The Principal brings Pakistan over for dinner

How lucky could a girl get?  At my own dinner table last night, I was again treated like a Queen - no, make that a Persian Princess, when the boyfriend (who also happens to be a Principal of a local school) of my spiritual daughter brought over a Pakistani masterpiece that left me moaning and in ecstasy for most of the meal.  I couldn't decide what was more enjoyable: eating the delicious food or the fact that I didn't have to do the cooking...I think it's a tie.

The dish was an aromatic delight of Eastern spices such as turmeric and curry, and worked magic on not only our taste buds but our digestive systems as well (and my husband, who was suffering from a cold, could momentarily breathe again).  I don't know how the Principal made it, or how much time it took to cook, but I can tell you there was chicken as tender as can be simmering in a tomato-based sauce and served over rice, and every bite warmed me up on its way to my stomach.

Evidently the Principal has a friend from Pakistan from whom he learned how to make this dish.  My lesson for the evening?  I gotta get me some new friends...am I too old to become a Pakistani Pen Pal?

But hold on, I'm not done.  This meal was only topped by the absolutely delicious side dish we shared: Roasted Cauliflower.  Now I've had plenty of cauliflower in my time, and have eaten it many different ways, but this dish tops them all.  The secret?  Turmeric.  And go figure: this spice is one of the healthiest you can eat!

Try it tonight (I'm making it again, but I'll be making more this time): Cut up a head of cauliflower and toss lightly with olive oil, salt, and sprinkled with turmeric.  Roast about 25 minutes at 425 (I'm totally guessing here because I was only half paying attention, with the other half of my attention on my glass of champagne).  Trust me when I say this is an absolutely delicious way to cook a veggie (even if my kids didn't necessarily agree).

So thank you to the Principal (all you locals can figure out who I'm talking about) for giving me a break from cooking, and delighting my senses with the taste of Pakistan.  I'm pretty sure he had no idea what a treat the evening was for me (since his eyes were feasting both on the good food and his beautiful girlfriend, as it should be).

And thank you to the country of Pakistan for opening my eyes to a new world of food.  Bahut Shukria...actually make that Bahut Bahut Shukria (thank you very VERY much).  First Spanish, now I'm speaking Urdu?  Damn I love the language of great food!

Here's wishing you a December menu filled with all your favorite countries!

Yours in health & happiness,

Suzanna Quintana, Holistic Health Coach & Certified Foodie

Viva la Turkey! (and how Terrence became Tomas)

It seems that a Thanksgiving can't go by without a new tradition being born in our family.  This year it so happened that we've begun naming our turkeys, since the intimacy of me shoving my hand deep in its privates called for the courtesy of being on a first name basis.

As I cleaned, and dressed, and buttered the happy turkey (a.k.a. organic), and my oldest son looked on with horror as I reached into the dark backside and ripped out the organs (okay, it wasn't really that violent), names starting with "T" kept popping into my mind.  Since my son and I agreed that naming it "Tom" would be childish and stupid (as if just naming our turkey was not), we finally settled on "Terrence" before popping him into the oven (the turkey, not my son).

Terrence turned out to be the most delicious and moist bird we've ever eaten on Thanksgiving, and we included him in our "What we are thankful for" mantra at the beginning of the meal.

And as it turned out, Terrence was a gift that kept on giving...in the form of leftovers.  But I didn't want to go the normal route of turkey soup, turkey sandwiches, turkey pie, so I checked in the fridge to see if I had any cilantro and tortillas, and within minutes...Terrence became Tomas.

Viva la Turkey...in the form of enchiladas!

And true to form, my spontaneous meal was not only delicious but healthy as well...so easy too.  Here's how:

In a large bowl, toss in around 2 cups of shredded turkey, 1/2 can of diced tomatoes, 1 can of black beans, 1/2 cup of salsa, 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper, and 1/2 cup of low fat shredded cheddar cheese.

