Verbal Nourishment

After a recent hospital visit shook me awake, I’m convinced it’s time to tweak my lifestyle.

Whilst I remember my teenage were filled with outdoor adventures and wholesome meals like Spaghetti Bolognese, Macaroni Cheese, and Shepherd’s Pie, all lovingly prepared by my family, I am now eating less appealingly.

Even my after-school snacks in the 1980’s, like sultana bread with peanut butter, had a certain charm. Then there was that one ill-fated culinary experiment involving a SAO biscuit, dried apricot, MILO chocolate, and a hint of mayonnaise – let’s just say it didn’t become a culinary sensation.

Leaving home at sixteen, my fridge saw the likes of gourmet cheeses, the occasional meat and veg‘ produce, and the occasional bottle of red wine.

But shared living taught me the art of survival, with prime cuts and exotic veggies a rare sight, lest they vanish into the hands of envious housemates.

Fast forward to my marriage a in 1998, and my palate encountered a shift towards COON and EDAM cheeses, though I longed for blue-vein, mozzarella, and Swiss. Dinner choices leaned towards minced meats for spaghetti and noodle dishes. Our salad bin became a regular haunt for potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, and lettuce, leaving little room for my love of eggplant, zucchini, and sweet potatoes.

Now, nearing forty, I’m revisiting my healthier post-teenage eating habits, but it’s not just about taste.

I’m on a quest to swap out some delightful foods for antioxidant-rich, cholesterol-friendly alternatives. These fruits, vegetables, and nuts are easy to chop and whip into salads for any meal, even as a workday snack:

• Granny Smith Apples, Red Delicious Apples, Blackberries, Wild Blueberries, Sweet Cherries, Cranberries, Pecans, Plums, Russet Potatoes, Prunes, Raspberries, Strawberries

But that’s not all – here’s a bonus list of antioxidant-rich foods offering additional health perks:

• Beta Carotene: Dark orange, red, yellow, and green veggies and fruits like broccoli, spinach, carrots, peppers, apricots, and mango.
• Selenium: Brazil nuts, chicken, eggs, dairy, garlic, onions, salmon, seafood, tuna, and most vegetables.
• Vitamin C: Citrus fruits, berries, dark green veggies, red and yellow peppers, tomatoes, pineapple, cantaloupe, mango, and guava.
• Vitamin E: Olive oil, soybean oil, nuts, seeds, whole grains, wheat germ, brown rice, oatmeal, soybeans, sweet potatoes, and dark leafy greens.

This dietary shift promises a significant health boost. Now, it’s time to hit the Adelaide Central Markets and see if these ingredients are in season.

My wife’s cooking, both savoury and sweet is delightful, but my health deserves some extra care.

Today, I embark on this journey, not to critique her culinary talents, but to prioritize my well-being.