Why is Changing Your Eating and Drinking Habits So Challenging?

Over the years you become so accustomed to certain food and drink, that a suggested change in your diet isn't a change ... it's a challenge!

Hope you’re in the mood for some delightful foodie humor. Here goes.

When you have developed certain eating and drinking habits over the years, you think that either you will absolutely never change your ways OR you reluctantly make the change while whining about how hard it is to change. But once you make that change … which is usually for the better … your body (and mind) adapt so easily that you wonder why you thought it would be difficult.

Has that happened to you? It has happened in my life so many times.

I talked about my first food experience with veggie burgers in another post.

Several years before that experience, I told a friend that I would never eat meatless spaghetti. I used my kids as an excuse and said they would never agree with that change in the menu. Truth is I had never even tried to get them to eat it. I just assumed they wouldn't. Several years later, my daughters took over some of my meal preparation duties and decided that they were perfectly OK with meatless spaghetti. Served it with garlic bread and a huge salad and they were happy! Well! There went my excuse. LOL. The meal is great! To my surprise, I don't mind meatless spaghetti at all! And of course, my objection to a plate of meatless spaghetti was totally ridiculous. After all, I'll eat a large plate of vegetable lo mein without batting an eye. And what is lo mein? DUH!

Image Credit:  Amazon.com

My latest dietary change pertains to drinking less coffee and consuming more tea. I think back again to that same friend, who was my office mate. She drank tea religiously while I consumed gallons of coffee. Once again, my daughters decided that they would become tea drinkers instead of coffee lovers. Hey, wait a minute! Is this a conspiracy? LOL.

I am not a total convert. I still have to have my daily dose of java. But I am enjoying experimenting with the various flavors of teas that my kids purchase from the local grocery store and also making my own teas with herbs and spices in the kitchen cabinet. Teas have numerous medicinal purposes and lots of health benefits. On top of that, tea tastes good and some teapots are really pretty!

Have you been challenged to make any dietary changes?

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If You Like This You Might Also Like:

Food and Drink History: The Evolution of Tea

How to Pimp Up A Glass of Water:

https://www.tumblr.com/myfoodieluv/792978292281114624/via-12-infused-water-recipes-to-help-meet-your

https://www.tumblr.com/myfoodieluv/792978292281114624/via-12-infused-water-recipes-to-help-meet-your

Source: My Foodie Luv newsletter

Foodie Friday : Pesto Around the World

I'm going to take aim at pesto for my Foodie Friday topic.  Another wonderful delight for enlivening salads, adorning sandwiches, dressing pasta … you name it! Always sing the praises of salsa. This time, doing a song and dance routine for pesto.

Hear the word pesto and one usually always thinks Italian. Right? But different cultures have their own version of pesto. Africa. Mexico. Australia. This link is an awesome foodie find! Not only does it tell you the main ingredients in everybody's version but it introduced me to a new word. “Permaculture”.

Preserving With Pesto – It’s Not Rocket Science | PermacultureNews.org

Wheatgrass Pesto Recipe | inSpiral

Wheatgrass Pesto Recipe | inSpiral

Here is a quick recipe for Raw Wheatgrass Pesto, using our premium, organic, raw super food powder. This will m ake your taste buds go wild! Adds a good dose of vitality to any diet. Made in a blender there is virtually any preparation to do! Just the way we like it!

Mexican Pesto Recipe by emilie_ 1 - Key Ingredient

Thai Basil Pesto

Thai Basil Pesto

This one's for my Thai lovers. But before I even start talking Thai basil pesto, I feel moved to have a little rant about how much I love Thai food. It's like an instant exotic vacation right in my kitchen.

Raw Macadamia Pesto | Vegan Semi-Dried Tomato Pesto | The Blender Girl

Raw Macadamia Pesto | Vegan Semi-Dried Tomato Pesto | The Blender Girl

This raw vegan semi-dried tomato and macadamia pesto is super easy and seriously delicious. Just throw everything into your food processor.

