The Fat Girl's Guide to Living

Truffles by David Leggett

Over the past year, I’ve made some gradual but fairly significant changes to the way I eat, with the main theme being “quality over quantity.” I felt the impact of these changes after sampling some pastel M&Ms from my kids’ Easter baskets (um, mostly with permission). I was surprised at how disappointing they tasted compared to the dark chocolate squares I’d been enjoying occasionally after lunch, when my sweet tooth seems to kick in.

There’s an astonishing number of ways to achieve a good chocolate fix, from handmade works of art like these Christopher Elbow Chocolates to a grocery store quick-grab Snickers bar. But if you haven’t gone out of your way to sample some fine chocolates, consider trying a few to note the difference. Sure, it might cost more, but that’s what makes indulgences feel so decadent and worthwhile. Torture, I know! You can make your own chocolate truffles, or perhaps peanut butter cup drinking chocolate from a recent Foodie Fridays entry is more your speed. Recent faves of mine include Ghirardelli Luxe Milk and Lindt – one square usually does the trick under my “quality” rule. There’s even Chocolate News, a site dedicated to finding the best artisan chocolates. If you have any unique and tasty chocolate sources you’d like to share, please do so in the comments.

Don’t try this at home. But do try some of these recipes.

It all started on Facebook, when an acquaintance mentioned making the shrimp-stuffed poblanos recipe in the latest issue of Cooking Light for dinner. I was entering my grocery list onto my iPhone and added “Cooking Light,” since I’ve yet to meet a poblano I didn’t like, and I hadn’t read the magazine for years. Why? I’d grown tired of all things “diet” and “light” and “fat free” and “artificially sweetened” and “blast your butt” and “tone your abs” and all of the other promises of perfection made in bright, bold fonts at the checkout stand. I wanted to learn how to cultivate a sensible relationship with food and to make good eats using real and tasty ingredients, and I started doing just that.

Fast forward to my post-grocery-shopping reading, and you may now color me impressed and inspired by Cooking Light magazine. It’s not only for people watching their weight; the recipes are just plain good and emphasize moderation over artificial sweeteners or crazy substitutions. Many of the meals could easily pass Michelle’s muster for a Foodie Fridays entry. Like Fettucine Alfredo with Bacon, Roast Chicken with Balsamic Bell Peppers, and Chocolate-Cherry Heart Smart Cookies.

Then came the kicker: the January/February issue features 10 rules for eating in 2010 that read like a FGG laundry list of mindful decadence: “try something new,” “cook more often,” “eat more whole foods,” “indulge adventurously.” I also loved the “Dinner Tonight” section that ends with – be still my menu-planning, grocery-listing heart – a food shopping list for each recipe! Swoon.

This just goes to show that not all things labeled “light” will leave you feeling deprived or spin you into “diet” mode. Bravo, Cooking Light!

Got a favorite food-related read? Share it in the comments.

I found Kristy Sickle’s Daisy Mae Designs on Twitter a while back and purchased one of my favorite necklaces from her shop. These custom map magnets (also available as push pins) and the city series of glass pendants will fire up that wanderlust, and word nerds (moi?) will swoon at the colorful bits of inspiration pictured above and the custom dictionary magnets.

Wouldn’t these make fun reminders to be that person you know you are deep down inside and to brighten your day amid those mountains of to-do’s? They’re affordable, they make great gifts, and your purchases support an indie artist (and new mom) – what’s not to love?

Tell us: what words would you choose to cheer yourself during your daily round? I’d select: courage, forgiveness, laughter, savor, adore, and effort. And I’d love a sweet home Chicago pendant. Your turn!

Two of my faves: Pure Vanilla Extract and Saigon Cassia Cinnamon

We’ve all read countless weight loss/healthy eating articles touting the value of adding fresh spices to enhance the flavor of lighter fare, particularly when switching from processed foods. Well, we believe in what works, and this is one oft-parroted idea we heartily endorse.

Whatever your reason for being a foodie – adopting new habits for health-related reasons, preparing freeze-and-reheat lunches to bring to work, or forming a Fat Girl’s Guide Supper Club (speaking of great ideas), quality spices and seasonings are a must. My favorite source is The Spice House. I’m lucky to be within driving distance of all of their stores, but the humble (and great-smelling) Evanston, Illinois shop just north of the city is my favorite.

Non-Chicago-area foodies are in luck, because you can shop online, sample their impressive, free recipe collection, and purchase unique gift boxes that will enhance your gift-giving super powers. My two favorite finds are their pure vanilla extract (love it in oatmeal) and ground cinnamon (delish on hot cocoa–the best cinnamon I’ve ever tasted). Shopping for spices, rubs, marinade mixes, and extracts is the perfect way to be indulgent without over-indulging – and that’s something we can definitely get behind.

Editors’ Note: Though we accept paid advertisements at FGG, any products we endorse on the site were researched and/or purchased ourselves. We do not accept free products for testing, endorsement, or reviews.