We have all heard the statement “you are what you eat”?  This time of year, we all are determined to change the way we eat and try and stay away from “the wrong things”, which we think of as being sugars, carbs, large portions, etc.  Here at Bellisari’s we strive to use all natural, gluten free ingredients as much as possible.  We reached out to Jennifer Seiler, MSN, CNP-BC, CPT, SFG-1 of Vitality Wellness to help us stay steadfast in our quest for a healthy year and asked her what we can do to ensure it is a healthy one.

“I would recommend as you think about this year, that the decisions you make be made with intent and wisdom, considering what makes you feel good and what may be contributing to ill feelings such as joint pain, fatigue, depression, stomach bloating, constipation and maybe even nausea, etc. Consider keeping a journal of your daily habits including the foods you consume, the exercise you get, the sleep you have or don't have, the stress load you carry, the amount of water you consume, then make a conscious effort to do better! Eat a Clean Diet (limited sugar, starches and alcohol... higher in lean proteins and veggies), exercise at least 3-4 days per week, perform better sleep hygiene (go to bed at an earlier time, get 8 hours of sleep, don't eat late in evening, drink most of your fluids earlier in the day, etc.), decrease stress, and drink at least 6-8 8oz glasses of water a day. If you make such changes you will notice an improvement in how you feel and subsequently feel wiser in the choices you make. Understand that even at age 40 - 50 - 60, these years can be better than your previous years!

Here is a recipe that recipe to help you with your healthy lifestyle….

Avocado Cilantro Mayonnaise

Serves 16    

Ingredients

2 avocados

1 bunch cilantro

1/2 cup coconut milk

2 Tbsp horseradish

3 whole limes

1/2-1 tsp sea salt

Directions

Slice avocados and place in a blender.  Remove stems from cilantro and add to blender along with coconut milk, horseradish, the juice of limes, and sea salt.

Blend until smooth. Store in an air tight container in the fridge to maintain freshness. I’ve kept this mayo in mason jar for up to 10 days without the mayo losing flavor or it’s fresh green color.

Wednesday Blog:  I recently had my family over for my son’s birthday dinner and I had been under the weather a few days before and one thing I kept hearing over and over is “you outdid yourself”, “why did you make so much food”, “you shouldn’t have done all this if you aren’t feeling well”.  To me cooking is pure enjoyment, not work and honestly, a stress reliever.  I love cooking for family and friends and I love it even more when I have someone to do it with.  I recently came across this article by Jamie Young titled “How Cooking Together Is a Healthy Date” which reiterated to me the benefits of cooking but also cooking with someone alongside you.  With Valentine’s Day next week, it was perfect timing.

“Cooking will not only help your waistline, but it can also help your relationship. Doing an activity with your partner can help you both feel more connected and much happier. And cooking has added bonuses for its health, convenience, and joyful qualities. Here are the five benefits of showing power in numbers when in the kitchen.

Spend time, not money: A lot of arguments in relationships can stem from personal finances. Not only is cooking at home a cheaper alternative to dining out, but it's also a way to spend quality time with one another. Sure, it might be quicker to have one person cook and the other clean, but when you cook together you have more time to connect and interact.

Stay present: When you do active things together such as cooking, you feel connected to your other half, which can help strengthen your bond. Activities like watching TV don't always feel like quality time since it's more difficult to be present or have a discussion. Try to set aside one or two days a week where you can alternate teaching each other recipes and going through the process together.

Healthy life, happy wife: Have you noticed that when you exercise and eat healthy you are happier and less stressed? The same can go with cooking healthy meals side by side. Couples are more affectionate when they feel confident in themselves, and getting healthier will do just that. You'll be even happier with your partner for helping you cook a healthy dish and sharing this healthy lifestyle together.

Learn and love: Learning each other's favorite foods and likes in the kitchen is exciting. You can teach your partner different methods and techniques based on your particular skills and expertise. Learning what your partner's taste preferences are also shows special attention to their needs and will counterbalance feelings of neglect. Just remember to relax in the kitchen and don't fret over perfecting the dish; this activity is meant to be fun.

