Heart Health In Ohio

So I’m in Cleveland for the weekend with my students on a school trip. We first stopped at Progressive Field and watched the Indians fall, rather sloppily, to the Mariners. This was my first ball game since my heart attack and I was worried about eats now that I’m on this lifestyle change.

I must say, I was pretty impressed by their alternative foods there. Now, I was with a group and had a wristband for all you can eat hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, and soda. Obviously this wasn’t going to work without a little modifying.

I basically had seltzer and water all night, more popcorn than I probably should have had :/, and paid $8 for a veggie burger that was pretty good. I’m pretty sure it was a black bean based patty seasoned with primarily cumin and other earthy seasonings. However, they also had (and I didn’t have any of these) vegan hotdogs and tofurkey sausage.

Now, obviously, three items isn’t a lot for a vegan or vegetarian to choose from but I appreciate that they did have some options. Now there were dozens of other vendors there so there may have been more options, but I was just happy I had something to eat. Then again…I’m always happy when I have something to eat.

This is my 10th trip with my students (3rd to Cleveland) an now that I’m being healthy, I find that it’s a lot tougher than ever! The food that’s provided for us is usually unhealthy so I have to either starve a bit or spend more money. So far, I’ve been spending more money.

It’s tough but worth it.

Meeting Allie Moss

What a great heart health weekend! But not food related. My wife bought us Ingrid Michaelson tickets for Valentine’s Day and we went this past Saturday. It was a great show! Ingrid is full of talent and integrity and, somehow, is so down to earth with her lyrics and the charming simplicity of her music. Yet, with all the sweetness and charm of her music, she still rocks her ass off! Love it.

However, the highlight for me was meeting her guitarist, Allie Moss. I met Allie years ago on Myspace and seeing her career take off with Ingrid over the years has been great! I first heard of Ingrid about 4 or 5 years ago on channel 11 news, of all things, when they had an artist spotlight segment in the morning. I don’t think Ingrid had made any tv appearances yet and standing beside her in the B Roll was Allie Moss!

Since then, I bought Allie’s “Passerby” and various singles that she released. We even had “Passerby” looping on my iPod while we were in the hospital during my wife’s labor. It was very calming having her music playing in the background through all of the waiting.

Anyway, we pulled in to our spot (right next to the tour bus at the Electric Factory in Philly), and I saw Allie talking to a few people right by their trailer. Heart sank…then the giddy school girl came out and I couldn’t wait to meet her! We walked up to her…she looked scared at first, since I’m a big bald Filipino with a badass goatee…but I wear glasses so I look a little wimpy…so maybe she didn’t look scared…maybe sympathetic…I digress. Anyhow, tried talking to her without my knees buckling, but luckily, I made it through ok.

It’s so crazy how small the world is. Since I played in the NJ singer/songwriter scene for a few years (currently on hiatus), I have met a lot of awesome musicians and some of them know Allie personally and have played with her. It turns out, Allie’s mom is a photographer who shot photos for my AWESOME friend, Jerzy Jung. My wife’s cousin, Virginia, messaged me after I Tweeted about meeting Allie saying that she knows Allie’s mom too since Virginia is in the wedding industry. Crazy right? What’s crazier is that her mom was standing right next to me as I was talking to Allie and it didn’t hit me that she was her mom even after talking to her a bit! What’s even CRAZIER than that is after the show, I saw Allie’s mom again coming out from the backstage area. I missed an opportunity to really talk to her earlier…I wasn’t going to miss another one! I walked up to her and started a conversation. She is soooo sweet! She was very grateful that I was a fan of her daughter and better yet, she was so proud of her too which was super sweet.

I was inspired by the show to start really thinking about playing again, my wife and I got to meet and idol of ours, I talked to her mom, got to spend a great time with my amazing wife…very good heart health.

I also learned a great lesson. Meeting celebrities isn’t something I’m good at. I guess I need practice. So if you’re famous, throw me a bone and talk to me? Please?

vineripened asked: Hey you! What's your spaghetti squash recipe?

Hola! Cut it in half (this is tough), seed it, xv oil, while garlic, and season the inside, cover the cut sides tight with foil, 400F oven for 20-30 min. Squeeze the sides in with tongs. If it gives a bit, it’s a good sign it’s done…too much it’s over done. You want the spaghetti part to have a little crunch.

