Buckwheat Double Dark Chocolate Brownie Cookies stacked

Buckwheat Double Dark Chocolate Brownie Cookies

These buckwheat double dark chocolate brownie cookies are rich, decadent, and sure to satiate even the most severe chocolate craving! So often when you hear the phrase “healthy dessert” you run for the hills conjuring up visions of dry, bland baked goods made with too little butter or not enough

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Turkey And Black Bean Chili

This protein-packed turkey black bean chili recipe is filled with sweet, smoky flavors and is sure to impress. This crowd-pleaser is ideal for your next game day party or meal prep! A high-quality protein diet is important, whether you’re looking to curb hunger, repair muscle tissue, or prevent muscle loss

Egg Ham and Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches

Egg, Ham, and Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches

Protein packed and just 320 calories each, these satisfying breakfast sandwiches are ideal for making-ahead, freezing, and popping in the microwave whenever the mood strikes.  Today I’m excited to share one of my meal prepping favorites, that only uses four ingredients! These Egg, Ham, and Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches are perfect for making

Hushwee with Rice Pilaf 1

Lebanese Hushwee Rice

An easy one-pan meal, Lebanese Hushwee Rice is a beef and rice mixture and is a Lebanese staple made with cinnamon, toasted pine nuts, and rice pilaf cooked in clarified butter. Naturally gluten-free, this is the ultimate comfort food!  One of my go-to’s on a busy weeknight, this Lebanese Hushwee

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New England Hermit Cookie Bars

Discover the ultimate hermit cookie bars! With a delightful resemblance to gingerbread cookies, these delectable treats boast a soft and chewy texture, crafted with a harmonious blend of ginger, molasses, and raisins. For those that know me, know that I’m a bigger fan of savory than sweet. So baked goods

Sesame chicken and napa cabbage stir fry

Sesame Chicken & Napa Cabbage Stir-Fry

This quick and easy Sesame Chicken & Napa Cabbage Stir-Fry is the perfect solution for the busy week-night cook. Quick and easy stir-fry recipes are the perfect dinner for the busy week-night cook. I love the fact that you can squeeze in several servings of vegetables without offending even the

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Shabbat Challah Bread (with Video)

The BEST challah bread recipe you’ll find, I’ll show you step-by-step how to make my Grandmother’s famous six-strand challah bread, perfect for the Jewish Sabbath or weekend French toast. This challah bread recipe hails from my Ema Ljuba, my Bubbe on my dad’s side, who is the matriarch of the

Sausage and Kale Pasta with White Beans

Sausage and Kale Pasta with White Beans

The ultimate 20-minute weeknight dinner, this hearty sausage and kale pasta with white beans is made with whole grain pasta, sweet Italian sausage, kale, and creamy white beans. Kids can be picky eaters – one day they love a food, the next day they hate it. But can you guess

Healthy pumpkin waffles

Healthy Pumpkin Waffles

These hearty whole wheat healthy pumpkin waffles are protein-packed and full of warm spices including cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves. Fall is officially in the air and I couldn’t be more excited! Pumpkins are starting to pop up at the farmers market, leaves are starting to change colors, and we

Chicken tortilla soup with hominy 2

Chicken Tortilla Soup with Hominy

This nourishing bowl of chicken tortilla soup with hominy is brimming with Mexican flavors and packed with vitamins and minerals. It’s always soup season in my house, but I will admit I get especially excited about soup when the temps start to dip here in Michigan. As the weather has

Quinoa Pilaf with Mirepoix

Quinoa Pilaf with Mirepoix

A simple yet delicious side dish, this Quinoa Pilaf with Mirepoix is vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free! I like to keep things interesting at our dinner table by not always serving the same old sides of rice or salad. If a side is simple enough that I can focus most of

Serving pumpkin cream cheese bars

Perfect Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

These pumpkin bars are made with pumpkin puree and fall spices, then topped with cream cheese frosting. Easy to make and the perfect dessert for fall! Today’s dessert is perfect for fall and a great use of extra pumpkin you might have sitting around: Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Oven baked grilled cheese sandwiches

Sheet Pan Oven Baked Grilled Cheese

Perfect for feeding a crowd in a hurry, this no-mess Sheet Pan Oven Baked Grilled Cheese recipe is perfect for a weeknight lunch, after school snack, or quick dinner in between sports and other activities. Pairs perfectly with a warm bowl of soup! That fall chill is finally arriving in

Slow cooker apple butter

Slow Cooker Easy Apple Butter

Made with no added sugar, this easy slow cooker apple butter recipe can be prepped in as little as 10 minutes and is scented with cinnamon and other warm fall spices. Apple butter is one of those secret weapons in the kitchen of a health-conscious home cook. Naturally sweet yet

smoothie freezer bags

Make-Ahead Smoothie Freezer Bags

These make-ahead smoothie freezer bags are the perfect solution for a healthy breakfast you can sip and enjoy on-the-go. Simply add water or milk before blending! As a busy working mom with a demanding schedule, I am always looking for ways to be more efficient. Whether that’s meal planning, scheduling

Baked apple cider donuts

Baked Apple Cider Donuts

These light and fluffy baked apple cider donuts are full of apple spice flavor without any of the heavy grease you find in a traditional fried donut with a brown sugar topping. Confession? I’ve never been a huge fan of fried donuts. I didn’t grow up eating fried foods, and

