Happy Thursday! It’s me! Your friendly plant-based advocate LA from Black Girls Eat. Just stopping by on Friday Eve to say “Hey!” How are Ya? I’m good. Thanks for asking!
I have a friend who keeps breaking up with bread. Thus the title of this issue of Recipes & Random-Ish. I don’t know what’s going on but every time I see her, she tells me all about the bread she’s been eating and how she knows it’s not good for her but she can’t help it.
I’m like, Whaaaaa?” She says, “I’m breaking up with bread for real this time.” I’ve heard this over and over again. I don’t know how it happened, but somehow she thinks bread is stopping her from reaching her healthy goals.
Bread Doesn’t Always Have to Be the Bad Guy
As a plant-based advocate, I’m cheering for everyone who is trying to get more plants on the plate. Over the years, I’ve come up with all kinds of sneaky ways to eat more fruits, veggies and grains. Bread is made from grains and that can be an awesome thing!
I cannot imagine life without avocado toast. And where would I be without a good piece of bread for my peach tomato bruschetta? Just because you have decided to make healthier food choices, that does not mean that you have to break up with bread! Okay maybe only if your physician says so. Then in that case, please follow your doctor’s orders. But for the rest of us….
How to Choose a Healthier Bread
For everyone else that wants to maintain a relationship with bread….here are a few suggestions:
Look for bread with 2-5 grams of fiber and protein. This helps us to feel full and slow down that hungry feeling.
Skip any breads loaded with sugar. Look at the first five ingredients. If you see high fructose corn syrup, sugar, honey or any of those fake sugars like aspartame, leave it on the shelf.
Whole is a good word as in whole grain, whole wheat or whole sprouted grain.
To my friend and everyone else…don’t be so hard on yourself. Get off of the break up merry-go-round. There are over 100 kinds of breads available around the world. Find one that’s right for you! Check out this really cool list: https://dailyinfographic.com/the-16-different-types-of-bread-around-the-world
The Recipe: Fried Polenta with Onions and Tomatoes
White grits are called hominy and yellow grits are called polenta. Whoa! Now you know! Have fun making this Fried Polenta dish. Another great way to get more plants on your plate!
The Random: Completely Not Food Related
I’m binge watching the Wu-Tang Clan: An American Saga. Proof that you can re-invent yourself anytime you feel like it.
I’m obsessed with Chai Tea. Why did no one introduce me to this magic of cinnamon and cardamom spices when I was a kid? I add a dash of oat milk and it’s heaven.
I am also very much in love with Matcha Tea. Have you tried it? Tired of coffee? Get a little caffeine and a whole lot of vitamins and anti-oxidants. Nice upgrade!
I walked 10,000 steps 4 days in a row last week. Yass! That’s almost 20 miles!
Thank you for subscribing, for sharing and for taking a moment to spend time with me. Have a super awesome weekend and be sure to make something good to eat! Don’t forget to let me know how you are doing and what you are up to. Follow me on IG and Tik Tok @blackgirlseat and of course visit the Black Girls Eat website for all kinds of plant-focused goodness. See you next week!