Juicy tomatoes, briny olives, and nutty pine nuts are the perfect complement to whole wheat pasta in this bright and fresh pasta salad. My beautiful mother is the queen of pasta salads. Every summer she makes them for family gatherings or lazy days at the cottage on Lake Michigan. The …
Roasted red peppers and smoked paprika are the perfect complements to making your own traditional hummus. Ready in 15 minutes. After a long winter here in Michigan, there is nothing better than finally being able to entertain outdoors. From pool parties to beach-side picnics to backyard BBQ’s, we will take …
Tart apples, crunchy radishes, and a sweet and spicy vinaigrette all come together to create a healthy and refreshing slaw recipe perfect for BBQ season. I don’t want to jinx myself but I think it is safe to say that grilling season has finally arrived! After a ridiculously long winter, …
Save time and stress in the morning by putting together overnight oats the night before! As the weather warms up, I love trading my usual warm bowl of oatmeal for a cool and refreshing jar of overnight oats. Anyone that knows me well knows that I have a mild obsession …
Cheesy brown rice, black beans and fresh salsa make the perfect bed for fried eggs. Fresh cilantro and chopped scallions add a burst of flavor. Do you ever create a meal spur of the moment and realize after the first bite it’s one of the best things you’ve eaten in …
Fried Eggs with Cheesy Brown Rice, Beans and Salsa Read More »
A hearty and satisfying bowl of steel cut oats are sweetened naturally with juicy strawberries and ripe bananas. Steel-cut oats remind me of my childhood. My mommy made them for us regularly and I always loved the chewy texture and nutty flavor that you simply don’t get from old fashioned …
Strawberry Banana Steel Cut Oats with Chia Seeds Read More »
Fresh tabbouleh flavors get an added boost of protein from chickpeas, feta cheese and whole wheat pasta to make this a delicious side dish or entree salad. Happy Monday Everyone! Today is the big day – I am in Los Angeles to attend the Live Finale of Biggest Loser Season …
A step by step guide on how to freeze and reheat pancakes in 5 steps! This time and money-saving hack is easy to prepare and reheat! Pancakes and the weekend are synonymous. Warm, sweet, comforting, and satisfying – nothing quite says “Happy Sunday!” like a giant stack of fluffy pancakes. …
Juicy mango and creamy coconut milk add delicious flavor to this healthy and delicious smoothie packed with vitamins and nutrients. Did I make this recipe for St. Patrick’s Day? No. Do I love the fact that it just happens to line up with the time of year that everyone is …
Shredded zucchini and carrots add moisture and sweetness to this healthy and delicious cocoa-rich bread. Between my busy work/travel schedule and the long snowy days spent indoors, I have been cooking and baking up a storm over the weekends to get a head start on the week ahead. A freezer …
These moist, flavorful pumpkin spice donuts are baked and not fried, contain NO OIL OR WHITE SUGAR and are also packed with protein, nutrients, and fiber. I am embarrassingly excited about the fact that these Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts were made without any oil, butter or white sugar. All you …
Chewy, nutty barley is topped with fruit, nuts and a hint of cinnamon to create a hearty and satisfying breakfast – perfect for cold mornings. Oatmeal is my go-to breakfast grain but after making a big batch of barley recently I figured it was time to think outside of the …
Hearty blueberry oatmeal bread gives the classic French toast a healthy recipe makeover. After a busy week of green smoothies and oatmeal, nothing says “Happy Weekend!” like a leisurely French toast breakfast with my husband and our little guy. Of course, you know I can’t make French toast without putting …
Protein-packed black beans pair with chewy, nutty barley to create a satisfying and delicious salad or meatless main dish. The best part of the indulgent holiday season is that after a few days of eating heavy, traditional foods we all crave clean, nourishing, whole foods. To save precious time, I …
Farmer’s cheese is rich and creamy when melted and pairs perfectly with tart, crisp apple slices. A chill is in the air and when I need a dose of comfort, nothing makes me feel more cozy than a warm grilled cheese sandwich. My Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Apples and Farmer’s …
Hearty soup made with butternut squash and beans seasoned with cinnamon and cumin. Is it just me or did November sneak up on us?? As tempting as it is to throw on yoga pants and hide underneath baggy sweaters while we drink eggnog, we have worked too hard all year long to …
