As we get older, our dietary needs change. There is an overwhelming instinct for many of us to reach for carbohydrates when we are hungry, particularly at dinner. They are easy to cook, usually satisfy everyone at the table and are filling. The problem is that after a certain age, our bodies are reluctant to digest them with ease. As an experiment, my husband and did not eat grains (yes this includes alcohol) for 30 days in the month of January. What I found was that we both lost weight, were more clear-headed and had a much easier time digesting foods. (Sorry if that’s too much information for some of you.) What I also found were a host of wonderful and delicious meals, high in protein and vegetables, that didn’t make us miss eating grains at all. While I can’t promise I’ll never have another piece of pizza or a hamburger with a bun, I can say that from now on, when we make dinner at home, carbohydrates will never be the centerpiece of our meal. The takeaway from this class are several wonderful dishes that can help you lean less on grains.
Dishes may include:
Shaved Carrot and Beet Salad with Feta and Cilantro
Chicken Guisado: Autumn Chicken Stew with Corn, Peppers and Lime
Roast Haddock with Mixed Olives, Cherry Tomatoes, Garlic and Parsley
Marinated Peppers, Eggplants and Onions
Salad Aigre Dolce: Roast Squash and Apples on Hearty Greens with Chopped Hazelnuts
Chocolate Almond Brandy Cake with Creme Anglaise