Zenfully Delicious

We Have Moved!

jessicakole — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 23:06:40 +0000

Zenfully Delicious has moved! We are now called “The Guiltless Gourmet” and can be found at www.theguiltlessgourmet.com

The Guiltless Gourmet – Nutritional chef & consulting services for your busy life

Diet in Numbers

jessicakole — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:47:08 +0000

Pretty much everyone knows that there are four different types of substances that the human body relies on to function – carbohydrates, fats, protein, and water. However, the actual amount of each that is needed in order for one to live a healthy life is often debated. There are so many contradicting diets out there, how can anyone tell which one is really going to be the best for them? If only all the numbers matched up!

Well as we all know, every body (inside and out) is different from the next and therefore, no two people will function optimally on the exact same types and amounts of fuel (ie, food and water). However, there are some generalized guidelines that can help you determine the right amount for you. The hardest part here is not actually following these guidelines, but erasing your preconceived notions about how much of each you should be consuming – especially when it comes to proteins and carbohydrates.

Generally there are two types of people: those who believe in high-protein diets, and those who believe in low-fat diets. Without boring either side, lets just say that too much, or too little of either is not a good thing and will not enable you to have the strength, endurance, energy, and even body that you desire.

To put it simply, we all need to have a steady balance of the foods that we eat, relying mostly on whole, natural products whether those be fruits, vegetables, grains, or even meats. As always, the more natural the better.

For the average person (one who exercises a moderate amount – 3 or so times per week), should consume approximately 65% of their calories from carbs, 15% of their calories from protein, and the remaining 20% of their calories from fats.

For someone who exercises more than 3x per week, or for someone who is trying to build muscle mass, they should consume a mere fraction more of protein, approximately 20% of their calories, and then 60% from carbs, and the remaining 20% from fats.

As I mentioned before, I have vastly simplified these guidelines to help you get a generalized picture of what your diet should entail – but if you want a more in depth look, stay tuned for future blog posts or contact me directly so I can help you plan a diet that will set you on the path to be and feel the best that you ever thought possible.

Cooking for a better you

jessicakole — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 05:02:50 +0000

I have to say, that no matter how tough my day, no matter what kind of crap I’ve got going on in my life, coming home and cooking an awesome meal really does put a smile on my face. I know that no matter what else is going on around me, that I have just spent time doing something I love, and better yet, it is also good for me – since as you’ve probably come to figure out I take pride in my healthy cooking and eating habits.

Cooking is a way for me to give back to myself. It helps ease my mind and allows me to focus on something else for a moment – something besides the doldrums of my every day.

I don’t think people take enough time caring for themselves. Yeah, we may do things that temporarily give us pleasure – ie, drinking, partying, staying up too late, getting fried in the sun, etc. – but we don’t take time to do things that will actually better ourselves and our way of life. I’ll have to admit, I used to be one of those people. It was all about the here and now. But where did that lead me? Obviously no where good…

However, now that I have put my healthy-self as one of my major priorities, I can truly say that I am a happier, and overall better person in every aspect of my life. What you put on the inside truly does radiate to the outside. So go ahead and take some extra time for you and your health and tell me that you don’t feel better after doing it!

We all have our reasons

jessicakole — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 18:01:39 +0000

We all have our reasons for eating what and how we do, for living the lifestyle that we do, and for thinking about health and nutrition the way that we do. I’m going to go out here on a limb and say that for most of us, it’s more a matter of what’s convenient – the here and the now – rather than how it’s going to make us feel in the long run and what are consequences are going to be down the road.

I mean, heck, with a fast-food joint around every corner and a mini-mall sized aisle of tasty snacks at the local supermarket, who wants to think about actually spending the time making something that is going to be good for you, let alone taste fabulous as well? Why even bother? Who has the patience these days?

Well I’m here to tell you that doing something good for you is worth the extra effort. And no, it’s not going to taste like cardboard either. In fact, the endless options of tasteful creations that you can make with healthy ingredients will literally blow your socks off! I promise you that you can make anything (well, pretty much anything), not only taste good but be good for you too! All it takes is a little TLC, a swap of some ingredients here and there, and voila, you have a fabulous meal that your body is going to love you for!

Don’t believe me? Well then why don’t you try it for yourself…

What does nutrition got to do with it?

jessicakole — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 04:49:30 +0000

Why can’t we all just eat and be merry? Why do we actually have to think about what we’re putting in our mouths? Doesn’t the saying go, “If it taste good today, then don’t worry about tomorrow?” Yeah, it goes something like that until your feeling nauseous and wishing that you would have stopped eating after your third slice of heavenly divine strawberry cheesecake. And then you promise yourself never again… until the next time you go to the corner bakery and bring home a whole cheesecake all for yourself.

Just because something taste good doesn’t mean it’s good for you. And just because it’s good for you, doesn’t mean it’s going to taste bad either! I just think people are skeptical about healthy food because it’s stereotyped to look, taste, and even feel like either cardboard or mush – and usually for good reason! But trust me, it doesn’t have to be that way! It really can taste good and be good for you – and it’s easier than you think!

The more healthy you become, the more it becomes a way of life rather than a chore that you feel like you have to do, or punishment to make up for the load of brownies you scarfed down last night while watching Entourage, the more you will actually enjoy it and look forward to your next plate of food. Eating food that not only tastes good but is good for you, will honestly make you feel better overall. You will have more energy and feel more alert, you will be less sluggish, and you will stop despising all those people who seem so happy and content after monster size meals at your local eatery, while you scarf down your tasteless house-salad, minus the dressing of course.

News alert – food is supposed to taste good! Especially the natural kind! God made food to satisfy our need and desire to eat and thus, the more natural and fresh food is, the better it is – or at least should be – for our palates as well as our stomachs. If done right, healthy food can and will actually taste better than all that other crap you buy at the supermarket – scouts honor!