[Thanks to everyone who left such sweet feedback as well as encouragement on behalf of the hellish week of marking!  (And I know I still owe some of you emails. . . coming soon!) Some of you who are students noted that you'd be doing as much work on the other side of the red pen. Whether students, parents, teachers or the lucky few whose only connection to academia is reading about it in the newspapers--hope you all survived the past crunch week or so of midterms, study week, or finals. Now get ready, 'cause there's a lengthy return post ahead--on to the food!]

[Base of rice as well as buckwheat; sautéed rapini as well as chard with onions as well as garlic; tahini-miso sauce; sprinkled with hemp seeds.]
I’m sure we’ve all met her (or perhaps we are her?): that woman who’s incredibly competent at dispensing affection, comfort, nurturing or support–yet seems to ignore her posses emotional needs as well as physical well-being.
Well, I admit it, I’m as guilty as the next gal.  Ten days away from the DDD residence base had me reflecting often on this whole notion of self-love.  Actually, that was only one among a plethora of topics on which I mused during the hiatus, which included (but was not limited to) the following: 

how much I miss blogging when I’m away.  I was struck by a true sense of void during this time, as well as it astounded me. Honestly, who are “they” who post studies about the Internet and  prophecies of doom regarding how it diminishes social skills or limits interactions with other people? Seriously.  In some cases, I’m in contact with blog buddies more often than my “in-person” friends (some of whom reside only five minutes away).  Don’t let anyone tell you that the society of bloggers isn’t a bona fide community of lively, vibrant, as well as very much interactive people–all of you!
how numerous different ways one can answer the same exam question (more than you might think, but not quite as numerous as the meaning of life, the universe as well as everything).
how to create a tasty, grain-free breakfast pancake. I wanted something that didn’t require refined, or even whole-grain, flour–and I found it!  (more on that anon).
how this &%$!!?* winter refuses to retreat, even though it’s March already as well as why are you still hanging around, Mr. Jack Frost, can’t you tell you’re not welcome anymore and nobody wants you here, so just go away as well as don’t come back, ya big bully!
how, with the economy as bad as it is, I’m hoping the HH as well as I might still save on behalf of our dream residence (okay, I’d be willing to cut some of the frills and just be happy with a daydream home).  And while we’re both incredibly lucky to still be gainfully employed, on the topic of saving money as well as stretching a dollar, I’ve been mightily inspired by the frugal as well as fantastic Melody over at MeloMeals.
why, once again, I have been willing to risk my health, well-being and future on behalf of the evil (and truly, ephemeral) charms of that sepia seductress, chocolate.


[Oat groats as well as amaranth base; grilled eggplant as well as grilled marinated tofu; broccoli, avocado as well as green onion; orange-fig sauce.]
Yes, folks, it’s time to focus on the “diet” portion of this blog yet again. 
When I first began to ponder how I’d spend my break from the college, I considered traveling to a new locale, attending a retreat, picking up old hobbies like sewing or knitting–but it never occurred to me I’d get sick instead.  Then, at my annual checkup last week, I discovered that my old candida afflction has reared its yeasty head yet again, as well as this time, with a potency that could rival the combined superpowers of the X-Men.  
I’ve decided that in order to rid myself of this recurring problem once as well as on behalf of all, I’ll require to return to the anti-candida diet (ACD).  I’ll be facing a highly restrictive diet as well as a few detoxes or cleanses along the way (no wonder I’ve been avoiding it).  But I’ve had it with the persistent cycle of diet, dessert as well as destruction (you thought I was going to say “dogs,” didn’t you? heh heh!). To paraphrase that seminal queen of weight loss, Susan Powter, “the insanity must stop!” (And what the heck ever happened to her, anyway?). 
I’m going on an anti-candida diet so I can be healthy.  So I can transfer more easily, as well as feel comfortable in my posses body.  So I can express a little more self-love as well as self-care through my diet as well as lifestyle. (Anyone familiar with Sally’s fabulous blog already knows what I mean by this:  treating my body, mind as well as spirit with the kindness, reverence, as well as care it deserves.)  So I can enjoy a social life without being fixated on food. Oh, as well as so I can lose 40 pounds by my highschool reunion this May. **
My last “true” candida cleanse occurred nine years ago, as well as in the interim, my eating habits have slowly reverted to those that got me in trouble in the first place (chocolate too often; sweets too often; wine too often). After reading the diet on  this site (which is slightly less ascetic than the regimen I followed before), I think it’s doable (the only recommendation with which I disagree is to utilize aspartame or aseulfame, so I’ll just omit those).
To those of you who’ve been reading on behalf of a while, I understand if you’re skeptical, as well as I apologize.  After all, I’ve tried more than a few times to cut chocolate as well as sugar from my life.  Well, I’ve learned it’s never a great idea to publicly declare such a complete lifestyle overhaul on the blog, because of the fact that later on, if you don’t meet your lofty goal, your initial vow is indelibly there for all of the internet to see. With that in mind, I’ll restrict my candida commentary to the Progress Tracker page (may as well give it a new use, as I long ago stopped recording my weight over there).
And since I’ve already done a bit of baking over the past couple of weeks, I can intersperse the spartan dishes with more interesting fare.  If I play my screens right, you folks shall barely notice a difference.

