Dec 11 2015
Dec 11 2015
Nov 26 2015
Posted November 26, 2015 Our yellow lab Stella is so much a part of our family I couldn’t imagine leaving her out of the Thanksgiving celebration. She loves the Homemade Peanut Butter Bacon treats I make for her, but when I found this recipe I knew I had to try it. No surprise, she loves these! […]
Nov 15 2015
This recipe is a surprisingly perfect combination of savory and unexpected sweet (from the orange marmalade and dried apricots!) ingredients that nestle so nicely into a big bed of greens (or if you’re my kids, tucked into a round of warm naan bread). Delicious! Ingredients: 1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt 2 T low-sugar orange marmalade 1 […]
Nov 8 2015
I’m getting a jump on my after-Thanksgiving meal planning with this nutritious, yet drop-dead delicious soup. Use the leftovers from the turkey, or roast a turkey breast and make it anytime! Serves 4. Ingredients: 3 T extra virgin olive oil 2 large onions, halves and thinly sliced 1 tsp sea salt 8 cups chopped kale (I […]
I have yet to taste a no-bake energy bite that I don’t like. And really, if you start with “clean” ingredients the end result can’t go wrong. In this version I combine my favorite fall flavor (pumpkin) with my all-time fave, chocolate. Makes 16 balls. Serving size: 2 balls. Ingredients: 1 cup pumpkin puree 2 scoops […]
Sep 19 2015
I gotta come clean: I’ve been in a cooking rut for a while now. Oh sure, I cook pretty healthy meals and snacks for my family and myself, but my repertoire of recipes has started to seem ho hum lately. Typically we start eating heavier dishes in the colder months – often with more calories. […]
Sep 10 2015
I’ll admit it: I’m late to the kale party. The whole foodie world’s been hip to kale craze for several years now, but up until recently the enthusiasm for the much-touted “queen of greens” eluded me. It’s not that I didn’t believe those who extolled her virtues – kale’s anti-inflammatory properties, powerful antioxidants and impressive […]
Sep 7 2015
End of summer scenario: You’ve got a zucchini in your garden that’s as big as a baseball bat. What to do with it? Suggestion: Make it into a healthy treat for your family and you to enjoy! Grate that puppy and you’ll have a head start on some yummy banana zucchini loaves. Enjoy one now and […]
Sep 6 2015
As much as I hate to bid farewell to summer I adore the warm and colorful flavors of fall. This stew is a perfect match for a cozy Sunday night dinner on a crisp fall day. Spanish chorizo is slightly different from Mexican chorizo, so use Spanish if you can find it. Its slightly sweet, […]
These yummy pancakes aren’t just high-protein (15g) and low-carbohydrate (3g) , they’re also low-sugar (less than 1g) and only 128 calories … for all three! As far as breakfast options go, these pancakes stack up in a way that almost nothing else can. Their subtle nutty flavor is due to the Toffee Crunch flavored Nuts […]
Jul 3 2015
No matter where you’re headed this weekend – heck, even if you’re staying home – there will be holiday food involved in your festivities. But it’s time to declare our independence from the usual, unhealthy summer celebratory foods. And let’s be honest, George Washington probably wasn’t eating a foot-long hot dog and potato salad when […]
Jul 3 2015
This revved-up, high-protein version of the all-American classic is a fresh take on succotash. Don’t get me wrong, I love lima beans, but edamame and basil really amp up the flavor here. Make it ahead of time to take it with you to your summer barbeque or potluck. It’s a guaranteed hit! Makes 8 servings. […]
Jun 28 2015
Confession: I use my family as guinea pigs for my recipes. I figure, they’ve gotta eat anyway, right? Might as well put them to use as my taste testers and critics. And believe me, they will tell me if they don’t like something. Fortunately, this one was a big hit. Given the way they gobbled […]
Perfect to take to a summer potluck or picnic, this (slightly) healthier version of brownies has a tangy goat cheese layer swirled in with a chunky dark chocolate brownie. Goodness gracious, these are addictive! Ingredients for Goat Cheese Layer: 8 oz. goat cheese, softened to room temperature 1 T honey 1 egg 1 T gluten-free […]
Jun 26 2015
I love fruit salsas. They’re fresh and zippy, and can bring a little needed zing when topping ordinary chicken or fish. I like to plop about a cup of this salsa (along with some goat cheese and sliced almonds) onto a bed of greens for a super simple “fast food” weeknight dinner. Makes 3 cups. […]