Hope it helps chica! :)

1 note

Lunch for May 16th. Grilled eggplant sandwich with homemade baba ganoush, arugula, and sprouts on whole wheat ciabatta bread. I love baba ganoush! Roasted eggplant puréed with tahini, garlic, cumin, lemon, xv oil….OH MY GOD! Love it. I am hoping this sandwich is epic. Let’s see, shall we?…though by “let’s” and “we”, I don’t mean you at all. Yet. :)

Lunch for May 16th. Grilled eggplant sandwich with homemade baba ganoush, arugula, and sprouts on whole wheat ciabatta bread. I love baba ganoush! Roasted eggplant puréed with tahini, garlic, cumin, lemon, xv oil….OH MY GOD! Love it. I am hoping this sandwich is epic. Let’s see, shall we?…though by “let’s” and “we”, I don’t mean you at all. Yet. :)

1 note

This was so good! Charcoal grilled chicken breast with foil pouched/grilled sweet potatoes, grilled eggplant medallions, and quinoa salad. Of course, finished with my herb lime yogurt sauce and salt free. Seasoned the split chicken breast with a dry rub (cumin, coriander, onion powder, garlic powder, lemon pepper, and cayenne), grilled on direct heat for 3 minutes per side, then indirect heat (thick side of the breast closest to heat) for 12-14 minutes). Keep an eye on it since everyone uses different amounts of charcoal. Quinoa just had diced cucumbers, dry rub, oregano, half a lemon of juice, and olive oil. Eggplant was cut in 3/4 inch medallions and seasoned with xv oil and black pepper. Grilled last for about two minutes a side on direct heat. Sweet potatoes were cubed, drizzled with xv oil, halved garlic cloves (with peel), oregano, and lemon pepper. Indirect heat for 20 minutes. Solid A+.

This was so good! Charcoal grilled chicken breast with foil pouched/grilled sweet potatoes, grilled eggplant medallions, and quinoa salad. Of course, finished with my herb lime yogurt sauce and salt free. Seasoned the split chicken breast with a dry rub (cumin, coriander, onion powder, garlic powder, lemon pepper, and cayenne), grilled on direct heat for 3 minutes per side, then indirect heat (thick side of the breast closest to heat) for 12-14 minutes). Keep an eye on it since everyone uses different amounts of charcoal. Quinoa just had diced cucumbers, dry rub, oregano, half a lemon of juice, and olive oil. Eggplant was cut in 3/4 inch medallions and seasoned with xv oil and black pepper. Grilled last for about two minutes a side on direct heat. Sweet potatoes were cubed, drizzled with xv oil, halved garlic cloves (with peel), oregano, and lemon pepper. Indirect heat for 20 minutes. Solid A+.

An oldie but goody snack! KALE CHIPS! Cook these low and slow. 250F for 30 to 40 minutes. Seasoned with a little lemon pepper and tossed in about a tablespoon of xv oil. Add a little at a time as you toss to evenly coat. Always a solid A+

An oldie but goody snack! KALE CHIPS! Cook these low and slow. 250F for 30 to 40 minutes. Seasoned with a little lemon pepper and tossed in about a tablespoon of xv oil. Add a little at a time as you toss to evenly coat. Always a solid A+

2 notes

Chicken with mixed veg and ginger with brown rice and edamame. Real quick dish using leftover chicken tenders and rice. Sautéed zucchini adds bulk and my herb lime sauce proved to be cross cultural since this was more of an Asian infused dish. Solid B

Chicken with mixed veg and ginger with brown rice and edamame. Real quick dish using leftover chicken tenders and rice. Sautéed zucchini adds bulk and my herb lime sauce proved to be cross cultural since this was more of an Asian infused dish. Solid B

2 notes

Roasted veg with hummus and Israeli couscous salad on a whole wheat pita. Very filling heart healthiness! Homemade hummus then a layer of oven roasted eggplant and zucchini topped with Israeli couscous (seasoned with cumin, coriander, sweet bell peppers, parsley, lemon juice, and xv oil. Added some nice vine tomatoes on top. Solid A and always salt free!

Roasted veg with hummus and Israeli couscous salad on a whole wheat pita.

Very filling heart healthiness! Homemade hummus then a layer of oven roasted eggplant and zucchini topped with Israeli couscous (seasoned with cumin, coriander, sweet bell peppers, parsley, lemon juice, and xv oil. Added some nice vine tomatoes on top. Solid A and always salt free!

1 note

This was simple and very good! Steamed chicken breast with broccoli, baby sweet peppers, garlic, edamame, and zucchini over rice with a sriracha, lime, agave, sesame oil, and cilantro vinaigrette. Solid A.

This was simple and very good! Steamed chicken breast with broccoli, baby sweet peppers, garlic, edamame, and zucchini over rice with a sriracha, lime, agave, sesame oil, and cilantro vinaigrette. Solid A.

This was a night of firsts and it was very good and healthy! Grilled peppered shark over Israeli couscous with sautéed vegetables and herb/lime yogurt. This was a good day of eats!

This was a night of firsts and it was very good and healthy! Grilled peppered shark over Israeli couscous with sautéed vegetables and herb/lime yogurt. This was a good day of eats!