Friday, October 30, 2009

Food!!

So, some people think I'm crazy, but most of my friends and family think its cool the way I eat. Yes, I have my slip ups and eat a handful of candy corn(my weakness!!) now and then, but for the most part, I've been trying really hard to eat traditional foods, local, organic and as much raw milk products as I can possibly afford. The next habit I need to kick however is my Starbucks habit. It's not that I even need the caffeine. Sometimes I go in just to get a drink out of habit. It's paying a hefty toll on my wallet though. I've found this awesome app for my palm called Budget Manager, and it's basically like a checkbook register in your phone. I always hated writing every purchase down, but I've got my phone with me at all times, so it's really easy to enter in amounts. It helps track your money and each budget individually. I know what I have in my account to the penny now and it's really helping me spend my money wisely. Anyway, back to food. My next challenge is to start taking coconut oil daily to see if it helps with my thyroid function. I've heard of people going off thyroid medication completely after taking coconut oil daily. What an easy fix! Last year, my family and I bought a whole pig from a local farm, lard, jowl, everything. A few months later, we bought a whole cow, bones, organs, everything. After reading the book, Real Food, What to Eat and Why, by Nina Planck, I was so convinced that eating traditional foods, the foods that were available and readily eaten 100 years ago is the healthiest way to eat. I understand why vegans and vegetarians feel the way they do about killing animals(well, only the ones that feel bad for the way animals are treated, not the ones that think animals shouldn't be killed at all, regardless of how humane it may be), but I'm convinced that I need a good amount of meat, protein and fat in my diet, but from a humane source. That's why I buy locally. I've felt this way for years but was convinced that I needed to eat according to the food pyramid to be healthy. Being gluten free, it's very hard to get in a lot of grains in a day, and I felt overwhelmed. Reading this book helped affirm my feelings about food and a diet that suited me. I'd say in a given day, my percentage of fat/carbs/protein is 50/30/20. Not exactly following the food pyramid. I believe that each person is different and that there's not a one size fits all approach to a healthy diet. I happen to feel great eating more fat and protein and less grains. Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox and share a recipe for everyone :)

Black Beans and Rice

1 can diced organic tomatoes
3/4 cup salsa or 1 can rotel
1 pork jowl, frozen or thawed
3 cups homemade chicken stock or bone broth
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 small onion, diced
1/2 lb black beans, soaked overnight and rinsed
some salt and pepper
2 cloves minced garlic

2 cups cooked rice

Combine all ingredients except rice in a crock pot and cook on high for 6 hours. Serve with rice, sour cream, cheese and some sliced avocado. Enjoy!