Chicago is my place of birth. Chicagoans love the Chicago Cubs, despite their everlasting losing streak; we will defend living here despite the horrible blustery winters (which we all seem surprised about once they come to pass, as if we hadn’t dealt with them every year prior); we don’t all have that Saturday Night Live accent (‘Da Bears’ is strictly an exaggerated version of the South Side dialect).
We are known for the Chicago hot dog, which is an all-beef dog on a poppy seed bun. Ketchup is absolutely forbidden; only yellow mustard is allowed. Cover that baby in some chopped white onions, sweet relish (which often comes in a neon-green shade, like at places like the famous Superdawg), tomato wedges, sport peppers, a crunchy pickle and a touch of celery salt.
Let’s be honest- Chicago is a food town. Yes, we have some of the best chefs and restaurants out there (Alinea’s amazing gourmand Grant Achatz comes to mind), but we are generally known for stellar blue-collar food. We can compete with the best of them when it comes to our Italian beef sandwiches and Italian lemon ices, hot dogs and deep-dish pizza.
The only problem?
This food is not even remotely healthy. I won’t pretend that it is. Your average Chicago sandwich is meant for a 300-lb. man, not a delicate female (although most Chicago women can take down a slice of deep dish with some fries on the side and a full-sugar pop to top it off). Being the amazing Midwestern hubbub it is, however, Chicago is a place of change and evolution, meaning that we have a selection of amazing healthy restaurant options.
One of my absolute favorites is Karyn’s Raw. Part market, part raw vegan dining experience, Karyn’s has everything you could possibly need in the realm of healthy eating, from detox programs to a full menu and store full of natural raw products. They also prepare cooked items for those dining out who don’t fully subscribe to the raw movement. The Passion Soup is a standout; it includes red bell pepper, ginger, garlic, cherry tomatoes, mint, basil, cilantro, cashews, coconut and a touch of lemon juice.
Over at The Chicago Diner you will find vegan-friendly menus and an assortment of organic beer and wine. The establishment has been famously ‘meat-free’ since 1983. All of their comfort foods are vegetarian, most being vegan. They even have a Vegan Thanksgiving planned that can be enjoyed while dining in but can also be carried out! EARTH’s HEALING Café is an amazing option for those who want to eat organic vegan meals that are soy and gluten free. Their Ascension Cake features a faux cheese layer made with cashew and a chocolate layer made with raw cacao. The top layer is finished off with Maca root powder on an almond, walnut and date crust.
It was only a few weeks ago that First Lady Michelle Obama was in town promoting healthy eating programs geared towards children. She spent time on the South Side of the city promoting healthy eating and living and announced that 37 new fresh-food stores would be popping up in the Chicago area. Chicago is truly a food town, but it is making waves for being more aware of organic options and the people who live ‘green’ lives. Our farmer’s markets can’t be beat, and the general buzz in Chicago is about these restaurants, old and new, and how even meat-eaters can incorporate these ideas and habits into their everyday lives.
The editors at Running with Mascara know that ‘everything in moderation’ is a key life mantra. Living in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, we all enjoy what the city has to offer. Despite our individual fitness and beauty habits, it’s what on the inside (literally) that counts. Healthy eating isn’t easy for everyone, but if people in a city like Chicago can do it, anyone can!
Forget the green bean casserole. Put the red skinned potatoes back on the shelf. If you are looking for the perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner, look no further than the sweet potato. Not only do sweet potatoes pair well with the ubiquitous turkey, but they also pack quite the nutritional punch. They are a great source of Vitamin A, potassium, Vitamin C and B6 and are chock-full of powerful disease-fighting phytochemicals.
The problem with Thanksgiving sweet potato recipes are that they are usually laden with so much fat and sugar that the health benefits are nearly cancelled out. Chicago Healers Practitioner Dr. Martha Howard offers some simple recipes that won’t weigh you down on Thanksgiving.
“Candied” Sweet Potatoes
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
- Scrub 4 large sweet potatoes, pat dry and oil lightly with olive oil.
- Prick with a fork and cook on a rack in a pan lined with foil or parchment paper to catch drippings.
- Cook for 1 to 1 ¼ hours, until tender when pierced with a fork.
- Let potatoes cool slightly and cut in half lengthwise.
- Drizzle on a small amount (about a quarter teaspoon per potato) of agave nectar and sprinkle with a small amount of cinnamon. (You can also use a little fresh grated ginger and/or shredded coconut for a wonderful tropical taste.)
- Slide under the broiler and watch carefully, remove when light brown and bubbly, and serve.
“Mom’s” Sweet Potato, Pineapple, Marshmallow Casserole, 2011 Style
- Cook sweet potatoes as in the “Candied” Sweet Potato recipe.
- Let cool, peel, and mash.
- Lightly oil a casserole dish and alternate layers of sweet potato with layers of pineapple chunks (the organic ones, canned in their own juice, of course) and about a teaspoon of melted butter drizzled over each layer, and sprinkle ¼-1/2 teaspoon salt evenly over each layer.
