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If you like what you see here at Eats Well With Others, please head on over to Foodbuzz and vote for me to be the next Project Food Blog Star!  You can find my entry to challenge #3 here.  Today is your LAST CHANCE to vote for this round!  I can’t move on to round 4 without YOUR HELP so please help a sistah out!


Let’s talk about Marie Claire.  

A magazine, for those of you who’ve never read it, that is specifically geared towards women, it tends to feature articles with titles that claim to help you lose ten pounds in five days, learn how to give a good blowjob, and choose clothes that best suit your hair color.  (Yes, I did just write blowjob on a food blog.  I should probably put some kind of NC-17 warning at the top of this post.  I have a feeling there might be quite a few four letter words in your near future.  And a whole lot of French.)  

My point being that this magazine is not the kind of thing that’s really looking out for a girl’s best interest, in my opinion.  I probably wouldn’t want my 14 year old daughter to be reading it.

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For those of you who are at all involved in the healthy living blog community, you’ll know that earlier this week, Marie Claire published an absolutely scathing, vindictive, and one-sided article about the six most popular bloggers within this community (in food blog terms, they would be the Smitten Kitchen, Joy the Baker, and Pioneer Woman’s of the healthy living world).

The author of this article portrayed the girls as eating disordered, fitness-obsessed individuals and all but implied that they were out to brainwash the nation into becoming anorexic and bulimic gym rats.  She manipulated things that they had said and connived her way into attending a Healthy Living Summit that they arranged (basically, the healthy living blog version of Blogher Food) only so that she could blatantly ignore the positive and supportive community that such an event fostered, instead focusing on the fact that the conference’s attendees ate fruit and yogurt for breakfast instead of croissants and danishes.  The horror.

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After reading it.  I was inflamed.  Livid, to say the least.

And I spent a lot of time wondering why.  Because I’m not really part of this community, even though I’ve met two of the six girls at BlogHer (we had lunch together, which included a huge plate of dessert goods), have read three of their blogs for years, and do consider myself to be pretty healthy in general.

I think my irritation stems from a lot of places.  The first of which being the thing that I don’t ever talk about on here, which is that I was anorexic for a good year or so of my life.  It was a terrible time.  I was basically stuck inside a mind that was constantly berating me, criticizing me, telling me that I was going to gain weight from eating something as miniscule as a grape.  I lived in mortal fear of going out to eat or having dessert and would do anything to get out of social situations that involved food that I wasn’t in control of.  I would exercise for hours and I think everyone in my life was just so scared at the time.  And so was I.

When I hit 100 pounds, I realized just how terrified I was that I was going to go below that number.  And so I decided to recover.  It was about this time that I started reading these healthy food blogs.  And I found hope in them.  Hope that I could live a well-balanced life, still eating healthy foods and exercising.  But in moderation.  I didn’t find these girls triggering or extreme, although perhaps to most of the population who has never set foot in a gym, they are.

However, do I think it’s wrong to want to have vegetables at every meal? Or to crave going to the gym everyday?  Um, no.  I don’t.  Nor do I think it’s something to belittle or chastise someone for.

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I have found so much strength in the blogging community as a whole.  And I think another part of my irritation stems from the fact that this woman was too blind-sided by her own motives to see that.  Even if she didn’t agree with the message behind these girls’ blogs, I can’t imagine that she didn’t see all the hope in promise involved in forging such a community.  And if she truly didn’t.  Well, then I think she needs to go back to journalism school and work on her observational skills.

I’m sorry this wasn’t a cute funny adorable post.  A little heavy for a Thursday afternoon.  But this is something that I really felt strongly about.  As someone who purports to be a health food blogger (to some extent), I often get comments questioning the health value of some of the food that I post.  And this goes back to the idea that I’m not perfect.  I’m not God.  I never really set out to the spokesperson for the food pyramid or the AMA.  I’m a real person who sometimes is going to eat cupcakes and greasy food that is absolutely stuffed with cheese.  And I’m okay with that.  So if someone would like to write an article about how I’m a hypocrite who’s spurring on the nation’s obesity crisis, then so be it.  But don’t bother questioning me on it.  I’m going to refuse to comment.

Possibly because my mouth is going to be too full of this fabulous lasagna.  That, though it’s not the healthiest lasagna on the block (case in point) is possibly one of the tastiest.  I ate the sauce with a spoon out of the pot.  No lie.

And really, as long as you eat a moderate lunch (and even if you don’t) I’m pretty sure you can indulge in this.  No guilt required.

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Mom’s Lasagna
Serves 4, adapted from Live To Cook

NOTE – I completely played with the ratios in this recipe for a few reasons but mostly because I couldn’t for the life of me understand why 3 pounds of meat, 2 pounds of ricotta, and 1 pound of mozzarella was really necessary for a dish that supposedly served six.  That seems a bit excessive, no?  So in general, I halved the recipe but only used 1 lb of meat, 1 lb ricotta, and somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 lb mozzarella to make an 8×8 tray that serves 4.  If you want to see the original, though, you can find it here.  I’m going to post the recipe as I made it.

