First of all, let me say that I am a great believer in butter. The French have a theory about cooking that goes something like this: If you prepare something and it doesn’t taste quite right, add more butter. If it’s still not quite there, add more butter. If it finally just needs a little something, add more butter. Unlike many theories, in practice this works every time. Having said that, I find that higher fat foods can be consumed in moderation. This time of year we’re all thinking about taking off a few pounds. There are no shortages of diets out there, but I believe the best and most lasting results can be achieved by eating smart, eating less and getting more exercise.

Balsamic Beef Salad

Let’s talk about eating smart. Eating smart means eating the right foods, not diet foods. Studies have proved that eating ‘low-fat and fat-free’ foods will not necessarily help you lose weight. It is far smarter to eat naturally low and nutritionally complete foods. Here are a few ideas on eating smart:

• Eat fruit instead of candy or snacks
• Serve salad with dinner every night
  
• Eat a larger serving of vegetables than meat
  
• Use cooking methods that use less fat like grilling, broiling or steaming
  
• Eat smaller portions of meats
  
• Eat smaller meal sizes but eat more often throughout the day
  
• Count calorie and fat grams

Fresh Vegetable Spring Rolls

A key to the success of any ‘diet’ is being able to stay on it. This is exactly the problem with most diets. A diet that proposes foods and meals that you would never eat otherwise is a diet that will fail. For the best success, modify the food you already eat. If you like to snack, a switch to snacking on carrot sticks probably won’t cut it for very long. Cut up an apple or even two and eat it like a snack. The sweetness will satisfy you and if you need to eat two to fill you up, so be it. The most difficult part is in making the right choice. As an example, when I’m hungry and in a grocery store, I might crave a candy bar as a snack. If I grab an apple and eat it on the way home; I feel satisfied and no longer crave the candy.

Orange Souffles

It’s the same with meal planning. Don’t plan boring, plain meals that will leave you unsatisfied. Instead, choose meals that are lower in calories and fat that are bursting in flavor. Yes, you’ve guessed it, we just happen to have a few suggestions:

Chicken with Fennel & White Wine
Shrimp Enchiladas
Broiled Sesame Mussels
Balsamic Beef Salad
Chicken & Winter Vegetables
Fresh Vegetable Spring Rolls
Ginger Lemon Chicken
Lemon Ginger Marinated Shrimp
Noodle Salad w/Shrimp & Chili Dressing
Orange Souffles
Poached Salmon with Ginger & Cilantro
Salmon Filet w/Zucchini, Carrots & Shiitake Mushrooms

- Chef Yvonne

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