African Blue Basil and Lavender Pesto

African Blue Basil and Lavender Pesto

Combine all ingredients, except cheese, in bowl of food processor. Process, adding additional oil or water, until desired consistency is reached. Stir in cheese. Use immediately or store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. (Tip: pesto can also be frozen in ice cube trays.)

Chimichurri Pesto Sauce - Culinary Envy

Chimichurri Pesto Sauce - Culinary Envy

Chimichurri Pesto Sauce combines Italian parsley, cilantro and basil with jalapeño and parmesan cheese. It is vibrant, nutty and tangy. Perfect for pasta. I will never forget the first time I tried Chimichurri Sauce. It was at my incredibly talented friend Bibi's home. She had me over for dinner and prepared the most mouth-watering steak.

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Content first appeared at Persona Paper on July 27, 2015.

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Foodie Friday : Experience the Joy of Salsa

There was once a time when the recipe for fresh salsa was simply diced tomatoes, onions, green bell peppers, lime juice, red pepper or a jalapeno pepper, salt to taste (cilantro, optional). I love salsa!  It's a great way to eat your veggies.  Several years back, I moved into a new neighborhood and was at the local grocery store. Walked down an aisle, and on the shelves were bottles of every kind of salsa imaginable.

This week's Foodie Friday focus is on salsa!

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La Salsa Speciale del Chef

Some of them were made with sweet fruits like mangoes and peaches! Oh the wonder of it all! Had no idea salsa came in that many flavors. Gave me all kinds of foodie ideas. Sharing some recipes.. 

Why keep all these delicious delights to myself?

• 7 Delicious Salsa Recipes
• Black-Eyed Pea Salsa Recipe: How to Make It
• Cilantro Lime Grille Chicken with Strawberry Salsa (pic below)

Originally published at Persona Paper on Jul 3, 2015.

Sharing a bit of salsa heaven!  

Recipes found around the web.

Wild Beet Salad Company makes Wild Beet Salsa

Recipe: Roasted Pineapple Salsa (thekitchn .com)

#Recipe: Roasted Pineapple Salsa — Recipes from #TheKitchn https://t.co/uIFEtndKUY pic.twitter.com/0bJCHDwhDv

— Zesty Recipes (@zesty_recipes) May 2, 2016

Blackened Tomatillo Poblano Salsa With Habanero

17 Savory Salsa Recipes

https://www.tumblr.com/myfoodieluv/792541904634068992/sweet-sugar-blossoms-17-savory-salsa-recipes

Mango Pomegranate & Tender Coconut Salsa

Apple Salsa – Spicy, Fresh, Perfect for Fall

Autumn is here! Is a Season Your Reason to Drink Tea?

My coffee addiction often keeps me from drinking and enjoying a cup of tea. But other members of my household love to brew! They are not tea experts (yet!) and are always experimenting with different flavors – from caramel apple to licorice to green tea to black tea to … on and on and on.

Photo by Gabi Miranda on Unsplash

I found an interesting blog post written by Ryan Frey who works as a GO TO tech guy for ShareASale, Inc., an established affiliate marketing network corporation. He not only knows his tech stuff but his office co-workers also think of him as a tea aficionado. He must be. Why else would he suggest drinking tea according to the seasons of the year?  In his post, How To Brew Different Tea Varieties for Fall, he recommended five (5) tips for how to enjoy your tea during the autumn season. All excellent advice.  A quick summary of the tips is below.

