Author: chickletmarketing

Good and beautiful snowy Wednesday morning everyone. Please stay safe and warm.

My day began with black coffee and a mission to take down my Christmas decorations. With 2 dogs, there is no point in trying to keep the house clean in this weather, but I can at least get it back in order.

And now to Whole30. I have had a few weaknesses, admittedly so. I was out with friends last Friday for a nice dinner and decided to have cocktails. It had been 12 days. Since then I have had some of the other “no-nos”, a little pasta, a little bread, a little cheese. Part of me feels like a failure, however and more importantly, what I’ve realized is how those “no-nos” have made me feel. A little pasta left me feeling very bloated. And I can’t quite put into words the comparison of eating “dead foods” v. “live foods”. But wait, maybe that is the perfect explanation. These fillers of bread and pasta leaves one feeling full, but uncomfortable. One does not realize what exactly their diet consists of until they omit some things.

So, I retract the statement of feeling like a failure. A quote I heard recently is that “I don’t fail, I learn”. I am learning how to eat better and how certain foods make me feel. And on the upside, I have lost 3.2 pounds since beginning January 3rd. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, the picture below is a meal I cooked for a client, who is recovering from cancer. I am cooking from a book titled Cancer-Free Kitchen. Aren’t these colors beautiful?!

This is what The Green Kitchen does. We specialize in menus literally catered to our clients’ needs. We are also working with a client who needs an anti-inflammatory diet. And another who is off carbs completely.

What are your dietary needs? Let’s meet and discuss how The Green Kitchen can help. cheftammy@greenkitchenrichmond.com
Or 804-687-7099. And check out www.greenkitchenrichmond.com for some great testimonials.

A new year! A new journey! Happy New Year everyone. And this will be my motto this year – a new journey!

So, as curious minds want to know how my Whole30 program is going – I’ve lost nearly 3 lbs. I started black coffee on December 30 and that was also the last day I had any alcohol. I’ve had an underlying headache that seems to come and go, which I’ve learned it’s a “sugar withdrawal” headache. Never have I heard of such until now.

Resolve and resistance are the words that come to mind for myself particularly. When my physician told me 18 months ago that I couldn’t eat 20+ things due to my diabetes, I scoffed at her, went home and started exercising. I didn’t join a gym or hire a personal trainer. I started walking and using that “clothes hanger” of a recumbent bike that lives in my spare bedroom. By June 2017, I’d lost nearly 40 lbs and my A1-C came down to 5.4 – the normal range! Resolve!

Truly the answer to bettering ourselves is all in our mind. One must resolve to do something about it. It’s as simple as that.

So what have you resolved to do for yourself this year? Exercise more? Eat better? No one will prioritize you more than yourself. It’s not being selfish. It’s being generous. The better you take care of yourself, the more you will have to offer to others and the world around you.

Follow this chef on her own personal journey of eating better and taking care of herself. Better yet, join her! The Green Kitchen would love to work with you with any dietary concerns and if you are interested in the Whole30 program, I can help with that as well!

www.greenkitchenrichmond.com or cheftammy@greenkitchenrichmond.com or 804-687-7099!

Here’s to a fantastic 2018 for all of us!

A new year! A new journey! Happy New Year everyone. Waking up this morning to our second snowfall of this winter. Kind of has me worried about the rest of winter. But it is still beautiful to look at and the air is so fresh. Love it.

So let’s hear them – your new year’s resolutions that is. In the past, mine have always been to lose weight and save money. But I quit making resolutions because they didn’t seem to ever work. If you stop to think about it though, it’s what’s in us that doesn’t work. It’s one thing to speak a commitment and another to uphold it.

2017 brought a lot of changes for me, all good I am happy to say. I jumped off the deep end in marketing The Green Kitchen and it is starting to pay off. I became involved with a great business coach and group and learned how to focus. I am still learning. Just like anything else you begin, results take time.

