What does your salad dressing have in common with Janet Jackson?

I’ll admit it, I’m a control freak and I have been since I was a little kid. I have always like things done a very specific way. I’ve been doing my own laundry, in my own particular way, since second grade! Some people bring their laundry home to mom or have a pickup service, but the idea gives me the heebie-jeebies! What if they do it wrong?!

While this need for control has caused a set back or two in some parts of my life, it works great when it comes to my health regime. Like Janet’s hit 1986 album, I am in CONTROL of my health and one of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to do this is when I monitor what I put into my body….at EVERY meal!

When I eat a whole food, I know exactly what the ingredients are…the actual food! When I eat processed foods, it’s a guessing game. There are a lot of hidden ingredients, ones that we would NEVER expect to be in food. (I actually think of most processed foods as “non foods”.)

Take salad dressing for example: check out the ingredients in your favorite store bought salad dressing. Does it contain high fructose corn syrup? MSG? Trans fats? Titanium dioxide? How about Propylene Glycol Alginate (a chemical which is also used in pesticides and antifreeze)? When ingested, PGA inhibits our body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Simply put, using a salad dressing with PGA can negate all the nutrients in the salad greens and veggies!

The good news is that you have the ability to CONTROL what you eat. Instead of getting frustrated about all the miscellaneous and potentially hazardous materials (that I can’t pronounce) in my food, I choose to take matters into my own “control freak” hands and make the foods myself, from whole foods, in my own clean kitchen (well except for all those dishes).

At Whole Food Love, we give you simple tools that empower you to make easy, healthier swaps! If you’ve ever stirred noodles, whisked an egg, or shaken orange juice you can make your own salad dressing! Your homemade salad dressing will be much tastier and contain ONLY the ingredients you decide.

If you like a light vinaigrette stick with olive oil and your favorite balsamic vinegar. When I’m craving a creamy ranch or thousand island dressing, here is one of my favorite and quick go to recipes for the best homemade salad dressing recipe –  a healthy 5 ingredient honey mustard:

HHM (Healthy Honey Mustard)

1/4 cup Dijon Mustard

1 Tbsp. honey

½ Tbsp. water

1 tsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. olive oil

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and drizzle over salad.  Enjoy!

 

To get what you want, bust a beat like Janet, and get back in Control. Remember when it has to do with your life, you want be the one in control! Stay tuned for my favorite “go to” salads that I pair it with HHM.

What food would you like to stop buying in the store and prepare yourself? Leave us a comment and sign up for our future blogs to see how we can make your recipe, quick and easy using whole ingredients.

Live your WHOLE life!

Shannon & Meg