• 1. Rooibos or “red tea” ... makes a great neutral base for both sweet and nutty flavors. During the Fall, expect to see flavor blends like chestnut, pumpkin, and chai.
• 2. Black tea is a totally oxidized (but not “fermented” like Pu’erh tea) version of your everyday tea leaves ... like Earl Grey and English Breakfast.
• 3. Green and white teas are more delicate, partially or unoxidized tea leaves and buds. ... often fruity, sweet, and complex.
• 4. Herbal teas or “tisanes” are like rooibos, in that they aren’t from the tea plant at all. They contain alternatives like spices, herbs, flowers, and fruit.
• 5. Try other brewed beverages like Pu’erh tea and Mate.

glitter-graphics.com

Hiware Good Glass Teapot with Stainless Steel Infuser & Lid, Borosilicate Glass Teapots Stovetop Safe, 27 Ounce / 800 ml, Clear

What to get for the tea lover who also loves chocolate? Chocolate tea! Numi Organic Tea Chocolate Rooibos

Source:  Webnuggetz.com

Green Leafy Vegetables : On a Roll With Escarole

Made a New Year's Resolution to eat more green leafy vegetables.  Been doing pretty good too!  It's September and this is, I confess, the only resolution I have managed to keep.  However, there is one green leafy vegetable I have yet to try.  So I collected some recipes.

Escarole a.k.a. common chicory, broad chicory, or Batavian endive, is a vegetable that I recently discovered can be cooked in a variety of delicious recipes.  Here is my collection.  

How about you?  Are you an escarole lover?  If you have more please feel free to share in the comments.

• TIP: This Green (i.e. Escarole) Can Do Everything Kale Can Do — If You Can Find It.

Here is my recipe collection.

: Escarole and Bell Peppers With Olive Oil

• By MARK BITTMAN
  New York Times Diner’s Journal
  ”This classic braised escarole dish, which uses a series of techniques that can be applied to almost any green vegetable, relies on a hefty amount of garlic and olive oil, which are added both at the beginning and at the end of cooking, the final additions to freshen and intensify flavors.”

: Smoky Paprika Chicken and Crispy Chickpeas Over Escarole Salad Recipe

• By: Jodie Kautzmann: “The contrast between cool, lemony greens, warm spice-rubbed chicken, and crispy oven-baked chickpeas makes this main-course salad especially satisfying.”

: Fettuccine with Pancetta, Brie, Escarole and Pine Nut Bread Crumbs

• “saw a recipe at foodandwine.com … started out planning to make the recipe as written … ended up with adding goat’s cheese and a crunchy Italian breadcrumb and pine nut topping.”

: Escarole Sausage Soup

• “I’m a fan of escarole. It’s a crunchy green with a bit more heft than lettuce, and it makes a great salad: on it’s own simply dressed or tossed with 10 other things to make a grand main course salad. In my heart though I’m a cooked greens fan, always. I like escarole cooked up with garlic in my Standard Cooked Greens Recipe: garlic oil heat cleaned cooking green: apply together and you have a great side dish or taco stuffing.” –Julia

: Escarole Siciliano

• By: Tammy
  “This lemony salad is served hot from the wok. Escarole is a bitter green, but can be less so when grown shielded from the sun. In general, lighter green leaves indicate a milder flavor. Thinly sliced tomatoes are a great accompaniment. This recipe can be doubled. For a larger party, cook in batches.”

* * *  So many fabulous ways to enjoy this vegetable.   * * *  

Coffee Recipes for Coffee Lovers

My mother and her siblings (her brothers and sister, my aunts and uncles) have all passed away. All I have now are my memories. One fond memory that I have of one of my aunts is that her favorite way to drink coffee was a tall glass of iced coffee. My sister always loved iced tea. I had no idea people could drink iced coffee. Imagine my surprise! She didn't make it fancy. Just some coffee, cream, sugar, and lots of ice. If you happen to be an iced coffee lover, I found some recipes to take your coffee-loving to another level.  I want to try the Iced Caramel Latte. Although? I've heard a lot about how delicious Vietnamese coffee is. I might try that too!  

Link to the recipes are below following my blurb about the history of coffee and coffeehouses.

