Another great dish from the foodie folks at Gourmet Productions: 

Click here to view the embedded video.

Come join my new group on LinkedIn called THE GOOD LIFE for WOMEN.

The group is for those of us women dedicated to living and promoting a healthy way of life and for those wanting the healthy, good life they were meant to live.

Topics include food, health, fashion, beauty, green living, travel, style, fitness, diet, weight loss, aging, family, spirituality, and whatever else helps us to live THE GOOD LIFE.

A mediocre life is unacceptable; strive for the perfect life and you’ve missed the point and all the fun — I say good is good enough!

Come join us and share how you live THE GOOD LIFE and help others make the good life a reality!

-Kami

Who knew that some of the soundest nutrition and diet advice I’ve heard in a long time would come from a monthly newsletter from the American Culinary Foundation. I don’t often think of those in the culinary arts as a go-to source for nutrition or weight-loss advice. Tips on how to make the perfect bearnaise sauce definitely, but encouraging restaurants to serve less meat-based dishes and cut down on calorie-dense portion sizes they serve their customers? That I found as a welcome surprise. This month’s four-page newsletter (complete with illustrative photographs) is a quick, but powerful read.

So often, nutrition advice is overly technical, boring, preachy, and falls on deaf ears. Not this time. This too was a surprise, especially considering that the two newsletter authors are Dr. Margaret D. Condrasky, R.D., C.C.E., an associate professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition and Marie Hegler, a graduate of the Food Science and Human Nutrition department with a culinary science emphasis (both at Clemson University). No offense, but those credentials have boring and sleep-inducing written all over it.

In Culinary Nutrition News: Downsizing Calories and Portions, chefs and customers alike are reminded that “Downsizing calories and portions is somewhat of a trick statement. While most people assume calories and portions go hand in hand, they are, in fact, separate entities in the great pursuit of healthy dining. For example, you can reduce calories without necessarily decreasing the portion, and in some cases, the portion can actually be enlarged. One would think that reducing the portion of certain foods would make a dish look much smaller in terms of food on the plate.“ They even provide a pretty picture to illustrate their point:

Before you get too excited, they sum that section up with, “the good news is that you do not have to reduce the overall portion of a dish to eliminate calories. The bad news is that the ultimate goal of healthy eating is to decrease the calories consumed, which means you must cut back on something.”

Their recommendation to chefs? “it all boils down to individual ingredients. Some ingredients need to be decreased in terms of portions while others can be increased in portions to balance out the overall caloric content and portion of a dish. Maybe the easiest and most cost-efficient ingredients to curb for calorie reduction are the meat and lipid (fat) components of a dish. Animal products, such as meat and dairy, not only contain a hefty supply of fat and calories, but they are also among the most expensive ingredients on the menu. Therefore, cutting back slightly will save calories for your customers and valuable dollars for your business.”

Not to mention, the planetary impact of plant-based vs. meat-based foods.

To overcompensate for customer’s plates potentially looking a bit slim on volume, they suggest to increase the amount of plant-based foods used in entrees and, ”more specifically, we are referring to piling high vegetables, fruits, beans and nuts, while skimming back on the meat on a plate. In the end, the plate should be a symbol of moderation, variety and balance.” Another handy shows how this can be done:

The newsletter also provides step-by-step instructions for how to modify recipes to make them healthier for customers and more cost-effective for restaurants. Check out the full document as most of their tips can be used at home and there’s even some suggestions on how to cook with kids.

Well done culinary masters! Ooooh lame pun! Get it? Well done? Happy Friday everyone!

Maureen Gates

Maureen Gates is an image consultant and personal stylist. As a Costume Designer in Hollywood she worked on hundreds of film and television projects including Sports Night, Mad About You, and Evening Shade to mention only a few.  She has written a  ‘how to’ book based on her experiences of working with some of the most famous women in Hollywood history. “Let’s Get It On, The Art of Dressing Sexy After Fifty”  is scheduled to be published mid 2010. www.maureengates.com

FOR THE LOVE OF LINGERIE

by Maureen Gates

Do you still remember the impact that getting your first bra had on your life? (Mine was white cotton with hula dancers in pastel colors embroidered around the bottom and the cups were barely a bloop. It was called a “training bra.” Training for what?

