The Positive Community Kitchen meals contain whole foods that are:
fresh
organic
delicious
nourishing
nutrient-rich
seasonal
minimally processed
grown sustainably
local whenever possible
made with love
PCK uses organic and local foods to insure that the freshest and most nutrient rich whole food is available for our clients as well as to nurture a healthy local food system by supporting our local growers and producers.
The nutrients in fresh whole foods are rich and alive – having been spared from commercial processing, fresh whole foods are steeped in healthy minerals, vitamins, enzymes, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and the protective phytochemicals. Phytochemicals, also known as phytonutrients, are natural components of plants which support the immune system and cellular health. A diet rich in all of these nutrients is the foundation from which our body builds, repairs, and sustains life.
To create healing meals, PCK embraces the American Institute of Cancer Research’s healthy plate format, with 2/3 of the plate consisting of plant-based whole foods, creating a meal that is composed primarily of vegetables, legumes and whole grains. This emphasis is also widely supported by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the National Association of Nutrition Professionals, American Cancer Society, the Institute for Functional Medicine, The Center for Mind Body Medicine, The Block Center for Integrative Cancer Care and other institutes and physicians that have researched the relationship between food and health.
Another important aspect of our meals is that they are balanced for appropriate intake of all macronutrients (proteins, fats, and carbohydrates) and we strive to create them with a low glycemic load, so that they will not cause a spike in blood sugar.
“Our current American diet is a problem both for what it contains – too much sugar, processed fats, salt, additive, hormones, pesticides, and genetically altered inflammatory proteins and for what it (the Standard American Diet – SAD) doesn’t contain—Omega-3 fats, fiber, magnesium, zinc, B and D vitamins, antioxidants and more.”
– Mark Hyman, MD
Gluten-Free Whole Grains
Legumes
Vegetables
Fruits
Wild Caught Fish
Local free range poultry
Unrefined, cold pressed healthy oils:
Coconut oil
Vegan Butter
Olive oil (no high heat exposure)
Sunflower oil
Sesame oil
Foods such as avocados, seeds and nuts
Natural whole sugars:
Fruit
Honey
Maple syrup
Turbinado sugar
Unprocessed Salts:
Sea salt
Sea vegetables
Fermented foods
Herbs & Spices
Mushrooms such as shiitake, maitake, reishi, and other seasonal mushrooms
Small amounts of wine for cooking
Highly processed refined oils such as:
Canola oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil
Trans fats
Hydrogenated fats
Deep-fried foods
Fast foods
White and brown sugars
High fructose corn syrup
Chemical sugar substitutes
Processed table salt
Smoked meats
Radiated herbs and spices