Catherine Cohen with her pigs in a blanket. Illustration: Margalit Cutler

I just kinda see what happens, and its been fun and a really nice way to remember what day it is, says the comedian Catherine Cohen of her weekly stand-up show, Cabernet Cabaret. Since the lockdown began, shes moved it from Club Cumming to her living room, performing on Instagram live while drinking things like dirty martinis and Ina Gartens cosmo. But even more than the show, she says, cooking helps her differentiate Tuesday afternoon from Thursday morning: Truly, Cohen says, food is the thing that is anchoring me to reality.

Thursday, April 23How on Gods green Earth is it already the end of April? No one knows! Im currently quarantined with my hot/cute, infinitely patient boyfriend Brian at his familys cabin in the Berkshires. I know, Im a spoiled little princess, yet I still find time to complain How does she do it?! Whenever I think about the word diary, I immediately hear Britney Spears singing the phrase Dear Diary, as she does on her sleeper hit of the same name (track 12 on Oops! I Did It Again), so as you read my diary, please imagine me whisper-crooning the whole thing into the cracked spine of a bubblegum-pink Moleskine.

Dear Diary,

Two years ago, I met this guy at a show for 12 minutes and he explained the concept of intermittent fasting to me over the dull roar of an East Village dive bar and ever since then I have half-tried to do it, which usually means I dont start eating until 2 or 3 p.m. and then I stop whenever I want. Thats not how intermittent fasting works, but that is the freaky-Friday-fucked-up way I do it because I have no self-control and a quirky, flirty way about me. 😉

Every morning, I like to have what I call Brians coffee. This just means that I try and convince my boyfriend, Brian, to make me coffee, even though he does not drink coffee. I want Brians coffee. Its better than what I can make, I coo in velvet tones from the bedroom. Brians coffee tastes the same as when I make coffee (which critics and fans alike call Catherines Coffee), but I am lazy and only learned how to use a coffee machine a few weeks ago. Come through, woman in tech!

My other obsession is hydration. I need to have at least three liters of water a day to keep my vocal cords buzzing beautifully, but I dont trust myself to keep track of how many glasses I have, so I only drink water from my One Liter, Overpriced Hydro Flask. I always keep it by my side and dont wash it enough. Stars theyre just like us!

So I had my morning combo of Brians coffee and a liter of water. Then, around 2 p.m., because we were out of eggs, I made oatmeal and mixed in peanut butter, maple syrup, and raisins. Normally, I would have eggs like a fitness girl on a sad diet. Oatmeal is sad in a different way, but I was randomly into it today. Whenever I have oatmeal, I feel like Im a pioneer woman making slop for everyone on the wagon. All aboard!

I was still hungry minutes after the oatmeal (brave), so I had some Siete Chips (nacho-cheese flavor) dipped in garlic hummus. It was a bad combo that I immediately regretted. I turned to Brian and was like can you believe these chips are grain free, gluten free, and paleo friendly, and he was like, Yeah, I can.

We had made brownies the night before, so then I cut myself a brownie edge. Later in the day, Brian was like, Did you eat all the edges? and I was like, Hmm, maybe a ghost did that to it. Ive never seen a ghost, but I am scared of them. Isnt it more fun to believe something exists? Okay, I just got my Ph.D. in being existential as fuck.

Around 8 p.m., I became furious and then realized I was hungry. I frantically put some black beans in a tortilla and had a sad, wet taco. I learned during quarantine that they actually sell Taco Bellbrand Fire Sauce at the grocery store. I put so much TBFS on my taco that I kind of keep it in my hand the whole time I eat a taco. Brian and I joke that TBFS is my drink to go with my meal. We have fun! We both had another sad black-bean taco and shared a Heineken. Then we made sweet, sensual love. JK. I dont know why having sex at night is the thing. I like having sex around 3 p.m., but Ill save that for my OTHER diary, wink-wink. I am rock-and-rolling my way through this food diary, and youre lapping it up, you sick freak!

