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Canadians (some) Demanding all Traces of Sir John A MacDonald be Removed

Sir John A MacDonald has been on the literal hit list in Canada lately. Schools, buildings, streets, statues, bridges, and the like are being renamed because of the belief that his federal policies were suspect when he was our Prime Minister. As our very first Prime Minister, he was instrumental in our country’s development and deserves a place in our history.

I find this obsession to erase history frustrating and ridiculous. Where do we draw the line? Who decides who was bad, really bad, bad enough to wipe them out?

What About O.J?

These feelings of disgust were re-awakened yesterday afternoon when I was watching football and O.J. Simpson’s name came up. Inducted into the football hall of fame for his prowess on the field, he is still idolized and celebrated often by commentators and fans.

I don’t know about you, but I was totally dismayed that O.J. literally got away with murder. Twice. Talk about a travesty of justice. Yes, he was convicted in a civil suit, awarding money to the families of his victims, and spent some time in the clinker, but still got away with murder in the criminal courts.

What’s the Difference?

The point of this rant? Why is there a difference between the way we are willing to acknowledge the historic actions or behaviour of Sir John A and O.J? Why does O.J. Simpson continue to be idolized and revered when Sir John A. MacDonald and other historic figures are getting toppled from our graces, shunned, with all traces of them discarded from our lives?

Life Lessons Instead of Erasing History

Learning from our mistakes should be considered valuable life lessons. We should be taught to move on and refrain (hopefully) from repeating the same mistakes. That doesn’t mean the lessons or mistakes didn’t happen and shouldn’t be acknowledged. Life lessons get chronicled in our brains, or, in some cases, our journals or diaries.

In Conclusion

It seems to me that we are offended by everything and everyone these days. If our ideologies are threatened (??) we demand all traces of the offender removed from society. If we can accept the accomplishments and talents of one man without judging him on his lifestyle, ethics, or morals, why can we not accept the valuable contributions of others?

I believe that history is in the past; we learn about people, places, and things and decide how to incorporate the good from the past into our futures. Every country in the world can dredge up unsavory actions of their leaders and heroes. It’s how the indiscretions are dealt with that should decide the success and health of the country moving forward.

Well, I feel (somewhat) better after this rant, but I would like to hear from others. Am I wrong? Or just easily offended.

I know this saying is old, but it has become increasingly clear to me recently. Way back in 2011, I was diagnosed with an allergy to wheat. Since then I have avoided anything that contained wheat. It wasn’t easy, but I have grown accustomed to it. So apparently has my body.

In December 2018, my husband and I tried out the keto diet as one of our sons was doing it and we were on vacation with him and his family. After a few weeks of experimenting with that, we altered the strict keto version to what I call a “modified keto.” We consume lots of fats, but the good, omega-3 kind. We don’t restrict vegetables or fruits, AKA the good carbs. We avoid processed foods that contain lots of sugar and preservatives and consume lots of protein but stick to the lean and non-processed variety.

In March 2020, those good habits flew out the window with the arrival of COVID-19 isolation recommendations. Feeling sorry for ourselves (missing our kids and grandkids) or bored, or both, we began the slippery slope to snacking and TV binging.

When Easter festivities were canceled due to social distancing measures, I still cooked a big dinner and baked delicious goodies, but divvied (most of) it up and dropped off care packages and Easter baskets to our sons’ respective doorsteps for their families to enjoy. Usually, when I bake for family gatherings I include one or two gluten-free varieties. Not this year, unfortunately for me. Instead, I snacked on the wheat-laden goodies, limiting myself to half a cookie per day to avoid the stomach problems associated with my wheat allergy.

Shortly after Easter, the goodies were gone from our home, but the bumps on my scalp, one of the pre-wheat allergy diagnosis symptoms, were back. As was the bloating, fatigue, and general lethargy, not to mention a few extra pounds. All the things I had worked so hard to eliminate!

If that doesn’t prove “you are what you eat” I don’t know what does.

Photo by Trang Doan, via Pexels

Do you love classic recipes, but dread consuming the calories they are usually laden with? Me too. Over the years I have learned to substitute many calorie-rich ingredients for healthier options, without sacrificing the taste or presentation. Check out these tried and true calorie cutting hacks

Creamy Sauces

I learned to substitute the cream in many recipes because my stomach can never handle the high-fat content in cream. Instead, I use almond milk, but you could substitute any other nut milk. I call them milk, but technically they are not milk, they have no dairy in them. I have yet to try the cashew version but plan to soon. Not only will you not notice a lack of creaminess, but the fat in nut “milk” is a healthy type of fat.