Heat the oven to 375 and lightly coat a large baking dish with cooking spray.  Fill 7 to 8 tortillas with a little of the mixture and place in dish (I find it helps to use a toothpick to keep them from unrolling).  Then in the same bowl (less to wash), stir together remaining can of tomatoes and another 1/2 cup of salsa before spooning over tortillas.  Top the dish with as much or as little cheddar cheese as you like, cover with foil, and pop in the oven for about half an hour.

Hay Dios Mio (OMG for Gringos) these enchiladas were delicioso!  And can I just say again how also nutritious this dish is?  What a combo!

So I'd like to extend a warm "Gracias!" to Terrence/Tomas for bringing such delightful meals into our lives this Thanksgiving holiday.  Food & Family...really, what else matters?

Wishing you the best of leftovers, no matter the season!

Suzanna Quintana, Holistic Health Coach & Certified Foodie

Risotto for the Queen...that would be me

Since I cook every single night for my family, there is nothing more special than when I can sit at my own table and have someone else cook for me.  And when that "someone" is my dear friend, daughter-in-another-life, Julianne, then the meal takes on a whole new dimension of magic.  I indeed felt like the Queen last night, sitting at the head of the table and eating such a delicious dinner.

While Julianne prepared the meal of Butternut Squash Risotto and a salad of dark greens and herbs, we toasted with a glass of Champagne and chatted about all that was wrong in the world and how we could fix it.  My husband joined us, sitting on the counter and sneaking sips from my glass, and it occurred to me later how any meal is so much more than picking up a fork and putting food into the mouth.

Preparation of a fabulous meal with family and friends is an integral part of the dinner dynamic, just like foreplay is to sex...yes the end result eventually arrives, but the fun is in getting there!

Once we gathered at the table, I filled my plate with the creamy squash risotto and fresh salad, and filled my glass with a smooth California red wine that matched the dish perfectly.  Then as we ate, we talked and laughed for over an hour...what a treat for me, the Queen, to be so served without leaving the comfort of my home!

So a special thanks today to the reason for my special evening last night: Julianne you truly are a jewel and I'm so happy to have you in my life.  And I'm especially happy to have someone to share my love of fabulous food with!

Here's wishing all of you the opportunity to be Queen or King for a day...or at the very least, a meal.

Suzanna Quintana, Holistic Health Coach & Certified Foodie

Is it time to eat yet?

Instead of sharing one particular meal this time (although my fluffy and light scrambled eggs this morning were purrrfect), I've decided to write about my love of "the meal", and how it has come to dictate my daily life in a simply fabulous way...

I realize I should move to Europe (I'm thinkin' France) so that I won't appear as much of a misfit when it comes to eating.  Here in America, where more people eat in their cars than at their kitchen table, the "meal" has taken a backseat to everything else going on in our lives, and joining it in the backseat?  You guessed it: our health.

Not for me, baby.  And anyone who knows me will attest to the truth of the following statements:  There is not a chance in hell I will miss a meal, whether it be breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  I have dropped out of clubs because they met at dinnertime, I have missed many a meeting or get together, I question the intelligence of schools when they schedule concerts, plays, or conferences between the 6 and 7 pm dinner hour, and whenever I'm on a road trip I am always planning on where we'll be at mealtime so I can start salivating ahead of time.

And I'm equally confused as to how people don't eat three meals a day...when I'm in the mall food court and it's 3 pm, I want to ask people: "Is this your lunch?  Dinner?  Snack?  Are you not going to eat the rest of the day?  Don't you know you're spoiling your appetite for later?  What the hell is wrong with you people?!"

So my husband and I received an invitation for an upcoming Christmas party, and it read: Join us for cocktails and music at 6 pm!  Naturally, my husband wasn't surprised by my reaction (and had his usual giggle at my response):  "6 pm?" I stated, crinkling my forehead in confusion.  "Are they not serving dinner?  Are we supposed to go to dinner afterwards?  Are we expected to only have cocktails without food?  When are we going to eat?  What the hell is wrong with these people?!"

Even now, as I type, I am watching the clock and getting ready to go out to lunch with my hubby.  I ate a delicious breakfast early this morning, and then enjoyed a miniature chocolate bar from my kids' Halloween candy for a mid morning snack, and now my stomach is - just like clockwork - beginning to grumble for whatever is coming next. 

