Monday, August 31, 2009

Thoughts on Eat Real

Well, I went to Eat Real yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed myself.  Out of all the foods I tried, there were only two disappointments, and coincidentally, they were the two things I was most excited about trying.  So much for unrealistic expectations.
The crowds were great and very into what was being presented, which was wonderful to see.  So many times, when an event is held in Oakland, there's something "off" about it, but that curse was suspended for this event.
First dishes tried and I must say most disappointing were the Seoul On Wheels Korean Tacos.  The overwhelming flavor was the corn tortilla, which told me that the ingredients were bland!!!  Not something you'd want to have in Korean cooking.  There was a big line most of the day at the Seoul on Wheels truck so perhaps I just got a bad batch or something.  I wanted to really like it!
Next dishes we tried were Lobster Rolls and Clam Chowder from Sam's Chowder Truck.  Both were excellent.  My daughter particularly liked the Chowder.  We then tried barbeque from Shuga Catering Company.  The ribs were fall off the bone tasty and the potato salad and collard greens were tasty too!!!  We then tried the Creme Brulee Cart which my daughter liked more than I did.  I thought the brulee was too light and the crust too thin.  We also had pork from the Chop Shop which was juicy and tasty, served with two sauces!!  We then went to Joe's Street Eats and had two winning dishes, their BLAT roll which was very good and their corn on the cob which is slatered with lime aioli, chili flakes and parmesano reggiano.  The combination works great and was a real winning dish for the Thompson's.  The last dish we tried were the home made S'mores which were just ok, cold and the cookies tasted store bought.  This was the other dish I was so excited to have and was disappointing.
There was so much food that we didn't try, one because we were full but also because I was blowing out my diet and I had to be careful to not go too crazy.
In the new Market Hall, there were alot of interesting food purveyors, making pickles, and other unique products.  
All in all it was a fabulous day and fabulous experience.  Kudos to the organizers of the event.

Peace,

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Sunday and it's time for Real Food

After spending a quiet day, consuming more and more fruits and vegetables, and spending an even quieter evening at home, today I'm off the Real Food Festival at Jack London Square in Oakland.  Will report back on what I saw, ate and thought.  I fully expect to blow off my diet today as it would be about impossible to eat anything and stay on it given the choices.  
Wish me luck!!
Peace,

Friday, August 28, 2009

Quiet and the Giants

Well another quiet night at home. Watching the Giants and rooting for a victory over the Rockies. Tim Lincecum is pitching tonight, so chances are as good as could be for the Giants.
Great way to start the weekend, peaceful, quiet and baseball!!
Peace,

Another Great Day

Spent most of the day down on the Peninsula yesterday doing marketing and meeting with architects/real estate people. Ended up having lunch at a pretty good Thai place in north sunnyvale that did a good vegan dish for me.
With all the great fruits available right now, i've been making smoothies in the morning with fresh melons and other fruits, very tasty.
Not sure what awaits this weekend, lots of free time, but whatever happens it'll be wonderful and magical nonetheless. I'm going to take a walk down to the Ferry Building for lunch today. Haven't been able to do that for a while.
Here's hoping you have a great weekend.
Peace,