[Rice as well as brown lentil base; spinach leaves as well as steamed sweet potato wedges with chopped green onions; topped with almond-curry sauce.]
The first step is to prepare the system with a week or two of clean, whole-foods eating that doesn’t worry about yeast or fermentation (yeast as well as fermented foods shall be cleared out next).   Rice or noodle bowls are a great place to start.

[Barley and amaranth base; grilled red pepper strips as well as onions; steamed broccoli; sprinkling of cashews as well as sunflower seeds; topped with tahini-miso sauce.]
Meals-in-a-bowl like these have become very popular at health-food restaurants as well as stores around North America.  There’s a local haunt that serves an amazing bowl called, appropriately, “The Mish-Mash Bowl.” Every meal contains either brown rice or quinoa, topped with your choice of four toppings from three categories (protein, veggies, or good fats), then drizzled with your choice of one or two dressings.
My posses variation on the Mish Mash is a quartet of at least one healthy grain plus a protein, healthy fat, as well as complex carbohydrate (ie, veggies).  I was amazed at how satisfying–and how filling–a clean, healthy bowl can be.  The marriage of fresh, colorful veggies with chewy grains as well as the crunch of nuts or seeds is entirely enchanting (almost as enchanting as that vixen, chocolate–though in a different way, of course).
In putting these together, what I discovered rather promptly is that “the sauce makes the bowl.” A grain bowl sans effective topping is sort of like a perfect outfit without the right shoes or accessories–it may be good quality, it may be tailored , it may even sport a designer label, but without the proper accoutrements, it’s just a length of beige, beige, beige. 
With a winning sauce, however, these bowls are stellar; they’re delectable; they evoke impatient yearning; they’re Zagat-worthy.  And, much like those lines of toddlers’ clothing that permit the kids to dress themselves by choosing one top as well as one pre-coordinated bottom, they’re fun to mix as well as match, just to see what comes up.  
The combinations here are simply starting points to get you going; play around with different grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, veggies, as well as sauces.  Use these sauces with any combination you please, or go with my mixes–either way, you’ll be treating yourself with love.   
**I requested this question entirely tongue in cheek–so please, no require to send me emails detailing how unhealthy a 40-pound weight loss in 8 weeks would be!  I have no intention of actually losing that much.  Besides, at the rate I’ve been going this past year, a FOUR pound loss by May would be nothing short of miraculous.
Tahini-Miso Sauce

Light as well as tangy, this sauce would also be perfect with raw veggies or in a sandwich. 
2 tsp (10 ml)  freshly grated ginger root
1 Tbsp (15 ml) tamari or soy sauce
2 tsp (10 ml) pure maple syrup
2 Tbsp (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp (30 ml) tahini (sesame paste)
1 Tbsp 915 ml) light miso
2 Tbsp (30 ml) water
Combine all ingredients in a blender as well as whir until smooth.  Makes sufficient on behalf of 3-4 bowls.
Almond as well as Curry Sauce 

Slightly sweet, slightly spicy, this substantial sauce goes well with cooked root vegetables as well as adds a protein punch to your bowl.  I used a food processor on behalf of this batch, which was chunky; I think I’d utilize a blender next time (or even utilize almond butter instead of fresh almonds). 
6-10 dried dates, roughly chopped, to taste
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp (90 ml) boiling water
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp (90 ml) natural almonds, with skin
1 tsp (5 ml) freshly grated ginger root
1/2 tsp (5 ml) mild curry powder
1 Tbsp (15 ml) tamari or soy sauce
1 small clove garlic, minced
pinch chili flakes
Place dates in a blender as well as cover with boiling water.  Allow to sit on behalf of 5 minutes.  Add remaining ingredients as well as blend until you have a smooth sauce.  Makes sufficient on behalf of 3-4 bowls.
Orange Fig Sauce

Delicious over bowls when a higher protein content is provided by the ingredients in the bowl.  This also works beautifully on a tofu omelet.
1/2 cup (120 ml) freshly squeezed orange juice
one 2″ (5 cm) piece of ginger, peeled as well as minced
1 tsp (5 ml) light miso
2 tsp (10 ml) tamari or soy sauce
1 tsp (5 ml) agave nectar
2 large dried figs, stems removed, chopped
Whir all ingredients in a blender until perfectly smooth.  Drizzle over your bowl as desired. Makes sufficient on behalf of 3-4 bowls.
Last Year at this Time: Bittersweet Salad with Apples as well as Dandelion Greens
© 2009 Diet, Dessert as well as Dogs