Trust me when I tell you this is a fabulous way to live!  And I am confident this enjoyment (not obsession, that's an American trait I don't possess) of food is what enables me to also enjoy great health.  I don't eat all day long, I don't shove food in my mouth and then regret it later, I don't feel guilt or shame when I've eaten something not so healthy, and I definitely don't deny myself, starve myself, or have any negative feelings about food whatsoever.  And that, my friends, is the secret to a happy and healthy life!

Off I go, to sit at the table, peruse the menu, order something delicious, enjoy great conversation, and then EAT!  Food is Life...treat yourself to a great meal 3 times a day and you'll be sure to keep the doctor away:)

Here's to your next fabulous meal!

Suzanna Quintana, Holistic Health Coach & Certified Foodie

Friend me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/suzannaquintana!

Mexican Meatball Soup...not bad for a white girl!

Aside from my belief that I was Evita Peron in a previous life, my gift for cooking up delicious Latin meals cannot be underestimated, even if the color of my white skin hints otherwise.

Don't ask me how I came up with this soup, but here is what I think happened: I happened to be in a local health food store in the freezer section, I suddenly had a craving for meatballs but didn't want to make them myself (nothing ruins my appetite like sticking my fingers in raw beef), I had fresh cilantro at home that I needed to use pronto, and it was a chilly evening and I needed warming up (my husband was working so there went that idea).

The result: Mexican Meatball Soup.  I don't know why it's Mexican instead of, say, Guatemalan, but I do know when I was sipping it I was thinking of our neighbors directly to the south and wishing I was with them.

And my meatball craving?  Problem solved when I came across a box of frozen organic meatballs (organic meaning that my cow ate grass before giving up the ghost, and wasn't pumped up with a bunch of antibiotics). 

How easy is this: I prepared the soup and then just plopped the frozen meatballs in to cook for 20 minutes.  I'm thinkin' that if you are a vegetarian, just make the soup and skip the cow, no problema!

Here's what I did for the soup, and let me tell you how there is no better way to spend a chilly evening than sippin' on a delicious sopa (I'm gonna keep throwing out a bunch of Spanish words here, since I'm hoping I might learn a few when it's all over).

Mexican Meatball Soup:

Saute whatever veggies you want in a bit of olive oil (my choice: squash, onions, carrots, celery, leek) and then add a bit of white wine (I usually use about 1/2 a cup, but on a bad day I'll double it).  Pour in as much chicken broth as you want depending on the size of your fiesta.  I used 5 cups of broth and 1 cup of water.  But for all you vegetarians feel free to use vegetable broth.

Throw in a cup or so of rice (basmati, long grain, whatever) and it'll cook along with the soup.

I added a pinch of chili flakes (like the kind at pizza parlors) and a dash of cayenne pepper for a little spice, and then salt and pepper to taste.  The true beauty of the soup, however, comes in the fresh cilantro you add at the very end (approx. 2 tablespoons). 

Feel free to throw in some frozen corn niblets too if you so desire.  After all, this is your rodeo.

If you are using meatballs, and making them yourself (but whyyyy would you do that when there are perfectly delicious and organic and frozen meatballs available to use?) then you'll have to fry them up separately and plop them into the soup once cooked.

Okay, that's it!  The soup can simmer for 20 minutes (especially if you need to cook the meatballs) or longer, depending on what else you're making.  I happened to be in a hurry the night I made this, and whipped out the entire meal in half an hour.  Not bad for a white girl!

Cheers, Salute, Prost, Hip Hip Chin Chin....here's to you in any language! 

Suzanna Quintana, Holistic Health Coach & Certified Foodie

My healthy lunch includes...ice cream?

Can I just start off this post by saying how ridiculous everyone in this country is by assigning labels to food?  Healthy: Good.  Unhealthy: Bad.  I eat broccoli, I'm a good girl.  I eat cheesecake, I'm a baaaad girl and should be ashamed of myself.

