- Don’t buy low fat or sugar-free anything. Ever. Just use the real thing but in moderation.
- Beware of Teflon. It contains toxins that leach into your food and the water system when the pan gets scratched.
- You don’t need to peel carrots or potatoes.
- Have a loose menu plan when you go food shopping so you don’t end up throwing away expensive food. (Throwing away produce literally hurts my soul)
- If you buy what is in season, the food will taste better and will be less expensive.
- You can freeze almost anything even fresh tomatoes, raw garlic and raw ginger.
- Shop the perimeters of the store. All the stuff in the interior is basically sodium, soybeans and sugar in different shapes and colors.
- When cooking anything, try and clean up as you go.
- Never skip a meal. Ever.
- If you order something in a restaurant and love it, try making it at home.
- Keep hard boiled eggs in the fridge for emergency snacks, salad toppers, and ramen bowls.
- Canned beans (instead of dried) are just fine, but always rinse in a colander to remove excess salt.
- If you eat something every day, (like peanut butter) buy it organic.
- Don’t make fun of artisan hipster food. It’s basically what your great Grandmas ate and it’s probably great.
- Sometimes when I cook dinner on a Sunday, I cook two seperate meals (one for now, one for later) because I know my week will be busy but I’ll still want something healthy and home made.
- Buy fresh herbs and spread them on three to four paper towels. Roll them up and put in a plastic bag. The herbs will keep for a long time because they stay dry. Herbs make regular food taste super fresh and flavorful.
- Get a large, cast iron pan right this second.
- Disinfect your cutting board with boiling water or rub it with half a lemon and salt.
- You are more likely to cut yourself with a dull knife than with a sharp one.
- Don’t buy yogurt with fruit in it. It’s almost all sugar.
- Food = Love. Love for your family, love for your friends and love for yourself. It takes time and care to think about and prepare a good, healthy meal.
- Make a ‘clean the fridge’ soup, pasta or salad at least every other week.
- When in doubt, make grilled cheese. You can go small (sliced cheese, sliced bread) or you can go big (baguette, ciabatta, croissant, brie, gorgonzola, mozzarella, avocado, bacon) and it’s always satisfying.
- You can always add extra nutrients to prepared or frozen food. Add fresh baby spinach, parsley, arugula, chopped nuts, etc. to almost any frozen thing you buy and heat up.
- Always eat breakfast. It’s good for your digestion to eat a small meal in the morning.
- Always drink wine when cooking dinner. (listening to NPR is optional)
- Late night alcohol can keep you from sleeping through the night.
