Food Rules

Rule #1 in the preparation and consumption of your food, keep a calm and pleasant mood.  If you are in a violent mood, it is best not to eat or prepare food for others until your mood has calmed.  When cooking for others it is best to be in a positive frame of mind, praying and singing while cooking are encouraged!

Rule #2 choose Organic options whenever possible.  If you are to eat the skin of the fruit or vegetable, always buy organic. Examples are celery, lettuce, tomatoes, blueberries, kale, carrots, apples, broccoli, and nectarines.  If it has a thicker skin, I sometimes choose conventional sources, usually to save a few dollars.  Some examples are avocados, bananas, onions, ginger, peppers that will be roasted, and citrus fruit.  For meat and dairy I choose all organic options and try to cut back on the consumption of these products, using them only as a condiment or special treat.

Rule #3 choose Whole options.  This means less processed food, less frozen food, less boxed and canned food, less bottles, less plastic...you know what I mean.  Try to buy each ingredient simple, clean and close to source.  Farmers markets are a great place to get your food, in San Diego there are farmers markets every day of the week in different communities.

Rule #4 this is rule 3 expanded, make things from scratch and from all organic ingredients.  Make your own bread, nut milk, tomato sauce, Kombucha, pasta, juice, broth, sprouts, cookies,....if you buy it from the store pre-made, is it possible, instead, to produce on your own?  Sometimes it can be a little messy or challenging the first time or two, maybe there is an initial expense of supplies and tools, but quickly you will learn to make these products, free from preservatives and additives.  In this aim,I making preparations to raise my own chickens at home.  I have read that home raised chicken eggs are higher in nutrients and much lower in cholesterol, probably from the lower stress levels in there existence.

Rule #5 For the preparation of food glass, ceramic, metal, and wood not plastic make for better kitchen implements.  For the most part we don't get food to go, it's wrapped in so much styrofoam and plastic, toxic waste!

Rule #6 try to make the right amount of food so there isn't waste. If there are leftovers, only use glass for the storage of food, not plastic, and eat your leftovers within a day or two. 

Rule #7 no microwaves!  If you want to heat up leftovers, do so in the oven or add a little water and heat it up in a small pot.  If you do use a microwave, NEVER microwave your food in plastic or styrofoam, put it on glass or porcelain!  I also don't use many big appliances, no need for a kitchen aid mixer to make bread and batter, do it by hand!  In my kitchen there is no glorious kitchen arid mixer, no cuisinart, no dish washer.  I do have a juicer, a blender and a miniature cuisinart, remember that none of these kitchen appliances existed 75 years ago!

Rule #8 recipes are suggestions, get creative and make things your own!  If you are creative in the kitchen like me, take a photo from time to time to remember what you've made in the past so you can reproduce it.