I can't tell you how many comments I get about my own eating habits, usually in the form of "Oh you're so good you don't eat bad stuff" or "I'm not good like you because I don't eat well" or worse, when I bump into someone at a restaurant and they're eating and behave as though I've caught them in the middle of some terrible crime, "This is so bad, isn't it?"

Why has food become so powerful in our lives?  Do you think French women get together and waste time discussing how terrible they feel because they've indulged in a piece of cheesecake?

Whew...okay now that I got that out, I'd love to share with you my lunch yesterday as I drove to another city for an appointment, and got to enjoy those treats I can't find here in my little town.

Salad and Ice Cream: let me break it down.

For lunch I visited this cool little place called Salad Creations where I did just that: I chose dark greens and mixed in artichokes, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a little shredded cheese, topped with a balsamic vinaigrette.  Yum!  I love salads, especially when I can create my own.  To drink?  Water...only because I knew what I was having for dessert.

Baskin Robbins: the best ice cream in the world (and no one will ever change my mind on this one, since childhood memories are also firmly attached).

I ordered my usual: two kiddie scoops of Chocolate Chip and Mint Chocolate Chip on a sugar cone.  Then, as I drove home, I became euphoric as I enjoyed the treat (and it is a real treat since I only enjoy it maybe once or twice a year).  I'm not kidding, I was so happy while eating, I probably should've pulled over since my attention was diverted more so than when I use my cell phone (my apologies to the guy I accidentally cut off).

Is Baskin Robbins ice cream healthy?  Of course not!  But who the hell cares?  And now I'm going to share a secret of mine that you may find tough to swallow (although it's not a secret to most of the rest of the world):  I am so healthy because I don't eat healthy all the time!

My ice cream cone didn't hold any magical powers, it wasn't "good" or "bad" and I didn't feel "ashamed" or "weak" because I indulged.  And this is the key to my health and happiness.  I'm tellin' ya, it's a great way to live and eat!

And by the way, my salad was pretty dang delicious too.  So yesterday's lunch was all-in-all a Success!

Here's to you and your favorite foods...Enjoy!

Suzanna Quintana, Holistic Health Coach & Certified Foodie

Bring a little happiness into your life...in the form of a smoothie!

While usually I share my latest meal, after this morning's great start to the day I felt compelled to share the reason why it was so great (and why I'm still feeling the effects of it even in the early afternoon).

I never was much of a smoothie type of gal, especially if it involved too much time, effort, or protein powder in any form (I'm not big on putting any type of powders into my food; turns my appetite off like a switch).

This morning, however, I made (and rather quickly) a batch of yummy smoothies for my family that got us all off on the right foot.  Even if you have nothing else for breakfast, or this is the only healthy thing you put in your mouth all day, it's worth it.

Look, the key to any success in the kitchen has to do with forethought...or rather, foreshopping.  It was easy to throw a ton of goodies in the blender this morning because all I had to do was open a couple bags from my freezer, and make sure I had a few of the necessary ingredients for a delicious smoothie to be had.

Trust me, anyone would like this drink, and if you feel compelled to sneak in some magical powders of your own (protein, wheat grass, curds and whey) go for it, although you really won't need it with the nutritional punch this drink brings.

On your next trip to the grocery store, stock these items: frozen strawberries, frozen raspberries, frozen peaches, frozen mangoes...the list goes on so buy what your taste buds want.  Have a little orange juice and honey on hand, as well as a bunch of bananas.  And that's it...besides ice, so how easy is that?

And don't even ask me about time...I got up at 6 am to get the kids ready for the bus at 7 and had plenty of time to both make it and slurp it up.

Get out your blender, and throw everything in: a few ice cubes, a banana, a little orange juice, frozen berries of any sort or a combo of all, and a teaspoon of honey.  You'll want to "liquefy" this baby so you can sip it through a straw (oh yeah, buy a bag of straws too).

Smoothies are no doubt a fantastic way to begin your day, and nobody will be able to accuse you of not getting your fruit requirements for the day.  But I'll tell you what, on a warm day when you crave something sweet and cold, smoothies hit the spot.

