So, I’m almost caught up with updates about our journey to real food. (Read part 1 and part 2). I was almost caught up when I started this a couple of weeks ago.
Week 5: Try two new whole foods – Try a minimum of two new whole foods that you’ve never had before.
The weekly challenge page included a list of several whole foods to try.
- Quinoa (pronounced “KEEN-wah”)
- Barley
- Parsnips
- Kale
- Collard greens
- Steel cut oats
- Papaya
- Brussel sprouts
- Black-eyed peas
- Chickpeas
- Bok choy
- Swiss chard
- Radicchio (pronounced “rah-DEE-kee-oh”)
- Spaghetti Squash
- Watercress
- Dates
- Kiwi
- Eggplant
- Pomegranate
- Fava beans
- Lentils
- Spelt
- Pine nuts
- Star fruit
We had actually tried most of the items on the list except quinoa, barley and fava beans. Several items like steel cut oats, chickpeas in the form of humus, bok choy, radicchio, spaghetti squash, kiwi, egg plant and pine nuts often appear on the menu. I decided to try barley & quinoa. I found a recipe for Cheesy Broccoli Quinoa on Pinterest. I liked it but the Big Guy didn’t. If you like broccoli and rice I would recommend it. For barley I made vegetable and barely soup based on my chicken soup recipe. It was pretty good. I will post some recipes later, hopefully this week.
Oh, one plus to the Real Food Challenge is weight loss. It isn’t a diet plan but rather about changing eating habits. Since January 1st I’ve lost about 13 pounds. By eating less empty calories I’m actually eating less and less hungry.
The Dee Zone 