These Taco Salad Jars make a healthy lunch or light dinner that’s so easy to transport! If you’re on the go and need something fast and easy to grab for a meal, salads in jars really could not be a better choice. Big jars, little jars, meat-based, vegetarian, summer veggies, autumn veggies—there are so many  [Continue reading...]

It may not officially be fall yet, but with September comes the back-to-the-grind routine of the new season. It’s easy to fall prey to the “I’m too busy to cook!” mantra that September ushers in, but I’m here to encourage you to press on, plan out some meals, and get in the kitchen! With busy  [Continue reading...]

I was talking with a friend the other day and she mentioned that she thinks lentils are an under-utilized ingredient. I couldn’t agree more. Inexpensive and quick cooking, lentils offer an excellent source of plant-based protein in addition to fiber, iron, magnesium, and B vitamins. Unlike other beans, lentils do not require soaking in advance.  [Continue reading...]

With soup season at its peak, what better time than right now to set supper on simmer and warm up with a bowl of nutritious minestrone? You can find my favorite minestrone recipe over at The Balanced Platter—I’m a regular contributor. Of course, a soup like this simply wouldn’t be as tasty without a crunchy  [Continue reading...]

Welcome, November! I’m sorry to say that October whizzed by with Superwoman speed, but that hasn’t stopped me from enjoying the gorgeous fall weather, seasonal foods, and pumpkin-laden farmers’ markets. Before the new month evaporates in a flurry of book events, holiday hustle and bustle, and fun cooking classes, it’s high time I post another hummus  [Continue reading...]

  I think of spring as the prelude to many things. Summer, for one. But also farmers’ markets and flip-flops. Thunderstorms and lemonade stands. Strawberry pies and fireworks. It’s also the beginning of picnic season. Nothing beats eating al fresco, especially in the midwest where we can only eat outside for a few months of the year  [Continue reading...]

Instead of traditional ground lamb or other meat filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes, I made this spin on Shepherd’s Pie a couple of weeks ago for a light and easy dinner. I left a little portion of the filling exposed in the photo above so you could see all the vegetable goodness tucked beneath  [Continue reading...]

Ah, the mighty lentil. So little credit given, so much deserved. A nutrient powerhouse, lentils offer an excellent source of fiber and plant-based protein along with vitamins and minerals. All that aside, they also lend themselves well to virtually any palette of flavors. Go Middle-Eastern with cumin and lemon zest. Try Tex-Mex with cilantro, lime, and  [Continue reading...]

  Some girls scour fashion magazines and watch the latest TV shows to keep up with what’s in style. Others spend hours in front of their bathroom mirrors matching the perfect shade of eyeshadow to their latest lipstick. Me? I follow food trends. What are celebrity chefs whipping up in their test kitchens? What are this week’s secret ingredients  [Continue reading...]

Last week’s kick-off of A Gluten-Free Holiday Celebration at Diet, Dessert, and Dogs was a blast. If you didn’t get a chance to stop by, I highly recommend you do! I submitted this post with a few tips on staying healthy during the holidays, along with links to some of my favorite healthy seasonal recipes. Yesterday the celebration of healthy food continued at  [Continue reading...]