Fast food is a habit and while I’m all about meals to go, there are certainly some choices that are better than others. If you’re craving a quick fix on the road, consider some healthier choices like Panera Bread (great soup and salad), Real Food Daily (for my vegetarian friends in LA), Fresh Direct (a favorite for my NY clients who tell me “recipe” is a bad word) or the Whole Foods hot food bar (my personal favorite). The rest of you might like to try some of these delicious recipes and recreate your burger combo at home.
Instead of french fries, try yam fries
Yams are a lower glycemic variety of potato, that not only tastes delicious, but may be the secret ingredient for pre-conception twin creation. The Harvard Medical School Nurses Study noted that that the trans fats found in a small serving of commercial French fries are enough to adversly affect fertility.
2 medium yams, cut into 1/8 -inch strips
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon parsley
¼ teaspoon sage
¼ teaspoon thyme
½ teaspoon rosemary
Sea salt or dulse flakes to taste
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice sweet potato into circles or thin strips. Baste with olive oil, and add spices. Place a single layer on baking sheet, and cook for 45 minutes or until tender inside and crisp outside.
Black bean burgers
Black beans are considered a reproductive tonic in Chinese Medicine and are loaded with protein, fiber, folate, iron and antioxidants all essential vitamins and minerals for your fertility. The Harvard Medical School Nurses study found iron rich foods like lentils to support ovulation and fertility in women.
1 cup black beans
1 small carrot, chopped or grated
1/3 cup onion
¾ to 1 cup crushed gluten free crackers
2 to 3 cloves chopped garlic
1 tablespoon herb de Provence
Sea salt to taste
1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
2 to 3 tablespoons unrefined olive oil
Place all ingredients in food processor and pulse until thoroughly combined. Form mixture into patties or smaller “cakes.” If they are not holding together because they are too “wet,” add more crackers. Place in an oiled skillet and cook 5 to 7 minutes on each side or until browned. Serve with Ezekial sprouted grain buns.
Opt for natural sodas
Instead of drinking soda, substitute the following combination of juice and sparkling water to offer a fizzy satisfaction. By doing so you will avoid harmful chemicals that disrupt the proper release and regulation of hormones and benefit from the natural nourishment of fruits and water.
½ cup limeade, lemonade or any unsweetened juice
½ cup sparkling water
Combine ingredients in a tall glass and enjoy!
Store bought varieties to try: Reeds Gingerale (made with real ginger), Izze sparkling juice (delicious flavors),Closest to cola: Zevia
Gluten Free Pizza
We have been searching for the perfect gluten free pizza crust over the last few weeks. In the fertility cookbook, I create a brown rice pizza crust that, as my husband would tell you, took forever to perfect. I also love the quinoa flatbread that Tif and I showcased in the cooking dvd. After making and enjoying both many times, we both agree that it is delicious but sometimes it’s nice to have something packaged and ready to go.
And so our search began with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Pizza Crust. I liked this one more than my husband did, possibly because I am strictly gluten free and the possibility of eating pizza is simply delightful to me! My husband found the dough was a little “wet” and didn’t enjoy it as much. This one comes with yeast in the package and the assembly is quite easy. It’s possible to split the serving into two and keep a portion in the fridge for the next day. This definitely is not the kind of pizza you want to eat cold in the middle of the night. Our recommendation: always eat it warm and cook for a little longer than recommended to ensure the crust is not soggy.
Our second attempt at gluten free pizza was straight out of the freezer section. This is a healthfood gal’s dream come true and the closest I get to “fast food”. Natures Hilights Brown Rice Pizza Crust was the easiest to prepare of the three we’ve tested. We both thought it was pretty good and we’ve enjoyed it several times since. The crust itself doesn’t have too much flavor so you will want to add all of your favorite toppings to spice things up. We loved this one with sauteed onions, mushrooms and goat cheese.
Our third choice has been our favorite so far. Even though it is the most complicated of the three we made, Dad’s Gluten Free Pizza Crust tasted the most like real pizza. This blend does not come with the active yeast and since we didn’t have any in the house we opted for Brewer’s yeast, which is not the same but did give us the added benefit of B vitamins. I think this product is pretty new on the market and it looks like they used to only sell in pre-made shells. Look for them on the shelves of your local health food store (the package is red). Again, the longer you cook this one, the better and crispier it tastes! We added leftover bolognese sauce, onions and mushrooms with goat cheese and the combination was absolutely delicious.
I will keep adding to this post as we test more varieties. I would love to hear your recommendations.