Friday, April 24I started my day with Brians coffee and a liter of water. I was doing a voice-over gig all afternoon, so I had to eat before my usual window, which was upsetting. My life is so hard!

I had chopped up sweet potato and chickpeas in a tortilla with some yogurt on it, topped with my daily dose of Taco Bell Fire Sauce, and I will now be referring to it as mothers medicine. I also feel its important to include that every day at 10:30 a.m., I take my birth-control pill, which I call the queens candy. Dessert vibes!

After my voice-over session, I was feeling some kind of way (COSMICALLY DEPRESSED) and I suggested we make the Pillsbury cinnamon rolls I had bought two weeks ago in case of emergency. We inhaled all five cinnamon rolls in about six minutes while standing over the hot tray in the kitchen, panting like beasts that had just ripped an alive mammal to bloody shreds after being released from captivity. Cuteness! We both agree the icing-to-roll ratio is off. There should be more icing. I love icing because it tastes good! Opinions here are my own.

That night I went the fuck OFF and made vodka sauce from ScRaTCh to have with rigatoni and baked chicken breast. Me and Bri both have a disease where we never know when chicken is done and are terrified of not cooking it enough. Its like I become colorblind and suddenly the whole thing looks pink. Brian suggests we call his friend Josh hes a chef thats about to open a new restaurant called Orso in L.A. (sexy lil quarantine tip: Hes doing fresh pasta and homemade sauce delivery weekly). Josh tells us the best way to tell if chicken is cooked is to feel it with your hands Now youve heard everything. Through touching, it is revealed that we have overcooked it. Anxiety prevails! The meal is still a hit. I also had two massive IPAs from Berkshire Brewing Company. Just a light Friday-night supper! Obviously, that night in bed, I was rolling around in pain from overeating kind of like The Princess and the Pea, but the pea is inside of me and the pea is a half-pound of pasta and 32 oz. of extremely hoppy beer. Tale as old as time!

Saturday, April 25I felt bad asking Bri to make my coffee again, so I made it myself. Feminist win! I was literally so full from dinner the night before that I didnt eat ever again. JK, but I did skip breakfast/lunch.

We went on a three-hour hike (two-hour hike, but we got lost; youre obsessed!). On the drive home, Bri looked at me with a glimmer in his eye and I knew what was up since our groceries were almost gone, we were going to treat ourselves to takeout for the first time in six weeks!

Thats wild for me because in NYC I never cook and only eat via Seamless.com or Caviar if Im feeling like a billionaire. In New York, I literally have a college-dorm-room mini-fridge situation, so I never cook. I dont even have a freezer, so I have to buy a bag of ice if I want to make drinks.

I do really enjoy cooking, so its been great to actually get to do it we made the Marcella Hazan Bolognese, and it was really fun to spend all day doing something. I never wouldve done that normally.

Bri and I felt like we EARNED, it so we had the most decadent meal from the incredible Baba Louies pizza in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. We ordered the Dawns Delight salad (gorgonzola, pears, dried cranberries, figs, and toasted walnuts with mixed greens and a balsamic vinaigrette) and a BBQ-chicken pizza (BBQ sauce, chicken, red onions, mozzarella, smoked Gouda, oregano, and Parmesan). There was a bit of drama because I reallllly dont like blue cheese (I know this is an unsophisticated take its literally the only food I dont like), so we had to get it on the SIDE. But even on the side, as they say in the biz, I could still smell it and kept asking Bri if my feet smelled while we watched TV (TV = Love Island) for a few hours. It was finally revealed that my feet actually smelled normal/good and it was the CHEESE I was smelling. I am so sensitive, so in tune, so easy to be around!

For dessert, we had picked up black-raspberry ice cream from SoCo Creamery. This ice cream is like nothing your little slutty mouth has ever tasted its just beyond! Plus, at the SoCo shoppe, there was the most iconic woman, who in the midst of a (say it with me) pandemic, sampled at least nine flavors from underneath her mask. Chaotic Queen.

