My Chef

Quality of Food vs. Quality of Lifestyle

Posted on 19. Oct, 2009 by Justine in Articles, Lifestyle

I read a quote recently that went something like this “America is nation of overweight, unhealthy people who are obsessed with eating well”. It rings true. We spend a lot of time watching cooking shows, talking about food and dieting. We buy the good stuff and start every other Monday with a vow that this week I will start that diet and lose the weight. Good intentions right? Why is then that so many of us are overweight and out of shape? More importantly why is this trend spreading to even remote nations? One answer is that with all of our obsessing about food we have forgotten how to eat.

We all know what to do right? Cut down on red meat and fatty poultry. When we do occasionally eat these items they should be organic, antibiotic and grown hormone free. Instead of meats add beans to your diet and try soy products. Oily fish is suggested but avoid farm raised and embrace wild caught. Add tons more fruit and veggies and cut out sugar and high fructose corn syrup. Use only cold pressed olive oil or canola oil. Avoid all margarine no matter what they claim. Fried food…forget it. Add nuts, avocados and healthy fats. Dark chocolate’s an acceptable indulgence once in a while. Avoid all processed foods and most all wheat products. Do add whole grains in moderation. Eat local and organic whenever possible. Raw fruit instead of juices. Eat raw veggies whenever possible. Drink lots of filtered water. Ok, there is it. One paragraph. Simple right? Then why aren’t we doing it?

To me, when you break it down, the answer seems rather simple. We don’t eat at home! We don’t cook. We don’t buy whole foods. We buy pre-made convenience meals and eat fast food. We eat in restaurants where the ingredients don’t matter as much as how it looks on a plate. Our kids think food comes in a box or a plastic container you put into a microwave. Our spouses eat more meals outside the home than in it! How can you control what you eat when your life is out of control? Ok, I’ve said it a thousand times and I will say it once again. If you can’t control your health and your well being is any of the rest of it worth it?

I hope I haven’t made any of this sound daunting or like a scold. It’s not meant to be. I’m a chef and trust me we are the worst when it comes to cooking at home and eating healthy. We have the skills but like you we are constantly running around trying to make ends meet. We don’t have time to cook much less shop. Ask the pizza delivery guy how many pies he delivers to the back doors of very good restaurants. We are all in the same boat. If you’ve read my earlier blogs, you know that I am a huge proponent of private chefs and the life changing services they provide. Here is another solution.. try cooking. I know it sounds drastic but try it. Here is a basic plan to help you.

Planning Your Meals and Making the Time

Plan two cooking days per week with one shopping day. One of these days can be roasting day.

Roast a tray of veggies from the local or farmers market. Just drizzle with a little olive oil and salt or herbs. These are a cold salad for lunch one or two days, a stew with beans on another and a side dish on yet another. Roast a couple of organic chickens too. Worry about seasoning later. Just a little lemon and olive oil with salt a pepper will do. Cold chicken legs for lunch, maybe some cold chicken salad. Some chicken thighs with a spicy rub and a salad for a quick dinner. While the ovens on made some homemade granola. Yes, granola. You can do it! It can be sweet and sticky to appease even kids. Gather some organic oats, dried fruits, canola oil, honey or molasses, nuts? Just toss and put in the oven until a little browned. You will be a hero. Bake some sweet potatoes while the ovens on. Use a few in that stew. Make a great soup in the blender with your cooked sweet potatoes, some organic cream and some store bought veggie stock, just heat it and add herbs. Serve with some whole grain bread for a light dinner.  You can microwave one for lunch with a salad. Cut up a few toss with some oil and make oven fries for your kids. They will forever after love roasting day. As a matter of fact, bring them into the kitchen as well. While you are preparing the weeks meals have them follow a simple recipe for a healthy recipe. Maybe a dessert. After all the ovens on!

On another day you can cut up fresh veggies and put in zip locks.  Cook some rice noodles and have them cold. When you combine some raw veggies with rice noodles and some fresh ginger, a bit of honey and soy you have a really easy interpretation of a Vietnamese salad. Add toasted nuts and coconut for more crunch.  Also take a few minutes to prepare some items for the crock pot. Yes, we are going to break out the crock pot! If you are lucky enough to find free-range beef anywhere near you, the crock pot is a great partner. Grass fed beef actually has omega 3’s! But it can a bit tougher than most of our palates are accustomed to but put in a crock pot all day on low with some veggies and wine and you have an amazing splurge meal! Another crock pot favorite in the summer is to use fresh tomatoes from your garden cooked down all day with garlic, onion, olive oil and herbs. Just cook a little spelt pasta when you get some.

I know we haven’t covered the entire spectrum but it’s a start. Use this time in your kitchen as down time. Time to nurture yourself  and your family. Time to use your hands. To get creative. Use your shopping time to take your partner on a little date. Stop and have a coffee and cruise the farmers markets. Drive out of town and explore what’s at your local farms. This is living like it counts!

Tags: health, organic