Weekend movies & the bohemian lifestyle.

Great cookbooks for this lifestyle choice are from Moosewood. All vegetarian, but totally yummy.
I have this one:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0609802410/qid=1115075125/sr=8-4/ref=pd_csp_4/103-7211277-0587829?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
and they have this amazing pot pie that you'd never guess is vegetarian (have tricked many people with it!).
My sister also highly recommends a boook called Saving Dinner, by Leanne Ely:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0345464869/qid=1115075198/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/103-7211277-0587829?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
Complete menu plans(and grocery lists!) based on what's seasonally available. I find that if I plan a menu for the week ahead, I'm much more focussed on eating healthy instead of eating out or popping something unhealthy into the oven.
So cool that you strive for health and well-being in all areas of your life :)

I'm a believer that good food is essential, but the "occasional" fast food wont hurt - Super Size Me is not a true look at fast food. ANYONE who ate fast food of any kind 3 meals a day for a month is going to suffer - just as eating ceral 3 meals a day for a month would not be healthy. The key is a balanced diet, full of variety.
That said, organic food and endeavours to eat well ALL the time is never a bad thing!! Just dont forget it isOK on occasion to splurge!!

I'm scared of watching that show. I love to eat junk. I know it's not goof for me- but it's soooooooooooooooooooooooo good!

We recently watched SSM. My eleven year old daughter loved macca's but now she is totally turned off all fast food. Our school holiday treat out is Subway. Both girls now love subway and won't eat at MD, KFC, Red Rooster and other Aussie fast food outlets. What really turned my stomach was how the fries don't break down over time.

Hi Ali !
I see that documentary last month about fast food and this was a huge impact too into my life. I never visited a fast food restaurant since i watch this movie. I prefer go at the vietnamien or sushi resto than the mcdo or any other fast food cie. I lost 14lbs since i change my way...
Thanks for your blog entries today !
Me, i see the film "the notebook" this weekend... sooooooooo romantic !!!! I just love it !
;-)
Mélane
xxx

I watched this documentary about three weeks ago and my intake on fast food has seriously diminished. I haven't gone so far as to get rid of my Dr.Pepper's or anything, but I am not eating out as much as I was, if at all!
As for Finding Neverland, totally loved that movie and could watch it over and over (as Johnny is kinda easy on the eyes, if you KWIM ;) ).

I stopped eating processed foods in 1998 when I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I have cheated a few times here or there, but overall have stuck it through and have felt an amazing difference. I have all sorts of beliefs about unnatural products going into the body and work hard to keep the chemicals out of me, including the use of safe house cleaning products and personal hygeine products. It can be done. And I know personally the benefits of doing this with autistic children. I think it's great that you're joining the plunge.
Glad you liked Finding Neverland. A friend of mine worked on the film and I got to attend a pre-screening and LOVED it. :-)

Funny synchronicity: 'Supersize Me' was on UK TV this week, and I saw it.
I created a new avatar last night, and gave it the words 'multidimensionsize me'.
I was just thinking about posting that pic on Shimelle's artjournal page... popped over here first...
and here's that movie again!
And... Jamie Oliver is doing good things with diet-changing (school meals) here in UK too.
Not risking his own health so drastically to do it, though.

Ali, you're such a great rOle model for us all. first, 'down with plastic organizers' and now this??? you GO girl!

Hi Ali,
I used to work at a McD's in highschool. After leaving that, I can't hardly eat there. Probably only 20 times in 20 years, and 15 of those have been when I was stuck traveling somewhere in the middle of China, Russia or the like and seriously needed any type of AMERICAN food.
But, good move on changing your diet. Whole foods rock. Find your pleasure in taking time to create healthful and life giving meals for you and your family. It doesn't even need to be long drawn out dinners. In fact... in my opinion, the pinnicle of good food is homemade mac and cheese with Tillamook extra sharp cheese and organic noodles. Easy cheesy and SO MUCH better than Kra*p*t mac and cheese.

right on, ali! i'm with you on this one (couldn't quite get the journal thing together, but THIS i can do!). keep us posted!

Supersize me = supersick me..ick- made me want to be *aware* & in control of what was going into me.

Saw Supersize me in Feb...
I do have to say, we didn't eat fast food for about 2 months...we have eaten in OCCASIONALLY since, but not much...my 10 year old will not even eat the ice cream or drink a soda from there still...good for him!

i saw that and didnt eat fast food for awhile, it just depressed me so much. i am back into mybad habits. that movie really really shook me up. i cant take thinking about it. i need to be more helathy for my family.

I love SSM! Very important movie. Morgan Spurlock is just the funniest, smartest guy... I've been talking about this movie all week and I made my in-laws watch this last night, and here's your entry. Too funny. I still haven't seen Finding Neverland, despite my 15-year-long crush on Johnny Depp. Putting it on my must-see list. Hope you're well! --Annie

after seeing that movie, I have not stepped foot in to mcd's. it has been about 8 months now...it is easier than you think it will be, and I definitely feel better for it!

When I watched that movie "Super size me" it made me so sick to think of all that waste we were eating. But truthfully the make me sick thing didn't last long enough. And I actually had forgotten about that movie untill just now. We are now eating fast food again a few times a month. Now that you have reminded me of it, it makes me want to completely change our diets. I have been thinking of cutting sugar out of my son's diet for a while now. And now I'm definatley thinking of cutting out more of the fast food runs. I remember when I was little, my family very rarely ate fast food. And now look at what it's like now that I have a family of my own, we eat out usually once a week or at least every other week. I am really craving a change. If you have any info (books or links) on changing your eating lifestyle please send them my way. Oh and can't wait to see Neverland.

Ali, our family is making the same changes diet wise. The difference actually shows up pretty quick.
Give it awhile, and you'll hardly miss the fast food at all. From one bohemian chick to another ;)

I have heard a lot about Supersize Me and plan to see it, too. We rarely eat fast food... the thought of what it really is makes me SICK!

We watched the movie Super Size Me back in November and nobody, including my kids have gone back to McDonalds since! It was good for the kids to see what this does to your body!

i have heard from a few that the Super Size me movie is a a must see. Moving it up on the list.
good luck with your real food adventure.
sounds like an excellent game plan!

I'm afraid to watch it (SSM). I do want to eat more healthy. I only buy organic milk, and veggies when we can, but it is hard to find that around where I live. The kids love FF so, and that is the problem here. I wish there was a website for mom's to transition their families to healthy eating habits.

I completely agree with you! I watch SSM and OMG, I was shocked! I made a pact that I would not eat fast food french fries again - for some reason that part effected me more than the rest. Almost 2 months and no FF! We are eating more organics as well. I am a firm believer in Dr. Phil's Ultimate Weight Solution. (Love Dr. Phil!) Real food is the only way to go!
Good luck in your quest!
Melissa

I notice that McD has introduced their "healthy" sandwiches since then, and I think they are losing out to other fast food companies that are making so called healthier choices (e.g. Wendy's and salads, etc).
I've only eaten McD once in the past year, on a work trip where frankly nothing else was available that was affordable. I'm proud of that choice. I found myself craving their fries if I had them once in like 2 months.
Start sowing that vegetable patch!! Lots of rain here in Ontario, Canada to make the soil moist today.

I saw SuperSize me and I haven't eaten at McDonald's since - cut way back on our other fast food consumption too - everyone should see that thing!