Noshtopia

Sweet and fiberous snack idea:Figs and Filberts

I've been looking for new snacks that don't contain sugar (outside of fruit), flour, or are fried. Basically, I'd like to nosh on something that isn't chips or cookies, my weaknesses.

At the bulk foods bins, I came across these dried figs and filbert nuts. I first learned about figs when I was marathon training a few years ago. One of the runners in my training group was vegan, and she liked to nosh on figs because they were chewy and sweet. Figs are also fiber rich and are a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps to control blood pressure.

The Filbert aka Corylus Maxima is a species of the Hazel a fruit flower with nuts. I love hazelnuts as a salad or ice cream topping, and non-dairy milk made from hazelnuts makes for a tasty coffee creamer.

Filberts and hazelnuts are excellent sources of protein, minerals, and healthy mono-unsaturated fats. Dr. Oz recommends nuts as a good snack to help cut down overeating and leveling blood sugar so you don't crash and start over craving sweets.

Appetizer: Fresh Contemporary Vietnamese Vegetarian Rolls

For my birthday, a friend of mine took me to this really hip contemporary Vietnamese restaurant called Three Seasons in Palo Alto.

What I loved about the food is that food portions are small so you don't feel like you're over eating, and there were some vibrant foods like Tropical Fruit Salad made with fresh papaya, mango, pineapple and frisee lettuce tossed with a spicy vinaigrette, dried cranberry and glazed walnut, plus Seared Sesame-crusted Scallops served with sautéed baby bok choy. Getting hungry yet?

I had the Mango Beef on top of rice for my main course, and for the appetizer we enjoyed the Vegetarian Rolls made with tofu, shiitake mushroom, jicama and peanut sauce. I've never had a Vietnamese roll with jicama in it, so it was a happy surprise. With the peanut sauce, these rolls melted in my mouth.

If you're in Palo Alto, Three Seasons is worth stopping by, and if it is warm outside, definitely sit in the outdoor patio.

Yummy links to quinoa, avocado ice cream, miso cucumbers, and crusty tuna

This homemade avocado ice cream is simple to make and sounds like an awesome end to a Mexican style brunch. [Mac & Cheese]

Quinoa is gluten free and loaded with protein so it makes for a wonderful non-animal protein source. This Spring Green Quinoa dish is packed with edamame, asparagus, zuchini, and some tomatoes. [Fat Free Vegan Kitchen]

Here is a cool combination of cold plus warm in a Japanese breakfast dish that reminds the foodie of his childhood in Japan: Chilled cucumber with sesame miso broth over rice. Just looking at this dish makes me feel all cozy inside. [No Recipes]

Grilled Macadamia Crusted Tuna with Papaya Salsa. I love macadamias and it's healthy MUFAs. This nosh looks like a perfect add for a garden tea party or Spring engagement shower. [Sensei Talks]

Do you believe there is a worldwide rice shortage?

I went to a Smart & Final store yesterday, and right on the door as you walk in was this sign notifying customers of a limitation on rice purchase because of the "worldwide rice shortage."

I realize this rice shortage has been in the news quite a bit lately, and there is debate about the subject, but seriously, I find it really hard to believe that there is a shortage of rice in the world. To me, it's like saying we've run out of potatoes.

The shortage stories supposedly have more to do with the rising price of rice rather than an actual physical shortage which means less people can afford to buy rice because of the added expense. In the US, rising rice prices is not as painful yet as something like the rising gas prices.

But in other countries where the economics are not as good, I can see where there could be issue. But still, farmers are still growing crops of rice, and there have been no stories of viruses, plagues, or insects infecting rice supplies. No one has hijacked major rice fields. So, what is causing the physical rice shortage?

I think this is more of a media scare tactic to inflate the prices and create mass rice buying hysteria so the rice people can make more money. But that's the conspiracy theorist in me. How about you all, do you think there truly is a worldwide rice shortage to warrant purchase limitations?

Ideas: Types of non-dairy milks

I have a mild Type II allergy to cow and goat milk. I don't get really ill but I have noticed especially as I get older that my body particularly my tummy is not tolerating the dairy as much, so I've been looking at more non-dairy type of milks because I love smoothies, eating cereal, and having milk with cookies right out of the oven.

If you too are looking at non-dairy alternatives to cow or goat milk, here are some types that I have discovered:

• Rice
• Soy *
• Hemp
• Almond
• Hazelnut
• Oat

*I've been avoiding soy milk because it is not as healthy as many people think plus it can create weight gain in some. Soy is not bad, but it may be counter to what you are trying to achieve, so look at your options.