1/4 cup olive oil
1 onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
a pinch kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 lb ground veal
1/2 lb spicy chicken sausage, casings removed
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 28 oz can San Marzano tomatoes
3 bay leaves
1/2 lb no-boil lasagna noodles (I’m pretty sure I actually used less than half a pound…I used 5 sheets because that’s what fit in my pan, but it’s best to have a whole box on hand just in case).
1 lb fresh local ricotta cheese
1/8 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/8 cup chopped fresh basil
1 large egg
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 ball fresh mozzarella cheese (again, I just grated this on top of the lasagna before I popped it in the oven, so I’m not sure how much I used.  anywhere between 1/4 and 1/2 lb)

1. In a heavy pot, heat the olive oil.  Add in the onion, garlic and a pinch of salt, until translucent, about 2-3 minutes.  Add the ground veal and sausage, stirring and breaking into crumbles until browned, about 10 minutes.  Stir in the white wine, tomatoes, and their juice.  Stir in the bay leaves.  Scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to get all the browned bits up.  Season to taste with salt and simmer for 2 hours over medium heat.  Remove the bay leaves and let cool.  Skim any fat that rises to the surface.

2. In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta, basil, parsley, eggs, and parmesan with a pinch of salt.

3. Preheat the oven to 350.

4. Put a layer of sauce on the bottom of an 8×8 inch pan.  Add a layer of lasagna noodles.  Cover with another layer of sauce and then all of the ricotta mixture.  Add a final layer of noodles, a final layer of sauce, and cover with grated mozzarella and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.  Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.  Then, remove foil and bake, uncovered for another 30 minutes.  Let cool for about 20 minutes before cutting and serving.

I am submitting this to Presto Pasta Nights, which is being hosted by Jennifer of Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat.  It is also going to Symon Sundays, hosted by Ashlee of Veggie By Season!

I’m hosting a CONTEST over at MarxFoods with some AWESOME prizes.  You guys should all run over, check out the details, and think about entering!  Here’s the link.

ALSO.  I haven’t had a modicum of time to even think about posting the Regional Recipes round-up yet.  But I’m going to announce the next country anyway.  In case you haven’t noticed. It’s October.  And you know what happens in October?  OKTOBERFEST!  Um, yeah.  We are headed to GERMANY!  Please email me your entries by October 31st!

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You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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105 Responses to Michael Symon’s Mom’s Lasagna

  1. Simply Life says:

    wow, that is quite the article – huh?! Sheesh, at least at think they’re getting quite the feedback about it! This lasagna looks great and thanks for sharing more about your story!

  2. Very interesting. I read your post and then I went and skimmed the Marie Claire article. I have daycare kids coming in about 5 minutes so I’ll read it later. I don’t personally KNOW these blogs but you’re right, it does seem very one sided. In a country where the vast majority is obese and overweight, it seems odd to turn your attention and criticism to those who are trying to help the situation. They seemed to take small bits and pieces of quotes and make them seem as if that was the focus of their entire blog.

    “throwing away cookies because you are craving too many”. Gee, maybe if I did that I wouldn’t be so fat!

    I didn’t see anything about a blow job though. 🙂

  3. girlichef says:

    I love your outrage (hence, your passion) and you’ve outraged me even though I haven’t actually read the article. But I will. I agree with you and I want a big, healthy portion of this lasagna just to prove it. Yum! Oh, and just for good measure… blow job. Wonder how many times “blow job” will appear on this page….

  4. Katerina says:

    First of all let me tell you that you were lucky enough to understand your problem before it was too late. Other girls in your shoes do not have this perspicacity and end up with serious health issues even death. Second, since when Pioneer Woman shows an anorexic profile in her blog? Either I am reading the wrong blog or this “journalist has no clue”. I am trying to healthify her recipes because if I cook them hte way she posts my cholesterol will reach the roof. Anyway, we have Marie Claire and all these “magazines” you have there and I can tell you that to me most of them are trush. I wouldn’t spend one euro to buy them. on the other hand these lasagna mmm… definitely ring a bell to me, a big bell, a huge bell to tell you the truth. Smile, life’s too short.

  5. Great post! You are such a smart and well spoken person-you make your point and I think a lot of people-me included-agree with you on the article. Mazel tov on your recovery, and thanks for the gorgeous lasagna recipe!

  6. brandi says:

    I don’t buy marie claire and certainly won’t start now, but I’ve loved reading posts like this and the reactions from everyone. I think this post pretty much nails how I feel about it.

    I think the worst part (besides only telling her agenda in the piece) is the fact that she apparently lied to them the entire time about the article, what it would be about, and her intentions. Unethical.

  7. I need to read the MC article and write a letter to the editor. In my opinion, food bloggers of all ranges (carrot sticks and lettuce leaves to steak frites and caramel macchiato cupcakes) represent what we all need to do MORE of: EAT REAL FOOD. No matter if it’s high in fat, high in salt, or low in both.

    As a dietitian, I always get asked at parties “should you be eating that?” when someone sees a whopping piece of chocolate cake on my plate. In the same breath, someone will come up to me and say “well, you can have a second piece because you clearly don’t have to worry about your weight.” Newsflash: yes, I should be eating that cake because I like it, and you know what? I’ll probably have fruit and yogurt for breakfast tomorrow when you’re having a toaster pastry. Oh, how “dietitian” of me. And yes, I do worry about my weight because of all the rich food I like to eat. So if that means a salad for dinner every once in a while and hitting the gym five times a week, that’s what it means. If I didn’t like the gym, I wouldn’t go, but I’d have to seriously rethink my lifestyle!

    The author would have been better served to address the nastiness of the processed food world and how it’s affecting our health, instead of coming after those who have taken matters into their own hands by eating good food and caring for our bodies. How dare we! If there were more people who took charge of their health, we’d have lower health care costs and shorter ER waits.

    Oh yeah, and I control my dogs’ portion sizes and make sure they get at least two hours of exercise every day. Call the authorities!

    Sorry to rant! I will read the full article and give them my opinion, you can be sure! Thanks for telling me about it!

