I have fond memories of spending weekends and summer vacations at my grandmother’s house in Israel. For some odd reason, some of my more vivid memories are of the food we used to eat when we visited. It probably had something to do with food being such was a big deal to my grandmother; she did survive the Holocaust after all.
Specifically, I remember the breakfast meal she always served us. I remember, because it was the same every time. It consisted of scrambled eggs, cottage cheese and cucumber slices served on her green plastic dishes (which would probably be banned in today’s day in age). While nothing extraordinary about the meal, it was delicious and consistent. Besides, she had the “take it or leave it” rule. Nothing else was being served, and back then, cereal wasn’t even an option.
Passover dinner when my grandmother (Safta) came to visit us in Canada
I was lucky to be introduced to cottage cheese at an early age and it set the stage for a life long relationship. As I grew up, I realized that the cottage cheese that I enjoy eating so much also happens to be extremely healthy for me too – it’s a protein after all! While I would eat it off and on for most of my childhood and adolescence, I turned back to eating it regularly in my late 20’s when I was eager to get fit and healthy again before my wedding. Not to mention, my metabolism wasn’t the same as when I was a kid. My weight didn’t just shed off like it used to when I was young. Between spending all day at a desk job, and minimal time to meal prep or work out, I was putting on the pounds. Making little changes in my diet, like eating wholesome, home cooked meals that included cottage cheese, made a big difference.
I once again rejuvenated my relationship with cottage cheese this past September. I went on an amazing eating plan that has completely changed the way I view eating and “dieting”. As part of my eating program (more on the details in a later post), I learned that I need to increase my protein intake. With some inspiration from my grandmother and some knowledge in my back pocket, my lunch meal now almost exactly consists of the same basic foods my grandmother served me for breakfast many moons ago. My go to cottage cheese is Nordica’s fat-free cottage cheese. Just half a cup provides 15g of protein that is low in fat. It’s also a great source of calcium, gluten and nut free.
Not only do I feel full, but I feel healthy and energized for the day ahead. The best part is that this meal can work well for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Easy, simple and healthy! YOU’RE WELCOME 🙂
Beautiful family photo,sweet memories im sure !