It was given to me by my father’s oldest friend, obviously a first rate jokester.) Your first bra is a right of passage into young womanhood and the beginning of a life long relationship . . . one which would prove to be rocky. Like any relationship you must continue to nurture it. With that said if you haven’t been bra shopping in the last year it is most likely time to head for the bra department or specialty store.

WHAT IS MY #1 RULE FOR BRA SHOPPING?  GET MEASURED.

If you don’t get measured you’re spinning your wheels needlessly. Unless it has only been six months since you were last measured you must get your size updated. A size 32B or a 34C is not what it used to be. Just like clothing sizes have changed so have bra sizes. Bra manufacturers have changed their sizing, plus sizes vary from one manufacturer to the next. Not to mention the reality that our bodies are continuously changing. Enlist the help of the in-house expert, that’s what they are there for.

What should your bra wardrobe consist of? That depends on whether you wear, strapless, halter, tank tops, T-shirts, etc.

Remember, just as you wouldn’t consider one pair of shoes to satisfy all your footwear needs, the same is true for your bra. A smooth seamless bra, that is termed a molded, contoured or T-shirt bra is a good place to start. Other styles to consider would be racer-back, pushup, long-line, and strapless. By all means invest in a beautiful, feminine, sexy bra—your Saturday Night bra—one that makes you feel all these things when you put it on and look in the mirror. Be on the lookout for pretty straps. They no longer need to look so institutional. Supportive straps now come in many attractive varieties. Consider what the straps look like…. lacy is always seductive. If they are potentially going to be seen when the strap of your little black dress slips down, be prepared! And remember, my large busted friends; a strap that stretches is not going to give you the full support of a non-stretch strap.

If I were to recommend only one manufacturer that consistently provides good quality and good fit it would be Wacoal.

A good candidate for your “Saturday Night Bra!” Panache Eliza underwire balcony bra.

“Wacoal Women’s Lost in Lace Contour Bra #65369” Underwire T-Shirt Bra.

Do you find the whole world of SHAPEWEAR mysterious and confusing? For good reason, it is. Maybe you don’t want to venture there or, (lucky you) need to. However. If you have that special event coming up, or the holidays are looming, or just a desire to look a little more svelte and smooth in a top and jeans . . . let’s take a quick overview of your options.

The event or holiday dress: Spanx makes a full slip that provides control from your shoulders to your knees, or there abouts. Spanx Full Slip. Available in Nude or Black.

If you just need your “Scarlet” waist reborn try the very effective TC Fine Intimates Pull-On Waist Cincher Shapewear. Available in S,M,L,and XL, Black and Nude.

For a full body smoother that can work well with both pants and skirts this long-leg bodysuit, by Body Wrap The beauty in this is the elimination of lines under the tush, at the waist, and at the bra line.

Body Wrap Women’s Long Leg Bodysuit. Available in S,M,L,and XL, Black and Nude.

My favorite new item is made by Yummie Tummie and is a new form of the ever-useful tank top or camisol. It comes in three different styles, a spaghetti strap, regular strap and a “boyfriend’ cut. The beauty of this piece is that the top and bottom bands are cotton and the middle section is built to control.

Yummie Tummie Tank Top, Regular Boyfriend makes a perfect layering piece and comes in a black and white animal print, solid nude, black, and white. XS,S,M,L,XL and PLUS.

Happy Holidays!

Photo courtesy of bahrainidiva.blogspot.com

I’m sitting in the Dallas airport as I’m writing this, and I’m a little cranky, so I may go off a bit. I really need something to eat. I had to get up at four in the morning for my flight back home to Portland. My choices are beyond grim: Taco Bell, McDonald’s, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, Au Bon Pain, and the airport store.