    BTW, DELICIOUS-looking lasagna! I totally agree with your changes– it would have been too much as originally written.

  8. Thanks for sharing that article… I hadn’t seen it before. It’s interesting that a magazine that constantly promotes unhealthy ways to lose weight quickly would post such a biased article. The fact that an article about bloggers was only posted online is interesting as well. Perhaps they see these blogs as competition, and are trying to undermine their credibility with readers, as opposed to genuinely trying to alert the public.

  9. I read the healthy living blogs mentioned in that article on occasion and I’ve never felt that’s what they were about. The responses to the article have been so thoughtful and well-written (like yours!), it gives me hope that the blogger community isn’t just going to stand by for one-sided journalism. And um, what a delicious looking lasagna 🙂

  10. Joanna says:

    I just read that entire article and although I only read Hangrypants, it pissed me off, too. The scary thing is, there are tons of blogs and websites out there that actually promote eating disorders, and girls who are struggling with them know where to find them. Why not spend time bringing them to light and then bringing them down, rather than attacking healthy food bloggers? Yes, some of their exercise habits may be more extreme than mine, but do I think it’s dangerous for young women to read that? No. Do I care if they eat danish sometimes? Or if they never do? No. I’m just so sick of this kind of mentality, as if the overly airbrushed models in Marie Claire don’t promote abnormal ideas of body image already. Assholes.

  11. OK, just read the article (who says I have to be at work on time?? 🙂 I do understand the part about how being a calorie-obsessed, 22-mile-a-day-with-no-off-day person is not healthy, and blogging about it could make an impression on people. Something to think about is that we all share one common trait about food: we are all obsessed with it. Whether it’s in a good way or bad way, we are. You’d be SHOCKED at the number of dietitians who have ACTIVE eating disorders and treat food like the plague. Fat free cool whip is their idea of a treat. That’s not cool in my book, and I think the author was trying to bring to light this subset.

    But here’s the catch: it’s a subset. A small subset. And none of them are giving recommendations for other people– they are just writing about what they do for themselves. There are worse nutrition self-help books out there that actually DO recommend things to people that make my blood boil.

    I think the author brings up a valid point about people who go to extremes (ie, eating 1100 calories in one day), but she threw the baby out with the bathwater and kind of painted us all in a negative light. Although eating a black bean “brownie” after a 10-mile run is not really my scene, it’s certainly not unhealthy and should not have been mentioned in the same article. Same with eating one bite of a favorite food and throwing out the rest. Again, not my scene, I’d eat the whole thing– but not indicative of an eating disorder!

    OK, I said my piece 🙂 Love the discussion! Marie Claire should have done this article right and only addressed scary eating disorder blogs. Or just stick to blow jobs 🙂

  12. Dawn says:

    That’s one good looking lasagna. I read the Marie Claire article and can’t say I felt quite as passionately as I don’t follow any of their blogs that closely but I did think the article was one sided.

  13. Eliana says:

    Whoa – you said a mouthful here girl. I think that the fact that Marie Claire is the one saying these things is a sign that THEY should nto be taken seriously. Most women mags are so obsessed with image and constantly telling them how they can look thinner and what not…they have some nerve calling out these bloggers.

    I wish I was like you – I wish I craved veggies and the gym. I could really use more of both in my life. Just like I can use a big hunk of this lasagna. I KNOW you have to have left overs of this. When can I come over for some?

  14. Big Dude says:

    A persons gotta rant every now and then – I do it on occasion on my blog – your lasagna looks super good.

  15. Ashlee says:

    the blowjob start to this post made me laugh, a lot. but the content is very important in this post. i’m so happy you were able to overcome your anorexia. i’ve struggled with my eating disorders for years, and it’s still a challenge. it was irresponsible of the author to call out those bloggers who clearly don’t have ED’s, it makes those who eat like them think they might. it’s definitely a sensitive, scary, and touchy subject, not something to throw around and make generalizations.
    anyway… love this dish, love chef symon, love his mom. YUM!

  16. Amy says:

    I hadn’t heard about (or read) this article. Wowza. I love your rant – hey, we can’t be funny and roses all the time. Sometimes we need to bitch! And this is worth bitching about.

    You’re brave to mention your bout with anorexia, and thank goodness you nipped that in the bud. That’s pretty serious stuff.

    We are so food, weight, and fashion obsessed in this country it’s staggering. Constantly reinventing the diet. Didn’t anyone every hear of “everything in moderation, including moderation”…ain’t nothing wrong with eating a brownie, ahem, now and again. (So sayeth the gal doing Insanity.)

    Nothing like a lasagna, by your boyfriend, to calm you down and bring comfort. I’d like a big FAT slice. After my workout, thankyouverymuch.

  17. elra says:

    Delicious lasagna, I really like the ricotta cheese in it.

  18. Pam says:

    Interesting post! Thanks for sharing the article! Quite amazing! Your lasagna looks delicious!!!

  19. Jen says:

    I totally agree with you!

    Although I don’t really follow those bloggers. I find that they have pretty much the same content – and that they are cliquish, which I find kind of boring, and I feel they isolate themselves from others. And talk way too much about oatmeal. lol I like to eat more than just oatmeal and protein bars just kidding…. 🙂

    Your lasagna looks so savory and delicious! perfect meal to match that article!

    here is to our HEALTH in MODERATION!

  20. Marcia says:

    Joanne – I came to your blog today to let you know that I was so excited you’ve made it so far in the blogger competition. I’ve voted for you every time. In fact, I’ve only voted for about 5-6 people each time (as opposed to the 100 or so votes we get).

