#chefjlooney

[chefjlooney]

This is just a cooler. I have dozens just like it. There's nothing particular special about THIS cooler. Each week, I carefully fill each cooler with meals that have been planned with consideration to my clients individual needs. Meals that I lovingly prepare from scratch, knowing that I have been entrusted with their health and wellbeing. Meals that I spend hours shopping for each week, finding the best possible local produce and proteins. Meals that are crafted to each clients particular taste. This cooler is no different than any of the others like it that I deliver to my clients every week. Except what it represents. You see, this is the LAST cooler full of food that one of my clients will receive. And I couldn't be happier. Why? Well, 7 months ago, this client came to me with some clear goals. Her last child had just moved out, and she was on her own for the first time in years. She decided that it was time to take care of her body. She hired me to help her. Since then, I've worked with her, making adjustments here and there as she progressed, and as her needs changed. She's lost over 50 pounds in these 7 months, and with what she's learned, she's ready to take on her food for herself. She now has a desire to put what she's learned into practice, and start preparing her own meals. She's leveled up, and is taking HUGE leaps and bounds towards reaching her newest goals. Don't get me wrong, I'll miss her. I care about my clients, and there's always a little sadness when one moves on. But I couldn't be more proud of the progress she's made, and the path she has planned. I'll still be here to support her in new and different ways, as a recipe consultant, a cooking teacher, and a food mentor. It's a beautiful thing, and I'm truly fortunate to be able to be a part of the journey each of my clients are on. Savor the day, my friends. I know I will. J. #ChefJLooney #FoodIsLife #KnowYourFood #ChangeYourFoodChangeYourLife

[chefjlooney]

Sore throat cure. Yeah, it's ramen. Plus a bunch of awesomeness. Heat a little sesame oil in a sauce pan. Add two cloves of minced garlic, and sautee for 1 minute. Add some sambal olek chili paste, and sautee for 1 more minute. Add water and seasoning packet per directions, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, and some scallions. It'll fix you right up. #ChefJLooney #FoodIsLife #KnowYourFood #ChangeYourFoodChangeYourLife #FoodIsMedicine

[chefjlooney]

There are several reasons why I prefer to shop at local ethnic shops and spice markets for my ingredients - supporting the local economy, higher-quality product, better flavors, and more. One of my favorite reasons, though? Price. This bag of cinnamon sticks would have cost three or four times this much at one of the major grocery store chains. By buying at the local spice market, I get better spices and better price. Savor the day, J. #ChefJLooney #FoodIsLife #KnowYourFood #ChangeYourFoodChangeYourLife

[chefjlooney]

This is one gallon of vanilla extract. It's been steeping for over 5 years. It's the best vanilla extract many people will ever taste, and the few people that have can no longer enjoy anything else. Any other vanilla extract they've tried simply isn't good enough any more. Their bar has been raised. When I first started this extract, I started with 25 if the very best vanilla beans I could find, and then carefully split them lengthwise, scraped every last bit of pulp from each one, and added it to the jug. Then I added my own blend of top-shelf spirits to began extracting all the wonderful favor and essence from the beans. I sealed the jug, and put it away for a year. That's right, before I ever poured off a single tablespoon, I let it work for a year. There's well over 100 beans in there now, as each time I draw a little off, I add a few beans to bring the flavor back up to where it should be. You see, some things just take time. You can't rush them. You've got to be patient, and trust the process. It's like that in life, too - some things just take time, and allowing the process to work its magic. And once that magic is in motion, you can draw from it as often as you need to, as long as you replenish what you took. As we're approaching the start of another year, many of you will make resolutions. The harsh reality is that only a very select few of you will follow through with this resolutions, and your next year will be better. For the rest of you, the year will pass in much the same way this one did. The very few of you that commit, do the work every day, and then trust the process will find that everything you've ever wanted or dreamed of is right there waiting for you on the other side. Decide what you want for this new year. Commit. Do the work. Reap the reward. Savor the day, my friends. J. #ChefJLooney #FoodIsLife #KnowYourFood #ChangeYourFoodChangeYourLife #YouCanLearnALotFromYourFood

[chefjlooney]

How to cook a steakhouse-quality steak at home, every time. Just another day teaching students how to eat exceptionally well. #NUTR3620 @universityofutah #chefjlooney #steak #chimichurri #rare

[chefjlooney]

Street tacos with strawberry sriracha and chile lime aioli, because left over smoked turkey. #thanksgiving #chefjlooney #leftovers #streettacos

[chefjlooney]

Cut by hand, too. #chefjlooney #cheflife #knifeskills #makeitwork #guerrillachef

[chefjlooney]

The view from my kitchen this morning. For the next 10 days I'm cooking for the U.S. Ski Team in Vail, CO. #chefjlooney @usskiteam #personalchef #fortunate #goodthingscometothosewhoworktheirassoff