Page 48 - February-March_2020_Local_Happenings

Tales from the Kitchen By Chef K. Marie Paulk

I’ve read the most radical thing we can do to Fourth, eat eggs. To me they are the perfect food. Yes, they have
improve our health is cooking real food at home. cholesterol, but it is not for every night. Eggs by themselves are
Now that sounds simple but having the time to a great protein for dinner, and you can use them for quiches
make it is a luxury. Most people I know work, sandwiches, soups, pasta dishes, and more!
and I know when I get home that I do not want
to think about cooking—but there is a solution: The fifth may be a surprise: the avocado. The monounsaturated
there are companies that can make your life easier fatty acids (MUFA’s) in this gem helps burn stubborn belly fat (the
by delivering groceries to your home that will make fat that burns fat!), boosts memory to prevent mental decline, and
a good square meal. I have also read these programs helps to regulate blood sugar, which reduces the risk of diabetes.
are often less expensive in the long run because Avocados are also loaded with lutein, an antioxidant that promotes
you aren’t going to buy too much or pick up items eye health and helps stave off macular degeneration. Some ideas for
you don’t need. If you were to do the shopping, these treats are: guacamole (everyone’s favorite), they replace cream
you might buy more than you need and end up or butter in your pasta sauces; stuff them with tuna or a seafood
throwing some (or a lot) of money away. salad for a nice lunch or lite dinner, or make avocado toast. My
favorite is to slice them on a warm tortilla with a pinch of salt for an
The downside of someone shopping for you is avocado burrito. Sounds weird, I know, but I love it.
that you are giving up some of the control and
knowledge of exactly what you are putting into Eating on the run may be the curse of the modern life’s schedule, yet
your body. However, back to the first problem— let’s all try to be better by eating our own cooking.
having the time and energy to cook a healthy dinner
after a long day at work. Most of us own a slow Enjoy!
cooker and or an “Insta Pot.” Those items will help
with the time and convenience of meal planning,
but still, you can’t make all your meals with them
without your family getting bored quickly. One
or two nights a week, though, will get you a wonderful stew,
Eating On The Run soup and/or casserole. How do you use the rest of the
evenings? The answer: have the correct staples in your
refrigerator, freezer, or pantry.

The ubiquitous rotisserie chicken can save you time
for: tacos, enchiladas, soups, pizza, and more.

Happy New Year! 2020 is here, and I know many of us want to make healthier Next, have a good supply of frozen vegetables. I

eating decisions. I usually do not get caught up making drastic changes feel frozen is better than canned because of the
sodium. Frozen vegetables are picked at their
early in the year, as I know by March or even Valentine’s Day that I’ve peak, which means they have more nutrients than
even fresh that may have sat out too long.
blown it. I just try to watch the sugar (my main problem), eat in
moderation (I try to follow the Mediterranean diet), and drink Third, get canned beans. My favorite is the black
bean because they add fiber and protein to any meal.
within moderation. I try to get 1 to 2 days cardio into my
I enjoy a fresh pot of beans, but time is the challenge.
schedule … and even that is hard. It always seems that I You can add beans to soups, stews and salads or purée
into dips or sauté with veggies. One of my favorites is black
am eating on the run.
beans that is loaded with garlic and served over rice with a side
of sautéed vegetables.

46 Feb/Mar www.localhappeningsmagazine.com