's motd Wednesday March 10, 2010

[Guest guest]

OBSESSED WITH...FRESH!

Wednesday, 10 March 2010

Yesterday, we talked about being obsessed with eating processed foods. Well today, I want you to gather up all of the fresh foods you have in your house...and the healthy foods. First, I want you to begin with the vegetables you have in your fridge.

Here's what you'll find in mine. I have zucchini, brussel sprouts, green beans and broccoli. I also have cabbage, lettuce, carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, artichokes and fresh parsley. So at anytime in my fridge are the ingredients I need to make myself a big salad or a tasty, healthy plate of steamed vegetables.Okay, which fruits do you have in your house? I keep lemons and limes because I love cooking with the flavors of citrus. I also have apples, papayas, oranges and bananas. I have grapes, and a few grapefruit. So, as you can see, I have enough fruit for my breakfast, snacks and maybe a cup of grapes after dinner.

Last night, I made a salad with thinly sliced cucumbers, cut into quarters mixed with small cutup pieces of papaya with a few tablespoons of rice vinegar and a sprinkle of chili flakes. I marinated them in the fridge for a couple of hours and you could not believe the wonderful taste it created when all of the flavors married.So what foods do you have in your house that are healthy for you? As you know, I was raised in New Orleans on white rice topped with red beans. In my kitchen today, I use brown rice. See, white rice has been processed. But brown rice has kernels of good-for-you fiber still hugging the rice. Brown rice also has a different taste I just love, more of a nutty flavor.

And getting back to those beans, do you keep beans in your house? (Hey, all you have to do is boil them!) Sometimes for dinner, I'll have a combination of beans, brown rice and steamed vegetable sprinkled with a little grated parmesan cheese. By the way, is your choice of bread whole wheat or are you still eating white bread? And what about potatoes? I like white potatoes once in a while. And I've told you before, there's some good nourishment in those white potatoes. But I prefer yams most of the time, rather than regular potatoes. I just pop them in the over and when they're done, I slice them lengthwise and open the yam to reveal that beautiful orange color.How about breakfast? Do you have oatmeal or make a smart cereal selection in the morning? What? You mean to tell me you're still eating Cocoa Puffs for breakfast?!

If I had to gather up all of the healthy foods in my house, I wouldn't have enough room for all of those healthy items on my kitchen table. I'm telling you, when you eat fresh and healthy foods, you can actually feel the difference. The body digest foods better when you're eating the right foods. You have more energy when you're eating the right foods too. And one other important thing, eating like this will definitely help decrease your weight.

So...what will it be for you? Processed foods or fresh and healthy foods? I can only speak for myself. Years ago, I made the switch to eating better. Now make your own healthy foods switch...today!Love,