By Dave Schreck

After watching the Westminster Dog Show a few weeks ago (how about that beagle?), I had to catch the latest winter storm update for the Boston area. By then it was past my bedtime. Since sleep deprivation is costly to one’s health, I woke up late, had no time to prepare breakfast (need to order more Zone products) and ended up at McDonald’s.

“Good morning! How can we help you?”

“I’d like the Egg McMuffin.” (Of course, I would remove the top.)

“Would you like fries with that?”

“No thanks Well, could I have just five and a medium decaf?”

“Would you like to supersize that?”

“Ah, no thanks.”

Everyone’s in a hurry these days so who has the time to prepare a breakfast, lunch or dinner? Did you know that of all the money spent on food, 90 percent is spent on fast foods? These are the foods that have created the perfect nutritional storm — cheap refined carbohydrates, one of the ingredients that has created the epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes. The other two are cheap vegetable oil and decreased consumption of fish oil.

While the large corporations benefit the most, we pay the price, becoming fatter while we increase our risk of chronic disease. Let’s blame it on Ronald.

Would you like to loose a few pounds, improve blood work and get relief from your aches and pains? The answer lies in your kitchen and not through the drive-up window. Sure, with all of the other demands in my life, I have time to prepare a meal? Yes, with a little planning. To make simple and easy changes, you must plan ahead.

Here are two recipes that are quick and easy to prepare, taste great, are balanced and over time these home-prepared meals will improve your health and appearance.

Fusilli Italiana

Lynn’s Quick and Spicy Chicken