True story: the first time I ate a burger I was 25 years old. I know, what? But after years of growing up mostly vegetarian (aside for some chicken and turkey here and there), at 25, I’d never had any kind of red meat. I didn’t miss it, crave it or really know much about it other than it was something I just didn’t eat. 

Then, I went totally vegan in high school and college because I thought it was healthier. Slash… it was all the rage in diet land.

Then later, right after college, I discovered the world of real food. And that it was pretty much opposite of everything I’d ever learned about what food was considered healthy and what wasn’t.

*MIND BLOWN*.

And it all made such sense to me. I stopped having rules around food and what I could and couldn’t have according to the latest study & fads, and just focused on

1) Was it real? Like from the earth in some capacity?

2) Was it simple?

And

3) Has it been around and have humans been eating it forever? If yes, it was an option.

Things that I had shunned my whole life (butter, wine, and yes.. red meat too) all of a sudden were now options to consider. Not as “good”or “bad” but just as another category of real food.

Another category to test for my own body and see what felt best for ME. Not what everyone else was doing.

Fast forward, a few years later to a sudden onset case of hypothyroidism and really wanting to heal with food first, and well sourced, grass-fed & pastured meat, egg yolks, bone broth, etc were some of them (along with removing gluten completely, which you can read more about here). Enter the first (grass-fed, duh) burger of my life….. and something I still turn to when my body needs and wants it.

These days, food is just food. Not good or bad as long as it’s REAL. All real food is nutrient dense and all have healing properties, depending on what our bodies need in that season or moment. There is a wisdom in food that’s been around forever. We just gotta learn how to listen and tune in to what is feeling good, what is feeling nourishing and what is feeling life-giving to us… and here’s the kicker: for right NOW.

Our bodies are always changing, the seasons are changing, and what worked in the past may not be exactly what you’re needing now or in the future. And it goes both ways: more cooked food (or less). More plant based proteins like beans, nuts and seeds (or less). More healthy fats (or less). More good quality & well sourced meat (or less). More whole grains (or less). More full fat dairy (or less). More starches like sweet potatoes, and potatoes and corn (or less).

I for one, have had phases and seasons of ALL of those things, over the course of just the last 4 years alone.

But that’s the beauty of real food. It’s all healing, when you’re able to listen and adjust, instead of staying rigid and stuck in what you do and don’t eat, or what party/camp you’re a part of in the diet world.

If it’s all real, it’s all good.

At least that’s my philosophy.

So if you ever get overwhelmed or tired by the fads and trends, or feel like things aren’t working for you as well as they once were, take a beat. Check in. Notice what’s feeling good, and what you’re maybe just eating or doing out of habit (or because someone else told you too, or it’s trendy now). And switch it up. Play around. Test and try some things. 

You are the owner of your body, so don’t be afraid to actually get to know it better. You’ve got (hopefully) a long  and beautiful life together.

And if you ever feel overwhelmed by all the information out there, all the theories, trends or diets,  just ask yourself those 3 questions above: is it real? Is it simple (in it’s ingredients)?  And has it been around forever on this earth? 

If so, you’re gonna be way ahead of the rest.  And serving your body in a big way. Which is always the perfect place to start.

The simplicity of that habit alone, can be game changing ✨

Turkey, Apple & Green Onion Burgers

Notes: For the best flavor, I like to get a mix of dark and white ground organic meat. 

Makes 4 servings

1 lb organic ground turkey

2 scallions/green onions, finely chopped

1 green apple, finely chopped

1 handful mint, chopped (optional)

2 tablespoons olive oil

generous sprinkle of sea salt and pepper

In a medium mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and stir well to combine. Form mixture into patties- small or large, depending on your preference and grill or pan-fry over medium-high heat until done to your liking, approximately 4-5 minutes per side.

Serve in lettuce wraps, over salads or on sprouted grain/gluten free bread with all the fixings!

Love this recipe? You’d love the cookbook then too. And be sure to check out the seasonal meal plans (or the new easy DINNER ONLY plan)! Wanna know more about this real-food lifestyle made simple I always talk about? Be sure to check out this little podcast workshop I created for you, called: Simply Real FOOD: Real food, finally explained. Check it out here!