A Recipe in Simplicity & A Lesson to Learn:

You are the Star & food is just food as long as it's real food!


July 5, 2010

Today I was in a rush to get lunch out of the way, when I decided to calm down, make something quick yet satisfying and actually ENJOY it!  I had one thing guiding my menu and that was the 6 tastes inspired by my readings of Ayurvedic health and meal planning.   Rather then sharing the recipe with quantities and instructions, I leave it up to you to listen to your hunger signals and let your tastes, desires and creativity dictate your actual recipe.

Sweet  -  brown & wild rice, vegetables, snap peas, sesame seeds, honey
Salty  -  seaweed, Tamari soy sauce, a kalamata olive
Sour  -  little lemon juice, Tamari soy sauce
Bitter  -  celery, olive, cold pressed extra virgin olive
Pungent  -  hint of cayenne, fresh grated ginger, garlic
Astringent  -  vegetables, cilantro

It really was prepared quickly since I soaked the rice over the course of the morning.  Instead of snacking on nuts while I prepared lunch as sometimes I am ravenous, I sipped some of the rice broth instead of throwing it out.  Wonderful!  I discovered on another day that I also enjoy barley broth.  WHO KNEW?  I did not desire anything sweet all day!

I was content today with combining my proteins and not having more than that.  But when I make this again and if I want something more substantal, I will also prepare some Edamame, steamed salmon or grilled shrimp.  But today, that was what I seemed to need.

It was so good, tasty, satisfying and left me wanting nothing more.  Now that is a good meal!  I am understanding the importance of including these 6 tastes.  Bon appetit ! 



June 30, 2010

Enjoy homemade yogurt!

When you are in a hurry and need something quick and nutritious, homemade yogurt is the best for providing some good nutrition.  It's rich in beneficial bacteria (assisting with good digestion and the absoption of vitamins, helps to make vitamins like vitamin K, inhibits the grow of harmful bacteria, and improves the immune system) that our bodies greatly need.  In fact, the presence of poor eating habits, sugar in it's many insidous forms, chlorine, alcohol, birth control pills and antibiotics, lower our healthy intestinal flora. The advertising of fat free and sugar free (laced with artificial, fake sweeteners) yogurts is exhausting in so many ways and does not make this expensive junk food, healthy.  It just makes it a waste of your money.  Food is after all meant to provide our body with nutrients and energy, not take away.   

Homemade yogurt is rich in protein, B vitamins, potassium, phoshorous, folic acid and some absorbable calcium and digests much more quickly than milk - about one hour instead of three hours.  Plus, those who bloat from milk often can handle yogurt just beautifully. 

Store bought yogurt is heavy and filled with fillers, thickeners, sugar and often preservatives.  It lacks the beneficial bacteria that is contained in the fresh homemade yogurt.   This is truly one recipe that is worth investing the time to make.

I recommend a yogurt maker for those who are new to this idea.  It is really so simple.  People have been making yogurt for centuries without a yogurt maker, so if you are into trying this, do your research and try it.  I would love to know how it turned out.  

Yogurt: 
(Refer to the yogurt culture starter package for the amount of milk to be used.)

• Heat milk in a pot to 180 degrees (do not boil)
• Cool to 110 degrees (I use a cold water bath) 
• Add saved yogurt from a previous batch or add yogurt starter culture to the 110 degree milk.
• Place into the yogurt maker (cups or one bowl) for the desired amount of time (10-12 hours)
• Enjoy some before cooling to really reap the benefits of the healthy bacteria
• Refrigerate the rest and enjoy later!