PROFILE KINGSTON 47They will be difficult to sustain for
any length of time. Beginning with a
smaller step, such as one goal, and
being consistent with it can result in
greater success in the long term.
Consider the season as you think
about change; it is summer and there
is an abundance of healthy food
available. This may be the time to
try some new recipes, pack some
vegetables into your lunch bag and
check out the farmer’s market for
fresh produce. Planning meals ahead
allows you greater flexibility while
maintaining healthy choices. Plan
meals that allow you to take time in
the kitchen and those where you put
something together quickly with little
or no energy. Having ingredients and
ideas on hand for a variety of
situations is part of this planning. You
may have good intentions to marinate
your chicken overnight so that it is
ready to barbecue along with a variety
of roasted vegetables. You are
distracted from this by work or family
pressures, and the chicken is not
defrosted or marinated. Instead, you
are able to select ingredients from
your cupboard for a simpler option,
such as an avocado, kale and quinoa
salad. Find the recipe for this at
http://www.cookspiration.com under the
vegetarian main courses option. You
could substitute frozen corn for fresh
if you do not have fresh on hand. Due
to your planning, the other ingredients
would have been purchased and on
hand for this quick meal. Pasta is
another great option when wanting
an easy or quick meal. Combining a
whole grain or vegetable pasta with
vegetables, beans and a simple
dressing creates a mealtime salad
option. For a hot meal, combine the
same ingredients with a quick white,
cheese, tomato or pesto sauce. Check
out the many ideas for meals and
snacks at http://www.cookspiration.com.
Exploring new recipes or planning
meals might be one of your SMART
goals for this summer. It is easy to be
enthusiastic when looking at new
ideas. Ingredients are purchased with
good intentions for delicious meals to
be prepared. Sometimes that initial
enthusiasm wanes as life steps in. The
result may be frustration that those
exciting new vegetables are just sitting
in the refrigerator rather than makingit to the table and into your body. Too
many changes at one time without
consideration of your individual
reality may become overwhelming.
This could result in failure to make
any change. As with changes to
activity, keep it simple, and try one
new ingredient or recipe at a time.
Summer is a time to keep things
simple and relaxed and a time for
healthy living. As you enjoy the
warmer temperatures, consider any
changes you want to make to your
lifestyle. If you are satisfied with your
current lifestyle, continue with it.
Think about trying out a new food or
new activity to keep things interesting
as you expand your horizons of healthy
living. If you want to make a change,
prioritize your goals and decide on
the first step. Remember to make it
achievable so that you can maintain
and build on it when you are ready
for the next step. Celebrate this season
when “the living is easy” with healthy
living for yourself!Anne MacDonald is a Registered Dietitian
who lives in the Kingston area.lively latin american: This delicious beef tenderloin taco is topped with guajillo sauce, queso fresco, pickled red onion and salsa fresca.
On the side is a Peruvian salad of tender greens, sweet potato, queso fresco, quinoa and toasted pepitas with a house-made cumin and cider vinaigrette.
Lots of appealing flavours can be enjoyed in a rustic comfortable setting.
Mesa Fresca, Alison and Andrew Scahill and Mitch Leger, proprietors
1347 Gardiners Road, 613-389-6372, http://www.mesafresca.ca.
Photograph: Bernard Clark
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