Only in LA

It’s not unusual to find spelt or flax seed oil in our cupboards. You won’t find anything with trans-fats, but you will find lots of fruits and vegetables.

Yes, I’m a health nut.

While catching up on what happened in our area while we were gone on our honeymoon, I came across this article: L.A. OKs moratorium on fast-food restaurants

I also found lots of backlash on this issue about crazy Californians and their zeal for healthy ideas. (“Can we just get it over with and kick California out of the union?” “Typical liberal nanny-state garbage.” Comments courtesy of allfinancialmatters blog on the same subject.)

While I’m not sure how well this idea will work, one thing that I’m sure about is that if this moratorium does go into effect, then reasonable options and upgrades will need to be offered and supported by individuals and the government.

Residents of these communities have very limited options for where to get food, as they normally only have fast-food outlets or liquor marts to choose from. The chances of them coming across a ripe piece of fruit are slim-to-none.

Large food corporations consider these low-income areas to be the cash cow to market non-perishable food-like substances to. Unfortunately, healthy foods tend to be marketed only to the upper-class neighborhoods. As if only the rich can afford food that actually came off a plant, rather than being created in a plant.

So if this idea has any chance we need to see some creative ideas on how to get large food corporations to change the type of food that they sell. My fear is that instead they will sell wholesome-appearing food. Take for example the fruit smoothie from Taco Bell- It’s not food worthy if it’s not made with any fruit. Some odd food labeling loophole allows them to market it as a fruit smoothie because it has a piece of sugared fruit on the top. Unfortunately, fast food chains when they do offer healthy choices, don’t even try to make them appealing (ever seen the lettuce at Wendy’s? It’s not green).

I’m hoping this creates the availability for more local business to step up and fullfill the need. Hopefully, framers markets and community gardens can get more support. Maybe the local store can stock some of the produce from these places. Perhaps community centers could offer healthy cooking classes for free. There are a lot of good things that could come from this that would help the local economy and reduce health care costs.

I get that we’re trying to instate change, and that it has to start somewhere. However, I’m hoping that there are some very creative people who will work with corporations AND local businesses to make this a good change for the area, and not just another half-hearted attempt.

Cheap meals

This is something that doesn’t happen often, but when it does I’m ecstatic!
Free food!!!!

Ah, maybe it’s the eternal college student in me, but I love free food.
Food takes up an estimated 30% of our budget, so when it is good and free for the taking- I don’t hesitate.

My parent’s retired recently, and threw a fabulous party for 80 people in celebration. They had the food catered by a local butcher and there was plenty of food leftover. Too much for a couple to eat by themselves. So I got to take:

2 gallon sized bags of cherries (courtesy of the Laurie’s backyard!)
2 gallon sized bags of chicken
2 gallon sized bags of beef
1 gallon sized bags of rice
2 bags of bagels
1 tub of cream cheese
1 tub of salsa
1 tub of BBQ sauce

I’ve managed to freeze some of this, and here are the meals I’ve made from it:

Meal #1
Mexican bowls
2 servings of beef + 2 servings of rice + 2 servings of salsa + 2 servings of Trader Joe’s refried beans with Jalapenos + 1 cup (or so) of shredded cheese

Heat everything in one big pan, serve layered in bowls, and top with shredded cheese.
Hands on time- 10 min.

Meal #2
Chicken and gravy
2 servings of chicken + 2 servings of rice + all leftover chicken sauce, stock, and gelatin + a couple tbsp. of AP flour + Trader Joe frozen green beans

In a large pot heat the sauce, stock, gelatin, and flour. Shred chicken. In a separate pan heat the green beans. Once the gravy has thickened add the chicken. Heat rice in microwave. Serve rice, green beans on the plate. Add the chicken and gravy on top of the rice.
Hands on time- 10 min.

Meal #3
Chicken salad
2 servings of chicken + 2 servings of ranch dressing + 1 bag of prewashed baby greens

Combine and serve.
Hands on time- 2 min.