To your health and happiness (can't have one without the other)!

Suzanna Quintana, Holistic Health Coach & Certified Foodie

Lunch in Nicaragua...delicioso!

My lunch hasn't even been fully digested as I sit down to type...it was that good!

One of the many reasons I love my husband is the new culture of food he has brought into my life (among many other beautiful Latin gifts:).  And the great thing about the majority of food from Latin countries is that it not only is delicious but nutritious as well.  You know how in this country we are constantly being asked "What's for Dinner?" and the only answer we can come up with is "Beef, of course."  Well, I have news for you: our protein needs do not need to come in the form of animals, hence the perfectly healthy, protein-rich diet of the Nicaraguans (the poorest of the Central American countries, only the wealthy enjoy meat on a regular basis).  Which leads me to my lunch today: Gallo Pinto.

Gallo Pinto is simply red beans and rice.  The term means "Spotted Rooster" because of the speckled appearance of the mixture.  This dish is so easy to make, so dang good for you, and so versatile -- today I reheated some and scrambled a couple of organic eggs to eat with it.

Do yourself a health favor (and boost your protein intake in one meal!) and give this dish a go.  Buy a bag of red beans from any store (look for beans from Latin countries, easy to find in a health food store where they typically offer a variety of beans).  If you can, put the beans in a pot in the evening and let sit overnight to soak.  However long you're able, it's important to soak any beans - and then change the water - before cooking them.  Suffice it to say your digestive system will thank you...

I'm going to inject a rhyme from elementary school now, so please scroll past if you don't want to giggle aloud:

Beans, beans, the magical fruit.
The more you eat, the more you toot.
The more you toot, the better you feel,
So let's have beans for every meal!

Again, the key word is "soak".

Once you put the pot of beans to boil, add a few onions, some fresh chopped garlic, a few green pepper strips if you like them, but wait to add salt until the very end because it slows the cooking of the beans down.

When your beans are yummy, mix as much as you want with white rice in a large frying pan.  Voila: Gallo Pinto!

But this is the best part: it is so easy to take any leftovers out of the fridge and fry some up in a little olive oil whenever you're hungry, like I just did for my lunch.  And the fact that I ate it up with a couple of scrambled eggs...protein intake accomplished for today!

So on behalf of Nicaraguans everywhere, I hope you enjoy their staple meal of red beans and rice, and the health benefits that come along with it.

Enjoy todo lo que pueda comer (all you can eat)!  Please avoid being impressed with my language skills...I found this on my Spanish Phrase-a-Day calendar.

To your health in any language!

Suzanna Quintana, Holistic Health Coach & Certified Foodie

For more recipes like this, check out my book "Why My Kids Don't Get Fat" and have your eyes opened to the wide world of food existing far past our meat-and-potatoes border!

And friend me on Facebook to follow more food travels of mine, along with healthy living and eating tips, at www.facebook.com/suzannaquintana

Finally a restaurant that shares my love of delicious, healthy food!

Just because I'm on vacation (visiting my mom in Arizona), and not doing my own cooking, doesn't mean I am still not enjoying every single meal and morsel of food I put into my mouth!  And while every meal thus far has been an experience and a delight, my lunch yesterday at a local Phoenix restaurant begs to be shared...

True Food Kitchen is a restaurant after my own heart.  Just read a few words of their philosophy and you'll know why:

Why We’re Different
Michael Stebner, Executive Chef

When it comes to healthy eating, it seems like the focus is always on the rules. Eat this. Don’t eat that.
But what if you found a way to actually enjoy food that happens to be good for you too?

True Food Kitchen is about flavor, freshness, variety, quality, nutrition and balance. It’s about enjoying healthy whole foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals.

We’re here to make healthy eating a much more flavorful and satisfying experience. Because when you eat right, you just feel better. It’s true.

One of the big problems in America is that we are all screwed up when it comes to how we view food, as though it had some mystical properties that turn it into either our best friend or worst enemy, depending on the day and our mood.

My good health depends directly on my utter appreciation and immense pleasure gained from eating good food, which is why this particular restaurant made me so happy yesterday!

