Here’s to the start of a new week friends! Let’s make this one count!
I haven’t been eating nearly as much oatmeal lately as I used to and I’ve started missing it.
Thusly, I made some chocolate oats with rolled oats, unsweetened cocoa powder, sliced almonds, flaxseeds, and chia seeds. I used a drizzle of real maple syrup for a sweetener.
I topped the bowl with a Not So Sweet Amaranth cookie for good measure. 
If you’ve read my twitter or Facebook page, you probably know about my semi-obsession with the TV show No Reservations / Anthony Bourdain. Anthony’s show opens my eyes to the eating cultures around the world. Well, it opens me up to culture overall, not just eating, but specifically focused around food.
One interesting thing I learned recently is that the Rastafarian diet sounds like it’s somewhat similar to what I strive for. Actually, their diet is very close to a vegan/whole food diet. On Anthony’s show for a visit to Jamaica, I learned that the Rastafarians follow a diet called Ital. An Ital diet is one that consists of clean and unprocessed foods. Apparently, they avoid salt, chemicals, meats, and oils…among other things. Source – Click here to read more about the Rastafarian diet. So fascinating!
Have a great week everyone! 
Who have you been surprised to learn eats like you? Or visa versa?
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
hmmm interesting! sounds good, except avoiding the oils part, my body likes a lot of fat so I use oil a lot, it’s in fact the only thing I put on salad, no dressing!
I know! Same here. I love using various oils in cooking, salad dressings, etc.
Love, love the stacked bowls!
ohh I’m going to need to read that.
I love the sound of the Rastafarian diet!
That is such a precarious little tower of bowls you had going on…In my kitchen that would’ve landed on the floor for sure!
Thanks for sharing that! That is really interesting about the Ital diet. It sounds like the rastas are onto something.
Mmm cocoa oats are so good! And a cookie for breakfast? Even better!
The Ital diet sounds a lot like how I eat, too. Though in our society, it’s a lot harder to do unless you eat at home for every meal.
Sad but true! I wish it were possible to eat cleaner out. Maybe one day? Until then, I’ll continue supporting the places that do!
That sounds so fascinating!! Is the show on Food Network??
It’s on the Travel Channel right now. Not sure if it’s on other channels. I haven’t seen it on Food Network or the Cooking Chanel before.
oooh yes – I love that show too!
The Jamacian episode of No Reservations is one of my favorites, too! I love when they travel down the river to that waterfall… the photography is breathtaking, and it’s so funny to think of Anthony Bourdain hanging out, probably with a giant contact high, visiting with the Rastafarians and inhaling all of that great food.