I head to Au Bon Pain for a made-to-order tuna or chicken sandwich on a nine-grain roll. I can see a small sign that clearly says nine-grain rolls, and a dozen or so rolls behind the sign in the pastry case. I place my order and the gal tells me that she’s out of nine-grain rolls. I smile and point to the nine-grain rolls. She proceeds to tell me that those particular nine-grain rolls are for display only. I politely ask if it would be too much trouble to have my sandwich made on one of the display rolls. She says that is against company policy and she is already on probation for something else.

Au Bon Pain in my ass.

The Starbucks only has sandwiches made on white bread, so I head to the airport convenience store for a protein bar. Protein bars are a last resort. They typically are high in protein and fiber but are also loaded with sugar and contain a bunch of mystery ingredients. Some have the dreaded high fructose corn syrup and some form of partially hydrogenated oil (trans fats). I found the least foul one of the bunch and bought a bag of raw almonds along with it. Eating a protein bar is better than not eating at all. It has now been twelve hours since I have had any food, and my metabolism is going downhill fast, along with my mood and my ability to make good choices or be nice to my traveling companion.

Most airports completely suck. Not to toot my own state ’s horn, but Portland’s PDX is an exception — fresh scrambles, brown rice sushi, an assortment of salads, house-made soups, and made-to-order sandwiches on whole wheat bread. Way to go, Caper’s Café.

If you have a long flight ahead or a connecting flight and are forced to rely on airport food, opt for items that pack well, like turkey and avocado on a whole wheat bagel, raw nuts, and fruit. Avoid anything that won’t stay fresh, like mayonnaise, so you don’t end up lying on the teeny-tiny (and likely urinated on) floor of the plane ’s bathroom. Drink plenty of water always, but especially when you’re traveling to keep you hydrated, maintain optimum metabolism, and prevent headaches.

It’s almost not worth mentioning what tactic to take when you’re on a plane these days, as hardly any airlines serve food in the coach cabin. The complimentary snacks like smoked almonds, peanuts, pretzels, and chips are all fatmakers and won’t do much to satiate you. Do your best to avoid eating airline food in coach, even the meals you have to pay for. In first class, they tend to serve food that is a tad more palatable, but I’ve yet to see an airline serve sandwiches on whole wheat bread, and the egg and meat dishes are beyond scary.

I have to travel some for business, sometimes to real cities with real grocery stores and real restaurants, but sometimes I end up in particularly freakish places, like Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I’ve been there twice. It’s a fake town set up to attract tourists and bears. As far as I could tell, Gatlinburg doesn’t have any grocery stores. It does have all the caramel corn and cotton candy your heart desires, only it’s bigger down there. If you’re interested in salt and pepper shakers, you’ll be delighted to know that Gatlinburg is the home of the world’s only Museum of Salt & Pepper Shakers.

Curiosity got the best of me, and I can proudly claim to have seen over twenty thousand different salt and pepper shaker sets. My favorites were the vegetable-shaped ones. Hard to make a leek very attractive, but you’d be surprised at how adorable the corn-on-the-cob shakers were.

Gatlinburg does have a liquor store — which is cleverly disguised as a postal convenience store — so I wasn’t totally screwed. I bought some wine and a set of postage stamps with cute little bears on them and drove around in search of a decent restaurant. The restaurant choices weren’t a total disaster. Mostly pancakes, waffles, and fried chicken, but they also had a Planet Hollywood.

Under normal circumstances, you’d have to drag me in there kicking and shouting obscenities, but in this case, I was stuck making it my cafeteria for the week. At Planet Hollywood, even salads (unmodified) are full of fat, and the loud music — Abercrombie & Fitch loud — will make you want to scream. One day the soup was tomato, but usually they were serving something vile like cream of beer and mystery cheese. When you’re traveling for work, try your best to find a decent grocery store and a restaurant or two that serves real food.  - an excerpt from The Denim Diet

Hey, we have a plane to catch…what to wear! I’m assuming we need to head straight to a business meeting so we want to look professional and pulled together while simultaneously being as comfortable, stylie, and green as possible. It can be done!

Juneau Jacket, $88

Available at weartheearth.myshopify.com, ”66% Bamboo 28% Organic Cotton 6% Spandex French Terry Clay Dyed—Black. Made in the USA. The Warmth of the lightweight jacket and the feel of your favorite sweatshirt. You won’t want to take this off. Tie Front jacket with a shawl collar and princess seam fitting lines. Tie front or back.”

