Sweet Apple Pork with Cider Rice + Honey-Roasted Broccoli
All I gotta say is, sweet makes everything better! This meal had “Classic Kath” written all over it – apples, cinnamon and honey. Yum!
Pork tenderloins were BOGO free at Harris Teeter today so that’s what went on the menu. We have butterflied and stuffed them with all kinds of yummy things – dates, bleu cheese, pesto, apricots – but tonight we kept the tenderloin whole, brined it in apple cider and grilled it for some char. Superb! You could really taste the apple flavor.
My 3 oz portion:
To complement the meat, I made short grain brown rice with half water, half cider and also simmered a whole apple on the stove-top to stir in at the end. (See this post for info on cooking apples to add to oatmeal and the like). I added some tarragon and cinnamon to mine. I can honestly say that my last big bite tasted just like apple pie. All that was missing was the vanilla ice cream!
We also roasted some broccoli in the oven for about 10 minutes at 400* – drizzled with about 2 tsp of honey. Roasting is hands down the best method for cooking vegetables. I can’t think of a single vegetable that doesn’t have more flavor when roasted!
Lastly, I had half of a leftover ciabatta roll on the side.
All together –
This meal was about 550 kcal, 10 grams of fiber and 35 grams of protein.
I never really got hungry for a snack this afternoon. I was busy running errands, grocery shopping and doing household chores. I did have a few swigs of the husband’s beer while we started on dinner. This new flavor of Blue Moon is great!
Grocery Store
Here’s the recap for all you foodies!
Produce:
- Mushrooms (button and shitake)
- Broccoli
- Butternut squash
- A yellow squash and zucchini
- A sweet potato
- Pommelo
- An orange
- Lemon + lime
- Apples (2)
- An avocado
- Collard greens
- Asparagas
- Bell peppers (2)
- Frozen peppers
- Frozen brussels sprouts (I’ve never had these but love BS so I thought I’d give them a try for a quick side one night)
- Frozen okra (a staple in our house for soups!)
- Bag of spinach
Everything else:
- 2 cans pumpkin
- Jalapeños
- Cheese
- EZ peel frozen shrimp (on sale for $3 per pound!)
- Apple cider
- Eggs
- Pork tenderloin (2 per pack – we frozen one)
- A secret seafood ingredient in the package
- Blue Moon
- Manly deodorant
- Dried lima beans
- Dried pinto and navy beans
Off to snuggle up with Eat, Pray, Love!
sam says
I was just wondering if you care at all about all the hormones, antibiotics and pesticides your consuming? Conventional products contain all these… just wondering…
the husband says
We make every effort to buy all-natural or organic meat, dairy, and eggs, and also the “dirty dozen” veggies and fruits. (Tonight’s pork was all-natural and the apple was organic) Come spring, most of our veggies will be coming from a local organic CSA.
Is there something we’re missing here because it sounds like you feel like we’re eating a bunch of terrible things?
sam says
No sorry- I don’t think you eat terrible things! I just wanted to know if it was important to you. Thanks for the quick response.
ana says
nah, you guys do a great job eating organic (much better than i do!*guilty look*) i really just don’t think it is THAT important to go all organic. don’t get me wrong, organic is great and good for your body. but i’ve been eating regular produce and products all my life (so has my mom and my grandmother-who is 85 and still kicking! ^_^) and we are all doing just fine-better than most in fact! (i.e. no cancer, almost never sick, no weird skin defects or brain tumors) the body was built to handle most things thrown at it (of course, in moderation that is!) that’s what the liver and kidneys are for, after all. however, i do believe organic is the way to go (i just don’t think anyone has to stick to it religiously).
Romina says
Apples and rice is such a neat original idea! I would have never imagined such a pairing, I bet it tastes fantastic.
the husband says
Yeah, I have mixed emotions about hormones, etc – on the one hand, it seems like people have been getting along fine for the past 100 years when this stuff became prominent. On the other hand, we’ve been eating without hormones and such for THOUSANDS of years.
I read something awhile ago, maybe Blink by Malcolm Gladwell, that suggested that the reason we have so many cases of ADD and other minor diseases in modern society (not to lighten the plight of these people – just bear with the argument here) is because of improvements in healthcare that have reduced the effects of natural selection on the human species. I was quite disheartened to imagine our species killing itself, but I definitely think there’s something to be said about all the hormones, trans-fats, HFCS, preservatives, and all the other crap that’s been introduced to our food in the last century that our species has no experience metabolizing.
Disheartening, but slightly less so.
Melanie says
Hi Kath!
I’m a long time reader, but this is my first time commenting. As someone who has suffered both with an eating disorder and binge eating, your blog has really helped me keep a healthy mindset.
I have a question about your post-workout breakfasts, though. My gym and the cycling/kickboxing instructors I have there suggest eating 15-45 minutes after intense exercise for better recovery. I’ve read some basic research that supports this, and I was wondering if you try to eat within 45 minutes or if you just eat when you get the chance.
