My Foodie Call

Dial in to your health.
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    • Make friends with…Gogi Berries.

      Posted at 8:00 pm by myfoodiecall
      Nov 9th

      Have you heard the term “Superfood” when referencing a food’s nutrition benefits? “Superfoods” are as trendy as “fat-free” foods were back in the 90’s. It seems like the word “fat-free” was slapped on everything it could be…everything short of an apple. But we all know where the fat-free craze got us…. Excess sugar in our goods.

      Yes, Sugar overload. Anyhow, back to the labeling of “Superfoods.” On your health journey, you will most certainly come across the term “Superfood”. Really it is a marketing term to try to get you to buy and consume whatever Superfood is being touted as the next big thing. Marketing. And it works.  I am guilty. However…what is important to note is that no one particular food can equate to perfect health. The key to great health is keeping a variety of whole, unprocessed foods in your life. Not focus on any one particular “Superfood.” Yes, kale is pretty much king, but make sure you do not ignore collards, spinach, romaine or any other powerful green. Again, I am guilty. I buy and consume these marketed “Superfoods.” I even have some on auto delivery from Amazon. See below 🙂

      Gogi Berries. A packaged Superfood. Sweet.

      These babies.

      These are the guys I am talking about. Good stuff. In a bag. Long shelf life. No worrying about buying in season.

      The reason I will promote this “Superfood” is because they do have pretty awesome health properties. Similar to berries, but no fuss or worrying about them rotting or going bad. No refrigerating required. Here is the deal. Before gogi berries are packaged, they are dried out almost completely and left with about 10% moisture. This gives them their chewy consistency. And although gogi berries look like little red raisins, they are not quite as sweet. But with Vitamin A, C, and Iron? Who cares. Way healthier than a raisin.

      Gogi berry cookies from one of my first posts.

      My gogi berry and rolled oat cookies from a while back. See those red guys?? These are gogi berries.

      According to the Navitas Naturals website this is what they say about their gogi berries and their nutritional content: “Ounce-for-ounce, goji berries contain more vitamin C than oranges, more beta-carotene than carrots, and more iron than soybeans and spinach.”  That’s quite a nutritional claim. I’m on board with that. What to do with these babies?

      • Keep them in your purse in place of those almonds you have been carting around for a week. Mix it up a bit.
      • Add them to your salad.
      • Top your oatmeal with them.
      • Add them to granola.
      • Blend them into smoothies.
      • Add them to your cookie recipes?? See above picture :).

      Although I am certain they sell them at Whole Foods Market, here is the Amazon link if you would like to order some from the comfort of your couch. http://www.amazon.com/Navitas-Naturals-Organic-Berries-16-Ounce/dp/B000FFLHSY

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      Posted in Make friends with... | Tagged gogi berries
    • Make friends with…Miso paste

      Posted at 8:00 pm by myfoodiecall
      Oct 18th

      What’s up with miso?

      Do you know about miso paste? Chances are if you have ever been to sushi, you have had miso soup. Miso soup has miso paste. Same stuff, different format.

      Do you do miso soup? If not, crawl out from under your rock and get to the nearest sushi place, okay??

      Do you do miso soup? If not, crawl out from under your rock and get to the nearest sushi place, okay?? You’ll thank me.

      What is it?

      Fermented soybean paste. Super common in the Japanese culture and used to add flavor in dressings, marinades, and yes, miso soup!

      What does it taste like?

      A sweet, salty taste. An oxymoron I know, but try it, you’ll understand.

      Why should you make friends with miso paste?

      Although it is high in sodium, don’t let that deter you. It is high in B vitamins, protein, and fiber…(keep things running smooth, okay??)

      Best part? It is a probiotic.

      Meaning: aids in digestion and boosts immunity.

      Where can I find this at the grocery store?

      The refrigerated section of your health foods store. Unfortunately, Trader Joe’s does not have this stuff. Yet.

       

      There are different kinds of miso. This is mellow miso. Just sounds velvety, no?

      There are many different kinds of miso. This is “Mellow” White Miso. Just sounds velvety…

       Don't push this to the back of the fridge. Try it!

      Don’t push this to the back of the fridge. Give it a home in the front door.

       

      Posted in Make friends with...
    • Make friends with…Seaweed.

      Posted at 8:00 pm by myfoodiecall
      Oct 8th

      Seaweed.

      Have you seen these flaky sheets of awesomeness?

      These babies are surpringly awesome.

      These babies are surprisingly tasty.

      The first time I picked these up I was intrigued. Of course I had eaten sushi plenty of times, but roasted seaweed? As a snack?

      My first try was the Trader Joe's brand.