I started out the meal with a drink called the "Medicine Man"...don't ask me what was in it (I only remember the pomegranates and blueberries), but it was packed with antioxidants and I swear after drinking it I felt like I could fly out of the building on my good spirits. 

My mom enjoyed a kale salad made with lemon and Parmesan, but we both agreed my salad rocked the planet: dark greens, corn, apples, mangoes, avocados, cheese, and sweet almonds lightly tossed in a Champagne dressing.  I am totally making this salad at home because I know my family would love it as well.

So thank you, True Food Kitchen, for allowing a foodie such as myself to enjoy a fabulous lunch out, and one that I didn't have to cook (even I need a break from that!).

The Europeans, especially the French and the Italians, are way ahead of our country when it comes to enjoying the ritual of eating, and they also boast lower rates of heart disease, cancer, and obesity...go figure.  It's no secret to me why this is so, and my waistline is ever thankful.  Food is life...eat it up!

Enjoy your Sunday, and make sure great food is a part of it!

Suzanna Quintana, Holistic Health Coach & Certified Foodie

Dinner is a Triple Threat: Easy, Healthy, Delicious!

All I gotta say is, if love of eating were people, I'd be China.  Last night I enjoyed yet another delicious meal, and I managed to amaze myself again at how great tasting food can also be so damn good for you! (Did I just hear the country of France say "Duh!"?)

Two words: Salmon and Asparagus.  Or as I'm now going to call this combo: Fish-n-Stalks (more kid friendly, don't you think?)

How simple is this...in most grocery stores you can now by "Wild Alaskan Salmon Burgers" -- yes, that's right, nix the "ham" in front of the word burger and replace it with "salmon".  They come frozen, you keep them frozen until ready to use, and then put them in the oven frozen...sooo easy!  Note: make sure any salmon you buy is "wild" and not "farmed".  The verdict is in and wild is by far more nutritious (I'm not exactly sure why, but it makes sense - the whole "fish out of water" thing, you know?)

Also, I keep boxes of frozen asparagus spears on hand, so making dinner last night for me was basically turning on the oven and putting things in and out of it.  How you serve it is up to you.  Personally, I love hollandaise sauce, and McCormick offers a handy little packet that you only have to add water and butter to.  Everyone but my 7-year-old likes to top their salmon burger with a little hollandaise, and then of course I also dip my asparagus into it as well (and don't even get me started on whether hollandaise sauce is bad for you, it's not like I'm topping chocolate cake with it).

Or, another option that kids especially like, put the salmon burgers on whole wheat buns and top with lettuce, tomato, and ketchup (my youngest son loves ketchup on his salmon burger...though it turns me off, I'm smart enough to see the bigger picture: my kid is eating healthy food!).  Another attractive accompaniment to the burgers: french fries.  Buy a bag of frozen fries and keep them on hand to bake when you need them (when you skip the frying, you skip the added oils).

Maybe you like asparagus but the rest of your family doesn't (really, you must pity them).  Make your life easy and keep a few bags of Steam-In-The-Bag veggies such as corn or peas in the freezer so you can pop them in the microwave at a moment's notice (which is what I did last night for the boys).  Anyway, all this means is more asparagus for me!

Do yourself a favor and start incorporating more wild Alaskan salmon into your life, or at least into your body.  Everything you've heard is true: it's that good for you.

Yours in health & happiness,

Suzanna Quintana, Holistic Health Coach & Certified Foodie

P.S.  If I can talk openly here, just be sure that after you eat asparagus you pee in a bathroom that won't be used immediately afterwards.  I have never found adequate enough words, unfortunately, to describe the odor of this vegetable when it leaves the body in the form of urine, other than it smells like weeds.  Do your own science experiment and let me know if you can come up with a better adjective.

Lovin' that sweet corn for 3 days straight!

After a quick trip to the Farmer's Market last Thursday, at which my nine-year-old proved my theory that kids will eat the good stuff if given a choice (as we stood in line, he begged and begged and begged for...a cookie?  No.  A brownie?  Nope.  An Italian icee?  Wrong again.  "Please please please get me a green pepper so I can put it in my omelet tomorrow!).  And these are the moments when you can hear me shouting from the rooftops: Motherhood Rocks!

