The Connections Bridgewater Somerville Edition June 2025

DINING OUT HEALTH & WELLNESS

PAGE 18

FOOD THOUGHT

o A Pi

for

nch

f... Chicken Kabobs • 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs • 1 white onion, quartered • 1 red bell pepper, cut up • Fresh pineapple • 1 teaspoon garlic powder • ½ teaspoon turmeric • ½ teaspoon cumin • 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper • ¼ cup lemon juice (3-4 large lemons) • ¼ cup olive oil 1. Cut up chicken, onion, pepper and pineapple into large pieces. 2. Evenly sprinkle garlic powder, turmeric, cumin and pepper on chicken. 3. Combine lemon juice and olive oil. 4. Arrange chicken, vegetables and pineapple onto skewers. 5. Paint lemon juice-olive oil mixture on chicken, onion, pepper and pineapple with a food brush. 6. Marinate in refrigerator for an hour. 7. Preheat grill. 8. Arrange on grill pan and cook on low flame. 9. Turn often until browned all over, 15 – 20 minutes ENJOY! Submitted by: Lori Kolodin, RD, MPH LSKnutrition.com

Summertime Dining The Heat Is On-Proceed with Caution By Lori Kolodin, MPH, RD

une is a popular month for cele brating graduations, weddings, and numer ous outdoor activities. We cherish the warm weather that accompanies the summer sol stice. Many of us find ourselves welcoming a less rigorous schedule and a more relaxed state. We may trade classrooms for camp, and a 5-day work week truncates into a lon ger weekend with the initiation of “Summer Fridays” through Labor Day. Long, lazy days do not come without warning, however, and a laissez- faire attitude can easily obliterate healthy meal planning as we shift from in door dining to patio kitchens and grills. Recently, I was reminded how microplastics have J une is a popular month for cele

known as heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). HCAs are formed when animal proteins are cooked at high temperatures, while the PAHs are formed from the burning or com bustion of fats and juices from the food. To minimize exposure to these toxic byprod ucts we can implement precautions such as: • cook animal protein (red meat, poultry, game meat or fish) on lower temperatures • purchase a grill thermometer for accuracy around temperature control • turn your food over frequently •separate your food from the grill by using a grill pan Whenever

been subversively incorporated into animal tis sues. Plastic, once deemed as the safer alternative to shattering glass, became quite pop ular and was often preferred over paper products for outdoor dining.

possible, try to prepare fresh food, which includes the marinades. I have swapped bottle sauces for homemade creations. De pending upon the dish, you

can always choose between citrus, either fresh or juiced, various flavored vinegars, oils (olive, avocado, peanut, or sesame), mus tard, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, fresh herbs, and spices. Be creative and try some thing based on the type of cuisine that you are trying to design. For me, summertime is filled with color. One of my favorite dishes is skewered chick en with vegetables and pineapple. I prefer reusable 14” stainless steel skewers, which are dishwasher safe, and a grill pan. Happy and safe dining! Lori Kolodin, MPH, RD is the owner of LSKNutrition, a clinical practice providing nutrition counseling and consulting ser vices to individuals and corporations. Her office is in Martinsville. More information can be found on her website, LSKNutrition.com.

According to a recent New York Times ar ticle, global plastic production has nearly doubled every 10 – 15 years since the 1960s. The result of constant plastic exposure has led to concentration in our oceans’ marine life, our food supply, and our own cells. This is not to alarm you, but you should be aware and help reduce risk by keeping plastic away from heat. It is believed that heat accelerates plastic degradation therefore, key points ap ply. First, always wash plastics in cool, soapy water rather than in the dishwasher. Also, never reheat plastic in the microwave, and avoid the use of plastic utensils when cook ing. Instead, be sure to purchase silicone, stainless-steel, or wooden alternatives. One more thing, kick the habit of leaving plastic water bottles in your car; replace them with a reusable thermos. There are numerous brands available to suit everyone’s likes and needs. Frequent outdoor dining can be another major safety concern. The high temperatures created with open flames can lead to the production of two carcinogenic compounds

theconnectionsnj.com