I know, I know … it’s not terribly healthy, but giving our beloved Stella a homemade peanut butter and bacon dog treat every now and then is a way for me to vicariously enjoy two of my favorite foods without the calories (for me, anyway). My daughter Katie has been making these delightful doggie treats for […]
Truthfully, I’ve been looking for an excuse to make brownies. I also happen to have a very ripe avocado on hand, as well as some avocado oil. I figured, “Meh, what have I got to lose?” And honestly, how bad could it be if there’s chocolate involved? Fortunately these luscious brownies are considerably better than […]
Jun 12 2015
No real reason why this particular salad earns the designation of “50 shades of greens”; I guess I just thought it was funny. But truthfully, this is my favorite way to make a basic green salad. There is no simpler dressing and the cheese crisps make it feel like it’s something really special when, in […]
Sunday mornings were made for pancakes! But white flour pancakes loaded with butter and syrup have been off my menu for a very long time. To come up with a healthier alternative I turned to a staple in my kitchen: vanilla protein powder. I served these pancakes to my family on a recent Sunday morning […]
Jun 3 2015
This recipe makes a week’s worth of lunches in one batch. Each day I add to it half of a fresh-diced avocado and some protein, such as leftover chicken or salmon. In a pinch, I’ve always got a single-serve pouch of albacore tuna in the pantry, so that works too. Makes 6 servings. Ingredients: 6 […]
May 24 2015
Is there ever a bad time to eat wild Alaskan salmon? Not when you’re from the Pacific Northwest, like I am. Every May, news stations cover the arrival of the much-anticipated Copper River salmon from Alaska (on its own airplane, no less). This particularly fatty and flavorful salmon is only in season for a few […]
May 24 2015
I love almost any kind of grain made into hot cereal. If you haven’t tried my Quinoa Breakfast Bowl recipe I encourage you to try it. Buckwheat, despite its name, is not even related to wheat. In fact, buckwheat is a gluten-free seed. You can buy it toasted, which gives it a slightly nutty taste, […]
May 20 2015
It’s time to lighten things up, and what better time than when peaches and nectarines show up at the grocery store and farmers’ markets? Add chicken to this salad if you’d like; either way it’s delicious! Serves one. Ingredients: 2 cups mixed baby greens 1 peach (or nectarine), sliced ¼ cup Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled ¼ […]
May 17 2015
Watercress is a delicate spring green that pairs surprisingly well with steak. My favorite time to make this salad is when I’ve got just a few slices of grilled steak leftover from a previous dinner, making it so simple to throw together on a busy weeknight. Ingredients: 3 ounces grass-fed, organic flank steak, trimmed 1/4 […]
May 10 2015
Raise your hand if you’re not ravenous by 4 o’clock in the afternoon. So nobody, right? This hearty yet nutritious snack will not only see you through till dinner, but it’s eye-pleasing presentation will make you smile. Serves one. Ingredients: 1 whole grain wrap 1/4 cup full-fat plain Greek yogurt 1/3 of a cucumber, sliced […]
Apr 29 2015
I should be embarrassed by how easy this salad is. I should be, but I’m not. It’s not even really a “recipe” so much as a combination of things I had on hand when I was hungry. Because I get fresh, organic produce delivered to my door weekly, I’ve always got lots of goodies around […]
Apr 22 2015
Me, serving dinner: “The salmon has kale pesto on it.” Rob: “I thought pesto was made with basil…” Me: “If it’s green, you can pretty much make pesto out of it.” Rob: “Do I need to put a lock on the yard waste bin?” I don’t know why it never occurred to me to make […]
Apr 19 2015
The other day my BFF texted me a picture of her dinner. (Do other people do that with their BFFs too? We do it all the time.) She said she was trying to replicate a salad she’d had in a restaurant not long before, but naturally – being the amazing cook that she is – […]
Apr 15 2015
This is my all-time favorite post-workout recovery drink. Sure, we could drink chocolate milk, but why would we when we’ve earned this?!? Serves one. Ingredients: 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 1 cup frozen mixed berries 1 T all-natural peanut butter 1 1/2 cups very cold water Directions: Place all ingredients in blender; mix well.
