"When you let pleasure control your life, and not your life control pleasure, you will find great passion."
- Anthony Bourdain, Sicily
Friday, January 21, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Ancestral Health
This event looks incredible. And I'm so excited to say I'm going! It's a two day lecture series in Los Angeles on August 5th and 6th on health and nutrition from a evolutionary standpoint. Many of the big names in the Paloe movement will be there, such as Loren Cordain, John Durant, Erwin Le Corre, and Nora Gedgaudas. How cool is that?
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Yesterday
So, yesterday I woke up at 5:15 and was out the door by 5:30. Why you ask? Well, I was going with Patrick (the driver) the pay the taxes in a small town over two hours away. It's like driving to Sacramento to pay your taxes in person. A little bit crazy. But it was a beautiful drive. Rural Kenya is quite stunning. The open grasslands are golden and spotted with small, prickly acacia trees. There were large dark clouds overhead,a nd yet the morning sun was shining through, and the bougenvelia was blooming. And then we had an excellent breakfast, a necessary part of any good day. I had two fresh simosas (small triangular pastries stuffed with spicy beef and onion), a fresh mandazi (I would describe a mandazi as a croissant crossed with a pita bread) eaten with two fried eggs. Not exactly Paleo, I know, I know, but sometimes you have to make exceptions in order to really experience a place and it's culture through food.
We went from there to deliver the taxes and then started on our way home. But nothing in Kenya ever goes as planned. Only about 15 minutes in to our journey home we were pulled over, not because we were doing anything wrong, but because the police man wanted us to take a woman and her baby girl into the nearby town to go to the hospital. The baby, Anne was her name, was apparently sick, with what we never found out. But let me tell you, little Anne was one of the most adorable babies I have ever seen. She had a very serious little face, and big, dark, curious eyes. Beautiful.
And then came the really dramatic moment: the breaks in the truck stopped working and the hood flipped up while we were driving down the freeway. Luckily, we were quite close to a town where Seeds actually has a house. So, we put the hood down and drove carefully back to town. It took some time to fix, but everything was resolved with the car and we were able to return home safely.
We went from there to deliver the taxes and then started on our way home. But nothing in Kenya ever goes as planned. Only about 15 minutes in to our journey home we were pulled over, not because we were doing anything wrong, but because the police man wanted us to take a woman and her baby girl into the nearby town to go to the hospital. The baby, Anne was her name, was apparently sick, with what we never found out. But let me tell you, little Anne was one of the most adorable babies I have ever seen. She had a very serious little face, and big, dark, curious eyes. Beautiful.
And then came the really dramatic moment: the breaks in the truck stopped working and the hood flipped up while we were driving down the freeway. Luckily, we were quite close to a town where Seeds actually has a house. So, we put the hood down and drove carefully back to town. It took some time to fix, but everything was resolved with the car and we were able to return home safely.
"Nutella" Coffee
On that note...
This is my new favorite coffee drink. However, I think Kenyan espresso might be a must. So, good luck with that.
This isn't so much a recipe, as a compilation. The proportions are 3/4 coffee to 1/4 hazelnut milk.
- freshly brewed espresso
- lightly agave sweetened hazelnut milk
- cocoa powder
1. Prepare your coffee in the usual fashion. I use a French press.
2. Warm the hazelnut milk on medium high heat. Stir rapidly with a whisk as it heats to create froth. (Note: Hazelnut milk doesn't get very frothy at all.)
3. When the milk is warm, mix in about two tablespoons of cocoa powder.
4. Pour your coffee into a large mug, no more than three quarters full. Then add the warm chocolate hazelnut milk.
5. Try not to guzzle it because it's so good! Sip, savor, enjoy...
This is my new favorite coffee drink. However, I think Kenyan espresso might be a must. So, good luck with that.
This isn't so much a recipe, as a compilation. The proportions are 3/4 coffee to 1/4 hazelnut milk.
- freshly brewed espresso
- lightly agave sweetened hazelnut milk
- cocoa powder
1. Prepare your coffee in the usual fashion. I use a French press.
2. Warm the hazelnut milk on medium high heat. Stir rapidly with a whisk as it heats to create froth. (Note: Hazelnut milk doesn't get very frothy at all.)
3. When the milk is warm, mix in about two tablespoons of cocoa powder.
4. Pour your coffee into a large mug, no more than three quarters full. Then add the warm chocolate hazelnut milk.
5. Try not to guzzle it because it's so good! Sip, savor, enjoy...
A Little Bite of Something Funny
"I need a hot chocolate and a couple of fat chicks."
- Anthony Bourdain, Paris: Why the French Don't Suck
- Anthony Bourdain, Paris: Why the French Don't Suck
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Paleo Waffles
I love waffles. But really, who doesn't love a good waffle? All crispy and sweet and full of all those little wells that you can fill with whatever form of deliciousness you like. Waffles are so unbiased - you can dress them up in any mix of flavors and they pretty much always turns out with you lusting for more. So here's my take on what is, in my opinion, one of the world's best food groups (yes, waffles are a group).