Sunday, April 26Brians coffee and water followed by leftover pizza and salad for lunch around three. For dinner, I had some of that leftover sweet-potato veggie hash plus chorizo and rice and mothers medicine.

I have made it one of my quarantine goals to learn how to make perfect rice. I know it sounds simple, but its hard its always soupy or burned. This time, I really got it right and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (i.e., a huge glass of ros). Bri and I both had out-of-body experiences after doing back-to-back Zooms with our families that totaled about four full American hours, so I needed more wine. I dont actually really like wine. I prefer beer (guys-girl alert!), but lately Ive taken to drinking ros with ice. I kind of thought if it was extra cold and watered down, Id like it more. And I was right. Its the finer things in life

Monday, April 27Kicked off another exciting week in quarantine with Brians coffee and my morning water liter. At this point we had basically no groceries we made it 23 days without going to the store! Epic win! so I made grilled cheese for lunch, which I dipped in Franks Red Hot, of course. At first I felt cute, like a child again I famously used to call grilled cheese girl cheese, which is adorable and true! It is my cheese! I am a girl! But a few minutes after finishing the sandwich, my stomach felt like shit, which was kind of nice because it gave me something specific to complain about instead of shouting What the hell is going on? out loud to the wall every 14 minutes.

That night, we randomly got drunk off Negronis because we watched that video of Stanley Tucci making one on Insta. They were amaze, even though we made them with definitely expired vermouth. I felt TiPsY after two sips and then had leftover kidney beans and rice for dinner Its a glamorous life. The plan was to go to the grocery store the next day, which truly got me hyped up now that we never leave the house.

I want to make coq au vin doesnt that seem like a thing I should do? I have such insane, unearned confidence when it comes to cooking. Thats just what makes me me! XOXO miss u already.

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Comedian Catherine Cohen Knows the Power of Taco Bell Fire Sauce - Grub Street

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Ever since the 2011 documentary Forks Over Knives put plant-based eating in the spotlight, the popularity of veggie-forward diets has only increased over the years.

According to Nielsen, nearly 40% of Americans are now "actively trying to eat more plant-based foods". While a staggering 94% of Americans are willing to eat more plant-forward meals, states a recent report published by the Earth Day Network and the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication.

Today, over 40% of U.S. households are consuming plant-based milk while 14% of households are eating plant-based meats, notes the Good Food Institute (GFI).

However, as plant-based diets become more mainstream, misconceptions that surround veggie-forward eating have also multiplied.

Here, four nutrition experts debunk some of the most prevalent myths about plant-based eating:

Myth 1# Plant-based eating is the same as veganism and vegetarianism. "A vegan diet completely excludes all animal products in the diet and often lifestyle, including dairy, eggs and meat," tells Alexis Joseph, Columbus-based nutritionist and founder of Hummusapien. While "a vegetarian diet includes eggs and dairy but does not include meat, poultry and fish," she explains. Plant-based eating, however, means adopting a diet that prioritizes whole plant foods. "But It doesnt have to mean eliminating any nutrient or food group altogether," notes Jaclyn London, registered dietitian and head of nutrition and wellness at WW (Weight Watchers). "Theres more than one way to adopt a more plant-based style of eating, but the keyword there is 'more'more vegetables, more fruit, more whole-grains plus nuts, seeds, legumes and plant-derived oils," adds the nutritionist.

Myth 2# It's hard to get enough protein on a plant-based diet. "Protein needs are grossly overstated in America, which is fueled largely by the diet industry," says Joseph. "Eating less meat doesn't mean you're going to suffer from protein deficiency," tells the registered dietitian. "Protein is found in all foods. It's impossible not to get enough protein if you're eating a balanced diet," she points out. "Even foods like oats, whole-grain pasta, vegetables and fruit of all types will provide some amount of protein, even if nominal," adds London. To up your protein intake, load up on beans, legumes, peanut butter, soy milk, tofu, tempeh, nuts and seeds to your daily diet, suggests Claire Power, plant-based nutritionist and founder of Healthy French Wife. Power also suggests trying vegan protein powders made of pea, hemp or brown rice protein.

