Something Annoying that Bethenny said, and 3 Great Recipes!

Happy Monday, Kids.

Let me just start off by saying that I love Bethenny Frankel. Anyone who knows me is aware that I just think she is the bees knees. She is a self made, strong, independent, ruthless, raw, and in my opinion, hysterical woman. She puts it all out there regardless of what she may get back. I love that. While driving to work one day, I saw her, her baby, and her ex husband (still together at that time) on the sidewalk, and I actually debated rolling down the window and professing how much I think she rocks. I will have you know that I resisted the urge in order to prevent scaring her or her child. Self control, people.



Now that I have shared my love for Bethenny with you all, I can confess that I do DVR her talk show and watch when I get home from work in the evening.   Many of her episodes contain segments called "diet debates" where she talks with a celebrity fitness/diet guru about their philosophy on diet and exercise. Last week, Bethenny had on David Zinczenko, author of the 'Eight Hour Diet '. I don't care about David or his Eight Hour Diet, but during their discussion, Bethenny said something so annoying that I had to share.

 Is Breakfast Really the Most Important Meal?.

Listen to what Bethenny says around minute 3. If you don't feel like watching, she says:

"You’re at a party and everything looks so good, you want to be that cute girl that can have a little of everything and not get anxiety about it"

Now, I usually like her philosophy on food, diet, and exercise, but this statement REALLY urked me. What I took away from this was that you should be able to take a taste of everything on the table so that the other people at the party will think you are a cute, tiny, fun chick. You won't have anxiety because you didn't really eat anything. Oh, and don't forget- you'll be cute! What?!



 

I'll have one chip, one celery stick , and one sip of beer, please.

I kid, I kid. All joking aside, I do believe that you should give yourself permission to  have some of everything that you want, but not eat so much of everything that you feel pregnant (unless you are!). And hey, we all overdo it and feel pregnant sometimes. It's taken me a while to come to terms with the fact that sometimes we overeat, and that it's normal. Fun fact: overeating happens way less often when you give yourself permission to eat everything in moderation. Back to Bethenny's comment, I feel that she is insinuating that women need to pick at food and be "cute" when at a party or a big dinner.  Sure, it feels great to have the freedom and flexibility to enjoy some of everything, but to do it so that you look like a "cute girl"?! No thanks. This idea of women ( or men!)  having to exercise restraint around food to be viewed in a certain way not only by others, but by themselves , is perpetuating the cancerous thought process that the way you handle yourself around food is a reflection of you as a person. Sorry Bethenny, double thumbs down on this one from Swinny in the City. I still love ya, though.



 

Ok, enough of that. Let's talk about some food that I made this weekend. My mom had sent me a recipe for this yogurt molasses bread a few weeks ago, and I finally made it. I did adapt the recipe a bit, and it came out great. No eggs or butter! It is such a hearty, filling, tasty bread that is perfect for breakfast or a snack!

 

Quick Whole Wheat Yogurt and Molasses Bread

Makes: 1 loaf

A super all-purpose bread that’s heartier and more flavorful than most, and relatively light for a 100 percent whole grain bread. It also makes excellent sandwiches, especially when toasted.

non stick spray for pan

1 1/3 cups 0% greek yogurt + 1/3-1/4 cup almond milk to thin (thin greek yogurt out to regular yogurt consistency)

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 cup cornmeal

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 and 1/2 cup fresh cranberries

1/2 cup molasses

1. Heat the oven to 325°F. Grease an 8- × 4-inch or 9- × 5-inch loaf pan.

2. Mix together the dry ingredients. Stir the molasses into the buttermilk. Stir the liquid into the dry ingredients (just enough to combine), then pour into the loaf pan. Bake until firm and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour (or meat thermometer- 185 degrees) . Cool on a rack for 15 minutes before removing from the pan.

 



 

It kind of tastes like gingerbread! So yummy. Enjoy!

Something to think about:

 

Be good to yourself today,

xo

Sarah