For example, I make chicken alfredo with either fettuccine or penne pasta using a can of mushroom soup diluted with almond milk instead of the half-and-half or full-fat cream called for in most alfredo recipes. If the recipe calls for salt, omit it as the canned soup is salty enough, especially when parmesan cheese is an essential ingredient. Otherwise, your favourite recipe can stay the same.

Another idea is to use unflavoured, unsweetened, low-fat Greek yogurt instead of the sour or other cream called for in saucy dishes and casseroles such as stroganoff or pasta. Regular yogurt also works, but the Greek version is generally thicker, resulting in creamier sauces. Greek yogurt is higher in protein than regular yogurt too, another bonus.

Calorie Cutting Hack for Gravy or Soups

Every time I roast meat, I add minced or a few cloves of garlic and several slices of onion to the bottom of the pan. This trick creates rich, golden-brown, flavourful “drippings” that can be used immediately for gravy, or frozen for future use in soups, stews, and sauces.

I keep a bucket in my freezer for such use, each new addition forms a layer. The fat rises to the top of each layer and is easily removed when thawed for use. Soups are especially tasty when a mixture of the layers is used as broth. The only problem is that no two batches of your homemade soups will ever be identical.

This method eliminates the salt, sugar, and other unhealthy calories and ingredients that come in canned or packaged supermarket broth, gravy, soup, or stew.

Calorie Cutting Hack for Desserts

Similar to the creamy sauces, satisfyingly rich desserts can be made with almond (or another nut) milk instead of full fat, whipping, or half and half cream. Except, of course, unless whipping the cream is required for volume. Unfortunately, alternative milks don’t whip well.

Silken tofu and soy milk in equal parts, plus a bit of vanilla can be blended together and then whipped to replace full-fat whipping cream. This is also a great dairy-free option for your favourite creamy dessert.

Not only does sugar increase your caloric intake, but it also adversely affects your body in other ways. There is lots of research linking kids’ poor, even aggressive behaviour and/or poor concentration to increased sugar consumption.

So, how can you eliminate or at least reduce these bad effects? Simply cut back on the sugar amount called for in recipes, or use a sugar alternative. Stevia, a plant-based sugar alternative, can be used in many desserts to cut calories as well as the glycemic index of your treats. Foods with a high glycemic index cause our blood sugar levels to rise dramatically after their consumption, an unhealthy treatment of our body, especially over time.

In less sweet recipes, such as muffins, simply use more fruit instead of the oil or fat called for in the recipe. Extra (naturally sweet) fruit also means you can reduce the amount of granulated sugar you add to the mixture. For example, applesauce is amazing in muffins. It adds a natural sweetness and keeps the muffins moist. I have also used low-fat, unsweetened yogurt in muffins with great success. You may have to play around with the amounts of the substitutions to achieve your perfect muffin, but it can be done. Just make small batches until you discover your favourite.

Conclusions for Calorie Cutting Hacks

With colder weather, it is natural to crave and request comfort foods more frequently. To get even more enjoyment out of your favourite classics, experiment with alternative ingredients to make the recipes lighter and healthier, but still satisfying.

Just imagine, using these tips will allow you to consume your favourite classic meals or treats, with less guilt!

Your waistline, bathroom scale, and your overall health will thank you.

Do you have any calorie cutting hacks you can share?

photo credit: Nicole Michalou and Pexels

Tag: Pexels

Erasing History, Why so Selective?

Canadians (some) Demanding all Traces of Sir John A MacDonald be Removed

What About O.J?

What’s the Difference?

Life Lessons Instead of Erasing History

In Conclusion

Calorie Cutting Hacks for Classic Recipes

Creamy Sauces

Calorie Cutting Hack for Gravy or Soups

Calorie Cutting Hack for Desserts

Conclusions for Calorie Cutting Hacks

Canadians (some) Demanding all Traces of Sir John A MacDonald be Removed

What About O.J?

What’s the Difference?

Life Lessons Instead of Erasing History

In Conclusion

Share this:

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Creamy Sauces

Calorie Cutting Hack for Gravy or Soups

Calorie Cutting Hack for Desserts

Conclusions for Calorie Cutting Hacks

Share this: