Delicious Wisdom

How do you determine which recipes will be included?  What are your guidelines?
The single most important factor in any recipe is the whole, unprocessed ingredient.  After that, you can't really go wrong.  For the sake of readers with special restrictions, I provide information on common allergens and often include recipes which avoid them.  The recipes are typically based in vegetables, whole grains, legumes and spices, with meat as a guest star in some dishes.  If that scares you, or if you are simply a person who feels better with a higher animal protein intake, feel free to add more meat to the meals.  The focus is on creating recipes that are relatively quick (so that people will actually make them) and not beige or bland (so that people will actually make them again at some point).  Ingredients are almost all found in standard grocery stores, but you WILL be introduced to some new, interesting foods.  And a trip to the local health food store is highly recommended.  

Recipes are divided into categories so that readers know what to expect each week.

If an ingredient is canned, does that count as whole and unprocessed?
Canning is a process that can be replicated at home.  If we're going to buy foods canned by someone else, it's simply a matter of choosing high quality stuff with no extra ingredients. 

I include whole commercially canned ingredients in recipes for two major reasons: because of seasonal availability and to save time.  If tomatoes are in season, by all means use them. During colder months, canned tomatoes make more nutritional sense.  Not only does canning preserve them, it allows you to insert an ingredient with a long-cooked taste into a recipe in very little time. 

The same goes for beans.  Please do cook your own beans, but if that's not happening and the preparation time makes you less likely to eat them, we do advise purchasing a good quality canned bean with no preservatives.  When looking at canned whole foods, starting with organic products will help right off the bat.  Then look at the ingredients and choose the most natural, without added nonsense.  Tip:  Choose beans canned with kombu, a natural flavor enhancing sea vegetable, over those canned with salt. 

Why do the recipes not include information on calorie count, fat grams, etc.?
Delicious Wisdom was created as a vehicle for sustainable change in cooking and everyday eating for its members.  By focusing on unprocessed, nutrient-dense ingredients (as opposed to calorie count, fat content, carbohydrate grams, etc.), members learn to cook based on color, quality, and the results attained by including new, whole foods in the diet.  The intention is to create a feeling of excitement around food, educate members on the benefits of holistic nutrition and add in quality ingredients.  Delicious Wisdom is not about deprivation, over-thinking meals or creating fear around food.  It is about listening to your body and making choices based on the message. 

What is a teleclass?
A teleclass is a live, interactive seminar via phone conference call.  It is an easy, convenient way to participate in an interactive learning environment without travel or expense.  You don't even have to get dressed!  Teleclasses are accomplished with the assistance of what is called a bridge line.  Participants need only to call the appropriate number and enter a code.  All information is provided to participants before scheduled teleclasses. 

For most people, the call will be long-distance and you are responsible for their own long distance charges, if applicable.  But for many, long distance within the United States is free, so no charges will apply.