After a few weeks of playing it by ear, I am back to menu planning for this week. We tend to eat healthier, better meals when I plan ahead.
I am also back to emphasizing fruit consumption for me and my family. For several weeks I was greeting the kids almost every day with an after-school snack of fruit on a tray or fruit salad. They enjoyed it and I felt good about them getting more fruit. So, I'm back at it again. Here's a fruit salad I presented them with after school one day this week, above. I cut up a pear, an orange, a peach, a banana and strawberries and then threw in some raspberries. My favourite part is the fresh berries. The kids love them too, but I'm finding I have to stop by a store every two or three days to buy more.
Buying Organic
I really got into buying organic produce when I was pregnant for the first time over 11 years ago. I wanted to minimize my baby's exposure to harmful chemicals. I continue to try to buy organic fruit when it's available. Organic oranges have yet to fail me. They are inevitably sweeter than their non-organic counterparts. Don't you hate a giant, tasteless orange? I almost always buy organic strawberries because they are on the Environmental Working Group's "Dirty Dozen" list of fruits and vegetables with the most pesticide residues.
I found out something I didn't know when visiting EWG's website this week. Tests in 2008 found that some domestically-grown zucchini and yellow crookneck squash contained residues of harmful pesticides that were phased out in the 1970s and 1980s but that linger on in some farm fields. I also discovered that some zucchini is genetically modified. I guess I'll have to start buying my zucchini at the health food store. It looked so harmless. The good news is asparagus and mushrooms are on the clean list.
EWG notes that eating conventionally-grown produce is "far better than not eating fruits and vegetables at all." You can lower your risk by choosing the least contaminated produce and buying organic versions of the most contaminated fruits and veggies.
Skinny Bitch: Ultimate Everyday Cookbook
When I'm planning meals for the week, I tend to focus on one or two of my many vegetarian cookbooks, as well as online recipe sources. This week I happened to pick up my copy of "Skinny Bitch: Ultimate Everyday Cookbook" by Kim Barnouin. I have made several recipes from this book and enjoyed them all, so I'd like to try some more. Pick it up at the library and see if you like it too. My Monday, Tuesday and Saturday recipe choices come from there. The Coconut- and Almond-Crusted Tofu is amazing - even the kids loved it!
MY MENU PLAN
Monday
Pasta, Navy Bean and Spinach Soup; Organic Mixed Greens Salad
Tuesday
Tofu Mexicali Scramble on Tortillas
Wednesday
Spaghetti with Roasted Broccoli Pesto; Organic Mixed Greens Salad
Find the recipe here. I bought a huge bag of broccoli at Costco so this will be perfect to use some up. I'm going to use a different spaghetti than the recipe recommends.
Find the recipe here. I bought a huge bag of broccoli at Costco so this will be perfect to use some up. I'm going to use a different spaghetti than the recipe recommends.
Thursday
Wasabi-Roasted Tofu Stir-Fry on Rice
Find the recipe here. I'm not sure about the wasabi, but I'll give it a go!
Find the recipe here. I'm not sure about the wasabi, but I'll give it a go!
Friday
TBD
Saturday
Coconut- and Almond-Crusted Tofu with Spicy Mango Chutney; Roasted Asparagus
Sunday
Husband Cooking (His Choice)
I'm glad you're back to linking up this week! Mmm, your fruit salad looks amazing... I need to stock up on all the summer berries and peaches and make a big salad this week. SO yummy!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to be back! I have been lazy - eating lots of veggie burgers. ;)
DeleteGreat Post! Health Food rules :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday!
Thanks. It sure does! ;)
DeleteThe tofu mexicali scramble sounds yummy!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to it!
Deletenothing better then fresh berries... skip the tofu though :P
ReplyDeleteNot a tofu fan huh? ;)
DeleteMmm....fruit salad! Surprised {& disappointed} on the squash & zucchini {& relived that a lot of the little farmers around here grow squashes in the fall, so we'll be good}. The problem in the US is that we have yet to properly define organic for labeling purposes-- lots of products say they are organic, but they might not be-- at least, not in the way we think.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised about the zucchini too. It's great to get produce locally and from the farmer's market where you can discuss it with the farmer. Sometimes they aren't organic officially but they use organic methods.
Delete