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Friday night.
I wanted to go to the "first-Friday" swing dance, plus lesson--at a nearby middle school. A wildly popular seven man swing band from Pittsburgh was featured.
Didn't happen.
Turns out it was my husband's week to usher at the 6:15 pm service at our synagogue. He's not the kind of guy who would skip out.
So, while he was ushering, I got to work in the kitchen making my version of Pea's & Thank You's Jambalaya!
My friend Janet introduced me to this recipe a month ago. Then my husband made it for our grandson, who gobbled down two helpings. Now it was my turn to make it. Click here for the recipe.
My husband returned home at 8:00 and dinner was ready to go!
How About 2 Ounces of Wine Before Dinner?
He: "Hey, why don't we just chill out, have a glass of wine, enjoy our dinner, and see if there's something to stream on Netflix."
Me: "Great idea, but, just pour me only a 1/4 cup of wine."
He: "What? What's up with 1/4 cup of wine?"
Me: "Straight from this week's issue of JAMA. Big study. Women who drank 3 or more glasses of wine a week increased their risk of breast cancer.
Yep! Even low to moderate amounts of alcohol isn't such a good idea for women. But, the researchers say it might still be a good idea to have a little wine--because even just a little reduces heart disease risk. Hey, it's all about weighing your own risks. Breast cancer or heart disease. 1/4 cup might help me with both."
He: "But, what's up with the 1/4 cup?"
Me: "Run the numbers. 3 5-ounce glasses of wine comes to 15 ounces a week--I figured it was better to have a little everyday--which comes to 1/4 cup a day--and I'd likely only have that 1/4 cup 3 or 4 times a week. Besides, Tom, a retired physicist blog friend of mine who hates the taste of alcohol, has analyzed every study out there on the health benefits and risks of alcohol. His conclusion: 2 ounces of wine a day for women was the sweet spot."
We really did have this conversation, believe or not!
Want to Know More About the JAMA Breast Cancer Alcohol Study?
If you do not see the video on your screen click here
Source: JAMA 2011 Nov. 2;306(17):1884-90. Chen, WY, Rosner, B, Hankinson, SE, Colditz, GA, Willett, WC. "Moderate alcohol consumption during adult life, drinking patterns, and breast cancer risk."
On to the Movie
Netflix was not going to cooperate.
Turns out we have the cheapest Netflix plan, and my husband had already used up our monthly allowance streaming "Hell on Wheels" (a documentary about the Tour de France) while he lifted weight in the basement.
"Let's try Hulu," he said.
Real bad idea. There is nothing on the freebie version of Hulu.
Except, as he scrolled through the alphabet of loser movies that no one has ever heard of, I spotted something that sounded vaguely familiar, "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead". How's that for a cheerful Friday night flick?
Turns out, it wasn't what I thought it was. It was a hundred times better. We both thoroughly enjoyed this 2010 documentary that's won many awards at film festivals none of us has ever heard of. Actually, we LOVED this movie!
It's funny. It's inspirational & uplifting. It's down-right sad & scary. It has heart and really gets you involved in Joe's story. It's all about an "everyday overweight guy" just trying to turn his health around and inspire others along the way.
Am I the only person who has never heard of this movie?? Am I really late to the party?
Two big thumbs up! And best of of all--it's free on Hulu--for the price of watching a few commercials.
You can watch the full movie, 1 hr. 37 mins. here on Hulu--just be sure to disable any adblockers & give it time to load. We streamed it on our TV.
Would I recommend Joe's diet kick-starter plan? No. But, it worked for him, and he did it safely, under the care of a physician. And now he's eating healthy plant-based meals & exercising regularly.
And just who was Joe's doc? None other then Dr. Joel Fuhrman.
Meet Joe Cross--He's Young, Fat, Desperate, and Sick of Being Sick
Joe and Phil
If you don't see the video on your screen click here to go to the YouTube movie trailer.
Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead (the extended trailer)
SYNOPSIS
100 pounds overweight, loaded up on steroids and suffering from a debilitating autoimmune disease, Joe Cross is at the end of his rope and the end of his hope.
In the mirror he saw a 310lb man whose gut was bigger than a beach ball and a path laid out before him that wouldn't end well— with one foot already in the grave, the other wasn't far behind. FAT, SICK & NEARLY DEAD is an inspiring film that chronicles Joe's personal mission to regain his health.
With doctors and conventional medicines unable to help long- term, Joe turns to the only option left, the body's ability to heal itself.
He trades in the junk food and hits the road with juicer and generator in tow, vowing only to drink fresh fruit and vegetable juice for the next 60 days.
Across 3,000 miles Joe has one goal in mind: To get off his pills and achieve a balanced lifestyle.
While talking to more than 500 Americans about food, health and longevity, it's at a truck stop in Arizona where Joe meets a truck driver who suffers from the same rare condition. Phil Staples is morbidly obese weighing in at 429 lbs; a cheeseburger away from a heart-attack. As Joe is recovering his health, Phil begins his own epic journey to get well.
