THEMATIC Thursdays: NERC* Diet Fights Age-Related Ailments

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Although it's not news that consuming refined-carbohydrates ages you, supplemental research in this area is coming out all the time. Recently, National Public Radio reported Jay Olshansky, a professor at the University of Illinois (Chicago) School of Public Health, saying that the basic advice hasn't changed: "...eat more fruits and vegetables." Moreover, a study from just a few years back, authored by a Tufts University researcher, noted that high glycemic-index foods (e.g. sugar, many processed foods, breads) contributed to vision loss after age 50, for a significant percentage of adults.

Need some basic info about flour and sugar intake? This article does a pretty good job of explaining the basics of refined carbs (bad) versus complex carbs (good), and how sugar speeds up a natural aging process in the body called glycation, which among other things, causes skin-wrinkling.

*Not Eating Refined Carbs

NEWS Tuesdays: Carbs....Unsafe at Any Feed?

Everyone has something to sell; however, I'm not adverse to promoting good content when, and where, I find it--regardless of the source. Instant oatmeal, corn flakes, whole grain chips? What's the nutritional reality?

A company called Precision Nutrition ,takes a stab at explaining the links, good and bad, between "whole grains" and "carbs." Not all carbs are bad, but understanding which ones are "safe" and which ones are not, is important for your health. There's a lot of confusion about the phrase "whole grains," because it's now used everywhere, by every kind of packaged-food company, and yet, depending upon what those "whole grains" are combined with, may or may not be, good for you. Read more here.

CARB NEWS Mondays: They're Addictive

Researchers in New Zealand have found that processed foods containing carbohydrates and sugar are addictive in the same way that nicotine is addictive, according to Rotorua's (New Zealand) The Daily Post. Read it and weep...then make the no-bake, low-refined carb pie I posted last Friday.

RECIPE #1: Awe-Ful Onion Dip

You can make real onion dip that is not from a package, doesn't contain chemicals and is very low in refined carbohydrates. You will be full of awe - 'awe-ful' - at how yummy this is. Five steps and five pix are below:

1. ASSEMBLE IT: 
You will need....
*Mixture: one 16 oz. container of sour cream; two big dollops each of plain yogurt (not vanilla) and mayonnaise (fat-free or vegan).
*Spices: a few shakes to taste of...black pepper, turmeric, garlic powder, cumin, paprika. A tiny shake of cayenne pepper powder.
*Onions: one large onion OR one medium onion and a small onion OR three or small onions.
*Raw Veggies: baby carrots, or vegetable strips - squash, zucchini, cucumber - for eating the dip.


2. MAKE IT:  You need to....
*Chop up the onions first and saute/fry them up in a skillet with margarine, oil or butter. Color should range from translucent beige to deep brown; a few crispy, full caramelized/fried pieces are good. Once done turn off heat, and let cool
*While onions are cooking, stir the wet ingredients (sour cream, yogurt and mayo) together in a bowl.
*Add in the spices. Mix further.
*Prepare any cold veggies to use as implements for eating the dip.



3. MIX IT: You need to...
*Add the lukewarm/cool onions to the mixture.
*Stir this mixture up really well.






4. COOL IT: You need to...
*Use a spatula to empty the mixture into a plastic storage container (i.e. Tupperware, etc.). Refrigerate for at least six hours - preferably overnight.

5. EAT IT: You need to....
 *Use baby carrots, zucchini, squash or carrot strips to scoop up the dip.



 NOTES: Don't omit the yogurt and mayo - this adds some flavor to the sour cream, and provides some tang. Onions should caramelize, just cook them through, but don't fry or leave them too uncooked. Make sure they cool down before adding to dip mixture. Stir the wet ingredients first before adding spices. The dip is MUCH better after a prolonged period of refrigeration - flavors mix together, and the barely beige mixture turns a nice brown...the way onion dip is supposed to look.