    And then I read you post. You have such a good head on your shoulders and are so good at putting your thoughts to “paper”, as it were. Now I’m going to run off and read that article, and it will probably tick me off.

  21. Marcia says:

    Okay, now I’ve read the article…

    I can’t comment on all the blogs. She seems to take issue with a couple of them for their excessive exercise and low caloric intake, but they are blogs that I don’t read. I do enjoy Kath Eats and Eat Live Run. And I thought the Healthy Living Summit was a pretty cool idea, but never realized these women are “famous” by any means.

    As far as healthy living and weight goes, both Kath and Jenna have posted about gaining weight and coming to accept a certain amount of it (not killing themselves to hit that magically low number). Personally, when I was 18, I crash-dieted my way to 110 lbs and amenorrhea. It wasn’t pretty. (then there was the all-time high to 182, back to 125, then pregnancy and childbirth, a couple years at 140, then back to 125, and now in the 130’s. Hey, I’m 40.)

    To group them all in one fell swoop is dangerous, in my opinion. As far as cliquish goes, that’s how life is. I can’t imagine they have time to respond to every single comment on their blogs. I barely have time to blog, much less comment on other people’s blogs as much as I’d like.

    I like oatmeal! And that lasagna, with that amount of meat and cheese (the original) -oh my goodness!!

  22. The lasagna looks delish. And I’m glad you wrote a ‘heavier’ post–this is an important topic. I agree with Eliana’s comment that the magazine has some nerve to criticize these blogging women when they are the ones publishing articles (or images) promoting unhealthy weights and unrealistic figures. It reeks of hypocrisy.

  23. Pam says:

    Fabulous, though provoking post. I haven’t read the article yet, but I can tell I’m going to agree 100 percent with everything you said.

  24. Ann says:

    Marie Claire vs. Food Bloggers Who Adore Cheese.
    Advantage – Joanne.
    One serving of lasagna hurtling towards you at Federer speed.
    Thanks for your personal insight into this article, as you said, as did a lot of your commenters, the key to everything is moderation.

  25. Kim says:

    Joanne- The writer of the Marie Claire article is a hypocrite. The very magazine she works for is guilty of exploiting women and displaying ads of the skinniest models that ever existed. I can see why this made you angry. Blogging is a form of self expression and really not to be judged. As far as I know we are still allowed to have freedom of expression, right? Things are getting to be WAY too politically correct!

    At any rate, I love your changes to Symon’s recipe and your version looks and sounds delicious! I had a hard time sticking to the recipe myself because I saw lots of opportunity to make it healthier. In the end, I’m glad that I tried cooking with the pork neck bones. I actually enjoy learning about things the hard way when it comes to cooking. It just makes us better cooks in the end.

    P.S. I’m glad you’re healthy now and enjoying all kinds of delicious foods!!

  26. Swathi says:

    Lasagna looks delicious. I read the article now. I don’t think I am going to buy that magazine.I don’t read their blogs also. So I am completely agreeing with you. You can’t live just eating raw food. Everything in moderation is always good.

  27. Yeah, you’re right. We, bloggers, are not perfect. Blogging is just a way to share good things. No wonder you’re so angry! Well, I enjoy eating this kind of lasagna too. Yours looks absolutely great! 😉

  28. Satya says:

    i love lasagna …urs looks superb ,love the spices u used in it …

    Satya
    http://www.superyummyrecipes.com

  29. You go girl! The lasagna looks scrumptious.

  30. sweetlife says:

    Oh goodness I have not read marie claire since I was 17, honestly I have never read any of those blogs so…I’m glad you were strong to recover, many girls suffer for many years and suffer horribly…Ilove this lasgna and glad you toned down the portions..

    sweetlife

  31. A fabulous recipe no matter what. My daughter-in-law was an associate editor at Marie Claire when she and my son were married. They lived in Hell’s Kitchen (yikes but nice). They were also “featured” in several articles in the magazine several years ago. They’ve since moved to the Bay Area and she now works for a P.R. firm. Marie Claire was an interesting job!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

  32. Stella says:

    Hey Joanne, I was just lamenting on another blog about how I don’t like magazines like Marie Claire, which I used as my example. I have so many reasons for avoiding them. I mean, they are so materialistic, hypersexual, and just plain unwholesome-in my view at least. I guess I’m saying that I’m with ya! Yeah, you know I got your back (smile).
    Oh, and your lasagna look super delicious too;-)

  33. Michelle says:

    Good for you! Loved every precious word!

    I’ve taken a few punches for using butter in a recipe…can you believe it. And I most recently bought <<>> “lard”! LOL!!

  34. polwig says:

    What I did like about the article is that we as bloggers should maybe question a bit more how our posts can affect the others, irregardless of freedom of speech. The truth is that about 95% of the population can benefit from the healthy habits and lifestyle that these women profess but they will be others that will take it to the extreme.

    Staying “healthy” is a constant struggle between too much and too litte, just like Aristotle used to say we need to find our happy medium between access and defincency but we do fall short most of the time.

    Portrailing these women as anorexics is quite frankly Libel and I can’t even imagine what the editors where thinking when they allowed this to run. I am sure the lawyers on both sides are getting ready.

    BUT, just as with cyber bulling that has been in a news lately, I would love for food/healthy lifestyle bloggers to look twice before they publish something for fear of how it may be taken. I for one would not want anyone to become anorexic or sick in any way from reading my blog (not that anyone reads it anyway).

  35. Mo Diva says:

    Oh diva, you never cease to amaze me with your food….

    and in regards to the article… i thought there were some valid points made (im prepared to be flamed for this) but i do think the author could have written it differently. It seemed very personal the way she attacked those girls. WHile they might not be in my google reader, they are human and they have feelings. I dont think they deserved to be singled out that way- and so negatively.

