Although I haven't mentioned it here, we're on a new regime chez Becca's. There has been a revolution in my kitchen, a sea change of the healthy sort, thrust upon us by some sobering medical news from my husband's physicians. My dear husband has been suffering from a multitude of physical ailments which the medical professionals have kindly lumped together into something they call metabolic syndrome. If you're afflicted with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high insulin/glucose, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and carry a spare tire (or two) around your middle, chances are good that you're part of this crowd. (By the way, my husband has not one, not two, but all of the above symptoms.) Left untreated, this condition can result in diabetes, heart disease, stroke...all the biggies. Treatment mainly consists of LIFESTYLE CHANGES.
We all know how much middle-aged men love lifestyle changes. Translated into doctor speak, it means more exercise, less eating. More bike riding, less television. More fish, less beef. More beans, fewer potatoes. More fruit, no ice cream.
My husband is not a happy camper.
"Eating is my one pleasurable activity," he whined after the program was laid out for him.
"Now that's just pitiful," I replied. "First off, that can't be true. And if it is true - well, you'd better just find some other pleasurable activities."
The irony of the situation is that the "healthy" diet his doctors and nutritionist espouse is full of all my favorite things...fresh fish, whole grains, lots of fruits and vegetables. That's not to say I don't crave a loaded cheeseburger once in a while, but in general the loss of beef and starchy white foods does not hurt my feelings nearly as much as it does the Irishman out there on the sofa.
We've been at this for about six weeks now, and I say we because I jumped on the bandwagon as well. After all, what women of a certain age wouldn't be happy to lose 10 or 15 pounds? The grumbling has dissipated somewhat, and I've come up with enough healthy versions of his favorite things to keep him fairly well satisfied.
I'm no gourmet cook, and I like to make things that are quick and easy. So herein is the first in a "series" I plan to call "Too Good to be Healthy," some of the easy recipes we've found that actually taste good enough to make you wonder if they really are healthy foods.
Try them. You might join the food revolution too.
Veggie Pizza, Mediterranean Style
One Boboli brand whole grain pizza crust, spread with...
One jar of your favorite pizza sauce (I like Chef Boy Ar Dee), topped with....
Veggie Toppings, all sautéed lightly in a splash of extra virgin olive oil: Baby Portabella mushrooms, Green Pepper, Diced onion, black or green olives, covered with...
A light dusting of freshly shaved Parmigiano cheese over top.
Bake at 450 for about 15-20 minutes.
Serve with a large tossed salad and your favorite light dressing.