Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Ode to Yogurt

When I was a kid, my feelings towards yogurt ranged from lukewarm to downright revulsion. Somehow, the sweetness of yogurt and the texture never really did it for my palate. When you have a mother who was constantly making something delicious and warm for breakfast, who needed yogurt? Fast-forward to my learning about Greek yogurt and my resolution in the last few years to eat something balanced for breakfast, even if it's really small. Suddenly yogurt is my new best friend.

I really love the Greek O% brands, since they are non-fat, low in sugar, and high in protein. They are also very creamy tasting and thick. While they are a little sour, the flavor is easily overcome by a few berries, some almonds or cereal. I would go as far as to say that they are my gold standard for yogurt and make the perfect breakfast for someone who wants something fast but healthy. However, I will often consider other non-fat brands that are sugar free. While they have much less protein, they are attractive in terms of convenience and economy (because not everyone can afford a $4 tub of yogurt.)

Monday, September 01, 2008

Brunch at the Green Onion

I love Sunday Brunch. Even if my laundry is piling up or if my to-do list of errands fills a whole page, brunch is relaxing and unhurried. I really enjoy sitting at a window or sidewalk with the newspaper, a cup of coffee, and some sort of unhealthy egg dish. In New York, brunch often occurs in the late hours of the afternoon with multi-course meals and zesty bloody Marys while in Lone Pine, CA, the Alabama Hills Cafe serves up early morning Eggs Benedict and coffee.

I enjoyed brunch yesterday at the Green Onion on Colley Street in Norfolk, VA. While seated on the sidewalk, I enjoyed refills of coffee and a wonderful breakfast sandwich. The english muffin was bigger and more bread-like than the standard Thomas's muffin, and was toasted on one side. Fluffy scrambled eggs, green onions, a runny beige cheese, and crispy strips of thick bacon topped the muffin. On the side sat three cherry tomatoes. If I had to come up with a criticism of my brunch, I would request more cherry tomatoes. Otherwise, I enjoyed the food, liked the modern decor, and will return to try one of the cheeses on their page-long list.