Ottawa’s snowy winter started mid-November 2018, and four months later we are still in the thick of winter with snow and ice. It has been a record-breaking year for snow, and I will make the bold assumption that you are sick of it and ready for a change. I fully understand the itch for spring and something new and fresh. This is the time of the year we want to redecorate, move, shop, go on vacation, and change just about everything so we can feel fresh and renewed.
Refresh Your Meal Time
Spring is the time of year I receive messages from people asking about my services and programs. The conversations usually start by discussing the reasons they need a change. My clients confess that their eating habits are not entirely out of control, but they feel like they are struggling and making bad choices. Grocery shopping and meal preparation have become boring, and they feel the need to get back on track with new food ideas and motivations.
First, let me assure you that you don’t have to break up with food to get back on track. You just need to learn to dance with flavours.
Reawakening your Taste Buds
When I was running Eating Evolvd as a fresh prepared food service, clients were often amazed by the taste of the meals. Some of the feedback I received was:
“Thanks for the great food this week. I really enjoyed the burger. I felt like I was cheating on my eating plan but not at all!”
“OMG…you must tell the chef that the African chicken was to die for!”
Taking risks is scary. Will that spice be good or will it overpower the meal and make it terrible? You might be thinking, I don’t usually like__________ so I am not sure about this recipe.
When I transitioned to sharing the Eating Evolvd recipes with my personal meal planning clients, I often heard things like,
“I was really skeptical when I saw the recipes you suggested this week but decided to trust you, and I am so glad I did. The flavour of the meal was so unique and tasty.”
To get you started, here are four suggestions to enhance the taste of your meals:
- Add small amounts of salt and pepper. The purpose of salt in a recipe is to taste more of the natural food taste. Too much salt will mask the flavour and make your dish salty. Pepper also enhances the flavour of a meal, but did you know that it has some other health benefits like easing digestion?
- Start with small quantities of spices, such as ¼ teaspoon and adjust to your desired taste. Never blindly add the amount stated in a recipe. Each of us is unique, and one size may not fit with all taste buds.
- Add citrus fruit juices, like fresh lime or lemon to your meals. Not only does the citric acid in the fruit enhance the brightness of your dish, but it will also enhance the natural flavours in both sweet and savoury dishes.
- Experiment with chopping up small quantities of fresh green herbs such as mint, parsley or cilantro and adding to your meal to liven it up with colour and flavour.
Wondering how to cook with spices with your diet? Schedule a free consultation to discuss your specific nutritional needs and determine if coaching is what you need to make the right choices and get your health back on track.
To your health!
Keren