Kaci Oliver is a Foodtalk creator who posts wildly popular recipes that are delicious, easy to make and healthy. She is a registered dietitian and believes that small changes lead to big successes. Her recipes are not vegetarian or gluten free, but they do incorporate veggies and healthy substitutions. Kaci lives on a farm in North Carolina with her husband, two kids, and farm dog. You can find her on Foodtalk at Kaci: Thesouth tffgernrd where she is part of our Creator Rewards Program.
As a dietitian what are some of the easiest substitutions or ways people can make their meal a little healthier?
1. Incorporate more veggies! If one of your resolutions is to eat better then start looking and thinking for every meal you eat half your plate should be veggies. If it's too hard to use fresh veggies because they're scarce in your area or use frozen veggies.
2. Another simple swap is using greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise or sour-cream. I do this in my lightened up casserole recipes.
3. I also recommend using spaghetti squash and cauliflower rice instead of pasta or real rice. You can even find frozen cauliflower rice so it's not as hard ad time consuming to prepare.
How did you hear about Foodtalk?
I started posting recipes to my Instagram page and someone reached out to me in October of 2020.
What's your favorite part of being a contributor on Foodtalk?
Sharing recipes! I love being creative in the kitchen; it’s my hobby and relaxation me-time. Posting on Foodtalk has motivated me to spend more time in the kitchen creating new recipes. I challenge myself to cook 3 new recipes a month so my family doesn't have to eat the same meals over-and-over.
How has posting on Foodtalk benefited you?
It challenges me and also helped me gain new skills. I've now gotten into photography because of the pictures I take for my posts. It's something I didn't think of before.
What recipe do you wish more people would see and why?
Roasted frozen vegetables! They are so healthy and easy to make. You can take the recipe and use it with any vegetable you want. Many people have this misconception that frozen veggies are not as healthy or a "lazy option." However, frozen veggies are just as healthy if not healthier than regular veggies. Frozen veggies are picked at their ripest and the vitamins and nutrients are frozen up.
Kaci's Parmesan Green Beans and Tomatoes on Foodtalk
How do you get your child to eat veggies? And do you have any advice for parents dealing with picky eaters?
You can’t force it. Your job is provide the food, the child’s job is to eat it. Prepare a food they like with a new food you want them to try then put both on a plate and just give it to the child. The bigger deal you make about them eating it the more they won’t want to. Instead of making a big deal just put it on their plate again another day and keep trying until one day they try it. Whenever your child finally eats a food you've been trying to get them to eat don't make a big deal about that either. Just keep everything calm and casual.
If you got the chance to make dinner for your favorite celebrity who would you pick and what's on the menu?
Kevin Costner as John Dutton in Yellowstone. I would probably make him my old fashioned meatloaf with roasted broccoli and mashed potatoes. For dessert I'd make my southern fried apples. (In 2021, her Southern Fried Apples recipe was among the Top 10 Most Viewed recipes on our entire site.)
Kaci's Old Fashion Meatloaf on Foodtalk
What is your favorite recipe you've shared so far?
My personal favorite is my chicken casserole recipe because it's easy and comforting. It's also a little healthier than the average casserole recipe.
But my family and friends' favorite is my Peanut Thai Turkey Wraps. People really love this recipe and it's one of my most shared. I think if you're looking for a recipe you can add into the dinner shuffle than this is a good one to check out.
Kaci's Peanut Thai Turkey Wraps on Foodtalk
Do you have any New Year's Resolutions?
To be more present and more intentional. Juggling motherhood and working doesn't make it east to be intentional because you're always doing so much. This year I want to slow down, prioritize and focus. I want to dedicate more time to my passions and things I like doing.
Is there a creator on Hometalk, Foodtalk, or Upstyle who you think should be our next Creator of the Month? Let us know at christina@hometalk.com!
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