This recipe can also be used for pancakes, but why would you do that?
- 3 eggs
This recipe can also be used for pancakes, but why would you do that?
- 3 eggs
- 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
- 1/4 cup agave
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1/4 cup applesauce
1. Beat eggs and oil in a mixer on high speed until fluffy.
2. Add everything else.
3. Brush grapeseed oil onto waffle iron
4. Cook, eat, enjoy!
These are great with chocolate chips, cinnamon, apple sauce, blueberries and yogurt. I bet they'd even be great with bacon and melon. But then again, everything is good with bacon.
What's your favorite waffle topping? How creative can you get? Post a comment with the craziest waffle combo you've ever eaten.
The Road
Well, roads rather. The roads in Kenya are the only thing that really make me want to go home. They are bumpy, full of pot holes, and follow and incredibly illogical route. The roads in Kenya are like the neurons of a crazy person - utterly chaotic and firing off in every direction. And then you add to these lovely Kenyan roads the even more lovely Kenyan drivers. Driving in Kenya is like bumper cars all the time. No one follows any traffic laws of any sort. Every time I get home, I'm relieved that we weren't car jacked or hit by a matatu. When I get back to California, whenever that may be, I will have a new found respect for traffic lights and stop signs, and even an orderly six lane freeway. I suppose you never know what you'll really appreciate till you don't have it any more.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Cranberry Rose Chicken Stew
This stew is such a comfort. It's warm and sweet and tangy, and has the most pleasant mix of aromas and flavors, if I don't say so myself. Make it at the beginning of winter with a large mug of hazelnut milk hot chocolate.
- 2 packages of boneless, skinless chicken thighs (plus approximately 2 tablespoons of coconut oil for searing)
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil (for mushrooms and onions)
- half a pound button mushrooms, stemmed and sliced
- half a red onion, thinly sliced
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 1/2 teaspoons thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups pure unsweetened cranberry juice
- 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons rose water (rose is an acquired taste)
- 1 1/2 cups juice sweetened dried cranberries
1. In a large frying pan, on medium heat, sear the chicken without fully cooking it, and cut it into bite size pieces.
2. In a medium to large pot, sautee the mushrooms and onions in coconut oil at medium heat until tender.
3. Add the chicken to the mushrooms and onions, along with the bay, thyme, nutmeg, and salt. Let the chicken sautee in the mushrooms, onions, and spices to absorb the flavors.
4. Next, add the chicken broth and cranberry juice.
5. Mix in the dried cranberries.
6. Let stew for at least 20 minutes on medium heat.
Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies
Because sometimes you just need a cookie...
- 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon coconut flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 8 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 cup blonde palm sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 cup chocolate chips (make sure they are soy free)
1. In a small small mixing bowl, mix the coconut flour and baking soda.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, cream the coconut oil and palm sugar. Then add the eggs and vanilla.
3. Blend the dry ingredients into the wet, and then add the chocolate chips.
Bake at 350 F for 13 minutes.
Yields a dozen cookies.
- 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon coconut flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 8 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 cup blonde palm sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 cup chocolate chips (make sure they are soy free)
1. In a small small mixing bowl, mix the coconut flour and baking soda.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, cream the coconut oil and palm sugar. Then add the eggs and vanilla.
3. Blend the dry ingredients into the wet, and then add the chocolate chips.
Bake at 350 F for 13 minutes.
Yields a dozen cookies.
Welcome!
As I'm starting this blog five weeks into my trip, let me fill you in on how this adventure began and the major events thus far.
Let me begin by saying I think this trip was fate. I know that's a dramatic statement, but looking back, there are so many little variables that fell into place with such purpose that it makes me think I did not end up here by accident. Through a series of events that I will not bore you with, I ended up not going to the college I had originally planned on attending and so I was left with an unplanned semester off while I applied to the school that should have been my first choice all along. But applications only take so long, so after my admittance I was left with a good deal of time just waiting for school to start. It seems a lot of people wish they had nothing to do, but let me tell you, there is no greater curse. However, it was during this time that I really began to cook and create my own recipes. I suppose there's always a hidden blessing.
Anyway. One morning my mom told me she thought I was feeling under appreciated, bored, and headed towards depression. I had to agree. Then she asked me if I wanted to go to Africa. I jumped at the chance, how could I not? By that evening, with the help of a friend, I knew where I was staying, and I had bought my ticket. A trip had never come together so quickly in the history of my family.
I arrived in Kenya, at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, on December 1st at about 7:30 in the morning. I was met there by the wonderful Nic (the only other volunteer, also from Northern California) and the equally wonderful Patrick (the Kenyan driver for the home).
After some coffee (yay for Malindi Machiattos!), a brief stop at the house, and hasty introductions, we loaded into the bus and went to the Village Market to spend the day at the water park. All in all, it was a fun-filled, though rather overwhelming, first day. I mainly just remember, through my jet lag haze, how kind and loving the kids were to me even though they had only just met me.
