1/10/2022
Hello you fly foodies! Hope your week is off to a delicious (and warm) start.
My thoughts on this week's food:
All of the ingredients for this week's salads were carefully chosen to give you a plentiful variety of nutrients, textures, detoxing agents, and of course - flavor! I know we think of the various food groups as meat, vegetables, fruits, dairy, etc. Personally? I see multiple food groups just within plants! You've got grains, nuts/nut butters, seeds, leaves, roots, colors, etc. Each category provides its own unique set up health benefits - so the more variety you have, the more benefits you receive!
I usually wouldn't offer so many cold, raw options in such a chilly time - but I will be back to warmer, cooked foods next week. This week try pairing your salad with a little soup or tea to help keep your body warm. I don't know about you, but I am super sensitive to cold temps and when I eat something cold I feel cold to the bone for the next few hours. I like to think of that as my body's way of telling me to eat warmer foods.
That said - these salads are begging for you to add some warmer, cooked foods to them! Try doing a rainbow of roasted veggies on one sheet pan and tossing various ones into your salads! My favorites - butternut, acorn, or delicata squash with some sesame oil (not toasted) paprika, cinnamon, cumin, salt and pepper. Carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, turnips, parsnips, green beans - there are so many! But honestly, it is so easy. Just roughly chop a few, toss them with some oil, salt and pepper, throw them on a baking sheet and heat them up. Done! Think of all the lovely combinations you could make with these salads and just a few more veggies!
You know what's cool about the Thai salad this week? You get your protein source from plants! Cashews and peanuts in the dressing!
The bean and escarole soup is my favorite item this week - just feels super nourishing as it goes down ;-) plus how often do you eat escarole?! Escarole is actually a member of the chicory family, and is often confused with lettuce. It is actually considered a flat-leafed version of endive, but offers a more mild and tender experience ;-) Super high in A, K, folate, and fiber - this is one veg to add to your list more often.
Try tossing that cauliflower soup over some pasta if you want to mix things up a bit this week. Could take a meal for one and turn it into a hit for the whole fam!
I've got a sweet tooth, so for me the chai chia pudding could use a bit of maple syrup in it to sweeten the deal - however, I was trying to keep it clean the last few weeks with less sugar so if you want to sweeten it up without adding a condensed version of sugar - try bananas or berries. Remember - in this diet-obsessed and food fearful world, fruit has gotten a bad name. FRUIT IS GOOD FOR YOU! Eat it. Especially berries. Curious what you all think of this one as the texture of chia pudding isn't always everyone's fave.
Alright, my lovelies. Wishing you a fabulous week and look out for today's menu! Sliding into your box real soon.