June brings the moon of 'making fat', not to be confused with the moon of 'counting calories' :). Jessica Prentice in her book "Full Moon Feast" says it best: "Before the twentieth century, most cultures valued fat. Not only was it precious, but those animals and plants that yielded it were precious as well. Fat was used as food, and also for lighting, for religous ceremony, and for annointing the body." But here in the modern world we have collectively decided that fats = bad, and that is not necessarily the truth. In fact, we have been confused about the nourishing energy provided by fat for a long time. We refuse hydrogentated fats, we use nonfat yogurts in our smoothies, request nonfat milk in our lattes and we feel all the healthier for our conscious decisions. In reality, we require fats to create cell membranes and other important functions such as carrying vitamins and coverting nutrients for mineral absorption.
With the 'moon of making fat', June is a good month for you to try some new 'fats' in your diet. Experiment with cooking with duck fat, ghee or sesame seed oil. Play with using kefir or coconut oil in your morning smoothie. Order that coffee with half and half. Make that egg, yolk and all. Before we jump into the daily June Fork-casts, below is a simple recipe utilizing coconut oil as a fat from the aforementioned book and author that go great in a ziploc for a long bike ride or hike, in a lunch box, or on a plate at a party.
Coconut-date Energy Balls
makes about 20
Excerpt from "Full Moon Feast" by Jessica Prentice
makes about 20
Excerpt from "Full Moon Feast" by Jessica Prentice
1 c. date paste or 1 1/2 c. pitted dates1/2 c. coconut spread or coconut butter
Zest of 1 lemon or small orange (optional)
3 Tbsp. cocounut oil
3 Tbsp. cocounut oil
1/4 c. finely shredded dried coconut, plus more for rolling the balls in
1. In a food processor, proess the date paste or dates for a few seconds or a minute or so. If you're using dates, they should be processed into a chunky paste.
2. Add the coconut spread (and the optional zest, if using) and pulse a few times until the ingredients are mixed.
3. Melt 1 Tbsp. of the coconut oil in a very small pan. Then start the processor and pour the melted oil in through the top while the processor is running. Add the dried coconut and process for 5 or 10 seconds more.
4. To roll the balls, pick up a very small handful of paste and press it in your hand. It should stick together. Then take th paste and press and roll it into a little ball, about 1 inch in diameter - a little smaller than a walnut. Put the balls on a plate as you roll them.
5. When you have finished rolling all the balls, melt the remaining 2 Tbsp. of coconut oil and remove from heat.
6. Now take each ball and do this: Put it in the little pan with the melted coconut oil. Take the warm oiled ball and immerse it in the dried coconut flakes so that it gets covered with coconut. I do this by just putting the ball into the bag of dried coconut and rolling it around. Put the ball back onto a clean plate or straight into a cookie tin. Repeat with all the balls until they are all covered with coconut. Store in a cool place and eat as desired!
I'm experimenting with a different format - hopefully it's helpful. Essentially, I'm making suggestions for both staying in and going out - see what you think!
I'm experimenting with a different format - hopefully it's helpful. Essentially, I'm making suggestions for both staying in and going out - see what you think!
June 1: New Moon in Gemini - Make a Wish! A new moon in Gemini is a good time to make intentions, wishes and prayers in the areas of learning, communication/writing/speaking, calming the mental body, social interactions, short trips, and siblings/neighbors/roommates or anyone you live closely with. Regarding health, this is a good time to ask for assistance with anything from your fingers to your shoulders, lungs/breathing, and the nervous system.
For your guide to eating on this day and through June 3rd, go out and be a social butterfly. Make stops at numerous locations. Share appetizers with friends.
June 4-5:
Home-cooking: Try using some new fats in the kitchen. Experiment with using ghee with seafood.
Heading out: Order crab cakes, fried shrimp - or seafood that otherwise makes you feel at home.
June 6-7
Home-cooking: Get inspired by watching one of the top chef or food challenge shows and create their masterpieces in your home with plenty of guests to admire your handy-work.
Heading out: Make reservations to try something that is a hot topic.
June 8-9
Home-cooking: Make a pesto using basil from your garden; serve with pasta or jar it up and give as gifts to neighbors or co-workers.
Heading out: Order a salad with lots of earthy-greens.
