Eggstatic about eggplant

I am currently obsessed with eggplant--the veggie and the color. I know, it seems strange. Some people crave a beautiful pair of shoes, but for me (right now) it's all about eggplant.

Up until 2 weeks ago I'd never actually eaten an eggplant. Never. However, in my newly identified eggplant craving I have experimented with an eggplant recipe that was delicious.

Test out this recipe and you may find that you, too, are eggstatic for eggplant.


Eggplant and couscous

Ingredients:

1 eggplant
1/2 cup couscous (whole wheat is better and more delicious)
Olive Oil
1 garlic clove
2 tablespoons slivered almonds
Tumeric (dash or 2)
Chili powder (dash or 2)
2 scallions, chopped
1 carrot, diced finely
3-4 baby bella mushrooms, chopped
2 tbsp raisins
1-2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

1. Cut the eggplant in half lengthwise and scoop out the "flesh" with a spoon. Chop it up and set aside.

2. Make the couscous by following the instructions on the back of the box.

3. Heat the olive oil in a pan. Add the garlic, almonds, tumeric, chili powder, scallions, carrot, mushrooms and raisins. Cook for 2-3 minutes.

4. Add the eggplant and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Add the cilantro and mix well.

5. Remove from the heat and mix together with the couscous.

6. Serve with a green salad. Tastes delicious!

Be well and show a little gratitude for that eggplant before you take your first bite.

Attitude of Gratitude

Now that you've turned off your television and created an environment that supports mindful eating, you can start eating (well, almost).

Before you take that first delicious bite, take a moment to honor your food. This is time for you to express your gratitude for your food by thinking about where the food came from--the farmers that grew the vegetables, the workers that transported the food, and/or the cook that prepared the food.

You may find that by taking a moment to think about where your food came from, that you make healthier food choices.


Imagine what it would be like to do a cheeto meditation--it's hard to find gratitude for the cheeto. Where does it come from? Who farmed it? The cheeto farmer? It's harder to cultivate gratitude for processed foods when one tries to think about the source.

The beauty about fruits and vegetables are that they are a representation of the earth--a combination of the water, soil, and sun. Show your gratitude for mother earth by thinking for a moment about all of the causes and conditions that came together to produce this beautiful food.

You may find that by cultivating an attitude of gratitude that you may make healthier food choices, but I guarantee you won't find Jesus in a cheeto. Or will you?

Mindful Eating: turn off your f*#&ing TV!

Did you know that the average home has more television sets than people? It's true of most...is it true of you?

Other interesting facts--

• television is watched an average of 6 hours and 47 minutes a day
  
• 66% of americans eat dinner while watching tv
  

In a bold move last year my husband Jim and I got rid of our TV (the shock! the horror!) and replaced our television with...a reading chair! It's interesting how this small (but important) shift has changed our lives.

One of the most important things that we do differently-sans telly- is that we actually eat dinner at the dining room table. We light a candle, pull up a chair, and have a healthy side of conversation with our veggies.


Many people fall into patterns of MINDLESS eating--they watch tv, play on their computer, talk on the phone, or check out facebook while they are eating their dinner. This type of behavior has consequences. When we don't pay attention while eating we:

• tend to overeat
• make unhealthy food choices
• don't enjoy the full experience of our food
  
• eat out of emotion rather than hunger

So, the first step of eating mindfully is to set the stage and remove your obstacles.
Mindful eating is more likely to happen when you are in an environment that supports it. This means removing distractions that interfere with your mealtime. It is as simple as turning off your tv, computer, and cell phone.

Once you make this small change you have achieved the first step to eating mindfully.

Try it one day a week and see how it changes your relationship with your family...AND your food.

Be well.