Non-Raw Sushi Menu for Mamas-to-Be

Giving up certain foods during pregnancy is not easy. I gave up caffeine – for a short while – but I haven’t been able to give up soft cheeses, entirely, and giving up sushi has been a real challenge, especially when my 6 1/2 year old son asks if we can have sushi for dinner.

I asked the people over at Harney Sushi my favorite sushi venues in all of San Diego) if they could put together a safe list of menu items that pregnant women can enjoy and they happily obliged.

“Since there hasn’t been any outside research on this, we prefer not to call it the “pregnancy safe list” but rather the ‘Non Raw Sushi List,’ says Harney Sushi chef, Ian Kadane.

• Hippie Roll (vegetarian) – Tempura sweet potato, shitake mushroom, avocado, cucumber and topped with tempura flakes.
• Emily Roll (vegetarian) – Cucumber, yama gobo, sprouts and topped with avo.
• Veggie Roll (vegetarian) – Fresh cucumber, avocado, radish sprouts and yama gobo.
• Cucumber or Avocado Maki (vegetarian)
• California Roll – Crab salad, cucumber and fresh avocado.
• Flaming Lip Roll – Tempura cali roll with cream cheese. Topped with spicy mayo and jalapeno slices.
• Tater Todds – Halibut wrapped around rice balls, topped with spicy mayo. Baked until golden and topped with eel sauce.
• Miso Harney Roll – Eel, cream cheese and avocado. Then tempura fried perfection. Covered in eel sauce and sesame seeds.
• Shrimp Tempura Roll – Two jumpo tempura Tiger shrimp, avocado, cucumber, crab salad. Topped with eel sauce. (Ask for no masago)
• Soft Shell Crab Roll - Soft shell crab, crab salad, fresh avocado, cucumber. Topped with ponzu sauce. (Ask for no masago)

For those who want to play it safe, Kadane recommends strict vegetarian items. Items containing cooked fish or tempura also make great alternatives. “For pregnant women who miss the taste of sushi, this craving can often be satiated with the flavors of rice, seaweed, ginger, wasabi and various condiments rather than raw fish. Even something simple like a cucumber maki can satisfy the sushi craving.”

Kadane also encourages customers to sit at the sushi bar, especially if they have special needs. He personally likes to make baked rolls (which do not appear on the regular menu) for pregnant women.

While I haven’t had a chance to check out this special menu just yet, I cannot wait to sample each and every one of the suggested items.

What is/was the hardest thing for you to give up during pregnancy? Be honest. I’m also really looking forward to enjoying a cold beer with my sushi rolls.

Good things come to those who wait.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Fantasy Football Fever

My husband has seven Fantasy Football teams to manage this year. Seven. Last year, I was amused by the time and energy he put into the entire football season and this year, I somehow found myself in charge of two teams myself. Together, we play in two leagues, one family league with my in-laws and my sister and her husband. The other team is a group of friends that my husband and I are still in touch with from our college days so both are great ways to keep us all in touch long-distance.

Every Sunday now, I find myself glued to the TV as well as updating the live stats on the Yahoo site (or the Yahoo app on my iPhone) to check in and see how my players are doing. I’ve become obsessed and it’s only two weeks into the season.

Throughout the week, I’m monitoring the injury list and updates on the players so that I can be sure to get my team line up ready come Sunday morning or Monday afternoon. It’s time consuming, that’s for sure, but it also gives my husband and I something else to chat about and he’s loving my involvement.

Driving to pick up my son from school on Monday afternoons, I find myself listening to the Fantasy Freakin’ Football report on my local station, which is very entertaining, as well as informative. My husband can listen in (2,000 miles away) on iHeart radio so together we can listen in and enjoy the same commentary. It’s great!

And then we get to the menu items for the weekend games. Here on the West Coast, the first games start at 10:00 am which means breakfast takes place just before we get ready to watch the first game of the day. Normally, I’ll have some fresh fruit (strawberries, granola,  & yogurt or apple slices with caramel dip) to munch on early in the day. Later on, during the afternoon game, we have a typical lunch followed by an afternoon snack that oftentimes consists of nachos with guacamole or something else that’s quick to make while the game’s going on.

