Dec 11 2015
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 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 – […]
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 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 […]
“Spiralizing” vegetables is a thing now, did you know? In fact, there are now a variety of spiralizers on the market to do just that: they turn your garden-variety (bad pun intended) veggies into sexy vegetable ribbons. These glamorous vegetable ribbons are turning up everywhere these days. Most recently on my plate. The best thing […]
Jan 4 2015
Pro Mom Tip: If you call it “casserole” you can count on lots of exasperated sighing and lack of appetite come dinnertime. If you call the same dish “lasagna” they will come running when dinner is served. Four kids and nearly 27 years of parenting speaking here. In this lightened version of Tex Mex Lasagna I […]
Jan 4 2015
This is my “desert island” food. That is, “if you were stuck on a desert island and could only bring one food with you, what would it be?” Mine would be hummus. If I could sneak some baby carrots, celery and grape tomatoes, even better! Makes 2 cups. Ingredients: 2 14oz. cans low-sodium garbanzo beans, […]
Dec 31 2014
“Forgive me Father, for I have sinned,” I whispered as I put the delectable morsel in my mouth. I chewed slowly, the flavors unleashing an explosion of earthy, sweet, salty goodness in my mouth. If I have to do a little extra time in purgatory, it’ll be totally worth it, I thought. “You know, […]
Dec 27 2014
An evening watching a marathon of “Downton Abbey” was my inspiration to create a healthy, eat clean version of caramel corn. I enjoy the salty goodness of traditional popcorn, but I crave sweets, and I love the idea of creating a healthy version of something ridiculously indulgent such as caramel corn. Enjoy it with “Downton Abbey” or […]
If you’ve never cooked with herbes de provence, I encourage you to try it. Herbes de provence typically contain savory, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, oregano and, for the American market, lavender leaves. I mix it with olive oil, salt and pepper and simply rub it on the turkey breast before roasting. The smell while it’s cooking is intoxicating and the flavor it imparts is divine. I like to […]
Dec 22 2014
I texted my daughters “Wanna make truffles this year?” “YESSSSSSS!!!!” they enthusiastically responded. Making homemade truffles was a Christmas tradition in our house throughout their childhood, but since my weight loss 7+ years ago I haven’t made truffles or any of the other McKenna family favorite holiday treats that I did for so many years. […]
Dec 21 2014
This is one of my all-time favorite flavor combinations, and it couldn’t possibly be any easier to achieve! Even when I fail to plan ahead and defrost the lamb shanks, I can put them in the slow cooker still frozen on the lowest setting early in the day and still come home to this spicy, […]
Feliz Navi-dog from Stella! The days after Thanksgiving are a time of excitement as we begin the transition into Christmas or Hanukah mode (some of us faster than others). I’m not a shopper, so my idea of Black Friday is staring at the inside of my eyelids, leaving the lines and crowds to someone else. […]
Nov 30 2014
A few days after Thanksgiving and the leftovers are no more welcome than houseguests who have stayed just a little too long. I tossed everything but the leftover turkey I used for this recipe and the cranberry sauce. Besides the turkey, all the other ingredients were things I already had on hand, some because of Thanksgiving, […]
Nov 25 2014
BAM! I have got this Thanksgiving dessert thing figured out! Let me just say up front that I am a dessert fiend. I love them all: tarts, crisps, pies, cakes, cupcakes, cheesecakes, trifles, flans, glacees, gelatos, truffles … you get the picture. I love making them, I love eating them, and I love the leftovers […]
Nov 23 2014
When Rob and I got married one of the first gifts he gave me was The New Housekeeping Cookbook (such an optimist, isn’t he?). In it I found what would become a staple for our newlywed dinners, especially those first few cold winters when we lived in Chicago. I’m talking about Beef Stroganoff. All those years ago […]
Nov 19 2014
This is a recipe makeover of my infamous (in my own mind anyway) Vegan Thumbprint Cookies that I’ve been making for years. This new version’s still vegan, but because I’m doing a metabolic detox and my doctor’s got me off of gluten, I had to redo the recipe without using the whole wheat flour that […]
Nov 16 2014
Who doesn’t love Chicken Parm? It’s classic comfort food, but it doesn’t have to be super fattening. I modified traditional Chicken Parm by cutting back on the cheese, but other than that it’s the same dish you’ve always loved. Serves 4. Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 cup breadcrumbs 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese […]
Nov 16 2014
Yes, I said chocolate … and peanut butter! Did I mention they’re gluten-free and completely vegan?!?! Boom! These crowd-pleasing muffins couldn’t be any easier. I sprinkle dark chocolate chips on them for an extra-decadent touch. Makes 9 muffins. Ingredients: 1 cup creamy peanut butter (or nut butter of choice) 2 very ripe bananas 1/4 cup maple syrup […]
Nov 11 2014
This is a beautiful salad to serve at a holiday gathering or anytime you want to serve a fresh, seasonable vegetable in the fall or winter. It’s colorful and light; a perfect complement to nearly any dish. Serves 8. Ingredients: 1 lb. brussels sprouts, trimmed, halved and cored 6 kale leaves, stripped of stems 1 […]
I’ve been wracking my brain trying to come up with a healthier way to make quiche. Everybody loves quiche, whether you’re entertaining or just making a simple Sunday breakfast for the fam. The magic of this recipe is the quinoa crust. It’s got a nutty taste that’s a departure from the standard pie crust, and […]
Nov 2 2014
Ditching the tortilla (or rice, or bread, or pita, or naan) in favor of a crisp, fresh lettuce leaf is one of the easiest ways to cut calories and carbs from your favorite wrap. After all, the tortilla (or rice … or bread) is just a way to hold the delicious stuff inside! The yummy stuff inside this […]
Oct 29 2014
Not only does this sound like a cozy way to warm up on a chilly fall day, it’s a delicious way to do it too! I’ve done a “healthy make over” of a popular soup recipe to drop calories and fat, so we can enjoy this comforting favorite without wrecking our healthy living goals. After all, sweaters […]