  36. Pam says:

    I haven’t read the article because I know it will give me a headache.

    I am going to sound like a mom here…(maybe because I am one) but I am really proud of you. Not only for telling us about your dealing with anorexia but overcoming it too.

    This lasagna is screaming my name. I could eat a few pieces and would still probably want more! The photos are truly drool worthy.

  37. Deborah says:

    I haven’t read the article, and I don’t read Marie Claire, but I’m sure I’d stop reading it after something like that. It seems like everyone is trying to pick on bloggers these days.

    But this lasagna looks amazing. I am totally an all things in moderation person, so I’d definitely help myself to a serving of this!

  38. Faith says:

    I know, I was really saddened to read that article. I’ve read a few of those girls’ blogs for the past couple of years and have always been inspired by them. Not only does reading food blogs give me inspiration, but it makes me happy. On a cold, dreary day to see that someone made a warm, comforting lasagna that looks as good as this gives me hope…and inspiration to make it myself. 😉

  39. janet says:

    Yeah, I read that article, too, Joanne. I felt like the author had an agenda and used the wrong blogs to scrutinize. However, I do wonder about the obsessiveness that may also come with food blogging.. It is being channeled into a different venue. But not necessarily nearly as bad or extreme as an eating disorder.

  40. And just who is to blame for your girls having an unrealistic view of their bodies? Could it be fashion magazines??? I don’t read Marie Claire nor will I after hearing about this. I will read this amazing-looking recipe, though 🙂

    Good rant, Joanne!

  41. this lasagna looks so divine! great job! thank you for sharing.

  42. Ameena says:

    I’m so sorry to hear you suffered from an eating disorder in the past…I’m so glad that you’ve made it through with flying colors. I’m also glad that blogs helped you do that! But I think for others sometimes blogs can be an unhealthy obsession. I guess it just depends on one’s personality.

    Great discussion Joanne – and an even better looking lasagna!

  43. Jess says:

    Ugh, I hate women’s magazines. They’re all about body-shaming and fitting in with whatever society currently says is the “ideal” body, all hidden under the guise of pretending to be empowering to women.

    I used to buy the odd issue of Marie Claire or whatever (as in, I’ve bought 2 issues in my entire life), then after going through the magazine, I’d feel like I had wasted my money and that I needed to throw it out straight away (or cut it up and make it into a pretty collage). I couldn’t put my finger on why, but after reading blogs like Sociological Images (http://thesocietypages.org/socimages), it has become pretty obvious.

    This almost sums up women’s magazines for me:
    http://tinyurl.com/24h3gat
    Except the problems are much more extensive than just heteronormativity and instructing women on how to serve men. Sigh.

  44. Media. More interested in headlines and hype than the story. I wonder if we will ever get real journalism back in this day of shock and run.

    Love the lasagna! I thought the cheese and meat weights looked large – but, truth be told, I eyeballed it. 😉

  45. Nirmala says:

    Thanks for sharing your story, and having the strength to recover. What courage. I love lasagna and how the cheese topping go crusty. That is my favorite part.

    Also, thanks for feedback on the breads. I love kneaded breads and have made several, it’s the time requirement that stops me because my schedule does not always allow me to be at home to punch down and knead.

  46. Beth says:

    Lasagna looks amazing. Article sounds horrid. Thanks for bringing to my attention – as a member of the magazine publishing industry in the city (and a former employee at Hearst, which publishes Marie Claire), I’m ashamed (though not surprised) that some untruths would get out. But glad you are spreading the word and beginning the conversation. And how better to do that, than with a mouthful of decadent lasagna 🙂

  47. Julie says:

    thanks for sharing your story girl 🙂 it takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there like that AND state your opinion on the article! i don’t think you should ever question why you blog! you have a clear cut message in your blog and you create beautiful food! please don’t ever stop making me drool haha

  48. Reeni says:

    There can never be too many lasagna recipes in the world as far as I’m concerned – this looks glorious!

    You are so brave for sharing with us – I sort of thought that you might have something like that in your past simply because of your blogs title and the fact that I knew you had lost a lot of weight. I went through a similar time too that lasted for about two years – though you would never know it to look at me now! I haven’t read the article but will…I’m so glad you recovered your vibrant and healthy self! xoxo

  49. Elizabeth says:

    The juxtaposition of a beautiful lasagna with Joanne’s essay is deliciously, expositionally provocative.

    I’ve not read the Marie Claire article yet, but perhaps this falls under the angle of “controversy sells.” Could it be that magazines fear the Blogosphere that continues to erode their market share?

    If a blog-bashing story gets picked up by the blogs, it might sell a few more magazines. I’m just sayin’ . . .

    Magazine publishers should be scared out of their gourds: Many of us have dropped our subscriptions (we’re done with recycled articles about “losing those last 10 pounds”); we’d rather read our favorite blogs . . . like this one!

  50. Chef Dennis says:

    I know I read too many food magazines when I know who Marie Claire is or at least her magazine….your lasagna looks exceptional!! and of course you already have my vote!

  51. Kristin says:

    How ironic that I have been meaning to make lasagna. I take this as a sign that I should go for it. This really does look good, your pictures are making me drool.

