150 Healthiest Foods on Earth

Dear Bloggers,
      I am unsure if I have informed all of you readers about my recent change in education. I have decided to pursue dietetics in hopes that somehow I can incorporate food and health into educating and helping the general American public. Currently, I have been reading so much of a particular book, 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth and the amount of unbiased information in this book is astounding. I have learned so much about vegetables, fruits, grains, fats, sugars, you name it. The main components that make up a human diet are omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants, and the glycemic index (or primarily the glycemic load). I also learned from this book how nearly all foods work together to provide a well-ballanced nutrient rich diet. There is no miracle food out there that is going to provide everything you need in your diet. For example, when people are looking at weight loss, they approach it with the view that they must go on a diet until they lose the desired/recommended weight. However, the realistic approach that doesn't seem as painful is to simply make a permanent lifestyle change where they view it as adding more healthy foods, not taking away their preferred meal choices. Slowly, after incorporating more and more diverse foods with more nutrient density, the other foods with begin to dwindle down in their current diet.

If I may be honest, I of all people, do enjoy a good fried chicken (Chik Fil A) and french fries every once in a while. I have come to the point where I understand that by treating my body with respect and giving it the real fuel that it needs, it will perform better. From workouts, to studying in classes, to being in a better mood, to having more energy to do things that make me happy, eating healthy has allowed all of those things to happen. I would encourage all of you readers to purchase a copy of this book because it has honestly changed my entire perspective on healthy eating.

In fact, in one section of the book it quotes, "Let's put it this way: If you ate a great balance of foods from the 150 that make up the list of the healthiest foods on the planet, and you never touched a grain for the rest of your life, you wouldn't be missing anything nutritionally. The same cannot be said of the fruits, vegetables, eggs, oils, spics, meat, fish, and poultry" (Bowden 75). Who would've known that after all that talk of whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, all of it, simply has no use in our diet. Compare jicama, with 1 cup you receive 70 calories and 7 grams of fiber to once slice of whole wheat bread, 140 calories for 4 grams of fiber. It's hard to completely understand the best choices, but after reading this book, it has become a lot clearer for me. You can purchase this book anywhere online, I would suggest amazon where I found it for $12 including shipping. If you are interested in learning anymore about the author, Jonny Bowden, visit his website here: http://www.jonnybowden.com/. Until next time stay healthy and happy cooking!

Whole Wheat Pita Bread

Dear Bloggers,
       It has been quite some while since I blogged and wrote about my wonderful cooking adventures. Recently, this past Saturday, I cooked up some mean pita bread. It was delicious and much, much different than the dry, flavorless pita bread you buy at your local supermarket. This pita bread was hearty and full of fresh flavor. I began by combining the frothy yeast with 3 cups of flour in a mixer, I then added 1 1/4 cups of additional water, until the mixer form a beautiful dough. I rolled the dough in a little flour and put it in a bowl to rise for 2 hours. After two hours, I split the dough into 8-9 medium size balls. I rolled them again in flour, thoroughly. I set them aside to proof for 15 minutes. I preheated my oven to 500 degrees. Yes, that is not a mistake, 500 degrees. In order to cook a pita and create that pocket, you have to have your oven at an incredibly high temperature to zap the dough with a bunch of steam that forms in the middle of the pocket to instantly cook it in 5-6 minutes. In Greece, the originally cook pita bread in brick ovens with 800+ degrees and they take about 2 minutes to cook up. Quite delicious. Anyhow, once you let the dough balls proof, you can roll them out in your pita size about 6x6 inches. Then place them, well floured onto a baking pan and bake for 5-6 minutes. Do not open the oven during this process, as you will ruin the steaming process that occurs for pita to be cooked. Once the pitas have reached a full round peak, remove them immediately and let cool before cutting. You can add whatever spices you desire to your pita bread, i added parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper. I also cut my pitas up into slices, added some coconut oil, and grape-seed oil to a bowl and brushed them over my pita slices. I then cooked them for 25-30 minutes on 250 degrees to make delicious, hearty pita chips. I most certainly enjoy eating my chips with some freshly made guacamole with lime. I hope you try making your own pita bread too, as it is easy, delicious, healthy, and fun! Until next time, stay healthy and happy cooking!