Primal Journal - Siobhan page 174

[Judg]

Wow. I might have to stop at a butcher's and ask questions. You should ask him to save it for you on a regular basis.

Sorry to hear about the allergic reaction. For myself, I find when I eat strongly flavoured foods in large amounts that my body isn't used to, I will sometimes get allergic reactions. Ginger started doing it for me when I was throwing a lot in my cooking and also binged on a bag of ginger cookies. I had to back off for a while, and now I try to keep it moderate. At the beginning of my primal eating, it took me a while to get used to coconut products too. That hasn't bothered me in a while, but I am not going to eat several coconut-rich foods all on the same day.

I'm going to wait for the post-Christmas financial crunch to pass, then I will probably get the book.

[Siobhan]

Feeling great and back on the primal wagon. Caroling was great fun and it was really worthwhile. We went to a large assisted living facility and went through our program four times. Whew! The people really, really appreciated it. I'm so glad I went, although it is hard to do these things sandwiched into 12 1/2 hr workdays (nights). I stopped on the way to work and got some Applegate Farms uncured salami, totally delicious. I mean really, really good. Or maybe I'm just in the mood for salami?

I was in the post office mailing a package and was asked if I wanted cash back. I said, quite cheerfully, "I don't have any cash left!" Everyone cracked up. I guess they could all relate.

[Siobhan]

Brought nosh food to work. I have liver pate (Trois Petits Cochons), salmon spread (made with whiskey), the aforesaid salami, green olives, blackberries, celery. Like a picnic! Nom nom nom

[Sabine]

I wonder about all these places asking if you want cash back. I know the option has been there for years, but it seems I am hearing the question ALL the time now. Cannot help but think that it is a scheme to get people to use more credit.

[Siobhan]

Without a doubt! The bank makes money when you get cash back. But I only use a debit card, so I'm not increasing my credit card balance. I think that sometimes the bank pressures the merchant to offer this - they impose higher fees if the merchant doesn't opt into the program. Bad bad bad.

Okay, I'm a believer. I have been a little slow to get onboard with this, but mashed cauliflower with garlic is unbelievably good. Like mashed potatoes but better. I would not have known it wasn't actually potatoes if I hadn't made it myself. But yeah, better. Not starchy. I used Nom Nom Paleo recipe - just boil the cauliflower and the garlic and salt, drain, add butter and some nutmeg, put in food processor. Oh yes. I...uh...ate the entire bowl. I did. Had a grass fed hot dog on the side. Generally I have a dim view of recreating the SAD with paleo ingredients, but sometimes you just have to - my Christmas menu is now complete. Prime rib (no conversion needed), mashed cauliflower, roasted Brussels sprouts, Brazilian cheese bread popovers. May spring for a bottle of bubbly. There will be frozen bananas and chocolate in case I need dessert. Okay, I will definitely need dessert. Have I mentioned that if you freeze the bananas in suitable sizes and then saute them in butter very quickly, they will be carmelized on the outside and creamy and cold (like ice cream) on the inside? And if you put honey and chocolate on them with just a pinch of really good salt you will think you have been served dessert by the Goddess of the Cooking herself?

[JudyCr]

Speaking of bananas, I got this as a Christmas present this morning:
Romertopf Clay Banana Baker
but gonna freeze & sauté some first like you did, sounds yummy.

[Siobhan]

Opening your Christmas presents on the 19th! You're as bad as I am! Sounds interesting, a clay banana baker? I had a clay baker many, many years ago. Wish I still had it. Bet it's great.

Fried bananas, you have to try it. Don't skimp on the butter.

[Sabine]

For a moment, I read 'salute' the bananas!

My favorite way to do fried bananas is:
Slice lengthwise and fry cut side down in plenty of butter until golden. Flip over, and sprinkle with cinnamon, then add a splash of vanilla. Let it foam, then slide the bananas onto your plate, and top with the vanilla-butter 'sauce'.
Mmmm!

[Siobhan]

Oh yeah. I can totally taste those bananas in that cinnamon-vanilla goodness. How fortunate I have frozen bananas...cinnamon...vanilla...butter...

Wow. I'm having a food orgy. I had the weirdest experience today. After the sublime mashed cauliflower experience, I couldn't wait to try this fried 'rice' recipe from Nom Nom Paleo: Asian Cauliflower Fried Rice | Award-Winning Paleo Recipes | Nom Nom Paleo. But I was so full from eating almost an entire head of cauliflower that it was unthinkable. I went swimming and swam really, really hard, did sprints, did a few walking laps. Okay, now I'm a little nauseated. Sprints will do that to you. Went to the grocery store. Was in line behind a woman paying with food stamps who talked nonstop about her goal to have as many children as she possibly can. She is way behind her goal to have 10 children by the time she is 25. I'm not gonna go there. Anyway, I came home and started in on the recipe, which I can report is stupendous, even though it has scallions in the ingredients but never mentions them in the recipe. (Just add them at the end.) I'm definitely emailing this cooking wizard lady and telling her she is a genius.

[JudyCr]

Opening your Christmas presents on the 19th! You're as bad as I am! Sounds interesting, a clay banana baker? I had a clay baker many, many years ago. Wish I still had it. Bet it's great.

Fried bananas, you have to try it. Don't skimp on the butter.

My mom will NOT open a present until the 25th.. I open 'em as I get 'em