Adventure Foods

I Need That "Crunch"!

2010-05-17T13:50:00.000-07:00

Nothing goes better with a sandwich than potato chips. Am I right? The problem is that potato chips are terrible for you in them amounts that I know I want to eat them. So what is a good alternative?

How about a cucumber? You get the "crunch" and they are next to nothing in calories. I had a hot dog today (a good, beef, non-nitrate filled hot dog, not a "frank") with a side of cuc's. :)

Here's the rest:

One medium cucumber is a good source for Vitamin's A, C, and K. It's also good for Omega 6 fatty acid, calcium, Magnesium and Potassium. Only 24 calories in a medium sized cucumber... You really can't go wrong!

How's that for crunch? Just sprinkle a little salt and pepper on them and you've got a great chip alternative.

Enjoy!

Beef - Grass v. Grain

2010-05-15T16:21:00.000-07:00

So, what is the difference between beef from a cow that is grass fed versus a cow that is grain fed? Did you know there is a difference?

Without going too much into animal rights/environmental/political stuff, I'm just going to give you a quick low down on grass fed vs grain fed beef, and why grass fed is the way to go.

1. Grass fed means that a cow is eating certified organic grass for it's entire life. Grain fed cattle are generally fed grass at first, the switched to grains to fatten them up before slaughter. This is one reason why grass fed cuts are leaner than grain fed. Recently, there are organic farmers that are switching grass fed cows over to organic grain to provide a more flavorful cut. I personally don't even want that! I want strictly grass fed.

2. Cows are supposed to eat grass. They graze. Grazing is the life for a cow! Happy cows! Think about it: If you were a cow, and had to stand all day with your face in a bucket of cheap grains (corn), would you be happy? And if that's not a good reason, here is a few things you can find in "feed" for grain fed cows: municipal garbage, candy, chicken feathers... Feeding cows grains makes them sick, and ultimately kills them.

3. Grass fed beef has more vitamin E, and a better Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acid ratio. Higher 6 to 3 ratios have been linked to increased cancer risk, heart disease, allergies... Lowered risk for depression, schizophrenia, ADD, and Alzheimer's disease has also been found in increased omega 3 consumption.

4. It tastes better! It really does!

I'm just scratching the surface of they many reasons why grass fed is better than grain fed.

I know that when you are shopping for that Organic Grass Fed Beef, the price might keep you from buying it, and instead you'll pick up the cheaper, commercially produced beef. I understand that. But, considering that a person should really be limiting their red meat consumption anyway (blog post for another day!), why not invest a little extra money in something that is far superior in quality and is better for you!

Keep a close eye on your Sprouts ad - they will periodically have their Organic Grass Fed Beef on sale.

For more interesting facts on the benefits of grass fed foods, visit www.EatWild.com.

***UPDATE***

I just finished watching the movie King Corn - which I highly suggest - goes into the details of this exact topic. Go get this movie! Or, if you have Netflix, you can watch it online right now!

Enjoy!

Cauliflower Rice

2010-05-13T13:53:00.000-07:00

A couple of people have asked me lately how to get more veggies into their meals. Here is one of my favorite things to do with veggies.

Confetti Cauliflower Rice

Most people have heard of cauliflower rice. You take a head of cauliflower, chop it up, throw the florets in a food processer, and viola! You have a rice-like substance made from a veg. You can use it in place of rice in many dishes.

But to use it as a side dish, spice it up by adding the following:

*Bell peppers - red, green, yellow, orange (you will need the equivalent of one bell pepper).

*Celery - two or three stalks

*Onion (I use about a 1/2 an onion)

*Broccoli (optional...but I like it) As much as you want to add.

*Garlic - one or two cloves

Use any or all of these. Season with salt and pepper, or lemon pepper, to taste. Use sodium-free chicken or veggie broth when cooking - or use a bit of chicken or beef bouillon and a couple tablespoons of water.

How to prepare it:

In a food processor, chop cauliflower until it looks like rice. Remove and set aside.
Now use the food processor to chop all the remaining veggies.
Heat olive oil in a pan and add all the veggies and spices. Cook covered over medium heat until veggies begin to "weep". This is when I will add the bouillon.
When is it done? Personally, I just stick my fork in, get a bite and see if it tastes "done".

It's low carb, low cal, and it's delish!

Do You Read Labels???

2010-03-16T10:13:00.000-07:00

I went to my local Safeway this morning and checked for myself. True story. READ LABELS!!!

A message from one of my favorites... Leigh Peele

2010-03-01T20:11:00.000-08:00

For more of Leigh Peele's awesomeness, check out her website:

www.LeighPeele.com

Aspartame is now AminoSweet

2010-02-23T09:32:00.001-08:00

If you are like me and are not a fan of Aspartame, you need to know this.

