Menu Swap: October 5th

The Super Food Challenge
Before we begin to what are “super foods”, let’s start by saying what they aren’t. Super foods aren’t: a magical “cure all”, a lose weight diet asset, money burning ingredient, or related to Super man in any way, shape, or form.
Right, nice try broccoli.

What super foods really are, are foods with a high phytonutrient content that may benefit the health of those who consume them. A phyochemical are compounds that are naturally found in vegetables and fruits that may affect the health for the better. Of course, the majority of these theories of the effectiveness of phytochemicals are merely speculations with little evidence. Even with these speculations, there are certain foods that were analyzed and considered to be more beneficial to the human body via consumption over another assortment of vegetables. Unfortunately, everyone has their own conceivable list of super foods, but after searching many websites, I made a small list with the foods that I believe are a true and beneficial “super food” that should be part your daily diet. Of course, it is hard to consume each and every item per day, so, at least try to consume a substantial amount of items from this list.

Avocados
Berries (See my later article about the “exotic super berries”)
Beans, Lentils, Pulses
Cacao
Cinnamon
Dark Leafy Greens
Eggs
Eggplant
Flaxseeds
Garlic
Kiwi
Mushrooms
Nuts (Almonds and walnuts specifically)
Oranges
Pumpkin
Red Wine
Salmon
Sea Vegetables
Soy
Sweet potatoes
Tomatoes
Tea
Whole Grains
Yogurt

Your Mission: include at least 10 of the listed ‘super foods’ in your menu.
Your Reward: delicious and nutritious food.

My Super Menu for October 5th

Breakfast
Apple Brown Betty with Walnuts
Mexican Bread Pudding with Cacao Nibs

Lunch
Black Bean Salad with Sweet Potatoes and Roasted Tomatoes
Sweet and Sour Jicama Salad w/ Crispy Tofu
Broccoli Waldorf Salad
Fluffernutter (For National Fluffernutter Day)

Dinner
Polenta Gratin
Greek Vegetable Tart
Mushroom Steak, Egg, & Potato Salad
Baja Fish Salad
Gingersnap Crusted Eggplant Gratin w/ sautéed greens & potato salad

Others
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
Wedding Cake #1

Uhm, more if I’m crazy enough.

Meet the Challengers

Wendy at Celiac’s in the House takes the challenge head on with full speed balancing nutriton around the bustling activity going on in her house. It sounds like she has her hands full with a birthday bash, home coming, sports games, and travel! Even though her hands sound full, at least their stomachs with be stuffed with her chicken corn chowder, Mexican style pasta skillet, pizza and fishcakes. Honestly, who can pass up fishcakes?

Trishtator, at gluten free in salt lake city, provides a yummy menu even though she’s prepping for a trip. Risotto with scrumptious vegetables, taco soup and shepherd’s pie - mmm! To the Diabetes Education and Camping Association conference in Alabama. Sounds like she’ll be having fun meeting with individuals with similar health situations. When I first met someone in person that experienced the same exact symptoms, you feel a sudden calmness and gain the awareness that you aren’t alone nor are you crazy. I hope you do have a good time,Trish!

Esther, from the Lilac Kitchen, takes my challenge with ease as many of the ingredients she uses daily. I’m jealous at her eggplant availability from her green house! I have to buy mine from Kroger but, luckily, they have them on sale so I’m stocking up via roasting and storing in the fridge. She also has a tantalizing vegetable stew with dumplings, sausage casserole and - look out kids, PB cookies! She states she also needs to use the berry bunch, so, why not PB&J cookies? Two for one deal! Oh and happy birthday! Can’t forget that.

Scrumptious, from In My Box, has a light menu lined up but even light doesn’t mean lacking flavor. Soups and salads are always a please while she also throws in some middle eastern and southern style delights. I see roasted roots, which always win me over, and her grape pudding-cake sounds quite interesting. So you think my breakfast bread pudding sounds good? Well, think about it - bread pudding is basically deconstructed French toast! Keep the goodies coming.

Deb, the Green V-neck, dishes out an awesome time saving menu with crockpot chickpea curry, veggie burgers - a winner for sure - my favorite mock egg salad which I totally need to make again soon, and pumpkin bread. A mom of four, yet, she still has enough time to feed them, get to meetings, classes and then some. That takes skill.

You don’t have to ask twice, Kim, PD Coconut Milk ice cream counts as a super food, ha ha. Her menu lines up family favorites along with a girl’s night, which is always the best, vegetables spotted here and there and, yes, pumpkin bread. That’s two you guys. If I see another, I’m making pumpkin bread. I hope everything goes well for you on your upcoming marathon. Please keep healthy and safe; in other words, don’t break anything please!! And, God that bread looks so good..I can’t stop looking at it. I’m even thinking of trying coconut oil in substitution for shortening for frostings. I don’t see why it won’t work.

Sea proudly sports her adorable little Yum. I just want to poke her cheeks. I can’t wait till I become a mom - wait, let the wedding go through first. Phillip’s so excited to have me cook for us two, alone. She’s getting the best of the list, but she’s also welcomed to sport more. I know I am. Temporarily going veg for baby Yum’s sake, she supplies a total vegan menu which is nice. I’ve been tempted to do the same in order to add in more legumes to my diet which I occasionally drift from, but, then I find myself craving fish. She mentions a book about calcium, nixing the dairy, which I’m very curious about. Since I’m 100% casen/lactose intolerant, I’m in dire need of adding calcium and fortified stuff doesn’t cut it for me. Keep me posted~!

In Angela’s Kitchen, she returns from her West Edition of the GF Culinary Summit anxiously waiting to see her children and provide them with food. Without a doubt, she has a slew of items planned. Double baked garlic stuffed potatoes? Holy moley, I’m SOLD. Stirfries, pumpkin cookies - Mmmm! I love anything and everything with pumpkin, sad, but true. I can’t wait to hear what else, details and info, she has to offer from the summit. Keep us updated! Especially with recipes.