Keep it Simple – Flavor Foods
There are times when I wonder why we make things so complicated. Whatever happened to common sense? Did we lose it somewhere along the way because we now have so many choices that we neglect to choose the ‘simple road’ in hopes of a ‘better experience’? Or are we just simply too distracted and ‘un-present’ to notice? I think both of these things happen in all aspects of life these days.
Our choices are utterly overwhelming.
Think back to a hundred years ago. What choices did our families have in their lives? Most of their choices were determined strictly on the need for survival. There is no competition between how life was lived back then to how it is today. We hardly give survival a second thought. We have more than we need and pretty much everything we want. The world has expanded in every facet. From daily clothing choices to our ever changing technology, we can be pulled in 20 directions at once. Again, overwhelming!
Recently, as a family we watched the documentary “Happy”. It was fascinating to watch people who live in horrid conditions with literally nothing be truly ‘happy’. If you haven’t seen it, we highly recommend it! I am also aware of the videos circulating about small houses and minimal living. It really makes you stop and think of how little you can get by with. These people seem to have lives that are much less complicated. And it got me thinking. How do things get so complicated? Why does life have to be so hectic, so BUSY?
During my training in California for my Natural Chef Certificate, life was not so hectic. Even though we had little kids and lived six of us in only 750 square feet, it was relaxing & simple. We went to the park several times a day to play. We rode our bikes and walked downtown. We ate fresh, simple food from the farmer’s market one block away. Since then the kids have grown – and into new phases. We dash to school, work, practices, meetings, dinners, etc. We are in constant contact and distraction with email, texts, social media & the internet. It’s a fine line that we walk to maintain some semblance of sanity! And in this complicated mess, we lose connection to ourselves. We make choices that don’t even make common sense. We run red lights because our minds are elsewhere (public confession – eeeesh!).
We miss out on the scenery in exchange for the stress.
How about we start a new movement? Let’s get back to ‘Keep it Simple Silly’ status and lighten our load. Start with taking a look at your priorities. Are you on there? Anywhere? List them out, top five. Then determine if this is really where you spend your time & energy. Maybe you have two lists? The other list perhaps consists of where you truly put your efforts. Maybe realignment is in order. Make time for deep breathing, exercise and nourishing food.
In the interest of keeping things simple now that we are back in school and scheduling practices for baseball season, I try my best not to stress out about that nourishing food part. This doesn’t mean that I buy twinkies and frozen entrees to save time. It means making extras of the healthy meals so I have leftovers either for lunches or for quick dinners throughout the week. It means finding ways to pack salads so my kids will eat them at school. It means morning smoothies with greens, fruit and vitamins so I feel confident that my kids are healthy & nourished.
One of the simplest ways I have found to enjoy just about any healthy dish is to use small amounts of highly flavorful foods. In the same sense that a squeeze of lemon can bring out the brightness in a dish, certain “Flavor Foods” can enhance our dishes for pure *POW* factor (and less begging our kids to eat it!).
My Flavor Food Favorites are:
Olives
Sundried Tomatoes
Roasted Red Peppers
Capers
Garlic
Ginger
Apple Cider Vinegar
Balsamic Vinegar
Rice Vinegar
Orange, Lemon & Lime zest and juice
Goat Cheese
Pecorino Romano Cheese
Organic Butter
Tamari (wheat free soy sauce)
Basil
Parsley
Cilantro
Thyme
Dill
Oregano
Sage
Mint
Spices of all sorts
This list offers some great ideas for adding *POW* to your meals in a very SIMPLE way. How can you use these foods? Chop (if applicable) and add to: grains, salads, wraps, stir fries, soups, stews, pesto, dips, spreads, etc. I think you get the idea! Not sure you can pull it off? Worried that you might ruin the whole dish? Well then – here’s an EXTRA TIP for you:
Take a couple of spoonfuls of your creation into a small dish. Stir in your Flavor Food. Give it a try. Now depending on how much cooking time you desire for an element, the flavor might not be exact, but this technique will give you a good idea of how the flavors will taste together.
At INHealth , we want you to be a *SuperStar* and adopt a much simpler way of eating. When you discover the foods that truly nourish you, meals can be easy. Throwing in those Flavor Foods can certainly make those veggies delicious. So stop making things so complicated! Eat real, whole foods, simply prepared with a little *POW* from your Favorite Flavor Foods. What are your favorite ways to add flavor to fresh meals?