Well folks, we made it through the first days of 2021. BARELY. Nothing about this past year has been comfortable except for one thing: reconnecting with the comforts of our home life. While the world has thrown us chaos, we have retreated to our bedrooms. We have rediscovered our freezers and our pantries. We have taken refuge from the world by connecting with loved ones around the dinner table. And, drumroll please….we may have overindulged in comfort foods! From pasta to banana bread, to burgers and fries, to wine and cocktails, it’s probably safe to say that we’ve all over consumed just a tad!
One of my favorite things to do in the kitchen is to recreate comfort foods by healthifying them. With a few flexible twists you can enjoy both the warmth and familiarity that your favorite foods provide, while still allowing you to fit into your favorite jeans and feel confident, vibrant and energized. Instead of pizza loaded with carbs, try my pizza soup or my pizza quiche! Make breads, muffins and pancakes gluten-free and lower in sugar.
And perhaps, if you’re inclined, reexamine your relationship to food. Do you ever turn to food for comfort instead of finding peace somewhere else? Do you dare take a closer look at how staying in your comfort zone in other areas of your life might be inhibiting your growth? I used food to heal my emptiness for many years. Once I overcame my eating disorder, I stopped relying on the foods I longed for to fill me. These days, I enjoy delicious food for what it is, and while I still crave the comforts of home, I can indulge mindfully and skip the bad-for-me stuff because, well, I just don’t need it.
In the meantime, enjoy these recipes and may you take comfort in knowing that you are perfect, just as you are. And you possess the skills and talents to whip these recipes up just like a skilled chef would! Relish in the process and the transition to the year ahead!
Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
Wednesday is pancake day at our house! These pumpkin spice pancakes were originally created for Thanksgiving, but great for a winter breakfast!
Tomato Pizza Soup: Comfort Food in a Cup
Everyone loves pizza! The ultimate comfort food! From my pizza quiche to my pizza soup, my family loves anything pizza flavored. This is one of our go-to winter recipes that I hope you try!
Chicken & Broccoli Stir-Fry: Takeout Comfort Food
This is a simple but satisfying gluten-free twist on the classic Chinese food dish. This is a go-to dish whenever we have leftover chicken in the fridge, although you could easily substitute cubed beef or organic tofu. Serve with steamed rice, soba noodles or cauliflower rice.
Quick and Easy Pizza Quiche
Made with chopped up and sautéed veggies, eggs, marinara sauce, and some cheese, you really can’t go wrong. Not only will it satisfy your craving for the popular Italian meal, since it’s a lightened up version, it won’t leave you feeling all heavy and bloated afterward.
Cinnamon Bun Oatmeal
I’ve created a healthified oatmeal version that will fill your kitchen with an irresistible cinnamon bun aroma.
For more flexible and healthified recipes check out my BOOK!