But I digress.

The reason I went to the Farmer's Market was to gather up as much fresh sweet corn as I could, this being one of my favorite foods of all time.  But once I got home I freaked out about how much corn I was now in possession of, and how on earth would I convince my 7-year-old that it would be good for breakfast too (because how else would I eat it all in time)?

As my husband would say, "To every problem, there is a solution."  I've continued to let him think he was the one who came up with this brilliant quote.  But he's right, in any case.

If you love sweet corn on the cob, here is an easy way to buy all you can in the summer and still enjoy the sweet taste in the fall and winter months.

Dehusk all the corn (Is that a word?  Unhusk?  Render it huskless?), and take off all the stringy things too.

Blanche in boiling water (meaning: drop the cobs in boiling water for a minute or so).  This makes it easier to get the corn off. 

Then get out a sharp knife and large cutting board and slice the corn off the cob.  Put all the cute little niblets into a plastic bag and freeze for later use.  When you want to add some to a stew or soup, just throw them right from the bag into whatever you're cooking up.  If you want to eat the corn as a side dish, put in a pot with a little water (about 1/4 cup or so, depending on how much you're cookin'), and steam for a few minutes until the corn is soft.

But here's the most important part of all this: no matter how you end up eating the corn, always use BUTTER...stay away from that margarine crap with the hidden trans fat (Life is too short to not enjoy real food!).  Isn't butter full of saturated fats, though, and will cause you to have a heart attack in the middle of dinner?  I suppose if you ate sticks of it at a time.  But a tablespoon of butter thrown into a bowl of corn niblets every once in a while?  Ain't gonna kill ya, but it might bring a whole lot of joy into your mouth!

Thursday night we enjoyed corn on the cob; Friday and Saturday night we ate niblets as a side; Sunday afternoon I heated up a little for lunch (it's that good!).

So go ahead and buy up all the farmer's corn now that you know how to enjoy it long after the markets have ended!

Suzanna Quintana, Holistic Health Coach & Certified Foodie

"Not really Chili" Chili

I made this the first time last winter when the snow fell outside and my boys got off the school bus with the sniffles.  I wanted to make something hot and hearty, but without any animal involved (over the years I've learned that the less animal fats I consume, the less fat I absorb on my body -- and why is it any weight I gain goes directly to my tummy?  Why can't the wealth of weight ever be shared with, say, my breasts?).

After a few minutes in my cupboard, and a few more minutes checking out the stash in my veggie drawer, the result was in: "Not really Chili" Chili.  I can't even tell you how delicious this is, but I made it the other night for friends who thought I was pretty damn spectacular for coming up with it, and you can bet it has become a mainstay on my dinner menu since it's sooo easy and sooo healthy and sooo...you're getting the picture.

Bonus: this is one inexpensive meal to make!

"Not really Chili" Chili:

The next time you go to the grocery store, stock your shelves with cans of beans: kidney, pinto, great northern, chili beans - whatever.  Trust me, getting your daily dose of protein is not going to be a problem with this meal.

In a large pot, saute whatever veggies you have in your fridge: carrots, squash, zucchini, cabbage, celery, etc. in olive oil.  Add a little white wine, and let the veggies absorb it.  Add a cup of vegetable broth, and then four or five or six cans of a combination of your favorite beans.  Add a can of diced tomatoes and some fresh chopped cilantro (heavenly scent!), kosher salt to taste and a dash of pepper.

Feel free to add a cup or two of your favorite whole grain noodle: my preference is a whole wheat elbow macaroni.  Could this meal get any healthier?  I think not.

You can let this simmer on low for a while as you set the table, etc. or you can serve it immediately once it's warmed up.  I offer a small bowl of Mozzarella to sprinkle on the top, but with or without cheese it's one delicious meal, especially on a chilly or rainy day!

