Webster’s Dictionary defines Admiration as a feeling of respect and approval or an object of esteem. Over the past month my level of admiration for my husband has grown substantially. He underwent gastric sleeve bariatric surgery and both of our lives have changed forever.
Early in our relationship, we bonded over food. We both LOVED food. Where we were going to eat was always our number one priority when we went out for a date. After we got married and wanting to be a perfect Southern wife, I loved my husband with food. One of the wonderful things about living in the South is how we comfort each other with food. Whether it be a wedding, a funeral, a birthday celebration, or a backyard cookout, most events are focused around the food. As a caterer, I love seeing people happy when they eat my food. The same is true when I would cook for my husband, my food was an extension of my love. I would often make his favorite meal or bake his favorite dessert; when instead we could have just as easily taken a walk at our favorite park or enjoyed a movie together.
After surgery, because cooking is such an important part of my life, I had to find a way to still cook for my husband. The Bariatric Diet consists of mainly protein. Good healthy protein can be so much more than eating meat all day long. One of his favorite things to eat before surgery was lasagna. By combining the lovely cheesy filling and baking it in individual servings, you get the satisfaction of a lasagna without the heaviness of pasta, you get a Feel-Good Lasagna! And guess what, I love them too! I pair mine with a green salad on the side and we both have a hearty, filling supper full of protein.
My husband is one of the strongest, most determined, and most dedicated people I know. Admiration is not a strong enough word to describe how proud I am to be his wife and walk by his side in this new journey in our lives. I am looking forward to discovering new healthy recipes and I hope you all reading my column will join with me in the discovery of new dishes.
What You Need:
1 Cup Ricotta Cheese
½ Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 Large Egg, Beaten
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt and Pepper to Taste
½ Cup Marinara Sauce
½ Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Directions:
Mix ricotta cheese, parmesan, beaten egg, and seasonings together. Spray muffin tin with non-stick spray. Spoon mixture into muffin tin filling about ½ full. Spoon a small amount of marinara on top and sprinkle each with mozzarella cheese. Bake it in the oven @ 450 for about 20-25 minutes. Makes approximately 9 with about 7 grams of protein each. Enjoy!!
By: Anna Hamilton