Yes, I’ve become a completely different person on the weekends and while I don’t think that getting married is necessarily a cause to try and change someone, I do think it’s a healthy thing – for my husband and I – that we can bond over football and put our energy into a competitive ‘game’ that also unites us with our family and friends.

To get ready for my weekend and upcoming week of putting together school lunches for my son, a trip to Smart & Final was in order. They have great deals all the time which help me save money on the things I already purchase and this last time, I had fun adding up the savings while I shopped and after looking at my receipt when I got home.

Can you tell my mouth is watering already, thinking about the guacamole dip for tomorrow? Here’s an awesome recipe, which I recommend:

Holy Guacamole

• 2 ripe organic avocados
• 1/2 red onion, minced (about 1/2 cup)
• 1 tablespoon of fresh lime or lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• A dash of freshly grated black pepper
• 1/2 ripe tomato, seeds and pulp removed, chopped
• Tabasco sauce (to your liking)

Ripe avocados are the key to any guacamole recipe. Mash anyway that works best for you and simply add the rest of the ingredients. If you want to keep the guacamole green longer, put the avocado pit in the dip to help it last a little longer.

The beer I'll enjoy after the baby comes!

In my three years of blogging, I think this is the first time I’ve shared a recipe – and it’s a good one! Enjoy, and please share your favorite Tailgate Party recipe or your Fantasy Football experience! I’d love to hear from readers who “get” my new obsession!

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Dining Details Challenges You to Start a Food Revolution in your Kitchen

Change is good. Change is necessary. Change is not easy.

Last week, several San Diego bloggers whom I call friends, gathered around Theresa‘s kitchen table and watched as Chef Mom Julie Frans of Dining Details cooked five amazing meals for us and explained how certain ingredients should be cut from our diets in order to improve our overall health. She provided us with a great deal of information that I am still trying to digest.

While I enjoyed everything she created in the kitchen and loved the tastes and smells of the foods on my plate, I still left that night feeling a bit overwhelmed.

I don’t call myself a cook and since my ‘healthy meals’ usually take place at restaurants or consist of prepared foods from Trader Joe’s that I can heat up and enjoy, there is definitely a lot more for me to learn.

From Julie’s suggestions, I added Almond Milk, lentils and Sea Salt to my shopping cart this week, along with the organic chicken and fruits & veggies that I normally pick up.

I definitely want to learn more about what Julie mentioned about creating a diet that is the perfect pH balance. Switching from table salt (that contains bleach and other chemicals) to sea salt was an easy step to make and knowing which foods to avoid is always a great reminder (corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, processed foods, MSG, artificial sweeteners, colors & flavors, margarine/butter substitutes).

Baby steps. I’ve made some small changes this week and I’m studying the recipes found on the Dining Details website to determine which menu I’ll prepare for Mr. Right next time he’s here. He’s a foodie and a great cook so perhaps I’ll have him select a recipe to cook for with me. These recipes are sounding pretty amazing right about now (and I’m not even hungry):

• Eggplant and Kalamata Risotto
• Stuffed Poblano Peppers
• Lemon Asparagus Risotto with Truffle Oil
• Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini
• Butternut Squash Leek Soup

I could always use Dining Details to prepare a Romantic Dinner for Two if I end up being too intimidated by the idea of cooking a gourmet meal on my own.

For those of you who are not in San Diego and still want to enjoy the amazing foods Julie and her staff create, I highly recommend the recipe section of the Dining Details website. The categories in the recipe section include Kid-Friendly Cooking, Something Sweet, Sauces/Dressings/Salsas, Soups/Salads, Hors D Hoerves, and Gluten Free recipes.

In addition to the wonderful resources they provide, Dining Details also provides personal chef services and caters small, intimate dinners for couples or for weddings and corporate events. They also host cooking demonstrations, in their kitchen or your own.

Chickpeas, their school lunch program, provides family dinners, baby food and educates parents and caregivers on healthy cooking.

If you have seen commercials for Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution (premiering this Friday on ABC), you’ll understand the need to start teaching your children, from a young age, the importance of healthy eating, nutritional choices that will help extend their life and why these subtle changes need to take place. Now.

