A Healthy Bunko Lunch at Cottage at the Crossroads

Before jetting off to Austin last weekend, I gave a cooking demo to my wonderful mother-in-law and her friends, including Jane from Cottage at the Crossroads. Jane and I first met years ago when she was kind enough to let Scott and I leave a car at her house on our way up to Virginia. We reconnected after I stumbled across her fantastic home and garden DIY blog.

The cooking demo was a fun excuse to get "the bunko girls" together, but also to share my new business venture! For lunch, I planned a veggie-centric meal inspired by classic Southern pairings and ingredients, since the group was born and raised here in Columbia. For our main course, I prepared chicken thighs with a roasted red pepper-pecan sauce. I made two sides, first a roasted potato salad with green beans and herbed yogurt sauce. Roasting the potatoes adds extra texture and the yogurt sauce is a healthy way to get the creaminess of a traditional potato salad without mayo. I also prepared grilled okra and cherry tomato kebabs. If you hate okra, this recipe is sure to convert you! Keeping the okra whole prevents sliminess or ropiness, as I prefer to call it. For dessert, I attempted a banana, honey and peanut butter frozen yogurt, which unfortunately morphed into a smoothie since my ice cream maker did not get along with the warm, spring day! As I cooked, we discussed healthy eating topics and health benefits of the ingredients. Some of the topics we discussed:

* Why organic dairy is healthier than conventional.
* What are the healthiest sweeteners
* The health benefits of herbs
* Why I love fats

Check out my recipes at Cottage at the Crossroads and while you're at it, some great gardening advice!

If you live in the Columbia area, I am available for cooking demos and nutrition classes starting in May. I am also available in Greenville, Asheville, Charlotte and Charleston with a travel fee. As the bunko ladies can attest, I teach in an engaging, discussion-oriented manner while incorporating the most up-to-date nutrition science. Consider hiring me for corporate wellness, public speaking engagements or for a fun and unique get together with friends. Let me know the topic, and I'll create a class just for you! For more information, see my services page. To schedule a class, email me at AnAvocadoADayRD@gmail.com.

A big thank you to Jane, Nancy and the rest of "the bunko ladies" for your support, encouragement and a fun afternoon filled with delicious food!