Eat This, Not That…
Okay everyone, it the beginning of a New year and it is time to make some changes and most importantly, stick to them.
I am not much into making new year resolutions. I don’t like the pressure nor do I appreciate feeling like a failure if I don’t continue with the resolution. Instead I start making small changes in December and by the time the new year rolls around, I am already used to doing things a bit differently- and more likely to stick with them.
I started a new exercise regiment 3 weeks ago. I am walking briskly on my treadmill for 30 minutes everyday and doing a core and abs work out in addition. I feel good and am already noticing a change in my energy level, etc. I am also thinking of doing a cleanse for a few days. Have any of you out there done one lately? I would love to get more information…
In terms of food, I am incorporating more fish and seafood in our diets. One source I have found is Vital Choice. It is an online resource for fabulous seafood- very healthy and delicious. I will also try to eat less wheat and more vegetables, protein and fruit. It is going to be tough giving up pasta- well, I am not planning on giving it up- just cutting back a bit. I recently bought brown rice pasta from Trader Joes and am excited about using it.
I wanted to share a few things I have changed in my pantry- it’s now been a few years now and I am very happy about it. I got rid of white sugar, white flour and canola oil. I now use turbinado sugar, evaporated cane juice, white whole wheat flour and extra light olive oil. Most of the ingredients can be purchased at Trader Joes, Whole Foods or Costco.
I use all types of raw sugar to bake, cook or just add to hot beverages, etc. Its great to use as many unprocessed things in your cooking as possible. I prefer using extra light olive oil for its goodness. It has absolutely no flavor, so cooking, baking and frying is healthier. I have stopped buying all-purpose flour. I only bake with white whole wheat flour. I feel good about baking cookies and cakes with raw sugar and less processed flour.
The other thing I have incorporated into my day are some raw nuts- walnuts and almonds. Just a hand full do the trick. They get rid of that pesky need to snack on something unhealthy. The best way to store raw nuts is to store them in the freezer. They last a lot longer and don’t turn rancid.
The other thing I look forward to everyday is Really Raw Honey. It is simply the most delicious honey I have ever had. It is completely unprocessed and still has the pollen, honey comb and live enzymes. I top a bowl of fruit and greek yogurt with a spoon full of this amazing honey.
I have shared my healthy plan for 2010 and now would love to know if you have one…
I love this post, Monica! Thanks… I hadn’t heard of white while wheat flour either and will be on the look out for it.
Eating in 2010 will be a whole new experience for me as we move to Singapore. Getting reacquainted with old favorites (ingredients/recipes) and trying new ones will be on top of my list (in addition to trying to cook lighter versions of my favorite dishes). I look forward to your seafood recipes since I foresee eating more of it. I plan on milling my own spices (as you had suggested in your class) for better tasting curries etc. Can’t wait!
Additionally, I certainly will have to work hard to make sure we get a decent amount of veggies (raw and lightly cooked) in our home cooking since I feel veggies cooked in restaurants there tend to be either overcooked or served up in small quantities.
Thanks again…
Ladies, thanks for your comments. Definitely check out the flour in Trader Joes.
Leena, good luck with the move. Please share some recipes from Singapore once you get all settled in..
Love the post… Also loved the whole wheat white flour.
I am thinking of doing away with white sugar this year. How does turbinado taste with tea? And where did you pick up the light olive oil ? Thanks.
Turbinado sugar tastes exactly the same- in fact if you add a bit to some cut up fruit- it provides a fabulous crunch. I pick a big bottle of extra light olive oil from Costco…
Hi, a few other ideas:
King Arthur Whole Grains Cookbook–amazing recipes for muffins, pancakes, breads and cakes with whole grain. Lots of helpful tips and clear explanations. A real gem.
I have a personal rule not to eat the bread that they bring before the meal in restaurants. Another rule of mine is to have dessert and alcohol on weekends only–of course I break it on special occasions!
Thanks, Monica, for getting us thinking about small but significant changes. I would like to underscore taking a couple of spoons of honey. I find it makes skin look healthier and more radiant with regular use. Try it.
Hi Monica,
I came to know about this website from your bro from MS. I had a question on replacing canola oil with extra light olive oil.
1st question:- Are you able to do tadka using olive oil. I tried to do sometime long back, but I didn’t had any luck doing the fire crackers using olive oil. I heated the oil too much but still the mustard seeds didn’t popped. 2nd question:- Couple of months back I started using olive oil to do sautee of onions (making it golden) instead of canola oil. I was told by my friend that using olive oil to do the golden onions was bad for health since olive oil is not supposed to be on heat for that long. Well my friend didn’t had any scientific proof for her statement. If you have any poiners for this please pass it on to me.
Your reciepes have a broder selection.
Hi Rushmi,
You can use extra light olive oil for any kind of cooking, tadka and frying. You shouldn’t use extra virgin olive oil for cooking- it has
a very low cooking point. The extra light is just fine.
Good luck.
I’ve been thinking, too, about these things and how we have to eat less meat, more vegetables (we already eat a lot of fruit). I’ve never heard of white whole wheat flour and will try it out. Any fish recipes posted here will be heartily used!