Image Credit:  Coffee Mug Warmer

Starbucks Flavored Ground Coffee — Mocha — No Artificial Flavors — 6 bags (11 oz. each) https://t.co/QYuBf4ausx via @amazon #coffeedrinkers #coffeelovers #giftideas #grocery #gourmet #foodanddrink @EverydaySpices @goshoppingbees pic.twitter.com/yJQhWn9ysL

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) December 15, 2021

☕ History of Coffee and Coffeehouses

My research on the history of coffee was surprising.  Did you know its origins are traced back to Ethiopia? I grew up in the generation where Juan Valdez from Columbia was in your kitchen cabinet. Ethiopia? Not Columbia? It was quite fascinating. There's even an Ethiopian legend. 

• A goat herder named Kaldi discovered coffee after noticing his goats became energetic after eating the berries from a certain tree. He shared this discovery with a local monastery, and the energizing drink quickly spread among the monks.

From Ethiopia it spread to Arabia and by the 15th century, coffee plants were cultivated in Yemen, and Sufi monks used coffee to stay awake during their night prayers. Coffeehouses started showing up in cities across the Near East. People gathered there for fun and intelligent banter, kind of like Mars Hill. Only on Mars Hill the intellectuals and philosophers probably drank wine instead of a cup of coffee.

Around the 17th century, thanks to the trade routes, coffee made its way to Europe. Coffeehouses began dotting the European landscape and were used for socializing and intellectual discussion.

18th Century and beyond? Coffee was being cultivated in the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Brazil became the world's largest coffee producer by the mid-19th century. In the 20th century Colombia, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, and Vietnam emerged as major producers.

Caffè Florian, one of the world's oldest coffee houses, opened in Venice on this day in 1720. pic.twitter.com/J0u3Lkll2U

— Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) December 29, 2024

☕ Fun Notes About Coffeehouses:

• Kiva Han, is a coffeehouse which opened in 1475 in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey). Turkish coffee was served strong, black, and unfiltered, brewed in an ibrik (a small pot with a long handle, specifically designed for brewing Turkish coffee, buy on Amazon).

There are two (2) famous coffeehouses in Europe:

1. Caffè Florian in Venice, Italy, was established in 1720. Notable figures such as Lord Byron, Goethe, and Charles Dickens hung out there.

2. Les Deux Magots in Paris, France, founded in 1822, was known to be a favorite spot for Hemingway, James Joyce, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. La dee dah!

Inspirational Coffee/Tea Cups ... Set of Four Rustic Stoneware #Coffee/#Tea #Mugs w/#BibleVerses ... Colors: Sage Green, Ivory, Paprika Red, Pumpkin Orange https://t.co/t8CGyjVdlp via @amazon #homeandkitchen #kitchenanddining #gifts #giftideas #holidays #autumn @EverydaySpices pic.twitter.com/gTLILzCVbG

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) October 31, 2022

Today coffee beloved drink served worldwide, hot or cold. I can't tell you how many Korean dramas I've watched where the characters order “Iced Americano”. Coffee is one of the world's most popular beverages, and it's enjoyed in various forms and preparations, from espresso to cold brew.

REFERENCES:

“The History of Coffee.” National Coffee Association of U.S.A., Inc., https://www.ncausa.org/About-Coffee/History-of-Coffee. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.

Myhrvold, Nathan. “History of Coffee.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 May 2021, https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-coffee.

Paajanen, Sean. “The Evolution of the Coffee House.” The Spruce Eats, 4 Mar. 2009, https://www.thespruceeats.com/evolution-of-the-coffee-house-765825.

MacDonnell, Kate. “The History of Coffee Houses: Centuries of Cafés!” Corner Coffee Store, 24 Feb. 2021, https://cornercoffeestore.com/history-of-coffee-houses/.

Lush, Emily. “17 Historic European Cafes Worth Travelling For.” Wander-Lush, 11 Sept. 2020, https://wander-lush.org/beautiful-historic-european-cafes/.