Dining Details is owned by a local couple here in San Diego. They will be welcoming their second child later this year. Become a Fan of Dining Details Facebook, or follow Julie or Robbie on Twitter.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Have yourself a happier, healthier holiday

Guest post from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation

The holiday season is a magnificent time of year, but it can also be challenging for families trying to eat healthy and stay physically active. Between family gatherings, parties, lots of food and traveling, healthy habits can get left in the cold. But the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, founded by the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation, has tools and tips to help families stay healthy and physically active while still enjoying the holiday season.

Think Healthy Thoughts

Spend time before the holidays planning healthy snacks, appetizers, meals, and desserts to prepare. Make a grocery list and stick to it. Whether you are a host or guest, be the one to create healthy alternatives to the typically not-so-healthy holiday menu.

Snack, Don’t Skip

Just like any other day, you shouldn’t skip meals during the holidays. It is not a good approach to cut calories by cutting meals from the day. Not eating breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner may lead to overeating at holiday meal times. Keep normal eating times and if you do happen to skip a meal try to snack on healthy foods to keep you from starving and then stuffing.

Don’t Forget Rest

Don’t forget to add sleep and relaxation to the holiday to-do list. Staying well rested not only provides an extra boost of energy, it also helps keep you from overstuffing yourself. Studies have shown that lack of sleep directly affects the amount of energy you have, your appetite, and your ability to maintain a healthy weight; in fact, getting enough sleep can decrease your chances of becoming overweight.

Stay Physically Active

Don’t use the holidays or the cold weather as an excuse. Even if you are traveling you can find new ways to engage in activities alone or with family and friends. This time of year is the perfect time to try out something new like ice skating, or head to your local indoor pool or basketball court for some fun.

Rock the Halls

With the holiday season also comes lots of fun music, so get the family physically active by turning up those holiday tunes and dancing—anything that keeps the kids moving and having fun. If it’s impossible to pry your family away from those holiday TV specials, encourage them to do jumping jacks, sit-ups, and push-ups during commercial breaks.

About the Alliance for a Healthier Generation

The American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation joined forces in May of 2005 to create a healthier generation by addressing one of the nation’s leading public health threats – childhood obesity. The goal of the Alliance is to reduce the nationwide prevalence of childhood obesity by 2015, and to empower kids nationwide to make healthy lifestyle choices. The Alliance works to positively affect the places that can make a difference to a child’s health: homes, schools, restaurants, doctor’s offices and communities. For more information please visit: HealthierGeneration.org

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Gourmet marshmallows from Plush Puffs

I received an email about Plush Puffs a few months back and was curious to learn what gourmet marshmallows are all about. I had the publicist send me a few samples. I received three boxes and was so excited to take them with me on my trip to Minnesota. Camping without marshmallows is just not right, so I thought since we were heading to Mr. Right’s cabin by the lake, it’d be a perfect place to test them out!

Plush Puffs

I think he was a bit surprised when I pulled out a box each of the Vanilla Bean, Chocolate Chipetta, and Caramel Swirl flavors.

I really had no idea what to expect but Saturday night, when we made a fire, I began toasting them over the fire.

Of course, it had been years since I actually roasted marshmallows so I discovered, very quickly, that I need not actually set them on fire in order to get them to their desired temperature. Yes, I’m afraid I wasted the first sample, but I handed them over to Mr. Right, who has much more experience camping and not setting fire to things and he managed to warm them to the perfect temperature, allowing me to really enjoy the Vanilla Bean and Caramel Swirl, in particular.

Mentioning these on Twitter, a friend of mine suggested that these would make some amazing Rice Krispie treats so I look forward to purchasing a box of the Orange Honey flavor for just that purpose.

I left the boxes with Mr. Right so his family could try them out as well. His nephew apparently made S’mores with the Chocolate Chipettas which were a big hit.

Of course, I didn’t read these roasting instructions until after my first attempt:

How to Toast Plush Puffs: Plush Puffs flavors intensify when cooked. Here are a couple helpful tips on how to perfectly roast them:

1) Use a long utensil that is preferably NOT metallic such as a bamboo skewer or a fork with a plastic or wooden handle to avoid the heat injuries.

