We all talk a good game about how to eat, what to eat, and the importance of preparing our own food from quality ingredients. The truth is that everyone faces the same dilemmas from time to time. Whether it's travel, working late, business lunches, social outings, or simply not being interested in cooking, there are many reasons that eating that home cooked meal may not always be possible.
I've decided to pose a series of questions to our members on a weekly basis on what gets them through these situations. You might be surprised at some of the answers and others might be exactly what you expected — either way, I'm hopeful that this will help you navigate your way through the myriad of awkward, inconvenient, or simply lazy situations you find yourself in.
Jill Carnahan from Boulder, Colorado
CA: Do you put much thought into where you eat out? Or do you simply go anywhere and try to make do with what's on the menu?
JC: I don't eat out often but typically pick an upscale steak or seafood restaurant where I can get fresh low mercury fish and steamed veggies.
CA: Most memorable restaurant meal in (or near) Boulder?
JC: Blooming Beats, Zeal, Salt, Arugula, The Med, The Oak, BlackBelly, Black Cat, Shine, Fresh Thymes.
CA: Most memorable restaurant meal outside of Boulder?
JC: Any metropolitan area that has True Food or Ocean Prime.
Find More Member Recommended Restaurants Near You
CA: For people with special diets, how do you suggest they talk with restaurant staff in order to get what they need?
JC: I look through the menu for clean main dish options such as chicken, fish or lamb. Then I ask if any of the items I am interested in are pre-marinated. If they are not, I ask them to make it for me broiled or baked without sauces, marinades, or dressings and a bit of sea-salt and garlic. It always turns out delicious and paleo-friendly. For sides, almost any vegetable can be steamed or roasted.
CA: Do you prepare an emergency meal when you travel? If so, what do you include?
JC: I always carry food with me. For airport travel I will freeze chicken and veggies in olive oil in a small mason jar that can be heated up In the airport or on a longer flight for a instant healthy meal. I carry toasted organic coconut with cinnamon for a snack. Bulletproof Collagen protein bars and sunflower seeds. I always carry Bulletproof Coffee and Brain Octane for an instant brew at the airport. Just pour hot water over the coffee grounds, steep and pour out coffee in new cup when done. I also carry organic matcha powder packs from Rishi to make an instant green tea brew or latte.
CA: Your favorite quick meal to prepare at home?
JC: King salmon and roasted veggies.
CA: Do you consume alcohol? Explain why you think it is or isn’t a good idea.
JC: No I do not consume alcohol at all. For women with a history of breast cancer like me, I think there is clear evidence that even one drink of alcohol can increase risk of recurrence.
CA: In terms of food, what is your guilty pleasure?
JC: Hail Merry Dark Chocolate Bites... YUM!
Jill Carnahan is Your Functional Medicine Expert! She uses functional medicine help you find answers to the cause of your illness and the nutritional and biochemical imbalances that may be making you feel ill. Functional medicine is personalized medicine that deals with root cause of disease instead of just treating symptoms. Dr Jill will search for underlying triggers that are contributing to your illness through cutting edge lab testing and tailor the intervention to your specific needs as an individual. She may use diet, supplements, lifestyle changes or medication to treat your illness but will seek the most gentle way to help your body restore balance along with the least invasive treatment possible. She seeks to promote wellness and create hope, health and healing by working with you!
Read More Q&A's from the "What & Where They Eat" Series
