We've discovered something at Cook'n that doesn't have a thing to do with our business of making and providing the best ecookbooks out there: it's Thinnerware. We have no connection to this company--don't receive a commission, or any form of remuneration whatsoever. It's just that many of us were drawn to this product because we're wanting to drop a few pounds (names are changed, or withheld, to protect the innocent), and Thinnerware could be a tool in doing just that.
On the marketing brochure it says: Thinnerware is perfect for anyone who wants to eat healthier. Our dishes are marked to help you keep track of how much you eat. They are great for dieters who are tired of pre-measuring food before every meal. The best part is, the marking are hidden in the design, so Thinnerware dishes look like regular, everyday dinnerware. The flowers on this blue plate designate differences in portion sizes. Easy. In other words, we can have a pretty table and eat our cake too (only in a smaller serving)!
The stripes designate serving sizes. Since they aren't labeled on the inside, they contribute to the design. VERY SMART!
Their dinnerware is hand-painted (made with non-toxic glaze), food safe, microwave and dishwasher safe. They also can make us custom dishes ("choose from 15 differrent colors to make your dishes match your style"). Considering the intensive production process, their prices are pretty affordable: plates are $12 each (4 for $45), bowls are $10 each (4 for $38), and cups are $8 each (4 for $30).
And here's a great piece of information I found on their website: "Because we paint all our dinnerware by hand, there are the occasional mistakes. These cosmetic blemishes do not affect the usability of the dishes (they are still food-safe), but prevent them from being sold at regular price. These are sold here for 15% off." Hotdog! I'm gonna check into this stuff and if you do as well, let me know what you think. It's a clever idea and I hope they do well. In the "No More Blood Sugar Blues" column of the Cook'n Club newsletter, I talk a lot about healthy eating, and portion size and control as a key method to managing glucose levels, so I was really jazzed to find this product!
Now on another note, a hot tip: Let's add more almonds to our dishes. They are the king of nut and their health benefits range from helping to lower cholesterol, to preventing heart disease, to adding more vitamins and minerals to our food. Not only is it perhaps the healthiest nut available, it's also very versatile. It can be eaten whole, blanched and sliced or slivered, or ground fine to use in baking (much European baking involves ground almonds). For starters, here's an almond-focused recipe you might like:
ALMOND ZUCCHINI BAKE (serves 6-8)3/4 C chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
3 Tbsp butter
4 C grated zucchini (got any left in your freezer from last garden season? I do!)
1 1/4 C grated Cheddar cheese
1 C bread crumbs
1 C slivered almonds, toasted
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp pepper
1 egg, well beaten
Cook onion and garlic in butter for 5 min; combine with zucchini in large bowl. Add 1 C cheese, bread crumbs, almonds and seasonings; toss lightly to mix. Spoon into lightly greased 9-inch baking dish. Pour egg over zucchini mixture and pierce wit ha fork to allow egg to penetrate. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 C cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 min or until heated through and cheese has melted.
In closing, just a last thought: Isn't it great to live in a land where there is so much creativity and resources for bettering our lives? Like these cool dishes someone was smart enough to come up with--and because of our freedoms, they could take this idea to market. And don't you love the abundance of good food available? Now all we need to do is use these resources wisely and share along the way. That leads me to my usual final statement--if YOU have a good idea, tip, or recipe, please share. We're all in this together, remember. So until next time, here's to portion control, enjoying almonds, and happy cook'n!
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