My second week here I went to the incredible Maasai Mara. My time there was full of deep thought and epiphany. It was there that I first decided, or realized rather, that I was going to stay in Kenya longer than I had originally planned. And as for the Mara itself, it is truly one of the most incredible places to on earth. The whole time I was there, I kept thinking "god lives here". Being in the Mara gives one the same feeling as being in an old cathedral, or monastery. Beautiful.
Not long after I got back, Nic and I went to Mathare Valley, the second largest slum in all of Africa. It was an indescribably surreal and intense experience. The people of Mathare, to tell you the sad truth, are not quite human. They look like human beings, but when you look into their eyes, there's something missing that is truly disturbing. I went through an intense emotional cycle there; I went from numb to crying and back again a few times. What makes the whole experience all the more bizarre is that I couldn't fully describe the emotions I was feeling, and afterwards I couldn't fully remember my time there, like it had all been a chaotic dream. It was after Mathare that I fully decided to stay and wrote my deferral letter to my college.
I was also lucky enough to cook Christmas Dinner for the house, which was a huge endeavor. It took at least a week and a half of preparation with spreadsheets and price checking, and one night and two full days of non-stop cooking. It was immensely satisfying, though extremely exhausting. I fell asleep as soon as everyone was finished eating.
Now. In the present tense. My goal while I'm here is to revise and update the kids' diet. Currently, it is lacking a lot nutritionally. I want to create a whole new daily menu for them. I would like to do this through developing three projects to get the kids more involved in their food and the full process from earth to table. Those projects are to plant a large edible garden, build a solar dehydrator to preserve the surplus fruits and vegies, and to build a cob oven for the outdoor kitchen that currently only has stove top cooking space. Wish me luck!
Let me begin by saying I think this trip was fate. I know that's a dramatic statement, but looking back, there are so many little variables that fell into place with such purpose that it makes me think I did not end up here by accident. Through a series of events that I will not bore you with, I ended up not going to the college I had originally planned on attending and so I was left with an unplanned semester off while I applied to the school that should have been my first choice all along. But applications only take so long, so after my admittance I was left with a good deal of time just waiting for school to start. It seems a lot of people wish they had nothing to do, but let me tell you, there is no greater curse. However, it was during this time that I really began to cook and create my own recipes. I suppose there's always a hidden blessing.
Anyway. One morning my mom told me she thought I was feeling under appreciated, bored, and headed towards depression. I had to agree. Then she asked me if I wanted to go to Africa. I jumped at the chance, how could I not? By that evening, with the help of a friend, I knew where I was staying, and I had bought my ticket. A trip had never come together so quickly in the history of my family.
I arrived in Kenya, at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, on December 1st at about 7:30 in the morning. I was met there by the wonderful Nic (the only other volunteer, also from Northern California) and the equally wonderful Patrick (the Kenyan driver for the home).
After some coffee (yay for Malindi Machiattos!), a brief stop at the house, and hasty introductions, we loaded into the bus and went to the Village Market to spend the day at the water park. All in all, it was a fun-filled, though rather overwhelming, first day. I mainly just remember, through my jet lag haze, how kind and loving the kids were to me even though they had only just met me.
My second week here I went to the incredible Maasai Mara. My time there was full of deep thought and epiphany. It was there that I first decided, or realized rather, that I was going to stay in Kenya longer than I had originally planned. And as for the Mara itself, it is truly one of the most incredible places to on earth. The whole time I was there, I kept thinking "god lives here". Being in the Mara gives one the same feeling as being in an old cathedral, or monastery. Beautiful.
Not long after I got back, Nic and I went to Mathare Valley, the second largest slum in all of Africa. It was an indescribably surreal and intense experience. The people of Mathare, to tell you the sad truth, are not quite human. They look like human beings, but when you look into their eyes, there's something missing that is truly disturbing. I went through an intense emotional cycle there; I went from numb to crying and back again a few times. What makes the whole experience all the more bizarre is that I couldn't fully describe the emotions I was feeling, and afterwards I couldn't fully remember my time there, like it had all been a chaotic dream. It was after Mathare that I fully decided to stay and wrote my deferral letter to my college.
I was also lucky enough to cook Christmas Dinner for the house, which was a huge endeavor. It took at least a week and a half of preparation with spreadsheets and price checking, and one night and two full days of non-stop cooking. It was immensely satisfying, though extremely exhausting. I fell asleep as soon as everyone was finished eating.
Now. In the present tense. My goal while I'm here is to revise and update the kids' diet. Currently, it is lacking a lot nutritionally. I want to create a whole new daily menu for them. I would like to do this through developing three projects to get the kids more involved in their food and the full process from earth to table. Those projects are to plant a large edible garden, build a solar dehydrator to preserve the surplus fruits and vegies, and to build a cob oven for the outdoor kitchen that currently only has stove top cooking space. Wish me luck!
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