Gina

Brig

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Real Food Rots

The title of this blog was chosen mostly because we think this mantra is funny...except when our bunch of asparagus didn't wait for us!  You should have seen that bunch of asparagus, yuck... But it is a good concept when you consider buying food.  Science has devised lots of ways to extend shelf lives of pretty much most of the food we eat and normally Americans feel that this type of food is fit for consumption.  Take a look at the ingredients list of any shelf item and you will find a bunch of unpronounceable, baffling ingredients having absolutely no nutritional value.  Another yuck... So we have to eat more of it to feel full, that is nutritionally full.

We switched to real food--organic produce, whole grains, nothing with any sort of added sugar, artificial or natural flavor (which is one and the same--all just chemicals that are added to enhanced flavor that gets removed with all the processing), no preservatives, no gums or texture additives. And guess what? It tastes better, we eat much less of it, and it rots! So we actually have to cook it before it goes bad...which is probably one of the best things about real food: it requires us to be creative cooks.  We love being creative in the kitchen it is so much fun!

We've discovered that flabby and soft veggies make a quicker veggie soup, spotty apples can make great applesauce when you cut out the offending spots, overripe bananas can be peeled and frozen for smoothies, as can strawberries just about to go bad, I have some great smoothie recipes, peppers getting old can be sauteed for omelets or fajitas, older pineapple can be grilled for just about any side dish and is fabulous. The question "what's for dinner?" is usually answered by "well, what's going bad?".  My dad just got back from a weekend out of town, and he complained about the tastelessness of the food he ate...real food may rot, but it tastes wonderful!

Berry Protein Smoothie


Handful of frozen or fresh strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries or a combination of any.
1-2 scoops whey protein, vanilla or chocolate
1/2 c. Organic whole milk
ice and cold water to taste 
Blend until smooth