Hot Lunch at Work

When the hormones reared up, I really had trouble finding foods that wouldn't upset my stomach, let alone foods that would feel good when I ate them.  After organizing a new event at the community center at which I volunteer, I craved a big plate of fettuccine alfredo, which was the first thing that felt good in my stomach in weeks.  I went to Whole Foods and bought organic, whole wheat pasta, and some wholesome alfredo and shredded parmesan.  That lead to Amy's shells and cheese in a box.  I was eating that once or twice per day to sooth my tummy.  But, it had to be hot and fresh.  I also discovered that my aversion was to most seasoning, save a little salt and pepper.  So, my other fall back was a hot and fresh hamburger with cheese. The baby wants good fatty foods that to grow a healthy brain!

I discovered that Panera's broccoli and cheddar cheese soup soothed my tummy the best!  But, I didn't want a staple food to be something that wasn't organic, where the broccoli (and likely the whole soup), had been frozen, and that I was sure had seen a microwave at some point.  So, I found a similar recipe online.  I use organic milk, organic butter from grass-fed cows, and organic cheddar cheese.  I shred organic carrots and use organic broccoli.  I also used an organic chicken bone stock that Sean made from a free-range, vegetarian-fed chicken.  If I could find everything for the recipe from grass-fed animals, that would be glorious!  Free range, veg/grass-fed animals that produce organic products are much more healthy than conventionally fed and treated animals.  And, because they are healthier, we eat healthier meats, eggs, and dairy products.

I don't believe in freezing foods, because I believe the process of freezing foods kills the food and depletes it of a life-giving force that keeps us healthy.  It's fresh or bust for me.

My aversion to microwaves stems from the intuitive sense that using radiation on a regular basis isn't a natural process.  I just feel like it messes with my food.  I haven't regularly used a microwave since 2008, and when I moved in with Sean, I found out that his microwave was in the basement storage.  We use them for convenience, because we live busy lives.  Could you imagine your life without a microwave?  Dinner takes about 20 minutes to reheat instead of 5 minutes.  It just takes a little extra time, but, there's no radiation in the equation.

Sometimes, I eat an early breakfast, and then eat an early lunch while driving to work, so that I don't have to answer the food question.  Some shells and cheese or soup in a cup has done the trick.  There was one day that I took a long lunch and make pasta at home.  But, there are a few yummy places that I've been able to get hot food without a microwave while at work or on the go. I know that I can't have food the way I want it all of the time, but I can try to make better choices when away from home.

Zpizza: There is a Zpizza in my office building!  They cook everything via oven!  "A passion for great food is why we start with dough made from 100% organic wheat flour prepared fresh every day, hand-thrown and fire-baked until uniquely crisp. Our zest for quality continues when the toppings go on. We combine select ingredients using award-winning skim mozzarella from Wisconsin, certified organic tomato sauce, MSG-free pepperoni, additive-free sausage, and fresh produce."

Silver Diner: Fresh and local food.  Their beef is grass fed, which is perfect for a burger!  And, they can put organic ketchup in a container to go!

Whole Foods hot bar: And, most of the Whole Foods around here have a pretty good hot bar.  But, because I cannot eat seasonings right now, I have to stick to the macaroni and cheese when they have it.