FALL IN LOVE WITH COOKING
I know, I know…the dirty dishes, the kitchen clean-up. The obvious way to spare ourselves the mess is to just order in. Believe me, I love our takeout nights, but we try to keep it to once a week so that it really feels like a luxury. Most of our meals are healthy and homemade, but that’s only because the process is simple and well planned. I have a few tricks for those who are more likely to make a reservation than a meal. Here’s how I keep things uncomplicated and fun in my kitchen…
Simplify the process, but don’t sleep on the flavor
Sadly, healthy cooking is often perceived to be an overwhelming assignment. It’s almost expected that I, as a Dietitian, will recommend elaborate, overly involved recipes. On the flip side, there’s also the fear of me suggesting a chicken and steamed broccoli-esque diet as the gold standard. I’m proud to say that I belong to neither of those camps. My strategy is simple.
If these 4 components land on my plate, both the wellness professional and the foodie in me are satisfied:
Protein
Fat
Fiber
Flavor
Protein: meat, fish, eggs
Fat: avocado, olive oil, coconut, nuts and seeds
Fiber: colorful fruits and vegetables, beans, sometimes grains
Flavor: pesto, hot sauces, chimichurri, clean dressings, sauces and marinades, sometimes cheese
Stay inspired
I’m someone who could watch cooking shows and peruse cookbooks endlessly, but I realize not everyone shares my passion. A handful of inspiring resources will suffice when you’re fresh out of creative thoughts.
Here are some of my favorites:
Feel Good Food & Eat Better, Feel Better by Giada DeLaurentiis– I was so hooked on her show, Giada at Home, back when my eldest daughter was a toddler and my second was a baby. Truly, I learned most of what I know about cooking from her during afternoon naptime. These cookbooks are compilations of her favorite healthy dishes.
The Defined Dish – This busy mom of 2 lives in Texas and knows how to marry flavor with clean ingredients. This cookbook is Whole30 endorsed and has so many impressive but approachable dishes I make on the regular.
True Roots – Kristin Cavallari has a food philosophy I can really get behind, and she showcases the working mom and home chef life beautifully. I especially love her asian-inspired recipes.
SUNDAY | MONDAY meal plan membership - Shameless plug here. My recipes and strategy are designed to elevate the everyday meals you prepare and share with loved ones. I draw inspiration from comfort foods we all crave, travel-inspired dishes and nostalgic classics but reimagine them using simple, clean ingredients. I have the woman with her hands full on my mind when creating these.
RELIVE MOMENTS
As I mentioned, I see healthy cooking, not just as a means to an end, but also as an opportunity to elevate everyday moments for my family. One of my favorite ways to do this is by recreating dishes from past experiences or travel. The creative challenge is to “healthify” them a bit. When I was in Southern Italy one summer, we often snacked on marinated artichoke hearts while waiting for our entrees at the cafes all over the island. Most jarred artichoke hearts are soaked in inflammatory canola oil, so instead, I marinate my own. I take plain artichoke hearts, drown them in good olive oil, sprinkle them with sea salt and fresh or dried oregano. Instantly, I’m transported back to those sun-drenched days on Ischia. More or less.
I hope this inspires you to make a mess in your kitchen, but remind your housemates that the “I cook, you clean” rule is firm.
xo, Kristen