Meet the Blogger: Allison Diaz

Eating healthy can taste good and be a lot of fun. For evidence, look no further than Allison Diaz's recipe and cooking blog "Fit Food By Al." The health conscious wife and fitness buff also operates a catering business. She recently began penning a blog for Westchase Patch where you can find her delicious recipes on Mondays. Here, Diaz tells Patch a little about her background and what motivates her to keep cooking.

Patch: When did you begin your blog?

Diaz: I started to blog in July 2010. When my husband was working late one night, I had dinner plated ready to go and I decided to take a picture of our dish and posted it to facebook. I ended up getting a responses & questions about where the recipes could be found along with very kind and encouraging compliments on the dishes. Slowly, I began to post more often and with the flow of the interest in my dishes, I decided to start a blog with recipes to show that eating healthy is not as difficult as people may think.

Patch: Did you always know you wanted to provide health conscious food?

Diaz: We were always healthy eaters in general and an active family. My parents were always active in sports and working out. Around the mid 1990’s my mother made changes in her diet to help lower her cholesterol, this trickled down to all of the family because she began to cook with more healthful ingredients. I learned to eat healthy because of what was provided (food wise and knowledge wise) from my mom.

Patch: What is your must have ingredient?

Diaz: Chicken broth

Patch: We know that you love taking sinful recipes and turning them into a healthy indulgences, but what's your favorite truly sinful food?

Diaz: I have a terrible sweet tooth! so maybe some candy, licorice is definitely up there! We both love Mexican too, but we modify it so it’s healthy…so it’s not too sinful!

Patch: Your baked goods are really so fun. Where does the inspiration come from?

Diaz: It could be a commercial, or cooking show, maybe a picture I see in line at the grocery store, or just colors that inspire me to want recreate what I saw but on a cake or cupcake! Sometimes I see beautiful work that other talented people create then I want to add my little twist to it. I believe you should give credit where credit is due, there are so many wonderfully talented people out there so I thank them for inspiring me!

Patch: What would you say to a person who claims they don't have time to cook healthy food?

Diaz: A common misunderstanding I hear often is that eating healthy means ‘diet food’. Healthy prepared food is not difficult. It’s more of a commitment and lifestyle. There are countless ways to make natural or healthy substitutions (like fruits, veggies, juices) that add tons of flavor to food. Some dishes can be time consuming but there are TONS that are not! There are so many tasteful shortcuts to create a meal that is healthy, simple, and leaves you feeling good about what you’ve eaten! Knowledge is power. Within this, there needs to be moderation as well (and exercise is a plus too!)

Find Allison Diaz's recipes Mondays on Westchase Patch in her  Also find her personal blog at: http://www.fitfoodbyal.com