Whole~ A thing that is complete in itself. Whole Foods, means the complete food in its natural form. Whole self, means all of you, in its natural form. The whole self, mind, body and spirit, inside out, head to toe, ALL of you!!! A change in lifestyle, change in eating habits, a move, children.... These decisions need to made with the whole of you, success requires balance, you need to feel it and be it from head to toe, inside out!!
Foods should to be eaten as a whole, I am not referring to eating the whole item, I am referring to all the parts of the food item. Eating an orange, I am not saying eat the peel which most people do not do, I am saying to eat an orange. Not just orange juice, not a vitamin C supplement, by doing this you miss so many nutrients of the orange itself. Eat fruits, vegetables, protein, get all your vitamins and minerals from actual food. It is difficult to get all that you need through your daily diet, but if weekly you can say that you have had a pretty well balanced diet, with good Whole Foods, your body will thank you in so many ways.
Whole Foods include fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, meat, fish and eggs. Think of food that you look at and recognize as something that exists in nature. Simply put, Whole Foods are foods that are either not processed at all, of processed minimally. think foods that don't need labels listing a million different unpronounceable ingredients.
My goal with my clients is to assist them in establishing a whole food diet, that completes and compliments them and their lifestyle. It is not a difficult thing to accomplish, it's just getting them to make the commitment and getting started. Your food and your life can still be fun and healthy, you just need to put your whole self in. To feel it, to know it, to do it and to be it!!!! That is the WHOLE, in a Whole Foods diet.
Quinoa Tabouli GF(for those that love tabouli but don't want the wheat)
Ingredients
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
1 large or 2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
1 medium cucumber, chopped, optional
4 medium scallions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or kosher salt, or to taste
In a medium pot, cover the quinoa in water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a slow simmer, cover, and allow the quinoa to cook for about 15 minutes, or until the quinoa is cooked and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Fluff a few times with a fork to allow the last bits of steam to escape. Set aside.
Meanwhile, while the quinoa is either cooking or cooling, in a large bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, chopped cucumbers, scallions, garlic, fresh mint, and fresh parsley.
Once the quinoa has mostly cooled (it can be warm still, but it shouldn't be hot) add the cooked quinoa, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt, tossing gently to combine well. Season with bit more sea salt or kosher salt, to taste.
Chill your quinoa tabouli salad for at least 1 hour before serving, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to fully develop. Lightly toss it all together again just before serving.