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Howard Roberts

Well I didn't do so great on my diet today, I need a mulligan. I had a meeting today and the client chose a hamburger place to go to. I had small things but still none of it was really on my diet allowance, well ok, the bun wasn't and the meat wasn't....hahaha....but the tomato and onion was ok. So I'm going to take a break about talking about food for a bit and write about my other passion which is music.
When I was 20 I got it in my mind that I could be pretty good playing the guitar. I'd started a few years earlier, inspired by none other than Peter Frampton and then countless trips to Winterland with a high school friend, Bill Coutts, to see various rock acts of the day. I started taking lessons when I was 18 with a great guitarist named Robert Graves. Robert turned me on to Joe Pass and other jazz and fusion players and that was it, I was hooked. In 1978 I heard about this new school called the Guitar Institute of Technology. It had been started by this well known studio guitarist Howard Roberts and had some other well known jazz guys teaching theree. I applied, was accepted and went to GIT to study in September of 1979 embarking on one of the greatest experiences of my life.
Howard Roberts was not at the school every day, in fact he had moved to Seattle, Washington, but periodically he was down and when he was he would give a seminar and chat with students. I got to see what an amazing teacher this guy was and how accomplished he was on the guitar. His heydey was when i was a little kid in terms of albums and awareness amongst my age group. So being exposed to him as I was thru his columns in Guitar Player and at school were a revelation to me. Howard had theories about the psychology of learning and subscribed to Psycho-Cybernetics. He also believed that everyone had alot of music in them, they just had to get it out.
In this new digital world, most of his albums from the late 50's and 60's are available on cd and you can hear what an amazing player this guy was. Even the albums he put out later, The Real Howard Roberts, being the first one I had heard, like Equinox Express Elevator and Antelope Freeway, are now get-able via digital format. While the overall sounds are often dated due to the instrumentation used at the time, the guitar playing is still stellar and creative and chance taking.
I highly recommend you check Howard out. He left us in1992 a victim of prostate cancer, but his legacy lives on and it's a hell of a legacy.
The small school of 40 students that I attended in 1979 has now grown to a larger school that teaches most music disciplines and has a student body in the hundreds. Each year more people are exposed to Howard's theories and passions and even 17 years after his passing, the influence of his work still resonates and impacts many people.

Peace,

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Forgiveness and Diet

In the second week of the diet and things are going well. Clothes are fitting better, feeling lighter and having more energy. This diet is really helping me to move forward in life in the best possible way. As I've alluded before, the last year has been pretty rough for me, both emotionally and health wise. All of that seems to be past me now and the road ahead, whatever it is, seems clear of the energy that was in my life. I made a lot of mistakes, both in judgement and in action in how I lived my life, who I was with, and how I treated not only others but also myself. I've been able to make amends with most people and I'll have to accept the fact that I can't make amends to everyone. What I will be able to do is to go forward in life with a clear conscience. Each day is a new day to make a big difference and it sure makes each day wonderful. I remember how bad I used to feel each day and it was all about my outlook and what I then invited into my life, the people, the situations, the relationship. Angry people don't have a place in my life, thank god. They are all around but they're also easy to spot.

I've found out that I have many friends who truly care about me and want to help and support me in the best possible ways. This revelation has been a godsend and has helped me to progress through the difficulties presented.

Which brings me to forgiveness. I could be really bitter and hold a grudge for some of the things that happened to me over the last year but I don't. I can and do forgive. I'm not going to live my life bitter and angry and holding grudges against those who I perceive to have done me wrong. My life has brought me to where I am today and it's been the result of many forces, one major one is my decisions. There were also acts of randomness, impacts of others and plain serendipity. In the last 7 years especially, there has been joy, pain and frustration never known before to me. I'm still thankful for what happened and as was told to me, numerous times. "you are going to be better for the next person". Well I don't know if I am better or not, but I'm doing my best to make good decisions each day and to be good to everyone I encounter.

Each day I deal with amazing people at the highest levels in life and I get to be a part of that. These people seem to find me through recommendations/referrals and that says alot to me. It keeps me going through these hard times. Secondly, my kids have been there through this period loving me without condition and helping me at all times. From my daughter Ellissa being my little "nurse" when i was recovering from surgery, to Elliott and Miles helping me out in other ways, it's been great to know that they are there for me. There are times when you can feel so alone in life and thankfully, those times were minized through the actions of loved ones.

You see, most people are good and deserve forgiveness. No hard feelings, no bitter reprisals......life is too short. We're all getting older and as we age, our time here becomes even more precious as the 'finite' nature of it, becomes more pronounced. No good reason to be bitter and angry to the point of serious impact to your daily life. If you're holding a grudge, try on a little forgiveness and see how you feel. Hope it fits you well.