Sophie. “11 Coffee Houses in Europe with a Classical Taste for Culture.” Tourism on the Edge, 19 Nov. 2024, https://www.tourismontheedge.com/coffee-houses-in-europe-with-a-classical-taste-for-culture/?form=MG0AV3.

• Would you like to know how to brew coffee with an ibrik?  Click here.

9 Easy Iced Coffee Recipes to Elevate Your Morning Routine

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☕ ☕ Here are some more coffee recipes.  I love cheesecake! But the strawberry cheesecake latte is a bit too much for me. I won't be trying this coffee recipe.

7 #HomeCafe Coffee Recipes On TikTok That Will Make You Feel Like A Barista

15 Holiday Coffee Recipes That Will Keep You Warm This Winter

☕ Do you have a favorite way to enjoy your coffee? ☕

I asked the ChatGPT AI assistant about the different or "unusual" ways people drank coffee instead of the typical cream and sugar.  This was the response.

1. Kopi Joss (Indonesia):

   • This is coffee with a twist—literally. A piece of burning charcoal is dropped into the coffee, giving it a unique flavor and reducing acidity.

2. Egg Coffee (Vietnam):

   • Known as Cà Phê Trứng, this concoction blends coffee with a creamy mixture of egg yolk and condensed milk, creating a rich, custard-like topping.

3. Cheese Coffee (Sweden):

   • Called Kaffeost, it's coffee poured over chunks of cheese called juustoleipä. The cheese softens and absorbs the coffee, making for a unique, chewy treat.

4. Cascara Coffee (Global):

   • Made from the dried husks of coffee cherries, this drink is brewed like tea and has a fruity, slightly sweet flavor, different from typical coffee.

5. Civet Coffee (Kopi Luwak, Indonesia):

   • This controversial and expensive coffee is made from beans that have been eaten and excreted by civet cats. The fermentation process in the cat's digestive system is said to enhance the flavor.

6. Bulletproof Coffee (Global):

   • This high-calorie coffee is blended with butter and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, popularized by the ketogenic diet for its purported energy-boosting effects.

7. Lemon Coffee (Italy):

   • Known as Espresso Romano, this involves serving espresso with a slice of lemon, which is believed to enhance the coffee's flavor.

8. Mazagran (Portugal):

   • An iced coffee drink that combines coffee with lemon juice or lemonade, sometimes with a splash of rum.

9. Soya Sauce Coffee (Japan):

   • In some regions, coffee is flavored with soy sauce to add a savory twist to the drink.

10. Spiced Coffee (Middle East)

    • In countries like Saudi Arabia and Turkey, coffee is often brewed with spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves for a rich, aromatic flavor.

Coffee is a versatile beverage that can be enjoyed in countless ways. 

The More You Learn About Coffee, the More You Love Coffee https://t.co/jdofe5t29C

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) January 4, 2025

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Celebrating International Tea Day! (Round-Up)

Today is May 21^st, and tea lovers around the world are celebrating. 

Even though I am a loyal coffee lover, tea holds a special place in my heart because of my big sister. He made the tea in the world. Iced tea or hot tea, whenever we spent time together, tea was her drink of choice. I was so happy to be spending time with her, I drank the tea any way she served it – hot or cold. My tea memories are under “precious moments in life to appreciate FOREVER!”.

Image credit

Tea has a rich history, cultural significance, and there are countless varieties or flavors. I used to think there was only one flavor, i.e., black tea. Later on in my adult life, I discovered all kinds of herbal teas. My Chinese friend often drank rice tea. My daughters drink everything from chamomile to matcha to … the list is too long!

At any rate, this blog post is a round-up of my various posts about tea.  You probably think: 'For a person who loves coffee, you're sure do talk a lot about tea.'  All I can say is:  "Yeah! I do!" (O.o)

Enjoy International Tea Day! 🍵✨.

Sip a cup solo or share a pot with friends!