Del Forte "Marina" A-line Skirt, $79

Available at BTC Elements, “Classic dark denim knee length skirt with a nautical twist. Three fillagree buttons line the faux pockets. Flattering double pleated back with corset style tie creates the perfect look with the perfect fit. 99% Organic Cotton, 1% Spandex. Made in Los Angeles. Tierra Del Forte, the designer of Del Forte jeans, believes in uniting luxury fashion with strong ethics. Tierra stands out as a pioneer in a booming designer jean movement, proving style does not need to be compromised for responsible consumers. Her collection focuses on streamlined silhouettes with beautiful, flattering details. Good for the earth, for the producer, and incredibly hot – everything you want in a pair of jeans.”

Heidi High Top, $35

Available at weartheearth.myshopify.com, ”This top is like wearing nothing at all…Light and comfy. You feel like you are wearing a bit of heaven. The versatile funnel neck allows you flexibility in style and function. The bamboo keeps you warm without the heavy weight. 95% Viscose from Bamboo 5% Spandex. The True Red color is fabulous for the Holidays. Treat yourself.”

Beyond Skin Black Pump, $275

Available at thegreenloop.com, ”Beyond Skin is an exclusive ethical footwear label producing beautiful, classic, hand-made shoes. Founded in 2001, Beyond Skin was created in response to the challenging predicament of combining style and fashion with a cruelty-free lifestyle.”

Jane Marvel, Overhead Bag, $115

Jane Marvel, Roller Bag, $300

Available at janemarvel.com, The roller bag also comes in a 20″ size for $252. “All our products are vegan, which means that the handles and trim are not made from leather. Our bags are made of laminated canvas.

My friend Katy Kippen of Grayling Jewelry designed the pieces shown above.  I took the following description including details about the designer from the Grayling website. What’s interesting, at least to me, is that I’ve known the designer for some time and even consider her a friend, but I didn’t know any of what she describes about herself on the “about” page of her website. Either I’m a terrible listener (and friend) or Katy isn’t very forthcoming about sharing tidbits about herself. I’m going with the latter since this is my blog. In her defense, she did tell me once how she came up with the name “Grayling” for her jewelry collection and I can’t remember what she said.

In Katy’s words:

“Grayling jewelry is a limited edition collection of jewelry by Portland, Oregon designer Katy Kippen.  Katy spent much of her life overseas in Europe and Asia, and settled in Portland in 2004. Katy’s grandfather was a rock hunter and stone cutter, and he inspires her work today.

Katy’s family inherited her grandfather’s private stone collection when he passed.  Rare fossils and petrified wood from Yellowstone Park, Montana, and agates from Teepee Canyon, South Dakota are treasures Katy adores. Constantly inspired by the natural world, Katy transforms ancient, vintage, and new materials into designs that are wearable and uniquely yours.“

Katy is pretty Kool. Not like Kool-aid or Kool and the Gang.

Kool like Katy.

To possess one or more of her beautiful, one of kind pieces; you can contact her here. She also has a fun blog where she dishes about jewelry, shoes, and accessories in her knowledgeable, somewhat caustic, and always humorous voice. Follow her tweets @graylingjewelry.

"Here I am wolfing down a piece of birthday cake. A big piece." -Hollye

This isn’t just shameless self promotion of my book. It’s that and much more! This before and after testimonial shows you plain as day what just six months of eating healthy (real!) foods can do to transform your body.

This is Hollye. We met when she took over my position at an interior design firm when my book was released and I had to leave for a book tour. During her brief training, I shared with her my passion for healthy eating and turned her on to my newly-released book. It must have hit a nerve.

In Hollye’s words:

“My friend, Kami Gray, has written a book, The Denim Diet. It’s funny and full of good info. It’s also an easy read. It has changed my life in so many good ways! A great investment.”

Here’s Hollye now…Looking good girl!