Myth 3# Plant-forward eating is expensive. If your diet predominantly consists of unprocessed plant protein foods like beans, lentils, nuts and seeds then a plant-based diet can actually be cheaper than a typical meat-heavy diet, says Dawn Jackson Blatner, registered dietitian nutritionist and author of Superfood Swap and The Flexitarian Diet. To make your meals more budget-friendly, stock up on seasonal produce and indulge in expensive plant-based foodslike vegan cheeses, yogurts, faux meat and burgersonly occasionally and in small amounts. "It will not only keep the costs down but will also help you focus more on getting nutrients from natural plant-based foods," tells Blatner.

Myth 4# All plant-based foods are healthy. Just because something is plant-based doesn't mean it's automatically healthy. "There are vegan versions of almost everything these days, but vegan isn't synonymous with healthy," says Joseph. "Those foods are fun and I enjoy them too, but they shouldn't make up the bulk of your diet," she tells. The best strategy to eat healthy on a plant-based diet is to focus more on whole foods, tells Blatner. "If something comes in a package, read the ingredient list to see if it contains items that you would use in your own kitchen," suggests the nutritionist. "The more C.R.A.P. (chemicals, refined sugar/flour, artificial additives and preservatives) it contains, the more processed and less healthful food is," she points out. A healthy plant-based diet is one that is both balanced and diverse, says Power. Ideally, it should be high in whole-grains, legumes, seeds, nuts, fruits and veggies and very limited in processed foods," she adds.

Myth 5# Plant-based meals are not very filling. On the contrary, "many people feel less hungry on a whole-food plant-based diet than they do on a typical American diet, which tends to be low in fiber and high in sugar," states SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. A plant-based meal can be very satisfying provided its well-balanced. "Plant proteins are very filling. In fact, they may keep you more full than animal protein because, in addition to the staying power of protein, they also have filling fiber," tells Blatner.

Myth 6# Going plant-based means swearing off meat forever. "A plant-based diet is mostly plants, but theres still room for foods like meat, poultry, eggs, cheese, yogurt and fish," tells Blatner. In fact, "research suggests that following a flexitarian dietincreasing plant-based foods and reducing, but not eliminating, animal foodsyields similar health benefits as a vegetarian diet, like reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes," says Joseph. Meaning, indulging in cheese or some chicken here and there isn't going to make or break your health, assuming you don't have an extreme medical condition that requires giving up a particular food group altogether.

Myth 7# Plant-based diets are very restrictive. "The definition of 'plant-based' is often misinterpreted and in some cases, can be extremely misapplied," says London. Plant-forward diet involves making more of your meals veggie-based and eating more natural plant-based foods in general. "Anything that feels restrictive wont benefit you in the long-run, so if trying a more plant-forward style of eating makes you feel limited, then you may want to reassess your approach," suggests London.

Myth 8# Plant-based diets aren't suitable for children.

Yes, they are, says Power. However, it's important to ensure that the bulk of their diet is made of natural plant-based foods like fruits veggies, whole-grains, seeds and nuts, notes the nutritionist. Also, "parents need to be mindful that their kids get enough calcium, protein, zinc, iodine and iron from food sources as well as supplement their diet with a Vitamin B12 supplement," she adds.

Why plant-forward eating is good for you?

Adopting a diet rich in natural plant-based foods has an array of benefits for your health as well as the environment. "Regularly consuming foods high in plant proteins (like beans, legumes and tofu) versus animal protein can help prevent and reverse a slew of chronic conditions, including cancer, diabetes and heart disease," says Joseph. Additionally, "these nutrients also help support healthy cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels," notes the nutrition expert. Research also suggests that a healthy plant-based diet may help prolong the lives of those living with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Moreover, "plant-based foods are packed with fiber and phytonutrients that support immunity, combat inflammation and feed the healthy bacteria in your gut," says Joseph. And as an added bonus, "plant proteins are far more affordable and far better for the planet than animal proteins," she points out. Eating more whole plant foods reduces your carbon footprint, lowers habitat destruction and saves water. "Twenty servings of vegetables have fewer greenhouse emissions than one serving of meat, with beef and lamb having the highest emissions," tells Joseph.