2) Hold the Plush Puff about two inches away from the flame and turn it continually. This way the marshmallow melts from the inside out and browns evenly. And Voila! You’ve got the perfect melted marshmallow! With these useful tips, roasted Plush Puffs can enhance any of your favorite desserts or drinks into a mouth-watering treat.

A lovely description of each flavor:

• Vanilla Bean – Don’t mistake these for your ordinary “plain” marshmallows. These Puffs are bursting with richly-flavored vanilla beans.  This “Cadilac Marshmallow” is a classic for toasting and simply divine when melted into coffee or hot chocolate or simply eaten right out of the bag. These marshmallows are gluten free, fat free and contain no high fructose corn syrup.
• Simply S’mores – No need to race around looking for the graham crackers and chocolate anymore! Plush Puffs’ Vanilla Bean marshmallows are then mixed with all-natural graham cracker pieces, dusted with light cocoa powder and then topped with chocolate chips. These puffs are naturally low in fat and have no high fructose corn syrup.
• Luscious Lemony Meringue – These all-natural lemony treats have the perfect amount of tartness. Fat free, gluten free and containing no high fructose corn syrup, these Puffs are delicious dipped into a hot cup of tea.
• Chocolate Chipetta – These marshmallows start with an intense cocoa flavor and are then topped with micro-mini chocolate chips for that heavenly yet unexpected crunch. These puffs are fat free, gluten free, and contain no high fructose corn syrup.
• Caramel Swirl – Plush Puffs’ classic Vanilla Bean marshmallow is topped with creamy bands of rich caramel. This marshmallow is sublime when roasted, dipped into a delicious dark chocolate fondue, and perfect in a steaming cup of cappuccino. These puffs are gluten free, low fat and 100% natural.
• Peppi-Mint – These minty, refreshing Plush Puffs are bursting with natural peppermint flavor and are a perfect way to spice up an ordinary cup of hot cocoa or coffee into a special treat!  These Puffs are fat-free, gluten free and contain no high fructose corn syrup.
• Toasted Coconut –Made from all-natural ingredients and topped with a generous coating of fresh coconut, these Puffs are simply delicious roasted and wrapped around a bar of exquisite dark chocolate. These contain no high fructose corn syrup. (This flavor is only available in bulk sheets)
• Sydney’s Cinnamon – Whipped with the highest quality ground cinnamon and almond extract, the aromatic smell and flavor of these marshmallows being toasted is exceedingly pleasing! These Puffs are low in fat and gluten free. (This flavor is only available in bulk sheets.)

Yum! Now go and purchase a box or two!

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

What’s for lunch?

I don’t know about you, but whenever I see a cute lunchbox, I have to buy one. For me, handbags & clutch purses are an addiction like no other. Just like shoes, one needs to accessorize whenever and however possible so a lot of us ladies require purses of all different shapes, colors, sizes and even material. I think it’s safe to say that for us, lunchboxes fall into this same category.

Metal, insulated or plastic; they come in designs and styles to suit even the fussiest of eaters!

Sugar Daddy Lunchbox ($13)
(OK, this one’s really for me!)

Dump Truck Lunch Box ($15)

Star Wars: Clone Wars ($13)

Hannah Montana Lunchbox ($10)

Yo Gabba Gabba Lunchbox ($14)

Chinese Take-Out Lunchbox ($19)

This might just be my new addiction!

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Food & Relationships

I was talking to some of my single mom friends the other day about relationships over lunch. One of the women – who is a bit older and much wiser – started talking about how we tend to view relationships the same way in which we view food.

Now, I know this sounds crazy but bear with me. She had a good point, in that she tends to eat two big meals a day, starving herself in between and not snacking or thinking about food until her body’s ready to have a meltdown. Interestingly enough, her boyfriend lives out of state so she sees him every other weekend, spending time with him 24/7 for those few days before returning to her “normal life” and focusing on what needs to be done here before she’s able to see him again.

Others I know tend to dine only at fine restaurants, eat organic foods, never step foot inside a fast food restaurant, drink soda, or anything else unnatural. They know what they want – the finer things in life – and damn it, the men in their lives know it too!

Another friend of mine eats small snacky foods all day, healthy or not. She also likes to date many men at one time, not really ready to commit just yet to a full meal.

