A FEW VEGETARIAN POTATO RECIPES:
“It says we are given dominion over the creatures of the earth, but it doesn’t say we have to be their butchers. We could be the keepers of our lesser brothers. ”
PEACE PILGRIM
From the book Peace Pilgrim’s Wisdom – A Very Simple Guide – compiled by: Cheryl Canfield
-All of Peace Pilgrim’s books and materials are offered for free at www.peacepilgrim.org.
Potatoes:
Potatoes are a healthy and cheap form of nutrition. They can be served as a side dish, or main meal and can be found in nearly all corners of the world. The following is some information on potatoes and fairly simple and cheap ways to fix them.
Although there has been huge hype on diminishing your potato intake from psuedo-medical scientific research and ridiculous diet programs, scientific research has yet to confirm that potatoes can lead to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and colon cancer.
In other countries where potatoes are a staple, such diseases are rare; possibly because these folks do not have as much exposure to fatty, artificial, preservative filled, hormone injected, artificially sugared and antibiotic filled foods.
Potatoes have been a staple for centuries and along with hard work and healthier side dishes they can become an integral part of a simple, cheap and healthy way of eating. Much of the media information you get on nutrition should be personally investigated, because most of the time it’s pure hype.
They have no scientific evidence or studies to back them up! Scientific studies have shown that carbohydrates consumed in moderate and normal amounts DON’T contribute to obesity, DON’T cause a raise in blood sugars and DON’T contribute to cancer, heart disease or diabetes.
Without carbs your body will begin to break down muscle tissue by a process called gluconeogenesis. There are two types of carbohydrates: simple and complex. Simple ones contain one or two molecules while complex ones contain two or more connected molecules.
The following are simple carbohydrates: monosaccharides, fructose, glucose, disaccharides, sucrose, lactose and maltose. The following are complex: fiber, glycogen and starch. We all commonly think of grains and cereals to be the only foods high in carbohydrates but, fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and even dairy products are also filled with carbohydrates.
Complex carbohydrates found in these foods contain higher health benefits, including…preventing colon cancer, regulating bowel movements, reducing heart disease, loweingr blood pressure and helping in weight reduction; by making you feel fuller for longer periods.
Potatoes eaten with the skins provide more fiber than some whole grain products. Potatoes contain no fat and about 100 calories per serving, high in potassium and 3grams of fiber. They also carry a high level of vitamin C, Calcium, Thiamin, Niacin, Folate, Zinc, Iron, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Phosphorous and Magnesium.
They also contain Carotenoids and anthocyanins which are helpful in the reduction of heart disease and most types of malignancies. We think most of the vitamins and minerals are found in the skin of the potato but actually this is not true. Most of the nutrients are found in the potato itself! Always wash and scrub your potatoes before cooking. Whether boiling, steaming, frying or baking – don’t over cook them.
Mom’s Potato Balls:
Boil some potatoes. Prepare a bowl of scrambled eggs and your favorite spices with a touch of milk. In another bowl pour out some bread crumbs. Mash your boiled potatoes and form them into big balls. Dip each potato ball into the egg mixture and then the bread crumbs…fry until golden brown.
For healthier potato balls use organic eggs or a soy egg substitute, organic or homegrown spices, organic potatoes or home grown, fat free organic milk (soy milk will give it a strange taste), and homemade breadcrumbs toasted and minced from your own bread. Fry until golden brown…fry in extra virgin olive, canola, hempseed or flaxseed oil.
These oils contain a high concentration of omega threes which promote healthy heart function. You can also stuff the center of the potato with anything you’d like before frying. My mom would sometimes make smaller potato balls and put them into her homemade soups.
Ingredients that can be added to mashed potatoes:
Shredded Parmesan or shredded Soy cheese
Horseradish
Cream or milk
Black and white pepper
Butter and garlic
Salt and nutmeg
Sour cream and hot sauce
Cayenne pepper and lemon juice
Ricotta and goat cheese
Fontina cheese
Fresh onions or onion powder and mayonnaise
Olive oil, garlic and onion powder
Olive oil and lime juice
Paprika and granulated garlic
Soy sauce and minced garlic
Light wine and canola oil
Healthy toppings for baked potatoes:
Broccoli and melted soy cheese
Home made salsa
Vegetarian chili
Tomatoes and cheese
Light sour cream and chives
Cottage cheese and black pepper
Foods to eat less of that contain added or refined carbohydrates:
Corn syrup
Refined white sugar and flour
Sodas and fruit drinks
Icecream
White flour bakery goodies such as pastries, cookies and frostings
Jellies and jams with added sugars
Artificial syrups
Candy
Foods that have natural sugars – healthier than the list above but still considered a simple carbohydrate:
All fruits
Fruit juice with no added sugars
Dairy products containing lactose
The healthiest to consume:
Whole grain products
Seeds, nuts, peas and beans
Bagels and tortillas
Potatoes, corn and squashs in Minutes by: Sue Gregg
Holiday Menus for Busy Women by: Sue Gregg
Homemade Baby Food Pure and Simple – by: Connie Linardakis
Simply in Season by: Mary Beth Lind
Natural Meals in Minutes – by: Rita Bingham
Here are some books she recommends for teaching children to cook:
Lunches and Snacks by: Sue Gregg
Marmee’s Kitchen Primer by: Martha Greene
Whole Foods for Kids to Cook by: La Leche League International
Health etc…
Naturally Healthy Skin by: Stephanie Tourles
Natural Soap Book by: Susan Miller
The Herbal Body Book by: Stephanie Tourles
How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor by: Dr. Robert Mendelsohn MD
The How to Herb Book by: Velma Keith
Herbal Antibiotics by: Stephen Buhner
Nature’s Antiseptics by: CJ Puotinen
Herbal Teas for Lifelong Health by: Kathleen Brown
Celebrate Simply by: Nancy Twigg
Living More With Less – by: Doris Jansen
Clean and Green by: Annie Berthold-Bond
The Naturally Clean Home by: Karyn Siegel-Maier
Storey’s Basic Country Skills by: John and Martha Storey
She also gave me a few tips on eating according to the seasons….
Beware of less expensive foods because you do get what you pay for.
A farmer’s market is one of the best places to buy your food. Investigate which foods are grown locally and seasonally. By purchasing the food directly from a farmer’s market, you’re eliminating the middle man, you pay less, the food is fresher and most of the time organically grown and you will be supporting a family rather than a huge supermarket chain.
Try to grow at least one food item for yourself. Even if you live in suburbia, there’s always a little patch of land to plant something that is native to your area.
Since it is more difficult to produce milk, meat and eggs on your own definitely purchase these items from a local farmer’s market. Don’t forget to inquire the way the animals are raised. The meats should be grass fed and the eggs should come from free range chickens!
The USDA offers free information and reading material showing items that are grown seasonally in your part of the nation. They can also supply you with menu options.
Till next time peace always, Gigi
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