Do You Know What's In Your Food? + Simple Mashed Potatoes

I love making mashed potatoes. There is something about making food while also getting your upper arm exercise :) “It’s all in the whipping”, my bother - who used to be in charge of hand-whipping the mashed potatoes when we were kids - would say. And whipped light his mashed potatoes would always be.

Growing up in Hungary, meals were made of real food ingredients. Rarely did we have boxed meals available. So we made food from scratch. The healthy way.

Today, I mostly follow this way of preparing food for my family. Most meals in our household are made from scratch. But every now and then, I look for shortcuts….because….life….Enter mashed potatoes.

As I was looking for boxed mashed potatoes options, I was mortified to find that most are full of artificial ingredients, preservatives and additives. So I wanted to share a great 1-ingredient option I found and show the comparison.

Small changes can make big impact on our health. Smart product swaps are an easy step.

Here are a few other tips:

• Cook at home from real food ingredients as much as possible

• Limit eating out

• Read ingredient labels: look for a short list (<5) of ingredients you recognize. No additives, preservatives, colors, flavors or any artificial ingredients.

• Shop organic if possible (at least the “dirty dozen” produce, animal products: meat, dairy, eggs, and fats)

• Look for non-GMO, organic, pasture raised, grass fed certifications. (“Natural” means nothing)

• Buy local as much as you can. Get to know your farmer.

And never buy boxed mashed potatoes with more than one ingredient!

Here is my super simple and delicious homemade whipped and mashed potatoes recipe:)

Ingredients for 4:

2 lb organic Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes

1/2 stick salted grass fed butter

1/4 cup raw organic cream or milk (and some of the reserved cooking water if needed to thin more)

sea salt, to taste

optional add in: raw / organic whole milk yogurt to taste

Preparation:

1. Wash, peel and cut potatoes into large cubes. Place on stove in water.

2. Boil potatoes until tender. Do not overcook. Strain potatoes, but reserve some of the cooking water.

3. Place back into pot and mash with a potato masher.

4. Add butter, cream/milk and mix. Salt to taste.

5. Rigorously whip by hand in large circular motion using a wooden spatula, until creamy or until your upper arm can no longer whip:)

6. Serve and enjoy!

Stay happy and healthy,

Eva