These quinoa cakes with hummus come together with bright veggies to form a protein-packed appetizer, side or vegetarian main. What happens when you mix quinoa with veggies and use hummus to bind everything into precious little patties? Magic, my friends– delicious, vegetarian, protein-packed magic. Of course, you could very easily …
Steel cut oats are flavored with pure maple syrup, chopped walnuts and crisp apples to create a bowl of breakfast perfection. Is there anything better than pure, fresh maple syrup? Golden in color and caramel in flavor, it is one of my favorite ways to naturally sweeten muffins, yogurt, pancakes and …
Full of protein and ready in 3 minutes, this healthy breakfast sandwich is perfect for busy mornings and the ideal breakfast to-go. The McDonald’s Egg McMuffin has a special place in my heart. When my sisters and I were little, my Aunt Paula and Uncle Randy would move in with us while …
Silky cauliflower soup gets a creamy, tangy flavor boost from plain yogurt which pairs perfectly with dried mint and toasted pine nuts. Brisk Fall days practically beg for a satisfying bowl of warm soup. As a proud member of Stonyfield Organic’s Clean Plate Club, I decided to create a recipe using local, …
Homemade applesauce is as easy as pie thanks to fresh, locally grown apples and a slow cooker that does all the work. When I tell you making healthy and delicious applesauce from scratch could not be any easier, it literally could. not. be. easier. Apple season is in full swing …
The rich, nutty texture of whole wheat pearl couscous is the perfect match for toasted pine nuts, crunch cucumbers, and salty feta. Life is too short to eat boring salads. Is a garden salad with grilled chicken healthy? Of course. Does it get old after a few days? You betcha’! …
Rich, creamy and full of protein and fiber to keep you full until lunch or between meals. As a gal who grew up eating buckwheat pancakes and bulgur wheat pilaf, I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to announce a Bob’s Red Mill giveaway! Whether you’re looking to eat more whole …
If you celebrate Meatless Monday, follow a vegetarian diet or simply want to save money and calories by eating less meat, my Garlicky Pasta with Swiss Chard and Beans is for you! Feel free to experiment with various leafy greens such as spinach or kale. No cannelini beans? Navy or …
Protein-packed pancakes with oats and blueberries to give you lasting energy throughout the morning. Great post-workout! It’s almost noon and I’m not starving. As a nursing mama who exercises regularly, my life pretty much revolves around my next meal. Today’s recipe is my latest attempt at creating a protein-packed breakfast …
This pasta and beans recipe is an easy to make meal that is both favorable and filling. The beans and pasta give you a winning combination of both protein and carbohydrates. As my little guy nears his first birthday, it is becoming very clear that he is no longer interested …
The freezer is your friend when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Today’s recipe was inspired by one of my freezer favorites: frozen veggie burgers. Pop it in the microwave for a minute and lunch is done. Here are a few other items I keep on hand in the freezer all …
This mashed cauliflower side dish has the creaminess from yogurt combined with the subtle bitterness of the kohlrabi to make this dish shine. Recently, I was reading an article in People Magazine about Paula Deen’s journey to lose 30 pounds after being diagnosed with Type II diabetes. One line, in particular, stood …
A lighter version of your favorite restaurant chain’s dish, these Asian vegetarian lettuce wraps are quick and easy to prepare for and have lots of flavor. Perfect for any weeknight meal! PF Chang’s recently opened a restaurant in my town and you would think they were handing out free facelifts …
Kohlrabi is delicious roasted, stir-fried or served raw with hummus or dip. Growing up, my mother would often have slices of apples and sharp cheddar cheese waiting for me and my sisters after school. This tasty combination is the ideal mid-day snack because it is slow to digest and doesn’t …
Roasted red peppers are a delicious, sweet addition to salad and so easy to make at home. In fact, once you realize how easy it is you will never buy those tiny, overpriced jars at the grocery store again! There are several ways to roast peppers are home: over the …
As you probably know by now, oatmeal with fresh fruit is my favorite breakfast. In the winter months, I often rely on frozen berries but in the Summer I love to let my local farmer’s market guide my morning bowl of oats. Here in Michigan we are in the heat …