Thanks!
Kiala says
I’m trying to only eat locally. You’d be surprised how irritated your neighbors get when you ask them for their food.
Thank you! I’m here all week.
the husband says
[insert rimshot]
Julia says
Kath, I am curious how you anticipate the husband’s new job effecting your time preparing meals each day?
Will you be relying on dinners that do not take as long to prepare since you will no longer have the extra person helping in the kicthen? Or will you stick to the same meals and just prepare them yourself?
Julia says
haha Kiala!!! That was hilarious
mags says
hi kath,
how do you roast your veggies on the stovetop?
Kelly T says
please let me know how the frozen brussels sprouts are, i love brussels sprouts and thought about buying frozen but just wasnt sure how they would be. Blue moon is my fave! its great with a slice of orange or lemon.
Emma says
wow that dinner looks a) amazing and b) huge! this is why i love that you post calorie counts. i would have guessed more! that is so much food! JEALOUS
hk says
kelly t-
I have frozen single serving brussel sprout packages from birds eye (new :)!!) and I really like them a lot. Granted I am a college student, so microwave-able frozen veggies is always a plus, but they do taste totally delish to me, I love all things veggie!!
Amy (the sweet potato one) says
Hey Readers! Any suggestions for what to eat for a mega-sore throat?
I’ve tried sweet potatoes, egg, oatmeal, yogurt, pudding, jello, soup, and am trying to avoid eating all of the lite ice cream in the kitchen b/c it’s just about the only thing left that soothes my throat that I haven’t eaten much of yet today.
Thanks!
hk says
smoothies? bananas and peanut butter? hummus on soft piece of whole wheat bread? turkey roll-ups? just trying to think of some softer, nutritionally dense foods. feel better!
kay says
What are the “dirty dozen” that the husband is referring to?
Have you tried instant steel cut oats? They cook quick (about 10 min for me to get them where I like) and are pretty creamy with volume!
the husband says
“organic dirty dozen” typed into google:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13737389/page/2/
Kim says
Great shop! What is the secret ingredient? we won’t tell? 🙂 Not to spark non-nutrition debate, but may I also suggest that one other factor regarding the etiology of ADD could also be attributed to the bombarding of video stimuli on developing brains of infants/toddlers who watch TV (shorter MTV style video segments). A medical study demonstrated that such exposure might in essence effectively rewire the brain. It’s absolutely fascinating to look at PET scans, where you see the differences in brain activity visually mapped; there is also a def. biological link in twins. I’ve also seen parents who utilize nutrition as a means of treatment rather then meds. Such a complex issue. Consuming artificial ingredients, hormones etc. yield powerful consequences, we’ve hastened the onset of puberty through the changes in dairy kids consume. I led a wellness policy implementation in a school district and we met significant resistance re: optimal nutrition offerings citing budget constraints; i.e. vending machines are revenue producing. I was told the machines contained healthier options but these were still sugar filled sports drinks, chips, “lower fat” candie bars etc. Some steps have been made but more needs to be done. We need to build healthy young bodies so kids have a foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating. I think a course should be required in high school for healthy life skills (nutrition, personal finance etc) because budgets have zapped out in many instances opportunity for health curriculum. Sorry for long post. This stuff gets me fired up.
Susan says
Kath, I tried the nectar bars…..while they taste good they are so small! I know you are a volume eater so how does that satisfy you? I know they have fat and all to keep you full, but the actual bar is still so small!
the husband says
Yes! A personal finance class should be taken by everyone. I can’t believe how many people don’t understand how to save money for retirement.
living2thetruth4god says
I find you and your husband’s story so inspiring. I need to lose weight, and a friend told me to try weight watchers. I am allowed 18 “points” per day (400 breakfast, 300 lunch, 400 dinner, 100 snack) and I am starving! Did you find that you were always hungry when trying to lose weight?
Robin says
Kath, I read your faq and the post you explained to the reader about calculating calories (calories per hour), so I went on the website as well and read about all there calculators and am still a little confused. Like you I am now at maintance, but would also like to eat below my maintenance so I can enjoy splurges (I go out to eat regularly).