Peace,

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Great time for fruits and Locavore

Tuning into the quality of fruits available at this time of year can be such a revelation. Finding wonderful organic peaches that taste so clean and fresh and sweet!! Beautiful squash of all kinds, again, so flavorful and beautiful. Lettuce mix with edible flowers, not only tastes good but looks great on the plate!!
Have you ever checked out an iphone app called Locavore? It's pretty interesting in that it keeps you posted on what is fresh in your area and what is being grown and harvested. Helps you to be prepared when you go to the Farmer's Market.
Today I'm enjoying some small, almost wine like, Thompson Seedless Grapes, some avocado's, banana, yummy!!

Peace,

Monday, August 24, 2009

into week 2 now. Today I cheated a bit, not much but had some carbs, tasted so good.
Otherwise things have been going ok. I think some other big things are coming to an end for me and hopefully in a good way. The last year has been rough in many ways, both emotionally and health wise. Now entering this new year, and having just celebrated a birthday, things seem to be turning, the bad things seem to be in the rear view mirror and life ahead is good but a challenge. You always wish the best and without hard feelings. I know others are never going to feel that way, but I choose to work ahead without hard feelings towards others.
Peace,

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Day Eight

Well I'm back from a great day of rafting down the American River with my family, what a blast. We rafted from American River Raft to a park about 4 hours south. Leisurely, at times exciting as went through some very minor rapids, we had a great time. The kids trailed along in the river and in and out of the raft while I did much of steering and enjoyed the ride. Sure it was hot but being on the water made it very tolerable. Lots of great fun!!! Can't wait to do it.
Diet wise I did very well. Keeping hydrated was of major importance so lots of water was consumed and when we got to the end of our trip, got back to our car and were famished, we ended up at a pizza parlor in Folsom. The kids had pizza, I had salad and everybody was happy. What a great day!!!
Farmer's Market today, loading up on Fruits and Vegetables.
Hope your day is awesome,
Peace,

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Day Seven

Well i've made it a week and feel very good. The day was a bit unique in that i had to be 'creative' in my eating choices again and it's starting to become easier to do that. For those of you who have known me, and to see me ignore a luscious bakery and it's fresh offerings, would be very surprising. I did ignore them and even looked at them while i was refraining, just to test myself. I ended up having a nice vegetarian dish of fresh black beans, fresh vegetables, some guacamole and salsa at a nice taqueria across the office from my dentist. They do everything fresh and were able to accomodate my needs.
Today it's off to Sacramento to visit my son and his fiance. Hot and hotter is the forecast.
Hope you have a great weekend,
Peace,

Friday, August 21, 2009

Day Six

So the cravings for carbs/meat/sweets were pretty strong yesterday. On top of it I had to go to a function in the east bay with hors d'ouvres, none of which were on my diet plan! Oh well.
So I was bad and had some meat but no carbs or dairy. So we'll see how much penalty i receive and what my body does in reaction. Today it's been back to the diet, some apples for breakfast and soy beans, fresh, as a snack mid day.
The weekend should be a challenge as I'm going to visit my son up in Sacramento, not the most vegetarian friendly place!! Wish me luck!
Peace,

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Day Five of Diet

Some interesting observations as i get closer to the end of my first week. I remember reading in the great book by Michael Pollan - In Defense of Food, that we should eat less, pay more for it and be healthier. Well I can already attest to the truth of all three of those items. First of all, from a standpoint of weight, you do each much less. Secondly, you do spend more. I spent $45 at the store and I've consumed 80 percent of those items in 4 days. Today I'll need to go shopping again to get fresh produce of all kinds. You end up being healthier just by the fact that you are not polluting your body with carb loaded foods and animal fats. While I have a long way to go, I'm feeling better each day and that's a good thing in my book. Now if my wallet can stand it.........

