Good food is like Good Sex.

I woke up this morning, thinking about food.  I make very conscious choices about the things I put in my mouth…(think what you like, I’m not shy).  When I was working 80 or more hours a week, spending countless nights at various bars, I ate just about anything that was served to me.  I didn’t drink much water, never ate breakfast or lunch, and dined out for dinner.  Almost 5 nights a week.  Total crap right?

Maybe its because I’m getting older, and I don’t want my body to collapse on me (this from experience in many different E.R.’s).

To be honest, I’m a bit of a health nut.  An eat-whatever-you-like health nut.  

For instance, I cook vegetables and protein twice a day, drink bottles and bottles of Pellagrino, and drink decaf coffee.  I completely cut out processed snacks, raw sugar (unless its in my coffee) and fast food.  Here’s a Don’t and Do list to prove it:

I Do:

-Vegetables, fresh vegetables

-Protein.  Fish, meat, chicken, turkey…no other crazy birds though, I ain’t into all that “exotic” game shit.

-Water.  Lots of it.  I’m a bit obsessed with San Pellagrino…but thats far better than being obsessed with a boy right? Hmm…no, boys I love!

-Red Wine.  I’ve cut back on the beer, the whiskey and even my lust for cocktail hour (believe me that was THE most difficult thing ever).  A glass with every meal.  My heart really loves me right now.

-Fresh fruit.  Instead of buying snacks, I eat fruit.  Apples, Pears, tangerines (my fav!), grapes, strawberries, pineapples.  So good.

-Cheese.  I don’t care what people say, but cheese is so delicious, so wonderful…its changed my life.  Blue cheese, camembert, fresh mozzarella, Gouda…you get the point.

I Don’t do:

-Fast food.  I’m not hating, its just not the first thing on my menu.

-Snacks.  Chips, greasy chips, chips, chips, chips.  If you’re not a bag of fresh tortilla bites and a side of guacamole…get back on the shelf.

-Caffeinated beverages.  Coke products (though sometimes, I do falter at the sight of a rum and coke), flavored soda’s and double espressos.  I’m already hyper active 13 year old at heart.

-Packaged Dinners.  This is the fall back for every tired individual coming home late from work.  Its easy, its quick and it satisfies.  Like a quickie when you really would just love to have really great sex.  The really great sex takes a bit more effort, especially when you’re tired.  Good food is like good sex.  So like my sex, I prefer the really good cooked meals, even if they take time because that finish is the most magnificent thing.  Ever. (umm, for food…oh, and sex too).

-Raw sugar.  It can be essential, but I’m careful.  I used to be lazy to buy sugar because the french grocery stores were difficult to maneuver.  The only time I do have sugar is in my coffee, at Starbucks, or the local cafe/brasserie.  If you come to my kitchen…you wont find any.

Homework?  Asses your grocery list, pantry and fridge.  They will speak volumes about your health.  And maybe your sex life.

Pan Fried Garlic Chicken

From the Fridge:

-3 chicken breasts, cut into 3 - 4 inch pieces

-1 zucchini chopped

-a cup of green beans

-Teaspoon of Butter

-1/2 Teaspoon of Mustard

From Pantry:

-1 clove of garlic

-Salt

-Pepper

-Olive Oil

Lets Make it:

For a better cooking experience, I suggest listening to a mixed playlist of the Brazilian Girls, Alice Smith and Aimee Mann.  Pour yourself a glass of S. Pellagrino and nibble on some green olives every now and then.

-In a large pot of 2 cups of water, boil the chicken breasts on high heat for 5 - minutes or until the color of the chicken turns to white.  Turn off heat and drain the water.

-In separate large frying pan, drizzle olive oil and add the garlic. Saute for about 3 minutes, then add the chicken.  Salt occasionally every 4 minutes and remember to cook each side of the chicken.

-As the chicken is cooking, in another separate pot, pour about 3/4 cup of water and add  1/2 a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of butter.  Mix the green beans and chopped zucchini into the pot and simmer for 7 to 9 minutes.

-This process is clearly about multitasking.  You can do it.

-Return back to your chicken, and add pepper.  Continue to mix for 1 more minute, then add the 1/2 a teaspoon of mustard.  The chicken should start to look golden brown on either side, and the garlic should be coated in golden brown as well.  Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the chicken is toasty (but not hard), then turn of heat.

-Drain the green beans and zucchini mix, and serve immediately on a white plate, centering the mixture.  Next, place the chicken pieces on top of the vegetables, including garlic pieces.  Enjoy at once, with a glass of white wine, a classic Chardonnay will complement the chicken well!

Bon appetit.

LA Sunshine.