Chef Shazza is back! I am settling into my new space in a vintage, converted one-bedroom in Hyde Park, Chicago, IL. A very diverse and established part of Chicago. It is a part of South side, Chicago which the news rarely mentions. The home of President Obama, Minister Farrakhan and other prestigious African American leaders, in addition it is home to the prestigious University of Chicago. I am very intrigued about this area and the stories behind the history of the architecture, so I am on an investigative experiment for self and you. I will share more photos and information with you shortly.
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| My sunroom, soon to be reception area and library |
But for now, since I have hung up my passport for a couple of months I am back in the kitchen stirring-up some new and old meals, snacks and yes-desserts. I want to showcase ways to eat healthy for life and not as a 30-day challenge or 7-day itch. Unless there is a slinky dress one must fit into, in a short span of time (there are exceptions to every rule of course). I truly refuse to talk about calories, fat grams and carbs (learn to read the ingredients I give and most of that should be self explanatory). I am pretty over the diet crazes--no carb this, low calorie that and raw food cleanses. Let me be clear, raw food is excellent and a natural way to cleanse the body of toxins, therefore if you are spending money on raw food extracts, detoxing systems and classes just to cleanse your body and lose weight you are insane. Instructional classes should be used for lifestyle changes not quick fixes. I downloaded an inexpensive e-book from The Raw Food Coach, http://www.therawfoodcoach.com/index.php, to get a better understanding of raw foods, along with sample recipes.
I for one have taken more of an interest in raw food and limiting my meat and dairy intake as I get older and witness my body's natural rejection of certain foods. Therefore, learning to eat healthy for life and paying attention to your body will allow
you to lose weight organically over time. Most importantly, you will look and feel healthy, long term.
However, I am a confessed dessert-a-holic and since we are allowed and encouraged to indulge on occasion, I have some family recipes I plan to make you drool over. If you follow me on Instagram you would have seen photos of some of the desserts I devoured these past couple of weeks visiting with my parents in Louisville, KY.
Anywho today, as I do everyday, woke with food on my mind. I mentally inventoried the ingredients in my fridge and came up with this delicious salmon and spinach frittata, side salad and berry mix for a sugar fix.
Ingredients used for Frittata:
Olive oil
Spinach (sautéed)
Smoked salmon slices
Mushrooms (diced)
Onion (diced)
Sweet bell peppers (diced)
3 whole eggs/4 egg whites
Prepare all ingredients stove top, pour eggs over sautéed ingredients, cook for 3 mins, then place in oven (using same flame proof handle skillet to cook other ingredients) for 5 minutes or until frittata is browned. Voila!
Simply took 10 mins. to prepare and 10 mins. to cook
Can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Sweet fix (for sweet-a-holics only)
Slice strawberries, raspberries and add blueberries. A little honey or pinch of raw sugar and you'll be set. Craving filled.
Tip: Hot tea or water is used in all Asian cultures I have experienced (China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and India) as a before, after or during meal drink. Why, it is said to speed digestion and boost metabolism, in addition to keeping the body healthy. And since my motto is to 'follow the naturally skinny/small people', we can't go wrong by following their example.
Note: Be sure to use tea leaves, not store bought bags.
I hope you enjoy the menu and tips. Let me know what you think or if you have recipes and tips to share. Remember Eat and Live well.
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