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
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
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
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
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
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
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
Sunday, October 3, 2010
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
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
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