Nutrition Made Convenient
BY MARY RAFFETTO
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Nutrition has always interested me, and one day I decided to try living it instead of just knowing about it. A diet of natural, often raw, whole foods seemed like a good place to start: salads, lean proteins, whole grains. Inspired by how quickly I lost the first bit of weight, I decided to put exercise back in my life, and went for a jog. Soon fat was melting away and friends began to ask what I was doing differently. I told them that I had turned down the food knob, and turned up the exercise knob.
The more I fueled up on nutritious, whole foods, the more I lost interest in the junky refined ones. Oprah has her “O List,” and I submit to you my own “M List” of favorite foods-on-the-go (consider calling in your order at some of these places, so that it’s ready when you get there).
Trader Joe’s:
As convenient as any drive-thru, I found it quick and easy to stop by for fresh fruits, berries, sugar snap peas (pre-washed, these are a delicious substitute for chips) and a wide variety of ready-made salads. And it doesn’t hurt that our Trader Joe’s gives out complimentary fresh hot coffee! But be careful not to accidentally sneak over into the candy and cookie aisle.
Toot Sweets Bakery Cafe:
Executive chef salad with roast chicken (minus the ham and cheese) with a scoop of five-bean salad on top and poppy seed dressing. Their tuna salad is also excellent. Try the iced Sport Tea, which is full of energizing ginseng.
Papapavlo’s:
Bay shrimp salad and grilled chicken salad. Be sure to order these with the house vinaigrette – delicious!
Whirlows:
Greek chicken salad and Southwestern chicken salad – both wonderfully satisfying and made to your specification. They also make Sport Tea here.
Safeway’s deli:
Broccoli salad. This is made from raw broccoli, crumbled bacon, onions, raisins and sunflower seeds – sounds weird, but tastes wonderful!
California Pizza Kitchen:
There are all kinds of good salads here – take your pick, but no creamy dressings, only their outstanding vinaigrette.
Garlic Brothers:
Shrimp salad on spring mix – completely addictive; I will never tire of this.
The ultimate convenience just may be gourmet health food that comes to you. Beyond the Bayou Custom Catering tailors their menus to the fitness and training needs of their clients. Owners Heather Kraft-Fogle and chef Christopher Freeman address the dietary needs of athletes from bodybuilders to marathoners with dishes like brined and marinated chicken with diced spring vegetable ratatouille, or bronzed fish with roasted cauliflower puree, and sautéed spinach salad with fresh onion and garlic. “We cater all events, but the customized individual plans geared toward health have grown very popular,” reports Heather.
Other professionals agree. There is a distinct upswing in health and diet awareness, and the people who change their habits are achieving results. Yesenia Cihuacoatl, a Registered dietician at St. Joseph’s Medical Center, encourages her patients to make gradual changes, instead of becoming overwhelmed by trying to change everything at once. She helps patients focus on what is good to eat, rather than letting them obsess on what not to eat. “Even before my patients see their weight loss, they notice almost immediately that they are sleeping better, have more energy, and are feeling better in general.”
This goes for all patients, not just the ones who are addressing diabetes, cholesterol and other medical concerns.
Most of us eat seven or eight of the same foods over and over again because they have become habit. But it is more convenient than you might think to adopt healthier habits. Try turning down your (refined) food knob, even just a little, and turning up your exercise volume. I encourage you to make your own “O List” of sorts, and treat yourself to the most delicious whole foods you can find, so you can enjoy the amazing results.
Mango Salad
This refreshing, easy dish is full of summer flavor and is a very portable treat:
2 ripe mangoes, peeled and cubed
1 pint of fresh blueberries, rinsed
2 tablespoons finely minced freshginger
½ cup of shredded sweet coconut
Combine all ingredients and enjoy this unique salad any time of day!
The more I fueled up on nutritious, whole foods, the more I lost interest in the junky refined ones. Oprah has her “O List,” and I submit to you my own “M List” of favorite foods-on-the-go (consider calling in your order at some of these places, so that it’s ready when you get there).
Trader Joe’s:
As convenient as any drive-thru, I found it quick and easy to stop by for fresh fruits, berries, sugar snap peas (pre-washed, these are a delicious substitute for chips) and a wide variety of ready-made salads. And it doesn’t hurt that our Trader Joe’s gives out complimentary fresh hot coffee! But be careful not to accidentally sneak over into the candy and cookie aisle.
Toot Sweets Bakery Cafe:
Executive chef salad with roast chicken (minus the ham and cheese) with a scoop of five-bean salad on top and poppy seed dressing. Their tuna salad is also excellent. Try the iced Sport Tea, which is full of energizing ginseng.
Papapavlo’s:
Bay shrimp salad and grilled chicken salad. Be sure to order these with the house vinaigrette – delicious!
Whirlows:
Greek chicken salad and Southwestern chicken salad – both wonderfully satisfying and made to your specification. They also make Sport Tea here.
Safeway’s deli:
Broccoli salad. This is made from raw broccoli, crumbled bacon, onions, raisins and sunflower seeds – sounds weird, but tastes wonderful!
California Pizza Kitchen:
There are all kinds of good salads here – take your pick, but no creamy dressings, only their outstanding vinaigrette.
Garlic Brothers:
Shrimp salad on spring mix – completely addictive; I will never tire of this.
The ultimate convenience just may be gourmet health food that comes to you. Beyond the Bayou Custom Catering tailors their menus to the fitness and training needs of their clients. Owners Heather Kraft-Fogle and chef Christopher Freeman address the dietary needs of athletes from bodybuilders to marathoners with dishes like brined and marinated chicken with diced spring vegetable ratatouille, or bronzed fish with roasted cauliflower puree, and sautéed spinach salad with fresh onion and garlic. “We cater all events, but the customized individual plans geared toward health have grown very popular,” reports Heather.
Other professionals agree. There is a distinct upswing in health and diet awareness, and the people who change their habits are achieving results. Yesenia Cihuacoatl, a Registered dietician at St. Joseph’s Medical Center, encourages her patients to make gradual changes, instead of becoming overwhelmed by trying to change everything at once. She helps patients focus on what is good to eat, rather than letting them obsess on what not to eat. “Even before my patients see their weight loss, they notice almost immediately that they are sleeping better, have more energy, and are feeling better in general.”
This goes for all patients, not just the ones who are addressing diabetes, cholesterol and other medical concerns.
Most of us eat seven or eight of the same foods over and over again because they have become habit. But it is more convenient than you might think to adopt healthier habits. Try turning down your (refined) food knob, even just a little, and turning up your exercise volume. I encourage you to make your own “O List” of sorts, and treat yourself to the most delicious whole foods you can find, so you can enjoy the amazing results.
Mango Salad
This refreshing, easy dish is full of summer flavor and is a very portable treat:
2 ripe mangoes, peeled and cubed
1 pint of fresh blueberries, rinsed
2 tablespoons finely minced freshginger
½ cup of shredded sweet coconut
Combine all ingredients and enjoy this unique salad any time of day!