WHOLEFOODS, NATURAL, FRESH AND IN SEASON

WHOLEFOODS, FRESH VEGETABLES AND FRUITS FOR A NEW START………………….

As we start a New Year soon, we always think and plan to do new things that will make life better. If we focus on health, there is always place for changes that will give us energy, nourishment and vitality.

WHOLEFOODS

What are whole foods?  These are foods that are natural and complete An example is wheat. It can be ground and used to bake a loaf of bread. Or the fiber can be removed, then the flour is bleached  chemically, treated with added chemicals to enrich the product. Sugars, fats, salts and odd  preservatives  can be added and we have a manufactured item.

Use more fresh vegetables and fruits.  Choose wholewheat foods, less sugar,less salt and processed foods. Any ready to micro or ready to the oven, is likely to have extra chemicals, for longer shelf life, color and a good taste. Take time to read what you are buying. Like you read what is in the oil you fill your car with.

Whole foods are unrefined brown rice, rolled oats, corn meal, quinoa,  brown pastas and wild rice,all kinds of lentils, beans and grains, barley,millet, dried peas and good herbs and spices..

Choose natural milks, yogurts and simple cottage and cream cheeses.Skip synthetic drinks, jellied foods and puddings.Use less

processed meats, cheeses, breakfast cereals, excessive coffees and teas, less alcohol and rich creamy desserts.

Cook and bake fresh meals, not reheated and deforsted all the time. We are all busy and try to save time, but the best way is clever shopping and easy to prepare meals. The family are happy with simpler meals and more smiles and cheerfulness around the table. 

Look for pastas that need a simple dressing, make a batch of baked potatoes and add a few stir fried vegetables.

 Make a large omlette and fill with corn, mushrooms, raosted potatoes, salads of tomatoes and onions, grated cheese and chopped peppers, or simply with a great chunk of bread.

Since  food processing began in  1880, we have have lost nutrients in food.  It made life simpler, but not better.

So  start the new Year with a serious check on what you have in the freezer [CHECK DATES}    what you have in the grocery cupboard and where and when you buy.

Make sure the fridge is sorted out once a week and buy and replace so that dates remain current.

Lastly check that the favorite pan is not treated, scratched or damaged. Use the oven more than the flame.

Cook, steam, bake and grill.

 

.

Make the kitchen a family room, let everyone do something and the joys of eating will be simpler.

Have a great week and love and light.

Rona

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

TEA TIME AND IDEAS FOR BAKING.

LOOK AT  OLDER POST OF 18 OCTOBER 2008.

THERE ARE MANY IDEAS FOR BAKING, JUST TRY CHOCOLATES, DATES AND BY LOOKING AT THE OLDER POSTS, YOU WILL FIND EASY WAYS TO CREATE COOKIES AND CAKES..
APPLES....POST OF 28 JULY 2010.
CHOCOLATE  POST OF 25 JULY 2009
 CAROB..POST OF 8 SEPTEMBER 3009
DATES  POST OF 22 DECEMBER 2008

QUICK AND EASY STIR FRY MEALS

DELICIOUS  STIR FRY MEALS.

VEGETABLE AND RICE STIR FRY.

This was demonstrated by a lovely cook, called Leigh.

She used exotic spices and a medley of vegetables….you will love this.

Cook 2 cups of Persian rice. Add 2 teaspoons salt, 4 tablespoons butter and 4 ½ cups of water. Cook until the rice is ready. Set aside.

Sauce. 4 teaspoons crushed garlic, ½ cup soy sauce and 1/3 cup of teriyaki sauce.

Vegetables

Sauté the vegetables in  3 tablespoons olive oil .

Use ¼ cup thinly sliced cut carrots,

¼ cup sliced fresh mushrooms.1/4 cup bean sprouts,1/4 cup green beans or sliced snow peas,.1/4 cup red or yellow bell pepper, cut   into  strips. You can use two different colors of bell peppers., 1 medium onion, thinly sliced . Sauté all and then add the cooked rice and mix well. Add the sauce and check the seasoning. Toss in some cut up green onions. Serve on a large plate and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or coriander.

RATATOUILLE

There are so many variations of this dish, but I am using my daughter Sel’s recipe

Wash and slice two eggplant and three zucchinis. {marrow}.

1 large sliced onion, two cloves of garlic, 1 sliced red pepper, 1 yellow red pepper. Two tablespoons of chopped fresh basil and parsley,salt and pepper.

Two cups of skinned and cubed tomatoes.

.

 Sauté the onions in a large pan on a moderate flame. Add garlic and spices. Add eggplant, zucchinis and peppers. 

 Cover and cook for twenty minutes.

 Add tomatoes, basil, parsley and let it heat through.

 Place all of this in a large oven dish, cover and keep warm until you serve it on a bed of pasta, quinoa or brown rice.

I garnish with a few mint leaves and crushed walnuts

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GREEN BEANS, ONIONS, CHICK PEA STIR FRY.

Sauté three cloves of garlic and three sliced onions in a little olive oil Add a cup of herbs, like a little mint, lots of parsley and chopped green onions. Add this cup to the sautéed onions and garlic, salt and pepper.  Slice two marrows. [zucchinis]   and a kohlrabi or green apple. Add two cups of sliced green beans.  Use two cups of cooked chickpeas,. Add a teaspoon of grated ginger and two teaspoons of curry powder. Sauté all  until the vegetables look soft. Cover and let it cook on a low flame for  five minutes

Stir in half a cup of shredded coconut and a small cup of cream

And stir all the time, until heated completely.

Serve on a bed of hot rice and little fruit chutney on the side.

. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HAVE A BUSY, FUN WEEK AND PREPARE FOR THE END OF YEAR FESTIVITIES NOW…………………….CARDS, GIFTS, EXTRA COOKIES AND CAKES. BUY A FEW EXTRA  GLASSES AND READY TO PREPARE FAST COOKING FOODS.   LET THE KIDS HELP YOU WITH COOKIES AND CANDY GIFTS IN JARS, JAMS AND LITTLE PRESENTATION COOKIE TRAYS.]

 WRAP THEM IN CELLOPHANE PAPER WITH BOWS AND THEY LOOK LIKE GOURMET PRESENTATIONS.

  FOR THE OLDER FOKS, WRAP  UP A FEW RELISHES, JAMS AND FUDGE OR CHOCOLATES. A GOOD BOOK OR CD IS A GREAT GIFT TOO.

 REMEMBER EVERYONE LIKES A LITTLE SPOILING. DO IT WITH LOVE AND STYLE

LOVE AND LIGHT 

RONA