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About Claire Cavalieri
I grew up in an Italian-American family in the Midwest which was pretty much meat and potato country. Although I didn't realize it at the time, I was raised on the Mediterranean diet--a preference for fish and chicken, fruits and vegetables, and, very occasionally, red meat (hamburgers) and dessert, but only for special occasions. We never had fried foods. We sometimes had junk food (pizza, soda, ice cream, potato chips). My mother didn't cook pasta very often. (I wish she had!) For my parents, it was all about vegetables: sauteed, stir-fried, roasted, baked, steamed, and salads. So, that's how I learned to eat healthy and I didn't even know it! I never developed a taste for sweets all that much.
Oddly enough, this way of eating I grew up on decades ago is basically the same as the Anti- Inflammatory Diet that is highly recommended by most Health & Wellness experts today.
My parents were always into sports and fitness too. We lived in Michigan, the beautiful Great Lake state, so perfect for outdoor year-round sports. My parents, 2 brothers and I all golfed, played tennis, snow skied, cross-country skied, water-skied, swam, walked, and rode bikes.
Today I still love to swim which I do 3 days/week. To continue to stay active and move my body, I ballroom dance with my partner at least twice/week. I also love to hike in nature areas as often as possible, whether in the desert, in the woods, or in the mountains.
As a result of my childhood background, I've grown into somewhat of a health nut! I love creating tasty healthy meals (especially Italian cuisine) and moving my body in a way that makes me feel rejuvenated and happy knowing it's good for me. I have the proof because I feel great and I'm quite healthy.
I happen to believe that one's thoughts directly affect how one's body responds. For example, if you consistently think that you are healthy and well and talk to your body and treat your body with healthy and well expectations, your body will respond by being healthy and well. This way of positive thinking and belief system has always served me well.
For several decades I've been a solo entrepreneur, having owned and operated a number of different small businesses under my own corporation, supported by my degree in Business Administration.
When I put my lifelong passion for and my lifestyle of health and wellness together with my extensive entrepreneurial experience, I realized Wellness coaching is my calling!
NORTHERN ITALIAN CHICKEN CACCIATORE
This is a healthy dish consisting of protein, a variety of vegetables, and whole grains. It’s a family recipe from my maternal grandfather, Angelo Cavalieri, who was from the Venice area of Italy. In the northern Italian region, the Italians take a lighter cooking approach and use natural meat drippings, broth and wine to flavor their dishes rather than heavy tomato sauce as you usually find in southern Italian dishes.
Ingredients
3-4 Tbl olive oil
1-2 Tbl butter
8 bone-in chicken thighs
1/2 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 c sliced carrots
1 c sliced celery
1 c chopped mushrooms
2 Tbl dried parsley
1 Tbl dried basil
1 Tbl dried oregano
1 Tbl dried Italian seasoning
1-2 tsp salt, or to taste
1 tsp pepper
1/2 c dry Sherry or Marsala wine
1/2 c hot water
Directions
Warm olive oil and butter in electric frying pan set at 350 degrees (or skillet at medium high), then add the garlic and onion; stir for a few minutes until garlic begins to turn light golden. Add chicken pieces and cook until golden brown on both sides. Then add all the vegetables on top of the chicken. Sprinkle salt and pepper and all the dried seasonings on top of the veggies and chicken (I go heavy on the seasonings and sherry for a zestier flavor). Then pour the wine and water on top of everything.
Let cook for 10-15 minutes. Then turn temperature down to about 250 (or low), cover pan, and let simmer for about 1 hour or until veggies are tender. If the liquid is drying up while simmering, add another cup of both sherry and water.
Note: I serve this dish with Lundberg’s Wild Rice
Buon appetito!
from the kitchen of Claire Cavalieri
