Page 23 - The Mediterranean Refresh

Side dishes are an easy place to slip up, but they’re also an easy way to
make huge improvements. Instead of ordering fries, upgrade to that salad.
Drinks are also an easy place to go wrong: a glass of red wine or sparkling
water is a great alternative to sugary soda and beer.
Don’t be afraid to pack up your food for later. In fact, you should almost
never finish a full meal at a restaurant. Restaurants are designed to leave
people satisfied, no matter what their appetites are. Take me for a second. I’m
not a very tall woman, but the restaurant will serve me the same size meal as
my husband who is over six feet tall!
I recommend skipping dessert for the most part. Unless the restaurant
has a fruit bowl, opt for tea or coffee instead. If skipping just isn’t an option,
make sure to split the dish with your partner.

Shopping Guide

Every ingredient in this book can be sourced at your local grocery store, but
I definitely recommend exploring other shops as well. Find the best fish-
monger. Check out your neighborhood butcher. Make sure to pick up sea-
sonal fruits and veggies from your farmer’s market. And source bread from
your local bakery, if they serve whole wheat. Make sure to talk to these peo-
ple; they’re often highly knowledgeable about food and will make recom-
mendations based on your diet and aspirations.
I highly recommend making ingredient substitutions based on what you
can find locally! When shopping at the grocery store, stay away from pre-
packaged foods. Try to stick to the fresh-food aisles. The freezer section can
also be handy for grabbing food that is currently out of season.
It may be difficult at first to figure out your shopping routine, but begin
to take note of where the healthier-choice ingredients are kept, and you’ll be
in and out of the grocery store in no time.

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22 THE MEDITERRANEAN REFRESH