An Experiment

Now that the house is under control we've decided to move on and do something we've wanted to do for a long time-  an experiment in eating!  For the month of July we will eat a whole foods, high-nutrient, plant strong diet; free of animal protein, low-to-no refined foods, salt, and oil.  The impetus for our trying this out is simple, we want to know if it works.  Plagued with physical problems we'd be all too happy to be rid of-- lack of energy, chronic pain, stomach aches, allergies, asthma, hard time waking up. . . or sleeping well, etc.  The list is long.  We just want to feel better.  We've dabbled with various eating styles (standard American, vegetarian, vegan, raw) for various amounts of time over the years for a host of different reasons, but the emphasis in those has always been what you "can't" eat rather than trying to make sure you get plenty of really high quality, nutrient rich plant foods.

Our 4th of July was low key.  The day started with rain and lightening so we stayed home-- cleaned, played, ate.  It worked out.  Dinner was a hit!  Yam fries, kale chips, homemade bean burgers, fruit skewers.  I'll post recipes later.

I will gladly share the recipes we try and like.  I want to make it clear though that our goal in sharing is not to convert, or persuade, or denounce anyone else.  Only to share.  Because I know we have lots of friends who enjoy good food.  Plenty who are also looking for similar recipes.  And no matter what you eat it sucks to put all that time, effort, and money into a new dish and end up with something nobody touches. lol  Been there, especially with kids.

Wish us luck!  I'm excited about it. 

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The Keepers 

Smoothies
This isn't really a recipe.  We just dump fruit (often frozen from Costco) into the blender with enough liquid to make it work.  We make them all the time: for breakfast, snacks, to go with a meal.  Any leftovers go straight into the freezer as popsicles!  Easy, no waste.  It's also a good way to use up leftover fruit. 


Tex-Mex Salad  3 out of 5
Recipe Link 
Although it was ok on it's own it isn't something we would eat all the time.  It is a good base to start from though!  I think the most useful part I got out of this was the dressing/sauce; easy to make and we've used it on all kinds of stuff since.

Substitutions and changes:
White beans for black
Homemade taco seasoning for chili powder
Chopped avocados for guacamole
Added liquid to the dressing, just water but it could be anything
Added veggies- cucumber, more tomatoes, olives, green chiles, and LOTS more cilantro because we like it ;) 


Spring Green Fruit Salad 5 out of 5  

Recipe Link

Absolutely delicious!  Super refreshing too.  I was curious about the avocado but for me, it works. :)

 

Substitutions and changes:
Chopped mint and added,
Used a sweet apple instead of the granny smith
left out liquid sweetener
used 1/2 a lime


Caramel Fruit Dip 4 out of 5

Recipe Link

No substitutions or changes.  We have made it with macadamia nuts and like it better, even though the cashews are good too.  The combination of dates and cashews have what feels like an acid to them (kind of like citrus or walnuts) and make for a sore tongue for some people.


'Chocolate Dipped' Banana Ice Cream- our own recipe 4 out of 5 (mostly because I don't like bananas much ;)

2 frozen bananas

1 banana

1 tbs cocoa powder

½ cup almond milk

1 handful of ice

Blend until smooth.  If you would like to make it into shakes simply add more almond milk and ice.