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Eat Good, Feel Good: Big Goals, Think Small
Posted:Saturday, 01/03/2009 at 11:01pm by David J
If your resolutions for 2009 are many and present some major hurdles to get over, focus on one small habit to get into that will give big results for the long term. Here is just one food related habit that can have a big impact on your life in the New Year.

Purchase fresh fruit and vegetables once a week...I'm not talking about an eating schedule that you have to stick to, simply make the commitment that each week you'll have the freshest produce in your home for you and your family to eat. A walk through the produce section at the grocery can be inspirational (I know that might sound a little odd but trust me it CAN be) or drop by your neighborhood produce market, many times you'll find things that the big stores do not carry or some great savings on the staples. Even better go to a farmers market, not only will you be eating healthier but you're getting what's in season and you are supporting our local farming families.

All the best in 2009!
David J.


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Eat Good, Feel Good: The Italian Bubbly
Posted:Friday, 01/02/2009 at 11:01pm by David J
When the clock strikes midnight and we ring in 2009, raise a different glass of sparkling wine - Prosecco. This bubbly beverage from northeastern Italy is a relative newcomer to American tastes, first being exported to the states in 1984.

Slightly dry, possessing delicate citrus flavors and low alcohol content makes Prosecco not only a perfect mate at celebrations but teams well with lighter and sweet foods. Another appealing factor is the cost, because the second fermentation (which gives all sparkling wines their "pop") takes place in tanks instead of the bottles, a costly process that Champagne goes through, many really good bottles can be had for under $25. When purchasing a bottle be sure that it comes from Italy, many "Prosecco" are being produced in other countries and are not of the same quality as the original.

David J.

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Eat Good, Feel Good: Cup of Holiday Cheer
Posted:Thursday, 12/18/2008 at 11:12pm by David J
Last night a friend and I were discussing the perfect adult beverage for a holiday gathering she will be hosting next week. I mentioned the classic Tom & Jerry and was met with an all too common response "a what?"

I must confess that up until a half dozen years ago the only Tom & Jerry I knew was the cartoon cat and mouse. But once I was introduced to this warm, sweet and frothy concoction, I was hooked on a now yearly tradition.

The recipe (and it is for adults only) was first published in 1862 and at the time named the "Jerry Thomas" after the mixologist who created it and only served it after the first snowfall of the year.

So I encourage you to start a new holiday tradition for your family and friends by looking back to a classic cocktail. Just about everyone has their own special recipe for a perfect "Tom & Jerry", some use hot water, others hot milk and the spices used change from house to house. The recipe at www.epicurious.com is a good starting point for you to explore your inner mixologist.

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Eat Good, Feel Good: Kids Study
Posted:Monday, 12/08/2008 at 11:12pm by David J
If you did not catch the story last week on a recent study titled "Media and Child and Adolescent Health: A Systematic Review", it's worth reading and you can find it on-line. The study looked at the relationship between media and increased negative health issues such as obesity and tobacco use in youths. According to the study the average child spends "nearly 45 hours per week with media, compared with 17 hours with parents and 30 hours in school"; and stated "a strong relationship between increased screen time and obesity."

If you or someone you know has children and you'd like to add a little time to the "parent's hours" column and shave an hour or two from the "media hours", here are some suggestions.

Set a time to dine together daily without television or other distractions. If you already practice this great, if on the other hand, everyone's schedule cannot come together for an everyday meal; start with a Sunday breakfast or Sunday Supper.

Get the kids involved in the preparation of the meal, small tasks that engage them and teaches a new skill. There are plenty of books and websites dedicated to the subject of cooking with kids. This is what really turned me on to food and cooking as a child and later as an adult...great memories of my grandmother's kitchen.

Take a trip with your children to the farmers market and select the ingredients to be used for that evening's meal. Don't go with a recipe in hand; buy the freshest products that appeal to you and your shopping partner and have fun finding a recipe in which you can use the goodies you purchased or wing it and come up with your own creation that they name. And, yes you can find year-round farmers markets, check out www.chicagogreencitymarket.org.

David J.


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Eat Good, Feel Good: Tasty Gifts
Posted:Thursday, 12/04/2008 at 06:12pm by David J
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are behind us and you are still stuck on that perfect gift for the "person who has everything". If you've never given the gift of food because it brings back memories of the bland summer sausage, plastic tasting cheese and stale nuts variety packs that your grandmother use to stick under the tree years ago...your fears can be put to rest. There are so many small artisanal food producers that are offering their goods on-line now, that you can wow even the most spoiled foodie on your gift list. Take the time to type "artisanal food" into your favorite search engine and you'll find scores of resources to find that perfect gift.

Two small producers that I have tasted, used and highly recommend are Cowgirl Creamery, for unbelievably tasty cheeses and Fra'Mani Handcrafted Salumi, for what I consider to be some of the finest cured meats produced in the states. Both share a common thread, only high quality ingredients and artisan craftsmanship goes into all of their finished foodstuffs. Beyond that they are responsible stewards to both the animals and land they choose to use.

Get their stories, shop and support these culinary treasures at www.cowgirlcreamery.com and www.framani.com.

David J.


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Eat Good, Feel Good: An Intro
Posted:Monday, 12/01/2008 at 11:12pm by David J
Thanks for stopping by my very first blog, let me take a deep breath and away we go. Because this is an extension of me beyond what you hear each night, this blog will be devoted to my other passion...food. A passion that a few years ago took me back to school, in 2006 I graduated from the School of Culinary Arts at Kendall College and have been working in the foodservice industry ever since.

What you'll read here are my thoughts, opinions, tips, news and of course some recipes; on all things food: ingredients, drinks, restaurants, great chefs, hot places in food travel, TV shows, movies, books, entertaining and cooking classes. I know you have your own opinions and experiences (you've been eating all your life haven't you), so I expect you'll participate when you can.

Enough chatting, if you're ready to roll-up your sleeves and do some cooking and learning; I encourage you to check out the "Spice Up Your Life" cooking classes at Kendall College. You can get all the details and purchase gift certificates good for classes (just in time for gift giving), at the school's website. www.kendall.edu

David J.


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