Food as Medicine + Balsamic Swiss Chard Recipe

I was going to just post a recipe today--the final "Reader Recipe" installment before our new contributor, Jocelyn, takes over--but then Friday happened and I felt the need to tell you about it.

So, today's post is going to have 2 parts: Some of my thoughts on "food as medicine" and a somewhat unrelated (but also kinda related) healthy recipe. Ready? 

Food as Medicine

On Friday I went to Acupuncture for the first time. I went for some crazy jaw and neck pain that I've been having (which has been causing excruciating headaches) and I have to say, the experience was very intense and also very incredible. I'm a total believer/convert and am already looking forward to my next session. 

The Acupuncturist that I went to (shout-out Carin Trainer!) is also a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and a Nutritional and Herbal Counselor, so although I thought that I was just going for the needles and the energy work, I got a whole lot more. 

To sum up our long conversation: She told me that my jaw-clenching and neck pain is just a symptom of other things that are happening in my body--imbalances, obviously. As a part of my treatment plan for getting everything back in balance, I was told to stop eating wheat, dairy, and sugar for 6 weeks. 

Um, what!?!?!  She said it without batting an eye. Like it was easy and normal and just another prescription.

Later in the appointment, as I lay on the table getting needles inserted into my body (which was pretty sensational), I tried to breathe and relax, but I kept doing food calculations. What foods are still okay? What milk substitute should I use? Gluten-free is one thing--I did it for a year and can do it again--but dairy AND sugar too? Yikes.

As I drove home, I did a little self-talk, and decided that if I really want to get better, I need to try everything I can. So I'm doing it. I decided that I am going to finally try treating food as medicine, instead of food as food and medicine as medicine. I am going to stop hiding under my "everything in moderation" blanket (even though I still believe this 100%!) and see if eliminating certain food groups can help me feel better.

If it does, that will be fabulous. If not, I'll eat a huge bowl of ice cream in 6 weeks with a BIG smile on my face (What? Am I missing the point?). 

Wish me luck! I'll report back. 

Balsamic Swiss Chard Recipe

Last week, two different students brought me a bunch of fresh veggies from their gardens. It was amazing and I've decided that maybe it was a sign from the universe that I can do this strict diet, after all...

But sign or not, one delivery was a HUGE bunch of swiss chard and a recommendation on how to best serve this gigantic, bitter, super healthy, leafy green. 

So, last night, I sautéed up some swiss chard using my student's verbally-transmitted recipe. I was kind of nervous just winging it (you know I'm not much of a cook), but it was DELICIOUS. And so easy that I couldn't mess it up ;)

Here's the recipe: 

Ingredients:

• 1 Bunch of swiss chard
• Olive oil
• Garlic, chopped (amount varies depending on how much you love garlic!)
• Balsamic vinegar
• Pine nuts or walnuts
• Salt + pepper

Instructions:

1. Remove the swiss chard leaves from the stems. Chop the stems. 
2. Sauté garlic and oil in pan on medium heat. 
3. Once garlic turns golden, add the chopped stems and sauté until they turn soft.
4. Add the leaves and add salt + pepper to taste.
5. Sauté  until leaves are wilted. Add balsamic vinegar (drizzle over leaves) and a handful of chopped nuts. 
6. Serve warm!

I know it doesn't sound like much, but you guys, this was really yummy. I mean, srrrsly. Plus, swiss chard is one of the most nutritional vegetables in the world, so eating it definitely counts as medicine ;)

Enjoy! 

And remember, starting next month,  Jocelyn Spurrier of Clean Creations will be taking over all things recipes + healthy eating on Starr Struck (hooray!). You can look for one amazing recipe from her per month to start--on the last Monday of every month--starting on 8/25. More to come on Jocelyn...

Oh, and if you have *any* recommendations for super easy meals (think: 4th grade cooking level + a link to directions) that are wheat-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free, I'm all ears! Please do sent them my way, I'm kinda desperate here ;)