Combining food and hand made pottery transforms both of them. I have just added three new cake/food pedestals to Gallery 3. This one shows off the Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread I made in a spring form pan, which I think elevated the bread to a richer looking dessert:)
So I have been on this "healthy" diet for 18 days, eliminating inflammatory foods....what difference has it made?
For my husband it means he has lost 8 pounds and 3 1/2 " around his waist. For me, not so much. Sadly I have not lost a pound, so does that mean this is not worth the effort? Absolutely not! I only have about 5 pds to lose anyway, but the difference is that even with the extra weight I feel healthier. I was eating fairly well to begin with, so this diet changed my gluten and sugar consumption. Today I ordered an almond milk berry shake and I had to return it because it was too sweet...for me that is amazing (Ms. chocolate and sugar turning down a shake with 9 grms of sugar, unheard of). Having my body readjust to natural flavors is fabulous. Our friends invited us over for wine and dessert, but with this diet I couldn't go so we invited them over for a healthy dinner: roasted spiced chickpeas for a snacking appetizer while I finished cooking, spiced salmon with diced cucumber, pepper, avocado (dressed with mint, apple cider and sea salt), the quinoa with mushrooms and sun dried tomatoes (see earlier post), roasted green beans with sesame seeds/salt, plus dessert, baked apple, berry, and cherry fruit with pecan/walnut topping (again from an earlier post). Our guests loved it and did not miss the sugar or the gluten. Final analysis, good food, prepared with creativity and love requires no additives to the natural well balanced flavors (a glass or two of great red wine doesn't hurt either:) Okay I know this is a pottery site, so why the food blog and after reading this post you'll probably be even more confused:
Today is cleaning day, and I hate cleaning, but I really like a clean, organized house. It takes me a lot to get going, first I sleep late, drink tea, eat breakfast, walk the dog and finally I bring the cleaning equipment, rags and liquids up stairs....then I eat chocolate. I play the music really loud and ....make some more tea. Finally I manage to get started, dust, vacuum, wipe down the entire bath room then on to the next one. So what is the point of all this, I ask myself that regularly, I mean it is just going to get dirty again, right.? Then while I am on my knees, rag in hand and cleaning the bathroom floor it hits me....this is just like jumping into a cold pool on a hot day (lost you there didn't I), or taking a walk in the sub zero winter with the dog, okay, okay, I will explain. To clean the house takes closing down the side of my brain that is protesting, I have to find the shut of switch to the loud "I don't want to" screaming in the back of my head and find the place to just jump in and do it, no reasons, just chose and do it. I have to overcome this same obstacle when I jump into the pool, I know will be cold, and the pre-walk shiver I experience before taking my dog out. Fine, so what in heaven's name does this have to do with food... Eating well; taking the time to shop, cook and invest in your health to give yourself the best chance at a healthy today and a rich tomorrow may take the same effort. Don't cut yourself short, find that switch and flip it. So this leads me to my next delema, why can't I find that switch easily, why is it soooo hard. The shocking answer is just like a muscle that is weak, I don't use it enough. Now I get to practice, weekly I will clean my house and practice finding my shut of switch. Although I have to confess that today is Thursday, how is that significant, well it's cleaning day and I have only finished the 2nd floor...time to shut of that switch and get back to the toughest part - the kitchen:) Even though I have changed what I eat, it doesn't mean that I have lost my sweet tooth. I also love a challenge, so how do I satisfy my sweet tooth and stay within the diet.... CREATIVE CRUMBLE: Thinly slice 2 apples with the skin on, add blueberries and pitted frozen cherries to the bowl (qty. to your liking). Season with 2 T. cinnamon, 2 tsp. nutmeg, and pinch of cloves (or adjust ratio to your liking). Chop approximately 2/3 c. Almonds and 1/3 c. pecans, add 2 tsp. of vanilla. Divide the apple mixture into 3 or 4 large ramekins and top with nuts. Bake at 375 for 10 min. then lower to 350 and continue for 30 min. Turn the oven off, you can leave ramekins in the warm oven, serve when ready. Feel free to use your own creativity to change the fruit mix as you like:) |
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