In the spirit of Emily’s last couple posts (about the indispensable smoothies that make this plan possible), I have today a list of the ten foods I could absolutely NOT do without in a healthy world. In a live-for-today-die-of-heart-disease-tomorrow world, I would just eat giant hamburgers until I croaked and be happy. But dead.
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So here it is. A Top Ten:
1. Watermelon – Very high on the nutrient per calorie index, juicy, sweet, reminds me of Jolly Ranchers candy. I drink at least one, sometimes two or three, watermelon smoothie-type drinks every day. I don’t know what I’ll do when they get really expensive and/or disappear from the grocery store this winter. Wah.
2. Hummus – It can stand in for mayonnaise, goes a long way as a dip, satisfies that aching for simple carbs, even though it is much healthier and utterly delicious.
3. Balsamic vinegar – Tart, acidic, savory, yummy and so versatile, though too much can start to irritate the mouth and throat. Trust me, I know.
4. Pineapple – Like watermelon, one of the best ways to shut down that angry sweet tooth.
5. Frozen spinach – If you like spinach, which I do, this is the most convenient, tasty way to slam some greens in a pinch. Can be inserted into so many recipes as well.
6. Lentils – A little miracle pill that you can never OD on. Easy to season, perfect for soups. Cook quickly (compared to other dried beans).
7. Mrs. Dash line of seasonings - I never thought I’d say this, but Mrs. Dash, I love you.
8. Tomatoes – No explanation necessary.
9. Mushrooms – Portabello burgers have won my heart. Provide a lot of trace minerals and feel hardy in between your teeth.
10. Blueberries – We are constantly bombarded by how great blueberries are with their magical “anti-oxidant” powers. Well, they’re also readily available out of season (frozen) and a great additive for green smoothies and for little kids to snack on.
Ding! I’m done. Let me know what I missed.
bananas are indispensable
Okay, do not pronounce it Salza. That is lame.
Harley the Salsa King. Heh hoo ha! Pronounce it “Salza”! And if you make it fresh, you can omit the salt and sugar that the store brands include! Yummy!
Number 11: Salsa. You can put it on everything and it goes with anything. I put it on salads as a substitute for dressing. I put it on potatoes. Oh, and let’s not forget nachos with avocados.
The best salsa is at Costco. It’s called Jack’s Special and it tastes great without costing hard.
Dan, cocoa roasted almonds? Tell me more! I’m not doing chocolate (or cocoa) right now…but that is a temporary thing.
Personally, my sweet tooth is also a fat tooth. Cocoa Roasted Almonds make my list for satisfying both cravings in a healthy, filling way.
I think I’d add to this list, which is very good already, something about raw sunflower seeds and homemade blueberry vinaigrette dressing. Why? Because when it is lunch time and I’m feeling lazy, all I want to do is grab a giant bunch of lettuce and toss it with the raw sunflower seeds (salt-free) and dressing (no added sugar, no fat, made easily from scratch–recipe posting soon).
Then I stuff it in because 1) it tastes so good, 2) it feels so healthy and fresh, and 3) it leaves me feeling energized and ready to move on with my afternoon.
After lunch is always the hardest time of day for me. I am at my slowest and grumpiest. A huge salad for lunch for the last 4 weeks has really helped me to turn this around!
I will now live in fear of your angry sweet tooth. “Stand back, kids! It’s the angry sweet tooth!”
I do wonder how you’ll be affected when the weather turns cold and the fresh fruit in the grocery store gets more ‘spensive. (I’m not hoping for an excuse to see you fail, by the way; I’m just happily wishing it would turn colder. And the humidity would decrease by a billion percent.)
I’ve really tried to like lentils… repeatedly, and with increasing amounts of seasoning. But, my taste buds are having none of it. Split peas – that’s where it’s at.