June 10 -12
Home-cooking: This is a great day for baking sweets.
Heading out: You'll want to save room for dessert (just not too much room).
June 13-14
Home-cooking: Play with hot and spicy flavors. This is a good time for dinner dates at home; cook for your lover.
Heading out: Date night! Go somewhere dark and mysterious whether you are single or paired.
June 15-16
Home-cooking: Make something that reminds you of an over-seas journey. Throw a potluck party and let the theme be multi-cultural.
Heading out: Try food from a different culture than that which you normally eat.
June 17 - 18
Home-cooking: This is a day to adhere to strict diets. Make good choice for your bones, something with lots of calcium like brocolli.
Heading out: Take someone who is your elder or an authority figure to a 'reasonable' location.
June 19-20
Home-cooking: Shock everyone with something completely new and different; create a fusion all your own from leftovers.
Heading out: What is the most outlandish, rebellious place you can think of to eat out? Go there. Even if you have to drive an hour - it will be surprisingly worth it. Great day for surprise parties too.
June 21 - 23
Home-cooking: Take a moment, tap your inner voice, and just simply make what sounds good to you.
Heading out: Order fish at your favorite place to indulge.
June 24 -25
Home-cooking: Make something that you like to burn or have to torch: fried chicken, fried okra, flan...
Heading out: Flambe all the way.
June 26-28
Home-cooking: Beef. Beef tenderloin, steak, chicken fried steak, beef fajitas, skirt steak, medallions, petite filets, beef stew, roast, rib-eye.
Heading out: Same principle as above (beef), only someone else is on the grill.
June 29-30
For your guide to eating on this day and through June 3rd, go out and be a social butterfly. Make stops at numerous locations. Share appetizers with friends.
June 4-5:
Home-cooking: Try using some new fats in the kitchen. Experiment with using ghee with seafood.
Heading out: Order crab cakes, fried shrimp - or seafood that otherwise makes you feel at home.
June 6-7
Home-cooking: Get inspired by watching one of the top chef or food challenge shows and create their masterpieces in your home with plenty of guests to admire your handy-work.
Heading out: Make reservations to try something that is a hot topic.
June 8-9
Home-cooking: Make a pesto using basil from your garden; serve with pasta or jar it up and give as gifts to neighbors or co-workers.
Heading out: Order a salad with lots of earthy-greens.
June 10 -12
Home-cooking: This is a great day for baking sweets.
Heading out: You'll want to save room for dessert (just not too much room).
June 13-14
Home-cooking: Play with hot and spicy flavors. This is a good time for dinner dates at home; cook for your lover.
Heading out: Date night! Go somewhere dark and mysterious whether you are single or paired.
June 15-16
Home-cooking: Make something that reminds you of an over-seas journey. Throw a potluck party and let the theme be multi-cultural.
Heading out: Try food from a different culture than that which you normally eat.
June 17 - 18
Home-cooking: This is a day to adhere to strict diets. Make good choice for your bones, something with lots of calcium like brocolli.
Heading out: Take someone who is your elder or an authority figure to a 'reasonable' location.
June 19-20
Home-cooking: Shock everyone with something completely new and different; create a fusion all your own from leftovers.
Heading out: What is the most outlandish, rebellious place you can think of to eat out? Go there. Even if you have to drive an hour - it will be surprisingly worth it. Great day for surprise parties too.
June 21 - 23
Home-cooking: Take a moment, tap your inner voice, and just simply make what sounds good to you.
Heading out: Order fish at your favorite place to indulge.
June 24 -25
Home-cooking: Make something that you like to burn or have to torch: fried chicken, fried okra, flan...
Heading out: Flambe all the way.
June 26-28
Home-cooking: Beef. Beef tenderloin, steak, chicken fried steak, beef fajitas, skirt steak, medallions, petite filets, beef stew, roast, rib-eye.
Heading out: Same principle as above (beef), only someone else is on the grill.
June 29-30
Home-cooking: Put together a smorgassbord of leftovers so you can have a little of this, or a little of that. Something fancier? These are great days to plan a progressive dinner.
Heading out: Multiple courses: drinks, appetizers, salads, soups, entrees, desserts, coffee.
Heading out: Multiple courses: drinks, appetizers, salads, soups, entrees, desserts, coffee.
