That’s One Hot Dog! GiGi Eats Groceries

That’s One Hot Dog! GiGi Eats Groceries « GiGi Eats Celebrities

Get chummy with char

Have you ever tried Arctic Char?

Get chummy with char - Boulder Nutrition | Examiner.com

Come On Down To The BBQ

Which of these celebrities would you like the fire up the grill with?

Come On Down To The BBQ « GiGi Eats Celebrities

That’s Greasy « GiGi Eats Celebrities

Rub a dub dub, hamburger grease in a tub!

That’s Greasy « GiGi Eats Celebrities

Heart the right fish

What is your favorite type of fish?

Heart the right fish - Boulder Nutrition | Examiner.com

Grill the Video « GiGi Eats Celebrities

Can you guess what video I am talking about?!?!



Grill the Video « GiGi Eats Celebrities

Freaky fair fare

What fair grub do you love?

Freaky fair fare - Boulder Nutrition | Examiner.com

The newest Olympic sport

What are you guilty of eating?!?!

The newest Olympic sport

Can the canola oil

Toss this SHEEZE!


Can the canola oil

Battle BBQ sauce

I wouldn't be surprised if this was a IRON CHEF challenge sometime soon.... or even today for that matter! Happy Memorial Day... HOPE you're getting some good weather unlike the North West - Ahem, Wyoming!

http://www.examiner.com/nutrition-in-boulder/battle-bbq-sauce

Roast with rosemary

Roast with rosemary

Asparagus May spring health

Asparagus May spring health

Healthy replacements for 4th of July staples

Healthy replacements for 4th of July staples

Things to come...

So here is an update on what's coming up in my life:


1. I am going to start writing for the web site: examiner.com (I will be a nutrition writer, right up my alley for sure!)... When I get my web page, etc I will post a link here to it so you can all follow me there... and spread the word to your friends, etc! I need readers/viewers/comments!!!


2. I will be continuing to intern @ KMGH (ABC) in Denver (Sunday & Tuesday morning shifts... 6am call time on Sunday & 4am call time on Tuesday)


3. I will be going down to Santa Fe for 4th of July... My family has a home there and we just redid our kitchen & constructed an outdoor kitchen... bring on the grilling!!


4. My 23rd Birthday is in ONE WEEK... ew I am getting up there... Any ideas on what I should do?


....


Yea, not too much. You know I would have added one more thing although I think if I mention it I might throw my computer out the window because I am soooo dang angry about it right now! GRRRRR!! These past 2 days have been completely wasted! I will never get them back, EVER!

Seriously, It's the grilling holiday of the year??

[Yes I am exaggerating a little but seriously... it should either be like this outside or SUNNY AND WARM!]

Yeah, it would be a lot more believable that it is Memorial Day if it weren't 28 degrees outside and on the verge of snowing!


I feel so sorry for my poor ol' grill outside, all he wants is to grill oozingly delicious bison burgers, scrumptious salmon fillets and flavorful spatch-cock chickens... but I guess he is just going to have to wait until the weather actually acts like the season it's suppose to be! If I were a nicer "owner" perhaps I would cover him up with a grill cover but... eh, I am just trying to "butch" him up so he can grill up a mean steak when the sun is shining!!!


So really since grilling is out of the question today... unless my father and I decide we are DIET HARD... I wonder what will be on the Memorial Day menu today! Honestly... this day probably won't be treated like any other day because we are not having anyone over to celebrate. To be honest, I would be surprised if my parents and I even stay up until 8 pm tonight.


You see, we just got back from Turkey the other day [AMAZING, by the way, but that's for another post]... and we are all still suffering from jet lag. Currently it's 6:30 am... and let me tell you, it was VERY hard for me to stay in bed until now! I have been up since 5 [thanks in small part to my dog who decided he is fighting jet lag too and had to make sure EVERYONE knew that], laying in my bed wondering what the EFF to do... Typically I would get up and work out... but knowing that I really have no plans today, I told myself, DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT... So yup, here I am now... actually ATTENDING TO MY BLOG!


Any ways, back to the whole Memorial Day thing...


What are all of your plans? When I close my eyes and think of previous Memorial Days I think of burgers... ketchup... mustard... salmon [we're a big fish family!]...


So do you "follow the trend" and make the typical Memorial Day fare, or do you create nifty original concoctions that no one would even think about making?!?!



All I can say is... please don't go NUTS on the fatty fare today!


- If you want potato salad, nix the mayo and use olive oil...

- If you want to grill up some mean hot dogs... try these... I have taste tested them for you...