What emerges is nothing short of amazing – an inspiring tale of healing and human connection.
Part road trip, part self-help manifesto, FAT, SICK & NEARLY DEAD defies the traditional documentary format to present an unconventional and uplifting story of two men from different worlds who each realize that the only person who can save them is themselves.
Click Here for the Full Film on Hulu
Jamabalaya, Baby!! So Easy! So Delicious!
Jambalaya & Oven-Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Friday Night Dinner & a Movie Jambalaya
(adapted from a recipe in Peas and Thank You)
Servings: 4
Click here for a copy of the recipe on one page
Ingredients:
2-3 Field Roast Italian Sausages, thinly sliced
1 large sweet onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 large red pepper, chopped
3 stalks of celery, chopped
1 14.5 ounce can fire-roasted chopped tomatoes in juice
1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
1 teaspoon chopped oregano
1 teaspoon T.J.'s 21 Seasoning Salute (or other salt-free spice combo)
salt to taste (optional)
1/4 teaspoon pepper, optional or to taste (if you like more heat, substitute red pepper flakes for the black pepper, to taste)
2 cups of already cooked brown rice (I saved time with T.J. frozen brown rice pouches--ended up using 1 1/2 pouches)
1 1/2 tablespoons of tomato paste
Preparation:
1. Prepare rice, whether microwaving the frozen rice, or cooking your rice.
2. Saute the Field Roast sausages in a large non-stick skillet until they're browned, about 5 minutes. Remove them to a plate for adding later.
3. Add onions, celery, and red pepper and "steam" saute over medium heat. Cover & let them soften for 5 minutes, checking halfway through to mix. If it gets too dry, and starts to stick, add a little bit of broth or water to deglaze the pan.
4. Add the seasonings & garlic and cook for one minute.
5. Add the tomatoes with juice, the broth, and bring to a low boil. Lower heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10 minutes.
6. Add the browned "sausage", the pred-cooked rice and the tomato paste, mix well, and continue to simmer for 10 more minutes. Adjust seasonings.
It was a perfect Friday Night.
Dinner, Wine (1/4 cup), and a Surprise Hit of a Movie
Got any Dinner & a Movie Combos to Recommend for Our Next Friday Night at Home?
I just watched that movie a few weeks ago! Then, of course, promptly tracked down a secondhand juicer... We didn't do a cleanse, but found that it's a lot easier to down some juiced veggies than the chunky smoothies our blender turns out. The only thing I don't like is the amount of leftover pulp, but I've found some decent baked-good recipes for them and the rest goes in the compost. The movie also far surpassed my expectations!
Posted by: Kate | November 06, 2011 at 06:46 PM
I know what you mean, I long for a Blendtec or VM. But no budget - I walked into a consignment store and found a new MagicBullet for $30 and went with it. It's not bad, I thought maybe I could run carrots, apples, celerly, etc through my old Champion juicer first, then add the juice AND the pulp to the MB along w/whatever sweet fruit. But turned out the celery fiber was not chewable so I strained it first then made a green smoothie from that. Too much trouble for an encore though.
Posted by: Joel G | November 06, 2011 at 08:39 PM
How do you roast your Brussels Sprouts? I've been experimenting, so any tips are appreciated!
Posted by: Jeff | November 06, 2011 at 09:20 PM
Loved that movie! Paid for it and watched it streaming on my computer.
Posted by: Wendy (Healthy Girl) | November 07, 2011 at 05:07 AM
Have you read the book The Pleasure Trap by Douglas Lisle? It's about fasting to allow your body to heal itself. We have some friends who just did a juice fast at True North in California for 14 days! They told me about a great web site for plant strong recipes--Straight Up Food.
We love jambalaya and make it fairly often.
Posted by: Penny | November 07, 2011 at 05:48 AM
I saw the movie a couple of weeks ago on Amazon Instant Video which is free for Prime Members. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to everyone.
Posted by: Jameslgb | November 07, 2011 at 06:56 AM
Thank you, Thank you for your post about the Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead movie being available on HULU! I watched it on Netflix about 3 months ago, and I LOVED it. I have been trying to get my sister to watch it, but she didn't have Netflix and wasn't interested in getting it. So, now, she can!!! I am doing the 30 day version of this, on day 15 today actually. I feel great! It certainly is motivating. I found your blog via healthygirlskitchen. When I'm "eating" again, I will definitely be checking out all your fab recipes and ideas! Cheers! :-)
Posted by: A J | November 07, 2011 at 11:44 AM
Also loved the movie. I bought it when it came out on dvd. I do like the fiber I get when I make blend with my vita-mix but I bought a jack lalanne juicer at costco after watching the movie and like it other than the clean-up.
Posted by: Bonnie | November 08, 2011 at 11:43 AM
"Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" sounds awesome! And how could I not watch Dr. Joel Fuhrman in action?! I love inspiring movies like that to keep me going--Forks Over Knives was the turning point in our new Esselstyn journey. Keep the recs coming--very appreciated. I also want to check out "Processed People"--have any of you seen that? Is it good?