Peace,

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Day Four of the Diet

Well so far so good. Although yesterday afternoon I was having major cravings. I've been told that for the first week your body will crave the fats, carbs and sugars you used to eat. My first real experience with that was yesterday. Around 2pm the cravings for something substantial, like a sandwich or pizza started. I had a peach and this seemed to deal with things ok and then after leaving SF for one of my twice weekly physical therapy appointments to work on my previously broken hand, i continued to get the pangs again. I found that just getting some water helped alot. Bottled water is also a good help, at least for me. I definitely feel better and have more energy and sleep better also. The weight loss/metabolism change hasn't been as obvious yet, but i would imagine that there is plenty to work off so to speak from my previous carb/meat diet. 220 here i come.

Peace,

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Day Three of the Diet

Yesterday was an interesting day as it was my first at work. I found I was literally eating something for most of the morning. I had some watermelon, some hummus i made, carrots and a banana. My energy level certainly is higher and I can feel the difference in how much of that internal 'load' you carry from eating carbs and fats. I later had some sauteed vegetables and ginger at the local vegan chinese restaurant near my office.
Upon arriving home last night i tried some other things, with mixed results. I had almond butter which is on my list of 'acceptable nuts' with some sliced banana. I felt bloated after eating this so I think i'm going to refrain from almond butter at least for a bit. I also made a vegan tapioca pudding without sugar, using maple syrup instead. This is something i've been working on for a while trying to find the correct consistency. I found the consistency needed, and now can make a dessert that is dairy free, sugar free and minimally containing fat in the form of light coconut milk. The fat content in the entire dish is 3.5g so if you divide the batch up into four servings it's less that 1 g of fat. Problem is I again felt bloated after eating it. So that is going on the shelf too.
My next project was a strawberry yogurt made from tofu and fresh strawberries. This was not bad, a bit sour, but it's supposed to be yogurt, so that seems logical.
Today I'm having some of the yogurt with some sliced banana. Hopefully the bloating feeling will subside and i can move ahead feeling lighter and more alive than i have in years.
In reading books on Raw Cuisine, Low Fat and Vegan diets, one thing that is stressed is that you will be best off by eating throughout the day, snacking so to speak. Like Dean Ornish said in his seminal book, Eat More Weigh Less!
Received great news today that my oldest son's epilepsy seems to have subsided and he no longer needs to take medication. He's gone 5 years without a seizure so we're all happy.
Not sure what dinner surprise awaits tonight, but i'll report back.
Peace,

Sunday, August 16, 2009

The Hand Continues to Get Better and More

Well here we are one week later and my left hand is continuing to get back to normal. I've gone from having minimal feeling in my left pinky finger to now having minimal numbness, a big improvement. Still can't play a steel string guitar yet, as my pinky cannot really push down on the strings yet. I can play nylon string, without pain, but as i'll be surrendering my nylon string soon, i'll be left with steel string options after that.
Started a cleansing diet today, no dairy, no sugar, which will be very hard for me. Sugar has been my bugaboo for a long time and going cold turkey in the sugar department won't be easy. If it isn't naturally in the food, i.e. fruits, I can't have it. Should get me to my weight goal of 220, which is what I weighed in May of 2002. I've been told that my metabolism will speed up, i'll need less sleep and my energy level will be much better. So here goes.
I'll be checking in on progress and keep you posted as to how i'm doing.
Peace,

Monday, August 10, 2009

Finally Back At It

Well my finger is now finally at a point where i can actually start using it. For any of you who have been in an accident or mishap that caused you to have to get major surgery on your finger, you now have my heartfelt sympathies. Today is 3 mos. since my injury and while I'm far from 100 percent, i can actually use my finger a bit which starts to make my left hand somewhat useful again. Thank god it's coming back to life. The feeling still isn't so great and numbness unfortunately is still a daily reminder, but the stiffness is starting to go away and soon I suspect I'll be at least at 90 percent. Hand therapy is helping tremendously.
Since I turn 51 tomorrow, having some use of my hand is a good thing and another positive in what was otherwise a pretty crappy year for my health. As I move into year 51, i trust things will be better. Some unpleasant experiences will be behind me and moving ahead in life will be the priority. No looking back, no hard feelings, no grudges, no reprisals. Move ahead in the best way possible.