Nutritious choices made simple®
Shakshuka is not a well-known dish in all parts of the U.S. I only learned about it from a little cafe in Philadelphia when I was traveling for a conference a few years ago. I fell in love immediately and started looking for variations for Guiding Stars. For me, discovering new dishes from different cultures is a small and delicious reminder of the richness diversity brings to our lives.
Most people who eat with me on a regular basis know that I don’t love soup. If someone invites me over and tries to pawn soup off on me as a meal, I will be externally polite…but internally crabby. So when I tell you that I love this soup, cook it often, and rely on it to nourish sick friends and family, please know I’m saying that as someone who does. not. praise. soup. Let’s talk about the features that make this recipe work for me and for Guiding Stars.
I’m not a person who functions well when hungry. Not that any of us function ideally when hungry, but my brain is pretty quick to flip from “fine” to “hangry” when my tank is running low. This was especially true when I was nursing my son. I’m not really a granola bar person, but it’s hard to eat carrots and hummus when you’ve barely got one free hand. I spent a good chunk of time making and modifying different granola bar recipes to land on one that had good flavor, good texture, and great nutrition.
I love the word nourish. It covers everything I want food to do for myself and my family. It paints a holistic picture for me of what food should do for the body. Food gives us physical energy. It can speak to us emotionally. And it provides our bodies with the nutrients they need to support health. When I’m in the kitchen, I’m thinking about how each bite is going to meet those needs. Not every bite meets all of those needs, of course, but cooking with Guiding Stars has taught me how to approach our nutrition on balance.
When you’re had a busy day, one of the most pleasant ways to transition to an evening at home is to come together for a meal. A dinner that thoughtfully marries nutrition and flavor nourishes us fully. These recipes all earn three Guiding Stars, which means they offer the most nutrition. Each and every one is a delight of taste and texture to bring your family to the table.
Sandwiches and salads are great lunch options for the sake of convenience. Many of our favorites, however, could use an upgrade to their nutrition. Saturated fat and added salt are often present in cold cuts and salad dressings in large quantities. These lunch recipes all earn 3 Guiding Stars, meaning they offer the best nutrition. Try them out to keep your midday meals packed with the nutrients your body needs.
Snack with intention! When you choose snacks that give you good nutrition, you support your energy levels between meals. These snacks all earn three Guiding Stars, meaning they offer the most nutrition. Swap them into your family’s snack routine to power everything you and your loved ones do.
I run into two problems with breakfast: too much sugar and not enough produce. Whether it’s cake-like muffins, cereal stuffed with sugar, or egg dishes that hit the fat and protein very heavily, breakfast can be a challenge. These dishes will help your bring more color and less sugar to the beginning of your day.