Let’s get started with Ashley. Do you have a favorite healthy meal, snack or dessert that you love?
I think low-fat cottage cheese is the best! Mix it with seasonal fruit, eat it straight, combine with scramble eggs to increase the protein - it's extremely versatile. The fact that it is so high in protein is what makes it a healthy food. Be careful to read the ingredients to get the one that's most natural and the least played around with.
Love that idea. Thanks for sharing. JF, what about you…any favorites?
I love spaghetti squash! I use it to make all kinds of great stuff! I fill it with veggies and cheese, or I’ll butter it up and sprinkle a little cheese on it (cheese might be one of my weaknesses).
I have the same weakness. Love pecorino romano cheese on my pasta, soups and even on salad. However, I always try to stay in balance as much as possible to keep healthy! Let’s hear from Chris.
I love peanut butter. I know that doesn’t sound healthy, but I’m a big believer that you need some fat in your diet. We use the natural kind. No sugar. Just peanuts a little salt and peanut oil. You have to stir it. Sometimes I will just take a spoonful of it for snack. I find it holds me longer than just about anything else.
We use the natural kind too. I like adding peanut butter to my protein bites that I make. PJ, what about your favorites?
I love food—desserts in particular. Anything chocolate or coconut is a serious temptation, so I’ve found that smoothies are my salvation. I can use coconut milk as a base, add unsweetened cocoa powder or a plant based powder that is flavored with Amazonian chocolate…yum! Add a half a banana, some almond butter, and hemp seeds and you’ve got a delicious, nutritious shake that will satisfy any chocolate lovers craving.
I love smoothies too! Kimbra, do you have any favorites?
Bread. A homemade slice of that warm and moist, mouthwateringly wonderful staple: Super simple ez-bake bread recipe.
Thanks for sharing. Bread is another one of my favorites too. We bought a bread maker and we’ve tried a few recipes. My favorite is the rosemary wheat bread.
I think simplicity is a good thing so we stick with as few ingredients as possible. For cooking we use whole grain pastas, olive oil and seasonal vegetables and fruits. In the fall we have lots of root vegetables and work through our frozen foods to get through winter. I like to add the citruses as well. I think it helps you stay healthier to have that extra vitamin C. Grapefruit is also one of those slower processing foods in your body so you stay full longer. Brussel sprouts are like that, too.
Some great ideas. We also eat whole grain pastas and cook with olive oil. We use olive oil, balsamic vinegar, white vinegar and seasoning to make our own salad dressing. JF, do you have any favorite ingredients or staple foods to cook with?
Garlic, butter (gasp!), squash, kale, kolrabi, and mushrooms!
I’m a big fan of garlic and also mushrooms. Chris, do you have any staple foods that you love?
We love to cook in our house so we probably have staples that other people might not. I love anything fresh. I’m not a Summer lover. I don’t like warm weather, but I do love the herb garden outside. I will go out and clip some for each meal. I also keep on hand Farro. It’s a nice change from white rice.
My husband and I also love to cook at home. Never cooked farro before, but will definitely try it. Love risotto and also wild rice. PJ, we’d love to hear from you.
Avocados are my go to add in for salads, dips, spreads, and smoothie thickeners. Avocados are loaded with heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. I’ve even switched over to cooking with avocado oil. It has a much higher flash point, meaning it won’t turn rancid when heated, as canola, corn, or even olive oil are prone to do. It also adds a slightly nutty flavor to foods that is light and tasty.
They’re one of my favorite additions to salads too. Kimbra, what about you?
Sugar and spice…and everything nice. I grow a lot of my own herbs: thyme, rosemary, mint, basil, oregano. But I also use a little sweetness to flavor my meals, whether it’s fruit or roasted carrots. I like a little treat. Of course I believe that everything has to be in moderation. You have to have a treat now and then. So, when you do, you should enjoy it and not feel guilty about it but also a snack means one. But sometimes it’s hard to stop. Just remember to not over-indulge. And, if you are prone to that, then choose a fruit snack instead.
Love gardening and having fresh vegetables and herbs.
I love Michael Pollan and totally agree with his recommended diet: “Eat real food. Not too much. Mostly fruits and vegetables.” He is just so smart. When I bought his book, In Defense of Food, it was not an easy read but he has videos now that I saw on Public Television. One of the recommendations he had was the 100 Days of Real Food and I found the pledge. So I just started that. There are lots of recipes and suggestions. It's a fourteen-week program that slowly weans you off processed food. It's far too easy right now. The first week we added two fruits or vegetables to every meal...I already do that just about. The second week we added only natural sweeteners in our drinks. I don't drink sweet drinks but using pure maple syrup and honey as my only sweeteners is not a problem for me.
Sounds like a great plan. We use raw honey as a sweetener as well. JF, what about you?
I use google. When I get a new vegetable or an idea of something I might want to try, I try to find the easiest possible recipe for it.
It’s great to have so many resources available online. Chris, where do you go for recipes?
I don’t use too many recipes, but I’ve found Pinterest is great if I do need something.
Haven’t tried Pinterest for recipes yet. PJ, do you have any go to sources?
I’m an internet junkie when it comes to researching nutrition and healthy food. If I come across some new to me information, I look up as many articles as I can to verify its claims. There is a lot of misinformation out there, so you have to be careful not to buy into every new claim that comes along about the latest “superfood.” I also depend on the very knowledgeable staff at my local health food stores.
Some sage advice. It’s vital to do your own research and not take everything you hear as valid. Where do you go, Kimbra?
I love to look on Pinterest.
Two votes for Pinterest. I guess I’m going to have to check out that avenue as well! Thanks ladies for chatting. We’ll be taking a break and coming back at 1 pm.