Meal #4
BBQ beef Sammie
2 servings of beef + 2 servings of cheddar cheese + 4 pieces of bread + BBQ sauce
Toast bread in toaster. While toasting slice cheese. Once toasted lay the freshly sliced cheese on the hot bread. Heat the beef with the BBQ sauce in the microwave. Then top the bread and cheese with the BBQ beef mixture! Add the other slice of bread and enjoy!
Hands on time- 7 min. (unless you have a slow toaster…)

Meal #5
Mexi-ranch chicken sandwiches
2 servings of chicken + 2 servings of ranch + 2 servings of salsa + 4 pieces of bread + 2 servings of salad greens
Heat chicken, ranch, and salsa together. While heating chicken mixture, toast the bread. Assemble sandwich and enjoy.
Hands on time- 5 min. (unless you have a slow toaster…)

+ 8 lunches based around bagels
+ 4 servings of cake for dessert
+ 1 pie filling worth of cherries

Estimated cost of meals:
Five dinners at $6.00 each= $30.00
8 lunches $1.50 each= $12.00
4 dessert $2.00 each= $8.00
1 pie filling= $4.00
= $54.00 worth of food for free!

*Photo: From left to right and top to bottom
a- Fudgey layers of German chocolate cake- yum!
b- To store cake without sticking frosting to clear wrap, simply insert toothpicks into cake and then cover
c- Bagels and smear
d- Making Mexican bowls
e- Rice
f- Cherries
g- Mexican bowls
h- Freezing supplies
i- Chicken

Fun and cheap activity of the week

In my last blog I mentioned that we are not going to give up having fun in order to be financially savvy. We are interested in finding a balance of enjoying our city and preparing for the future.
You should know that we love food.
Really love food- so my suggestion for the fun and cheap activity of the week is:
Going to get frozen yogurt at 21 Choices.

Don’t look at me like that with those-oh-you're-such-a-Californian-yuppie sneers!

This place is quality- it’s incredibly thick and decadent.

They also have a variety of frozen yogurts like: Snickerdoodle (Made with warm cinnamon and sweet cookie dough) or Purple Pineapple (Non Fat: Made with boysenberries and pineapples) or even Chocolate Covered Banana (Made with fresh organic bananas, chocolate yogurt, and chocolate chips). Yes, those are just the frozen yogurts- you still can add stuff to them!

It’s also a local, responsible, and independent business that has lines out the door when one could walk into the nearby Cold Stone or Pinkberry.

Here’s how we do it:
~Go to the website and see the flavors of the day: http://www.21choices.com/ They change daily, but always have a basic flavor (vanilla or chocolate) and a fat-free flavor.
~Get on our bikes and ride to the Old Town area of Pasadena. 21 Flavors is located at the corner of Colorado & Delacey
~Stand in line and plan what goodies I want to add to my frozen yogurt.
~They will ask you if you want some samples. I recommend doing this! People routinely ask to try all five-six flavors. Live it up and try them all!
~Enjoy your creation!

Prices:
Small: $3.25
Medium: $4.25
Large: $5.25
Add-ins: $0.95
*Hint: If you just want frozen yogurt without any add-ins or toppings go over by the cash register. There is an express line that in normally sans wait time.

My favorite combinations:
The go-for-it combination: Double Oreo yogurt (Oreo and marshmallows) plus cookie dough
The my-pants-are-tight BUT I-need-a-treat: Peach yogurt (fat-free!) plus organic strawberries

We love riding our bikes here and it’s also accessible by Metro (Memorial Park or Del Mar). We like to go really late (11:30pm) and take it outside, lean on the building and watch the drunken clubbers, absurdly plastic women, and college kids walk by.

It’s everything the kids in you wants and it’s an experience for less than $10 per couple.

*Photo: From left to right and top to bottom

a, b, c- glamor shots of my melting cookie dough yogurt with Reese's peanutbutter cups added

d- view from across the street

e, f- shots taken inside

g, h, i- entry, sign, hours of operation