- Arrange pineapple chunks on the top of the casserole, and arrange a half cup of mini marshmallows around the top between the pineapple chunks.
- Combine a teaspoon and a half of agave nectar and a teaspoon and a half of melted butter and drizzle over the top.
- Cook at 375 for about 30 minutes, until the marshmallows are melted and the top is golden brown.
- Using agave nectar and pineapple canned in its own juice instead of pineapple in heavy syrup, and taking it easy with the marshmallows, makes this a much healthier, equally yummy Thanksgiving dish.
For more information on Dr. Martha Howard and the benefits of sweet potatoes visit: www.chicagohealers.com.
This blog post is written by a guest blogger and does not necessarily represent the views of NuVal LLC or Topco.
You might be thinking it’s way too early to be starting to think about the upcoming holiday smorgasboards that can be the demise of eating healthy. But, first of all, it’s just not. It never is, in fact. Habits take time. Habits that’s you’ve been working on for 3 months are much more likely to stick than those you start working on, say November 20th. Secondly, fall “comfort” food is just as or more dangerous than “holiday food,” so now is absolutely the time to start setting in motion healthy eating plans. For, not only do fall/winter comfort foods and holiday foods not lean towards the lean, metabolism-boosting side, our social lives are about to at least triple for the next three months. And, of course, what do we do when out being social? We typically mingle around a bunch of food.
If you’re ready to jump on board with me and avoid the trend of ditching healthy eating in lieu of both eating more and eating richer foods for these upcoming months, here are 5 easy tips to stick with.
Need to Munch? Munch on Water
Okay, so you maybe can’t munch on it literally, but you can munch on water-laden foods. When you’re out for evening social gatherings and the food starts piling up around you, head straight for the produce that’s loaded water. You can eat it slowly and it’ll keep you feeling fuller without pouring in a bunch of extra calories. Good veggie options: celery sticks, cucumber slices, lettuce, tomatoes. Lettuce is actually your best bet, at 95% water. Broccoli comes in a close second at 91%, carrots are 87%. If there’s a fruit tray anywhere near, look for watermelon (92% water) or oranges and grapefruit (90%).
Take Your Tea
Fortunately, the fall and winter months are well suited to drinking tea. Filling up on tea before you head to a party can greatly help to reduce your appetite. Studies also suggest that drinking green tea can even help boost your metabolism and cause you to burn more calories. So while you’re getting all dressed up, keep a cup of tea handy and make sure it’s gone before you leave. And, while at the party? Yep! Grab a cup of hot water and tea and skip the high calorie loaded beverage options. You’ll feel warm, cozy and full. It’s a win-win.
Eat Normally – Before the Party
Never “save up” calories to go all out on a party. You’ll arrive starving and eat much more than you would have ever planned on eating or have wanted to eat. Eat your regular, well-filling meals and snacks throughout the day as normal. In fact, if it’s an evening party, you should aim to eat almost a full meal before heading out to the party. This will give you a little wiggle room to have bites of various appetizers/desserts but not feel the need to make a meal out of them. If it’s a dinner party, eat normally all day but fill up on high-fiber, water loaded foods (like those mentioned above) and a cup of tea before you go.
Limit Your Options
Almost nothing works as well as simply limiting your options. Give yourself a specific set of types of foods to eat for a week (enough variation so you can get all your needed nutrients and minerals: turkey, salad, whole wheat bread, etc.) and then that’s it. When it isn’t an option to try everything everywhere you go at every single holiday party, you won’t even have to fight the temptation. You might even find yourself losing weight watching your intake like this. We tend to get sick of foods, so even though we have free reign to eat as much of something as we like, we won’t, because we’re “over it.”
Re-Think Comfort
While cooler weather seems to call for comfort food and comfort food seems to call out for butter, you don’t necessarily have to “give up” those foods. Think of what characterizes comfort food in your mind. It’s likely warm, it’s probably creamy and it’s probably carbohydrate focused. You can find those characteristics in foods that are not necessarily unhealthy. Make smart swaps when you can, like plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. Trade the oil in your pumpkin bread for applesauce. Make a fruit cobbler instead of a pumpkin pie. Use whole wheat pasta instead of white. Make stews and creamy soups that use vegetable purees to thicken them up. Do online searches for “healthy comfort foods” and you’ll find all kinds of recipes that have taken traditional comfort foods and lightened them up.
In the End
Holidays don’t have to mean the demise of your healthy eating. Stick to the plan you’ve been working on and remind yourself that staying strong will help you feel better, both mentally and physically and give your body the fuel it needs to keep up with the demands of the jam-packed holiday season. You can also help your body keep its immune system built up with healthy foods, especially plant based options like dark leafy green and brightly colored vegetables.
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Jocelyn Anne takes great pride and joy in maintaining a healthy eating plan throughout the holiday months and loves to share her tips with others. When not writing foodie or health-related pieces, you’ll find her at work writing about conserving energy during winter months with a ceramic heater.
This blog post is written by a guest blogger and does not necessarily represent the views of NuVal LLC or Topco.
Developed by an independent panel of nutrition and medical experts, the 