What is only one-calorie, and comes in varieties like White Icicle, Asian, Red Globe, Red Sno Bull, and Pink Rosa, and packs a crunchy zip in each bite?  Well, it’s the radish.  I have to be honest I have never been a fan of radishes, but the more I read about and use them the more I realize that this innocuous veggie poses a whole host of culinary possibilities.  With a vast array of varieties to choose from, there is not reason why you can find one you like.  As soon as spring hits, I will bee-line to my local farmer’s market and get busy with some fun radish recipes.  I may even be inspired to grow some on my windowsill!

Great radish combos:                                                                                                                                          – whole with feta cheese and cucumbers                                                                       

- quartered and tossed into mixed greens

- sliced and sauted with a hint of olive oil, a pinch of salt and used to dress up steamed brocolli  

- diced into an artichoke salsa for a delicious tongue twist   

So, surprise your family and house guests this spring by adding radishes to your favorite dishes…

Happy National Nutrition Month!

This is the time to become a conscious consumer – of food, that is.  I challenge you to become more mindful of what and how much you are eating throughout the month.  Pay attention to the unconscious nibbles here, bites there and gulps everywhere that make up your day.  Write down what you consume daily for 30 days and I promise it will be an eye-opening, life changing activity.

Are you really hungry when you eat?  Are you romanced by the social or environmental aspects of food regardless of your appetite? 

One of the keys to mindful eating is “learning to be aware of physical hunger and satiety cues to guide your decision to begin eating and to stop eating” – according to The Center for Mindful Eating.  

So the next time you eat – or drink something, ask yourself if you are really hungry or is there something else happening (i.e., stressed, tired, or bored, etc…).  If you are genuinely hungry and it’s between meals, grab a snack between 100 -150 calories, such as a small apple with a tablespoon of almond butter or two tablespoons of hummus in a small pita pocket.  Meals, of course, are larger between 350 – 600 calories, so choose portions wisely. Remember, if you are eating out chances are you are easily eating 1,000 calories for an entrée – so share food or take half to-go.   By becoming more intimate with your true eating self, food becomes a nourishing, enjoyable part of life!

What did you eat today?   Do you even know?

I hope to hear from you….