Toxic, carcinogenic chemicals and endocrine-disrupting fragrances in commercial detergents remain on dishes we fill with protective food and beverages. Chemicals fill the air we breathe when the steamy dishwasher door is opened. While living in Chicago, and San Diego, my water was soft, so I could skip using detergent in my dishwasher and turn out sparkling, hot water sanitized dishes. Then I moved to Utah, with naturally delicious but hard, mineral-rich well water. Great for drinking but not for the shiny, photo-ready dishware I require to do my job with Protective Diet. I was not about to add chemicals back into my home when my hard well water, detergent-free wash left my dishes and jars coated in a dull white film. I couldn't stand the fragrances on returned dishes from friends using commercial detergents, and the list of chemicals on "environmentally safe" detergents was disturbing to me. I had to find a chemical-free, shine producing dishwasher detergent solution to protect my body, microbes, home, and ground-water from toxic chemicals fast, or I was moving. This was top priority, so I researched, gathered, and tested every natural, non-toxic combination I could create until my dishes and jars came out sparkling and photo-ready! Jerry and I cheered with a celebratory dance as we unloaded each shiny jar and glass together. We are geeks when it comes to healthy living solutions, and with this recipe we feel like we won. After living fragrance and chemical free for a decade I am knocked out by the fragrances in friends' homes. After a few hours in a household that uses commercial detergents the aroma and air begins to feel less thick. I leave with a headache and lung rawness. You may think I've made myself sensitive by eliminating chemicals in my home, however I know I have offered Jerry, my dogs, and anyone joining me in my house a toxin-free retreat that allows the body to focus on wellness rather than constant detox. I hope you enjoy the wellness benefits of all of Protective Diet's effective and cost-cutting DIY lifestyle products. They are some of my favorite optimal health recipes.

Taco Bell’s Mexican pizza was my favorite drive-thru nosh. With Protective Diet, we can enjoy old favorites while still remaining in our best health. Simply layer crunchy PD Organic Whole Wheat Flour Tortillas layered with your choice of PD creamy beans, melted cheese, taco sauce, and sour cream. An air fryer will transform raw tortillas into unforgettable crisps. I assemble these with leftover Julie’s Beans blended, producing six double-decker irresistible, no-bake personal pizzas. When you become familiar with the recipes that layer into Taco Well Pizza, you will be as thrilled as I am to make them regularly. This is a fun “prep ahead and assemble at party time” meal.

Just 15 minutes to a satisfying protective dinner! Mix and eat or make and bake while slimming down with Protective Diet. Plant-based Instant Pot macaroni and cheese is creamier and faster than boxed. This is my 2024 pantry-handy-cost-cutting-fast-favorite-go-to recipe. Complete with suggestions to veg-it-up or add plant-based “meaty” mix-ins along with colorful tableside toppings to transform Monday mac into a Sunday special.

This recipe is a high-fiber, protective, whole food, plant-based remake of Taco Bell’s seasoned beef. A health promoting copycat of the heavily seasoned, finely ground mush meat filling used in their tacos, burritos, and Mexican pizza. The fast food original contains oats and additives that make the texture more goo than something to chew. The Bell’s burrito supreme was soft and saucy garnished with tangy sour cream, onion, olives, and lettuce. Soft or hard tacos contained two tablespoons of seasoned mush meat topped with a mound of shredded lettuce and choice of fire, medium, or mild Taco Sauce packets. We can remake the entire menu with Protective Diet recipes and have a “Taco Well” experience. Let’s celebrate by driving past “Taco Hell” and head home to enjoy a family-friendly “Taco Well” feast.

Boring diet food is the number one reason people struggle to lose weight and often stop short of reaching their goals. I am an excitement seeker who became twice my size because I sought fun and excitement at every meal. I have mindlessly maintained my slimmest self for years while enjoying unforgettable meals with Protective Diet. I focus on making meals exciting following a low fat, oil and sugar free, plant-based Protective Diet. Before I understood food’s connection to real health and vitality I used unhealthy, processed, high fat foods in indulgent dinners as my daily “reward.” Trying to suppress the desire for exciting meals is impossible long term and leaves us feeling deprived and miserable. Everyone I meet who struggles with excess body fat enjoys eating great food as much as I do. A dull diet is just not sustainable for most people. Thrilling weight loss and the healthy outcome of dietary diligence are not enough to keep one eating boring diet plates in a world focused on indulgent food. On a Protective Diet we prepare slimmed-down, innovative recipes that satisfy fun food memories without sabotaging our health and fitness goals. Concession Stand Nachos are a family-friendly fast meal that makes eating protectively joyously sustainable.