Are you tired of sandwiches? After the first week of kindergarten, my son came home and said to me, "Mom, I'm tired of sandwiches." Oh boy, I thought, what else can I use as the anchor to his healthy bag lunch? I pulled out all my most creative thoughts and came up with things like whole grain crackers with cheese, bread sticks with peanut butter and honey to dip, and a rolled sandwich on a tortilla. Are you tired of the same old sandwich? Unlike my son, I have always been more-or-less a sandwich lover. But I get tired of the same old sandwich. I vary it between tuna salad, hummus and … [Read more...] about Back-to-School with a Healthier and Cheaper Sandwich!
How to Plan Meals with Variety and Flavor
One of the most common questions my clients ask me is how to get more variety in their meals. It's so easy to slip into a rut and then cook and eat the same things over and over again - right? For better nutrition, I always nudge clients, and myself, to plan a wide variety of foods into their weekly plan and here's how: List Making Phase With 7 days in one week, there's a neat level of variety that's not too hard to achieve. Try these tips to get your list together: Make a Weekly Favorites List which includes 3 dinner favorites. These can be chicken, beef, pork, tofu, vegetarian, … [Read more...] about How to Plan Meals with Variety and Flavor
Winter Vegetables Brighten Up Meals
Do you look forward to the vegetables that are in season in winter? It was a nice surprise when I walked into my local produce market in the last week of January. My expectations were low as this is not really the growing season of the year. As I looked at my choices, instead of feeling frustrated and limited, I easily found fresh ingredients that work in my winter, comfort food kitchen. My lesson was this: Embrace each season of the year and buy mostly what's in-season. Left to right in my picture, I bought these vegetables: Parsnips Purple cabbage Golden Beets Red Beets … [Read more...] about Winter Vegetables Brighten Up Meals
Green Salad Tips for Better Nutrition
I know a lot of people who eat a lot of green salads. In fact, several years ago I had a client who loved salad and I was trying to help her improve its nutrition quality. After a fun discussion of options for her salad, she realized that the salad greens are good nutrition and when you add the toppings, you get even better nutrition. That just about sums it up if you ask me. There are many creative directions your salad can take for better nutrition. Green Salad Tips for Better Nutrition Buy the freshest salad greens - Each time you stock up on greens, check the freshness because … [Read more...] about Green Salad Tips for Better Nutrition
A Healthier Grilled Cheese Sandwich
There's something very special about a warm, gooey and toasty grilled cheese sandwich. I guess it is true comfort food at its quickest and easiest. When I got ready to make lunch the other day, I scanned the fridge for an idea and closed it. Then I opened up the pantry for a look and closed it. Then I went back to the fridge and saw my favorite cheese calling out for me to make a grilled cheese sandwich - so, I did. Making sandwiches for kids can be very challenging so take a look at these easy-to-do ideas that will delight the youngest members of your family. Healthier Sandwiches, … [Read more...] about A Healthier Grilled Cheese Sandwich
5 Meals to Cook on the Grill for a Healthier Lifestyle
Grilling Makes Good Nutrition Easy As a registered dietitian, I'm into healthier ways to cook. So, the grilling season opens lots of possibilities for me. The great thing is that most everyone I know likes to grill out, so the outdoor cooking season broadens their repertoire of healthy meals, too. Think about it -- with grilling, the fat drips away from center-plate favorites like steak, salmon, or chicken. This means fewer calories and less potentially harmful fat. The grill offers tons of variety of side options, too, like asparagus, skewered mushrooms, a sweet potato, or colorful Bell … [Read more...] about 5 Meals to Cook on the Grill for a Healthier Lifestyle