I was shopping at the local nutrition store a few weeks ago. It was after I had made the decision to go gluten free. During the first couple of weeks I had cravings for bread, so I decided to explore my options. While at the store I was asking store staff about my options. One of them suggested something that was not gluten free. I politely told her that I am not looking to add that specific product to my diet. She looked at me funny and said: “Girl, you need to live a little!”
I find it interesting that people associate food and happiness. I do enjoy food very much—delicious food, but I never thought that my happiness should be so closely tied to it, not the way I observe people feel about food. I am one of those people that would eat anything that is good for my body, whether it tastes great or not [although I prefer the former]. I intake food based on what it does for my body. Once in a while I do enjoy a little bit of dark chocolate, but it is not because I am unhappy at other times, it is because I know that eating the way I do I can get away with it, and yet, I am very selective even about the chocolate that I eat. Leaving disease free and being full of energy is LIVING A LITTLE for me. Actually it is not A LITTLE—I live a full life—a healthy life. I had detached my sense of happiness from what goes into my mouth a long time ago, and I would suggest that my readers do the same, as much as possible, so that they can LIVE A LOT :)—i.e. live longer, healthier lives.
Having said that I do like eating well, and I like DELICIOUS FOODS. I use whole organic foods to make dishes that entertain my pallet and make my taste buds do a little cha-cha dance :)
The recipe that I will share today is another favorite of mine, because it could be limited only by your imagination… You can use any filling that you like to stuff a tomato and it will taste delicious. Experiment with recipes that you find on my blog. Change up the ingredients and make them taste good to your pallet!
STUFFED TOMATOES
I find it interesting that people associate food and happiness. I do enjoy food very much—delicious food, but I never thought that my happiness should be so closely tied to it, not the way I observe people feel about food. I am one of those people that would eat anything that is good for my body, whether it tastes great or not [although I prefer the former]. I intake food based on what it does for my body. Once in a while I do enjoy a little bit of dark chocolate, but it is not because I am unhappy at other times, it is because I know that eating the way I do I can get away with it, and yet, I am very selective even about the chocolate that I eat. Leaving disease free and being full of energy is LIVING A LITTLE for me. Actually it is not A LITTLE—I live a full life—a healthy life. I had detached my sense of happiness from what goes into my mouth a long time ago, and I would suggest that my readers do the same, as much as possible, so that they can LIVE A LOT :)—i.e. live longer, healthier lives.
Having said that I do like eating well, and I like DELICIOUS FOODS. I use whole organic foods to make dishes that entertain my pallet and make my taste buds do a little cha-cha dance :)
The recipe that I will share today is another favorite of mine, because it could be limited only by your imagination… You can use any filling that you like to stuff a tomato and it will taste delicious. Experiment with recipes that you find on my blog. Change up the ingredients and make them taste good to your pallet!
STUFFED TOMATOES
Ingredients· Ripe red large/medium size tomatoes (I used 6)
· 2 cups of your favorite grain, cooked (I used millet. Brown rice is also a great filler.)
· 2-3 pickles, cubed OR
· 1 large cucumber, cubed
· 1/3-1/2 cup soaked sunflower seeds or pine nuts
· 1 cup diced celery
· 1 clove of garlic, pressed through a garlic press
· Sea salt to taste
· ½ cup cilantro or basil
· Your favorite seasoning (optional)
· 2-3 tablespoons of vegan mayo or hummus
Preparation
· Cut tops off the tomatoes, clean out insides
· Cube skins (hard parts) of tomatoes; blend insides (soft parts with seeds) with garlic
· Combine all ingredients, season to taste
· Stuff tomatoes (you will have extra filling, but it will taste great either way)
· Let tomatoes sit for 15-20 minutes to marinate
· Garnish with celery
· Enjoy!
Vegan cooking is easy. Raw cooking is even easier. Mixing grains with vegetables is a great way to get more nutrients, fiber and calories into your system.
Stay Healthy! Enjoy Life!
