5 Lemons Healthy Gourmet Blog
Latest info, recipes, tools & gadgets to create a healthy diet
The Best Berry On The Planet
Apr 10th
At least that’s what I think. Marionberries are little known, although they make up around 50% of the berry crop for the state of Oregon. I’ve never seen marionberries for sale in a regular grocery store, and out here in the east, not even at a Farmer’s Markets.
This berry is worth the search though, and even growing it yourself might be in order. The fruits are huge. Larger than any blackberry I’ve ever seen, and extremely juicy. There is not bitterness in them like blackberries have, either. They’re absolutely delicious fresh, over ice cream, made into jam or syrup. If More >
Grain Salad
Apr 7th
Here’s a great way to use quinoa.
Grain Salad
- 3-4 cups cooked grain, chilled
- 3-4 cups shredded/chopped raw vegetables (carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, jicama, peppers, etc.)
- Salad dressing (use your favorite vinaigrette)
- Fresh or dried herbs, edible flowers (opt)
Combine all ingredients and allow to chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour to blend tastes. Serve on a bed of lettuce or cabbage leaves.
It is best if the dressing is oil based as it will mix into the salad and stay on the grain better.
Although the fresh herbs are optional they are highly recommended to add interest and flavor: basil, oregano, lemon thyme, parsley or cilantro, More >
Quinoa, Ancient Grain, Gluten-Free
Apr 4th
Tired of using rice for all your grain based dishes, then give quinoa a try. This grain dates back to at least the ancient Incas and maybe long before that. It was also used by native Americans before maize became the crop of choice.
This tiny seed is a powerhouse in nutrition. Just ½ cup contains 8 grams of protein! Since it contains a balanced set of essential amino acids it makes it almost a complete protein all by itself. It is also gluten-free, so it is a great choice for people on restricted gluten diets.
It is prepared almost exactly like More >
Understanding Whole-Wheat Flours
Apr 1st
Many of us we grew up on white flour everything, bread, cakes, cookies, pasta, etc. Now many people are trying to incorporate more whole foods into their diets. This means switching from white flour to whole wheat. However, the results are going to be very different when you start using whole-wheat flour. Knowing which flour to use can make all the difference in the world.
There are four kinds of whole-wheat flour:
- Hard Winter Wheat: Also called red winter wheat. This is the second hardest wheat kernel. It comes in fine, medium and coarse grinds. Fine works best for baked goods; breads, More >
Choosing Healthy Vegetables, Nuts, & Grains
Mar 25th
Man shouldn’t live by bread alone, nor fruits either. Continuing with our nutritionally dense foods. Here’s an a+ list for vegetables, nuts, and grains. Of course there are many other foods that are highly nutritious and should be a part of a healthy diet. These just have some known benefits.
Broccoli – High in vitamin C and beta-carotene. It can help protect against breast cancer. One cup contains 25 calories, 0 fat, and 3 grams of fiber.
Spinach – Usually touted as the food that gave Popeye his strength, spinach can also help stave off macular degeneration. One cup contains 7 calories, More >
Choosing Healthy Fruits
Mar 22nd
It seems almost every day, someone is claiming that a certain food is the only food you need to prevent cancer, diabetes, or some such degenerative disease. However, a well balanced diet rich in fresh foods is your best bet. It never hurts to pick the most nutritionally dense foods you can find and include them in your diet. Here are a few fruits that get an A+.
Apricots – Rich in Vitamin A and Beta-carotene which helps protect the heart and eyes. It also helps prevent free radical damage. They are low in calories, too, at just 17 calories each. More >
What’s The Deal With High Fructose Corn Syrup?
Mar 17th
According to a recent study done at the University of Texas, fructose, especially white sugar and high fructose corn syrup, is one of the main “obesogens.” According to Dr. Oz, obesogens are foods that carry a bigger stress on your system than their calorie count indicates they should.
What happens when you eat fructose is it causes your liver to go into hyperdrive creating fat for up to four hours, not only that it makes you feel hungrier. So, not only are you creating way more fat than is necessary, but you’re being “told” you need to eat more. Then you More >
Persimmon Lassi
Mar 14th
Today everyone recognized a smoothie, but lassis were around long before the smoothie craze hit. Lassi is a wonderful yogurt drink from India. India is quite hot for most of the year and this yogurt drink cools you down instantly. It is a great healthy snack. There are three traditional lassis; salty, rose, or mango flavored. Here’s a recipe for an Americanized lassi, as they don’t have persimmons in India. Give it a try! It’s delicious!
Persimmon Lassi
- 1cups yogurt
- 2 ½ cups water
- Pulp from four persimmons (seeds removed)
- ¼ – ½ tsp Chinese five spice (to taste)
- Sweetener (optional)
Put all ingredients in a blender More >
Other Noteworthy Indigenous Food Plants
Mar 7th
Much of what we eat in the US has come here from all over the world. We’re truly a melting pot of not only people, but foods, as well. Unfortunately this has meant that many delicious native foods have been left behind in the dust. The reason for this is unknown, but may be because people preferred to eat foods they brought with them from their native lands, instead of embracing naturally occurring edibles.
Some of my favorites, beyond persimmons and paw paws are: sunchokes (also called Jerusalem artichokes), huckleberry, chicory, juniper (berries), mulberry, purslane, sorghum, and wild sorrel (actually a More >