Healthy And Tasty
Gus Trejo, Executive Chef from the Jack O’Neill Restaurant at Dream Inn and Melissa DeVera, RD, cWC at the Dignity Health Wellness Center Demonstration Kitchen.
It’s All About the Pie
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his fall, in collaboration with the Dream Inn, Executive Chef Gus Trejo, Jack O’Neill Restaurant & Lounge, demonstrated how you can create an incredibly tasty, vegetarian, gluten-free meal for your family and friends this season. Chef Gus joined registered dietitian and certified wellness coach, Melissa DeVera, RD, cWC at the Wellness Center Demonstration Kitchen to create a holiday feast, complete with mouthwatering flavors and aromas. As a registered dietitian, Melissa is a strong proponent for plant-based diets. This type of diet inherently focuses on whole grains, beans, fresh produce, seeds, and nuts. These can have incredible health benefits including: •
Reduced inflammation
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Reduced arthritis pain
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Reduced risk of heart disease
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Low levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol
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Reduced risk of cognitive impairment and dementia
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Improved gut health
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Reduced risk of certain cancers
2 6 | FOCUS ON WELLNESS
When asked to create a three course plant-based gluten-free menu, Chef Gus chose butternut squash as the main ingredient. According to Melissa, “Butternut squash is a superfood, and can help to strengthen your immune system during cold and flu seasons.” A single serving of butternut squash provides over four times the recommended daily value of Vitamin A and over half of your daily need for Vitamin C. So does butternut squash make a good substitute for pumpkin? We can give an absolute thumbs up! Follow the recipe from Chef Gus for a fantastic option for a traditional pumpkin pie. As with all diets, it’s important to consider a person’s genetics, activity level, pre-existing medical conditions, and any nutritional deficiencies or food allergies. In particular, those adopting plant-based diets are wise to make sure they’re getting sufficient levels of vitamins and minerals, from B12 to omega-3 fatty acids. If you have more questions please ask your doctor for advice or a referral to the Center for Lifestyle Management.
