Well, this past week saw our first round of quizzes, cases and a
paper. Midterms will happen in a couple of weeks. Among the
research and study, I was left with the conundrum of snacks that
would fit within my whole foods definition for the Super Bowl this
past weekend. So, some friends and I put our minds to finding
things that would "fit the bill" for whole food ingredients and be
pretty tasty at the same time!
Here is what we came up with for the party. These recipes were
developed with a bit of ingenuity, emptying the cupboards, and a
quick run to the grocery store. With time and money, I'm certain we
could have come up with vegetarian, dairy-free or even vegan
options. We are on a budget, and combined available ingredients to
come up with something healthy and inexpensive. Hope you enjoy!
Pulled Pork (or Beef)
Crockpot Style
Courtesy of Lauren
Serves 8
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs. (pasture-raised/organic, pork center loin or beef
center loin)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup freshly brewed coffee
- 12 oz. can organic tomato sauce (tomatoes and water)
- 8 oz. can organic tomato paste (tomatoes and water)
- 8 oz. can organic chipotle peppers (peppers, water, salt)
- 1/2 large yellow onion, diced
- 1/2 cup black strap molasses
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/4 cup organic apple cider vinegar
- 4 Tablespoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
- Hot pepper (to taste)
Instructions:
- Trim the fat from the meat and place the meat into the crockpot
with water.
- Cook the meat in the slow cooker until ready to pull
apart.
- Pull apart the meat and add back to the water remaining in the
crockpot.
- Add the remaining ingredients and any additional water as
needed, mix.
- Cook until ready (or game-time!)
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Courtesy of Mike
Serves 8
Ingredients
- 2-8 oz. packages organic cream cheese
- 2-16 oz. containers of Greek yogurt
- 8 ozs. organic baby spinach (fresh or frozen)
- 16 oz. artichoke hearts (packed in water)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Steam the spinach.
- Rinse the artichoke hearts.
- Chop the spinach into small pieces.
- Dice the artichoke hearts.
- Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
- Chill to serve or heat and serve warm…or both!
- ENJOY with your favorite organic corn, sweet potato or veggie
chip!
We were able to combine individual ingredients that we had in
our cupboards along with some meat in the freezer and a quick trip
to the store for cream cheese and chips. Then, we put together a
pretty nice and filling meal for the game (along with a side salad)
and a dip to snack upon while we waited for the power at the Super
Dome to be restored.
The whole foods plan is starting to come together. With a bit of
creativity, imagination and prep work, putting together some great
tasting grub for the big game was a breeze! Now to work on a more
balanced veggie menu in the coming weeks before spring. We can talk
about that and some of the financial challenges of attending
naturopathic medical school and strategies for current and future
financial needs.
In the meantime, here's a pic that with a view I really enjoyed
after a workout this past weekend in our gym. The sculpture is of a
healer's hands with a backdrop of Janse Pond underneath our first
true snowfall in over a year (that's right)!
Talk to you next week!