Tri-Wellness
  • Home
  • About
    • Lisa Shanken
    • Brooke Null
  • Wellness Services
    • Personal Wellness Services
    • Festival Wellness Services
  • Executive Function Coaching
  • Blog
  • Contact

Schedule An Appointment

Tri-Wellness

Tri-Wellness

The Best Online Executive Functioning Coach

Schedule An Appointment

  • Home
  • About
    • Lisa Shanken
    • Brooke Null
  • Wellness Services
    • Personal Wellness Services
    • Festival Wellness Services
  • Executive Function Coaching
  • Blog
  • Contact

Mastering Recipes With ‘Too Many’ Ingredients

By Lisa Shanken
April 8, 2010
Don't be afraid of recipes with too many ingredients.

I always cringe a little bit when I read user comments on recipe sites, and I find that the odd user is complaining that a recipe has ‘too many’ ingredients. There are so many delicious recipes out there, and though they make a little more time and an extra trip the grocery store, sometimes too many ingredients in a dish can be just the right amount.

This post is meant for all those people who would love to be aficionados in the kitchen but are a little shy about making that odd leap into the bewildering 5+ ingredient zone. Of course, since this blog is all about healthy weight loss, this post will focus on healthy ways to amp up your fine cooking skills.

How To Get Started Cooking

The main problem with having too many ingredients on your list is that you can feel overwhelmed. What if it’s too much? Too little? What if the recipe doesn’t say exactly how much spice to add? Will it be a disaster?

The first step is to assume you can always add, but not subtract. Add a base amount of the spice into your cooking – say, one pinch - and slowly adjust from there, in the proportions you assume the recipe should have. Mix and taste, and pour things onto a spoon before adding it to your dish to prevent accidents. Blow on the tasting spoon to cool it down to near body temperature so you can really taste the dish very well. Lastly, aim for a pleasant but not overpowering fragrance wafting from the dish. You nose is always an excellent guide, as the art of being a gourmand isn’t in your taste buds, but in your sense of smell.

The Art of Substitution

Just because you don’t have all the ingredients doesn’t mean you can’t practice a little artful substitution. Lean meat can always be exchanged for another, such as turkey for chicken. For a full list of ingredient substitutions, I’ve added a link to the bottom of this post. Amazingly, you can even make your own sour cream substitute out of cream and lemon juice. With this knowledge at your disposal, you’ll go from pantry prisoner to supermarket superhero in no time.

Why Cook?

Some of you busy bees are groaning out there, wondering why they should take the time to cook. It’s hard, I know. I’ve been a working parent too and it’s not easy, especially when you’re tired, to whip up something great three times a day. Well, I’m not saying you need to be supercharged and perfect, which doesn’t work for anyone by the way, but taking time to cook and eat with your family has always been one of the greatest treasures of everyday life. Think of it as the last refuge of the happy home. When you cook, you know what goes in your food, not this MSG-laden, fat-soaked nonsense the kids get outside. You feel better, eat better, you practice a little family time, and that’s great. If you can manage to do this once a day I give you my wholehearted applause. If you can do it more, you have my full admiration. So keep it up and have fun!

What’s Cooking?

What do you like to cook? Any favorites? Let me know by commenting please.  As promised, here are the ingredient substitutions:

http://www.e-cookbooks.net/ingresub.htm

Share this article
Previous Post
<
Next Post
>
profile-image

Lisa Shanken

My passion is to help you live your healthiest and most harmonious life, but in a way that’s realistic and practical for you as a unique individual on this planet. My philosophy is all about “balance,” never a diet since a diet is not sustainable for life, aka Kill The Diet.

Related Posts
Spring Cleansing

Spring Cleansing

By Lisa Shanken
March 31, 2023
Hooray, spring is officially here! Spring is a time of renewal, growth, and starting over. Our bodies start to adjust to the warming weather, and we shift our diets from hearty warming foods to lighter spring foods such as arugula, asparagus, artichokes, and peas.  With the season of regrowth and...
Read Article
Supporting Things Close To Your Heart

Supporting Things Close To Your Heart

By Lisa Shanken
February 24, 2023
Happy February (and almost the end of winter!). This month I was lucky enough to be part of the Wellness At Sea program on Jam Cruise, a very special 6 night music festival at sea. Many of you know that some of my greatest passions in life include wellness and...
Read Article
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 82
  • Go to Next Page »

Testimonials

Lisa’s weight loss plan really gave me a new insight to healthy eating and living. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2015. Healthy living/easting/exercise has become very important to me and my family and this program really helped me get even more on the course with this and helped me lose weight.

Danielle D, Great Neck, NY

When I heard about the 10 Day Weight Loss Challenge, I wasn’t sure if it would be a good fit, since as a physician, I understand nutrition and health (and therefore knew the dangers of fad diets, etc…), and I do my best to exercise (though not always enough). But as a single mother of 2, it’s still very challenging ti “fit in all in” (including cooking healthy meals for my children) due to my busy schedule. And when my time is short, bad habits crop up and weight gain follows.

Dr. Gila Ackerman, Boulder, CO

Psychiatrist
Lisa has made an enormous contribution to my health and strength. I have seen and felt the most fantastic changes in an amazingly short time.

Chessie F, Boulder, CO

I just wanted to say you were amazing through this 10 day process! I learned so much from you! You were very thorough in all areas of the challenge and got back to us in such a quick manner with our questions. It was a great jump start into a more healthy life style that’s for sure!

Colby E, Boulder, Colorado

I LOVE the recipes, simple, few ingredients, appealing. I like the idea of using the list of staples you provided when i was tempted to cheat!

Phyliss S, Spring House, PA

I worked with Lisa to develop a holistic wellness plan that has allowed personal growth without having to completely change my lifestyle. Her programs are designed around your personal needs, so I always feel like I've gotten the most from my sessions and leave with manageable goals. Lisa's three-prong approach to wellness (fitness, nutrition and health) is helping me live a balanced and grateful life.

Ali S., Boulder, CO

I’ve been through the ringer with different dieting plans through the years. Some helped me lose weight and some didn’t – but it didn’t matter because I would always gain it back. I didn’t know if this 10 day Weight Loss Challenge would be the answer since everyone says they have the “BEST” way to lose weight. But this one seemed to be more doable – like instead of starving myself, keeping track of calories (“been there done that – VERY annoying!”) and things I know I wouldn’t stick to.

Jill W, Park, NY

Lisa, you have been a very positive role model for me! Through the exercise and diet I’m becoming healthy and more positive about my life!!! Thanks!

Melissa B, Boulder, Colorado

Blog Articles

Spring Cleansing

Spring Cleansing

Read More »
Supporting Things Close To Your Heart

Supporting Things Close To Your Heart

Read More »
Gluten Free

How to Easily Transition To A Gluten Free Diet

Read More »
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 55
  • Go to Next Page »

Send Us A Message

Footer

triw-logo-link2-with-URL-e1576220504179-1@2x-min

Quick Links

  • About
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Member’s Area
  • Contact

Services

  • Personal Wellness Services
  • Festival Wellness Services
  • Executive Function Coaching

Newsletter Signup

Get the latest wellness, nutrition, fitness, and 
mental health tips and news from Tri-Wellness 
delivered straight to your inbox.
Subscribe Now

Copyright 2022. Lisa Shanken. All Rights Reserved
Designed and Developed by Gloss

  • Disclosure Policy
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service