Location
Seattle, WAI am a vegetarian mom who does occasional catering, personal chef work, and cooking classes. I love to help people see the variety and joy that can come from a vegetarian diet but never judge what others eat. I write a blog (www.danatreat.com) with lots of recipes for both healthy food and "treats". My husband (who eats meat) and I are raising our children vegetarian but are open to them changing their minds someday. I think a glass of wine a day is a good thing.
danatreat submitted a way to: Eat healthy
way to be well created 12.31.10
Tips for 2011
We are a day away from 2011 and I wanted to leave 2010 with some general tips for cooking and eating healthy. And also getting the most flavor out of your food! These are things that have really worked for me over the years that I have both nourished my family and worked with clients.
1) Make a shopping list. We all make impulse buys at the grocery store. The more times a week you shop, the more impulse items end up in your home. Take the time to sit down once a week, decide what you are going to make, and write out your shopping list. Do you best to get everything on your list in one trip. If you shop this way, you will also definitely save money!
2) Replace your spices. If you have a jar of cumin that has been sitting on your shelf for three years without ever being opened, that spice has very little flavor left. It is best to use your spices within a year to get maximum flavor. Maximum flavor means less need for salt and fat. Keep the jars but dump the spices. Buy the ones you use most often in bulk which is very inexpensive.
3) Use fresh herbs. There is no comparison in the taste between fresh thyme and dried. Using fresh herbs brings an amazing complexity to your cooking.
4) Use fresh citrus. Much like #2, the bottles lemon juice and the juice from a fresh lemon are just not the same. I buy bags of them at a time and keep them in the bottom drawer of my refrigerator where they keep for weeks.
Best of luck to you all and happy new year!
1) Make a shopping list. We all make impulse buys at the grocery store. The more times a week you shop, the more impulse items end up in your home. Take the time to sit down once a week, decide what you are going to make, and write out your shopping list. Do you best to get everything on your list in one trip. If you shop this way, you will also definitely save money!
2) Replace your spices. If you have a jar of cumin that has been sitting on your shelf for three years without ever being opened, that spice has very little flavor left. It is best to use your spices within a year to get maximum flavor. Maximum flavor means less need for salt and fat. Keep the jars but dump the spices. Buy the ones you use most often in bulk which is very inexpensive.
3) Use fresh herbs. There is no comparison in the taste between fresh thyme and dried. Using fresh herbs brings an amazing complexity to your cooking.
4) Use fresh citrus. Much like #2, the bottles lemon juice and the juice from a fresh lemon are just not the same. I buy bags of them at a time and keep them in the bottom drawer of my refrigerator where they keep for weeks.
Best of luck to you all and happy new year!
Great tips! I just recently replaced my spices (I was shocked that some were expired). While I would rather use fresh herbs, I don't always have them on hand - so glad I cleaned!
I always try and make things spicier for my salt-loving husband. What other spices do you use that are maybe a little less traditional?
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