They say you can't go home again.
But really, I kind of did.
...Sweetness in the Small Stuff...
Monday, July 16, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
travel: real food at a continental breakfast?
It's a curious thing, being a real foodie at a continental breakfast. In spite of my preparation for us to eat many breakfasts out of our cooler, we have found ourselves with the option of a complimentary meal at the start of our first three mornings of different hotel stays. We opted not to "look a gift horse in a mouth" and took advantage of the free food at the start of each day.
I'm thankful, truly. But to be honest, the foods offered at these meals sometimes makes me a little
uncomfortable.
Bagels. Muffins. Biscuits. Pastries... white flour galore. Lowfat, flavored yogurt: laden with all kinds of fillers and added sweeteners. Dry, dead cereals and pasteurized milk. And "maple-flavored" syrup, which simply makes me shudder. I saw one label which read "2% maple syrup." You know what the rest of it is, right? Artificial flavorings and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
This is not real food.
What's a mama to do? Is it possible to find a nourishment at a continental breakfast? If so, how?
Look for Protein-Rich Options
These have been incredibly scarce at such meals, I am sad to say. In my opinion, commercially flavored yogurt and regular milk are poor choices. If possible, choose eggs. Twice now, I've been happy to them hard-boiled, pre-peeled. These are probably the best way to assure you're eating the real thing, as opposed to powdered eggs! I've seen scrambled eggs and pre-made omelettes as option, as well. Eggs seem to go like hot cakes at buffet lines, so be be aware and act fast.
These have been incredibly scarce at such meals, I am sad to say. In my opinion, commercially flavored yogurt and regular milk are poor choices. If possible, choose eggs. Twice now, I've been happy to them hard-boiled, pre-peeled. These are probably the best way to assure you're eating the real thing, as opposed to powdered eggs! I've seen scrambled eggs and pre-made omelettes as option, as well. Eggs seem to go like hot cakes at buffet lines, so be be aware and act fast.
Fresh Fruit
Each of these spreads has included fresh fruit. Bananas, oranges, apples. Even a mixed fruit offering with melon, grapes, and strawberries. Fresh fruit is far better for you than canned, and it's a safer bet than dried fruits (which often contain sulphur) as well.
Each of these spreads has included fresh fruit. Bananas, oranges, apples. Even a mixed fruit offering with melon, grapes, and strawberries. Fresh fruit is far better for you than canned, and it's a safer bet than dried fruits (which often contain sulphur) as well.
Healthy Spreads
Sometimes, but not always, continental breakfasts will offer real butter alongside the margarine. Butter is a healthy part of a real food diet, and people often don't eat enough healthy fats. Also, I was pleased to find little packages of honey. Real cream cheese might also make a good option. In the area of spreads, there is so much that we avoid: nut butters and jams laden with HFCS, margarine. It's such a pleasure to find a few options I can feel better about serving my family.
Sometimes, but not always, continental breakfasts will offer real butter alongside the margarine. Butter is a healthy part of a real food diet, and people often don't eat enough healthy fats. Also, I was pleased to find little packages of honey. Real cream cheese might also make a good option. In the area of spreads, there is so much that we avoid: nut butters and jams laden with HFCS, margarine. It's such a pleasure to find a few options I can feel better about serving my family.
Focus on the Positive
One of the best steps we can take in our approach toward continental breakfasts is to ask for real food. Write a note to tell the service manager that you'd love to see more eggs, cheese, and real juice (instead of something which is clearly an orange-flavored beverage!). I imagine that the positive reinforcement of hearing how happy you were to find butter, honey, etc. can only have favorable results. And l tried to let the women in charge of these meals know that I appreciated their efforts.
Facing situations such as this can seem discouraging, no doubt about it. But seeking out the gems, searching for the best possible choices, as well as focusing on the positive can really help. There's always a chance that we might make a difference this way!
Choose real food, ask for real food, and above all enjoy real food. Happy trails!
One of the best steps we can take in our approach toward continental breakfasts is to ask for real food. Write a note to tell the service manager that you'd love to see more eggs, cheese, and real juice (instead of something which is clearly an orange-flavored beverage!). I imagine that the positive reinforcement of hearing how happy you were to find butter, honey, etc. can only have favorable results. And l tried to let the women in charge of these meals know that I appreciated their efforts.
Facing situations such as this can seem discouraging, no doubt about it. But seeking out the gems, searching for the best possible choices, as well as focusing on the positive can really help. There's always a chance that we might make a difference this way!
Choose real food, ask for real food, and above all enjoy real food. Happy trails!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
pausing ~ friends, fellowship, & food
After five days of travel, we have come to an oasis in a friend's home. And get this: our stay here is a total of three nights. Three nights. Although our traveling days went quite smoothly, it was an unspeakable relief to be able to take a deep breath...and stop.
Since arriving here two nights ago, we've enjoyed reminiscing with old friends, a jaunt around Kansas City (we went by many of our old haunts: the church we attended when we lived here, the two homes where we lived, and the places we worked), a big dinner with our adopted family, watching our kids frolic with "cousins" they had never met before - such a blessing!
Oh, and some seriously awesome barbecue.
People, I kid you not. I have been dreaming about this barbecue for 11 1/2 years now. Jeff and I chose it for our last big meal before we moved away to Oregon from Kansas City, and stopping there was definitely a priority once we knew we were coming back for a visit. So yesterday we took the kids there for lunch.
It was every bit as delicious as I'd remembered.
And in case you're wondering, I chose not to read the ingredient list for the barbecue sauce. This is a time for exceptions. From where I'm sitting, it was totally worth it.
Today we're resting. Puttering. Catching up on laundry and sleep. Possibly taking the boys to a local water park. Tonight we're invited to dinner at my husband's best friend from his boyhood - it's going to be fantastic. That is a huge reason why we made this trip: fellowship with dear ones that time and distance had separated.
Not to mention the fact that I hear we're in for more outstanding barbecue.
Since arriving here two nights ago, we've enjoyed reminiscing with old friends, a jaunt around Kansas City (we went by many of our old haunts: the church we attended when we lived here, the two homes where we lived, and the places we worked), a big dinner with our adopted family, watching our kids frolic with "cousins" they had never met before - such a blessing!
Oh, and some seriously awesome barbecue.
People, I kid you not. I have been dreaming about this barbecue for 11 1/2 years now. Jeff and I chose it for our last big meal before we moved away to Oregon from Kansas City, and stopping there was definitely a priority once we knew we were coming back for a visit. So yesterday we took the kids there for lunch.
It was every bit as delicious as I'd remembered.
And in case you're wondering, I chose not to read the ingredient list for the barbecue sauce. This is a time for exceptions. From where I'm sitting, it was totally worth it.
Today we're resting. Puttering. Catching up on laundry and sleep. Possibly taking the boys to a local water park. Tonight we're invited to dinner at my husband's best friend from his boyhood - it's going to be fantastic. That is a huge reason why we made this trip: fellowship with dear ones that time and distance had separated.
Not to mention the fact that I hear we're in for more outstanding barbecue.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
my new favorite sandwich
(from a lunch at home a few days ago)
Warm sourdough flatbread. Black beans fermented with red onion and garlic. Shredded cheddar. Sour cream.
Mmm-mmm good.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)