To note, for those watching their sugar intake, many of these milks come in unsweetened versions as well.

In my opinion, all the milks listed above are tasty except the hemp milk which I reviewed here. To me, hemp milk is an acquired taste. The hemp milk does contain a high amount of protein so I would say it is worth trying.

Are there any other sources of non-dairy milks you have tried?

Trying something new: Hemp Milk

At the bookstore the other day, I happened to pick up a book called "The Thrive Diet: The Whole Food Way to Lose Weight, Reduce Stress, and Stay Healthy for Life" written by Brendan Brazier who is a vegan triathlete. Besides the book, Brendan has started a company Vega which sells vegan friendly meal replacements, protein powders, bars, etc. The protein source he uses is from Hemp.

So, I got curious about Hemp because I'm always on the lookout for new protein sources. I'm particularly interested in hemp too because I'm staying away from soy as much as possible. Not all soy is healthy for you as you think and it can cause weight gain.

Normally, I drink organic rice milk, but thought it would be interesting to try out hemp milk. So, I bought some Organic Hemp Bliss in Original flavor to see what it would taste like. First, I put the box in the fridge overnight because I find that drinking any non-dairy milk is better when it is cold.

Honestly, the first sip of the hemp milk was not a pleasant one. I didn't gag, but hemp milk is definitely an acquired taste as it does taste very "grassy" and has a slightly thicker consistency than rice milk. Images of dancing hippies in granola fields came to mind. I know it's terrible, but that was my real initial reaction to the hemp milk.

If you mix some chocolate in, the cocoa helps to make the milk taste better, but it doesn't mask the grassy taste, so in essence it tastes like chocolate milk with some grass thrown in. Now, some people can dig that, but I'm not so easily won over. Using the hemp milk in a smoothie where you throw in a bunch of fruit, some agave nectar, and some nuts is alright.

On the upside, compared to rice milk per 1 cup serving, hemp milk does have more protein 5g versus 1g, and less carbs 7g versus 20g. However, hemp milk has more fat at 7g versus 2.5g.  The calories are the same.

I'm still going to stick to rice milk as my primary milk source but, for the protein factor, I think it is worth finding ways to make the hemp milk work. So, off I go to experiment.

Sandra Bullock shows us how to clean house non-toxic with common kitchen ingredients

Sandra Bullock was on Oprah's Earth Day episode this week, and in this clip she shows us some non-toxic ways to clean the house. One of these ingredients also makes for a fabulous summer drink.

Sandra also launched a new line of soy based candles, Bessence Candles, because she was shocked to discover the toxicity of the soot in your average candle.

Did you know that Sandra also owns a restaurant in her hometown, Austin, called Bess Bistro? The Bess menu looks absolutely delicious! Have any of you eaten there?

Chickens are descendants of T. Rex dinosaurs and other wildness around the noshosphere

• So dinosaur tastes like chicken. Apparently, some lab coats have found that today's rotisserie chicken we buy at the grocery store is a descendant of the Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaur. So, does that also mean my parrot could be a relative of Godzilla? [OA News]

• Believe it or not, people in the US are starting to buy up rice like crazy in fear of the rising prices. Sam's Club is even setting limits on how many bags of rice people can buy. In a country, that is suffering so much obesity and has so much money, I think the rice frenzy is a bit premature. [LA Times]

• Ladies, another reason to eat breakfast and eat more, if you want a son. Apparently some lab coats in Britain have discovered a correlation between eating habits and the gender of your offspring. So, what do I gotta eat if I want twins? No doubt, they are working on that study. [NY Times]

• Who knew that a carrot could be a deadly weapon and take an eyeball out. I'll be sure to not mess with Bugsy Bunny. [Newsday]

Growing your own fresh herbs for cooking

One thing I absolutely love are fresh herbs in dishes. Literally, when you pick an herb of the stem and use it straight away in a dish you are cooking is something wonderful.

What's great about herbs is that they are pretty simple to maintain and don't take up much space so even if you live in a small apartment you can have a couple workable size planters and grow some herbs like thyme, basil, and spearmint. Can you imagine how delicious your homemade Mojitos would taste?

Creating a small herb garden would also be a fun project with the kids. The kiddos could pick out some herbs and be in charge of their plant. Mind you the plant might not last longer than a week or two (lol) but in the meantime the kids can learn something about edible plants.