The folks over at Southern Season have saved my life. As I recently moved back to the Charleston area, everyone in my family wants to feed me, every single time I see them. I mean they literally give me a whole cake or pie whenever I visit. My holiday food season started in August and is still going. Thankfully, Southern Season has some classes that I plan on using for indulgences versus these homemade hummingbird cakes my cousin just dropped off.
If you are a Southern Foodie and need some help with better food habits, here are some ideas and resources for you to get your life back in order for 2016.
- Get rid of those carbs: Carbs are my friend, they really are, from buttermilk biscuits to lowcountry rice, they are a little bit of heaven on earth. But for the sake of my Kate Spade dresses, I must get rid of carbs and that means exploring a Paleo Diet. If you are interested in learning how to curb your appetite for carbs, check out this class at Southern Season, Paleo for 2016 (Details: Chapel Hill, January 17- Chef Lucindy from Terrapin Cove Culinary School proves that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor for health. The secret lies in using nut flours and vegetables in place of grain flours to brighten and layer the flavors. Learn healthy new recipes from this popular instructor.)
- Maybe I still need a few carbs: If you can’t quite do a full paleo diet, at least learn some ways to eat better. I know it is hard to give up all that southern cooking we were raised on but all in moderation. For those of you in this category, check out this class, New Year, New You. (Details: Chapel Hill, January 27, The New Year is often a time when people look to improve their eating habits. Eating less red meat and more fruits and vegetables can help reduce risk of chronic diseases and add life to your years. Join registered dietician and chef Ellen Clevenger-Firley for some delicious ideas to get your New Year off to a healthy start.)
- Salad makes me hungrier: I always see ladies enjoying salads for lunch and looking so happy. This is not me, unless my salad comes with fried chicken or fried shrimp and sweet potato croutons but I pledge this year to embrace the salad culture head on and getting some new ideas on how to spruce up my salads without the addition of fried foods. If you need help with keeping your salad healthy, check out this class: Making Healthy Delicious: Think Outside the Salad Box. (Details:Charleston, January 19, Restaurant salads can sometimes have more fat and calories than a burger! Join Jessica in the kitchen to learn ways to make stunning salads that are beautiful, delicious and good for your body.)
- Sweets are always a good idea: At least this is what I tell myself. I have the ultimate sweet tooth. Everything tastes better with honey or brown sugar. I have found a love fresh juices to help cure this desire for all things sweet. If you would give up Longchamp bag to eat pound cake, juicing may be a good way to ease into healthy eat. To get you started, check on this resource: Juicing 101. (Details: Charleston, January 23 Nicole will share tips on juicing and reducing juice waste. You will sample three easy to-make juices, and use juice pulp to make anything from smoothies to burgers. The recipes are perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a grab-and-go snack.)