Topic: Links to traditional foods diet, part 4

[Jessica]

Let's see what else we can learn about.  I really enjoy this topic.

[Tina]

me too

[barleychown]

Minestrone soup tonight. Tucked in butternut squash cubes...waiting to see if anyone notices. Also spinach, carrots, beans...loads of other good for you stuff, in an acceptable to the masses presentation.  Dinner for 9 in 20 minutes. I'll let you know how it goes...


*****Psst...no meat*****

[Jessica]

Sounds yummy, Sarah!  I made minestrone soup last week but did put meat in it.  Definitely let us know how it goes!

[bestofour]

butternut squash is so hard to peel and chunk up.  Did the squash get cooked in 9 minutes?

[Triss]

That sounds really good Sarah.  Cannot wait to hear how it went.

[bestofour]

I found a healthy recipe in a magazine that is supposed to be a main course.  Saute, in olive oil or I guess you could use coconut oil, corn niblets, frozen green peas, edamame, onion, grape tomatoes add basil, salt and pepper to taste, top with grated cheese.  I told Johnny what we were having and he left and got wings to go with his.  He said he can't see that as a main dish.

[Jessica]

Was it good?

[bestofour]

We both liked it.  It's like succotash sort of.

[barleychown]

The minestrone was awesome.    Not a single person noticed there was no meat, and halfway through someone asked about the squash, but then everyone said it was a great addition.  

Yes, squash is a bear to peel and chunk...that's why I wait fot a good sale and buy it in cubed, frozen form.   On things like that I'm FAR more likely to use it if it's all ready to go...

[bestofour]

did the squash cook in 9 minutes?

[barleychown]

Yep.  

[barleychown]

How to make your favorite recipes better:

http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2010/01/26/how-to-reverse-engineer-a-recipe-for-real-food-quality/

[barleychown]

Superfoods:

http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/seriescarnivals/super-foods/

[barleychown]

Orange veggies:

http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2009/06/22/food-for-thought-super-orange-veggies/

[bestofour]

I'm still on the butternut squash.  I've tried to roast it with other vegetables and even after nuking it with the sweet potatoes it takes forever for it to soften up.  It tastes great once it's done though.

[barleychown]

http://www.stahlbush.com/products_retail_detail.php?sheet=1

[bestofour]

is that what you use?

[Jessica]

Either I don't look close enough when I am at the store or my stores don't carry this stuff.  Where do you find that, Sarah?

[barleychown]

That is what I use for butternut squash and sometimes sweet potatoes.

I can find those ina few local stores...but not the discount grocery. Take your time in the frozen section...

[Tina]

I need to try to remember to take my reading glasses with me when I shop. I have a terrible time reading the fine print on labels. Or maybe I should stick a magnifying glass in my car?
Jonni really wanted to try Nutella from watching advertisements. They either say it is healthy or they intimate it is. The ingredients start with sugar then move on to modified palm oil. Hazelnuts and cocoa are the next ingredients followed by skim milk and more bad stuff. It is basically vaguely hazelnut flavored chocolate frosting. Not anything near a peanut butter replacement. I'm thinking I could take hazelnuts and do better on my own.  I did get it for her. I'm sorry.

[Dianna]

I used the coconut oil to fry my salmon patties and potatoes tonight and I was very pleased with it. I didn't salt anything while cooking or on my plate tonight, either...

I just have to remember to find some sea salt next time I am in the store...

I am trying to eat healthy if it kills me...

[Jessica]

  It might do just the opposite, Dianna.  I haven't tried the coconut oil yet.

[bayou girl]

tina, nutella is a european import.  it is good but not particularly good for you.  and, a little can go a long way.  i think that it is one of those things that is ok, once in a great while, but not great and not often.  that said, i have a jar of it in my desk drawer at work.  i like that it keeps nearly forever.  which is about how long i've had that jar!

honestly, it is way too expensive to be a peanut butter substitute.  you can buy a nice sized (nearly twice the size) jar of organic peanut butter for the same price.  at least here.

[Jessica]

I have some Nutella that I needed for a recipe.  I don't know what to do with the rest of the jar.  I didn't even read the ingredients at the time. I will have to dig it out and read it.  There are some great peanut butters out there. I have one called White Chocolate Wonderful that is supposed to be okay for you and tastes great too.  I don't use a lot of it at a time but I like peanut butter every now and then.  I bought some almond butter to try. I haven't done that yet.