- Or if you want some burgers... go exotic and try and find some grass-fed bison, elk, ostrich, beef... simply delicious!

- Oh and as for condiments... try this ketchup... AMAZING!

- For fried chicken... why not roll those chicken legs in hemp seeds or crushed up flax seeds?? Um, healthy, nutty, delicious, no?!

- And instead of re fried beans... cook up some black-eyes peas! [Or really have the beans but simply boil them in salted water!]

- Hm... and yes, I know there is dessert and it's rather tricky to find a substitute for the real thing... so while I would suggest berries with maybe a touch of whip cream [if you must]... having a TINY bit of the real thing probably won't kill you... TODAY! ha ha ah! Oh but wait, I have heard that grilling fruit is actually pretty tasty... so jump on that before you dive head first into that huge apple pie!


Good thing my grill cannot read this post or else he'd start getting antsy... who am I kidding though, I am antsy for the both of us... perhaps I will be "die hard" today?!


PS: Don't forget to take some time to remember those who have fallen, after all that is what this holiday is about... not just gorging ourselves with food!!!

Ready?

So this morning I woke up to a pleasant looking white covering on the grass and streets... A.K.A. SNOW... And While this white dust is "pleasant" to look at... it's not all that pleasant to go out in, but of course, that's exactly what I had to do!

I'm currently at my internship at ABC in Denver, CO... but I live in Boulder and it took me 45 minutes to get here because of the reduced speeds on the highway.

It seems like the winter months cause a lot of problems that slow things down... would you agree?

I try so hard to grin and bear it but right now I just wish I was snuggled up in my bed with a cup of hot tea, watching a movie or napping. I know though, that I will be happy with myself come Monday and Tuesday when I can do just that (because M & T is my "weekend").

So who's ready for the winter months? Seen any snow yet? Currently here it's 20 degrees and quite gloomy!

The only thing that excites me about the winter months... the HOLIDAYS! I am obsessed with Thanksgiving and Christmas - they couldn't come sooner!

Along with my complaining I thought I would list some ways in which we can all prepare for the harsh winter ahead (well at least it will be harsh here in Colorado, I can just feel it... literally!)

*Driving in the Winter Tips:

- Use Snow Tires

- Use Headlights at all Times

- In a Blizzard Use Your Hazard Lights

- Invest in a Windshield Scraper

- Drive SLOWLY - quickly slowing down won't help curb swerving

- Clean Hood of Car When Clearing Windshield

- Carry a Clean Cloth in Your Car at all Times

*Stock Your Home With:

- Blankets, Sweatshirts, Jackets, Scarves, etc (DUH - ha ha)

- Shovel

- Sand & Rock Salt

- Canned Food & Can Opener

- Matches

- Flash Lights

- Batteries

- Wood (for a fire in the fire place)

- Tea, Coffee, Cocoa & Hot Water

- Soup & Broth

- Camping Grill/ BBQ Stove - if the power goes out, this could be a good thing to have... if you're oven, etc is electric!

- Board Games, Cards, etc

- Pet Supplies - if you have a pet of course

Of course there are things you need to do to "winterize" your house, like clean out gutters, etc but let's hope you already know that if you are a home owner (I myself am not so I don't have to worry about that aspect)...

Otherwise, enjoy your winter as much as you can... in my next post: I'll discuss ways to fight off getting SICK - because we ALL KNOW how annoying it is to be sick and not feel good one bit!

Is There Such A Thing As Healthy BBQ?

Who doesn't have a memory filled with BBQs, family, friends, sunshine and outdoor activities? Oh the memories of helping dad at the grill flip the burgers and dogs while mom prepares the condiments. Of course it could have been the other way around or who knows, maybe you were the one cooking, well whatever your memories may be, I am pretty sure every one's included things such as hamburgers, cheese burgers, hot dogs, ribs, corn, potato salad, etc... This is where BBQing gets a bad wrap because all the foods listed are known for their extreme calorie and saturated fat content!


Foods such as...

• Hot Dogs (Pork or Grain-Fed Beef)
• Grain Fed Hamburgers
• Ribs
• White Buns (PLEASE USE WHOLE GRAIN BUNS!!)
  
• Ketchup (full of sugar)
• Coleslaw
• Potato Salad
• Corn rubbed with Butter
• BBQ Sauce
• Chicken Wings

... should either be eliminated completely or eaten sparingly...