  52. Mo 'Betta says:

    1 – the lasagna looks fabulous
    2 – if more people got in the mind set of eating veggies with each meal and going to the gym everyday, then obesity would not be the epidemic that it is
    3 – i’m so glad you were able to develop a healthy mindset about eating/exercising. It’s all about balance. (which I’m not good at – I’ve eaten way more pretzel M&M’s than I’ve burned off on the treadmill *sigh*)
    4 – i LOVE that you are open and not scared to put your personal opinion out there, share a very personal part of your past, and put blowjob on your post along with a fab lasagna recipe!!! classic.

  53. Raina says:

    Your lasagna looks amazing. I wish I could eat it right now.

    I am so happy for you that you were able to overcome your issues with anorexia. Sadly, so many young women suffer the same way. I blame our skinny-obsessed society for that. I do think it is important to stay fit and healthy which you do. I have been to a few healthy-food blogs and never ever thought they were pushing under eating, just healthy eating. Thanks for sharing your story and views:)

    I voted for you on Foodbuzz!

  54. Monet says:

    Thank you for sharing with us. I’ve struggled with some disordered eating patterns, and I too, have found so much encouragement and healthy living advice on those blogs that were mentioned in the article. They were certainly part of my recovery, and it made me sad to see such an unfair portrayal. The blogging community has been such a life-affirming place for me…visiting blogs like your own and others has brought me so much encouragement, laughter and hope. Thank you for all that you do, sweet woman. And oh yes, this lasagna looks great.

  55. I am with you, Joanne. I don’t buy or read Marie Claire and I certainly won’t start. I would be irritated myself.

    Now, this lasagna lloks really wonderful. My boys would absolutely enjoy it. I have not made lasagna in a while and I should try to make it soon.

  56. Oh, let them eat cake! Lots of it. Well done, girlfriend! I cook, bake and blog what I want. If the fat gram police don’t like, they can read a different blog. You do cook healthy. You cook decadence. You mix it up. I marvel that you are in med school and STILL find time to make fabulous recipes and write to brilliantly. The lasagna is right up my alley. I’ll have seconds, please.

  57. That Girl says:

    It never ceases to amaze me that I have yet to meet a woman who didn’t have an eating disorder at some point in her life. Isn’t that a more interesting story than anything that is chronicled on a food blog? Perhaps that’s what magazines should be focusing on.

  58. MaryMoh says:

    Beautiful post, Joanne…to attack the issue well. Lovely to know you have fully recovered. Love your lasagne…drooling 😀

  59. Corina says:

    A really interesting post. And in support, I’m now going to subscribe to the foodblogs you mention. I don’t read Marie Claire as I find,like many magazines, it focuses too much on fashion and beauty articles, which I’m sure is equally questionable.

    I also love the look of your lasagna

  60. It looks so yum,a meal in itself…

  61. hehe…I would rather spend money on Food and Dine magazines rather than Women Magazines. Don’t remember I ever bought any women magazines.
    Lasagna looks heavenly….

  62. Debbie says:

    Haven’t read the whole article but what I did read does sound one sided. Moderation is the key to it all. I love cakes, and could exist on cake alone but I know that wouldn’t be good for me so I limit myself. Thanks for sharing your story Joanne and your lasagna looks terrific!

  63. The lasagna looks so perfect and so… Italian! I mean, it has all the richness and the happiness found in a delicious Italian meal!! And yes, I said happiness, because the important element in food is also about happiness and love!
    If women magazines, such as Marie-Claire, would stop to show fashion pages with very skinny young girls who are probaly not even 15 years old, less people would have eating disorders…

  64. I’ll need to check this one out! Great post here and so glad you’re speaking your mind! Blogs are powerful…especially posts like this! Thanks Joanne, the food looks amazing and the post great…as always!

  65. Lori says:

    I felt really bad for those girls as well after reading the article. I was so surprised to see such a mean-spirited article in a mainstream magazine.

    I’m proud of you and your fight to improve your relationship for food. My disordered eating on the other end (compulsive overeating, bordering obsession) is another reason I love food blogging as well. My relationship with food is so much better because I’ve learned to embrace how wonderful it is and how much it means to people, countries and cultures. Those days of an unhealthy relationship are far behind me.

    You always seem to know exactly what I am craving. I’ve been thinking about lasagna all week! This looks great!

  66. Well now I have to go read that article. It does surprise me how many women record their food intake and exercise on their blogs, but I’ve never found that to be unhealthy. Just kinda boring to read. And I don’t even think the blogs mentioned DO that. Lame. Keep eating lasagna, it’s good for you.

  67. Joaane..I so so loved that article of yours! Isnt it so damn easy for anyone to criticize the work & efforts of anyone .I have been a vivid reader of Smitten kitten for long..and have seen so many cake, dessert and deep fried recipes on the blog…which are innovative and off beat! I think that such lame culprits should be dealt with harshly!
    Anyhow…before I get carried away…I ll be waiting curiously for the four letter & the french words 🙂 and that lasagna looks super moist & tasty!
    -Tanvi

  68. Kristen says:

    It’s a shame that magazines like Gourmet had to fold when trash like Marie Claire is still on the shelves. Good for you for shouting out your opinion. I cannot stand one sided “authoritative” articles like that. I also appreciate that you removed so much of the meat and cheese from that lasagna…4 people should not eat that much at one sitting…egads!

  69. Joanne, I really applaud you for airing your opinion… I see the passionate responses of your readers over this issue and I envy that… A while ago a scandal had happened In the Singapore food blogging scene and I wrote about it… Unfortunately, most of my local readers, to my disappointment, chose to shy away from giving an opinion when they commented on my post… Sigh. The journalist at MC is narrow minded and was probably jealous of the success of these bloggers. I am rather surprised that her editor has signed off on it…

  70. Loved to read your voice…I think it’s an individual’s choice to choose the path..nobody forces anybody..so nobody also has the right to give an onesided view…Temptations always will be there..but its your judgement to go for it or control…
    I can have lasagna any time…

  71. daphne says:

    Joanne, thank you for sharing your story. Being obese, and then going underweight for a period of time and back to healthy weight- I can identify with the stress and comments that people make. People who do not even know me. Food is to be enjoy, and I learn not to dislike myself and my body. Food bring people together, it CAN be healthy. AND any food is good food in moderation.

