Day 3: No Grain Muesli, Spinach Dal and Pan Seared Salmon

As you can see, today's meals look very different from the last two days. We started our day with a big bowl of Muesli. This traditional, Swiss dish is usually made of soaked oats, milk and fruit. This current version is made without oats and with sheep's yogurt. We change up the fruit seasonally to keep it fresh and frugal. On top, I put a mixture of nuts and seeds. It is very good.

No Grain Muesli
Serves 2

2 cups sheep milk yogurt
1 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
1 banana
1/2 mango
1 pear

1 cup grapes
2 clementines
Nuts and seeds (I used pumpkin, sunflower, and flax with almonds and pecans)

Chop the fruit and mix it thoroughly with the yogurt and applesauce. Top with the chopped seeds and nuts. 

Wednesdays, after breakfast, we rush out to the farmer's market. It is a bit of a walk (especially with an 18-month-old who would love to walk himself, but doesn't have the stamina yet), so this little trip takes up the whole morning. We can also pop in to the Reformhaus (organics shop) if we need to get something special, as it is right off the market square. Needless to say, lunch was thrown together in a hurry.

Spinach Dal

Serves 12

2 cloves garlic, grated
1 inch fresh ginger, grated
1 onion
1 carrot
1 stalk of celery
1/2 tbsp Curry Powder
1/2 cup red lentils
1 quart Vegetable Broth
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tomato
1 cup spinach

In a large pot, sauté the onion, carrots, celery and curry powder with the garlic and ginger until onions are translucent. Add in the lentils, tomato paste and vegetable broth. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 25 minutes, or until lentils are tender. Add tomatoes and serve with spinach.

I was a lucky girl Wednesday night and my sweet husband made dinner. I was so pleased, that I did the dishes and made him homemade popcorn and "raisinettes". It was all completely lovely, and I got to go to bed early, after catching up on some TV.

Pan Seared Salmon
Serves 2

1 yam
2 carrots
1 zucchini
1 head of cauliflower
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp garlic powder
8 oz Wild Caught Salmon

Pre-heat the oven to 425°F. Cut yam and carrots into sticks. Toss with olive oil and spices. Place in the oven on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes. Chop the cauflower, and cut the zucchinis into 1/2" thick rounds. Toss with olive oil and spices. Place in the oven on a lined baking sheet, with foil covering the broccoli. Bake for 10 minutes. Heat a frying pan to medium-hot, reduce heat to low add in oil and fish. Cook on the first side for 30 seconds, then flip and cook for on 3 minutes, then flip again and cook for another 3 minutes.

This, my friends, is how you stay on track: Be realistic. Do you love sweets? Are you a snack junkie? Embrace it, but do it smartly. Make it at home with single ingredients you chose the quality of. Don't let the food industry cook for you. I know all each ingredient that went into those chocolate-covered raisins. There isn't a thickener, or food coloring in them. They are real. I have a sweet tooth and sweet heart. So, I make sure I have healthy things around that satisfy it. When I don't prepare I'm at the store picking up an ice cream bar if I'm not careful, so I'm careful. If you love chips, make your own, or get your crunch from some almonds or baked kale. Also, eat regularly and generously. Enjoy huge salads and piles of raw or steamed vegetables. Snack on lots of fresh fruit. Eat til you are full and listen to your body's cues. (Be mindful with your portions of starches (corn, rice, lentils and sweet potatoes), animal products (meats and dairy), nuts and sweets as they are more calorie dense, so a little goes along way).  So, until tomorrow...

En Guete!