We’ve all heard it before: Eat whole foods! Whole foods are foods that are unprocessed and unrefined, foods that don’t have packaging because they are self contained. I don’t know about you, but whenever I hear this advice I imagine my meals suddenly transformed into a basket of whole raw fruits and vegetables. Although this might make for an excellent still life subject, or a raw foodist’s dream come true, it’s not a meal that feeds the soul, or at least my soul! That being said, what appears to be the subject of a still life painting at 6:30 pm can easily be transformed into a fabulous and healthy dinner by 7. We often forget that most of what we eat began as dietary raw material and was later chopped, mixed and/or heated to create the finished product or the meal. For example, when we say that we are going to eat “chicken” tonight, it doesn’t usually mean that a chicken, devoid of spices, cooking, or edible accessories will be simply placed on the plate for consumption. That would be bleak.
If you are new to building meals and are scared to work with raw materials, embrace your inner chef/artist/carpenter. You don’t have to recreate fancy recipes from Top Chef or even a simple cook book. Just a few tools and raw materials are needed to whip something up quickly. Keeping things simple and efficient will encourage a sustainable routine. Adventurous recipes are often rewarding, but take time and energy. Try making cassoulet 7 nights a week and you’ll be back to Mrs. Stouffer’s in no time.
For quick and healthy meals vegetables can be chopped, thrown in a pan with a little olive oil (or other healthy oil of your choice), add spices or sauces and voila. And if you don’t feel like cooking, chop up some fruits and vegetables, add them to a bowl of spinach or greens of your choice, top with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and you’ve got a salad.
Still feeling lost? Intimidated? Can’t seem to get started? I can help you find your inner chef. Contact me for a free health history consultation where we can identify challenges that are standing in your way.
