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By kilax, February 3, 2010 5:10 am

This is part of a series of thoughts and reviews of Alicia Silverstone’s book, The Kind Diet.  The  first two parts of the series are the General Review, and The Importance of Putting Yourself  First.

There is a section in The Kind Diet about the importance of chewing your food. When I first saw it, I thought, “Ha ha! That is so silly! Who doesn’t chew their food?”

Then I thought about it, and realized – ME. I chew my food maybe three times, then swallow it, in a hurry to get to the next bite. So, along with being a fast eater, I am a bad chewer as well!

Silverstone talks about how chewing breaks down our food and the benefits of chewing your food well:

You come equipped with flat molars, a jaw that moves in little circles for grinding, and a special enzyme in your saliva, called ptylin, that breaks down complex carbs into glucose. When this glucose travels to your brain, it gives you the most amazing feeling of satisfaction. You will feel nourished and centered, and your brain will be free to generate happy thoughts.*

Silverstone recommends chewing each bite of food about 30 times, but admits herself that she sometimes forgets, so she gives some chewing tips:

Eat your meals alone

Put your fork down between bites

Really taste the food

Your jaw may hurt – your jaw may hurt from chewing so much, but it will perform much better after you start chewing more

I know this seems a bit silly, but after I read this, and thought about my meals for the following couple of weeks, I realized that not chewing enough my be a huge contributor to my problem with eating too fast. And the faster you eat, the more you eat until you finally feel full. So, I have been working on being a better “chewer.” What have I noticed?

• I’ve been taking too large of bites! That is part of the reason I was swallowing so quickly – you cannot chew that much food at once. I’ve been trying to take smaller bites.
• Chewing each bite of food 30 times is really hard
• I’ve been enjoying my food much more!

How well do you chew your food? Do you notice any difference when you chew slower/faster? Do you think this is a bunch of baloney?

*Huh?

Comments (30)

By kilax, February 2, 2010 5:05 am

How would you feel if you found out you were destined to end up with your mother’s body? Would you be happy? Ambivalent? Hysterical?

Check out my guest post on Linz’s blog and leave your answer over there!

A few months ago I saw these Yogavive Apple Chips on Gelareh’s blog. I was intrigued that they are apple chips, but flavored like other fruits! I left a comment stating my curiosity and they sent me some to review (My first review ever! How cool!).

I received the small 35-calorie packs* in four flavors – original, peach, strawberry and caramel. Each pack contains the equivalent of one apple, and lists apples and natural flavors as ingredients. The first time I tried them, I snuck a strawberry and caramel pack into the theater – shh! The rest I ate as quick snacks in the car, or at work. Here are my likes and dislikes:

Likes:

• thin + crispy, like a potato chip
• fun to eat – a satisfying crunch
• low in calories
• a light snack
• portable
• organic
• no artificial taste

Dislikes:

• small packaging is wasteful
• not very filling

I have had apple “chips” before that were more chewy, so I was pleasantly surprised by these. If I decided to buy them in the store, I would get the large package, and put them in my own reusable containers. I think these are a fun snack for being on the go, but I am more likely to eat a real apple, which are also portable and tasty!

If you are interested and want to find out where to get Yogavive Apple Chips click here to find a store near you! They are also on twitter and facebook.

Do you like fruit chips and dried fruit? Do you think you would like Yogavive Apple Chips?

I definitely like the way banana and apple chips taste, and dried apricots, but I have a problem with overeating them so I stick to the fruit in its natural form.

*Yogachips™ are available in 1-apple / 10g and 5-apple / 50g packs.

Comments (45)

By kilax, February 1, 2010 5:01 am

Yesterday Erin asked me what recipe I used for my homemade granola bars. I looked through my recipe archive, ready to send her a link, then realized, even though I talked about them, I never posted the recipe!

So, with Steven’s permission (since he developed the recipe), I’ve posted the recipe below! Please note, these are chewy, and dense. They won’t sit in your stomach like a rock, but they are not light and airy.

Ingredients:

• 2 c. oats
• 1/4 c. whole wheat flour
• 1/4 c. wheat germ or wheat bran
• 1/4 c. milled flaxseed
• 1/4 – 1/3 c. sweetener (honey, imitation honey, agave nectar, molasses)
• 1/2 c. + apple sauce
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 c. raisins or whatever dried fruit/nuts you like (I used raisins and dates in these)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F, grease bottoms of two (2) 8.5″x4.5″ loaf pans very well (you can use metal or glass loaf pans, really, any size you want – it just determines the thickness of the bars).
2. Mix all dry ingredients, add in all wet ingredients. Cut up dried fruit/nuts to small sizes and add in. The mixture should mostly stick together, but add more applesauce if it is super crumbly.
3. Divide half of mixture into each loaf pan and smooth down with a spatula.



This is a photo of Steven’s bars from last year. I just wanted to show them to you in the pan. His look a bit different because he uses different ingredients (puffed rice, baking soda and powder).

4. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
5. Let cool in the pan. Tip them out upside down onto a cooling rack, let cool a bit more then cut into whatever size you want on a cutting board.

Easy, right?

I like to store them in a container, then put them in a plastic bag when I want to take one to work. That way I can reuse the same bag over and over. Another option is to individually wrap each in saran wrap. These granola bars last about 1.5 – 2 weeks.

Do you make homemade granola bars?

Since I am talking about food, I might as well tell you that I added pearled barley to my oatmeal this weekend (after cooking for 45 minutes, of course) and LOVED it! Yum! I love how chewy it is. Any other ideas for things I can do with barley? We also have some couscous to use. Any favorite couscous recipes? Erin already recommended this one, which I cannot wait to try!

Half eaten oatmeal with barley, milled flaxseed and brown sugar.

Okay, and since I am still talking about food, check out these two pizzas we made last night. Yes, two.

One SUPER thick one and one SUPER thin one. Muah ha ha.

Would you want a piece of the SUPER thick pizza or the SUPER thin pizza?

Thank you for all of your entries on the My Favorite Things Giveaway! I had fun reading what you would put in your hypothetical giveaway!

And now, for the big weiner winner…

I used a handy-dandy holiday box my sister gave me for the drawing….

Steven did the honors and…

The winner is Lynn from The Actor’s Diet! Lynn said:

my list would include 18 rabbits granola bars, justin’s maple almond butter, peanut ginger chews, tootsie pops, sunshine burgers, and newman’s own’s ginger hermits

Damn, I have been wanting to try those 18 Rabbits Granola Bars!

Congrats, Lynn! Send me your mailing address and I will skip the goodies your way!

And to everyone else, thanks for entering, and please continue to do so! I have some other giveaway ideas!