Diet Solutions For Disabilities In The Kitchen

Positive Attitude Overcomes Obstacles

My Aunt Mimi was born with cerebral palsy.  At the time of her birth my grandparents were told that she would not live to age one.  Her parents would not accept that, and they became her strongest advocates.  She went on to live a long, fulfilled and healthy life in spite of many challenges.

Aunt Mimi (center) with Deb (baby) and Mimi

Her Dad, Daniel Desmond, insisted that she get a good education even if the school systems of the time looked at physical disabilities as if they were mental disabilities.  As a result of his constant love, devotion and creative solutions to obstacles, Aunt Mimi got her high school degree from the Fanny Farmer School Of Cooking.  This gave her a passion for cooking, and a style of cooking that took into consideration her palsy and physical disability.  Aunt Mimi went on after high school to get a master’s degree in English literature and become the English literature librarian at the University of Massachusetts. She was also  influential, working with government agencies during the Vietnam era to create better handicap access in public places.  Mimi is a good example of how positive attitude can change your life.

Healthy Diets Solve Many Health Issues

Aunt Mimi cooked almost entirely in the oven to avoid open flames.  The Now We’re Cooking episode “Aunt Mimi’s Baked Dinners” commemorates my Aunt Mimi, who passed away at age 78.  Her passion for good cooking and real food certainly played a role in her long life.  Aunt Mimi offers inspiration and solutions to cooking a healthy diet even when you have physical disabilities.  Healthy food, a passion for cooking and a natural diet will assist everyone in overcoming life’s challenges.

Special Needs Cooking - Wellness Classes

Deb offers specialty cooking classes for all challenges.  Gluten-free, physically or mentally challenged groups, ADHD classes and more.  Solutions for people with disabilities in the areas of food, cooking, diets and wellness are available. If you have a challenge or disability and would like to learn more about cooking or living healthy to assist you in reaching your potential, please contact Deb NOW using this form:

Mimi’s Chicken Casserole

1 roasting chicken
1 Tbs. each 3 different fresh herbs
1 cup celery-diced
½ cup green pepper-sliced
1 cup onion-minced
salt, pepper
1 (30 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 large sweet potato-washed and sliced
1 large baking potato-washed and sliced

1. Cut chicken into 8 parts. (or buy chicken already cut) Arrange in casserole dish.
2. Top with all other ingredients in the order listed and cover with casserole lid.
3. Bake for 1 hour at 375º.

Mimi’s Baked Cod Au Gratin

1 lb. cod fillets
½ cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
½ cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. fresh herb
salt and pepper

1. Cut cod into four equal pieces, so that all portions are the same thickness and size. Arrange in baking dish or pan.
2. Combine all of the rest of the ingredients, mix well.
3. Smear the cheese goop evenly over the fish pieces.
4. Bake in a 375º oven for 25 minutes.

Oven Brown Potatoes

2 baking potatoes-washed and cut into spears
1 tsp. olive oil
salt and pepper
¼ tsp. Italian seasoning mix
1. Toss cut potatoes in olive oil and spices.
2. Arrange on baking stone and bake at 375º for 30 minutes.

Baked French Beans

1 bag frozen French style green beans
1 tbs. butter
1 tsp. seasoning mix of your choice
¼ cup pepper diamonds

Combine all ingredients in casserole dish. Cover and bake at 375º for 30 minutes.

Rice Pudding Made Easy

2 eggs
4 oz. egg white
2 Tbs. vanilla extract
1 Tbs. orange zest
½ orange-juiced
½ cup dried fruit of your choice
2 cups 1 % milk
2 cups cooked brown rice
1½ cups cookie crumbs

1. Combine first 7 ingredients in mixing bowl and mix well.
2. Add rice and mix well.
3. Place one cup cookie crumbs in bottom of stoneware casserole. Pour in rice mixture and top with remaining crumbs.
4. Bake at 350º for 45 minutes.

