Is your head clear yet?

Now that the whirlwind of the holiday season is behind you, it’s time to reset, reenergize, reorganize, and reprioritize maintaining a balanced diet. Let’s face it- the holidays are a time to indulge and enjoy in food, family, and fun, but the after holiday “hangover,” which includes mental and physical exhaustion and probably a cookie or so more than you should’ve had, is taking its toll. The first couple of months after the November-December-New Years run calls for a return to balance in our eating. When I say balance, I don’t mean crash diet, or juice cleanse, or any other restrictive eating, as many of those practices only lead to more of an unbalance in our eating habits. By balance, I simply mean, and believe, it’s ok to eat something “unhealthy” (a whole other complex topic) as long as it’s not all unhealthy or at least if it’s equally weighted with some healthy components.

 A Delicious Balanced Meal

It’s winter, so I want a hearty, comforting, delicious balanced meal. A dish I make often when I’m seeking this is Milanese- lightly breaded chicken, or pork, scallopine topped with a fresh green salad.

The chicken or pork can be fried traditionally, baked, or air fried, giving it a beautiful golden-brown exterior and crisp texture, while staying juicy inside. While the protein is certainly the star, one of my favorite attributes of this dish is the dressed greens. Arugula, spinach, kale, or a combination of greens, can be tossed with olives, roasted peppers, sliced red onion, and a simple dressing of extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar. I place this mixed salad directly over my perfectly fried cutlet, allowing the dressing to drip down onto the breading, infusing it with the peppery olive oil and the fragrant, slightly acidic vinegar, acting as a sauce of sorts. Healthy? Maybe. Balanced? Definitely. Delicious? Absolutely!

 Octopus Salad

Octopus salad is another balanced diet dish to enjoy when you’re looking for a lighter meal.  Refreshing and a nice change of pace, it’s an easy entrée to put together. 

Octopus Salad - Balanced Diet - The Seasoned Carte
[product:spanish-octopus-legs]

 

Spend the next couple of months focusing on a balanced diet, because before you know it, we’ll be enjoying food and family again with Easter, Passover, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and Father’s Day.