Plant-forward eating tips for beginners

If you're considering switching to a plant-based diet, try these nutritionist-backed tips to ease into the habit effectively:

Last but not the least, speak with a registered dietitian or nutritionist before starting any new diet. "There is nothing more personalized than health," says Joseph. Anyone with a history of disordered eating should proceed with extreme caution when following a diet, especially one that eliminates or limits intake of particular food groups, she adds.

Read this article:
The Biggest Plant-Based Eating Myths That Nutritionists Want You To Stop Believing - Forbes

This is a editorial from KETV president and General Manager Ariel Roblin The spread of Covid-19 in meat packing plants have been making headlines all week. Some workers are afraid to go to work, ranchers are concerned they will be forced to euthanize their livestock, and consumers are even hoarding meat in their freezer. Nebraska Governor Ricketts warns of civil unrest if we lose access to meat and says it is an important part of a healthy diet. While the vast majority eat it daily, its not the only way to get protein. We should be willing to adapt, even just temporarily, to adding a few plant or fish-based meals in our diets. Science has long supported the idea that more plant-based food is healthy and strengthens your immune system to fight illnesses. That's something everyone of us needs right now. Plant-based diets also support lower risks of heart disease, certain cancers, type two diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. You can also easily buy plant-based protein on line: Peanut butter, almonds, quinoa, lentils, and protein supplements can be shipped to your door. A careful approach to processing meat can provide a safe environment for workers, and build a stronger food supply chain. That should be enough of an incentive to try something new. I realize an editorial in Omaha Nebraska about the benefits of eating less meat is probably not going to go over very well I get it, but we're talking about risking human life in fear of an outraged community because they won't try another source of protein. We're better than that.

Opinion

Editorial: COVID-19 Protein and Diet

The spread of Covid-19 in meat packing plants have been making headlines all week. Some workers are afraid to go to work, ranchers are concerned they will be forced to euthanize their livestock, and consumers are even hoarding meat in their freezer.

Updated: 10:49 AM CDT May 1, 2020

The spread of Covid-19 in meat packing plants have been making headlines all week. Some workers are afraid to go to work, ranchers are concerned they will be forced to euthanize their livestock, and consumers are even hoarding meat in their freezer.Nebraska Governor Ricketts warns of civil unrest if we lose access to meat and says it is an important part of a healthy diet. While the vast majority eat it daily, its not the only way to get protein. We should be willing to adapt, even just temporarily, to adding a few plant or fish-based meals in our diets.Science has long supported the idea that more plant-based food is healthy and strengthens your immune system to fight illnesses. That's something everyone of us needs right now. Plant-based diets also support lower risks of heart disease, certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. You can also easily buy plant-based protein on line: Peanut butter, almonds, quinoa, lentils, and protein supplements can be shipped to your door.A careful approach to processing meat can provide a safe environment for workers, and build a stronger food supply chain. That should be enough of an incentive to try something new.I realize an editorial in Omaha Nebraska about the benefits of eating less meat is probably not going to go over very well. I get it, but we're talking about risking human life in fear of an outraged community because they won't try another source of protein. We're better than that.

The spread of Covid-19 in meat packing plants have been making headlines all week. Some workers are afraid to go to work, ranchers are concerned they will be forced to euthanize their livestock, and consumers are even hoarding meat in their freezer.

Nebraska Governor Ricketts warns of civil unrest if we lose access to meat and says it is an important part of a healthy diet. While the vast majority eat it daily, its not the only way to get protein. We should be willing to adapt, even just temporarily, to adding a few plant or fish-based meals in our diets.

Science has long supported the idea that more plant-based food is healthy and strengthens your immune system to fight illnesses. That's something everyone of us needs right now. Plant-based diets also support lower risks of heart disease, certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. You can also easily buy plant-based protein on line: Peanut butter, almonds, quinoa, lentils, and protein supplements can be shipped to your door.

