I grew up eating a lot of baked potatoes. It was one of my mother's go-to dinner starches that was easy to make for our family of 5. Nothing fancy, just a little butter and once-in-a-while, a bit of sour cream. Then, about 10 years ago, baked potatoes and baked potato skins rocketed themselves onto every restaurant menu. The big difference is that modern baked potatoes and skins are all about the decadent toppings, right? There's butter, sour cream, and lots of melted cheese. And, don't forget the bacon. A Modern, Loaded & Nutritious Baked Potato Yes, it's easy to put together a … [Read more...] about A Loaded Baked Potato & Other Nutritious Substitutions
How to Plan Meals with Variety and Flavor
One of the most common questions my clients ask me is how to get more variety in their meals. It's so easy to slip into a rut and then cook and eat the same things over and over again - right? For better nutrition, I always nudge clients, and myself, to plan a wide variety of foods into their weekly plan and here's how: List Making Phase With 7 days in one week, there's a neat level of variety that's not too hard to achieve. Try these tips to get your list together: Make a Weekly Favorites List which includes 3 dinner favorites. These can be chicken, beef, pork, tofu, vegetarian, … [Read more...] about How to Plan Meals with Variety and Flavor
Winter Vegetables Brighten Up Meals
Do you look forward to the vegetables that are in season in winter? It was a nice surprise when I walked into my local produce market in the last week of January. My expectations were low as this is not really the growing season of the year. As I looked at my choices, instead of feeling frustrated and limited, I easily found fresh ingredients that work in my winter, comfort food kitchen. My lesson was this: Embrace each season of the year and buy mostly what's in-season. Left to right in my picture, I bought these vegetables: Parsnips Purple cabbage Golden Beets Red Beets … [Read more...] about Winter Vegetables Brighten Up Meals
A Healthier Grilled Cheese Sandwich
There's something very special about a warm, gooey and toasty grilled cheese sandwich. I guess it is true comfort food at its quickest and easiest. When I got ready to make lunch the other day, I scanned the fridge for an idea and closed it. Then I opened up the pantry for a look and closed it. Then I went back to the fridge and saw my favorite cheese calling out for me to make a grilled cheese sandwich - so, I did. Making sandwiches for kids can be very challenging so take a look at these easy-to-do ideas that will delight the youngest members of your family. Healthier Sandwiches, … [Read more...] about A Healthier Grilled Cheese Sandwich
3 Quick and Easy Recipes with Canned and Frozen Foods
Canning and Freezing Make Foods Safe to Store Way back in history, foods were preserved to keep them safe for us to eat. Two examples are canned and frozen foods which I cannot imagine being without in a 21st Century, healthy kitchen. Most of us have canned and frozen foods on hand at all times and we more-or-less take them for granted. Read on for tips about what exactly to stock in your healthy kitchen. Also, learn 3 examples of how to use modern canned and frozen foods to whip up easier and quicker classic recipes that taste great and are good for you. How to Stock Up on the Right … [Read more...] about 3 Quick and Easy Recipes with Canned and Frozen Foods
Fresh Herbs Make Flavors Pop and 3 Recipes to Prove It
Fresh herbs make food flavors 'pop' if you ask me. I mean everything with fresh herbs in it just tastes better. The nice thing is that you can easily find fresh herbs in the grocery store now. Or, look for them at your local farmer’s market or grow them yourself. Then, take them home, wash, chop and toss into breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The nutritional payoff with fresh herbs is their antioxidants and pigments which strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation in the body. Here are 3 recipes that are super delicious, easy, and their flavors 'pop' because of the simple … [Read more...] about Fresh Herbs Make Flavors Pop and 3 Recipes to Prove It