All Diets Include Fresh Herbs

Now We’re Cooking TV - Cooking with Herbs

The closer your food is to its original state, the better it is for you. Every healthy diet includes herbs and spices. On this episode of Now We’re Cooking, Deb teaches you how to save the fresh herbs that are growing like crazy now, so that you have them when you need them for future use. Herbs have a long history in the diets of many civilizations for centuries. When you hear “old wives tales” about the benefits of fresh herbs in your diet, it is based on history and facts. Enjoy this excerpt from the TV show: Cooking With Herbs.

Aromatic Roast Chicken

1 (4 lb.) chicken
a lot of sprigs of freshly picked sage
1 onion
1 lemon

1. Quarter onion and lemon and put 2 pieces in each end of chicken.
2. Make a nest of sage in the Stoneware Baking dish, place chicken on it. Put sage into booth ends of the chicken, under the wings, and legs. Julienne several leaves and slide under the skin on each side of the breast.
3. Top with Stoneware Baking Bowl and slow roast at 295º for 3 hours or until internal temperature of 170º is reached.

Maitre d’ Butter

1 lb. butter
1 Tbs. Rosemary-minced
1 Tbs. marjoram-minced
1 tsp. pepper-minced
3 garlic cloves-minced
parchment paper

Combine all ingredients and roll into logs using parchment paper. Twist ends and freeze for future use.

Cream Cheese Spread

8 oz. non-fat cream cheese
t Tbs. dill-minced
1 garlic clove-minced
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. black pepper
½ cup chopped nuts

Combine all ingredients and use as a sandwich spread or roll in nuts for a cheese ball.

Herbal Vinegar

4-6 sprigs of assorted herbs
2 garlic cloves
6 peppercorns
white wine vinegar

Put herbs, peppercorns and peeled garlic into decorative bottle and pour in vinegar.

Summer Salad Diet Solutions

Super, Sensational, Simple Summer Salad Solutions

These are terrific diet and weight watcher’s recipes that will add some zip to any healthy living program. A diet really means eating to sustain life, not avoiding food to lose weight. So these recipes are my Summer favorites to add to my diet program. As a matter of fact, they are so much my favorites that I put a whole show on about super, sensational, simple Summer salad solutions. When you focus on what you want… to be healthy, by eating good-for-you foods, you will maintain your ideal weight. Yes, I can say super, sensational, simple Summer salad solutions three times fast,  and I do so on Now We’re Cooking!

Colossal Chopped Salad

(4 weight watchers exchanges)
1 pkg. (¾-1 pound) whole wheat pasta-cooked
1 sm. red onion-diced
1 lg. carrot-chopped
1 sm. yellow squash-chopped
1 sm. zucchini-chopped
3 plum tomatoes-cubed

1 tsp. Pampered Chef Italian Seasoning Mix
2 cloves garlic-pressed
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
½ cup olive oil

4 oz fresh Parmesan cheese-grated
1 head red tip leaf lettuce-washed and cut into 1-inch pieces.

1. Combine first 6 ingredients.
2. Combine next 4 ingredients.
3. Toss pasta mixture, dressing and Parmesan cheese thoroughly. Serve over lettuce.

Chicken Bleu Cheese Slaw

Serves 6 luncheon sized portions or 8-10 side dishes.

6 cup shredded cabbage
1 carrot-peeled and shredded
¼ cup slivered red onion

½ cup cider vinegar
¼ cup orange concentrate
¼ cup water
¼ tsp. black pepper
¼ tsp. sea salt

6 oz. bleu cheese crumbled
1 lb. chicken breast-cooked, shredded
1/3 cup red grapes-cut in half (optional)

1 head bibb lettuce-washed and removed into cups

1. Combine first 3 ingredients.
2. Combine next 4 ingredients. Allow to sit overnight or several hours.
3. Before service: toss with chicken, grapes and bleu cheese and serve over lettuce cups.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

2 lemons-zest of one and juice of both
4 Tbs. white wine vinegar
2 Tbs. sugar
2 Tbs. canola oil
1 tsp. poppy seeds

1/4 cup sliced almonds-toasted
1 pt. blueberries-washed
½ small red onion-slivered
1-2 packages baby spinach (washed and stems removed)

1. Combine first 5 ingredients.
2. Combine next 3 in a bowl add dressing and toss. Top with almonds and serve immediately.