Healthy eating

I try and eat healthy mostly. Except yesterday after yoga, I walked out carrying my mat, bought a soft-serve vanilla ice cream on the way home and then met Darin in the park for a beer. Hmm, personally I think that my actions are slightly contradictory. Darin believes that all of those things make you feel good, so why not? My dad always says everything in moderation is ok - that sounds good to me.

In general, eating healthy is pretty easy in Japan: portion sizes in restaurants are smaller, there is an abundance of fresh fruit and veges available in addition to fresh tofu, fish, etc. However wholegrains are hard to come by. Sure brown rice is becoming more popular, but it's almost impossible to find real wholewheat bread and pasta. I know I live in Asia, but bread and pasta are both popular in Japan, but I feel it is considered more of a treat rather than a staple like rice, which makes sense I guess. I can still be glum about it though.

I came across this website and it is very inspiring. The recipes look relatively simple and quick and the nutritional information is very detailed. I am glad that chickpeas (or garbanzo beans) are the food of the week coz I have a big bag (of chickpeas) and have just been waiting for a good recipe and also to buy a food processor so I can make some hummus.

For lunch today, I had two onigiri and a steamed chicken salad with wakame. I actually don't really like wakame unless it is in miso soup, so I left it in the container. I felt guilty because I know it is good for you. After reading a few websites about the benefits of seaweed, I went back and ate it. Feel so much better now.

I also came across this list of Top Ten Foods to keep you healthy.

And does this apple tart make your mouth water, because I'm drooling all over my keyboard here at work. Nah, only kidding - I'm not that gross!!

knitting news: Just about to finish the second sleeve of Iris, so then I have to block and seam but not sure whether I'll have enough time before we leave on Saturday. I am also trying to work out what projects to take on this trip. I think I'll take the knee high stripey sock project from the first Stitch n Bitch book, and maybe a crochet top project....hmmm.

*** 5 sleeps until we leave for the U.S. of A - see you soon Angie and Sam!!!

Comments

[Heidi]

Thanks for that healthy foods link. Oh yum. Make sure you cook the heck out of those garbanzos before you puree them--I have ruined a very nice food processor making hummus.

I miss eating in Japan so much. I had trained myself to think one tiny scoop of ice cream was enough. And the aesthetics of food there are so much more important--I love that. Even the 7-11 or Lawson onigiri was good...

[joselle]

Thanks for that link. I'm looking through it right now and it will probably be a regular read now.

[Merinda]

Thanks for all those links. That apple tart is going to make a great main course for dinner tonight. :)

[jen]

Ooooh Heidi's comment makes me remember, don't eat the chickpeas until they are properly cooked (sorry if you know this already), I did that once with disasterous consequences. I love healthy food too, but I still like an ice cream now and again too - like you say it makes you happy :)

[queen t]

healthy food link is on point....food...one of my favorite things to discuss in J. just had a great dinner prepared by my friend! delish! pic on my site.