Tag Archives: Processed foods

How to Cook Without a Book

Posted on 15 July 2010 by

One of my cooking goals this year has been to cook more without using recipes. I do love cookbooks. I browse through them frequently and use them to come up with new ideas. I also enjoy challenging myself with difficult … Continue reading →

Posted in Cookbooks, Cooking, Ingredients, Master Recipes, Recipes, Techniques | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Not buying packaged foods = not buying bogus health claims

Posted on 21 June 2010 by

This morning I read a rant on Michael Ruhlman’s blog about corn syrup hidden in his fat-free half-and-half. (Ruhlman also rightly pointed out that there’s no such thing as fat-free half-and-half; one of the “halfs” refers to cream, and what’s … Continue reading →

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Keeping Kitchen Staples Fresh

Posted on 4 June 2010 by

Here’s a useful article from Cooks Illustrated: Keeping Kitchen Staples Fresh. Advice on how to store and when to throw out staples like flour, sugar, oils, leaveners and nuts. Speaking of Cooks Illustrated, I stopped getting their magazine but some … Continue reading →

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Hacks for Snacking Better

Posted on 3 June 2010 by

Image via Wikipedia Ever since I limited myself from buying packaged foods, which include chips and crackers, I have been trying to eat more nutritious snacks made from whole foods. My sense is that not only are these foods better … Continue reading →

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Some Thoughts on Diets

Posted on 18 May 2010 by

Image via Wikipedia I get frustrated by nutrition and diet recommendations coming from the news media and even official bodies like doctors and government organizations. The recommendations constantly contradict each other, and no one seems to agree on what you … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Health | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

How to Make Mayonnaise

Posted on 17 May 2010 by

I think I’ve finally found the best formula for homemade mayonnaise. Just in time, too, because as part of my no-packaged-foods challenge, I won’t be buying commercially prepared mayonnaise anymore. The jar that is currently in my fridge will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Basics, Favorites, HowTo, Recipes | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Homemade Crackers + Chicken Braised in Honey

Posted on 3 May 2010 by

As part of my initiative to reduce my dependence on packaged foods, I recently bought a copy of Jam It, Pickle It, Cure It, which is full of recipes for pantry staples like mayonnaise, mustard, lemon curd and even butter. … Continue reading →

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School Doesn’t Allow Processed Foods

Posted on 24 April 2010 by

A grade school in Arizona doesn’t allow kids to bring any processed foods for lunch, including products made with refined sugar and white flour. Are they going too far? Perhaps their restrictions are a little strict; a home-baked treat every … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Health | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Yes, High-Fructose Corn Syrup Is as Bad as We All Thought

Posted on 12 April 2010 by

Here’s another good reason to avoid packaged foods: getting high-fructose corn syrup out of your life. This high-calorie sweetener, subsidized by federal dollars, is in just about everything you can buy in a bottle, bag or box. But like partially … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Health | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Notes on Avoiding Packaged Foods: Salads and Dried Fruit

Posted on 8 April 2010 by

Avoiding packaged (or processed) foods means suddenly having to do without a lot of snacks I previously took for granted, like crackers, cookies, chips and candy. I have been substituting nuts, fresh fruit and cheese (on my own homemade bread) … Continue reading →

Posted in Food | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment