Have you seen the movie Julie and Julia? Or read the book? Julie Powell became an internet celebrity with her 2004 blog recording her yearlong adventure cooking every recipe in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. I am taking on a similar challenge, only I am blogging my way through a very healthy cookbook! And I will learn to master the art of healthy cooking! The book is called Eat For Health by Dr. Joel Fuhrman, M.D. I will cook every recipe start to finish in four weeks just as they are laid out in the book. I will write about the recipes, show you pictures, and tell you how my SAD (Standard American Diet) eating, carnivorous husband likes them too. (See archives below.) He is behind me 100%!!


Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Day 26/ Phase 4/ Week 4

I am totally over salt. I know this for a fact now. In the past, sweet potatoes without salt TOTALLY gagged me. And I thought I was going to hate yesterdays sweet potato dish, but I ACTUALLY LOVED IT and gave it an A+!! And it had NO salt!! This was a first for me! Haze on the other hand is not over salt. I received a tip from a friend on Dr. Fuhrman's website Discussion Forum (another great reasong to join his website!) who said to not add salt to the dish while you are cooking it, and let him add a little at the table via Spike. This way, he gets a salty taste right on the top of the food. I know if he would just give it two more weeks tops, he would be over salt. He just won't do it!! Anyway, we talked about it and both agreed that he could have the salt version of Spike on the table IF he agrees to measure the serving with a 1/4 teaspoon. So I think we are back on track. If a tiny bit of extra sodium will help someone to continue eating high nutrient food, then that is what you have to do. I know this is hard for him--even though someone wants to change, it's still not easy doing it. We both have had to sort of "give" here and there. This was yesterdays menu:
d
Breakfast:
High Cruciferous Juice
I totally forgot to take a picture of this juice, but it looked suspiciously just like the last juice! Anyway, I liked this one slightly more than the Mixed Veggie Juice--this one was slightly sweeter (more carrots and more apple). I gave it a B-/ Haze hopes that veggie juice in general is not served again anytime soon!
d
Lunch:
Greens and Brown Rice Salad with Pine Nuts, Apples and Currants
Leftover soup
I LOVED this salad. I had some of Dr F's Balsamic Vinaigrette in the fridge so I used that instead of just plain balsamic for the dressing--but it would be good either way. I gave it an A/ Haze said A-
d
d
Dinner:
Garden Stuffed Vegetables
Hawaiian Sweet Potato Pudding
I also LOVED this dinner!!! And Haze just "liked" it. And this was funny --I thought the Low Sodium Pasta Sauce was tooooo salty!! For the Garden Stuff I minced the vegetables very fine--I loved it that way. You had a choice of stuffing zucchini, bell peppers or portobellos. I think next time I will only stuff the portobellos--as that one was our favorite. You get more of a mushroomy blast. And the Hawaiian Sweet Potato Pudding was surprisingly good! I can't believe how much I loved it--AND with no salt. It was soooooooooo creamy and went very well with the stuffed veggies. I gave both items an A+/ Haze said B. So I made Chocolate (Banana) Ice Cream for him and all was well!
d
d
I

3 comments:

N said...

Hi Jana,

I found your blog a week or so ago and I'm enjoying following along on your journey.

I have to say that salt is a hard one for me! I don't need a ton of salt, by any means, but even though we are vegan-mostly-whole-food-no-added-oil-or-sugar type eaters, we use fairly liberal amounts of Brags.

I know Dr. Furhman really says to do away with the salt, but I just don't know about that one. Dr. McDougall who is also all about health through eating, although he emphasizes a starch based diet, actually says salt is okay. Just, as you say, add it at the table when you'll get the taste the most.

Anyway, thanks for sharing your adventure! :)

Dawn said...

I love seeing pictures of all the food before I make it for my family so thank you thank you! I can't wait till you make the cake (:

Jana Diedrich said...

Hi N,
I agree--low sodium is the way to go for some, if they need it to stay on a healthy diet. But I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful I feel being salt-free! I've never done this before in my whole life! I've always tried to eat healthy before but I used salt. But THIS is a whole new experience. My face and eyes look different (better) too. I am just less "puffy" don't know how to describe--but it sure feels good/ looks good! Thanks so much for reading!!


Dawn,
Hold on to your hat!! I actually made the chocolate cake (I made them into cupcakes) last night--but will post tomorrow. They are out of this fricken world good!!!

Jana :O)