Autumn has almost passed us by, here in Upstate, South Carolina. That means many fruits and vegetables stopped producing and local farmers are moving to their winter crops. However, you – the consumer- can still support your local farmers and obtain good, healthy food through CSA’s or Community Supported Agriculture programs. What are CSA’s? These are partnerships between local consumers and their local farmers. Consumers pay a fee ahead of a growing season, as an investment into the farm. Each week during a growing season, the customer receives a box or a bag of what crops were harvested that week. Crop production can be unpredictable, therefore, customers are not always…
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Pasta Can Be Healthy
DAY 6 of my 100 Days of Real Food Challenge and my #1 issue is PASTA! I crave it constantly. Scientific research claims when we crave carbohydrates, it is usually due to the association of comfort and our mood. Besides the energy boost, carbohydrates provide solace during stressful times. Although I don’t feel it, subconsciously, I probably am stressed due to my food restrictions for 100 days!The Process of Pasta Most standard pasta is made with refined bleached or unbleached flour, which is on the restricted list. During the refining process, the nutrient-rich outer bran shell and inner germ layer are removed from the grain, leaving just the starchy endosperm. …
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Fish Tacos: 100 Day Real Food Challenge
Challenge is an UNDERSTATEMENT. When your household hates vegetables and you are a foodie, this 100 days of real food is nearly impossible. Today’s recipe is in Lisa Leak’s new cookbook, 100 Days of Real Food: Fast & Fabulous: The Easy and Delicious Way to Cut Out Processed Food. Easy Fish Tacos with Pico de Gallo Fish tacos are not my husband’s favorite, unless, the fish is coated in a fatty batter. Of course, my “real food” plan does not include enriched wheat flour or bleached flour. In Lisa’s plan, no ingredient or condiment can have more than 5 ingredients. It cannot contain hydrogenated oils or high fructose corn…
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Eating Real Food to Lose Weight
Last weekend, I saw an old friend of mine who has lost over 20 lbs this summer. She looks great! She was full of energy and seemed to have more pep in her step, than her usual good-spirited self. I admit, I was jealous. She says she has been calorie counting, eating real food and using the “My Fitness Pal” app. So, of course, I downloaded it last night. Ever since I accepted a desk job, almost 15 years ago, over my more physical job, where I was constantly walking, I have gained 50 lbs. That is 50 lbs from my wedding weight. I have used every excuse for the…
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Quick Lunch Sauteed Bella Mushrooms
Baby Bellas are Cremini mushrooms that have been allowed to mature for up to seven days longer than commercial Creminis. Available in most supermarkets year-round, baby Bellas have an intense, meat-like flavor when cooked. They are at their peak in fall and winter. A dark-brown, slightly firmer variation of the everyday cultivated white mushroom. They have a smooth, rounded cap that ranges in size from 1/2″ to 2″ in diameter. The Portobello mushroom is the fully matured form of this mushroom. Storing Mushrooms Most agree fresh mushrooms should be stored with cool air circulating around them. I found recommendations of placing them on a tray, in a single layer, covered…
