Most of the recipes I post here are tweaked versions of someone else’s creativity. But this one is the result of several kitchen experiments! I was trying to replicate a super-expensive packaged nut butter that was costing me an embarrassing amount to order and have shipped. I have to say… my Power Nut Butter is better. It’s full of good-for-you seeds and nuts (and no preservatives), and it’s far less expensive! Continue Reading →
Imagine sitting at an outdoor cafe, in the jungle, alongside a river. It’s about 100º, and the humidity is oppressive. It’s a gamble to guess whether you or your water glass is dripping with more beads of sweat. Searching the menu for something refreshing, you land on Zucchini Carpaccio. It’s got sun-dried tomato, parmesan, chive, lemon zest and arugula. Perfect. Continue Reading →
Ok, that title is a little misleading – but it made you curious, right? I’ll get to Tom Brady in a second. So, experts say that during these strange times it’s important to have a “routine.” Husband and I say “Cheers” to that! Besides staying on a schedule, exercising and getting dressed and ready for work (who knows when a Zoom meeting will pop up?!), we have a pre-dinner “happy hour” to catch up on the day, and the day’s news. I’m trying to keep things healthy, so the centerpiece of our little ritual is this Lemon & Cumin Creamy Hummus. Continue Reading →
I have no idea what day it is! (You too?!) Husband and I have embraced this slower pace and settled into some new routines. Committed to staying healthy and eating well, we get outside every day and exercise. And I’ve challenged myself to keep trying new recipes – like this Blueberry Chia Pudding. Delicious enough for dessert, this has become a go-to breakfast option. Continue Reading →
When I made a batch of this Cremini Chili for the freezer, little did I know how glad I’d be to have a few meals on hand during the Covid19 pandemic CRAZINESS! Having just placed another grocery delivery order (bless you, Instacart!) I’m getting geared up to stock the freezer with lots of my other freeze-able favorites.
Just because we’re quarantined, doesn’t mean we can’t eat healthy – and enjoy it! This Cremini Chili is from my current favorite cookbook, Food: What the Heck Should I COOK?
Packed with delicious sautéed vegetables, the cremini (portobello) mushrooms can be doubled to make a meat-free version. The batch I’m making tonight includes grass-fed beef, but this is delicious either way. You can scroll right to the recipe if you want – but I need to rave about this cookbook! (For which I am not being compensated in any way).
A couple of years ago, I was looking forward to the results of one of those “bod pod”/BMI tests I took at the place where I was strength training. I had been following their workout and eating plan faithfully for six months, and was excited to see my results. I knew I had gained strength, and eaten even healthier than they recommended. When the results came back, I was disappointed. Nothing had changed… I was still a “skinny fat person” – with high cholesterol.
A friend introduced me to a book titled “Food: What the Heck Should I Eat?” by Dr. Mark Hyman. He’s the Head of Strategy and Innovation for the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, can be heard on a number of podcasts (my favorite is The Doctor’s Farmacy), and has written a bunch of books. In this one, he cuts through boatloads of conflicting and confusing research about the food we eat, and helps simplify and make sense of it. I devoured the book – and just making a few tweaks in what I eat has made a huge difference in how I feel.
Recenty, he released the companion cookbook. The day it arrived, I sat down with a tasty beverage and read it cover-to-cover. The recipes sounded so good, I was excited to try almost all of them. So far, I’ve made over a dozen, and every one of them is a keeper – including his Go-To Cremini Chili.
I marked “a few” recipes in “Food: What the Heck Should I COOK” that I wanted to try…
Since I don’t have to venture out to get groceries, it’s a great day to get outside and take a walk with hubby. We’re both looking forward to a big bowl of this Cremini Chili when we get back!
One of the best ways to learn about a culture is through its food. So one of the “rules” I have when traveling somewhere for the first time is to avoid eating at same restaurant twice. And if, for some reason, I do, I certainly don’t order the same thing again. Exceptions have been made of course. At our hotel on a recent trip to Indonesia, this Cauliflower Tabbouleh with Chili Cashews was SO good, I not only ordered it twice during our stay, I asked the chef for the recipe! Continue Reading →
Back in J-School (Journalism School, at UNL – Go Huskers!) we were taught the mantra “Don’t bury the lead.” In other words, you should share the most important thing first; then elaborate (or in my case, digress) for those who care to read further. In the world of food blogs, research says the same is true. In this world, the “lead” is the recipe – that’s why you clicked to get here in the first place, right? So, for those that want to go straight to the recipe for Baked Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe… click HERE. For the few family members and friends who will read this out of obligation, bless you. Come on over and I’ll make this for you!
Summer means fresh produce, soaking up the great outdoors and casual entertaining. For us, hanging out with dear friends at The Rockin’ K Ranch in Northern Idaho is about as close to heaven as you can get. When my friend Mim brought these Open-Faced Heirloom Tomato Burrata Sandwiches to a recent get-together at the barn, I knew I had to share. Continue Reading →
Minnesota is known for a lot of things. Long cold winters… more than 10,000 lakes… and Hockey Hair. Prince, Bob Dylan and Betty Crocker (not a real person) are all Minnesotans. Zubaz were invented here (sorry). We’ve got the Mall of America, a 49-foot tall statue of Paul Bunyan, and The Mayo Clinic. Folks from the North Star State famously insist on using the wrong name for a popular children’s game (they call it “Duck, duck, gray duck”. What?! EVERYBODY knows it’s “Duck, duck goose!”). If you’ve enjoyed Cheerios, Tator-Tot Hot Dish (again, sorry) or Bundt cake you can thank Minnesota. Continue Reading →
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