"I started following Kami's plan in March 2009 and have as of October 2009, lost more than 25 pounds. The jeans are the same ... they are very loose on me, now. I had a muffin top before and now they don't fit without a belt." -Hollye

Well Hollye! Congratulations! You look fabulous and many years younger. I know from conversations with you that you also feel better than you have in years. Sounds like healthy foods and all those yoga classes were the right medicine! Yay for you!

From www.gopro-lo.com

Along with some roasted Brussels sprouts and stewed white beans, I ate a few slices of the Delicata Squash Rings shown above for lunch yesterday at Gourmet Productions, a darling restaurant and catering business not far from my house. They were ridiculously good and while noshing on them, I noticed a giant sign on the wall behind the cash register that said I could learn how to make them on youtube. Chef Jim shows you how! How cool is that? What’s even more awesome is that these beauties look E-A-S-Y to make! Bring them to your next potluck and wow your friends. All you need are the following ingredients:

• Delicata Squash
• Freshly Ground Pepper
• Sea Salt
• Fresh Thyme
• Ground Shallots
• Olive Oil

Photo courtesy of sheknows.com...click on image to learn how to "Throw an eco-friendly dinner party."

It’s dinner party season. And of course we want to look our best — not too overdressed and definitely not under dressed! Being under dressed is a major fashion crime. I’ll do holiday cocktail parties in my next Eco-Fabulous post. Today, we’re talking dinner parties, potlucks, white elephant exchanges, book club gatherings, and the like. We’ll get really gussied up next time!

Before I show you what to wear, how about some ideas on how not to overdo it while you’re there — talking food and drink here. I touched on some of this in a guest post I did yesterday for fitceleb.com.

I always eat a little something before I go to a dinner party. Since I have literally zero control over what will be served at the party, I supply my body with fuel beforehand so I don’t completely lose it and eat an entire plate of cheese and crackers. The usual appetizers, hors d’oeuvres, and bowls of nuts are extra pounds in the making. Party hosts are apprehensive about serving starters that the average person doesn’t eat or enjoy, so they usually offer fattening crowd-pleasers.

I’ve been guilty of this as well, but I always provide a few tasty, but healthy options like mini–tandoori chicken skewers, which are high in protein. One or two are the perfect pre-dinner snack. If there are no good choices, skip the starters altogether. Just sip on water, wine, or a vodka soda, and wait for the main course. If your hosts are serving a high-calorie, sugary, specialty cocktail and not serving wine until dinner, cheerfully decline and let them know that water is good for now.

For the main course, if it’s something I absolutely don’t eat, like white pasta with cream sauce, I’ve got a bit of a situation. Not a complete train wreck, but I will be relying heavily on the salad or vegetable. Plus, I don’t want to make it blatantly obvious that I have a problem with the host’s carefully planned and executed meal. So I do what four-year-olds do and pick at my food. I go on a mining expedition in search of protein and vegetables and move things around on my plate. And I hide the rest under a large lettuce leaf or two.

I’m not kidding.

If lean meat, beans, or lentils plus a vegetable or salad are being served, I’m over the moon. If I’m allowed to fix my own plate, I load it with two-thirds veggies and one-third protein and have seconds of veggies if I’m still hungry. I want to be completely satiated when dessert arrives so I’m not the least bit tempted.

Dessert can be challenging if your host is putting one in front of each person at a sit-down dinner party. This happened to me once. Crème brûlée. It’s much easier if you’re asked first and you can respectfully decline by saying that dinner was so incredibly delicious that you don’t have a smidgen of room left. A harder sell if you pulled the four-year-old trick and left most of the food on your plate.

To deal with the crème brûlée, I picked at it and ate teeny-tiny bites until I had eaten the equivalent of one large bite, and sipped on decaf coffee. When my hostess asked if I wasn’t a fan of her dessert, I simply said that I was too full, but I would sure love the recipe! (I can’t lie to you. It wasn’t actually crème brûlée, but if I say what the dessert really was, that person will know I’m talking about her [rhymes with hairy beefsteak], which in turn could cause some hurt feelings.)

