Welcome Friends!


Welcome Friends! I am so grateful for all who have shared their stories of food-related hurts and healings. It is an ever-evolving journey for me, and I have relied upon others who have held similar experiences for comfort, empathy, knowledge and support. In this blog, I share some of my personal experiences as well as some of my favorite foods. I am currently on a grain-free diet, very similar to the Paleo diet. Having multiple food sensitivities as well as hypoglycemia, I have taken liberties with the diet, such as using agave nectar instead of honey. I'm aware of the great agave debate, but keeping my blood sugar low takes priority. I use such small quantities, that it is a non-issue for me. In addition, I still use cream in my coffee as well as a few other dairy products sparingly. I have given up so many beloved foods, that I am stubborn when it comes to dairy. Also, when I am really craving a starch, I will eat quinoa, buckwheat, lentils or beans. Again, it isn't very often, and these foods have some very healthful benefits as well. However, I find I feel my best when following most closely to the Paleo diet, eating large quantities of vegetables and animal protein. It isn't a philisophical choice for me, but rather a choice to feed my body what it seems to need for optimum performance-pain free, clear-headed, energetic and balanced. I hope you find something here that looks delicious even though your diet may look quite different than mine. Good food transends across the boundries of "diet." Enjoy!



3.22.2010

Lemon Ginger Kiwi


Kiwi is such a beautiful green fruit and is bountiful at Costco right now. Of course, purchasing kiwi in a 4 pound box limits your ability to purchase only ripe, sweeter ones. We are fans of adding a little honey, lemon and ginger to compliment the sweet-tartness of this powerhouse fruit. Not only are kiwi pretty, adding a bit of the tropical to our kitchen, they have nearly 300% of the rda of vitamin c, 89% vitamin k, 21% fiber and are about 100 calories each. In addition, they are only about an 8 on the glycemic index (before the addition of honey). Plus they are just so pretty, which rates high on my happy index.

8-10 kiwis, peeled and sliced
2-3 tbls honey (depending on how tart the fruit is), warmed to liquid
1/2 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
juice from half a lemon
  • Slice kiwis into a bowl
  • In a smaller bowl add warmed honey
  • Grate ginger with a microplane or small-holed cheese grater right over the honey to catch any juice
  • Squeeze half a lemon into the honey bowl, removing any seeds
  • Mix honey-ginger mixture and stir into kiwi bowl

3.21.2010

Scalloped Ham and Potatoes with Goat Cheese

Food and Holidays go so well together, and Easter is no exception. Ham and asparagus are always on the menu at our home. Most hams contain sulfites, dextrose and other undesirable ingredients. Luckily, Whole Foods and other natural food grocers carry more alternatives to mass-produced, chemically-stuffed, inhumanely treated little piggies. Niman Ranch is just the kind of rancher who pays careful attention to the environment as well as the health of the animals and those who eat them. One taste of a Niman Ranch ham and you will know quality.

1-1 1/2 cups ham, diced
2 pounds potatoes, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, diced
2 tbsp butter or ghee
2 cups chicken broth, warmed
4-6 ounce goat cheese
salt and pepper to taste
  • Saute onion in butter over med-low heat until soft but not brown
  • Stir potatoes into butter and onion mixture
  • In a buttered 2 quart baking dish, layer half of the potatoes then half of the ham. Repeat layers again.
  • In a blender mix the chicken broth and goat cheese. Pour over the layered ham and potatoes.
  • Cover and bake at 375 degrees for half an hour. Uncover and bake for 25 more minutes or when potatoes are fork tender.