Link to a Good Article on Spices

Check out this link... it goes to a Yahoo! page that is actually very good!  If you are looking for some ways to use some new cooking spices or are curious as to why these seasonings can be good for your health check it out!

http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/think-spice-8-spices-health-benefits-150700170.html

Chicken Mushroom Gravy

I invented this recipe over the weekend.  I used some left over roast chicken and chicken broth, some mushrooms, sauerkraut, a few strips of nitrate-free bacon, some onion, a little butter and some coconut flour.  I used it as a topping on some red quinoa but you could put this over rice, over lentils or just eat it like a soup!

 

Chicken Mushroom Gravy

1 cup chopped cooked chicken

1 medium onion, chopped finely
1 cup sliced mushrooms
½ cup sauerkraut (must be raw and non-pasteurized)
3 strips nitrate free bacon, cooked, crispy, crumbled
2 cups chicken or veggie stock
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons coconut flour

 n a large pan over medium heat melt butter and sauté onion for 3 minutes.  Add chicken and mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes.  Add chicken stock and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, immediately add coconut flour and stir constantly until mixture thickens.  Add sauerkraut and bacon and stir to blend.  Remove from heat.  Add salt if desired.

  

Anatomy of a Poison

Many people who have come to my recent cooking classes have heard me recommend eliminating wheat from the diet.  A leading expert on the subject, Dr. William Davis, who wrote the book Wheat Belly, recently posted a fascinating discussion on the wheat protein gliadin.  He talks about how certain chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, have been found to have toxic affects in different areas of the body.  Follow this link for the whole post...

http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/

Ear Infections and Antibiotics

I provided a link to a great article explaining why antibiotics are rarely the best course of action for an ear infection.  This is one of the most clear, yet concise descriptions of the issue I have read. Enjoy!

http://www.naturalnews.com/039439_antibiotics_ear_infections_children.html

Processed Meat Linked to Increased Mortality

Over the weekend I had a chance to read an article about new research that has DIRECTLY connected processed meat consumption with an increased change of mortality (dying).  Now most of know that bacon isn’t the healthiest food on the planet but did you some lunch meats, hotdogs, hams, and many other meat products are  processed in some way and have had preservatives and other chemicals added that basically make eating these products deadly.  Sure it won’t kill you while you are eating it at breakfast today, but what about that same food eaten numerous times over your life time?  What about the other processed meats you eat?  Pepperoni pizza anyone?  How about smoked sausage links at the holidays?  Suffice it to say that based on the results of this large study it is entirely reasonable to remove all processed meats from the diet as much as possible.  The following link goes to an article that nicely summarizes the take away points of the research.

 

 

 http://www.naturalnews.com/039437_processed_meat_death_risk_cancer.html

Microwaves Destroying Nutrients in Food

In response to a post below...  microwaves ovens heat food by vibrating the water molecules within the foods.  This causes the vitamins and other phytonutrients to be basically destroyed.  Phytonutrients are a a somewhat newer class of micronutrient that are found in small amounts in plant foods.  This article, from Natural News, was just published today and gives an excellent description of the damage microwave ovens actually do to foods.

http://www.naturalnews.com/039404_microwave_ovens_vitamins_nutrients.html

Enchalida Casserole

A patient recently gave me this recipe. It is the ultimate quick gluten free meal!  If you have the time I suggest cooking the meat and onions in a pan rather than microwaving but the result is always a tasty, filling meal!

Enchalida Casserole

 

1-lb. hamburger

1/4 cup chopped onions

8-0z. can tomato sauce

1/2 cup water

packet of gluetin free taco seasoning

4 corn tortillas

shredded cheddar cheese

chopped tomatoes

sour cream

Microwave meat and onions on high 4-6 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes, drain. Add tomato sauce, water, taco sauce. Microwave 8 minutes, stir every 4 minutes. Place a tortilla in microwave casserole the same size as the tortille. Top with layers of 1/4 each (meat sauce and cheese). Repeat 3-times. Microwave 2-5 minutes. Let set 5 minutes. Serve topped with tomatoes and sour cream

Ways to use Curry Powder

Curry powder is a blend of spices that can give a warm, savory flavor to foods.  The primary ingredient in curry is turmeric, which has been referred to as “the king of super foods” for its anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.  The other spices used to mix up curry also contain their own nutrient packed punch.  Here are some of my favorite ways to use this wonderful spice.

 

Sprinkle on an Egg

Add a dash of curry to your fried egg or mix it into scrambled eggs while cooking.  The flavor of curry blends nicely with sea salt and pepper.

 

Blend into Hummus

Hummus is made from chickpeas.  Whenever you use this tasty spread either for chip dip, as a mayonnaise replacement, or for anything else stir in some curry powder.  I especially like to use this when I make taco meat and then use the curried hummus with that.

Seasoned Veggies

Try using extra virgin olive oil, curry powder and sea salt as a seasoning for steamed veggies. 

 

Stir into Chili

Adding curry powder to a bowl of chili gives it a sweet, somewhat zippy flavor.  The curry blends well with the tomato base and other seasonings commonly used in chili.

 

Sending You Over to the Wheat Belly Blog Today.

Anyone who has seen me present my "Introduction to Healthy Cooking Methods" class has probably heard me talk about how controlling blood sugar is very important for improving health.  You also probably remember that I said specifically cutting out wheat from the diet can lead to big health improvements.  Follow this link to see a great example of what is possible when we leave wheat behind.

http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/