Beware – Aspartame Has Been Renamed ‘AminoSweet’

Posted using ShareThis

Kiwi Fruit - ridiculously good for you

2009-10-14T06:35:00.000-07:00

Oh, Kiwifruit - how I love thee...

It is so good for you, it's almost ridiculous that all this goodness comes in such a small package. This fruit, native to South China, is one of my favorite fruits. It is a GREAT source of potassium, dietary fiber, vitamins A, E, and C - all powerful antioxidants, and beta carotene. And of course, with these nutrients comes prevention and/or improvement of many diseases: asthma, cancers, blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, eye disease, cholesterol.... It's a super fruit, for sure!

To select in a store (prices fluctuate - sometimes I can find them at Sprouts 5/$1. Although, right now they are 3/$1), find ones that aren't rock hard, but not mushy - those will be good. To eat, peel the fury skin with a knife or a carrot peeler. Slice and enjoy!

Here is the low-down on our fury little friend:

1 MEDIUM KIWI FRUIT

46 calories
.3 g fat
1 g protein
252.3 mg potassium
2.6 g fiber
11 carbs

wikipedia.com
kiwi-fruit.info
sparkpeople.com
hort.purdue.edu

Bitter, party of one...

2009-09-01T14:44:00.000-07:00

I was sitting here listening to an online hour long talk given by Michael Pollan at the Authors@Google event in March, 2008 and he made a good point - there are people who complain that a dozen eggs at a farmers market costs $6. While that sounds expensive, if you break it down and have 2 eggs for breakfast - that's a $1 breakfast. With a piece of toast, you add mere pennies to that. This is considerably less than one would spend at any fast food joint and FAR better for you. Good point, Michael Pollan.

Let me tell you how this all got started.

Monday, August 31, I was listening to NPR's Talk of the Nation and they were interviewing Charlotte Allen. Her article titled, "Keep your self-righteous fingers off my processed food", had just appeared in the Opinion section of the LA Times. In this article, she took issue with those who believe in spending their dollars on items that are better made, healthier, local, and possibly more expensive. She says that what they do, and what they tell others, is "impossible." The resentment oozed through my speakers....... Hear it here.

What caused my brain to nearly explode was her thoughts on farmers markets and "real" food, and her shots at Michael Pollan. I'm no expert on the man, but I have listened to several interviews with him, and own a couple of his books and what he says makes a lot of sense and I try to follow the logic of what he says in my own families food choices.

One of her sticking points is Pollan's advice to not buy anything you see advertised. His point (which apparently she missed along with several other issues - like why corn is also high up on the not-so-good list, or that you not EVERYTHING has to be bought organic) was that broccoli, for example, doesn't have an advertising budget... and it's better for you than most anything that does have money to advertise.

Her example of the Haagen-Dazs ice cream which advertises only 5 ingredients - which is something Pollan says you should be looking for AS A GUIDELINE to purchasing food - is ridiculous. Yes, it only has 5 ingredients - BUT IT'S STILL ICE CREAM!!

Another example she gives:

"...the strawberries at the Safeway probably aren't going to be that great because they've been shipped from California. But if you don't have the money for boutique strawberries, why not have strawberries, period? They're pretty good. They're not so bad."

That's a selling point if I ever heard one...

But here is one thing she states in her article. She asks, "What's wrong with low prices? If you don't care for the quality, well, as my mother always says, you get what you pay for." I couldn't agree more.

For a good read, check out this from the LA Times.

Organic Food - do it cheaper

2009-08-22T07:54:00.000-07:00

My cousin inspired me to post this. We were talking about what all I wanted to do with this blog and when I mentioned that I was a fan of Organic food, she mentioned cost. While it is true that most of the time, Organic food costs more than conventional food, there are ways to buy it cheaper.

COUPONS
Before I decided to start trying to eat "real" food, I was a coupon clipper. It's a great way to save money, especially if your coupon items are on sale anyway! (Still looking into coupons? Check out my friend Tracy's coupon site!) As I started to turn away from the aisles and aisles of prepackaged food - my coupons were becoming less useful. I wanted to buy better food, organic when I could, and thought that my coupon days were over. NOT SO!

Check the websites!
You can find coupons for many of the different organic (or healthier, if not Organic) food items by checking on their websites and signing up. They send out coupons a few times a year - not much, I know, but it's something. Also, if you go to Whole Foods, they have a coupon book right in the store to use.

Places to check/sign up for/print your own coupons
Healthy Reader is a good website that lists the many companies that offer coupons.

