I mentioned Sylvia Menendez-Klinger in a post about Crisco's Cooking Chronicles contest. I was able to do an e-interview with her, and here are her answers. They include some good tips for moms!
1) You are a "nutritionist, certified personal trainer, cook, and mother." How do you manage to juggle all of those roles?
It’s not an easy task for any mom to juggle all of their roles, but it is possible with a little planning and organization. Here are some of my favorite tips:
- Keep staples in the pantry and refrigerator so you can make a simple meal in a snap. Remember, preparing a wholesome meal for your family doesn’t have to take a lot of time. Some staples I like to keep on hand include:
- Frozen or canned fruits and vegetables
- Tomato sauce
- Canned diced tomatoes
- Rice
- Pasta
- Tortillas
- Lean meats
- Onion
- Fruit juices
- Cheese
- Nuts
- Eggs
- Low fat milk
- Crisco oils
- Dried spices
- Yogurt
- Plan out a few meal ideas ahead of time so you are not thinking about dinner at 4:00 pm. This is very important because poor planning = poor nutrition choices.
- Make a weekly meal menu so you can buy what you need when you are at the grocery store. For example: spaghetti with meatballs and a salad for Monday; turkey chili with cheese on Tuesday; tilapia with cilantro sauce and rice on Wednesday.
- Stock your kitchen with useful tools and equipment. A crock pot helps me make great meals while I am busy at work. Chili and BBQ chicken are some of my favorite dishes to make in the crock pot!
- Try something new! Make a commitment to prepare one new recipe each week at home – it beats mealtime boredom and your family will be thrilled to know that you are thinking about them and their health as they enjoy delicious new home-cooked meals.
- I love my family so much that I make it a priority to feed them a meal at home on most days. It saves money and lets you spend more time with your family, a win-win!
2) What are some easy substitutions you can suggest to making cooking lighter?
I focus on flavor and experiment with different seasonings, which add lots of great taste and few calories. I like to add onions, garlic, citrus juices, cilantro and other fresh herbs (when possible), and dried spices such as rosemary, thyme, and oregano. Also, I like to cook with different oils to add layers of flavor and complexity to my meals. For example, Crisco Olive Oils add robust flavor to my meals, and I can experiment with Extra Virgin, Light, and Pure olive oil varieties depending on whether I am making a marinade, salad dressing, or even baking.
3) Have you ever met with resistance from family members when preparing a healthier dish? How did you win them over?
Oh yes! My 12 year old son is the pickiest eater! I hide the foods that he doesn’t like, such as veggies – I puree veggies and add them to soups, salsas, gravies, sauces, etc. He has no idea he is eating a ton of veggies every day!
I never force my son to eat something, but I always put the foods he doesn’t like on his plate. Eventually he tries them and begins to love foods he could not even look at before.
Also, I find that when kids help out in the kitchen or garden growing vegetables, they are more likely to eat the meals you prepare with them. My son loves to help me make dinner and I love spending time with him!
4) How would you recommend busy moms squeeze in fitness activities with a busy schedule?
Just like any other routine, like brushing your teeth, you have to make fitness a a priority . Write it on your to do list and you will get into the habit of exercising every day. In my day, I schedule at least one hour of exercise as soon as I drop off my kids at school. Set goals, such as signing up for tennis lessons or a local 5K race so you feel motivated. Currently, I am training for a ½ marathon to take place on May 1st – I just ran 8 miles this morning – yikes!!
5) Any other words of wisdom for my readers?
Start slow – make one meal at home. Ask your family to help you with small tasks, such as setting the table, so you can concentrate on the main meal. Remember a little planning is the real key! Go ahead and plan your next meal right now. You can learn how to prepare wholesome and delicious meals you will be proud to serve to your family at Crisco.com and criscoenespanol.com. I have great recipes and even a video showing you how to make one of my family’s favorites, Lime Tortilla Crusted Snapper with Tangy Cilantro Sauce.
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