Cyd Notter

Author and Nutrition Educator, Founder of The "Plan A" Diet™

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

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For the first time in my entire life, I have baked with rhubarb. Now I'm wondering what took me so long!

Even though it's something I rarely eat, I have always LOVED anything Strawberry Rhubarb (pie, crisp, crumble, whatever). So when I came upon this easy recipe, I decided to finally give it a try.

Distance prevents me from shopping at Whole Foods very often, but I made the trip last week and discovered they had both organic rhubarb (already pre-cut) and organic strawberries on sale. That made the recipe even sweeter!

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp 

3 cups diced rhubarb
1 pound strawberries, hulled and sliced
1/2 cup sucanat (natural cane sugar), divided
1/2 cup plus 2 TBS whole wheat pastry flour, divided
1/4 cup pitted and chopped Medjool dates
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
3 TBS orange juice

Preheat oven to 375. Line a 9x9 pan with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine rhubarb, strawberries, 1/4 cup sucanat, 2 TBS flour, and the dates.
In a separate bowl, mix the rolled oats, remaining 1/2 cup flour, remaining 1/4 cup sucanat, walnuts and orange juice. Evenly spread fruit mixture into pan. Top with oat mixture, spreading evenly. Bake 35-40 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Spoon into bowls and serve warm.

I used a 9x9 silicone pan, so no parchment paper was necessary. I highly recommend this easy recipe....it's one that's even special enough for company 🙂

He gave plenty to drink to those who were thirsty.
He filled those who were hungry with good food. (Psalm 107:9, GW)

Do you have a favorite rhubarb recipe? Would love to hear about it! Please reply here.

Which Veggie Burgers are considered C.R.A.P. (Calorie Rich and Processed)

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I read an interesting post today by Jeff Novick (Jeff is an expert dietitian affiliated in part with the McDougall program).

In the post, he describes an on-line debate that occurred over the "Beyond Meat" veggie burgers, and he gives reasons why the "Beyond Meat" burger is not a healthy choice. If we're going to purchase processed products once in a while, label reading is important! We usually don't have to go any further than the ingredient list.

Another interesting tip: Now that food manufacturers are no longer required to reveal the percentage of fat in a product, Jeff explains how we can tell the percentage of fat by doing just a bit of math. He mentions The Impossible Burger (I'm not familiar with that one) and shows how that product is 53% fat (with 41% of that being saturated fat).

Here's the link to Jeff's post.

Making your own plant-based burgers at home is easy and delicious! Here are just a few of the hundreds out there.

Fat Free Baked Mexican Black Bean Burgers (the Vegan 8)

Sweet Potato Curry Burgers (Jeff Novick)

McVeggie Burgers (Dr. McDougall)

White Bean, Wild Rice and Almond Burgers (Dr. Fuhrman)

Savory Lentil Mushroom Burgers (FatFree Vegan) 

I'd love to hear about your favorites too!

Leave a reply here. 

In the mood to grill some ribz?

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Are you looking for some healthy ribs which are easy to make and oh-so-delicious? Then you won't regret giving Barbecued Seitan Ribz a try!

This recipe from The Fat Free Vegan website is definitely going into the "keeper" file.

Seitan (say-tan´) is another name for wheat gluten, which is a food made from the main protein of wheat. Also known as "wheat meat," seitan is a popular meat replacement because of its texture and versatility.

Wheat Gluten (or Vital Wheat Gluten) can often be found in your local health food stores (including Whole Foods, Fresh Thyme, the Fruitful Yield, etc) or you can easily purchase it on line. Bob's Red Mill is the brand I use, but some stores may carry it in bulk.

The recipe makes 16 ribz, so you may want to double it. Four ribz are considered a serving (and one serving has nearly 28 grams of protein!) Of course, it's impossible to be protein-deficient while eating a whole food, plant-based diet, but just one serving of this recipe could provide about half your daily requirement.

The recipe calls for Smoked Spanish Paprika, but I just used regular Smoked Paprika, which I bought at Berkots in the produce section. Also, instead of grilling, I chose to bake this recipe as outlined in the directions - but I'm sure they'd be awesome grilled, too.

If you serve with smashed potatoes and gravy, try this Golden Gravy Recipe by Mary McDougall! Add a salad or a cob of sweet corn and you're all set!

Why is it best to avoid grilling meat? 

Where do you get your protein?

Need help eating healthier? Contact me.

 

SIBO, SCD and FODMAP – What does it all mean?

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If you (or someone you know) are having tummy issues, perhaps you've heard of a condition called SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), which is often diagnosed in people experiencing abdominal distress. I hadn't heard of this condition until recently, although Dr. John McDougall has been writing about it for a while. The prescribed diet for this condition is a low-carb diet which focuses on meat, poultry, chicken, cheese, fish and eggs.

In this article, Dr. McDougall explains:

  • Why REAL cases of SIBO are rare. Very few people actually have it.
  • The breath test used to make the diagnosis is highly unreliable.
  • The prescribed diet makes people feel worse (and constipated), while increasing the risk for other serious conditions (cancer, Ulcerative Colitis, diabetes, heart disease, obesity).
  • GOOD bacteria love to much on plant-food remnants, but pathogenic bacteria love meat and junk food. I've written about that same topic here.
  • What are the SCD and FODMAP diets, and which diet is best for the bowels?

I'm never ceased to be amazed by the remarkable functions of our bodies! Things go so much smoother when we give it the food we are designed to eat. Gut bacteria love this food pyramid!

God (to humanity): 29 Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant that grows on the earth and every fruit-bearing tree. They will be your food and nourishment. 30 As for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and every small creeping creature—everything that breathes the breath of life—I have given them every green plant for food.
And it happened just as God said. (Gen. 1:29-30, VOICE)

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Lead Levels in Bone Broth, Eggs and Certain Supplements

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Tempered Lead

Have you seen the commercial for a popular water filter in which one man sarcastically exclaims "Does anyone want to drink lead? A fresh cup of lead!" Many of us are concerned with the lead levels in our water. But how often do we consider the other sources of dietary lead? Up until now, I haven't personally given it much thought!

Dr. Greger (an expert in research data) recently revealed the studies which show how bone broth, eggs, and certain popular supplements may contribute to lead poisoning and the subsequent host of medical problems that can result.
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