03 Jul Inside the Fridge Welcomes Registered Dietitian Nutritionist & Egg Nutrition Center Program Manager Anna Shlachter!

Anna Shlachter is a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and blogger who loves to blend health and flavor. She works to lead a healthy lifestyle that includes, eating well, sleeping plenty, finding ways to relax, spending time with her kritters and physical activity. Her husband, is the general manager at a sports bar and prefers the “look” of restaurant style dishes. To achieve this, Anna and her husband focus on plating and garnishing their food. They find this small effort goes a long way! During the day Anna is the Program Manager of Nutrition Research and Communications at the Egg Nutrition Center and is very active in the Illinois Dietetic Association.Keep up with Anna by following  her blog and on twitter.

ITF: Do you love food shopping or dread it?
AS: What’s not to love? I am also a people watcher- I love seeing what others are buying and especially love when the kids are involved.

ITF:  How many do you shop for? Ages?
AS: 2 Hubby and me-both 33. We also shop for our kritters at times too!

ITF:  How do you plan your weekly meals? Create a spreadsheet of fly by the seat of your pants?
AS: A bit of both. I think about when I am going to be home and then see what is on sale. Having items readily available is my key to successful meals. I prep ahead -cut veggies for cooking, eating and salads, make egg bakes and hard boiled eggs for breakfast and snacks, cut up or thaw fruit and berries for yogurt, have a plan for lean meats, etc.  Most nights I can have dinner done in about 20 minutes!

ITF: What is the most coveted food in the fridge right now for each member of the household? Why?
AS: You’re not going to believe this, but right now for us it is cream.  Yep- you read that right! Nothing beats the tasty treat of homemade vanilla bean ice cream in the summer. For a lighter treat, I’ll make sorbet with summer’s yummy fruits.

ITF:  Do you believe in leftovers?
AS: OH boy! Yes I do but my husband…that is another story.  Here is an excerpt of a recent Facebook status “Don’t think of them as leftovers, think of them as prepared portion options so you don’t eat crap.”

ITF:  What convenience product can you not live without?
AS: Rotisserie Chicken. It is my go to- a quick easy way to stay on track and there is plenty left to make other meals as well.  Also my condiments-all kinds of mustards and hot sauces!

ITF:  What cooking utensil/piece of equipment/appliance do you live for?
AS: That is a tough one my Cuisinart Food Processor or Crockpot– oh and my Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer- ha all of them

ITF:  What food/s are important when recalling food memories?
AS: Actually I have fond memories of our large gardens, including the strawberry patch and grape vine, from when I was little. Now I have my herb garden and window boxes.

ITF:  How have your cooking/shopping habits changed over the last 10 years?
AS: I was a student and had jumped on the microwave meals and low-fat craze. Now, I cook more and I embrace healthy fats,butter too, and appreciate the profile that it adds to foods.

ITF:  What are your go-to food/nutrition/culinary/cooking website/s, book or cookbook?
AS: Cooking Light-I get so excited every month when I open my mailbox and it is there. Don’t be afraid of the ingredients- you can always modify! There are also many great blogs written by other registered dietitian nutritionists, as well as many food boards with great resources.

ITF:  What was the last meal you cooked from scratch?
AS: I made peanut butter granola yesterday-well they were supposed to be bars, but we don’t have to talk about that. It is fantastic granola.

ITF: . What words of wisdom or advice do you have for other folks who are doing their best every day to fill the fridge?
AS: Everyone can eat well.  Budget shop and look for resources.  Plan and prep ahead-meals and snacks are so much easier this way. Think back to the basics and forget the newest hype in a container or box.  Think outside the box and try “real” foods in different ways.

Thank you Anna!

If you would like to be featured on Inside the Fridge, please email Robinsbite intern Destini Borchardt- Destini@robinplotkin.com