You might think I’d get tired of drinking this smoothie (almost) every day for breakfast for the past several years, but I don’t. Every day I look forward to it; it’s sweet and satisfying, and I love the flavor combination of mango and banana. The chia and ground flax seeds give it fiber, antioxidants and […]
Apr 12 2015
I’ve been enjoying Butter Chicken at my favorite Indian restaurant for years, but it’s not always convenient to go there to get it (read: some nights I’d rather be in my PJs by 7pm rather than driving somewhere to get take-out). Fortunately the ingredients for this dish are always on hand so it’s just as […]
I may be getting ahead of myself (what else is new), but I just can’t help it. The onset of spring has already got me longing for the warmer days of summer which, for me, means a gigantic salad for dinner every night. My favorites are the ones where I start with a huge bed […]
Mar 27 2015
Because I’m ever so slightly addicted to my Black Bean Soup and make it every week, I always have fresh pico de gallo on hand. I’m not gonna lie; making pico takes time. So many veggies to chop! But once you’ve got that done, this salad is a snap because most of the heavy lifting […]
Mar 19 2015
The number of ways you can switch this up to suit your and your family’s taste is limited only by your own imagination and your taste buds. I used Yukon Gold potatoes, onion and asparagus because that’s what my home-delivery organic produce source dropped on my doorstep this week. Maybe next week I’ll have carrots […]
Mar 15 2015
This is so unglamorous it’s not even funny. But truthfully, this is the kind of stuff my family eats. This is typical Sunday night fare for us. It’s loaded with tex-mex flavors and veggies, and the best part is that it can be repurposed as the filling for tacos or on a taco salad later […]
Mar 11 2015
I have impulse control problems, so waiting until summer for a delicious chicken salad is just not happening! This lightened up version of chicken salad is delicious on a bed of greens, between two slices of bread or try a big scoop on top of a baked sweet potato like I did! Sweet and savory in […]
Feb 18 2015
Okay, “world-famous” might be a stretch, but when my family and I showed up at my dad’s house after a long day of traveling and were greeted at the door with the smell of this amazing chili it became an instant hit! My dad has a friend who is a hunter, and because he knows […]
Feb 11 2015
Is there anything better than homemade Cinnamon Apple-Pear Sauce, served up warm with Sunday brunch or for dessert? I use raw, organic agave nectar as the sweetener, but try other natural sweeteners if you prefer. My inspiration came because I had an abundance of both pears and apples on hand because of my organic produce home-delivery […]
Feb 8 2015
The dreary days of winter seem to call for the spicy, rich flavors of New Orleans. Cajun seasonings are earthy and comforting; three different proteins make jambalaya tasty and satisfying. In this recipe I use long grain brown rice instead of white rice, upping the fiber. I like to make this on a Sunday afternoon […]
To say I was thrilled to find a healthy – and delicious! – gluten-free pancake and waffle mix is an understatement. To make it dairy-free too, I used almond milk instead of regular milk and coconut oil in place of the butter. The result is a sweet, nutty healthy pancake (or waffle) fit to serve […]
Feb 6 2015
Un-sloppy Joes in lettuce cups Un-sloppy Joes atop portobello mushroom caps This comfort food makeover is a great addition to your recipe repertoire for two reasons: it’s healthy (buffalo is as lean as ground turkey yet the taste is virtually indistinguishable to beef), and it’s versatile. I call it “Un-sloppy Joes” because I eat it either in a […]
Jan 30 2015
A fun take on traditional chili with the addition of Bloody Mary mix and spicy Montreal steak seasoning, this chili is also made healthier by using lean ground buffalo instead of beef. Makes 8-10 hearty servings. Ingredients: 1 T olive oil 2 stalks celery, diced 1 onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, chopped 3 pounds ground […]
Jan 28 2015
As part of the detox I started last fall, I’ve been drinking this low-sugar, low-carb protein drink every morning. It’s packed with anti-oxidants and good-for-you protein. I add cinnamon for it’s anti-inflammatory properties (and it tastes good), but pumpkin pie spice works too. Make it with water or unsweetened almond milk for a powerful start […]
I realized a few months ago that I was suffering from an energy crisis. Starting first thing in the morning, I would begin jacking myself up on caffeine just to feel human. After a couple cups of coffee I’d be good to go for the morning, but by mid afternoon I was dragging again, barely able to […]
Jan 19 2015
For all our talk about eating more fruits and vegetables, Americans are still eating a dismal percentage of their diets from the produce aisle. In fact, even though we’re told to get nine servings of fruit and vegetables daily to meet the minimum RDA, most of us have a hard time getting in five. Nine […]
It’s worth getting a spiralizer, if for no other reason than to spiralize beets. Roasting whole beets can take more than an hour; roasting spiralized beets takes five minutes. You heard me, five minutes! This recipe can be easily upgraded to a main course by adding cooked chicken. Or do what I do – eat […]
Jan 11 2015
My BFF has been raving about a Rosemary Sage Butternut Squash Soup (recipe here) she found on www.serenityinthestorm.com. One of these days I must try it, for sure! One dreary January weeknight recently I was wishing I had a bowl of that soup, but I didn’t have all the ingredients. Seeing as I’m the Laziest […]
Jan 11 2015
My new vegetable spiralizer is in big demand in my kitchen! I’ve had success with making zucchini “ribbons” which I put to good use in my “Chicken with Zucchini Ribbons and Avocado Pesto” so I thought I’d start testing other vegetables to see what I could come up with. Here I used a sweet potato […]