Sasuage and eggplant baked pasta

Sausage and Eggplant Baked Pasta

Sausage and eggplant come together with creamy ricotta and tangy parmesan cheese to create an Italian American comfort dish classic. My husband’s family is Italian, so you can only imagine how sacred pasta is in our home. Italian food is eaten in our home as often as Lebanese food, as

Gluten free pumpkin pancakes

Gluten Free Pumpkin Pancakes

Light, fluffy, and packed with warm spices – these gluten free pumpkin pancakes with yogurt topping are delicious and 100% gluten free. Pancakes are one of my favorite go-to breakfasts. Not only are they easy to alter and customize, but they are quick and delicious! In fact, now that I

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Healthy Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins

These pumpkin applesauce muffins with real chunks of apples and walnuts are so light and fluffy, your family will have no idea they’re actually good for you! Apples are a big deal here in Michigan. In fact, my house is within just a few miles of countless apple farms. Sweet,

Slow Cooker White Bean Chicken Chili

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

This hearty, slow cooker white chicken chili combines chicken, white beans, green chilis and all of your favorite Mexican spices into a delicious, protein-packed dinner – perfect for busy weeknights. I love to have at least one slow cooker recipe on my meal plan for the week. Whether I have

Oven baked chicken tenders

Oven-Fried Chicken Tenders with Panko

These light and airy oven-fried chicken tenders provide a crunchy texture that isn’t fried and pairs perfectly with spicy mustard and sweet BBQ sauce for dipping. When my husband and I lived in Boston, we loved getting together with friends and family for dinner at Not Your Average Joe’s, a

Italian pasta salad

Italian Pasta Salad

This Italian pasta salad is the perfect portable meal for after school sports, lunchboxes, picnics or potlucks. It also makes an easy weeknight side dish recipe! Made with cubes of salami, mozzarella, artichoke hearts and veggies, the whole salad is tossed in a bright and flavorful red wine vinaigrette. With

Cuban black beans and rice

Cuban Black Beans and Rice

Cuban Black Beans and Rice is a simple, satisfying side dish packed with protein and bursting with Latin flavors like garlic, oregano, and cumin. One of the many reasons I love to travel is because it exposes me to cuisines from around the world. After recent visits to Miami and

Dipping crispy oven baked egg roll

Crispy Oven Baked Egg Rolls

These healthy and delicious homemade baked egg rolls are filled with a fragrant mixture of pork and vegetables and baked until crispy. You’d never know they aren’t deep fried! My boys absolutely LOVE egg rolls. However, they are often deep-fried which adds to some unhealthy fats and calories. My solution?

Blueberry kale power smoothie

High Protein Blueberry Kale Smoothie

This high protein powerhouse blueberry kale smoothie is full of antioxidants and plenty of protein to keep you full and satisfied until your next meal. I’m preparing for busy mornings with my boys as school gets back in session, and keeping us all well-fueled and full through the morning is

Chicken broccoli pasta with lemon butter sauce

Chicken Broccoli Pasta with Lemon Butter Sauce

Chicken broccoli pasta gets kicked up a notch with a simple white wine butter sauce bursting with fresh lemon flavor. Whenever I travel out of town, I like to stock the fridge with plenty of food and ready-to-eat meals that my husband can easily reheat for the boys. When hosting

Lebanese baked eggplant with beef 2

Lebanese Baked Eggplant With Beef

A healthier version of the popular Lebanese baked eggplant dish that is full of flavor thanks to toasted pine nuts, cinnamon, and tender eggplant. Eggplant is one of my favorite vegetables. I eat it almost every week, especially in the Summer when it is so readily available. Sautéed with soy and

Cherry vanilla smoothies

Cherry Vanilla Smoothie

This cherry vanilla smoothie blends together the sweet flavors of summer cherries and vanilla with the benefits of flaxseed meal and Greek yogurt. Summer in Michigan means cherries. Lots and lots of cherries. Did you know Michigan is the largest producer of tart cherries in the US? I have many

Greek Spinach Rice Side Dish Recipe

Greek Spinach Rice

Greek Spinach Rice is a 15-minute side dish recipe made with just a few simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. Perfect for serving with roast chicken, grilled lamb, or broiled fish. In need of a new, quick side dish? My Greek Spinach Rice recipe is a great way

chicken breast with soy marinade

Lemon Soy Marinated Chicken Breasts

Easy to prepare for yourself or a crowd, these lean lemon soy marinated chicken breasts can be grilled or broiled until tender and juicy. One can never have too many chicken recipes, am I right? We eat chicken at least 2-3 nights a week because it’s versatile, affordable, and packed

Almond flour berry muffins

Almond Flour Berry Muffins

Light, nutty, and moist – these gluten-free almond flour berry muffins taste amazing and are high in protein and low carb. Perfect for breakfast or a snack! Personally, I don’t follow a strict gluten-free diet. However, I have always believed in eating things in moderation as well as making foods

Chocolate peanut butter popcorn

Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn

Dark chocolate and natural peanut butter are melted then drizzled over freshly popped popcorn to create this fun and easy snack or dessert recipe! My kids are popcorn obsessed. Ok let’s be honest, our whole family is popcorn obsessed! Can you blame us? Easy to make, ready in minutes, crunchy, salty