“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, […]
I’m a latecomer to the sriracha party, but if Time magazine were to pick a “Flavor of the Year” instead of a “Person of the Year,” I think sriracha would be the 2014 winner. It’s everywhere, and in everything. Once you try this simple recipe you’ll know why! Ingredients: 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth 1/4 […]
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 […]
Dec 26 2014
I’ve been drinking this detox tea every morning for months now and feel so much better than I did before. Don’t get me wrong, detoxing from caffeine was tough. But now that I’m off I can see how the caffeine / sugar roller coaster was messing with my energy level and moods all day long. Try […]
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 20 2014
Having always taken the easy way out and purchased ready-made pico de gallo, my current detox has got me scrutinizing ingredients in everything. What I found in making my own pico de gallo is that I can tailor it to my own tastes (more peppers, a little less jalapeño) and leave the veggies chunkier […]
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 14 2014
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 7 2014
Bananas are a great, grab-n-go snack that will do your body good any time of day. They’re naturally sweet and packed with potassium, but alone they may not provide the ideal mix of macronutrients to support your body-shaping and weight loss goals. Here’s how to upgrade your banana to a power snack, and really make […]
This recipe is literally faster than finding your car keys to go get take out. Well, it is if you’re me. Anyway, this super simple recipe is a great weeknight family favorite that pairs creamy peanut butter with crunchy snap peas. You can get the chicken cooked and all of the other ingredients prepped while […]
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 […]
Oct 22 2014
Put down that nasty protein bar! I know you’re in a hurry. I know you’ve got hungry mouths to feed. Me too! In addition to the “make ahead” versatility of this grab-n-go breakfast sandwich, there are nearly infinite ways you can put it together. Top it with smoked salmon for a super healthy yet decadent […]
Oct 19 2014
What could be more comforting than chicken pot pie? Traditional chicken pot pie has a pie crust on both the top and bottom, meaning it’s loaded with fat. Here we’ve not only substituted a lower fat biscuit for the pie crust, but replaced the starchy potatoes with turnips and added mushrooms for an earthy flavor. […]
Oct 17 2014
If you’re like most people, you’ve tried to change your health habits before. You’ve started and stopped diets and exercise plans at least once, if not many times in your life. You start each new plan or program with renewed zeal. You start out strong. You eat only 1200 calories per day (or less), you track your food, […]
What’s the best possible sandwich? One that has all of your favorite ingredients in it! By that definition then, this is my favorite sandwich. It’s vegetarian, but could easily benefit from the addition of roasted chicken or sliced turkey breast. Make a big batch of the Roasted Butternut Squash with Green Apples and Candied Walnuts […]
Oct 15 2014
I finally came up with a green smoothie that actually tastes good and is super healthy! The secret is to use frozen kale + banana and mango, which are super sweet. The result is a smoothie that is nutritious and filling, but even better it’s creamy and delicious! Ingredients: 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 1 […]
Oct 12 2014
Chicken Tikka Masala with basmati rice is a classic Indian dish that lends itself well to slow cooking. Having said that, this is more of a Sunday dish than a weeknight dinner, in my mind. Browning the chicken, onion and garlic ahead of time is not something I can handle at 7am on a weekday, […]
I’m always looking for shortcuts to cut my kitchen time and using the slow cooker is one of the best ways there is. I chopped up apples while I was making dinner tonight, tossed them in the slow cooker, crumbled up the topping, topped the apples with it, put the lid on the cooker and set […]
Oct 7 2014
Steel cut (Irish) oats are the least processed type of oat cereal. The toasted oat groats are simply chopped into chunks the size of a sesame seed. The nutritional profile of steel cut oats and old-fashioned rolled oats is virtually identical, but the slow-cooking nature of steel cut oats makes them a superior candidate for […]
Oct 5 2014
Fall means it’s time to break out the slow cooker! What could be better than putting a few ingredients in before leaving for work and coming home to a warm, comforting and healthy meal?! This one’s just as good as any takeout you’ll find, plus you control the ingredients, so you know it’s good for […]
