Q&A with Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN + GIVEAWAY!

Hiya friends! 

It's been a little quiet over here and that's because we're gearing up for even more in-person classes around Nashville, a super special giveaway, and online class creation so soon!  Today, we are so excited to be chatting with fellow registered dietitian and meal prepping pro, Toby Amidor!  Toby has an amazing new cookbook out focused on 5-ingredient recipes and we couldn't be more obsessed with it.  Read on for our Q&A below with Toby and be sure to enter our giveaway too! 

---

** EXCLUSIVE Q&A WITH TOBY AMIDOR, MD, RD, CDN ** 

1. Your cookbook focuses on 5-ingredient recipes. What 5 ingredients do you always have in your fridge/freezer?
In my fridge I always have milk, eggs, yogurt, fresh berries, and frozen, shelled edamame. Most of these ingredients I can whip up into a healthy  meal or toss with other ingredients for a healthy dish.

2. And what about your top 5 pantry staples?
It’s funny that you ask because I give a pantry list of 7 ingredients to always keep on hand. These include olive oil, cooking spray, salt, black pepper, honey, fresh lemons, and fresh garlic. These 7 pantry items are not part of the 5-ingredients and are used consistently throughout the cookbook.

3. Your cookbook contains meal planning tips.  How has meal planning personally helped you and your clients?
I am a busy, single mother of 3 kids of which two are teenagers! With the hustle and bustle of both my and their schedule, it is tough to get healthy meals if I wait until the last minute. As such, I make sure to plan meals throughout the week and even freeze some for emergency!

4. What is your favorite piece of grocery shopping advice that you like to give clients?
I always make my shopping list according to the flow of the supermarket. That way when I’m at the market I don’t have to run back and forth, so it helps save me a lot of time.

5.  Tell us your favorite dish from your new cookbook!
I have so many favorites from this book! A few include Pineapple-Cashew Quinoa, Spanish Style Chicken, and Pomegranate-Pistachio Bark.

6.  You’ve worked with Bobby Dean in the past on “Not My Mama’s Meals”; what is your favorite substitution you use to make a recipe healthier?
A lot of times it was about portion control. Instead of using 1 cup of olive oil, you can usually reduce it to 1 or two tablespoons. Since oil has 120 calories per tablespoon, adding more oil than necessary can increase the calories of the entire dish dramatically. Even though olive oil is a healthy fat, it still needs to be consumed in moderation.

7. Do you have any advice for aspiring dietitians?
My advice is to do what you love. Over the past 25 years the field of dietetics has opened doors for RDs that were never there. If you find a passion, then run with it. Whether you succeeded or failed with your endeavor, you’ll always gain experience and build character. Then move forward to your next adventure!

---

Here's an exclusive recipe from Toby's new book, "The Easy 5-Ingredient Healthy Cookbook: Simple Recipes to Make Healthy Eating Delicious"! 

(image + recipe provided by Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN)

---

Want to win Toby's newest book, "The Easy 5-Ingredient Healthy Cookbook: Simple Recipes to Make Healthy Eating Delicious"?  (Pst!  It's not available until April 3rd.)  Comment below with the fridge, freezer, or pantry staple you just can't live without for a chance to win!  

**GIVEAWAY CLOSES AT 11:59PM ON TUESDAY, APRIL 3RD, 2018.**

You can also grab a pre-sale copy at Amazon!  Good luck. 

lindsey

---