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BLOG POSTS ROUND-UP:

Food and Drink History : The Evolution of Tea 

My Favorite Two (2) Fruit Teas: Cranberry and Black Cherry 

Autumn is here! Is a Season Your Reason to Drink Tea? 

First Food and Drink Experiences: Chai Tea 

Four (4) Medicinal Flowers and Plants (to make tea) 

5 Unique Caribbean Teas and Herbal Benefits (Guest Post)

Food and Drink History Lesson: English Tea (Guest Post) 

Exotic Fruit: Do You Heart Pomegranates?

Do you love pomegranates? I know I do! I would even like to start a movement with the goal of adding pomegranates to the traditional American Thanksgiving cornucopia. 

Pomegranates are so exotic and enjoy an exotic history!   Indeed, it is the food of myth and legends.

They are the wonder food of ancient civilizations like Persia and Israel.  

In fact, in ancient Greece, pomegranates were considered an aphrodisiac.  

A respected modern publication - The Globe and Mail, “Canada’s #1 national newspaper” claims that pomegranates are a “superfood” that can be proven.

Pomegranate: A ‘superfood’ that goes straight to your heart http://t.co/ALDCAjjmVN

— Globe Health (@Globe_Health) December 4, 2013

Shared the link via my post stream on Google Plus stream, but in case you didn't see it there, view it here. If you are on Pinterest, please visit my pinboard dedicated to POMEGRANATES? Started the board a couple of years ago, and to date, it has 100 pins: recipes (food and drinks), beauty and healthcare products, etc. 

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Related articles

• Pomegranate Health Benefits For Men - Be Well Buzz(bewellbuzz.com)
• 3 wonder sauces you need in your kitchen cupboard right now: from zhoug to pomegranate ketchup(standard.co.uk)
• Pomegranates in Art as Symbol and Metaphor.... Guest Blogger: Deborah Hickey-Tiernan(gailcreativestudies.wordpress.com)

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Blueberry Pomegranate

Green Pomegranate - Award Winning

© Photographer: Svetamart | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Oven-Baked Summer Squash Fries (Should Be in Your Winter Recipes)

Summer squash has a strong resemblance, in flavor and texture, to a zucchini. You can, in fact, substitute zucchini in this recipe, but it will probably bake a bit more quickly.

Not sure what the weather is like where you are.  In my city (Austin, TX USA), it's confusingly balmy and breezy, occasionally rainy, comfortably warm with no need for a sweater, and sometimes chilly.  It's climatically perfect! ☺ 

My friends elsewhere around the USA and the world are still complaining that Old Man Winter has overstayed his welcome and refuses to leave!  This recipe is fabulous no matter what the season of the year is or what kind of weather you're experiencing.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:


1 medium summer squash
2 eggs
1 ½ cups breadcrumbs (try panko breadcrumbs for a crunchier texture)
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon mustard powder
Salt and pepper
Olive oil


How to Make It:


Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease a large baking sheet with olive oil and set aside.


Cut your summer squash into wedges. Remove the seeds if they are quite large and set wedges aside.


Whisk the eggs in a dish and set aside.


In another dish, combine the breadcrumbs, paprika, mustard powder and salt and pepper.


Start by dipping the wedges, one by one, into the egg mixture and then the breadcrumb mixture. Place each wedge on the greased baking sheet. Continue until all the wedges are done.


You can bake the wedges as is for about 30-40 (until soft inside and golden brown on the outside) as is, but if you want a more golden texture, drizzle or spray some olive oil on top of the wedges. Flip halfway through baking.


Serve with ranch or another favorite dip.

There are many versions of oven-fried squash recipes?  Find more.

Related articles

• Gluten Free Baked Chicken Katsu (Easy Japanese Recipes)(justonecookbook.com)

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• 19 Dinner Party Ideas That Look Fancy but Don't Take Much Effort(greatist.com)

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• My top favourite squash to grow for flavour - and how to cook them(telegraph.co.uk)

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This post was highlighted at the My Foodie Luv newsletter.