Tutti Frutti

 Isn't fruit pretty? This is one pile of many piles in the kitchen. I tell you, the saliva starts flowing just looking at this pile! I'm just hoping someone doesn't pull one out from the bottom though because - AVALANCHE! We certainly are blessed in this country to have access to such a variety of fruit at reasonable prices. I was trying to figure out in my head the other day if we're spending more or less on groceries now that we're buying so much fruit and vegetables but I gave up. I need pencil, paper and a calculator to figure that one out.

 But, if I were to GUESS I'd say we're spending about the same. (Yes, you're right - if I was keeping track of my spending a wee bit better I'd know the answer to this....but that's another post.) We're trying to eat a mostly whole foods diet, so no boxes of crackers (FAIL), no packaged side dishes like Knorr Sidekicks (SUCCESS) and trying to reduce our meat consumption (MOSTLY A SUCCESS).  It's a work in progress and I'm not going to cry over a box or two (or three) of Triscuits, especially those Crack'd Pepper ones or a chicken wing or ten!

I read something very upsetting the other day - RICE has the highest levels of ARSENIC of any foods and you know what came in second - VEGETABLES!! I mean isn't arsenic a poison used in Agatha Christie's murder novels??  Do I really want to eat food that's laced with arsenic?? This really bothers me and I don't know what to do about it. Here's a link to an article that talks about it in depth if you're interested. I could give up rice but not vegetables!!

The other day a friend posted a photo on Facebook of a "root vegetable" stir fry she had made, well, actually her husband made it. I thought it looked delicious so made one last night full of parsnips, potatoes, carrots and turnips. We also roasted some sweet potato fries in the oven. It really was as good as it looks and super easy to make.  Very satisfying.

Just a bit of olive oil and lots of seasoning - onion, garlic, sea salt, pepper, some cayenne etc. I'm glad there are leftovers for tonight! And they're all for me as Michael is fasting for a medical test he's having tomorrow.
Nothing serious. I hope.

Well, that's my food update for now. This is all part of a desire to take better care of my body so it will hold up a while longer. Missing a month of work and having to live on a reduced paycheque because of a pinched nerve just isn't acceptable. And now it's time to get my butt in gear and ride my bike - yes I'm still pedaling away but have added a little twist to my routine which I'll tell you about later.

Hope your Monday was memorable!