Catering by Chrisetta: 40th Surprise Birthday Party

My friend and client Christie asked me to cater a surprise birthday party for her husband, Derek. I've never been involved in, or to a surprise party. So, I was super excited to be involved. And man was I involved, my job was to feed a crowd of thirty. 
 
Derek is a big, athletic guy and he sure can eat. With that in mind, I tailored the menu around his appetite: Blue Cheese Burgers, Guacamole Burgers, Beef Kebabs, Potato Salad, Tomato & Corn Quinoa Salad, Simple Slaw with Peanut Dressing, Crudités with Ranch Dip, and Tortilla Chips with salsa and guacamole. I pride myself on making all my sauces, spreads, dressings from scratch and hand chopping all my vegetables and fruits. It's that whole OUTSIDE of the Box thing, ya know?

Here's a look-see at all the deliciousness!

Prep Day

 Party Day

The birthday fella couldn't stay away from the grill (it's usually his job)

The birthday fella and his '73 Corvette

What's for dinner? Chicken Tikka Masala

I've said this before, but it's worthy of repeating...With a well-stocked kitchen you can whip up a meal in a cinch, whole natural ingredients lend for creativity, and with spices on hand you can travel the world. Tonight's meal was evidence of those statements, the result was Indian Cuisine in the comfort of my home -- Outside of the Box!

 

 

Repost: Retrain your brain

Eat a meal that doesn't consist of meat, by choice. Never. Brown rice instead of sticky white rice. Seriously. Greens and eggs for breakfast. Nope.  It's been a long time coming, but I've changed my eating habits for the good.

When I first learned that brown rice was the best choice, I resisted. Sometimes, I would prefer to go without the rice because it just didn't taste the same. It was too crunchy, too nutty. Ha. But, since it was the better alternative for me health wise I continued to prepare and eat it. Low and behold the very reasons I use to not like it are the very reasons I like it. White rice just seems like fluff, there's no substance. When you eat brown rice you are eating the whole grain which makes you become more satisfied.

The way I see food now is completely different than in the past. I now understand food is fuel for my body, so my goal is to fill it with premium goods. My latest food discoveries:

- Kale is king of the greens!
- Sautéed collard greens are just as good if not better than the southern cooked way.
- I can enjoy a meal without meat. Actually, kinda prefer it.
- Buns are overrated. If I indulge in a cheeseburger I omit the bun or replace it with 
  tomato slices.
- I really, really like whole grains. Especially, my new found friend, wheat berries.
- Fruit is nature's goodness.
- Vegetables make all meals better

I love food. And, like I've said before, food isn't like any other addiction, you can't just walk away from it and never use again. I'm proud of myself for retraining myself to enjoy it without abusing it and make better conscious choices. I've retrained my brain. You can do it too, start with some small adjustments and if you don't particularly like a food the first time try it again. You may find that you can learn to like it. Think of the health benefits. Food is meant to nourish our bodies. If you think of it that way, retraining your brain will come easy.

Originally posted March 2, 2012

V day!

Yesterday, was V day with a double meaning. It was Valentine's Day, but I also declare it Veronica day. A little history...Veronica Brock was my Health 100: Food and Your Health professor at Clark College just over a year ago. She's the force behind me learning so much about food, how it is meant to nourish our bodies, and how the food we eat relates to our health and the environment.

As I learned and blossomed she recognized the seed she planted. After completing the course we stayed in touch. She's the force behind me authoring -- Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box, how it became a REQUIRED book for the class, and how I've come to have the pleasure of guest lecturing at Clark College.

So yesterday for me to lecture in the very classroom with her by my side was AWESOME.

She won't take much credit for my success. Instead, she says it my enthusiasm and determination that got me the deal. But, I argue she absolutely has to take some of the credit. She believed in me and my ideas. Thanks for putting me on V. Forever grateful.

"For Veronica -- In Food and In Health."

"...Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great.”

Outside of the Box: Chili

I'm on a mission to share my love for good, real food -- Outside of the Box with you. Today, I whipped up spicy, hearty chili served with Cilantro Lime Rice. In less than 1.5 hours I created this meal and that's with me talking and entertaining. The cost was less than $25 and I used premium goods. So, see it's simple and inexpensive to eat OUTSIDE of the Box!

 

 

Repost: Retrain your brain

At my last few events I've been speaking with lots of people who are having a hard time changing their eating habits. It's hard. Trust me, I know. If you are used to eating processed, boxed so-called food or greasy, salty restaurant fare changing to a whole food diet will take some retraining - be patient with yourself. Here's a repost from March 2012:

Eat a meal that doesn't consist of meat, by choice. Never. Brown rice instead of sticky white rice. Seriously. Greens and eggs for breakfast. Nope. It's been a long time coming, but I've changed my eating habits for the good.

When I first learned brown rice was the best choice, I resisted. Sometimes, I would prefer to go without the rice because it just didn't taste the same. It was too crunchy, too nutty. But, since it was the better alternative for me health wise I continued to prepare and eat it. Low and behold the very reasons I use to not like it are the very reasons I like it. White rice just seems like fluff, there's no substance. When you eat brown rice you are eating the whole grain (germ, endosperm, and bran) which makes you become more satisfied.

I love food. I've said it before, I can't very well not eat. I had to learn how to enjoy and respect food. Today, my understanding and appreciation of food is much different. I understand that food is fuel for my body, so my goal is to fill it with premium goods. I'm proud of myself for retraining myself to enjoy it without abusing it and make better conscious choices. I've retrained my brain. You can do it too, start with some small adjustments and if you don't particularly like a food the first time try it again, maybe prepared differently. You may find that you can learn to like it. Think of the health benefits. Food is meant to nourish our bodies. If you think of it that way, retraining your brain will come easier.