aim for vegetarian hot dogs

German bratwursts, Italian sausages and anything of the like excluded, I think we can all agree that the only reason anyone eats a hot dog is because it's a vessel for whatever the heck condiment you have withing arms reach.  Should that be the case then substitute any array of vegetarian dogs instead of eating something that's frankly so terrible.  I probably average 0.5 traditional hot dogs a year (what the heck, my parents moved to this country so I could be American) but if I'm grilling on my own the soy ones taste just the same and no one knows the difference. That said, if you're looking for ideas, check out this post from a couple years ago and set up an advanced toppings station at your next hot dog party.

summer shrimp and beans

Another great high protein low carb dish.  Brown some garlic (some hot pepper too if you like) then drop in your shelled and deveined shrimp. Cover and lower the heat.  When they're just about done, uncover and throw in a few ripe quartered tomatoes.  In the mean time drain and rinse a can of white cannellini beans, toss with some olive oil and sea salt.  When the shrimp are fully cooked, remove them from the pan, plate them with your beans, let the sauce reduce a bit more, drizzle the remainder of the sauce and serve.  Packs a ton more flavor than you think and such a healthy way to end your day.

REPOST: Five Fish that are Sustainable and (Almost) Guilt-free

Fish market outside Banjul in The Gambia. Fish is a crucial food for billions of people, but many fish stocks are threatened due to overfishing. (Photo credit: Bernard Pollack)


Interesting piece on new options for sustainable seafood:
According to a 2010 Food and Agriculture Organization report, 33 percent of the world’s fisheries are over-exploited, depleted, or recovering from depletion, and another 52 percent are fully exploited. As more fish stocks fail under the pressure, many fisherpeople, fishery managers, and policymakers are focusing on making fishing more sustainable, using methods that have proven effective at restoring both quantity and quality in depleted fisheries. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

GOOD FIND: CRISPIN Cider

Ahhh MAZING.  Slightly sweet, fresh, great body, and perfect when you'd like a kick up from a beer but aren't ready for a heavier wine.  I clearly recommend drinking it poolside in the company of plastic flamingos.  I found this at Whole Foods but I'm sure you can get it around.

REVIEW: Church Lady Punch @ Hanks

As if Hanks wasn't amazing enough. Church Lady Punch is a lovely bowl of vodka, sparkling wine, fresh fruit juices & sherbert.  Perfect for a summer brunch.  Honestly though, ALL their cocktails are well above par. Hanks Oyster Bar 1624 Q Street NW, Washington DC 20009

low carb, high protein, nutrient rich stir-fry

Lately, when I leave the gym after work and don't have immediate happy hour or dinner plans, I try not to pig out on something that will ruin whatever I accomplished in my workout.  So, depending on what my fitness goals are I often times aim for low carb, high protein, nutrient rich meals.  If I'm in a rush an easy go-to meal you can put together in 15-20 minutes goes just like this:  In a large pan coated with olive oil  sautee garlic, onion and chili pepper then quickly brown a pack of ground pork or turkey.  Instead of plain salt I like to use a combination of fish sauce, soy sauce and lime juice- but if you're concerned with gluten or are watching your sodium intake just sprinkle table salt sparingly and squeeze a lime or two.  Once that's almost fully cooked drop in a bag of frozen vegetables.  Pictured here was a bag of broccoli and some corn. Cover and let simmer till the vegetables are fully cooked. Last, push everything to the side of the pan and drop in an egg or two, let it almost fully cook and break it up to mix with the rest.  That's it. Plate and serve.  If you have some fresh cilantro and crushed peanuts add that otherwise dig right in- leftovers pack perfectly for lunch the next day.

REPOST: Chocolate Tamales

I had a work conference in Denver a week ago and surprisingly the Marriott had some fantastic food.  I generally don't have much of a sweet tooth unless it comes to fresh fruit but OMG, they had chocolate coconut tamales. They were so good I couldn't stop eating them!!!!  I've since been on the search for a suitable recipe so I can recreate them at home.  I THINK this is the closest: http://cookinginmexico.com/tag/chocolate-tamales/ CHECK IT OUT!!!

REVIEW: ShopHouse, Dupont Circle

Please tell me you've tried ShopHouse. I think it might be my #1 or 2 favorite local fast food in DC.  If you haven't heard of it, ShopHouse is Chipotle-style South-east Asian fast food.  So, you walk in and in a bowl you choose between, brown rice, jasmine rice, rice noodles, or lettuce.  Then you choose grilled chicken satay, grilled steak, pork & chicken meat balls or tofu.  Then choose between broccoli, eggplant, charred corn, or green beans.  Then for sauces you have Tamarind vinaigrette, green curry or red curry.  Last for garnish you have green papaya slaw, SE asian pickel relish, fresh herbs, and crushed peanuits, roasted rice and crispy garlic.  There are so many combos but it's all so amazing.  You can go totally low carb and healthy but their rice is so fantastic it's worth treating yourself.  My favorite is brown rice, chicken, broccoli, red curry, papaya, then herbs, peanuts, garlic and toasted rice. If you haven't been there check it out.  SMACK center of Dupont Circle: ShopHouse 1516 Connecticut Ave, NW.

READER CONTRIBUTION: Twist on a Taco

I got this yummy contribution yesterday from  reader who wanted something other than the usual TexMex:

No, no I'm talking about food.

A cool vegan taco for a hot day:

Savory sweet potatoes instead of refried beans

Spicy crumbled tempeh (cooked with minced Jalapeno peppers) 

Sautéed yellow squash and kale & chard from the garden 

chopped cukes and tomatoes with a touch of cilantro 

plus a healthy lime squeeze

Came out really good..

14 Foods You Should Buy Organic

Just saw this article in Eating Well and I found it very useful.  Generally, if I'm on a budget and I have to choose what to buy that is or isn't organic, things like oranges, eggplant or things that get PEELED I will buy NON-organic.  This is a good guide though if you need convincing in one direction or another.

http://www.eatingwell.com/food_news_origins/organic_natural/dirty_dozen_plus_14_foods_you_should_buy_organic?sssdmh=dm17.606049&utm_source=EWHNL&esrc=nwewh070512