Health passes through the taste buds

You are what you eat

“You are what you eat” is probably one of the most well-known and widely adapted motivational slogans we all know. Whether we refer to the emotional side and translate it as “You are what you love,” or take it into a more philosophical direction with “You are what you read,” it’s clear that we like to define ourselves through the small things that shape our existence.

Concerns about lifestyle and diet have grown over time, encouraged by the increasingly fast-paced and chaotic rhythm we are forced to adopt. At the same time, food trends promoted across TV, radio, and especially online platforms have also played an important role, where every influencer comes with their own recommendations and know-how about our daily food.

However, each body has very specific needs, also influenced by activity level. Thus, between a sedentary person who spends most of their time at a desk or in a confined space - possibly with an overloaded schedule that doesn’t even allow a few hours of movement per week - and a performance athlete constantly engaged in training and camps, there will be visible differences both physically and in terms of nutritional needs.

Of course, it is very important to understand these needs our body has - and, between us, it expresses them quite clearly if we know how to listen - before choosing one lifestyle over another. Recommendations from a professional nutritionist are always the safest way to gain a clearer overview of these needs. However, due to time constraints - since we’ve already established that we live a super fast-paced life, right? - we often find ourselves making decisions on our own and searching for our own recipe for success (culinary 😊).

That’s why we come to your aid with a few suggestions both from the world of recipes and from that of devices, accessories, or gadgets that can make your work in the kitchen easier and more efficient - without neglecting dietary recommendations.

Although many of us are becoming increasingly familiar with the growing trend of vegetarianism, veganism, and raw veganism, we will also review foods that do not fall into these categories. We believe they can find an honorable place in the diets of those seeking more diversity and ease in food preparation. For example, it will always be much simpler to prepare a meal consisting of animal protein - whether we’re talking about grilled chicken breast, a medium-rare beef steak, or even a fish fillet - accompanied by a vegetable side dish such as mixed vegetables, rice prepared in various ways, or even mashed potatoes - classic or with a twist.

We have therefore put together a list of foods that can fit into any dietary style, can be combined in various ways, and promise to provide satisfaction both physically and emotionally - because, as we all know, love passes through the stomach.

Fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins and nutrients, add flavor to any meal, and also support the local economy and small producers. Availability will constantly change depending on the season and geographical area, but you can always find successful combinations. The variety of preparation methods is also huge, from boiling and baking to frying or dehydrating, making produce a reliable base for a healthy diet.

Cereals (preferably whole grains) and legumes should not be overlooked either, as they can be part of many delicious combinations. For example, granola with yogurt and fresh fruit for breakfast, a honey and oat/sesame/muesli bar as a snack, a few slices of bread - whole grain, sourdough, dark, graham, seeded, or any combination you enjoy, or classic cereal with milk in the evening. That’s that sorted - delicious!

We’ve already discussed proteins and established that animal-based ones offer the most nutrients and are easiest to prepare, but plant-based proteins from mushrooms, chickpeas, beans, lentils, peas, spirulina, or quinoa are also excellent. They can easily be included in any diet, ensuring daily protein intake, even if they require slightly more effort to prepare. Beginners shouldn’t be discouraged, as this quickly becomes second nature for those committed to this lifestyle.

Dairy products are also a rich and delicious source of protein, fats, and flavors that, especially when combined with other treats, delight both the soul and the senses. How could you refuse a cheese platter paired with nuts, grapes, and crackers? Or a Greek yogurt with a few pieces of tasty berries and some oat flakes?

The range is very wide. Starting from various types of plant-based milk, to cow’s milk, buffalo, goat, or sheep milk, we quickly move through yogurts with flavors, fruit, or plain, stopping by traditional cheeses - urdă, telemea, caș, or Praid cheese pampered with wine. And finally, we arrive at the exotic delicacies offered to us by the whole world, specialties with complicated names and equally remarkable flavors: brie, camembert, mozzarella, gorgonzola, mimolette, tilsit, emmentaler, gouda, cheddar, provolone, parmesan, roquefort, and so many other wonders that we warmly recommend.

Oilseeds, these small delights better known as nuts, peanuts, cashews, and sunflower seeds are a seemingly minor addition but with high nutritional value. They contain oils, fiber, vitamins A, E, and B-complex vitamins, as well as minerals like zinc, calcium, iron, and magnesium, essential for the proper functioning of the body.

