A few weeks ago, I invited some friends over without knowing what a challenge it would be to please everyone's palate. One friend, a documentary animation filmmaker, who used to be a total foodie said she'd turned vegan. Vegan. After having her 25th anniversary party at Gorbals, downtown L.A.
Another friend is gluten-free. I had to read many labels very carefully. Experiment.
No clams, no mussels.
The food taboo list was long and forbidding, and I had agreed to volunteer earlier that day at an outdoors event. Sweltering heat. I was in a nonkosher pickle.
So what can you cook that's delicious, has some "wow" and mouth appeal, and still meets everyone's dietary needs.
This question that arises more and more often, so it was with great anticipation that I perused VB6 Cookbook, by Mark Bittman.
Full disclosure, I'm trying to be a fit foodie, so much of what Bittman explains, I knew. Many of my foodie pals say being a fit foodie is impossible, and not always empathetic or supportive of my goals. They tempt me with luscious, rich foods. Certainly it is a constant struggle, but it sexier if I say it's a "sensuous lifestyle." A sensuous lifestyle is one where you love your body, you love your self.
OK, the reality. It means I work out regularly on the gym and on the hiking trails, or I see unwanted growth on the scale. I grow some organic vegetables, what I can in this CA drought, and I eat right 85-90 percent of the time. I train. But like most people, I wish I could drop a few more pounds without sacrificing too much flavor, or muscle.
Towards that end, I limit carbs and sugar. Rarely eat dessert, junk food, processed food. I have tried eating only fruits and vegetables in the day, but quickly found I lacked energy and focus. Another reason I was looking forward to VB6 -- proper balance, sustained energy.
Love the way VB6 is organized. Unlimited pantry, limited pantry, and treat pantry. The suggested calendar is also great since I'm one of those people who hate eating the same thing over and over. My father took the leftovers to work so I never saw them in the house. Breakfast without fresh organic eggs from the farmers market is very challenging, Bittman's smoothie recipes are great and satifsying alternatives. I particularly love the cherry vanilla smoothie with fresh cherries.
There's a lot on grains and dried beans which I rarely eat, but might come in handy when I have guests. His dinner recipes are pretty simple and perfect for weeknights.
Mark Bittman makes healthy food make sense, and he inspires you by keeping it simple. And offering simple, refreshing variations. Can't wait to make the mussels in coconut broth w/fresh corn. I started cooking when my mother abandoned us so there are days when I think that's it, I'm gonna stop cooking. No more entertaining either. I've had it. Forever. My friends laugh and humor me. Sure, Sure. They know they will find me back in the kitchen.
Because people like Mark Bittman bring back the joy. He makes it seem fun, tasty and rewarding. Some recipes require more time and/or more ingredients than others, but he states that upfront. And luckily, most of the ingredients are easily found and do not require shopping at half a dozen specialty stores.
I don't know if I can be VB6 for seven years, but his story makes it sound do-able. That he never tires of it -- well, I may be ethnically-challenged. I am Chinese-American, and the Chinese have been known to eat everything. It was no different in my family, growing up.
I'll have to let you know later if I drop any pounds.
"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."
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