Eat with the Season
My grandmothers both loved to eat whatever was ‘in season.’ One grandmother was a backyard gardener and she grew tasty vegetables as well as beautiful flowers. Along with my grandfather, she set up their yard as a neat kitchen garden. My other grandmother didn’t grow her own food, but she was particular about choosing what was freshest and fit the season. In May-June, both my grandmothers ate strawberries grown very locally. When we visited, we gobbled them up!
Cook with a Simple Recipe
My grandmothers learned to cook from their mothers. Many of the recipes they used were passed down through the family and most of them were simply delicious. One grandmother made Pennsylvania Dutch dishes that came from German roots and the other grandmother made typical American dishes with simple flavors and nutrition. We knew there would be a hearty meal ready whenever we visited. And, of course, it was homemade!
Put Vegetables on the Plate
My grandmothers knew that green vegetables were healthy and delicious. So, every dinner had green beans or broccoli or cabbage or spinach. Usually the green veggies were cooked but sometimes they were made into a raw salad. My Pennsylvania Dutch grandmother always had colorful chow-chow in the pantry from her local huckster, too – the mobile vegetable farmer who made house visits. Now, that was cool!
Learn a Lesson from Your Grandmother
When I counsel clients about improving their personal nutrition, I sometimes say, Eat like your grandmother did. What I mean is to eat with the season, cook with simple in mind, and put vegetables on the plate. For most of us, following these 3 simple tips will result in achieving better personal nutrition. If you are ready for a positive change in your nutrition, please join me for ongoing tips and free menus. Bon appetit!