Please don't tell me what to eat!

I know, I've been there.  You've transformed your life with food and you want to share your experience with the world.  What better way to do that than tell everyone who will listen what they should eat to make them feel better?  You're really on a mission to share what you truly believe will help everyone.  But here's the thing, just because it worked for you, doesn't mean it will work for me.

As Joshua Rosenthal says in Integrative Nutrition, "Nutrition is a funny science.  It's the only field where people can scientifically prove opposing theories and still be right."  We are each biologically diverse and there are many factors that may contribute to nutrition study findings.  Correlation is not the same as causation.

For me, personally, I get irked when people tell me that all humans should be vegetarian, and the only reason to eat meat is because it tastes good.  I can tell you from several years of personal food exploration that I do not do well on a vegetarian or vegan diet.  I get bloated and lethargic when I eat too many grains, or any legumes at all, which are primary sources of non animal protein.  If I don't get enough protein I get serious blood sugar drops and spaciness.  I am not alone in this. I know quite a few people who have had the same experience, including some who spent a significant amount of time eating vegan, such as this person.  I once happened upon an article from a woman bemoaning the fact that our environment was so toxic that even on a perfect vegan diet she still suffered several autoimmune issues refusing to consider the fact that maybe her diet wasn't so perfect for her after all.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not against vegetarian or vegan diets in general.  If you are on one and thriving - that is awesome!  I'm just saying that it can't be assumed that it is the perfect diet for everyone.

If you are concerned for ethical reasons, I totally respect that.  I found this article interesting. It does not condone factory farming, but it looks at the ethical issues of farming from a perspective I hadn't considered. 

I myself have found that something close to the Paleo diet, or "Perfect Health Diet" seems to work best for me.  When I first discovered the difference it could make in my energy and health, I wanted to share it with the world.  I realize though that what works for me, might not be great for everyone.  When people trash the concept though they are not seeing the people for whom this diet has really transformed their well being.

Most of us know these days that cutting out processed foods and moving to a more whole foods based diet can have a positive affect on our bodies.  Everybody has different needs though when it comes to proteins or processing different types of foods such as grains, legumes and dairy.

Please do share your own experiences with food, but lets make a deal - don't tell me I'm wrong for eating meat and I won't ask you where you get your protein.

Summer food highlights

Summer is rapidly coming to an end and I seemed to find myself busier than during the school year!  It's harder to keep in a good rhythm of cooking without routine, but I managed to fit in a few noteworthy meals.  

Impromptu Shepherd's Pie (Paleo)

Shepherd's pie is one of my go tos since I usually have ground beef on hand.  You can use any ground meat, and a combination of yam, sweet potato or cauliflower.

• Steam 1 head of cauliflower and 2 sliced large sweet potatoes.
• Brown 2 lb ground beef.
• Slice carrots and asparagus in food processor to make thin round discs (I kept the asparagus tips to cook tomorrow).
• Add carrots, asparagus and frozen peas to beef.
• Season with garlic powder, onion powder and Herbamare salt to taste.
• Top beef mixture with cauliflower/sweet potato mixture.
• Bake for 20 min at 350.
• Broil for 5 min on high.

Pork Stir Fry (Paleo)

Stir fry is one of the quickest ways to throw together a reasonably healthy meal.  In a pinch, I've heated up some precooked chicken and added whatever veggies I had handy.  

This one used ground pork with asparagus (left from the shepherd's pie) & mushroom seasoned with coconut aminos, Herbamare, powdered ginger, garlic & onion.

Modified Mac n' Cheese (Perfect Health Diet)

At the cousin's house, the kids asked for mac n' cheese.  They had some in a box, but I ran home to get some ingredients to make something that actually resembled food.

I used rice pasta, shreded yellow squash, ground beef and added some cheese and butter.  For a little added creaminess, I added some cottage cheese as well, and seasoned with season salt.

Vegetable Beef Soup (Paleo)

The boy asked for "San Diego Souper Soup" and I had to do some digging to figure out what that meant.  Turns out when he went to SD with his dad, they threw together some veggies with beef and broth. 

I browned some ground beef and added some chicken broth, carrots, yams and sweet potatoes and cooked until soft.  Seasoned to taste with onion powder, garlic powder, Herbamare, Basil and Marjoram.  

Marinara Squash Casserole (Paleo/Primal)

We had lots of squash to use up from the farm share, so I improvised. Summer squashes, carrots, chicken sausage, rice noodles, mushrooms, olives, chicken broth & a jar of marinara.  Top with cheese if desired.

Plum Banana "Ice Cream" with Chocolate Chips (Paleo - ish)

"Mom, it's yummy, so yummy! Probably the best thing you've ever had!"

• Food Process two frozen bananas until smooth.
• Add 1 chopped frozen plum.
• Add Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips.

Donut Experiment

The boy and his cousin wanted to make "healthy donuts" but wouldn't use a recipe, so I made my own. Theirs won out two to one!

My recipe was: Banana Maple Donuts

Their recipe involved instant oatmeal, squeezed orange, raisins, crumbled rice cake, water, and at my suggestion a bit of almond & coconut flour, baking powder, some coconut oil & eggs to make it stick together and not to the pan.  Held together better than I thought it would, but a little soft in the middle. 

Gluten Free S'mores with homemade marshmallows

Home made marshmallows from stuff I already had in the pantry - free. Having s'mores for a highly allergenic boy on our camping trip - priceless!

Paleo Marshmallows - I did this without a candy thermometer (just let the honey melt fully) and a hand beater. Used a silicone mini muffin tin sprinkled with arrowroot to get the shape.  They don't brown well in the fire, but they taste great otherwise - especially on top of hot cocoa (below)!  I think I'll try some on top of yams for the holidays!

Hot Cocoa with Cayenne & Homemade Marshmallows!

When I got back from our camping trip, I had some marshmallow fluff left over, so I used it in some cocoa.  I added a little cayenne for a kick.  I used real milk this time, but I've also been known to use coconut milk. 

Warmed milk with 3-4 spoonfuls of cocoa powder, one spoonful of maple syrup and a couple sprinkles of cayenne topped with home made marshmallows (above).