A careful approach to processing meat can provide a safe environment for workers, and build a stronger food supply chain. That should be enough of an incentive to try something new.

I realize an editorial in Omaha Nebraska about the benefits of eating less meat is probably not going to go over very well. I get it, but we're talking about risking human life in fear of an outraged community because they won't try another source of protein. We're better than that.

Link:
Editorial: COVID-19 Protein and Diet - KETV Omaha

Our brain is the most important organ in our body. Our brain regulates all the other functions and metabolic processes including our heartbeat, breathing, digesting of the food and everything else. The cognitive decline can be accelerated or delayed by several different factors. But our diet is the best shot at preventing cognitive disturbance for a long time. The studyAccording to a new study published in the Journal Alzheimer's and Dementia, a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, olive oil and nuts, dramatically reduces one's risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases later in life.According to the same study, the Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment but not slower decline in the cognitive function.

Another study conducted for almost 10 years found that people who adhered closest to the Mediterranean diet enjoyed the highest cognitive function throughout the observational study (10-year window).

More:
The only diet that can keep your brain healthy for years - Times of India

Cutting meat from your diet can be a significant lifestyle adjustment, but the documented health benefits can make the change well worth it.

If your doctor has recommended that you cut back on your meat intake or you have decided to fully embrace a meat-free diet, here are some of the changes your body may experience. Just keep in mind that the effects can vary from person to person.

Because red meat and heavily processed meat products tend to be calorie-dense, eliminating them from your diet may help you lose weight. A 2015 study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that people following a vegetarian diet lost more weight than people on other diets.

Plenty of studies have demonstrated how going meatless can lower your risk for cardiovascular disease and heart disease-related mortality. An American Heart Association study found that people who ate plant-based diets were 16 percent less likely to develop heart disease and 32 percent less likely to die from heart disease and stroke.

The balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut has been linked to many different health issues. Adding probiotics to your diet can create a healthier gut environment, but so can going meatless. This is because animals that are conventionally raised have been given hormones and antibiotics that can wreak havoc on your gut microbiome.

In addition, your body produces Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) while digesting red meat high levels of which have been linked to cardiovascular disease, heart failure and chronic kidney disease.

Some studies have found that adopting healthier lifestyle changes (like reducing meat intake) can affect the length of our telomeres, which are the caps at the end of DNA strands that protect our chromosomes. The shortening of telomeres can cause damage to the DNA strands and has been linked to increased risk of breast and prostate cancers.

According to a 2019 Nature study, cutting back on or eliminating meat especially red meat and eating more nuts and fruits, which have anti-inflammatory properties, can reduce the inflammation levels in your body.

High levels of systemic inflammation in the body can weaken your immune system, contributing to the development of immune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

In order to reap the most benefits from going meatless, its important to protect yourself from any potential nutritional deficiencies.

When cutting out large food groups from your diet, its important to find alternative sources for the nutrients they provided. For instance, if youre not getting most of your protein from meat, youll need to up your intake of other sources like eggs, low-fat milk, beans, peas, soy products, and unsalted nuts and seeds. Stay away from heavily processed and sugary foods that can also have a negative impact on your health.

Be sure to also talk to your doctor about taking supplements of certain essential nutrients and minerals like vitamin B12, vitamin D, and iron. A B12 deficiency can cause anemia or lead to damage to the nervous system.

Getting into the groove of making healthy meat-free meals doesnt happen overnight so dont get frustrated. Try to be as consistent as possible and remember its okay to start with just adding a few meatless meals into your weekly mix.

The more prepared you are before going meatless, the easier it will be to stick to it. Make sure you do plenty of research on tips and recipes ahead of time, and ask your doctor or nutritionist for help creating daily and weekly meal plans that are built around beans, lentils, vegetables, and whole grains instead of meat.

Information on this site is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. If you have, or suspect that you have, a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider.

More:
What to expect when cutting meat from your diet - PhillyVoice.com