      My first try was the Trader Joe’s brand.

      But what is it?? Fishy stuff?

      Fish-like product?

      Stuff from the beach? 

      Put simply:  it is algae.

      The gunk in a pond?

      No, that’s toxic.

      This is marine algae. Or a sea vegetable.

      Yes, a vegetable.

      I have since graduated to Wasabi Seaweed Snacks.

      I have since graduated to Wasabi Seaweed Snacks. Love that kick!

      Benefits of consuming seaweed?

      • Very low-calorie (30 calories per serving. A whole package is 2 servings. 60 calories? Heck, have the whole pack. Go wild and have two packs. Who cares with those calorie counts)
      • Excellent source of trace minerals like Iodine (Iodine is good for a shoddy thyroid like mine.)
      • Great vitamin C source (Who knew?)
      •  Vegan (Remember, no fish here. A sea vegetable. Vegan.)

      I challenge your Wheat Thins to those stats.

      These show up in my kids lunch bags on a semi-regular basis. Wish the packaging was a tad smaller. Such problems....

      These show up in my kids lunch bags on a semi-regular basis. Wish the packaging was a tad smaller. Such problems….

      One caveat: Check your teeth post-consumption. Sometimes little chunks get in the old gum line. Wouldn’t want to scare away the UPS guy or any co-workers.

      Posted in Make friends with...
    • Make friends with….Sriracha Sauce

      Posted at 8:00 pm by myfoodiecall
      Sep 27th

      They should call this Special Sauce. It’s just so dang special that it makes everything it comes in contact with that much better.

      sriracha sauce

      Pseudo-name “Rooster Sauce”.

      The base of this wonder sauce is chili peppers.

      Afraid? Don’t be.

      It really is not like Frank’s or Cholula or any other hot sauce that scares you. With the addition of garlic and vinegar? It has insane flavor and adds to most anything.

      “Why bother? Lets just “stick to my ranch” and call it a day…”

      Nah. Let’s not.

      “Why do you need to care about a chili pepper sauce?”

      Well, chili peppers have capsaicin. Shown to increase metabolism and have fantastic health benefits for your arteries and heart health.

      “I can’t do spicy foods?”

      I used to hate spicy stuff. Now that rooster bottle is on full grocery list rotation in the My Foodie Call household.

      Are you a rookie-spicy-foodie?

      Start your Sriracha love with these baby steps…

      Add to:

      • Scrambled eggs (Instead of ketchup…kethup has too much sugar anyhow)
      • Your omelette (Instead of cheese. Slash the fat and calories and boost your metabolism. Bam.)
      • pizza (Skip the pepperoni (bleck!) and add Sriracha to your cheese pizza)
      • Marinara sauce (Add a dash for an unexpected kick to your sauce)
      • Salad dressing (mix in a teaspoon. Again, slashing calories and a burst of flavor)

      Once you get addicted to Sriracha (and I am convinced you will), I am guessing it will be a staple in your household like it is in mine!

      Posted in Make friends with...
    • Make friends with…Kimchi.

      Posted at 8:00 pm by myfoodiecall
      Sep 13th

      Kimchi. A Korean staple that should be an American staple.

      But why us?

      Why do we need it?

      And what the heck is it?

       Fermented vegetables. Vegetables already make it a winner.

      Trader Joe's brand comes in this pouch.

      Trader Joe’s brand comes in this handy pouch.

      But why fermented??

      Why eat onion, cabbage, and radish that have been soaking in vinegar??

      Well for the same reason you have been told to eat your yogurt. Digestive health. Fermented foods such as kimchi contain healthy bacteria called, lactobacilli which helps aid in digestion. Always good to keep things “clutter free”.

      Whole Foods and other stores sell kimchi in a jar.

      Other stores like Whole Foods sell kimchi in a jar.

      How do you eat the stuff?? Well, it can basically be served on the side of pretty much anything. On a sandwich. On a salad. In a wrap. Alongside a rice bowl. Anything!

      It’s really good stuff. Give it a shot. Let me know what you think.

      Posted in Make friends with...
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    • You missed a call?

      • Make friends with…Bean Pasta.
      • Whole Wheat Flax ‘N Apple Muffins
      • Small changes…Eat what’s in season.
      • Whole Wheat Broccoli Mac N Cheese
      • What I pack my kid.
    • Categories

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      • What I pack my kid.
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  • dial in to your health

  • The Stuff

    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Make friends with…
    • Meatless mealtime
    • Pancake Day
    • Random stuff
    • Salads, Soups, and Sides
    • Small changes
    • Snacks
    • What I pack my kid.
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