Wish List: May Street Market

So how does a Maytag Blue Cheesecake starter sound? Heard great things about this place. Maybe next weekend.

May Street Market

Alternatives to the Lean Cuisine

Ok. I am not a huge fan of the frozen meal. But I have been known to eat a Mac and Cheese Lean Cuisine in an effort to not totally blow my diet and as a way to appease that fat, cheesy craving. I do, however, realize they really are crap and not a great way to fuel my body at work.

Finally, I have found some frozen meals I like and are actually good for me.

I am a fan of Amy's Organics. Her Tamale Pie and Shepard's Pie (vegetarian) are very tasty and low in fat. So check those out.

My favorite frozen meal is Kashi Frozen dinners.

You might know Kashi from their whole grain cereals. Fibery to the point of twiggy but a real hit with my Weight Watchers and health nut cohorts. They also make tasty frozen meals.

Lemongrass Coconut Chicken is very good. As is the Chicken Pomodoro. Lots of fiber as would be expected of Kashi but they also taste very fresh. Lots of vegetables - limited amounts of meat.

The only drawback is they are a bit pricey. Whole Foods have them for $4.99 - Target for $2.69 I think. I usually try to fix my lunch but these are great in a pinch.

Please let me know if you have tried others that you like. They also have pizza! But I think that would be just too much for me. Can you supersize this please?

Where or where are the Peppadews?

I love them...I can't find them. They have disappeared from my favorite salad at the Southport Grocery - Prosciutto Salami Fig Salad.

I had lunch there on Friday and waiting with anticipation. Oooohhhh that salty, spicy, sweet goodness! I like a bite that includes a pepper (only half), a small piece of cheese, and dipped in the tart fig dressing. It is the best. So I waited eagerly...the plate was set down and DISAPPOINTMENT!!!!! Just some limp roasted peppers.

WTF people! I don't ask for much. Just my damn Peppadews. Sorry we are out. Bait and switch - pout.

These wonderful peppers are from South Africa. Sweet and spicy and usually marinated in vinegar. I used to find them in the olive bar at Whole Foods. Then I saw a jarred version at Fox and Obel and then poof.

Please someone help me....where can I find the peppadews!?!??!

Cabbage Hash - Mom Style

So my mother recently came to visit me. I seem to have my food habits from my mother. We both love southern comfort - cut our teeth on it actually. But we both are a little too vain to just let ourselves eat to the point that they have to cut us out of the trailer. So we have this strange love/hate thing with food. We both make decadent food and then ask ourselves out of eating it. So during her last visit I asked her to help me make some healthy meals.

A side note: My mother is a fabulous cook. See past posts for more of her mighty tasty recipes.

Cabbage Hash: Simple, healthy but tastes so good!
1 head of cabbage, shredded
1 turkey kielbasa, diced
2 red peppers, diced
1 large sweet onion, diced
2 tsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Heat a large dutch oven and add 2 tsp olive oil. Add the turkey sausage and onions. Saute until the onions are translucent. Add red pepper and saute until softened. Lower heat to medium, Add cabbage and saute until soft cabbage is soft. Add more oil if the cabbage is slow to soften. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Lots of fiber - plus salty and a little sweet from the red pepper!

So its been a while...

My relationship with food has been a bit contankerous over the last few months so please forgive the hiatus. When one seeks food for comfort and to fill voids that really should be filled in another way...writing a food blog can be a bit complicated.

But I digress...in an effort to shift my experience of food I have focused on healthy options. There will still be plenty of yummy bad food too. ;-) But all things in balance...can you tell I am in therapy? LOL

This Christmas I received two wonderful food related gifts...

1. A delicious raw food chocolate pie from JB. I do not have his recipe but I think this is similar...don't be put off by the avocados. This is extremely decadent and amazingly healthy!

Avocado Chocolate Pie

2. And TIVO. How is Tivo food related? Almost all the programs I record are from the Food Network. I am now addicted to Nigella Express and Healthy Appetite with Ellie Krieger. Ellie has a fabulous new cookbook out. Highly recommended!

Later..my mom's healthy cabbage hash!