By Lisa Weber, CHC, Student in the Master’s Program at Emperor’s College
Mom’s home cooking. Just the idea brings back warm, comforting feelings, doesn’t it? Nearly everyone has that one dish their mom makes that just doesn’t compare to others.
For me, it’s my mom’s homemade cinnamon rolls. Soft and doughy, sweet and spicy – they are the best thing ever! For others, it might be Saturday morning pancakes or Sunday night pot roast. As an adult, while I may have tasted better cinnamon rolls (sorry Mom!), hers will always be my favorite. So what’s her secret ingredient?
Made with Love
Lisa Weber, CHC
I strongly believe that homemade food from our childhood has a very different effect on us than food prepared at a restaurant. It’s made with a very special ingredient: love. Sure, mom probably adds extra butter and sugar to her recipes, but she also adds her love to the food and care to the preparation. And that’s why it tastes so good! Those meals have lasting effects on our taste buds and memories.
I can still remember the feeling of those lazy Sunday afternoons, cozy in my pajamas, building forts with my siblings and munching on mom’s deliciously soft cinnamon rolls.
Today, our food is usually eaten on the go. A quick stop at a fast food chain, a frozen meal zapped in the microwave or a take-out meal from a restaurant delivery. How would your meals taste if you took the time to carefully chose the best ingredients, purposely prepare the meal and then serve it on a beautifully decorated plate? Oh your mother would be so proud! How can you begin to add the love back into your meals?
A New Tradition
While not everyone shares in the same nostalgic, childhood memories, each day is a call for a new memory. A new tradition. However you choose to honor and give thanks to the women in your life, this year I encourage you to think about the original holiday created almost a hundred years ago. Take a moment to truly appreciate the mothers in your life.
How will you make this special holiday a celebration? A day of honor to your mother, aunt, grandmother or mother figure in your life?
A handwritten gratitude letter. A home cooked meal, made with love. The gift of good company and a listening ear.
While only you can write that letter or listen to mom’s stories, I have provided a simple yet delicious brunch recipe, all made with local Santa Monica Farmer’s Market ingredients. Just add love!
Fresh Frittata Over Mixed Greens
Ingredients:
8 eggs
2 oz Goat Cheese
3 Large Handfuls of Arugula
1/4th Medium Onion
Salt and Pepper, to taste
Side:
Mixed Greens or Asparagus
Fresh, mixed berries
Directions:
1) In an oven-proof frying pan, saute 1/4th of a thinly sliced onion.
2) While the onion is cooking, in a separate bowel, hand mix or scramble the eggs until frothy.
3) Pour the eggs into the frying pan and add in about 3 large handfuls of arugula.
4) Sprinkle a touch of salt and pepper.
5) Use your spatula to slowly loosen the edges.
6) Add crumbled goat cheese (more or less to your liking).
7) When eggs are starting to cook on the edges and there is liquid in the middle, put the entire pan into the broiler.
8) Cook in the broiler for 3-5 minutes.
9) Take out when top begins to brown.
10) Cut into the edges.
11) Serve over a bed of mixed greens or roasted asparagus and a side of mixed berries.
12) Enjoy!
Options:
1) Dairy free – in step #6) Omit the goat cheese and add cubed tomatoes instead.
2) Paleo – in step #6) Omit the goat cheese and add bacon.
3) Vegan – Make a tofu scramble instead with arugula and tomatoes.
4) Gluten Free – this meal is naturally gluten free!
Lisa Weber is a Health Coach who offers nutrition and lifestyle programs for men and women who want to lose weight, gain energy and heal recurring health issues. Graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, she is currently studying Oriental Medicine at Emperor’s College in Santa Monica, CA and loves sneaking leafy greens into any dish she can! For more information or to sign up for her newsletter, visit her website at www.HealthByLisa.com.