A Go To List

A quick note today.

I remember a visit with a dear friend a while back. We got on the topic of food (as often happens with me.) He proceeded to tell me that he snacks on pretzels.  I then quickly asked him – how dare he – after knowing me for so long?  The obvious question being… Had my opinion of pretzels not rubbed off on him?  The following conversation ensued.

Because of the amount of hours that he works on a daily basis, he suggested to me that he could not find the time to read each and every blog that I send out.  So, he jokingly said – and then, of course, confirmed that he was quite serious – would it be possible for me to put together a list of foods to avoid if only to him to save him a whole ton of research. People often ask me for such lists. I hear all the time that people just want the top ten or twenty foods to stay clear of. So here, without further ado:

1. Diet drinks
2. Any food, candy or gum containing aspartame
3. Pretzels
4. Any food product containing BHT (most children’s cereal)
5. Any food product containing food dyes (most children’s cereal and most candy)
6. Farm raised fish
7. Canned food (with the exception of a few)
8. Frozen food (with the exception of a few)
9. Pre-packaged meals (TV dinners)
10. Anything with high fructose corn syrup
11. Anything with MSG
12. Anything with Sulfites (some dried fruit)
13. Anything with Nitrates
14. Fast food (it is not food)

Bacon has gone to $6.00/lb.  It’s too damn expensive and you don’t need cured meats.  So, just to recap, diet drinks are out, lunch meats are out, tilapia is most definitely out, fake candy and snacks are out.  What, you are thinking, has life come to?  What can you enjoy?  Have you made your own sun tea and sweetened it with agave?  Have you baked your own turkey breast and saved money while you’re at it?  Have you had brownies with really great quality chocolate?  Well, explore a little.  Treat your body like a temple and it will level back by looking good and feeling good.

Lunch Meats… To Do Or Not To Do

My health tip of the day will be on sodium nitrates.  Nitrates are used in curing, which is a broad category of techniques for preserving foods, mainly meat and fish, that involves the use of salt, sugar, or some form of dehydration.  Now, I should share with you that I am a bit conflicted.  I, personally, am not a fan of eating any cured meats and I have, for a while, been suggesting that if you must eat cured meats, then at least make it nitrate free.  Hence, my conflict.  It appears as if some research shows that cured meats without sodium nitrates might have a bacteria that could, in extreme cases, cause some form of botulism.  But, there is also research that shows us that a high consumption of cured meats with sodium nitrates could lead to pancreatic cancer.

So, here is what I have concluded. I can’t say for certain which is worse.  What I can say for certain, is that I, personally, will make every effort to not consume cured meats either way.  In fact, we have gone so far as to change what is a traditional recipe, such as Cordon Bleu on our French menu, and have substituted roasted peppers instead of ham.  I’m not telling you not to eat ham and turkey, but I am telling you to do your own research and come to your own conclusion.

In the mean time, here’s a great alternative.  Grill a large amount of chicken breast on the grill.  Place it in the refrigerator and use for lunch meat instead of ham and turkey.  Below is one of our grilled chicken recipes in  case you are interested in making it on a weekend and having a nifty lunch for you and your family at your disposal all week.

Balsamic Marinated Grilled Chicken

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved
• 2 tablespoons garlic, chopped
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

1. Preheat oven to 425˚.
2. Combine all ingredients except for chicken and whisk well.
3. Place chicken in Ziploc bag, add marinade and let stand for 10 minutes (this is a great recipe to make 24 hours in advance.  Great marinade).
4. Remove chicken from bag and place in shallow baking dish and cook for 15 to 20 minutes.

This is a fantastic lunch meat that is hearty, healthy and tastes great! Enjoy!