How To Become A Great Cook Without Being A Chef

Chefs with Wine I by Shari Warren

'What I really love is food.

I love to shop for ingredients and envision the delicious dishes I can make with them. I love the taste of fresh, ripe, seasonal produce from the farmers market. I love the way good food makes me feel. I love the knowledge that what I eat helps me thrive.

But cutting stuff up and putting it in a pan isn't particularly fun for me. Though I certainly enjoy the fruits of my labor!

For me cooking is a means to an end. I cook for my own health and happiness, and for whomever I happen to be sharing my time with at the moment.

This is enough for me.'

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Simple dishes for weight loss

converting to a whole new diet, will aid you in your weight-loss. This means cutting down on sugars and processed foods and drinking water instead of the usual canned beverages, Also always choose brown over white. This means eating brown rice,whole wheat pasta, and whole wheat bread.

When craving for pasta, stay away from creamy sauces and opt for light tomato-based sauce or aglio olio (olive oil and garlic based)Add chopped vegetables. mushrooms, and sprinkle some herbs, fresh if possible. Herbs add flavor to dishes without adding extra calories.

Salads are also easy to make aside from being a healthy dish. Just add cooked chicken breast meat. tomatoes and cucumbers to a lettuce and you instantly have a filling lunch. Eat with simple balsamic vinaigrette, by mixing together olive oil and balsamic vinegar or if you want a creamier dressing, use low fat yogurt or sour cream as a base and season with some mustard, salt, pepper, and dried herbs.

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How to eat those healthy beans.

You don't like your beans? well, you have to learn what they can do to you and then how you can eat them without the pain.

Garbanzo beans

these beans may help you reduce the level of the hormone insulin, lowering the risk of diabetes, this is based by the reports of Australian Scientists,

How to eat? Make your own hummus by blending 12 ounces of garbanzos with a tablespoon of olive oil, lemon juice and peanut butter, Add chopped garlic clove, seasoned with salt pepper and cumin.

Pinto

Based on an Arizona study they have found that eating 1/2 cup of pintos daily can cut LDL cholesterol by 9 percent.

you can eat this by topping for chicken breasts mix a can of pintos with 1/4 cup each chopped red pepper, green pepper, and red onion add 1/4 cup corn, the juice of lime and 1/2 teaspoon cumin.

Kidney beans

These beans contains antioxidants that may help prevent the hardening of the arteries. That is based on the North Dakota State University Researchers.

You can eat this by doing a spicy sandwich spread, mash one can of kidney beans with two teaspoons of chili powder, the juice of a lime, and a clove of minced garlic.

Black beans

The dark skin of the beans has a great benefit because it contain potent disease-fighting anti-oxidants, according to a Cornell university study.

You can eat this in an Enchilada, Stuffed black beans chopped zucchini, and chredded cheddar cheese into whole grain tortillas. bake at 204 degrees C for 20 min.

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Grilled Lamb Chops with Eggplant Salad

I just want to share a recipe for people who want a delicious but wanted to still be healthy, got this from eating well.com, I'll try it myself tomorrow, and I'll let you know, meanwhile you can try it yourself. looks yummy right?

TOTAL TIME: 35 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Moderate

1 medium eggplant (about 1 pound), peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
1 medium red onion, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
Canola or olive oil cooking spray
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt, divided
Pinch of cayenne pepper
8 lamb loin chops, 1-1 1/2 inches thick, trimmed (1 1/2-1 3/4 pounds total)
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1. Preheat grill to medium-high.
2. Spray both sides of eggplant and onion rounds with cooking spray. Grill the vegetables, turning once, until browned on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board. When cool enough to handle, chop the eggplant and onion and combine in a medium bowl with lemon juice, parsley, mint, oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and cayenne.
3. Meanwhile, sprinkle lamb chops with pepper and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Grill the chops until browned on both sides and cooked to desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium. Serve with the eggplant salad.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 260 calories; 12 g fat (4 g sat, 6 g mono); 81 mg cholesterol; 11 g carbohydrate; 27 g protein; 5 g fiber; 659 mg sodium; 674 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (28% daily value), Potassium (19% dv), Folate (15% dv).
1/2 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 3 lean meat, 1 fat

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Hearty Chicken recipe for everybody.

Just wanted to share a very hearty meal to everyone.

Having friends over? Serve them this healthy, festive dish! Nothing beats the gift of health for your loved ones. SO try this one and they will thank you for this.

Hearty Chicken

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. corn oil
1 pc skinned chicken, cut into serving pieces
1/4 cup flour
4-6 pcs mushrooms, sliced
3 pcs potatoes, cut into quarters
2 segments garlic. minced
dash paprika
dash black pepper
6 pcs fresh tomatoes
1 tsp brandy or sherry wine

Procedure:

1. Heat oil in frying pan. Dredge Chicken pieces in flour and brown in oil.

2. Place in a casserole with mushrooms and potato quarters.

3. Saute garlic and spices with tomatoes and pour over chicken.

4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 to 1 and a half hours , or until tender. adding brandy or sherry during the last few minutes of cooking.

5. Transfer chicken, mushrooms and potatoes to serving plate and dress with a spring parsley

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Healthy Eating and Peer Pressure

If you are on a diet or simply enjoying a healthy lifestyle, than you probably know that peer pressure to eat foods that are not good for you is a major part of your life. If you are worried about the food that goes into your mouth, don’t worry—there are ways to overcome peer pressure. It simply takes a little know-how to get people off your back!

Parties are a major source of peer pressure, especially with alcohol. However, remember that alcohol contains hundreds of empties calories in just one drink. When you go to a part, people might be pressuring you to have a drink and relax, and it can be difficult to say no when they are constantly trying to convince you. Instead, offer to drive to a bar instead. This way, you re the designated driver, so people won’t want you to drink and, in fact, they will probably be purchasing you waters and maybe even helping to pay for your gas. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.

Another time when you may feel pressured to eat is at work when the boss orders lunch for everyone at a meeting or when you have to visit a client. Instead of giving in to temptation, simply politely decline the food by letting your boss know in advance or order a meal that is healthy and split the portion in half so you have a meal for tomorrow’s lunch as well.

Baby showers, weddings, birthday parties, and other special events can also wreak havoc on your diet, even if you are good at resisting temptation on your own. When someone hands you a piece of cake and won’t take no for an answer, it can be difficult to know what to say! Here, little white lies might be appropriate. For instance, saying that your stomach was upset earlier in the day will convince a person that you don’t want to eat at the moment or pretending to have a chocolate allergy will get people to allow you to enjoy the party without a hassle surrounding food.

Remember, however, that while refusing bad foods is fine, you should be eating good foods. If you do not, dangerous eating habits and disorders can develop, which will give you, your friends, and your doctor a real reason to worry. It’s ok to say no to peer pressure, but don’t say no to food in general!

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