Eats for Good Health
Someone I know recently referred to me as a “health fanatic,” and I was a little baffled. My life is more than 5 a.m. workouts, protein shakes and broiled dinners, although I have knocked back plenty of those in my day.
It made me wonder: Do people think I’m so desperate to have all of the things that wellness has to offer (strength, vitality and vigor, not to mention those rosy-pink cheeks) that I forsake partying and never eat anything fun? Do they think I’m boring?
I might not be the first one to drop my skivvies and go skinny-dipping, but I’d sure as heck be the second! And I’m definitely not gonna stand in the corner of a party munching on carrot sticks while everyone else is delving into the queso.
To remedy any misconceptions, I wanted to share with the good readers of FBE some of my eats — not for one day, but foods I enjoyed during the last month.
January
As usual, the weather in Kansas City was totally unpredictable — freezing cold one day and a high in the mid 60s the next. It’s most bizarre, but if you live in the Midwest you get used to it.
When I’ve layered myself to the gills with cami, t-shirt and sweater and still can’t cut back the chill, I warm myself from the inside-out with spicy Andouille sausage, rice and cornbread.
Does this look like a “diet” meal?
A week later, we are sporting short sleeves, so to celebrate the surge of tropical weather, friends have a bonfire, brewskie and weenie roast.
That’s me at the other end of the stick. I have witnesses.
The warm days fade away, and we repeat with the layers. Now it is really cold and cabin fever sets in. Big Daddy’s Blackened Tilapia and pineapple are the cure.
Warning: this kind of stinks up the house, but it’s worth it.
The cold snap continues so I turn on the oven and bake pineapple coconut scones for breakfast. Slathered with coconut butter, I munch away and stare longingly at my picture from the islands.
It might look warm outside. It’s not.
Next up, Jenn’s fish tacos.
Four degrees! But the tacos make me smile.
Another break in the weather and everyone rushes outside. We take the opportunity to fire up the barbie. Fresh air, grilled romaine, naan, Sweet Italian sausages and a cheap red warm our souls.
Sausages again! Oh my, she must be crazy.
To celebrate the local fare, at month’s end we met with our foodie group and enjoyed a three-course meal. Roasted squash bisque, braised short ribs and smoked mushrooms followed up by warm sweet potato pecan pie with honey ice cream. It was so boring — not!
My God does the madness ever stop!
See? Proof positive it was not a month of cottage cheese and tuna, although there was some of that, too. As you can see, a healthy lifestyle is not restrictive and it is definitely not boring! Now just once more for the cheap seats in the back — healthy is not boring!
Do you restrain from eating certain foods in the name of good health? —Karen