Get Creative in the Kitchen

By Sidra Forman, Best Life Chef

It's truly refreshing to experiment with new cooking ideas and ingredients (as you've been challenged to do; see Expand Your Eating Horizons for more info)—but don't take my word for it. Instead, give it a try yourself. I guarantee that you'll find it enjoyable to be just a bit more creative in the kitchen. Wondering where to find new ideas or suggestions that will help keep things fresh and interesting? Try these tips, which will add more flavor and fun to your cooking.

Stick with seasonal picks. The food at your local farmers market changes weekly, so you'll always have something new to cook with. And typically, the farmers and the patrons of the market love to discuss food and cooking. Conversations at the farmers market always lead to good ideas about food preparation. Simply ask: How do you use this ingredient?

Experiment with oils. Canola and olive oil are great, but there are a variety of other oils that you can use to add a unique flavor to dishes—both cold and hot. For instance, try nut oils, such as walnut, hazelnut, or almond, drizzled over your salad, either alone or with a little vinegar. Use avocado oil to roast carrots or other vegetables. Finish off warm dishes, like wilted greens, with flaxseed oil. Or drizzle some sesame oil on top of sautéed vegetables.

Spice things up. Use herbs and spices to infuse standard dishes with a fresh flavor. If you can get fresh herbs and spices, great. Otherwise, dried and powdered versions work well, too. For more on how to use spices, check out Shake the Salt out of Your Cooking.

Hit up your friends. Swap recipes and information about foods with a friend who has similar diet goals or who is passionate about cooking.

Go surfing. The Internet is a virtual treasure trove of new and creative meal ideas. Google the name of any food and you'll find endless ideas on how to prepare it.