Which calculator do you use to calculate your maintence calories, the bmr or rmr? Then, if I am correct you subtract between 300 and 500 calories from the number and add back activity calories? For example, pretend my rmr was 1500 calories I would eat b/w 1000-12000 to maintain if I was not active? Thanks in advance for clarify, as you can tell, I am still a little confused 🙂
Robin says
Goalie, thanks for your answer the other day. What’s weird is that my body is use to plenty of fiber. It’s like the oatmeal just is more sticky or something. That’s all I can figure.
cj says
love the grocery shop pictures! i was wondering if you’d be willing to share about how much you spend at the grocery store each week. i’m curious about the average costs for eating healthy, natural foods. thanks!
grace says
I read about a medical study where children diagnosed with ADD/ADHD switched to an all organic diet and their symptoms were reduced by at least 80%. Many even saw the complete elimination symptoms. Ever since then I try my best to eat organic.
goalie30 says
No problem, Robin. 🙂 Ya, all I can think is maybe your stomach just needs to adapt to it a bit; so like I said maybe smaller servings at first until it tolerates it better. That or you could try cream of wheat or oat bran instead and see if your stomach tolerated those any better…
goalie30 says
Grace/ natural foods and ADHD:
I worked with an ER doctor the past few years who’s ADHD and autistic child is on a strict, special diet such as you speak of; also my cousins (who are sons of a pediatrician) are both ADHD and one of them too is autistic and they tried the diet for awhile (they also have horrible food allergies to EVERYTHING! it seems like) and there really wasn’t a large change in their behavior.
One study that came out recently showed that a small percentage of autistic children the autism is caused by a chromosome mutation. This makes more sense to me for these disorders in terms of the cause (my aunt had both of her kids over the age of 40 which puts her at a higher risk of producing children with gene mutations, because her eggs are older and have been subject to higher doses of stress/radiation/etc) and this could be why diet makes very little difference in some of these kids. If you feed your children highly processed foods/ fast foods, candies, etc though of course it can make them more hyper and have problems concentrating. I would think a fresh, more natural diet would be better for all kids, not just ADHD/autistic children, and parents might find they behave better, feel better all around. I don’t know if they necessarily need to go organic for EVERYTHING, because it’s quite expensive for some organic things, but when you can find them on sale or similarly priced to regular stuff, I try to buy it and encourage people I take of to as well. Overall though, I think a more natural low processed diet is best for everyone.
Ange says
I agree that it doesn’t make sense to go organic for everything, because some foods are high risk and others aren’t. If you just buy the high-risk foods in organic (thin-skinned produce, meat), it is worth it in my opinion. It is alarming the amount of chemicals we put into our bodies without even realizing it!
mel says
Kath and matt,
I’ve been a follower of this blog from pretty much the beginning and I just want to say thank you! I’ve learned so many creative tricks and meal ideas and I so appreciate all of you all’s hard work!! Keep it up! You are both wonderful!!
Mel
Julia says
living2thetruth4god- I can see why you’d be starving, that is only 1200 calories a day! Especially if you are getting activity too, that is not enough to sustain your energy levels. I would suggest increasing your intake up to at least 1500, depending on how much you exercise.
Kim says
Grace, you raise a great point. 🙂 I too have read that sugar/artificial additives are indeed one factor among others, lead, genetic pre-disposition etc (vaccinations, etc for autism and the list goes on and on). It’s heartening to see that researchers are looking at the nutritional correlation. In no way am I attacking Grace’s view, but do concur with Goalie that typically a multi-modal treatment plan is advised combining possible medication, counseling, educational interventions, nutrition etc. That might present issue for a separate blog entirely in terms of exploring wellness/counseling issues for young people (or adults in transition/needing to share/get support). To the husband, I bet you and Kath would be fabulous speakers/mentors. Maybe you could volunteer for an area school/link it to a school project. Kids really benefit from identifying with young adults. Maybe the husband could teach an adult ed class for parents on teaching kids to save/fundamentals of finance; alot of school’s don’t have money for those electives. Food for thought, pun intended. You have so much to offer/already are doing a great community service through your blog.
sweet potato Amy says
Thanks hk and kay! Those suggestions helped my throat a lot 🙂
Susie says
Is that pork cooked all the way. It looks “rare.”
Susie says
Husband, at times you just sound so arrogant. “I can’t believe how many people don’t understand how to save money for retirement.” There are people in this world starving to death, and you you appear live in some ivory tower. For some, retirement is something they will never worry about because they are more worried about providing for their families. Please go work at a soup kitchen and get some real experience as to how the rest of the world lives.
NC says
NOT sockeye salmon. my guess is bay scallops, perhaps? 🙂
the husband says
Susie,
This will sound surprising, but I encountered more people struggling to get by and learned more about their stories while I worked for an insurance company than any charity work I’ve done. I will definitely admit that the experience opened my eyes and slapped me in the face to make me realize that the world I grew up in was not normal, despite it being the one I see portrayed on TV.
I’m not naive to the fact that there are many people who are completely unable to save for retirement. These are not the people I view with amazement. It is the people I mentioned above, who have had access to decent jobs, have never wanted for much, and get to their 50s and 60s and they still have absolutely no money saved and have to find a way to stretch a social security check. And then, just when you think you’ve met the worst story, you’l meet someone with all this going on, and then they’ve also become disabled recently, and everything is turned upside down yet again for them.
