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January 17, 2012

Low-Potassium Potato Skins

When I receive a request, I respond. At some point. And this week, I received two requests. The first from a very special friend and fellow kidney patient who craves the taste of crispy potato skins. And the second from our very own Low-So January heroine, Chelsea, who is hosting a little get together this weekend and craves some tiny treats to impress her friends. So in one quick post, I’m going to answer both questions. Let’s start with the potato skins. Most of you out there–who are diligently watching your sodium intake–can handle a traditional potato skin recipe as […]

January 13, 2012

Low-So January Week 2: Chelsea Dines Out

Doesn’t that dish look succulent? Rich with colors and juices and, hey, even a side of gravy? This is a meal worth talking about long after the food is gone. And that gravy boat has been emptied. (Straw please?) And believe it or not, this beautiful plate is completely salt-free and low-sodium. Yeah, I kid you not. Thanks to Chris Consentino at Incanto restaurant, I’ve been eating this good at his table for almost four years. The king of salty pig parts himself has happily (and successfully) prepared intricate low-sodium meals for me anytime I show up on his door step. […]

January 12, 2012

Low-Sodium Microwaveable Lunch Challenge, #2

It’s chilly. Which means it is time to make chili. And while I am quite devoted to my black and red beans, I thought these blustery days deserved something a little lighter. A little whiter. So I traded the darker hues for some creamy Cannellini (or butter beans). But just because the beans are pale doesn’t mean the dish has to be colorless. So I added yellow corn, green jalapenos, red onion, red tomato, yellow and purple potatoes, and some matchstick zucchini and orange carrots. All of this could easily go in a pot, with a little water, to steam […]

January 10, 2012

Low-Sodium Microwaveable Lunch Challenge

Wouldn’t it be extraordinary to simply unpack a pre-made meal from its cardboard box. Rip off the plastic. Throw it in the microwave. And have your lunch ready and hot in minutes? That would be nice. But on a low-sodium diet, these “open and heat” dishes are filled with sodium (not to mention other non-food unmentionables). So to stick to the diet, one must either (a) quit your job and work and cook from home or (b) bring leftovers with you for your noon-time chow fest. I’ve tried both. And while working from home definitely lets me (over)feed myself great […]

January 6, 2012

Low-So January Week 1: Chelsea Travels

Meet some of your best low-sodium friends. They are plastic containers. And they’ll help you take low-sodium meals wherever you roam. It’s just one trick of many that make low-sodium eating and traveling and dinner party-going possible. And our low-sodium hero, Chelsea, already picked up on the idea during her first week of low-sodium living. She’s so smart. But enough from me. Let’s hear about it from her…. (And if I got paid to write this blog, I’d surely be worried about my job right about now. This girl’s got skills) LOW-SO JANUARY DIARY: WEEK ONE Greetings from week one […]

January 5, 2012

Low-So January

My heart and kidneys are all a twitter because today, we start Low-So January. Wait, let me back up. Today, we start following Chelsea as she conquers Low-So January. Before I really get into the nitty gritty details, let me introduce you to my friend. This is Chels (the gorgeous one on the left). She’s wickedly smart. And funny. And talented. And modest. And beautiful inside and out. I know. I’m a lucky girl to have her in my life. She also loves to cook and entertain and eat and eat out. All qualities I find incredibly essential for the […]

January 3, 2012

A New Year and 7 Links

A few months ago one of my favorite fellow bloggers tapped me on the shoulder to join him for the “My 7 Links Project”–the purpose of which was to reflect on one’s own blog, to resurface posts that had been lost in the shuffle, and to build a web of community by asking other online writers to do the same. Now in typical busy life fashion, many book deadlines, holiday egg nog, and the need for sleep kept getting in the way of this post. Weeks and weeks have gone by. And the words “write 7 links” constantly appeared on […]

December 27, 2011

Back in the Kitchn – Health for the Holidays

As the holidays wind down and new year’s resolutions begin to percolate, let me give you one last how-to list for expertly navigating a special diet during special occasions. TheKitchn.com was kind enough to let me guest post my advice again on their site. And whether this article relates to your needs (or perhaps can be enlightening to a few hosts and hostesses in your life), feel free to forward on. That way, you can have healthy treats wherever you eat. Hope your holidays continue to be full of cheer. Chow on.

December 24, 2011

Low-Sodium Egg Nog

Warning: There is avocado in this recipe. And this is not a warning to turn around and run away from this egg nog. This is a warning that socks will be blown straight off by the creamy lusciousness that is this sodium-friendly drink. The all-natural, gluten, vegan, low-sodium wizardry comes from the bloggers at Cocomama and the only ingredients I left out were the banana (cause I didn’t have one) and the liquor (because it was 10am). But you can definitely make this drink as is. And how’s that for a Christmas miracle? Give it a literal whirl tonight, tomorrow, anytime to […]

December 23, 2011

Twenty-Nine Candles

Birthdays used to be about ponies. With that blow of the candles, I’d wish for rainbows. The ability to fly. And ponies, of course. So when exactly did we stop asking for the impossible? Today, I’m 29. One year below that sexy 30 marker with eight years more than I’d thought I’d see. Since 2004, birthdays began to mean more than just cake and presents. Birthdays were badges of using 365 days to their fullest. And I have to think that my wishes have gotten better with age. At 21, I wished to survive. At 22, I wished to live […]

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