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Posts from the ‘Informational’ Category

Carbs Don’t Make You Gain Weight – What You Should Know About Carbohydrates

It’s been a long discussion on carbohydrates, but I think an important one. With each new season, be it Spring, Summer or the Holidays, attention is always focused on improving one’s image, usually on losing weight and carbs get trashed. Protein diets and fitness are the rage, but though protein does build muscle, it’s carbohydrates that provide the energy to get out of bed, let alone work out.   Read more

The Real Truth about White Potatoes and Carbohydrates – They are Healthier Than you Think

The potato, or specifically the white potato, is native to the Andes and a member of the famous nightshade family. When it comes to; “Don’t get no respect!”  this amazing tuber has every reason to complain because it has set records on the fast track to success. Read more

Memorial Day Barbecue Things to Remember and Sauce and Rub Tips

Last fall I wrote about growing up in a seaside resort town and the immediate changes in atmosphere that happened literally overnight on Labor Day when “The Season” ended. Read more

Pasta and Carbohydrates – Truths, Myths and Pasta Recipes

Last week we discussed that though protein may build muscle, it’s carbohydrates that keep you going because they provide energy. However there are two types of carbohydrates, the simple and the complex. Read more

Rice and Carbohydrates – Myths, Truths and Rice Recipes

I knew a man who hated buffets and carbohydrates. The seventh if ten children, his mother had long since decided that preparing food for her brood was difficult enough without having to clean serving dishes too. Read more

Mother’s Day 2013

Last year I wrote about helping a neighbor’s children plan a Mothers’ Day menu for their Mother while their Father was deployed to Afghanistan. The children were determined that they pay for the food from their savings, and do all the cooking. So it was a challenge for me to stay within their $20.00 budget and their limited cooking skills to assure their safety.  As I reported in my posting of May 18, 2012, we successfully pulled it off.  It’s an easy, affordable tasty menu for three meals in one day or three separate meals for any day. Check it out! Just click on May 2012. Read more

Be practical

In last week’s posting, I mentioned the need to be practical when dealing with any aspects of food planning and preparation.  Maintaining a practical outlook is an important part of acquiring Kitchen $centse, especially the “cents” and “sense” components. Being able to cook is fun and liberating. Knowing you can make a recipe that appeals to you, or possibly duplicate one you’ve tasted, satisfy a craving or please a family member by serving a requested meal is a great feeling. Read more

Welcome Spring & Fast, Easy, Fresh

Several years ago, at a Personal Chefs’ conference, the speaker asked how many changed their menus with the seasons. Only a few responded, which was no surprise since they all have hundreds of recipes in their repertoires and are skilled at filling requests.  However, I was surprised that even fewer claimed to change their personal menus from winter to summer. Coming from an area of small farms, most of which have roadside produce stands, I can’t imagine not altering meals to include the current crops. My awareness of using seasonal produce was enhanced by living in Italy. The entire population seems to anticipate and then enjoy the bounties of each season. I fondly remember one spring Saturday. A friend had invited me and another couple to luncheon and the races, but when I opened the door, I was greeted by three grinning people, carrying grocery bags exclaiming “Spring peas are here!” They had passed the green grocer’s on the way to my apartment and plans changed instantly. Next I knew, we were sautéing garlic cloves in oil, and carving pieces of ham to brown. When that was done, the peas, which the grocer had sold by weight shelled, were piled in the pan and just warmed through, then served with freshly grated cheese on top. It was delicious and no one missed going to the races. Read more