Love Food. Hate Waste.

I recently purchased broccoli to steam for dinner, which came with a shockingly high price value.  The worst part about the per pound cost of the broccoli was that most of the broccoli was stalk and not floret.  So I had to figure something out to use the stalk for, by no means was I throwing that green away.  I searched for "broccoli stalk recipes" and found an amazing new website:  www.lovefoodhatewaste.com. You can search by ingredient to find a recipe for whatever you may have in the refrigerator that is in need of being used.

I used the following recipe for broccoli stalk soup:

• 4 potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1 onion, peeled and roughly chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped into chunks
• Handful of pearl barley or red lentils
• Left over broccoli stalks, about 200g, I peeled them first using a vegetable peeler
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Put the potatoes, onion, carrots, pearl barley or lentils in a large pan and cover with water.  
2.  Bring to a boil and reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
3. Add the broccoli stalks and continue to cook until all the vegetables are tender.
4. Take off the heat and allow to cool a little before pouring into a blender and pureeing until smooth.  Taste and season with salt and pepper.
5. Pour into warm bowls.

I made a few adjustments to the recipe, I didn't have any potatoes so I threw in a few extra handfuls of lentils.  The soup still had a delicious flavor but the extra lentils made the soup brown instead of green like it would have been with the potatoes.  The soup was delicious and even better warmed up the next day!

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A Breakfast Treat: Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

As a child oatmeal, the healthy, cholesterol lowering food, was a frequent breakfast dish.  However, there was a glitch:  my oatmeal was generally loaded down with butter sugar to add "flavor".  I recently discovered a way to spice up my oatmeal with out sacrificing its health benefits. 

Oatmeal is a whole grain and adds fiber to your diet.  Fiber can make you feel full longer, lower cholesterol and will help keep you "regular".  If you are just beginning to add fiber to your diet, be sure to drink an increased amount of water or you may end up on the more irregular side of things.  To boost, oatmeal is light on the pocketbook.

Ingredients
2 cups water
1 medium apple (I use Granny Smith)
1/2 c. quick cooking oats
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt

Instructions
In a small saucepan heat water with a pinch of salt.  Meanwhile, slice and chop the apple.  I use an apple slicer/corer and then chop each slice into 5 or 6 pieces.  I leave the peel on the apple which adds additional fiber and the phytochemicals stored in the peel.  Add 2 tsp cinnamon and bring to boil.

Boil for 5-7 minutes, or until apples are tender.  Use a potato masher to mash the cooked apple, you will now have the consistency of a thin syrup.  Add oats and boil according to the directions on the package (3-5 minutes for me).

The finished product will seem to be soupy at first but as the oatmeal cools down, the excess water will be absorbed.  If you prefer a thicker oatmeal, try reducing the amount of water initially used.

 

This recipe is made to serve one person and takes about 20 total minutes to prepare.  While it may take longer than an instant oatmeal to prepare you are avoiding many additives that can be found in the processed, instant brands.  If you prepare this oatmeal for yourself, you are using the apple as a natural sweetener, and your apple flavoring really came from a fresh, wholesome apple!

Buying Local at the Farmer's Market

I recently moved into my first apartment so with that comes grocery shopping and cooking my own food.  Though this task may be dreaded by many, it was one of the things I was looking forward to most.  Since I am now buying my own groceries, I recently made my first trip to the farmer's market and absolutely fell in love. 


I love the farmer's market because it offers seasonal, fresh fruits and veggies.  When you buy vegetables in season they not only taste the best but have the best nutritional value.  They have been grown in natural sunlight which helps the development of the phytochemicals, many of which serve as anti-oxidants and protect against cancer.  Additionally, since the products aren't traveling half way across the nation, they haven't had time for the nutrients to be degraded.   

I love the farmer's market because it offers local products.  Buying local keeps money within the region and supports the common people you are buying from.  You don't have to worry about which bosses at the top of the corporate ladder are taking in the greatest portion of the money you just spent.


I love the atmosphere at the farmer's market.  The farmer's market just exudes a feeling and sense of community.  There is just something about being able to speak directly to who is responsible for the food you are about to consume.  Seeing so many community members coming together to support one another is very inspiring as well. 

Have you visited your local farmer's market recently?