spa quality meals

Make Your Summer Meals Spa-tacular
Chef Cary Neff Shares Simple Tips for Healthy, Delicious Cooking
Anyone who has enjoyed a spa vacation knows that having body, mind and soul nurtured is an unforgettably sublime experience. Combine the pampering body treatments with luscious cuisine, and you can’t help but relax and unwind.
Ah, yes … the food. Light-yet-satisfying, delicious and healthy. According to spa chef Cary Neff, author of Conscious Cuisine and culinary consultant for Jenny Craig, Inc., the good news is you don’t have to leave home to enjoy spa-quality meals. All it takes is a conscious desire to prepare great-tasting foods with wellness in mind.
“My passion is creating healthy food featuring fine ingredients that are artfully combined and beautifully presented,” says Neff. “I think of it as a fusion of flavors, textures and nutrients to fuel a healthy body and mind.” Here are a few of his secrets:
Savor seasonings
Fresh-picked herbs like basil, cilantro, parsley and rosemary add depth to any meal, and can be the base for terrific herb vinaigrettes, purees, pestos or dry rubs.
Finesse fat
When flavor is critical, use a small amount of the real thing, such as pumpkin seeds, olive oil or walnuts. When it’s not, use fat-free sour cream, light mayonnaise or broth.
Select smart foods
Boldly flavored broccoli and red pepper, hearty black beans and corn, and whole grains like quinoa and barley add taste, texture and a powerhouse of nutrients.
Look for luscious
Take the natural sweetness of ripe berries, melons and tropical fruits, accent with other fresh ingredients, and create scrumptious sauces, salads, salsas and soups.
Speaking of summer’s seasonal bounty, this light-and-easy recipe can be served as a salad, appetizer, dessert - even over cereal or ice cream!