JLoeats.com

NYT article of interest

Fo Serious. I felt like all I did yesterday was SNACK. Which in my mind is like a tease, a way of food shopping where I can never really find what I’m looking for unless I make it myself.

Munch munch munch.  I woke up feeling yucky :(  I really don’t like snacking, but when I eat meals that don’t satisfy my nutrient cravings, I get sad and search for munchies that will.  You know, it’s that weird full feeling, the empty calorie kind of full, where I need energy, and I’m trying a lot of different things to find the right kind :P Bleh.

I’ve been playing around with my eating habits since undergrad, and as my appetite has really been fluid in changing to my healthy requests and needs, I’m learning to take the “what does my body want today” approach to eating. Considering that I get hungry every two hours if I eat the wrong things, like snacks that only hold me over till the next meal – even if they’re good snacks like fruit, veg, or nuts, I still find that I need a least one substantial savoury protein : carb : veg ratio-ed meal all doused in saucy saucy goodness once a day.

The more I learn about food and what I should be eating that feeds my body the best, the more I like to challenge the idea of having three square meals a day versus the coveted BRUNNER nowadays…

Come on, it’s so college to only eat one meal a day because of time,

and I hear it all the time, I even hear myself say it in grad school now – “I don’t have time to eat”

well, “MAKE TIME!” said just like my momma.

yes. very important folks. Hence I plan my day around my meals now, really, who doesn’t? And I must admit, most of the times when I’m bored or stressed it’s because I can’t find something that tickles my fancy, when I’ve been snacking all day just to satisfy the mouth feel of chewing and wanting to eat, but not knowing exactly what it is that my body needs really bugs me too.

It’s like going on the perfect search, trying everything on for size.  And when I finally find that  meal that just tickles my tongue with excitement and flavour, it is so damn rewarding like finding the perfect sexy dress after a whole day of shopping!  Mmmmmhmmmm!

As of late, since I’ve been gorging on food and was utterly gluttonous for the last month and a half, (and enjoying every bit of it mind you, I even boast about my food poisoning bout that I had in LA, like I went through battle or something!) I have been craving some good ol HOME COOKIN. :)

aka my own. hahaha.

Mainly also, I’m really tired of eating out lately.  I miss my mommy’s liquid home soupie, and I feel fat and heavy from what I do eat when I go out.  If I have salad and soup for lunch as an attempt to find that balance from the heavy ass meal from the night before, I’m usually hungry again within the hour, and find myself snacking because my body’s like — I need energy!!!  I usually like to save my big savory moments for dinner too, although many people who believe that the largest meal of the day should be breakfast or don’t eat past 9pm because the three hours before you sleep should be reserved for your body to rest instead of busy digesting through the night given that you actually sleep before midnight – frown upon this request.  Aghh, sleep.  It goes hand in hand with food doesn’t it.  Especially now, during winter when all I want to do is snuggle up in bed, wake up excited to eat like it’s the first day of spring, and then go back to bed again because it’s cold outside.  All comfy like an animomo.

Ever wake up completely starving though, when you’ve gone to bed completely over the top full?? Woowee, damn those stomach acids are strong!!! Go tummy go!

So, “What should I have for breakfast/lunch/dinner today?” and “What will feed me the most nutrients, be tasty, and excite my tongue — and get me through the week so i can focus and study???”

Hmmmm…?

Usually when I don’t know what can satisfy my cravings with, I’m very satisfied with a whole day trip to Wholefoods where I get inspired to cook.  I pack my reusable bags in a backpack and rolly suitcase (oh NY, how you are le suck for my favourite activity of supemarket hording), and I make it a day.

Yes, I was hesitant to reveal this as my supermarket of choice because I admit, I feel good, calm, and happy when I shop there knowing very well that I pay premiums for the convenience and the niche, although I feel like some of my colleagues might spearhead me with an artichoke if I admit these things in class…

Anyway, I am planning a whole week’s worth of meals right now, and am making my second shopping trip today.  Yes yesterday was the first, and I was maxed out.  What else can you do without a car in this damn city?

Do I pay extra for delivery sparing my arms from falling off while lifting rolly suitcases and granny carts up and down subway stairs? Do I order online and not get to smell touch and play with my food before I choose it? Do I seduce a man to come with me just to use his chivalry and strength to my advantage?  Hahaha, it’s like eating out anyway, but knowing and getting exactly what I want since all the effort is still there, while there’s no time to relax in New York without feeling guilty…

Hmm, let’s just bank on the payoff that is definitely worth my fight to find the right kinds of foods that feed my bodily functions at all costs!

Ok, trip number two. Let’s go hiddy ho!

Happy Food Shopping,

xoxo J xoxo