Dashes, Pinches, and Dollops November 1, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Food & Drink, Health & Wellness, Vegetarian Recipes.comments closed
Crumbl made a good point in a recent post . . . which also contained some very nice observations about SLTW (thanks, Crumbl!):
Food doesn’t come to our plates in a vacuum. While we may give a great deal of thought to the main ingredients (or not), do we consider the other elements that, consciously or not, comprise the balance of our plates. Herbs, spices, flavouring agents, butter, oils, all bring not only taste to the plate, but nutritional benefits that are worth noting.
His point is on point!
When we use fragrant aromatic seasonings to enhance our food, we add to our enjoyment to our meals without adding girth to our waistlines.
If we want to eat for better health and wellness, we may need to rethink how we season our food:
* Mixed Salad Greens add raw enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to our plates. Adding salad to our meals is a good way to add nutrition to our days as long as we don’t overdo the high fat/low fiber toppings (French Fried onion rings, bacon bits, grated cheese, fried croutons, thick dressings).
Low fat/ high fiber inclusions for salads come in all colors of the rainbow: Carrots, Celery, Peppers, Tomatoes, Onions, Broccoli, Corn, Green Beans, Garbanzo Beans, Kidney Beans, Peas, Raisins, Nuts, and Seeds.
Instead of ladling heavy mayonnaise based dressings over all those good-for-us greens . . . try a w~h~i~s~p~e~r of a delicious herb vinaigrette.
* Potatoes, standing alone, are low fat and high fiber. It’s how we prepare and serve them that gives them their “bad boy” reputation. If we aren’t frying them up for French Fries, we’re loading them up like Santa’s sleigh with Butter, Sour Cream, Cheese, and Bacon.
Instead of French Fries, try Oven Fries ~ Cut 3-4 scrubbed potatoes or sweet potatoes into desired shape (wedges, fingers, chips, cubes). Toss with 1 Tbsp. of olive oil and desired seasonings (e.g. rosemary and garlic). Spread in single layer on baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes.
Another potato recipe to experiment with . . . Colcannon.
Quote to Ponder: If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. ~ John Quincy Adams
Related posts: Nine Bean Soup * Fun with Food ~ Kid’s Lunches * Veggie Wraps *Veggie Tacos * Veggie Kabobs * Fiber Up Your Diet * Bon Appetit!
Spirit Lights The Way 