Dinner Party

My husband and I were invited out for dinner last night at the home of one of his work colleagues. I just want to share with you what an amazing dinner this hostess presented for us as far as taste, health and nutrition, and her ease of putting it together. Granted, these folks had never met me before but they did know I was a nutritionist. That can make some people really uneasy until they really get to know me! I'm sure she was a bit worried about what to serve, though I wish people knew I never pass judgement. (I just control my own portions if things are a bit rich for me...)

For hors d'oeuvres, she had nuts, olives, some warm brie cheese, crackers and fresh cubes of cantaloupe. If you think about that, it was very simple to do, but a very nutritious and an attractive offering: the olives and nuts are very high in mono-unsaturated, heart healthy fats, the cantaloupe so rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Warming up just a bit of high calcium cheese for fun with some crackers---easy, nice, delicious. Easy to nibble on and visit around. Perfect.

Dinner was baked salmon with a homemade pureed vegetable topping, brown rice mixed with asparagus, and a cold veggie blend with tomatoes, olives, and cucumbers. The variety of deep colors were there--lots of healthy antioxidants (see previous post,) the whole grain from the brown rice provided great fiber and more antioxidant power, and the salmon was loaded with protein and omega-3 fatty acids which are a mother lode of health and nutrition. Fantastic.

Dessert included a few decadent sweets cut into tiny pieces that we could choose if we wanted to, served with tea. Small pieces help here. I chose a tiny sliver of the cheesecake flavor I wanted the most and stopped there. Yummy! Satisfied. Really, really nice.

This is what it's all about. Many of us need to learn that it isn't too difficult to put on a dinner party that's healthy. Offering nutritious foods can be easier than you think. Open those jars of olives and nuts, cut those melons into cubes. Focus on ease of preparation and lots of color add variety of textures and temperatures...and do as much as you can ahead of time...leave time to visit with each other! Two thumbs up!!