28 | HealthLinksSC.com WHAT DO YOU KEEP IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR AND PANTRY FOR HEALTHY COOKING? I try to have ingredients such as chicken that I can simply bake. I’m a fan of local shrimp; you can buy them peeled and deveined at places like Crosby’s Fish & Shrimp Co. I also look for places with fresh vegetables, and I always keep capers, pistachios, whole-wheat pasta and quinoa on hand. WHAT ARE SOME TIPS FOR EATING HEALTHY AT HOME? Think about dishes you can make ahead of time, such as homemade hummus and marinated shrimp in olive oil. Even placing a bowl of clementines on your counter can be good when you’re craving something sweet. AMETHYST GANAWAY FOOD WRITER, CHEF AND CULINARY RESEARCHER A two-time recipient of the Les Dames d’Escoffier Legacy Culinary Award, Amethyst Ganaway raises appreciation and awareness of the culture and foodways of the African diaspora, African Americans and Black Southern cooks. Her recipes have appeared in numerous publications, including Food & Wine and The New York Times. Ganaway serves as the chief recipe developer and content manager for Yolélé, a West African culinary brand led by chef Pierre Thiam. WHEN WORK KEEPS YOU BUSY, HOW DO YOU FIND TIME TO EAT WELL? I make sure to bring or make snacks that can fuel my mind and body while I’m on my feet. I love snacking on peppers, cucumbers, celery and carrots; a fresh, bright green salad for lunch or a fruit bowl. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE HEALTHY GO-TO MEAL TO PREPARE FOR YOURSELF? Some of my favorites are usually one-pot, one-pan or one-bowl dishes. I love grain bowls made with ingredients like fonio, an ancient West African grain that’s high in nutrients. I add nutrient-dense ingredients like leafy greens, beans, peas and vegetables with a variety of textures. I also enjoy smoothies for breakfast or oatmeal with apples, strawberries, blueberries and bananas. For dinner, I have seafood or poultry with some sort of rice and sautéed veggies. WHAT STRATEGIES WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR COOKING AND EATING HEALTHY AT HOME? I recommend pre-planning your meals and having a variety of ingredients you can get or keep on hand that are easily switchable in the different meals. Maybe you planned to make salmon salad for dinner on Tuesday, but the day gets there and you’d rather have a grain bowl. An easy substitution or addition of either grains or greens can be swapped out. You should shop for your own ingredients and make meals you want to share with others. Handpicking your ingredients and then cooking them can help you have a better connection with the food and your meals. Sharing your meals or ideas for your meals with others can help you learn how to become a better cook — and help boost your mood by sharing with others. Photo by Paul Cheney.
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