More Holistic Eating

 We are what we eat. How many times have we heard that adage? Yet it's true. If we eat better and more holistically , we'll feel better. It's just a question of eating what's best for our bodies and not our taste buds.

I felt this way yesterday when I underwent my third gall bladder cleanse. Yes, I finally got rid of what looked like hundreds of stones but I couldn;t stop wondering, what if I had eaten better? I wouldn't be in this dilemma It was a rough flushing out that did and didn't end well. (it was vile let's leave it at that).However if I had eaten sensibly I wouldn't have gone through all of this, the horrific prep and the even more so aftermath. This is where holistic  food shopping and eating comes in.  Holistic nutrition means eating food in its' most natural state.This means what we ingest has to be unrefined, unprocessed, and organic locally grown food. If I had been on a diet of these food stuffs, I definitely would not have the problems I have now. This is not only true for me but for others who succumb to taste over value. Can I reform my eating habits? Definitely. There's another old adage -you're never too late to learn. Anyone can refine his or her diet. It';s just a question of will power and determination. 

How do you start a holistic diet when you're feeding yourself one of sweet and salty fat and transfat laden foods?Take it easy for starters. Start with sweet. We're hard wired to reach for sweets since our Neanderthal days when sweet meant safe. We should go back to those fruit gathering days. Start thinking about having fresh fruit for dessert and when you're craving a cupcake or cookie. One  favorite snack/dessert of my  is a Winesap apple sliced and rolled in pure cinnamon. Don't add any sugar to the cinnamon. The Winesaps are sweet enough.  Pears are out right now and again, they're the perfect as an lunch or dinner time dessert. Groceries also offer containers of all varieties of cut melon. These are not only refreshing but low in calories. From the sweet graduate to the savory. Fresh veggies are hard to come buy right now however there are frozen veggies that  have the same nutritional value  more or less. Think about a broccoli salad with good for you olive oil and fresh garlic or even better a string bean salad. As for protein , yes you can have meat but only lean cuts. Try white meat poultry such as chicken or turkey breasts grilled with a little lemon and herbs. Fatty fish is a must so stock up on salmon, lake trout and mackerel. These can be steamed with sage or turmeric for flavor. Holistic dining can include beef but make it very lean sirloin and try to have it only once in a great while. 

Eating better means feeling better. It's just s question of steeling yourself away from the bad and eating the good. It will be hard but it's the first step towards a better life and a better body.

Apple Picking Time

Now that it's officially fall, it's time to pick apples. This is the season when some of the best varieties are ripe and ready for desserts or just a healthy snack..What are the  kinds to look for right now? There are several that ripen in early to mid October. It's just a matter of knowing what to  pick.

Right now several types are ripening. These are perfect for almost everything from pie filling to crisps. They;re also good just sliced and dipped in caramel. Braeburn apples are probably the most abundant right now. These have red and orange vertical stripes and have a combination sweet and tart flavor.Because of their completely rounded or spherical shape they are the best for baked apples. The Rome variety which is the most widely known is the perfect apple we see depicted in still lifes as well as being the symbol for all apples. The flesh is very firm and meaty.They're also good for baked apples although they re better sliced  and dotting an apple crumb cake.

If you want something just a tad different then try the Winesaps or Granny Smiths. Winesaps are mainly used in cider production although  they're  better in baking. They impart a sweet ,almost mild taste to breads, cakes and muffins.They have a firm texture which is good for any cooking or baking application, You can even slice and cook them with a roast loin of pork. Granny Smiths are fine for the taking as well. These are bright green and have a lovely tart taste that make them perfect for candy or caramel apples However they;re excellent in salads too.You can even slice them into a slaw with raisins carrots and walnuts. This would be perfect for those tailgating barbecues  and would offset  the smokiness of bratswursts hot dogs and hamburgers.

This is  the time to head to an orchard and start picking.There are so many different varieties , to make into a slew of dishes. You can have your pickings baked or dipped in caramel, turned into a salad or a side dish. Use them anyway you can to enjoy fall's bounteous harvest!