Oh. I guess you were thinking this was going to be about the health benefits of oatmeal. That’s understandable. It’s not. It’s about THE Oatmeal. The Oatmeal is the website and comic drawn by very funny guy and fellow Pacific Northwest resident, Matthew Inman. My introduction to The Oatmeal came by way of a Twitter […]
Sep 15 2014
Lentils are lazy legumes. (How could I possibly have resisted saying that for “L”? I simply do not have that much self-control.) I mean yes, they’re really good for you. And yes, they come in lots of pretty colors. But as I pointed out in “Tales of the Laziest (Healthy) Cook in North America” I […]
Sep 12 2014
This is my variation on a popular green juice recipe. Do like I did; try lots of different combinations to come up with one that suits your palate. As long as your drink is primarily vegetables … and you love it! … you can’t go wrong! I don’t own a juicer, so I prep my […]
Sep 12 2014
I’m not willing to go so far as to say that fruit juice is junk food, but I will say, it’s not terribly helpful when you’re trying to lose weight. Fruit juice is high is sugar, and because it’s stripped of naturally occurring fiber, it goes down very quickly. Fiber slows down calorie consumption because […]
Sep 8 2014
Fabulous frozen foods fulfill your fit food fantasies! Try to say that three times fast! If you haven’t already guessed, today’s ABCs of weight loss are brought to you by the letter … The plethora of healthy convenience foods that are available in your average grocery store these days is nothing short of miraculous. Nowhere […]
Sep 7 2014
In the ABCs of weight loss, it’s hard to limit myself to just one “E” (… Exercise … Eat right) but if I must, then it’s gotta be Edamame! Edamame are a naturally low-fat source of protein and fiber. Buy them frozen, already shelled and simply drop them in boiling water for a couple of […]
Sep 5 2014
This salad is great on its own for lunch, as a side to chicken or fish for dinner, or over lettuce anytime! Edamame are high in protein and fiber, but low in fat. They’re also a great way to add vegetable protein to your diet. Ingredients: 16 oz. bag frozen, shelled edamame 1 English cucumber, […]
Sep 3 2014
More ABCs of weight loss, and if “A” is for avocado, then… … is for beets! Beets are on more “Top Superfoods” lists than I can count. There are scads of reasons to eat beets, and even more delectable ways to eat them. Let’s take a look! 5 reasons you can’t “beet” ‘em: Lower blood […]
Aug 29 2014
I feel like I’m reciting the words from Green Eggs & Ham when I’m talking about Caprese Salad. I would eat it on a plane; I would eat it on a train I would eat it in a car; I would travel near and far Whether you like it warm, cold, in a boat or […]
Aug 22 2014
Enjoy this sweet, crunchy salad in the waning days of summer. It can be served warm, cold or even room temperature. Try stuffing a corn tortilla with it and topping with a bit of cheddar cheese and a dollop of nonfat Greek yogurt for a vegetarian main dish! Ingredients: 4 ears of sweet corn on […]
Aug 15 2014
These usually have breadcrumbs and tons of cheese in them – then they’re fried in oil. Does it taste good? Pfffft, of course! Does it turn a perfectly good vegetable into something unhealthy? Yes! Instead, I reduced the amount of cheese, added quinoa rather than breadcrumbs, then cooked them in a nonstick skillet with olive […]
Jul 25 2014
You can make this using leftover coffee from your morning pot (not there’s ever any leftover at my house!) or use instant espresso powder, like I used here. Great afternoon pick-me-up on a hot summer day! Ingredients: 1 T instant espresso powder 1 cup boiling water 1 T no-calorie sweetener (such as Stevia) 1 cup […]
Jul 24 2014
These two ingredients can stand-alone and are among my favorites. Combined, they are to die for! Ingredients: 1 cup fresh or frozen mixed berries 8 oz. high-quality mixed berry Greek yogurt (such as Chobani or – my fave – Ellenos) Directions: Divide berries evenly among popsicle molds. Spoon yogurt over top of berries, place stick/handle […]
Jul 23 2014
This is perfect for blueberries and bananas that may be just a bit past their prime. Blend and enjoy! Ingredients: 1 overripe banana 1 cup blueberries 12 oz. can diet sparkling blueberry pomegranate juice (such as Ocean Spray) Directions: Put all ingredients in blender to combine until smooth. Divide mixture among popsicle molds, freeze and […]
Jul 22 2014
There aren’t many reasons I turn on my stove during the summer, but making lemon curd from fresh lemons is one of them! Lemon curd is a tart, sweet and magical addition to these fun popsicles. Ingredients: 1/3 cup unrefined organic coconut oil 2/3 cup sugar 2 eggs 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice 1/4 tsp […]