DoyCave.com

…where Doy occasionally writes.

Tag: Food

  • What do the Amish have that I DON’T?!

    Amish Farmer
    Photo by Beechwood Photography

    Unsurprisingly (for those of you who know my story), I’ve been thinking about the link between nutrition and disease for awhile now.

    My change in nutrition has not only allowed me to lose 100 lbs., but it has also reduced my blood pressure (which has gone from an average 140/90 to 120/80, and often lower), it had reduced my cholesterol (with medication, it was around 220 and is now 85 TOTAL) and has reduced much of my anxiety, which I’ve previously managed on and off with medication as well.

    And though I won’t see the results for at least another year or so, I’m believing that this way of eating is repairing the damage caused by Coronary Artery Disease, a result of my previously unhealthy diet.

    So, you can imagine I was excited (and ultimately unsurprised) to find this article in the WV Oupost about the Amish, of all people.

    According to the article (and to the medical findings contained within), the Amish don’t get autism or the learning disabilities that continue to plague the rest of the U.S. Both are on the rise in America (1 case for every 100 children now), and scientists have speculated several causes, while in Amish communities, there have been three confirmed cases of autism. EVER.

    In addition, and what really excited me, is that these same Amish communities very rarely get any of the other diseases that are literally ripping through America’s population: diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

    Why?

    The article suggests it’s their diet and lifestyle that shields them from our maladies. Namely, that they aren’t exposed to ours.

    “Their diet consists of eating organic, fresh, locally-grown produce, and of course, they do not follow the established vaccination routines.”

    In addition, they don’t eat genetically modified foods (GMO’s), they don’t use our chemically-engineered medicines or our chemically-altered foods. And they’re healthier for it!

    Dr. T. Colin Campbell found the same types of results in his massive “China Study,” which studied an unprecedented number of villages and people, detailing their nutrition and disease. In those villages where residents ate more meat, fish, dairy and processed foods as part of their diet, the more cancer, heart disease and diabetes. The less meat, fish, dairy and processed foods, the less disease.

    I know this particular article is a bit preachy and gets downright “conspiracy theory” at times. I can’t really fault them for their frustrations. However, in spite of the slant, you should be asking yourself, “What do the Amish have that I don’t?”

    They have less hospital visits, for one thing.

  • 41 is lots of fun?

    Someone told me 41 is lots of fun.

    I said 41 is when your health’s undone.

    But I was probably just being pessimistic. You see, it was my birthday yesterday.

    This is one of those weeks where food and weight and health and everything just feels like drudgery. I would imagine all the pollen-related crud I’ve been experiencing the last two weeks would be to blame, but that would be too easy, wouldn’t it?

    However, in the midst of this drudgery, I discovered something that could potentially change my life (and waistline) forever!

    For us strict vegans, one of the things we tend to miss the most is dairy. Instead of cheese, we usually opt for Nutritional Yeast. Instead of milk, we opt for one of several different types of vegetable milk, or none at all in my case. Instead of ice cream, we usually opt for Sorbet…which is delicious, by the way!

    And then I found the So Delicious company.

    Whilst perusing the ice cream section, I found both a vanilla and chocolate ice cream with no dairy, no oil, no animal-derived chemicals. Nothing I couldn’t eat. JOY!

    I squealed a little as I put it in my cart.

    I have to say, though, the taste is even better. Because they’re made with coconut milk, they have just a slight coconut aftertaste that is SO good. I found some whole grain flax and bran flakes I was going to snack on, and ended up crumpling some of them over it.

    It was heaven, people. Sheer heaven.

    So, as far as birthdays go…this one really doesn’t rank at all. Work. Home. Grocery Store. Etc.

    However, I will cherish my birthday find! And pray for the strength not to overindulge!

    What’s your favorite vegan dessert?

  • Foundational Foods

    One of the most important lessons of eating a strict plant-based whole foods diet is being prepared.

    Preparation is what gets you through the trap of, “Oh, man…I don’t have anything here at the HOUSE to eat, and I don’t want to go to the store NOW and so I guess I just have to eat PIZZA, HAMBURGERS and DONUTS with you guys. Oh? We don’t have that here? I’ll have them DELIVERED! I gotta eat, right? RIGHT?!”

    Yeah, that trap is actually a doozy, into which I have fallen a time or thirty. Our brains can be the most divisive opponent in the fight for health.

    So to combat our superior reasoning powers and the temptations they bring, I make sure I have my “foundational food” in my pantry at all times…or most of the time. It’s like Batman’s Utility Belt…if he were vegan…and…you know…carried FOOD around instead of…smoke bombs and Batarangs.

    Black Bean Hummus (Recipe Coming Soon!)
    I use this for EVERYTHING. I can use it as a vegetable dip. I can use it as a coating for amazing veggie sandwiches. I can use it with tortillas to make a more mexican-flavored veggie or bean taco or burrito. It’s something I eat A LOT.

    Bell Peppers (Red, Green, Yellow and Orange)
    The green bell pepper is great for Hopping John (black eyed peas and rice), as well as flavoring a host of other dishes. The brighter colored peppers have a sweeter flavor and are great for adding to beans and rice, serving as a homemade pizza topping, or just going on a sandwich in slices.

    Garlic, Onions and Spices
    These items will vary based on preference, but I always want to make sure I can season my food. This is kind of a no-brainer, but I make sure I have it all on hand. I like Mrs. Dash spices, Paprika, Onion Powder (not too much because of the sodium), Cumin, Crushed Chiles, Red Pepper and fresh Cilantro. Just make sure you have what you need to create the flavor profiles you like.

    Canned, Reduced Sodium or No Salt Added Beans
    These are so foundational if you get in a bind. They’re a quick fix, which is a MUST, and can be used in SO many ways. Use them for beans and rice. Use them in black bean burgers. Use them in stews. Use them in dips. Keep them in the pantry. You will use them.

    Dried beans
    I like to have dried beans in the house, too. Ideally, you want to use the dry more than the canned because they have so much less sodium. You can soak the beans during the day, drain them in the evening and then either use them or refrigerate them to use during the week. It’s just great to have them on hand.

    Whole Wheat Tortillas
    Tacos and burritos and wraps are fantastic quick fixes. It’s always a good idea to keep these in the pantry. A word of warning, however. The sodium content in ALL brands is fairly high, usually about 250mg to 300mg PER TORTILLA. Once or twice a week at most with these, if you can.

    Brown Rice, Quinoa or Whole Wheat Pasta
    Make sure your pasta uses WHOLE wheat flour and not just wheat flour. You can get regular brown rice or Minute Brown Rice. Studies have shown them to be about the same nutritionally, so it’s really up to you. Quinoa has a great earthy flavor that you’ll love with beans or veggies. It’s great to have these on hand. They usually don’t take long to prepare and are very filling.

    Baby Spinach, Kale or Other Greens
    I use Baby Spinach on SO many things, whether on sandwiches, in beans and rice or in a stew. It’s a great vegetable to add to just about anything, and boosts the nutrition immediately.

    Food for Life Ezekiel Bread
    I love sandwiches and burgers, and with this bread, I can have both. There are several different types of this bread. You’ll find some of their varieties in health food stores or larger supermarket chains in the frozen section. Lightly toast it and enjoy!

    This is, again, just my foundational food list. I’d love to see yours! Anything you’d add? Take away?