We all know that there are many ways to go about the same task. Some work just as good as other options while some do not. For instance, the dump truck had just left 10 yards of gravel in your yard that needs to be spread out. You can be the pensive type who ponders the many ways to reduce the pile and get the task done or you can be the type that fills a shovel and spreads it out somewhere.
It occurred to me that I might have taken this whole health thing to another place altogether. I think I have arrived at "just rip the band aid off" land. It also occurred to me that not everyone is that type of person.
The question I have now is how to take what I have learned along the way and make it make sense to those with lower pain tolerances. This is what I think will work.
Instead of filling a garbage can with all your white flour and sugar and processed foods just quit buying them and begin buying better choices - usually found in the perimeter of the store. Wean yourself off of the frozen pizza and brownies and replace them with whole wheat flour, yeast, and dark chocolate. The whole wheat flour and yeast along with some honey, salt and water make a great pizza crust that doesn't take forever to make. The dark chocolate takes the brownie's spot in your sweet tooth.
Wean yourself off of frozen fries and ketchup and replace them with sweet potatoes or yams - or even russets if you want - and sun-dried tomato paste. The potatoes you chop into fry size pieces, toss with a little olive oil, salt and pepper and toss on a baking sheet for 30 minutes or less at 425. The sun dried tomato paste you add a couple tbsp of water to and some pepper and a dash of salt and get it to a consistency like ketchup. There is way less added sodium and sugar than ketchup and it tastes better too. You can also add some garlic or onion powder or some hot sauce or cumin and definitely some fresh basil , parsley or oregano for more interesting flavor.
Use up all of the white rice you have and buy some brown rice. You can start with brown basmati if texture is an issue for you, but I like the Organic short grain brown rice from Costco. Also invest in a steamer. It takes all the magic out of making rice work every time. I used to use chicken stock to make my rices, but now I just use water and let whatever I'm putting on it make the statement. The steamer will be done before you finish whatever you are putting on it.
If you like butter on your popcorn - and all of the best people do - try cutting it with Organic canola oil 1/2 ans 1/2 at first and then less butter as time goes on. You get the butter flavor without as much saturated fat. The canola oil has good fats for you. You can also just switch to coconut oil which is a saturated fat, but a medium thread saturated fat that has health benefits as well.
The idea is you don't have to "rip the band aid off" or "go cold turkey." You can ease into this stuff as well.
Pizza Dough Recipe
2 3/4 cups flour - I mix Whole Wheat, Brown Rice, and Dark Rye flours
1 cup water between 100 and 110 degrees
1 tsp yeast
1/2 tbsp Honey, Pure Maple Syrup or Agave Nectar
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp Olive Oil
Organic Corn Meal
Add the water yeast and honey in a glass container and let it bloom - get foamy - maybe 10 minutes.
Add everything to a food processor with the dough blade and mix until it cleans the sides and then let in knead in the machine for a minute or two. Toss in a bowl with a little olive oil and coat. Let rise until double 30 - 45 minutes. This makes a nice thin 16 -18" pizza. Spread cornmeal on the pan or pans you are going to use and roll the dough into the cornmeal - adding more as necessary until the dough covers the pan.
Put whatever you want on the pizza and bake at 550 for 10 -15 minutes until the crust is good and brown.
Tips:
I like a grating of Parmesan and Romano over Mozzarella. There is more flavor with less goo.
Try some toppings without sauce. You'll be surprised how your other ingredients pop up.
Less is often more with pizza. Go to NYC or Italy and get a pizza - much less stuff.
Have fun making pizza with your kids. They actually like stuff like that.
More soon....
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