Posted by: Happy Rehab Doc | November 09, 2011 at 09:39 AM
Nothing is more fun than going to a Beatles concert...something I did when I was 16. I also saw Sir Paul in concert years later with my son. Paul and former wife Linda were vegetarians and Paul and famous designer daughter Stella have gone vegan. What good company! Invite a group over for the ultimate sing-a-long. "Paul McCartney in Red Square" is exciting, touching, historic, exhilarating, and it will make you want to attend his next concert. Be sure to eat first as you'll be up dancing! Listening to him play "Back in the USSR" in Red Square is mind-blowing!
Posted by: Gael in Vermont | November 09, 2011 at 02:51 PM
I am so on it, Gael. "Paul McCartney in Red Square just went into my Netflix queue!
Happy Rehab Doc--I've got an extra copy of Processed People--glad to send it to you, if you'd like!
Posted by: The Healthy Librarian | November 09, 2011 at 03:51 PM
That would be wonderful, thank you! Let me check with the hubby and see if he already ordered it and I'll get back to you tomorrow--so appreciated! Did you like it?
Sorry for the delay in commenting, today was an insane day at work and I'm just now coming up for air! :-)
Posted by: Happy Rehab Doc | November 10, 2011 at 08:10 PM
My daughter and her boyfriend saw the movie while on vacation and immediately did the juice thing when they returned home. Both seemed pleased with it.
Thanksgiving is coming up and I need some advice. My ex and I have prepared a tasty green bean casserole for nearly forty years. We still take it to the family dinner. Of course, this year I can't eat the sauce (flour, dry mustard, milk, Velveeta). I can substitute whole wheat flour (I guess) and soy milk. But what would I use in place of the Veleeta?
Any help is appreciated
Posted by: David | November 12, 2011 at 05:08 PM
Hey, David,
Our household's been happy with the HL's suggestion for cheesiness: nutritional yeast. (See her cheesy breakfast oatmeal w spinach, and cheesy mashed potatoes recipes). We make the mashed potatoes all the time. Also a greens with nutritional yeast dish that's in the Forks Over Knives book. We like to add water-sauteed mushrooms to the greens dish. You might consider doing the same if you go with nutritional yeast for your green beans-- the yeast is cheesy, but also perhaps a bit yeasty or mushroomy, and adding mushrooms uses that quality of the yeast. There must be lots of recipes on the web for a soy-milk based cream sauce flavored with nutritional yeast, or you could just wing it; I'd guess a tablespoon or two of the yeast for a cup of soy milk. Or start with less yeast, and just stir more into the cooked green bean casserole until it tastes right-- the yeast is a powder that distributes easily.
Posted by: Jack | November 13, 2011 at 06:52 AM
David,
Jack's got some good suggestions! Thank you, Jack. Glad you like the mashed potatoes--my husband's all-time faves.
But, no way will nutritional yeast ever taste exactly like Velveeta--at least I don't think so. I could be wrong.
Todd Coston swears by his Melty Cheesy Sauce, but I haven't tried it, yet. You can find it here: http://www.plantexperience.com/cheese-replacement.html
Also, the Fat-Free Vegan loves this vegan substitute for the tradiional Thanksgiving Green Bean Casserole. It's here: http://www.plantexperience.com/cheese-replacement.html
BUT: Ditch the Earth Balance to make the crispy bread crumb topping. Use Ian's Whole Wheat Panko crumbs instead. They're already crisp.
Also, skip the "fried onion rings" made with awful ingredients. Just caramelize your own thinly sliced sweet onions by cooking them a long time, and add a little paprika for color. You'll get all the sweet onion flavor w/o the processed oil.
Report back!!
Posted by: The Healthy Librarian | November 13, 2011 at 01:38 PM
Thanks Jack and HL! I'll try out your suggestions and report back. My sister is worried that I'll sit with an empty plate at Thanksgiving. I can assure her that I'll be OK. I'm also going to try out one of the sweet potato recipes!
Thanks again.
Posted by: David | November 13, 2011 at 09:58 PM
Jack and HL - I did a trial run on the Melty Cheesy Sauce for the green bean casserole today and it wasn't too bad. Texture was OK. But, it basically was a little bland - more like a cream sauce than a cheese sauce. If I were to add additional nutritional yeast, would that give it more flavor? Or is this just the way the vegan cookie crumbles?
Posted by: David | November 22, 2011 at 03:38 PM
David,
I don't remember what's in the melty sauce--but I always add tamari to kick up the flavor, and if you like heat, there's always a little cayenne--tiny bit. I'll look in 2 of my fave cookbooks to see what's in their "cheese sauces".
And no--that's not the way the vegan cookie crumbles--most recipes are alive with intense flavor & spice.
Posted by: The Healthy Librarian | November 22, 2011 at 03:48 PM