'fresh diet' from the garden

I see that many people are searching for the 'fresh diet' today on Google. Oh boy another new diet trend to confuse us all. What is the fresh diet? Well this is another of those diets where your food is prepared and delivered to you. The difference being, that all the food is certified to be fresh, healthy and prepared by chefs. The average cost of the fresh diet is said to be 50.00 – 60.00 a day.

You heard me right. That's 50.00 – 60.00 a day per person. Celebrities are raving about this diet and no wonder. They are the only ones who can afford it. But do not fear, I can show you how to come up with a fresh diet of your own for much less. Nothing is fresher than just picked garden produce. You don't need to be a chef to toss together a nice fresh diet salad from the garden.Salad is not the only fresh diet food you can make from the garden either. How about some sauces made from fresh herbs and your own just picked tomatoes? Or what about some fried green tomatoes?

Ingredients :

Two or three sliced green tomatoes

1 cup yellow cornmeal

1 tsp. salt

½ tsp cayenne pepper

¼ cup vegetable oil

Instructions :

Mix the cornmeal, salt and cayenne pepper together and spread on a plate.

Coat tomato slices on both sides by placing in the mixture and patting gently. Set to one side.

Heat vegetable oil in a small shallow pan over medium heat.

Eating fresh is nothing new to gardeners. We have been doing it for centuries. This fresh diet trend is nothing more than another money making scheme.

The best part about customizing your own diet with fresh foods from the garden is that you know what you like and how you like it. My pet peeve with fancy chefs is that darn balsamic vinegar crap. Do they have to put it on everything? It may be good for you but I'll take my own apple cider vinegar any day of the week.

Fellow gardeners, I implore you, stop wasting your money on these silly fad diets and get back to nature. Use your garden produce to create your own fresh diet. I guarantee it will be easier to stick to than the trend of the moment. It's also much less complicated, and most likely better for you. After all, isn't that why you are growing a garden in the first place?

Enjoy!

A samplle day in your diet...

Breakfast

Veggie Quiche
Start your day right with a quick veggie quiche � filled with cheese, spinach, and fresh vegetables. Add hot sauce for a spicier version. Enjoy with a cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of tomato juice.

More options:
Scrambled Eggs, Canadian Bacon, Spinach Frittata, Western Omelet, Yogurt, Coffee, Tea.


Lunch

Grilled Chicken Salad
For lunch eat a grilled chicken salad on a bed of romaine with a delicious balsamic vinaigrette. Drink with a cold ice tea, diet soda, or sparkling water.

More options:
Chicken Caesar Salad, Cobb Salad, Roasted Portobello "Pizza," Poached Salmon, Seared Steak, Crab Salad, Veggie Antipasto.


Diner

Spicy Seared Tuna
For an elegant and delicious dinner, grill or sear fresh tuna with a spicy marinade. Serve with grilled vegetables, and salad.

More options:
Orange Roughy with Vegetables, Merlot Flank Steak, Broiled Lamp Chops with Mint Pesto, Roasted Chicken and Vegetables.


Snacks

On the South Beach Diet™ you'll also eat snacks twice a day. This will help you avoid those 4:00 chocolate-cravings and all those tempting snacks in the office kitchen.

Options:
Laughing Cow cheese, turkey roll-ups, hummus and celery, tomatoes and cottage cheese, mixed nuts, and more!


Dessert

Plus DESSERT!

Chilled Espresso Custard
Enjoy the rich, dark taste of espresso in this decadent baked custard.

More options:
Mocha Ricotta Cr�me (similiar to an Italian cannoli) and after Phase 2, Lime Cheesecake, Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries, and Poached Pears in Red Wine.