Luckily though, healthy BBQ isn't an oxymoron; it certainly can be done! Here is a list of wonderful foods on the grill, that are healthy and won't do damage to your waistline/figure:

• Grass-fed Beef, Bison, Elk, Ostrich, Venison, Lamb & Goat
• Salmon Fillets
• Halibut Steaks
• Swordfish
• Tuna
• Kabobs of Scallops & Shrimp
• Eggplant
• Onions
• Zucchini & Summer Squash
  
• Chicken & Turkey (Breast or Ground White Meat)
  
• Sea Bass
  
• Grass-fed Bison or Beef Brats/Hot Dogs
  
• Bell Peppers
• Portobello Mushrooms

Some wonderful marinades (chimmichuri sauce being one) can be made for all of the above listed along with crazy combinations of different yet healthy foods... anyone ever try a turkey burger stuffed with olives, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes & hot sauce? What about a beef burger with artichoke hearts, olives, capers, garlic & minced onions?


In order to retain the FLAVOR (that you might think is LOST from not eating the fatty cuts of meat typically seen at a BBQ) you simply have to be creative! (Oh and I am sure I will post some intense combinations sooner or later...) Just to suppress your intense desire for my creations... here is a list of wonderful herbs, spices, seasonings, and other condiments to use on your new and improved BBQ foods:

• Thyme
• Basil
• Oregano
• Sage
• Chili Powder
• Mustard Powder
• Curry Powder
• Paprika
• Parsley
• Rosemary
  
• Pepper
• Cumin
• Olive Oil
• Tomato Paste
• Olive Tapenade
• Sun-Dried Tomato
• Olives & Capers
• Pickles (no sugar added)
  
• Sauerkraut
• Mustard (no sugar added)
• Citrus Juices

And yes, you knew this part was coming... condiments to avoid:

• BBQ Sauce
• Jarred Relish
• Bread & Butter Pickles
• Butter
• Mayonnaise
  
• Honey Mustard
• Cheese

I'm sorry if this ruined BBQing for you because it really shouldn't... You just have to give the "It Is What It Is" Approved Food List a chance! I promise you will be impressed with the results and your stomach will also be thanking you and asking for more at your next family gathering! So why not break out the grass-fed beef and the halibut steaks and get grilling!!







*Things to remember: marinating all meat before cooking helps reduce the formation of chemicals that are formed when foods are cooked at high heat. Also remember to clean your grill before and after use! Pot Holders may be useful and also consider having a fire extinguisher near by if your new to the whole grilling thing!
*I don't know if you caught on... but the foods in green = GO FOR IT... while the foods in red = STOP! Ha Ha!
*Sorry Jack Daniels... but you are full of sugar!

HAMACHI KAMA Review

(Sashimi Platter)

DROOLING YET?

Oh how I adore Japanese Food! I eat it weekly and could certainly eat it daily if my wallet and bank account permitted me! But no no. I must restrain myself... Weekly is enough! Whenever I go, I order so much it's crazy, and I am known for eating such large quantities. I don't order rolls because I don't eat rice, but I do order the exotic menu items like eel sashimi, escolar sashimi, uni, etc...

(Eel Sashimi)

One menu item that I order every single time I go out to sushi (and buy at Whole Foods too when they have it) is Hamachi Kama!

(Oh the most delicious food: hamachi kama)

What is Hamachi Kama exactly? Well it's the neck of Hamachi or Young Yellow tail Tuna. It is the most fatty and delicious part of the fish. When prepared it's grill to perfection and served piping hot with soy sauce & some shaved cabbage and or diakon (depending on restaurants). They range in size from small to large and boast roughly 4 to 6 ounces of meat!! For once ounce of yellow tail tuna... you get 31 CALORIES!!!! 31! That's NOTHING! Which is why I... uh... order 2 or 3 of them depending on how hungry I am and what other things are on the menu! Wait, why did I sound embarrassed... I CERTAINLY AM NOT!! The smooth and buttery taste is sensational and the omega-3 fatty acids are abundant! Oh and get this... all that hype about Vitamin D being absolutely amazing for your health... well hamachi Kama (and hamachi in general along with other fatty fish) have LOADS OF IT packed RIGHT IN!

(Hamachi Sashimi)

SO.... what are you going to do the next time you go out to sushi? That's right, order hamachi Kama... and if they don't have it on the menu ask their server if the sushi chef has any whole hamachi in the back that he can cut and grill! The chef will be impressed with your fish knowledge and your taste buds will be impressed with how delicious this piece of fish really is!! ENJOY!

(yummy yummy - a food you don't have to be afraid to eat with your HANDS!)

*Salmon Collars are also avaliable but not nearly as scrumptious! (oh but still very yummy!)

*Next up in the sushi review: Escolar

(Escolar Sashimi)