like them, so I think I must just like her personality, and that's it. - and it's not that I'm a bad cook, LOL . . . I LOVE to cook . . . Just not my style.

I love Iron Chef, and not the American version, the original Iron Chef! So funny & so entertaining to watch! I also like watching the Unwrapped shows to see how things are made and I love watching the NAKED Chef. What's his name? Jamie Oliver? He's such a cutie!

Now, for my Favorite Cookie Recipe:

Smart Cookies
Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) corn-oil margarine, softened (I use Smart Balance )
1 tablespoon water
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup golden brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 egg whites
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (I use Whole Wheat Flour)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (4 ounces) mini-chocolate chips

(I also add 1 cup of Minute Oats & 1/2 cup of chunky peanut butter)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together margarine, water and sugars with an electric mixer on a high speed for 2 minutes. Add egg whites and vanilla and mix well. Blend in flour, baking soda and salt. Mix well. Add chocolate chips and blend thoroughly.

Scoop dough in rounded 1/2-teaspoonfuls and place on prepared cookie sheet about 1 inch apart. Bake until deep golden brown. Cool completely and serve.

Nutritional Info:
Serves: 3-cookie
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cook Time: 17-19 min.
Nutrition Score per serving:
Calories: 64
% Fat 33%
g Fat 3.4 g; 0.95 g saturated
% Carbs 63%; g Carbs 15g
% Protein 4%; g Protein 0.9g
g Fiber 0.3g

[caseysmom]

I think food is an important part of family life. I try hard to sit down as a family every night to dinner together. It ties all the generations together.

I love to watch rachel ray, I love her $40.00 a day show, it ties food and traveling together, what could be more fun?

[Vela]

Well I hate to break it to you, but those cookies may be slightly healthier for you because of the whole wheat, but margarine is actually NOT good for you and whole eggs aren't bad for you, so while those may appear to be healthier in some aspects, they aren't healthy cookies=) A cookie is still a cookie and all things in moderation with a healthy dose of the right proteins, right carbs, and right fruits and vegetables is a healthy diet. You can eat regular foods, even treats, in moderation and try to have a balanced diet. I do agree though that many many people overeat in general, not just bad for you foods, but food in general. And we should all be more concious of eating as healthy a diet as possible. Y

I also agree with what someone else mentioned, that food is an integral part of family life. It doesn't have to be bad for you food, but it's not overrated IMO, it's a good time for the family to gather to communicate, over preparation and dinner, and a good way to get kids involved in having some fun togehter in the kitchen. If you don't have kids or are single then maybe it's not such a big deal but otherwise it's actually an important family time, mealtime, in such a busy hectic life.

[christa]

Well I hate to break it to you, but those cookies may be slightly healthier ....

Well, I hate to break it to YOU . . . I posted the NUTRITIONAL Info . . . the serving size is 3 cookies and 1 cookie is 1/2 a teaspoonful of dough, so yeah, portion control is key. You asked for recipes didn't you?

The reason I posted the cookie recipe is because normal "healthy recipes" usually get looked over in a hurry. I figured that a cookie recipe would get more attention. My lifestyle is completely healthy. Carbs & sugars in moderation. Low fats & lean meats. Veggies . . . the right fruits. Dailey exercise. It's a lifestyle. Staying healthy is important to me and it's not hard to do.

Okay, back on topic . . . I'll try to drudge up some more recipes later . . . maybe something that won't misrepresent what I live.

[Vela]

Actually no, I didn't ask for recipes....and margarine still isn't good for you, no matter what the nutritional information says, so I conceded that they might be healthier, but you stated healthy cookies, and cookies aren't healthy ever, some are just better than others. No need to get upset. I was just pointing out that no cookie is healthy and agreed with you about the rest, so I don't see why you are getting upset. I didn't say you weren't a healthy person and didn't have a healthy diet...so I don't see where you are getting any of that and getting defensive.

And actually I would be interested in healthy recipe ideas, I don't think they would be overlooked...at least not by everyone.

[beeniesmom]

Whew...

I love food. Food has always been an important part of my life.
Growing up, my dad was a chef in several restaurants. We even owned several too.
Mom would work with him.

I would often spend my weekends helping out (making salads mostly) because of my age.

I did learn how to cook at a young age and still love cooking now.

Sunday dinner was very important at my house (and still is). It was the only day when the whole family was together.

I don't think food is over rated.

I love watching 30 minute meals when I have time and I collect (yes collect) cookbooks. I like to read them as you would a novel. Yu know, for ideas, techniques and to discover new ingredients.

[Vela]

Well too late to edit, I meant to add, sorry if you took offense, I wasn't trying to be rude, although I guess it came acros that way to you. It wasn't a personal attack, I was just talking about that particular recipe, not your lifestyle. A cookie, even a healthier version, is still not consdiered "healthy" and margarine is actually worse for your body to process than real butter in small quantities. I understand WHY you posted the recipe, but no need to get in an argument over it, it's just a cookie...Sorry you took offense, none was intended.

[Crazy-Cat-Lover]

The cut I am using is a rib roast. It is about 2 pounds. Great recipes everyone! I like rich food, I dont skimp on the fat! Everything is always full fat, I find low fat really changes the flavor. Like in those chicken breasts, low fat cream cheese has a different texture/taste than full fat.

I think my roast is an outside rib roast, though it could be an inside rib roast. I bought it, then cut it in half and froze it. My oven is small, it is apartment sized and is very hot even at 250 degrees.