    I love how you write about the choices, and that delicious lasagna! Give me a slice anytime-I am however proud to say that I will balance it off by having a lighter meal, or a class of zumba.

    Life is too short to be counting calories!

  72. You Go Girl! I feel that I MUST say this: once in awhile, don’t we need foods that feed our souls as well as our bodies? Like Michael’s Mom’s Lasagna. I’m just sayin’. Amen to this post and to Eats Well with Others!

  73. I came over here because your comment about the dude in Starbucks made me laugh!

    But I clicked over to that article and really can’t believe my eyes. If I said I never struggled with food, I’d be lying. I’ve had my own battles, and feel like I’ve finally come to terms with it (a little). Pretty ridiculous and really sad that people who are trying to be healthy and blog about it are being criticized for it.

    Oh and that lasagna looks amazing!

  74. Elizabeth says:

    Sigh. What a shame. But consider the source. I mean really. Marie Claire?

    Personally, I prefer to live by this maxim: “Everything in moderation – including moderation.” (Who said that first? Was it Harvey Steimen? Mark Twain?? Oscar Wilde??? Socrates????)

    If I had been at the conference, I too would likely have fruit and yogurt for breakfast rather than croissants and danishes . And not because I refuse to eat croissants and danishes. Without having seen the croissants and danishes in question, I suspect they were of the most inferior quality. Unless starving and trapped on a desert island, I simply WON’T eat poorly-made factory pastries. (Yes, it’s true. Because we make all our own bread, I’m a bread snob.)

    Your lasagne dish looks wonderful. And certainly not something to be avoided. I’d like a large square please. Maybe two.

  75. Maria says:

    I hadn’t seen the article but reading it now I think the writer has taken things out of the context! Blogging about healthy food should not be considered a bad thing, and should not be confused with blogs that actually are promoting eating disorders (yes, unfortunately there are sickening blogs like that around too!). I can’t believe that with so much obesity, junk food and unhealthy eating habits around, it’s the people who are living healthy that are being criticised? Good for you Joanne, I’m with you on this!

  76. Victoria K. says:

    I haven’t read Marie Claire maybe ever, but I’m horrified that they would publish something like that! Is it so wrong to want to have a healthy life? To not be overweight? I don’t think so. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I don’t think I’ll be reading the article, but I’m curious which blogs they pointed out… hmmm.

  77. Debinhawaii says:

    The lasagna looks delicious–well worth indulging in.

    I saw all the hubub about the article and went and read it online. It is unfortunate that the author was so one-sided and hell-bent on criticizing what she obviously didn’t research with an open mind. Although I don’t read those blogs regularly. I am familiar with most of them and think that they show a pretty good balance overall. Sad to put something down that has so many positives to it.

    But anyway–that lasagna looks amazing! 😉

  78. great post the sad thing is these magazine often post crap hopefully folks will be able to see it that way

    your blog rocks and your an inspiration to others

    much love Rebecca

  79. Chris says:

    Sure, everyone picks up on the rant, but no one noticed you have a 14 year old daughter? And you are 23? Everyone must be bad at math.

    Or perhaps I’m bad at picking up hypothetical examples. 🙂 😉

  80. awh! anyway everyone write “orgasmic” & “porn” in food blogs all the time…

    i need to think of a way to explain orgasmic and porn to my son when he’s older though…hmmm~

  81. Joanne,

    First off, I love the rage. Now you’re sounding like me. (Before I got on my new path of enlightenment)

    Don’t let the assholes get you down. Keep doing what you do. I love your style. You post good food and always have a well written witty post. If people don’t like what you’re doing tell them to kiss your ass and move on!

    Damn, I am a bad Buddhist…back to the drawing board.

  82. theUngourmet says:

    Great post, Joanne. I appreciate you being so candid with your feelings and the things you’ve gone through.

    I say, everything in moderation!

    This lasagna looks killer! I haven’t eaten lasagna in…forever.

    Germany sounds like fun. I just picked up a ten pound bag of taters for a whopping seventy-eight cents. I should be able to find a great German recipe to use them in! 🙂

  83. I love your passion and how you articulate your thoughts; that being said I dont have time to read these articles and would not bother with them most of the times except these people are exerting influence and have a responsability to be fair.
    Love the lasagne, by the way!

  84. Barbara says:

    I’ve seen the magazine, but not this article. I do have a few thoughts though. Ahem.
    There ARE two or three bloggers that I have stopped reading because they are totally (and I thought abnormally…. and told one of them so too….she got very defensive) addicted to continual exercise and consant healthy food. (Don’t they have a LIFE? Do they laugh and have fun??) To a point of taking photos of their sparse and hay-looking breakfast lunch and dinners.
    In small doses, I agree. But not all day, every day. Moderation is the key to everything!
    And yes, I would also rather have a croissant for breakfast when I was out of town. I can have yogurt and fruit every day at home. OK, I’m through with my rant too!

    Anyway…this lasagna looks fabulous! And cheesy and worth every single calorie!

