Monday, March 23, 2015

What Are We Going to Eat??

Please join us for a new series that we're calling What Are We Going To Eat??  It's a little more personal for us, but we've had so many conversations with so many of you during your visits to IA about how we are all trying to eat more healthfully (and some of the challenges that accompany that endeavor).  
 
Cutting out food that's bad for you can be hard!  And lonely!  And taste really terrible!  We get it (boy, do we get it).  Meme and I have been avoiding refined sugar , wheat, and anything processed for awhile now (and we know that many of you are embarking upon similar journeys).  We thought we’d share with you some of the tips, tricks and tools that we’ve come to think of as our no-brainer, go-to, easy-to-be-on-this-“diet” solutions in the hopes that it will help you too. Whether you’re sugar free, gluten free, processed food free or just want to start somewhere to feel better or eat healthier – we’re going to be sharing easy to make, worth cooking-and-doing-the-dishes-for items that will make whatever healthy eating you’re embarking upon just a little less daunting and a lot more enjoyable.  We’re hoping that you’ll share your tips, tricks and solutions with us as well.
 
Oh, and these are all things that our entire family (including Alice) eats as well.  So, even if you aren't cutting anything out of your diet, but just want some great tasting recipes or ideas to add to your repertoire, there's plenty here for you.
 
The first recipe we wanted to share with you is the one that has helped me survive snacking without indulging in refined sugar, wheat or processed foods:  Marcia's Roasted Almonds
 
Yes, raw almonds are best, but these babies can save even the biggest snacker (I know, because I am one!).  I've used these almonds to replace chips, pretzels and crackers altogether as these almonds are salty and crunchy.  I also chop them up and sprinkle them on salads as a replacement for croutons.  Lastly, these nuts are absolutely DIVINE with a small square of really good, very dark chocolate (yes, I am "allowed" a little dark chocolate -- all in the name of anti-oxidants, of course!).
 
Marcia's Roasted Almonds
 
Ingredients:
1 pound raw almonds
1 Tablespoon tamari (or soy sauce if you aren't avoiding gluten)
1 Tablespoon olive oil
 
Directions:
Place raw almonds in a bowl and add tamari.  Stir until coated (you may think it won't be enough tamari, but they will all get coated).
Add olive oil and stir to coat.
Let marinate at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Place nuts on a baking sheet in a single layer.  Bake for 10 minutes.  Stir nuts to flip them over.  Bake for another ten minutes.
Let cool completely.
 
 
What I love even more about this recipe is that it was created by our very own Marcia Woltjer who works here at IA.  They are super easy to make, and we ALWAYS have these on hand at our house, as we all (including my husband and especially Alice) adore them.