Dr. Oz and Healthy Shopping Ideas for Dinner: Beyond Mac and Cheese, Burgers, Brown Rice, Salmon, and Chocolate Chip Cookies
Dr. Oz actually went into the grocery store to challenge shoppers with some fresh ideas for healthy Dinners. Isn’t it simply amazing to find a doctor in the grocery store shopping for real food for true health! It’s about time…
The first shopper was buying walnuts for her hubby’s Chocolate Chip Cookies and Dr. Oz wanted her to try Pumpkin Seeds instead. She isn’t going to add them to cookies, but they would go nicely in breads, snack bars with seeds and nuts, salads, granola, and even chopped in some veggie dishes. We like our Pumpkin Seeds raw, but occasionally roast them with sea salt, tamari, and other spices. We chop them with other seeds and add them to our own snack bars that are soft, chewy, and delicious between meals or on a hike in the woods or out in public when you want to nibble on something that’s healthy.
The next shopper that Dr. Oz accosted was buying organic Brown Rice…that’s nice! She was treated to Amaranth as an alternative whole grain. It’s fast, high in protein, and has a nutty taste! We love our Amaranth with sauteed vegetables, grated ginger root, miso dressing, and scallions sprinkled with Gomasio. You can use Amaranth in many of the same ways that you would use cous-cous or quinoa. You will usually find it savory, but you can sweeten it, too. Maple syrup over a bowl of Amaranth is a delightful way to start the day…
The third shopper on Dr. Oz’s radar was purchasing salmon and the alternative fish was trout. She didn’t seem impressed and wondered if it was clean…while I was wondering if it was farmed! Don’t buy trout that is raised on a trout farm. But if you are willing to go out to the blue ribbon rivers and fish for brown or rainbow…or head off to the mountain creeks to find a brookie; then trout should definitely be on your menu. Salmon and trout need to be wild and wonderful!
The kids that Oz interacted with were funny. It was revealing that they recognized the blue box of Mac and Cheese when they should be asking for Annie’s organic Mac and Cheese instead!
If you’re looking for a better burger, then the turkey burgers are great. The turkey burger with spinach is not only good for dinner, but a choice for lunch or ski lodge baskets. I still like GardenBurgers, especially the fancy ones… I dare say that the salmon burgers that I have eaten are also a fantastic choice for a hearty meal. You DO realize that they make organic ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise now, so be sure that all of your condiments are healthy, too.
I wouldn’t suggest cheese and crackers before bedtime as a snack, although they give you protein and carbs, it plugs up your digestive system if you eat too late in the evening. A whole grain snack bar or cookie is preferable and better yet is a lot of Turtle Island Chocolate Soy Ice Cream…yah, baby!
You can shop at any Whole Foods Market and find healthy alternatives for Dinner…more than at your typical grocery store. Some stores are doing a better job at carrying healthy organic brands now. You can also buy them from our affiliate partners like Love Street Living Foods, especially the sweet treats that will make your mouth water any time of the day or night!
January 14th, 2011 at 9:44 am
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