Unfortunately, even though I made a huge pot of it, there were no leftovers the next day for me to enjoy.  Just as well, since the friends I made it for left my house happier and - dare I say it - a little healthier than when they came!  This is my mission in life: to show people that food can be both healthy and absolutely delicious to eat...Enjoy:)

Suzanna Quintana, Holistic Health Coach & Certified Foodie

Pasta ala "in a hurry" and still dang delicious!

Last night wasn't a typical one in my house, since I didn't get home with the boys until 6:20...yikes!  What do I make?  Do I give in and pick up fast food on the way home (hee hee...anyone who knows me knows that just ain't gonna happen)?  Do I open up a box of Mac and Cheese (not an option either, since I don't have any in the house)?  What the hell will I feed my kids in the next half hour so they can get to bed on time and I can finally have some peace??

Okay that was a little drama to introduce my next recipe (making meals is not actually this chaotic; I've become quite adept at throwing together a healthy and delicious dinner in the time it takes to drive thru McDonald's).

Drum roll please...and boy this was good (judged by my and my kids' empty plates):

Pasta ala "in a hurry" and still dang delicious!

Start that water boiling first (and don't watch it...you know the saying) since this will take the longest.  In a skillet, saute about a cup of thinly sliced yellow squash in a tablespoon of olive oil (and if you don't want your kids to see it, shred it up and they won't know what they're eating).  When the squash is soft, add a teaspoon of crushed garlic, dash of kosher salt, and shrimp if you have it (I always keep a bag of frozen shrimp on hand to throw in a dish at my whim). 

Add a little white wine (or a lot, depending on how your day was), and some vegetable broth (found in any supermarket in the soup section).  How much wine and broth you use is dependant on how much pasta you are making: you want your pasta to have enough sauce to cover it.

Add a dash of pepper, and fresh parsley (this is what really makes the dish).  Toss with either whole wheat pasta (angel hair is my preference) or organic pasta, just as long as it isn't enriched.

Top with Parmesan cheese and you are now ready to present your masterpiece to your lucky family!

If you have tried this recipe or one of my others, please leave a comment and tell me if you changed something that made it even better!  I'm all ears for new and exciting ways of making food.

Dang, now I'm hungry again and lunch is still two hours away...I'm off for the kitchen in search of a sweet banana.

Here's to your health & happiness!
Suzanna Quintana, Holistic Health Coach & Certified Foodie

Best damn burrito this side of the Big Horns

God I love to eat. But I especially love it when I am a half-hour before dinner, struggling with what to make, and then - Voila! - a new masterpiece of mine is born!

You gotta try this: my kids loved it, my husband loved it, and it's....(gulp) HEALTHY!! What could be better?  I'm tellin' ya, I just keep getting better and better at making delicious AND healthy food.

Best Damn Burrito t.s.o.t.b.h. (this side of the Big Horns):

Buy some flour tortillas that are actually real (meaning: not Mission tortillas that have a million chemicals in the ingredient list). I get mine here locally at the Good Health Emporium, but you could probably find some at any health food store or in the organic section of your supermarket (or if you know how to make your own, please do so, and send some my way pronto!).

Bake the tortillas for a few minutos (adding some Spanish flair there) so they get a little crispy on the edges (and there is nothing better than a warm tortilla). In a skillet, saute shredded cabbage and squash in olive oil. When veggies are soft add a can of pinto beans and chopped cilantro (about a teaspoon). Add a dash of kosher salt and pepper. Cook until low boil and then spoon bean mixture into warm tortillas, top with shredded cheddar cheese and an avocado if you have it, and bite into healthy yumminess!

This is a meal in itself, but what works well with it is to slice up some fresh pineapple...there is something about the fruit and burrito that works magic in your mouth.  Delicioso!

Stay tuned for more of my new "Oh that was good" food blog! And spread the word to your friends about my new blog and newsletter on my website at http://www.sheridanmomsforhealthykids.com/. 

If you liked this recipe, click "follow" up above and you won't miss a post (at the very least, I'll make your mouth water each and every time).

Adios for now!

Suzanna Quintana, Holistic Health Coach, Author, & Certified Foodie