And I hate to say it but it’s because they never knew how to even start because nobody ever taught them how to save money or prepare for the future. This is the scenario I had in my mind after Kim’s post – just like obesity, a great deal of financial troubles could be solved in this country with the slightest bit of education from the beginning.
So I apologize if my earlier comment came off as arrogant or insensitive. It was very satisfying work when I could help these same people establish a small account where they could set aside even the tiniest amount of money, or help them get the life insurance that should have been there a long time ago so that if something happened, at least their family would be taken care of.
And the pork was cooked to 145*, so it was definitely rare, but safe! mmmmm pink
eat me los angeles says
I love making pork loins! I love marinading mine in balsamic, olive oil and grainy mustard. yum!
Kath says
Melanie,
Glad you find the blog helpful! I agree with your instructor about eating within an hour after a workout. I am usually pretty hungry when I finish, but I also usually workout first thing in the morning with just a small snack in me and have a big breakfast afterwards. Sometimes on Tuesdays/Thursdays, when I have breakfast at 7 and workout at 9, I have just about an hour after my workout until I have to eat an early lunch before class and don’t want to spoil my lunch appetite, but if I’m really hungry, I’ll have a few nuts or crackers until I get to campus to eat. I like to workout right before meals (so if I do go in the afternoon it’s at 4:30 not 2pm) because I’ll have had time to digest the meal before and it will be time for my next meal after my workout.
Julia,
We basically cooked the same as we have been all last year when we were both working full time and wouldn’t get home until 6:00 or so. It just requires a bit more prep and planning. Since I’ll be home a little earlier now, I’ll probably get anything that takes a while to cook going (rice, root veggies in the oven) but we’ll still cook together when he gets home. Cooking is something we love to do together so we wouldn’t want to miss out on sharing the fun!
Mags,
Roasting is done in the oven. The broccoli went in a 400* oven for about 10 minutes.
Emma,
That’s exactly why I post the calorie, fiber, and protein counts – it’s surprising what some meals come out to be!
Kim,
We need to build healthy young bodies so kids have a foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating. I think a course should be required in high school for healthy life skills (nutrition, personal finance etc) because budgets have zapped out in many instances opportunity for health curriculum. – I totally agree.
Susan,
I don’t find the Nectar bar to be that small. I do try to eat it VERY slowly. I don’t use bars as a way to fill me up though, more as a way to get some fuel in my blood until my next meal and tide hunger when I’m on the go.
Livingthetruth,
I was never hungry during my weight loss (and rarely go hungry now). I don’t believe in being hungry! I’ve found foods that work well with my stomach and times of the day when I need food most (4:00-4:30 pm!) so I can plan to have a snack then. Throughout my weight loss I also aimed to be as active as possible so I could eat and still be burning fat. I took lots of walks (still do!) in addition to my workouts to keep my moving. I agree with the other posters that your recommend intake for Weight Watchers seems too low. How much exercise are you getting? I HAVE to eat at least 1500 kcal to not go hungry – 1600-1700 is much better. If you eat a little more you’ll lose a little slower, but it’s worth not being hungry!
Robin,
I do use the RMR numbers rather than BMR because they are a little more conservative. But remember, your RMR is your calorie needs at REST. You multiply by 1.2 to 1.3 to get calories needed for basic daily activity like walking to your car or cooking. Caloriesperhour.com should give you levels of calories for different activity levels. For a NET number, you should use sedentary because you will be adding back exercise. I think most women end up around 1500-1700 including daily activity but NOT including workouts to maintain. Subtract 300-500 from that number to get to a NET number. So if you RMR is 1350 and your sedentary number is 1700, subtract maybe 400ish to get 1300 NET. Then add any calories burned through workouts, walking or other intentional exercise to get a gross intake. Ma
ke any more sense?
CJ,
We try to stay under $100 per week for groceries, but $75 or 50 would be even better. We used to be closer to $125 per week but have cut back quite a bit and have been working to shop sales. This week was about $88.
Mel,
Thanks for the feedback!!
Kim,
Thanks for the nice comment. I’d love some opportunities to help educate others on health and wellness, but I’m guessing I need to earn my R.D. letters first. But I have been looking for opportunities to get involved in any food/cooking charities in Charlotte.
Kath
Julia says
I agree that it makes more sense to eat a bit more and lose slower. When I am eating too few calories, food is ALL I can think about…and that is not fun!
Blaire says
Question: How are you able to go to the grocery store with your hubby and not end up with a cart full of chocolate chip cookies, ice cream and chips???
Kath says
Blaire,
Neither of us are really tempted by those kinds of foods (well, maybe ice cream at times) and it’s so easy to talk yourself out of it because junk food is expensive!!! We’re always trying to save a few dollars, so if one of us wants ice cream or a new kind of chips, we tell the other one we can’t afford it. Saving calories and money makes the decision easy.
Kath