Obviously, if I know my hosts well and we are friends, they already know what a total pain in the ass I am. Therefore, I come clean and tell them their entire menu was an example of what not to eat and let them know I will be featuring them in my next book in a chapter titled “How to Fatten Up Your Friends in Just One Night!”

Potlucks are a hideous mishmash of food and cookware, but they require very little thought in terms of making good choices because you get to bring something. I always assume there won’t be any other items that meet my criteria for healthy eating, so I make my dish an entire meal, like meat and vegetable lasagna or enchiladas with chicken, quinoa, black beans, black olives, mushrooms, and onions. I bring my own lowfat sour cream to use sparingly on top.

For some potlucks, you may be assigned a certain type of dish. When this happens and I arrive with something entirely different, I just smile and say “oops” and hope everyone else followed the rules. This backfired on me once, and we were stuck eating my chicken enchiladas for dessert. I offered to run out and get some fresh berries, but the hostess wanted to punish and embarrass me instead.

She succeeded.

Watch your portions at potlucks. Just because quite a few items appear to be on the List doesn’t mean you need to try them all. I steer way clear of casseroles unless I made them or I know who made them, as they often include large amounts of cheese, cream, and unidentified ingredients and are best to avoid altogether. - an excerpt from The Denim Diet

Now we’re ready to get dressed!

AngelRox Denim Blazer - Photo courtesy of whiteapricot.com

AngelRox Denim Blazer, $218 ($183.50 for whiteapricot.com newsletter subscribers) – from Nimli.com, “Look trendy while being comfortable in denim with this three pocket snug fit blazer. It has an adjustable waist, bound seams, extended cuffs, and shoulder epaulets. Imported and machine washable. The ANGeLRoX collection is recognized for its dedication to bringing timeless comfort and style with only the best natural fabrics. A versatile line, ANGeLRoX is perfect for any activity, day or night. The collection utilizes local suppliers in the New York area and is adamant about fair labor. Created by Roxi Suger, a professor at Parsons the New School for Design, the collection embodies the philosophy of balancing out what we take from the Earth.”

Spun Cowl Neck Dress - Photo courtesy of Greenloop.com

Spun Cowl Neck Dress, $70 — from greenloop.com, “Spun shows women that organic clothing doesn�t have to be a luxury, it should be a choice. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and sustaining our beautiful planet while allowing you to uphold your own personal style is essential. What started as a mother�s hope, cultivated by family support, is now achievable with Spun. Delightfully cozy-chic, turtleneck inspired without a tight collar. Comfort meets sophistication in the dress version of our cowl neck top. Providing easy styling, the pairings with this dress are endless. Offering 3/4 sleeves and A-line skirt reaching just above the knee. Utterly timeless and distinctively chic.”

Vegan Dress Boot - Thames by Neuaura from Greenloop.com

Vegan Dress Boot, Thames by Neuaura, $175 — from veganchic.com, “Made in the mountains of Brazil, and sourced from Neuaura, a premiere Animal-Friendly footwear manufacturer, this Vegan Boot is notable for it’s fantastic, boutique-style looks, impressive construction and for it’s superb comfort. Constructed from Synthetic Tumbled leather, this vegan boot exudes a classy and casual look, perfect for daily use, walking, work and for the weekend. Made of the highest quality – you certainly be the envy of your veggie and non-veggie friends alike. Sourced, and constructed in the mountains of Brazil using fair labor practices, these great boots hail from Neuaura, who are committed to animal and humanitarian causes – and provide exclusive boutique-style footwear as can be evidenced here.”

Geo-Leaf Cuff from gretchenandgrace.com

Gold Cuff, $58 — from gretchenandgrace.com, “Finally an easy-to-wear cuff bracelet. Hugs your wrist beautifully and will not slow you down. Made of recyled metals with 14k gold overlay. Made in the USA.”

Vintage Earrings From gretchenandgrace.com

Vintage Earrings, $38 – from gretchenandgrace.com, “Pretty vintage fabrics are set in a silver bezel, perserved under resin and dangled from oxidized silver earwires. The diameter of the bezel is about 1/2″, and the length of the earring is about 1″.