My Tango with Tofu

So this week I decided to try out something that is totally unfamiliar to me...that thing is tofu.  I know, many of you are thinking why waste my time with such a tasteless, boring ingredient.  However, after doing a little research and experimentation in the kitchen, I am delighted to report tofu is pretty great for several reasons: it's cheap, a great substitution for many recipes, and is one of the healthiest foods I have come across so far...

I have to admit, before this week i wasn't even sure what tofu was or how it was made.  So I did the research and found out it is simply coagulated soymilk that is sold in 3 main forms:

1) Firm Tofu--the kind that comes in blocks and should be used in stir fry recipes, on the grill, or in salads 2)Soft Tofu--should be used in soups or any recipe that calls for blended tofu
3)Silken Tofu--has a creamy texture and should be used for pureed dishes

Of course, the most exciting part for me was finding out how healthy tofu is.  Tofu is loaded with iron, B-vitamins, and is a good source of protein. Also, it is low in saturated fat, sodium, and has no cholesterol.  So, pretty much, if you are trying to lose weight, maintain a healthy weight, or simply eat healthier, tofu needs to become a part of your diet!

I also found out there are millions of tofu recipes on the web and in cookbooks.  One of the best sites i found was on Eatingwell.com which features 10 Quick Tofu Dinner Recipes.  Also, go to My Inner Chef page to see which tofu recipe I decided to experiment with...

Quick Tofu Dinner Recipes

SO here I am...

I have wanted to start a blog about nutrition for awhile now and the day is finally here! As you can see I already have some older posts up that you can browse through but this is my welcome message to the blogging world.  I always thought blogging was pointless and boring and only for people who want to babble on about their boring lives on the internet.  However, after looking through some other people’s blogs I have come to realize reading about peoples’ passions is interesting, raw, and genuine.

  My passion has always been for nutrition, which is what drove me to get a B.A. in Food and Nutrition at CSU Sacramento.  I currently work for one of the biggest specialty grocery companies in the nation whose foundation was built on selling organic, unaltered, and organic foods.  So as you can guess, most of my life revolves around food, food, food.  

This blog is all about breakthroughs in nutrition, weight management, easy recipes, exercise tips, and local events. Through my own personal experiences and education in nutrition, I really want to help people to discover how eating healthy and staying active will change their lives in the best ways possible.

Move over Food Pyramid, MyPlate has Arrived!

The USDA has redesigned the famous Food Pyramid and the result is...a plate!.  As you can see, this new visual is simplified, colorful, and kid friendly.  One of my favorite things about it is that it emphasizes portion control, one of countries biggest struggles when it comes to healthy eating.  I have added the website to my sidebar of helpful links (http://www.choosemyplate.gov/) so visit it and use all their great tools from creating a personalized plan, to looking up almost any food on their extensive database.

Also, check out "USDA Replaces Food Pyramid with a Plate" , an article from Delish.com, to learn more about it and to view my comment (username ashg247).

Under the Influences

I have always been surrounded by amazing cooks.  My mom and dad are both great in the kitchen and we were fortunate enough to have home cooked meals almost every night growing up.  My current roommate is a natural and invents the most delicious meals off the top of her head.  All the caterers and chefs at my work are food geniuses and create new, beautiful dishes that people "ooo" and "ahhh" over.  And then there’s my boyfriend, who went to culinary school and is one of the greatest chefs I know.  I love watching him, fascinated, as he moves comfortably around any kitchen while mixing bowls crowd the counters and all four burners occupy pots and pans on the stove.  Even with all these great influences in my life, the intimidation factor causes me to second-guess myself and my creativity.  I know how to follow almost any recipe and am familiar with most cooking jargon, however the control freak in me makes it hard to allow myself to be more creative.  With the commitment to sticking to healthy ingredients, I have an even bigger challenge than most. My ultimate goal is to show people food can still taste delicious even when minimal saturated fats, sugars, and preservatives are used.  Getting to share the finished product of a innovative and appetizing dish with others is one of the best rewards I have experienced.  So follow the "My Inner Chef" page as I continue to push myself to invent new, healthy recipes that reflect my personal style...

My Latest Workout Playlist...

Tired of going to the gym with your IPod on repeat? Try my latest workout playlist!  It has major variety from Bob Sinclair to Rihanna; more importantly these are all songs that are guaranteed to keep you amped for a long run or weight lifting session. (Total Time 55 mins)

1. “Beautiful Monster”(4:11) Ne-Yo
2. “Love Generation” (4:11) Bob Sinclair
3. “Woohoo” (5:28) Christina Aguilera
4. “Yeah 3X”(4:02) Chris Brown
5. “Coming Home” (3:58) Diddy
6. “Strip Me” (3:30) Natasha Bedingfield
7. “Best Love Song” (3:17) T-Pain featuring Chris Brown
8. “Give Me Everything” (4:16) Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack, & Nater
9. “Beautiful People” (3:46) Chris Brown
10. “Blah Blah Blah” (2:51) Ke$ha
11. “Fire Bomb” (4:17) Rihanna
12. “I Made It” (4:21) Kevin Rudolf featuring Birdman
13. “Faint” (2:42) Linkin Park
14. “Suffocated” (3:03) Orianthi
15. “Sabotage” (3:14) Kristina DeBarge