Sometimes if you email them about coupons, they will send you them.
If you don't want to be flooded with newsletters or emails, set up a free yahoo email account specifically for these. Just remember to check them!
The two most frequent senders to me have been Organic Valley and Earthbound Farm.

ebay
Another way that I have yet to try is Ebay. You can find many organic coupons on Ebay... so long as what you spend to buy them doesn't negate what you'll save by using them of course. You could, for example, pay $1 and receive $8 in coupons... But sure to check the expiration date of the coupons.

OTHER WAYS TO SAVE

The other thing I do at least once a week is check my local Basha's grocery store. They are frequently clearing out merchandise due to the date on the packaging. What I have noticed is that the dates on the package are usually still about a month or two out, and I use these products before that date. They are generally about 50% off. Check all your local health food stores and even regular grocery stores for marked down items.

And of course, the ULTIMATE way to save it by combining sales with coupons. I love it when I can do that!

Guide to buying Organic from Earthbound Farm

2009-08-21T09:42:00.001-07:00

I received a nifty little pocket guide for when to choose Organic from Earthbound Farm. Here is what they suggest you buy organic as much as possible:

Apples
Bell Peppers
Celery
Cherries
Imported Grapes
Lettuce
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Potatoes
Spinach
Strawberries

Seasonal Eating

2009-08-16T14:36:00.001-07:00

I added a new "gadget" to this blog - it's on the right. It's a nice little reference for what fruits and veggies are in season in your area. I have mine set to AZ in August, but you can change it to your area with the little arrows next to the month and state. Although, I have noticed that not all states are listed. Interesting.

Rice Milk & Almond Milk

2009-08-07T10:44:00.001-07:00

You can get rice or almond milk just about any store that has a health food section (and most do these days).

What is it?

Rice Milk: It is a grain milk, processed from brown rice.

Ingredients (from the Trader Joe's brand): Filtered water, organic brown rice (partially milled), organic expeller pressed safflower oil and/or sunflower oil and/or canola oil, tricalcium phosphate, sea salt, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2, vitamin B12.
Low sodium, gluten free, vegan, soy free, lactose and dairy free, 99% fat free, cholesterol free.

Almond Milk: Made from ground almonds.

Ingredients (from Almond Breeze brand): purified water, almonds, tapioca starch, calcium carbonate, sea salt, potassium citrate, carrageenan, soy lecithin, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2, d-alpha-tocopherol (natural vitamin E).
Gluten, lactose, and cholesterol free.

While they are lower in calcium, protein, and Vitamin D, most are fortified with these. You should be getting these nutrients from other food sources anyway! I use it in place of milk for everything, including cooking. You can find it in a few flavors as well, such as vanilla and chocolate.

$$$ TIP $$$
Trader Joe's sells their brand of rice milk for $1.69 for a 32 oz box. By way of comparison, Basha's sells Rice Dream for $3.29 a box.

What about soy?
First, I don't like it. Second, there is a LOT of added soy in a LOT of the food we eat anyway (it's cheap to use and it's in almost everything!!!) And, there has been a lot of information put out there lately that supports the idea that we are getting way too much. *Just because the ingredient list doesn't say "soy", that doesn't mean it isn't in there!*

There is also an enormous amount of information to be found on the dangers of soy, and the controversy surrounding it - and frankly, I don't want to make this post about that. Do your research if you are a big fan of soy.

Quinoa

2009-08-06T06:44:00.000-07:00

OK, first thing's first. It's pronounced KEEN-WA. Next, what is this? Quinoa is a seed cultivated primarily in South America. It is often compared to rice, and used as a grain for cooking, but is far superior to rice in nutritional value. The flavor has been described as "nutty" and I suppose that fits. I say it's "grainy" - they both work.

You can cook it the same way you cook rice - 2 parts water, 1 part Quinoa. When cooked, Quinoa is fluffy and light - again, similar to rice. It doesn't have much flavor, so you can add a lot of different things to it to complete the dish. I eat it mostly with grilled veggies. You can add flavor by cooking the Quinoa with veggie or chicken broth instead of water.

Nutritional Superiority

The reason why Quinoa is an excellent "grain" to use in place of rice is for its high protein content. It is one of only a few foods that offer complete protein - which means it contains all the essential amino acids.

If you are using DV% here is the breakdown:

Quinoa Protein: 16.2 percent
Rice Protein: 7.5 percent
Millet Protein: 9.9 percent
Wheat Protein: 14 percent for wheat
**Some varieties of quinoa are more than 20 percent protein.

Some other healthy tidbits about Quinoa:

It is a good source of: dietary fiber, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and it is gluten-free.

citations:
www.quinoa.net
www.chetday.com