Sodium Girl

Low-Sodium Lunch

jessg23 — Thu, 31 May 2012 14:59:15 +0000

Hi. Can we chat for a second? I want to talk about lunch. You know, that meal that happens in the middle of the day? In between breakfast, post-breakfast snack, pre-lunch snack and the post-lunch snack, pre-dinner snack, dinner, and dessert. Yes! That’s exactly the meal I’m talking about. Well it turns out that of all the daily eats, lunch seems to be the hardest one to come by on a low-sodium diet. Of course, if you’re eating at home, you can make anything you want — like a bowl of low-sodium chicken curry — to curb those afternoon hankerings. [...]

Mistakes and Low-Sodium Pickled Cherries

jessg23 — Tue, 29 May 2012 16:15:38 +0000

Last week I posted about Labor day and roasted garbanzo beans. Turns out, it was Memorial day. This is what some people refer to as a “mistake.” And like frittatas, it is something I make with healthy frequency. At least once a day. And that’s probably a generous underestimate. For the frittatas and the mistakes. As for this latest mishap? It is definitely more embarrassing than misreading the package of Gluten Flour while baking gluten free crumble (which I did last week). But way less disastrous than setting my kitchen oven on fire while making tortillas (which I did last [...]

Low-Sodium Labor (slash, Memorial) Day & Baked Garbanzos

jessg23 — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:37:33 +0000

Do you know why we celebrate Labor Day? Neither do I. But I do know that I love three day weekends, especially those filled with picnics, potlucks, and BBQs. So here’s a recipe for a crispy snacketizer — salt-free’d from Heidi Swanson’s Super Natural Everyday vegetarian food bible –which will keep you and your friends satisfied between the time the guacamole bowl has been emptied and the burgers have grilled. And check out my Labor Day Pinterest board for more low-sodium Labor Day recipes — from spinach leek dip to cake pops. I’ve got you and your parties covered. Whatever the [...]

Low-Sodium Travel Tips, Remix

jessg23 — Tue, 22 May 2012 16:07:38 +0000

You might have noticed that I was missing in action last week. Apologies if you got worried. I was just on a whirlwind tour of Washington DC, NYC, and New Jersey for some fun projects that I’ll happily reveal in a little while. While I was whirling through the east, though, I realized that it was time for an upgrade of my traveling advice. It’s not that the old tips and tricks don’t work. They’re great. And feel free to brush up on them here. But I’m writing this travel remix today because every time I leave home, I learn more. [...]

Spring Polenta Tart For Mom

jessg23 — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:25:15 +0000

You know what mom loves more than hugs? Spending time with her children. And tasting the amazing low-sodium tarts they learned how to make. So when you spend time with mom this weekend, really impress her with this snappy spring onion polenta tart. It’s creamy. It’s savory. It’s crispy. It’s perfect for a mom-centric brunch. And it doesn’t involve making a flour crust from scratch — which to me, is the most awesome part of all. Caramelized onions serve as the salt-free flavor powerhouse in this dish. And when mixed with the creamy, quick cooking polenta, you create a tart [...]

Carrot Soup By Color

jessg23 — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:00:06 +0000

When introducing a carrot to your friends, what do you tell them? Do you begin by describing it as healthy? A betacarotene and fiber-filled vegetable? Peas’ better half? Or do you tell your best buds stories of how this wonder root likes to be the center of attention in salads and slaws; how, at times, yes, they can be loud and crunchy, but mild and gentle when the moment calls for it; and of course how they’re so flexible to your silly whims, ready for any culinary adventure you decide to throw at it. Broiling? Carrot says lets do it. [...]

Thank You Krispies

jessg23 — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:15:12 +0000

Sometimes you want to say thank you but words just don’t seem to cover it. And for those times when you can’t muster up the right verbs and nouns and adjectives and conjunctions to show your gratitude, all you need is sodium-free marshmallows, wheat cornflakes, dried blueberries, and coconut oil. A baking sheet and parchment paper will also prove quite helpful. A few moments of melting followed by thirty minutes or so of setting and you have an edible gesture of appreciation (a.k.a. low-sodium krispy treats). With all the gooey decadence of the original recipe, without any of the sodium, [...]

Low-Sodium Commandments

jessg23 — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:48:44 +0000

This is no ordinary guacamole. I know it looks like it. Creamy. Green. Ready for a salt-free chip or a spoon. But no. This is no ordinary guac. It has toasted coriander seeds and some fresh cilantro. There’s even diced jalapenos, which got into my eye and yes, stung quite a bit. But none of these ingredients are ground shaking. The real star is in there, though. Hiding, smushed, camouflaged, and bursting with surprising low-sodium flavor. Can you see it? It’s right there, between the avocado and the green onion. It’s the oven roasted zucchini. I know, I broke every [...]

Low-Sodium Kimchi Umami Burger

jessg23 — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:29:58 +0000

Did you ever think you’d see all those words together in the same sentence? Well believe it. Because it’s here. The low-sodium, salt-free kimchi umami burger. A creation that takes any notion that low-sodium food has to be tasteless and boring and gives it a karate chop in the pants. But let’s back up. Because I can’t take complete credit for this tower of power. Although I did make everything — from the buns to the BBQ ketchup — by hand. Just for the record. Before these burgers landed in my kitchen, their journey began in LA, where one dude [...]

Herb Ice Cubes

jessg23 — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:06:53 +0000

I often get asked the following three questions: 1) What is an easy way to make low-sodium broth? 2) What should I do with all my extra, fresh herbs? 3) Where did you get those killer shoes? (ok, I am lying about number three) But as for the first two questions, these seem to be salt-free, low-sodium challenges that perk the most anxiety, curiosity, and confusion for people. So let’s solve both issues with one ice cube tray. And then let’s go shopping for some cool new kicks. It’s true that store bought broths and bouillons are loaded with sodium [...]