Pay it forward: Doing something nice like setting time aside to prepare a meal with your partner makes them want to reciprocate the action and do caring things for you. The more energy you put into meeting their needs, the more you will see it circle back. This creates a cycle of good deeds in your relationship and in turn a new you.”

Here is a yummy recipe to make with your loved one this Valentine’s Day.  We will post the main entrée on Thursday.  Enjoy!!

Twice Baked Sweet Potato with Pecans

Yields 2 servings

Ingredients

2 medium sweet potatoes (about 10 ounces each)

2 tablespoons Bellisari’s Blistered Jalapeno & Fig Spread

2 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons chopped pecans

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 375°. Scrub potatoes; pierce several times with a fork. Bake on a foil-lined baking sheet until tender, 45-60 minutes. Cool slightly.

Cut off a thin slice from top of each potato. Scoop out pulp, leaving 1/4-in.-thick shells. Mash pulp with cream cheese, brown sugar, cinnamon and two tablespoons of Bellisari’s Blistered Jalapeno & Fig Spread. Spoon into shells; return to pan. Top with pecans*. Bake until heated through, 15-20 minutes.

Yields 6-8 Servings

Ingredients:
1lb bacon cooked and chopped
4-5 large potatoes
2 cups shredded cheese
​1 ​celery​, diced​
​1 shredded ​carrot
​1/2 cup​ sour cream
2 cans evaporated milk
1/2 jar (at least) Bellisari's Blue Cheese Honey & Shallot Spread
1 bunch of green onion, diced-save some for garnish (optional)

Directions:
Dice potatoes (with or without skin), cover with water, add salt to the water and cook until tender to the fork. While potatoes are boiling, cook bacon, crumble and set aside.

Once potatoes are tender, reduce heat to low. There should be at least two cups of water in the potatoes, you may add more if needed.  

Combine all ingredients with 1 cup of shredded cheese and simmer for at least an hour stirring regularly. Serve with green onion and remaining cheese on top. 

I am always looking for an excuse to have a party and cook for a large group.  The Super Bowl is no exception.  This year I wanted to do a Mexican inspired menu because I know my picky eaters will at least try the food and of course, because I LOVE Mexican food!! Yesterday we shared the flautas recipe which are very similar to taquitos.  If you missed it, be sure to take a look and try it out.  It only has six ingredients and is quite easy. One thing I love about authentic Mexican recipes is the braising of the meats and the recipe I am sharing today is no exception. 

Beer Braised Mexican Chicken with Saigon Slaw

Servings:  8

Ingredients

3 tbsp. sauce from a can of chipotles in adobo

1 tbsp. hot sauce

3 garlic cloves, chopped

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

2 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. ground cumin

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

4 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs

2 tbsp. canola oil, divided

1 (12-ounce) bottle dark Mexican beer (such as Modelo Negra)

 **You can serve with corn tortillas, sliced radishes, cilantro, sliced pickled jalapeños, sliced carrots, and lime wedges then place the slaw on top.

Saigon Slaw Recipe

Servings: 8

Ingredients:

1 Bag Chopped cabbage

1 Bag Broccoli slaw

1 lb. Bacon, fried

1/2 Sweet onion, diced

2 cups Cheddar, shredded

1 jar Bellisari’s Saigon Street Sauce

Slaw Directions:

Add all ingredients and toss thoroughly. Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving. You can add jalapenos or black sesame seeds to slaw if you would like.

Directions:

To create the marinade, combine adobo sauce, hot sauce, garlic, mustard, chili powder, cumin, and 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a zip-top bag. Add chicken, seal bag, and turn to coat. Chill at least 4 hours or up to 12 hours.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook chicken, in batches (adding more oil as needed), until brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side; remove batches to a plate.

Return all chicken to the Dutch oven and slowly add beer. Simmer until slightly reduced, 4 to 6 minutes. Cover and bake until chicken is very tender, 40 to 45 minutes. Remove chicken and shred meat with two forks. Simmer cooking liquid over medium-high heat until slightly thickened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add chicken and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.

Adapted from a Southern Living Recipe