IMMUNE FOR LIFE MENUS AND RECIPES
But Dr. Fox,” some patients complain, Food is so much fun! It’s my only enjoyment in life.” I answer that food and eating should always be pleasurable, but food and eating are not, and should not be, the sole enjoyment in life. Life has a great deal else to offer: love, friendship, beauty, nature, knowledge, humor, exploration, the joy of nurturing, the excitement of pursuing a goal, the thrill of physical activity and sport, the satisfaction of quiet contemplation.
Food can be, and should be, a sensual delight. Ironically, most of us don’t know what food tastes like. We know the taste of fat, sugar and salt, in all their many combinations, but we are largely unfamiliar with the taste of real food.
The Immune For Life philosophy is that food is a very pleasurable necessity of life. It tastes great and gives you a comfortable, full feeling in your stomach. But food is also the raw material our “doctor within” uses to build health, happiness and longevity. That means we must eat good-tasting foods that also boost our “doctor within.”
Choose your foods from the abundance of great-tasting fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and whole-grain breads, rolls and pastas that are available. Low-fat fish is delicious, as is fish that is high in omega-3s. Small amounts of nonfat or low-fat poultry and dairy products add even more variety. With spices, herbs and small amounts of nuts and seeds, you can create innumerable taste sensations.
The first step is to decide that you want to live young and healthy to a very old age. Then make a point of discovering all the wonderful tastes the Standard American Diet overlooks. Be adventurous. Try eating vegetables raw or lightly steamed, not boiled to death or hidden under mounds of butter and sauce. Learn what food, all by itself, without a bunch of salt, sugar and fat, really tastes like. Find out how much zest garlic, ginger, herbs and spices add to food.
The recipes that follow will give you an idea of the different ways to prepare healthy foods. Some I created, and others were given to me by my patients, friends and family. I encourage you to experiment until you figure out exactly what you like and how you like it prepared. Feel free to add or subtract ingredients, alter the instructions or invent your own dishes. Super Food cooking isn’t the type of gourmet cooking that requires precise measurements and timing. In fact, on many recipes I simply say “spice to taste,” because I want you to turn cooking into a discovery process.
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