And many of you know I have diabetes, but am managing it quite well with medicine and exercise. In June 2016, I began losing weight and over the course of the next year, I lost close to 40 pounds. My A-1 C came down to a normal range and in June 2017, my doctor cut my meds in half. Vacation in August almost ruined me though, and with an injury to my hip, the exercise has had to stop for a while. But at my last appointment, my numbers have only increased slightly and the doc is still happy with my progress.

And now to 2018. I won’t call it a resolution, but I have started Whole 30 – no alcohol, dairy, grains nor added sugar for 30 days. At first, I truly thought no alcohol would be hard, but here we are on the second day, and I am realizing it’s the no breads or dairy that will be tough. Committing to this and even on just the second day, has made me painfully aware of my diet. So wish me luck.

And if any of you out there would like help with your dietary “resolutions”, The Green Kitchen would love to help you on your journey. Email me at cheftammy@greenkitchenrichmond.com or call 804-687-7099. Happy 2018.

Whoa! What do you mean it’s December 29th? Christmas passed 4 days ago! This is hard evidence how fast time can pass. This week is an odd week, sort of still celebrating the holiday and about to ring in a new year. Again, whoa! A new year?!

A new year can bring about many changes. We often begin it with resolutions of things we will do better or more of in the new year. What does that look like for you? For me, my hope is to take The Green Kitchen to even further heights. I have loved being in business for myself and am amazed at how far I’ve come. I can truly say I am doing what I love!

And for many, resolutions are made in relation to our health. I heard somewhere that gym memberships are sold mostly in January. And if that is you this year, I commend you. Commitments can be difficult, but at least for me, once I’ve made my mind up to do something, I usually stick with it. That’s not to say I haven’t fallen off the wagon many times. But the key is to try again. If it is truly a goal you want to attain, keep at it.

And The Green Kitchen can help you with those health and wellness goals. We offer personal chef meals delivered to your door weekly. We listen to each client’s individual needs and “cater” to those needs. No carbs? No problem! No gluten? No problem! Want lots of fresh veggies? No problem!

Give us a call at 804-687-7099 or email us cheftammy@greenkitchenrichmond.com and schedule a time to go over your healthy eating goals for 2018. We can help you meet those goals! Happy New Year!

Welcome back. The Green Kitchen is wrapping up its very busy catering season with a final dinner being delivered on Christmas day! Whole Beef Tenderloin, Scallops, Parsnip and Celery Root Puree, Roasted Asparagus and Crème Brulee! Yummy!

My morning will begin with my own tradition of Irish Coffee, Fried Oysters and Eggs Benedict and Cinnamon Rolls. What traditions do you have?

As I was decorating my tree this year, hanging my favorite ornaments, I thought about tradition. It’s hard to imagine the tree without the kids’ favorites – the Power Ranger and Spiderman; the glass jewels my daughter made in pre-school; the clay wreath with her picture in the middle. And then there are the ornaments I’ve made – painted balls with Joy, Faith and Peace written on them. And my favorites are the crocheted stars my mom made years ago. I reflected on these being handed down when my kids have their own families. It made me smile. I hope this holiday season has done the same for you.

So now the catering season has exhausted me and I did not have time to send out Christmas cards. Nor have I had time for baking. Though now with a couple of days off, I might make up at least for the baking on Saturday. I have a few standards like Pecan Lace with Orange Buttercream and Russian Tea Cakes, but this year I think I will try some new ones like Chai Macarons, Pecan Meringues and Pecan Whiskey Honeycomb. Hopefully you are on my nice list.

And as far as cards, why do we wait until Christmas to mail cards? Technology has ruined us. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll reach out Christmas morning on Facebook and wish all holiday greetings, but I truly enjoy receiving Christmas cards. So I think this year, I will make a resolution to reach out to my loved ones with cards throughout the year and let me know I’m thinking of them then too and not just at Christmas.

I wish you all a fabulous and Merry Christmas and hope you enjoy the time with your loved ones. And if you still need any last minute gifts, The Green Kitchen is only a phone call away for purchasing a gift certificate for meals and chef services! 804-687-7099