When was the last time you ate “real” food?  What I mean is  the culmination of food groups that incorporate whole, fresh foods like  fruits, vegetables, whole grains,  low-fat dairy, lean meat, chicken breast, fish, nuts, beans and olive oil.  The more real food  you eat – versus processed, manufactured and fast food,  the more you’ll crave it.  Here are some ways to whet your appetite for real  food: 

• Experiment with your tastebuds by eating only fresh, whole foods (nothing processed) for a full week.  What will happen?  Your need for salt, sugar and high fat foods will decrease — you’re mind and body will actually want go0d-for-you foods.
• Cook  at home more and you won’t be swayed by fast food promises.  Take the time to prepare veggies (frozen are fine!), bake some chicken, fish or tofu and simmer some grains on the stovetop.  In minutes you’ll have a meal – chock full of real food.  
• Bring fruits and vegetables as snacks – not only does this encourage real food eating, but saves on packaging waste!
• Drink water, water and more water - from the tap is fine.  Don’t drink your  calories by relying on sports drinks, sugary soda and juice drinks.  Green tea is a also a great source water and all of its plant-based nutrients are good for your skin, bones and overall health.  

So, go for REAL FOOD  first!

Tonight I realized that necessity truly is the mother of invention – especially in the kitchen.  With my heart set on using the delicate basil in my refrigerator before black spots took over it’s culinary life, I scrambled to pull together a tasty, nutritious Sunday night dinner.  With chicken breast thawed and awaiting baking, Iwanted to give it an interesting savory flavor. 

With basil, what comes to  mind?  Pesto. 

I love it’s dramatic entry on the tongue and rich, decadent mouthfeel.  Pesto adds a festive, fun flair to everything from pasta to bruschetta to tofu.  I couldn’t wait to make it – however, much to my dismay my walnut stash was low and there were no pinenuts available within a two-mile radius.   

Feeling life Lynn Rosetto Kasper from The Splendid Table, I took a chance on whatever was in my pantry.  I pulled pistachios out and that was it – my answer.  Painstakingly my 4- year old son and I shelled 1/3 cup of pistachios and blended them with copius amounts of basil leaves, olive oil, garlic and grated parmesan cheese.  Upon the pre-salt taste test, it tasted fabulous!  My son, even, kid-approved it by licking the spatula as he cleaned out the food processor.   We drizzled the pistachio pesto creation over the chicken and off it went into the oven.  

Just like our original tasting, the pistachio concoction tasted delicious topping the hearty chicken breasts .  Nuts never disappoint  and tonight they certainly didn’t…

What was your last creative culinary endeavor? I’d love to know…

It really  is true that magic happens when you meet the person responsible for the production of something outstanding!  When we traveled to Sonoma to celebrate a milestone in my life, who  would have known that we would gain so much perspective from an 89-year old vitner? 

 We happened upon MacLeod Winery on a cool, rainy day. The mountains were covered with low-lying clouds and the air was crisp, but we ventured a mile up the country road to a local winery. We reached the main grounds to find a farmhouse where there was a group already on a tour.  We were invited to walk the grounds and check  out the sites (and what beautiful terrain it was!).  The rows and rows of gnarly grape vines saluted us as we trekked in the muddy, rocky soil to discover what lay ahead over each small hill.  When we were greeted by Mr. (George) MacLeod himself, we immediately listened to his tales of vineyard ownership.  At 89 year old, his recollection of the early years (30 years) tending to this vines was crystal clear.  You could feel the passion in his soul from his words…we all want to look back (and forward) in our lives with the same vim and vigor.

We wrapped up the visit with a private wine tasting with Mr. MacLeod, complete with succulent  grilled oysters, which his son was grilling on their bbq in the rain, and artisan-style bread.   The bottom line is good food and great wine truly bring people together.

If  you  get a chance, try MacLeod Family Vineyard’s Sauvignon Blanc (2008).  Let me know what you think, afterall, I met the inspiration behind those grapes!

Salud!