Let us now move toward a slightly more sensitive area, namely that of snacks. When we hear this term, our thoughts invariably drift to a chocolate bar or a bag of chips with crazy flavors. However, there are other options when it comes to something quick and tasty to curb our hunger between main meals. Protein bars, yogurts, and plant- and  fruit/vegetable-based drinks are always an infinitely more suitable option for a healthy lifestyle.

And so that all the recommendations above are not in vain - but rather supported by a healthy lifestyle - we recommend reducing or even eliminating harmful habits such as smoking or alcohol consumption, and replacing them with physical activities adapted to one’s needs, possibilities, and abilities, but carried out consistently and responsibly. Of course, fluid intake - especially water, teas, and natural juices in reasonable amounts - remains absolutely essential.

How do you eat?

Well, now that we’ve gone through the shopping list, let’s see how we can prepare these delicacies and bring them to a form that is as appetizing and flavorful as possible. To this end, we have prepared a proposal for a full-day menu and have also included a few suggestions for devices that can be truly helpful in your culinary endeavor.

For breakfast - the most important meal of the day - we recommend a smoothie or fresh juice prepared right in your kitchen, to your taste.

You probably already know that Zokura juicers - ready to greet you with a smile every day from morning till evening - can be a key ally in this regard. They extract (as you might expect!) all that is best from fruits, are extremely sturdy and stable, being made of cast iron and equipped with stainless steel sieves that guarantee long-lasting durability. Ergonomic, easy to clean, and exceptionally skilled at what they do (...with oranges or lemons), they are there whenever you crave a lemonade or a natural orange juice. And because we’re fond of you, here’s another tip: they work wonderfully even with pomegranates. Perfect: healthy hydration is ensured, vitamins take center stage, and electricity is not required, which makes them a product suitable for all generations.

Moving past the first part of the day, we arrive at lunch and guide you toward a tomato cream soup, a salad, or some meat garnished with baked mashed potatoes (deliciousness guaranteed!). For your convenience, we have a suggestion related to the first part of the menu, namely the cream soup: the tomatoes can be successfully processed by the smaller yet equally powerful sibling of the morning juicer, namely the Zokura tomato accessory, which attaches to the electric meat grinder from the same brand. It will successfully separate the seeds and the skin from the tomato juice so that you can obtain a smooth and tasty soup. Its components make it extremely durable and easy to use: cast aluminum, with a funnel and splash guard made of plastic. It is just as easy to clean as it is to use, under a stream of warm water.

And now, let’s see how we wrap up this full day! We know well that a heavy dinner is not exactly the best companion for a restful sleep. Thus, our recommendation leans more toward a simple meal based on light foods: fish or white meat, cheeses, or a cold platter, alongside which we can place a glass of your favorite wine.

And for your favorite wine not to oxidize - after all, who likes discovering that the half bottle saved “for next time” has turned sour? - we once again have the right solution. The FRESH & SAVE wine bottle stopper slows down the souring process thanks to its vacuum seal. And if we pair it with the FRESH & SAVE vacuum pump, our wine will be preserved and will remain fresh.

Speaking of which, we’ve realized that food waste is, unfortunately, quite a widespread issue, and we like to believe that we support both the environment - and ourselves - by always finding ingenious solutions to existing problems. Therefore, we conclude our culinary journey with the recommendation of a selection of containers from the same FRESH & SAVE  range, designed to store food in optimal conditions, whether freshly prepared or components of a future platter, sandwich, or recipe.

The vacuum containers are designed to work with the same vacuum pump mentioned earlier and keep food fresh up to five times longer than regular containers. The recipients are made of glass or durable, BPA-free plastic, and feature ABS lids with a double seal and a silicone vacuum valve. They pair well together, can be stacked and we promise they won’t quarrel among themselves. On top of that, they can withstand the “heat” of the microwave oven (as long as you make sure to remove the vacuum seal) and are easy to clean in the dishwasher.

Now, equipped with the best solutions for extracting the essence of the ingredients of a hearty meal (which you can keep fresh for a longer time), as well as with our little guide to a healthier life, we guarantee your first successful and satisfying steps toward a new, more vigorous YOU.