Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Blessings from Positive Eating!

Hello All,

This is a great season! We get together with the ones we love and enjoy a time where we embrace giving to one another. This time of year, every one of us seems to believe in peace, harmony and love. The best part is we celebrate these holidays with food and laughter, two powerful forces that nourish us on every level. Laugh and eat too much at the same time and our heart becomes so excited it sometimes burns :)

Positive Eating wants to thank all of you who followed this blog throughout the year. Getting it back going and maintaining it is a joy and I look forward to contributing each and every week. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa or Chanukah...I am wishing you great food, time with wonderful friends and loving laughter as 2009 comes to a close.



Stay Positive,

Matthew

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

The "Expert" Advice we all need

Hello Positive Eaters,

Since I started this blog, I try to remind all of you that I am not an "expert." I am just on a journey to make the act of eating a positive experience for myself and the people I come in contact with. Given the holiday season, you will soon see all sorts of "experts" coming out of the woodwork offering all sorts of "expert" advice. These "experts" want to tell you all about your body and how you should treat it.

I hold a high amount of regard for people who possess a large body of knowledge and wisdom. This displays a commitment and enthusiasm towards a specific subject of interest. I also believe that sharing this knowledge and enthusiam is important for the world. However, holding onto a body of knowledge and using it as a source of power to control people's actions and behaviors is absurd.

This idea was first propogated by Plato, who felt that an intellectual elite (meaning himself and his friends) were to be privy to truth and knowledge and responsible for disseminating this at "appropriate times" to the general population. This may or may not work out. I am not sure...I unfortunately did not fall into the ranks of the elite and do not know Who Shot JFK or if extra terrestials actual run the whole show.

I do know this. The intelligence of the human organism is provided in its entirety at birth. The more we learn about ourselves and the more we tune into our own bodies the more we will know how to treat it. This is not to say ignore the work and words of experts. I read and fill myself with their knowledge regularly. I use this is a pathway from brain back into my body. Real wisdom comes from learning and applying it to yourself as an individual.

With nourishment it is important to always make your eating choices "your eating choice". How often do you hear someone say, "I've been eating seaweed all week because Dr. Octagon says it will help me lose weight." Check in with your body...maybe a piece of advice inspires a choice...only your body can tell you if it is right for you. A person is always operating from their own plane. A priest will tell you to seek God, a doctor will give you a prescription or surgery, a nutrititionist will tell you to eat healthier, an energy worker will tell you to balance your chakras all for the same problem. The truth is all these experts can be "right" at the same time..it is you that will decide the path that works best for you. The most powerful educators see themselves as guides and not as an instructor. Even geniuses were once pupils...such people can only be guided in a safe and positive direction. They will reach heights that no instructor can ever lead them.

You are the genius of your own organism. I hope what is written on this blog inspires you to realize this intelligence. Be safe and enjoy your journey!

Stay Positive,

Matthew

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

No Egg Nog!!!!

Hi Positive Eaters,

When I was a kid the holidays were full of anticipation and excitement. For many children they are waiting to hear hoofs on the rooftop and go rushing downstairs to find presents under the tree. I was rushing past the Christmas tree and into the kitchen for that magical elixir known as egg nog!

The first glass was served up on Thanksgiving by my father in a tiny glass (that I always wished was bigger). Peppering the top of this delicous thick liquid was a sprinkling of nutmeg that seemed to make my mouth come alive. This was the ultimate positive experience with food!

Now that I try to make most of my own food...I checked out recipes for egg nog. It should come as no suprise that egg nog calls for the use of raw eggs. Well...I simply am not Rocky Balboa. The idea of cracking a couple raw eggs into pitcher with milk, sugar and spices did not sit entirely well with me.

This weekend I met a friend at the Revitalive Cafe in Newburyport and saw on their menu "No Egg Nog". This was a vegan joint so it did not suprise me. I quickly ordered a glass and asked them how to make it. It was incredible! I still need to try my hand at making it myself but after some internet research I compiled together several recipes to get the concept down and came up with one of my own. If you beat me to it let me know if it works.

3 Cups of Coconut Milk or Vanilla Soy/Almond Milk
2 Ripe Bananas
1 Vanilla Bean or a 1/2 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
1/4 Teaspoon Nutmeg
1/4 Teaspoon Cinnamon
4 Tablespoons Agave Nectar or Maple Syrup

Blend all ingredients


I plan to make this up for myself (and maybe a few friends) while watching "It's A Wonderful Life" on a snowy December evening. Okay...I got a thing for the holidays :)

Stay Positive,

Matthew