« September 2008 | Main | November 2008 »
This fruit reminds me of my childhood because there was a tree in my Grand-Parents' garden. I remember not liking that fruit too much back then because I had so much trouble eating it. Now, I still struggle with the peeling but I am more patient, and I know the health benefits of what has been nicknamed "Power Fruit". 
Another culinary "experiment" this week.
It sort of look like a white carrot when it is cleaned but Burdock reminds me the taste of the Artichoke. Burdock root is eaten as a vegetable in many places. It has many nutrients like iron, inulin (a carbohydrate), and beneficial oils and it is high in Fiber. As a traditional Medicinal Plant, it is used for its blood purifying and diuretic, as well as diaphoretic (that has the power to cause increased perspiration) vertues.
I was recommended to not peel it but to scrub it with a vegetable brush because the skin containts most of the nutrients.
In Asian cuisine Burdock root is often julienned or shredded, and braised with soy sauce, sugar, mirin and/or sake, and sesame oil. It is also often artificially colored orange to resemble a carrot and used pickled and rolled in sushi. It can also be found as a snack food similar to potato chips.
This was my first experiment with Burdock so I conservatively chose to slice my root and to add it to a Cabbage Stir Fry.
On Sunday morning, I volunteered for the PT 8K running race in Brunswick. It was really cold and while I was waiting to start my task at the finish line, I got the opportunity to take this photo that shows the first frost of the season.
I missed my long run with the "Ladies" but being cold out there gave me the excuse to go for a 15 minutes run before the race started. That was actually not such a great idea because I had to stand at the finish line all sweaty and freezing even more than if I had not run.
Live and learn...
It looks like a big white carrot but it tastes a lot like the small red radish, except that the flavor is milder. It was my first "encounter" with Daikon - also known as Japanese Radish, Chinese Radish, Oriental Radish, Icicle Radish and Satsuma Radish - and I had to find out how to prepare it.
I have learned that Daikon can be eaten raw in salad, pickled, grated for use as a condiment, or in stir fries, soups and stews. For my first trial, I chose to mince it and to make a stir fry combining Extra Firm Tofu, Chery Tomatoes, Kale and Pine Nuts. I served with Red Quinoa.
Nutrition Information - Daikon is very low in calories. A 3 ounce serving contains only 18 calories. It is rich in vitamin C (34% of the RDA recommendations), and also contains active enzymes that aid digestion, particularly of starchy foods. Too bad my Daikon didn't come with leaves because they are know for also being rich in vitamin C, beta carotene, calcium, and iron; definitely worth using instead of discarding, no?
And for those who like to grow their own vegetables - I personally wish I was good at it - there are many kind of Oriental Radishes seeds available online.
On Saturday, a Convention. Looking for answers...
... and a comforting home made Apple Clafoutis (French Recipe).
On Sunday, a Family Fitness session on the beach.
TJ was riding his bike in the sand for the first time, and the rest of us were walking and jogging ahead or beside, because cycling in wet sand is not as easy as it looks and he needed a few pushes.
Little "Pinky" didn't want to ride her bike and chose to walk and jog with us.
Happy Columbus Day to those who celebrate and
Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian Friends!
They have destroyed the forest behind our house to build a new road.
So many trees cut down...
WHAT A MESS, huh?!!
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and I like it to be tasty, "clean" (whole foods = less refined as possible), filling and nutritious. This is one of my "Super Foods" to start my days the right way!
It may vary from day to day (I like to alternate different grains and fruits) but this morning, I had three Weetabix Biscuits (Whole Grain Cereal - one serving is 2 biscuits), fresh Organic Strawberries and Blueberries (rich in Antioxidants), Walnuts (for the Omegas = good fats), Whole Goat Milk (provides Calcium and Vitamin D - much more testy than cow milk) and Wheat Germ (extra Vitamin E and Folic Acid) - the "healthy sprinkles" like my kids call it - to top the all thing.
Now, I don't count my calories anymore but this breakfast provided me the energy I needed and kept me filled up until mid-morning snack (10:00am)
"Spirit of the Marathon is the first ever non-fiction feature film to capture the drama and essence of the famed 26.2 mile running event. Filmed on four continents, the movie brings together a diverse cast of amateur athletes and marathon luminaries."
I was not able to see "Spirit of the Marathon" movie in theaters when it was first released so I was waiting impatiently to buy the DVD. I had pre-ordered it online and it came in the mail today, right in time to celebrate my Marathon Relay performance this past Sunday.
Sharing the distance with my team, I only got a slight taste of the magical "26.2 spirit", but running a complete Marathon on my own is in my plans for 2010, and I hope to learn a lot from this movie. I have only heard great reviews about it.
= = = = = UPDATE = = = = = UPDATE = = = = = UPDATE = = = = = UPDATE = = = =
I watched the movie last night and I have found it very INSPIRATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL and very MOVING. I certainly have no regret about buying the DVD because I know for sure that I will be watching it again... and again... and again... when I will need motivation and support with my Marathon training (in 2010).
