Never judge a book by its cover, certainly not a cookbook. Although that’s exactly what I did when my friend sang the praises for the book Broad Fork. Maybe selling something as “Southern Food” wasn’t really the best way to my old-continent heart – and palate. I spoke – and reacted – too soon. Once I tasted a few of the wonderful dishes in this book, I became a believer and fan of Hugh Acheson. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “What’s a Broad Fork Anyway…”
Tag: Our approach to eating
Cooking or Exercising? Ideally Both!
The conundrum on how we best spend our time continues. A recent meta data analysis determined that exercise is less important than diet if our goal is to lose weight. And as we at Come and Cook with Us aren’t really focused on eating to slim the waist, we want to point out that while regular exercise is really really good for our muscles, joints, heart, lungs, and mental wellbeing, we aren’t told often enough that making time for a home-cooked meal is just as important, if not more. We know it’s hard to fit it all in, but a little can go a long way so this summer we invite you all to try a few new habits. Come and cook with us!
Maybe there isn’t anyone getting rich by telling us this simple truth. Or maybe we are told, but with little impact given the competing multi-million dollar marketing budgets focused on getting us into the gym, dressed in our best athletic outfits and enticing us to follow each and every move with digital wearables like fitbit. Our public service announcement is pretty simple: Let’s try to find a healthy lifestyle that incorporates both exercise and nutritious food. Here are a few suggestions on how to implement it:
- Keep it simple.
- Start with one meal, like breakfast, if you feel overwhelmed.
- Make it a family effort giving kids a role in choosing, shopping for and preparing the meal.
- Always add a salad.
- Switch out the ice cream for water melon, peaches, apricots, cherries and more fresh fruits that are in season right now.
- Reach for the water and skip the soda.
- Remember what your ideal plate looks like: 1/2 plate fresh produce, 1/4 whole grain and 1/4 protein.
- Visit the farmers market and talk to the farmers.
- Make it social by asking your friends for their go-to-recipes. You’ll have a wide repertoire of new ideas when fall comes around.
Regular exercise is indeed an excellent way to boost your mood and get in great shape. And so is cooking. This summer, spend a little less time letting other people tell you what will make you happy, healthy and wise, and instead listen to what your own body is telling you. Here’s to a good summer! Below are links to some of our favorite summer dishes that are easy to make and delicious to eat. Come and cook with us!
Greek Salad
Bircher Muesli and Refrigerated Oatmeal
Oven Baguette
Mediterranean Poached Chicken Salad
Lone Pine Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Fennel, Avocado and Orange Salad
Salad Dressings
Wellness: From the Inside Out
When it comes to the blog, we most often focus on the How to cook. Sometimes, we also want to talk about the Why. Last week, I attended a wellness workshop held at The Hivery in Sausalito and conceived by Mill Valley’s very own Juice Girl, Melora Johnson. The panel included Dr. Josefa Rangel, an Integrative doctor with a practice in Marin, Jason Way, a Naturopathic Doctor in Mill Valley, and Clean Eat Nutrition, run by Eris Cushner and Sandrine Ghosh, two nutritionists. The interactive panel discussion offered ideas, recipes and information on promoting wellness from the inside out. Here are my key take-aways. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Wellness: From the Inside Out”
Spring for Green
The change happens suddenly. One day you crave hearty food that warms your body and soul and the next day you wake up to Spring. In Northern California it has finally arrived. Well, maybe winter never really came. But that’s another story. Let’s just say that when we planned our menu for St.Patrick’s we opted for a pesto pasta. When the actual day finally rolled around, I suddenly found myself opting for a lighter, fresher and more season-appropriate meal featuring leafy greens, shoots and fresh herbs in a perfectly Green Avocado Quinoa salad – an instant classic. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Spring for Green”
Happy Anniversary!
You didn’t really think you’d get away without reading about healthy habits to adopt in 2015? Even if we already know what’s good for us, it can still be helpful to review some of “the basics” about healthy foods. If your 2015 list is already overwhelmingly long, do me a favor and add just this one new year’s resolution: Eat more produce! Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Happy Anniversary!”
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