  85. Mindy says:

    Thanks for the post. The lasagna looks delicious. I think I’ll make one and then stuff my face with it while reading more about the Big Six. I’ve never read any of their blogs, but as someone who maintains a healthy lifestyle and loves to eat, they seem like something I should check out. Hope Marie Claire is pleased that their vicious article is increasing readership for the girls.

  86. Delicious Lasagna!!!!

    Pleasure meeting you yesterday and sitting next to you 🙂 Always glad to meet another marathon foodie!

  87. Lea Ann says:

    GREAT post Joanne and hugs to you. I won’t buy the magazine, but will look on line or take a peek next time I’m at the store. I believe in the 80-20 rule. Eat sensibly 80 percent of the time and anything you’d like the other 20. And lots of exercise. From what I hear, you were very smart to realize your situation in just a year. Good for you! Did I mention that this lasagne looks like I could eat it the entire 20 percent of my sinful days? 🙂

  88. Velva says:

    I can see why you are outraged-screw them. The article obviously missed what was important about these ‘healthy living” blogs-The lasagna post was a perfect reply to the article.
    I am heading over to vote for you on the Food Buzz challenge.

  89. Thanks so much for sharing this article and also your past experience with disorderly eating with us. I am as grateful reading this as any of your fabulously sarcastic, witty funny posts. I went through a period of disorderly eating in college, too. Though my weight never fluctuated a large amount, I was definitely way too neurotic about my eating and often thought of food as something negative. Thankfully, I passed that phase with the support of friends and family. This article is an outrage and I wholeheartedly agree with your opinion of it. I hope those girls keep inspiring lots of people with their blogs for a long time.

  90. Claudia says:

    Positive sounding, encouraging articles probably don’t sell to her editor as well as screechy, negativity. She may not even totally agree with what she wrote, but thinks it will be what their readers want to hear? Personally, I’m glad I don’t read that particular magazine.

    On the other hand, that lasagna would cheer me up anytime. I usually cut amounts down a bit too.

  91. tigerfish says:

    maybe we should all be like Garfield. Just love and embrace Lasagna 🙂

  92. aipi says:

    that’s an awesome looking Lasagna..nice recipe!

    US Masala

  93. Oh,man, you totally rock baby!! I haven’t read the article in question yet (just about to make myself some lunch – reheated leftover baked pasta full of mushrooms, ricotta and mozzarella incidentally – and do that now). Considering the magazine the journalist works for, isn’t this a bit like the “pot calling the kettle black”?!

    Joanne, thank you so much for sharing your story with us – despite what one ignorant journo might think, I believe this is the stuff that makes the blogging world go round – the willingness of people to open their hearts and share their stories with seeming strangers, and the compassion and kindness with which those apparent strangers respond. Something which is obviously very intimidating to those who are too closed to reach out, but choose to ridicule instead.

    That, BTW, is probably the best freakin’ looking lasagne I’ve ever seen.

    Sue 🙂

  94. Chef Aimee says:

    This also is on the heels of what they are calling “plus size” modes on the runways in Paris for fashion week last week. I looked at them. OMG THEY ARE NORMAL WOMEN WITH CURVES! PLUS SIZE? Ugh. You are a brave soul to share your past…though mine is similar. I have changed things up in my life and am eating healthier and cooking healthier, but good lord in no way am I on a diet or eating diet food. Ugh. Life is too short…and my god how amazing this lasagna looks! Have missed being here. xoxo

  95. jen cheung says:

    Congrats Congrats going onto challenge #4!!! Must be exciting for you! Good luck and all the best. Happy Thanksgiving to you! You’ll be getting the next vote from me 🙂 Your awesome!

    Have a happy thanksgiving!
    jen @ http://www.passion4food.ca

  96. Great thoughtful post- I’ll have to check out the article. Your lasagna looks fabulous!

  97. Martha (MM) says:

    Great post, great lasagna! I just went over to read the article, also popped in on the blogs mentioned – I agree with your thoughts 100%!

  98. Vanessa says:

    I am drooling over those pics! I love some good lasagna! Good luck in the competition=)

  99. grace says:

    i hadn’t read that article–thanks for bringing it to my attention. it is, in fact, ridiculous. thanks also for sharing about your struggle with anorexia–it’s a scary thing indeed!
    on a brighter note, your future mother-in-law makes a mean lasagna. 🙂

  100. Marisa says:

    I read about the Marie Claire article and, like you, I think it’s a disgrace. This clearly wasn’t an objective article by any standards and isn’t that what journalism is supposed to be about? Or am I missing something?

    As a recovered anorexic myself, I can in all honesty say that the blogs of these woman do NOT promote eating disorders in any way, in fact, I would guess that quite a few people suffering from EDs would’ve come to different insights after having read these blogs.

  101. That's Ron says:

    another wonderful post, filled with delicious food!

  102. This was an excellent post! I hadn’t heard about this article but I totally agree with everything you’re saying. I’m not sure if you’ve seen or heard of this other article someone at Marie Claire posted about being disgusted by seeing obese people interact or walk (http://www.marieclaire.com/sex-love/dating-blog/overweight-couples-on-television). Something is clearly wrong with the people at Marie Claire.

  103. Diana says:

    Hi Joanne, this is Diana from TasteSpotting!

    This lasagna looks like the perfect thing for a fall! Have you thought about submitting the recipe for the $1000 grand prize in TasteSpotting’s Johnsonville Sausage recipe contest? You can find out more details here – http://www.tastespotting.com/features/sausagespotting-win-1500-dollars-johnsonville-recipe-contest

    Would love to have you participate – cheers!

  104. Carole says:

    Lovely work! Would you be happy to link it in to the current Food on Friday which is about veal? This is the link . I do hope to see you there. Cheers

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