And then there’s me. Now, my eating habits change from time to time and this is also true of the relationships I have had. For a little while, I’ll be really healthy and eat foods that are good for me (dating men who bring out my strengths and respect me for who I am) while there have been other times in my life where my eating habits have been horrible. Times when I’d eat junk food and not take the best care of myself, and guess what? The men in my life at the time did not take care of  themselves, or me in many ways, either.

You can see how some of the above situations are not as good for us as others. We’re all different, thank goodness, and need different things, and people, in our lives. Sometimes we need to go through certain situations and meet specific individuals in order for us to truly learn and comprehend what it is we need to change about our behaviors, our routines and the patterns that we allow ourselves to fall into.

If you’re in a healthy relationship and are putting healthy foods into your body, chances are you make healthy choices in your relationships as well. Take a look at the way you eat to determine what changes you could make to ensure you are treating yourself to the best you deserve.

Happy eating!

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Newly Published

The first weekly newsletter of 2009 has just been published. Here’s what’s included:’

• Top Ten Brain Foods for Children
• Parenting Resolutions
• Shopping Organic at Costco
• Free Online Courses
• Nutrition Data at Your Fingerprints
• Chasing Vermeer
• Space to Express Grief
• Get Connected

Please let me know what I can do to help support you in 2009!

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Two Things

Two Names I Go By:

1. Sondra
2. Mom

Two Things I’m Wearing Right Now:

1. underwear
2. pink robe

Two Things I Want (or have) in a Relationship:

1. Honesty
2. Support

Two of My Favorite Things to do:

1. Spend time with my son
2. Shop

Two Things I Did Last Night:

1. Enjoyed wine tasting with other Moms
2. Played BUNCO for the first time and laughed my *** off

Two Things I Ate Last Night:

1. Chipotle sauce & cream cheese (YUM)
2. Chocolate

Two people I Last Talked To:

1. Natascha & Erika (during the car ride home last night)
2. My man (he called this morning but let me go to help set up for a birthday party for a one-year-old)

Two Things I’m Doing Tomorrow:

1. Celebrating Memorial Day with my son
2. NOT working!

Two Longest Car Rides I’ve taken:

1. Maple Grove, MN to Portland, OR (1,715 miles) – August 1997
2. Prescott, WI to San Diego, CA (2,017 miles) – June 1999

Two Favorite Holidays:

1. Christmas
2. My son’s birthday

Two Favorite Beverages:

1. Pinot Noir
2. Voss Bottled Water

Two Favorite Types of Food:

1. Sushi
2. Mexican

Two Favorite Places:

1. There’s no place like home.
2. Home is where your mom is.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Travel: San Jose

I’m in San Jose on business but I have been able to experience some great dining out at pleasant restaurants. What’s great about working at the Convention Center is that there are numerous hotels either connected (ours is one of them) or very close. The restaurants that we’ve eaten at have been within walking distance which makes for an even better travel experience overall.

Yesterday, we headed out from our hotel and ended up at Bijan Bakery & Cafe – one of San Jose’s most Premier European Bakeries known all over the Bay Area for the finest quality pastries, cookies, European style croissants, and hand made sandwiches. I enjoyed a great grilled vegetable panini which was absolutely delicious.

For dinner last night, we headed over to Paragon Restaurant & Bar – South Bay’s destination for lively, casual dining. Located in downtown San Jose within the beautifully renovated Hotel Montgomery, the restaurant features American Brasserie cuisine by Executive Chef Philippe Breneman, a stylish dining room and live jazz, as well as an outdoor lounge and dining areas that invite guests to relax under the olive trees. I enjoyed the chef’s special – whole wheat spaghetti with meatballs – along with a side of applewood smoked bacon brussels sprouts. The meal was amazing and I’d definitely go back again.

And finally, tonight we enjoyed Vietnamese cuisine at 19 Market. I was a bit disappointed with the mojito I ordered, but the asparagus soup was fantastic as was the eggplant and tofu curry.

Even though I am satisfied after this last meal, I can’t help but think about tomorrow evening, when we will sit down at the Italian restaurant, Il Fornaio to enjoy yet another fabulous meal before we head back to San Diego Saturday afternoon.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home