If you're a busy person - and who isn't - then pancakes can make a great meal for you. The options are endless for what can be mixed into a pancake or what can be scattered on top of a pancake. It's a savory and nutritious pancake when you mix in sauteed onions and mushrooms, shredded cheese, or even chopped up Korean kimchi before cooking. It's a mildly sweet and nutritious pancake when you mix in blueberries, raspberries, or a mashed, ripe banana before cooking. Don't forget to sprinkle some herbs and spices into your pancakes, too. You can even get totally funky with pizza pancakes. … [Read more...] about Pancakes Packed with Nutrition
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
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
A Loaded Baked Potato & Other Nutritious Substitutions
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
A Grocery Cart of On-Budget, Smart Nutrition
Are you ever surprised at your grocery tab at checkout? I've been surprised many times at how high my tab is because, well, good food is not cheap. But, this time, I was surprised that I got in-and-out of the store for less than $20! You can see my entire cart in the picture and I'll admit it wasn't a full week's worth of food. Still, I was feeling super proud of my smart shopping skills and staying on-budget as I headed home from this mid-week grocery run. If you're interested in some insights on a nutritious grocery cart fill-up, then take a look at my earlier blog here. On-Budget Smart … [Read more...] about A Grocery Cart of On-Budget, Smart Nutrition
Butternut Squash in 5 Tasty Ways
Butternut Squash is a Nutrition Hero In case you're wondering, butternut and all fall-winter squash are 'up there' on the nutritious vegetables chart. Here is a quick peek at the nutrition facts for those of you who want to see the numbers. Really good news is that these super hard squash are not only healthy to eat, but they are also delicious and versatile in your kitchen. Butternut Squash in 5 Tasty Ways #1 Roasted Halves. My picture at the left shows how to go from cut to cooked. First - very carefully - I cut 3 squash in half and removed the seeds. Then I spritzed the … [Read more...] about Butternut Squash in 5 Tasty Ways