17 Responses to “Comfort Zones”

1. Quick tip: British food sucks.

   “Would you like some roast pigeon and turnips, governor?”

   by Theo Epstein on May 30th, 2008 at 9:08 am
   
   

2. I love that show, which I end up watching only…at lunch time. Go figure. The visuals are striking–the original table filled with greasy brown and yellow food vs. the second table filled with glowing veggies in vivid colors.

   Currently I’m researching the whole local-foods phenomenon, which involves talking to chefs and going to restaurants that feature local products. Poor me.

   by Sheila Connolly on May 30th, 2008 at 9:10 am
   
   

3. If only we lived closer together I could share the plentiful harvest of my veggie garden. I’m a sucker for a road-side veggie stand and love love love fruit.

   Good luck in your endeavor! You’ll feel so good about yourself when you get into the swing of things.

   by debbie on May 30th, 2008 at 9:23 am
   
   

4. Heather, You need to try some of the cuisine I’ve had to partake in. China has some interesting food that they don’t really serve at Chinese Restaurants in the states.

   Check some of my meals out here: http://wbereswill.com/wordpress/?p=25

   by Wilfred Bereswill on May 30th, 2008 at 9:35 am
   
   

5. I understand sweet potatoes thing. Sweet potato pie is the only way I really enjoy them. I do buy sweet potatoes occasionally and bake them becauseI am told they are good for you. The only vegetable I don’t eat is asparagus, for reasons too personal to put here (LOL)Otherwise, I am a definitely a fresh veggie freak. I do wish I had a garden.

   by Vannie Ryanes on May 30th, 2008 at 9:37 am
   
   

6. Oh, good grief.

   Who ARE you, Heather Webber?

   I’m with Theo on this one.

   Oh, and one quick thing. Only snacks that are bad for you are allowed on our road trip to Chicago. I spy even one piece of broccoli…

   Sheesh.

   by Laura on May 30th, 2008 at 9:42 am
   
   

7. Fresh is good, particularly if you can get it locally.
   But I’ve heard ‘fresh’ veggies at your grocery store aren’t necessarily better than frozen/canned if they’ve been sitting around or shipped a great distance.

   Frozen/canned are often prepared at their peak ripeness, so I wouldn’t dismiss them. Better some veggies/fruits then none at all.

   That said, local produce can’t be beat - I’m looking forward to the opening of veggie stands.

   by Ilana on May 30th, 2008 at 9:43 am
   
   

8. I heard from a friend-chef that a great way to make asparagus is to drizzle a bit of balsamic vinegar on them, then broil them on each side for a couple of minutes. Before trying that, every foray I made into asparagus-cooking land ended up with them tasting woody or dead! It’s also very easy, which is a major requirement for getting me to turn on the stove.

   by Kathryn Lilley on May 30th, 2008 at 10:18 am
   
   

9. If you ever have the chance try some sweet potato fries. So yummy!
   I hate sweet potatoes. Really, I do. But the fries…….
   Anything fried would taste good, eh?

   by debbie on May 30th, 2008 at 10:19 am
   
   

10. Another way to cook asparagus and other veggies is to put a barbecue rub on them. Either make your own or find a no-salt one and then broil or bake or grill the veggie. My husband does eggplant for me this way.
    cmr

    by Chris Redding on May 30th, 2008 at 11:18 am
    
    

11. Theo, I can’t judge–never had any. But pigeon and turnips don’t sound too appetizing.

    Sheila, LOL, I usually watch during lunch, too, and end up feeling so guilty. Your research sounds great!

    Debbie, yeah, I wished I were closer. Maybe one day I’ll have to try a veg. garden. Mmm.

    by Heather on May 30th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
    
    

12. Will, ugh. Let me get through veggies, first.

    Vannie, I need to give sweet potatoes another try. Maybe as Deb suggested, in fries. Baby steps, right?

    Laura, I’m an enigma! Moo-ha-ha. Seriously, I’ve always eaten good stuff. Healthy stuff. I just eat a lot of junk food too. And road trips are not for healthy eating.

    Ilana, I’m on the lookout for a farmer’s market near me. Must. Find. One. I’ve been reading labels on some of the stuff I buy and it’s a little scary how processed and salted everything is!

    Kathryn, sounds yummy! Will have to give it a try.

    Chris, eggplant is another veg I’m scared of. But a BBQ rub makes it less scary!

    by Heather on May 30th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
    
    

13. Heather, there are plenty of ways to enjoy veggies! You can even hide them in unsuspecting foods and no one will know (mash cauliflower in with potatoes for instance). Growing your own is the best way to go, if not do a search for local farmers markets. Also, rhubarb is best in pie hanging with strawberries (homemade of course). Another book to check out that is a fairly quick and informative read is Pollan’s In Defense of Food.

    I’m moving back to Tampa in a month and I have my garden planned out. In the meantime I hit the local farmers markets.

    by AmyD on May 30th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
    
    

14. Rhubarb is a waste of good garden space. Now, a good spagetti squash? Or zucchini and onions saute’d? Or even a pepper and onion medley for chicken fahitas? I’m eating more and more veggies, but I’m still not losing weight. Paid $188 for WW and lost 3 pounds. That’s over $60 a pound! But to be honest, am I following the rules, no. And I need to get exercising an up this metabolism again.

    I read somewhere that chemo takes off as much muscle as you’d lose in 10 years. So now I know why I’m still tired all the time.

    I still don’t like cooked carrots. And I agree with Theo, I’ve never read a British recipe that I said, Mmmmm. Steak and Kidney Pie? Give me a break.

    by Lynn on May 31st, 2008 at 9:03 am
    
    

15. As a Brit, I may say that I have once had pigeon, and yes, it sucks…
    But I love turnips, especially when they are roasted.
    Rhubarb a waste of good garden space? Heresy! Have it stewed with some sugar or honey added, and made into a pie with flaky pastry or streusel/crumble topping. Or even just stewed with custard. Or rhubarb and ginger wine?
    Having said all that, I am allergic to almost all fresh fruit and some fresh veg too. I can eat them if they are cooked, however… and I am currently on a low cholesterol diet, which along with the virtually no snacking rule makes me want to say a collection of bad words that no good priest would ever say, let alone think…

    by Rudolf on June 1st, 2008 at 8:09 am
    
    

16. Good for you, Heather. I eat a lot of fresh fruit and veggies. And now’s the season when fresh produce is everywhere. Enjoy!

    by Maggie on June 2nd, 2008 at 9:43 pm
    
    

17. Amy, cauliflower in mashed potatoes? I don’t know. I just don’t know… I’ve got a lot of new books to check out!

    LOL, Lynn, on the garden space! Too funny. I love zucchini. Mmm. And I hope that muscle comes back soon!

    LOL on the pigeon, Rudolf! Good luck with the diet. I’d be the worst dieter ever–no discipline at all.

    Maggie, I’m still on the lookout for a good farmer’s market…

    by Heather on June 5th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
    
    

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