Food: More than Just Fuel

Food is a bridge; it connects. 

Whether going out to dinner with a friend or trying out a new recipe from a different culture, food is a tool we use to learn about other people and places. It's probably the most delicious tool on the block too!

This is one of the reasons I love food... it is so diverse! Do any two countries make the same food? I mean, they might have things that are essentially the same, but you'll most likely still find small differences. With so many options, I find it so hard to choose a favorite cuisine. Indian? Mexican? Thai? Italian? Mmmmm... they are all SO delicious in their own way! Yes, even plain ol' "American food" has some tasty dishes. 

A project I've been working on recently is cooking Afghan cuisine. One of my classes this semester is about blogging; we have a team working on a blog that is promoting Weaving Life, a documentary made by Eastern Mennonite University students last year. My weekly feature on the blog, EMU Weaving Life, is making a Middle Eastern recipe to share with our followers. While I cook, one of my classmates takes pictures of the whole process so we can write a photoblog recipe. Some recipes have been healthier than others, but each and every one of them has been a delicious, cultural experience. I don't think I even had Afghan food before this project, but I'm glad that changed - it is pretty tasty! 

Maybe this week you should step outside your comfort zone a little bit. Find an adventurous new recipe to try and invite a few friends over! Seems to me that sometimes we get too caught up in life to really just sit and enjoy it for a little. If you're up for some Afghan food, I would recommend checking out the mantu recipe we made a couple weeks ago. It's a nice blend of savory and sweet, and don't worry - it's one of the healthier recipes we've made! :) Let me know what you think if you try it. We certainly enjoyed it! 

Enjoy your weekend!

- Rebekah

The Weight on My Shoulders

Ok, people. There's something I feel I should say. 

... woah. Is it just me or did the room get really quiet all of the sudden? Ahem. 

I'm all about keeping it real. I don't want you to think I'm some sort of weight-loss super hero, cause I'm not. Nor am I a fitness junkie. I'm just a normal girl with big ambitions, struggling with the same problems as everyone else who is trying to get healthy. 

So, here's the deal. 

Banana Dream Smoothie

Silky, sweet, and simple... take one sip of this little gem and you might have to stop and ask yourself, "Am I really allowed to drink this??" 

Believe me, you are.

Not only is this smoothie delicious and easy to make, it is also practically overflowing with good-for-you nutrients. A serving of dairy, a serving of fruit, and more than your recommended daily omega-3s (thanks to a healthy dose of flax seed!)... are you convinced yet?

The Heart of The Matter

Fitness. Ahhhh! It's an intimidating thought, isn't it? My goodness. Being "in shape" requires time, hard work, and motivation.... and I think we all know that those things are often hard to come by! There is something great about exercising though: it pays off. If you put effort into it, results will come out. Progress is what makes it all worth it.

My own progress has been coming along quite nicely. I recently had a health check-up and learned that my heart rate/blood pressure numbers were better than they ever have been. You should have seen my face when the doctor told me what they were... I was shocked! And so happy! Losing weight has been great and all, but knowing that my heart is healthier than ever before? Now that is just way cool. Changes are happening on the inside and out!

Actually, my weight loss has slowed considerably since being back at school. Well, to be honest it has pretty much stopped; I've just been maintaining. And that's ok for now. I'm definitely still working towards my goal weight - I've just accepted that it's going to take a while in this different setting!

Anyway, my focus lately has shifted more towards physical fitness. A few weeks ago I set a goal for myself: I wanted to be able to run a 10K. I didn't have an actual race in mind, I just wanted to be able to do it, period. So, after training slowly but surely, I finally ran my first 6.27 miles on October 1st. 10K?? Done! Buuut then I had a problem...

What next?

This Little Foodie Went to Market

There's just something about going to the Farmers' Market on Saturday morning. Is it the people? The produce? I'm not really sure... I think it's when you put everything together that it becomes the special place that it is. Every week I put on a comfy, lazy-Saturday-morning outfit and head out, usually with a friend or two. As we mosey through the aisles, we come across an abundance of things that delight our senses. You can see people smiling at one another, hear the bustling chatter surrounding the vendors' tables, taste little samples that are invitingly set out on display, and smell about 50,000 different kinds of mouth-watering, fresh baked bread.

Speaking of bread, there's one kind in particular that has recently caught my attention... sprouted!