The are many reasons why sweet potatoes are rock star tubers. They are versatile, vibrant in color, and pack a serious nutritional punch. Their flexibility is highlighted in this dish, serving as an edible bowl for spicy and flavorful beans. These stuffed spuds could be a great dish at a causal dinner party with a few options of fillings and garnishes to suit your guests taste preferences. Whole roasted sweet potatoes are also a great item to have on hand. They can serve as a blank canvas and are amendable to a multitude of toppings and fillers - especially useful on "clean out the fridge" kind of days.
Read moreHow to be a Winter Workout Warrior
My friend Brittany Forgione is my "fitspo". We first met while slinging sangria during our restaurant days and immediately bonded over our common interests of health and wellness. Brittany has now moved on to be a Director of Public Relations, is a multiple marathoner, and competes in triathlons and Ironmans. Her positivity, cheery attitude, and continual commitment to testing herself has served as my constant inspiration and motivator in the workout arena.
Read moreNot Your Mama's J-Pen
J-Pen, as I affectionately like to call this soup, or Jewish Penicillin, is the type of recipe that has becomes habitual from years and years of exposure. Somehow, the steps and process permeate my being and, every time an inkling of a cold emerges, J-Pen is the first line of defense. In my family, each generation puts their unique imprint on the soup, but the root of the matter is always the same. For my version, I add extra immune boosters - ginger and turmeric - to add that nutrient oomph. I also take the extra step of browning the chicken, a simple albeit slightly timely step that yields a multitude of value in flavor. Browning the chicken not only locks in the juices and creates a caramelized crust on the meat, but also the browned bits in the pan add a fantastic foundation to the soup, lending depth and flavor. The finishing touch of lime, which is one of my favorite tricks learned from my Mexican co-workers during my restaurant days, provides a refreshing burst of acidity as well as a dose of Vitamin C. Although this soup is not your mother's J-Pen, it for sure will become a staple in your home on frosty nights or "under the weather" days.
Read moreWhat the F is a Mung Bean?
Every year a hot new food item emerges that is touted to make you feel better and look better. But maybe this trend setting food has been around all along. Mung beans have been praised for their nutrient properties by health-minded individuals and holistic practitioners for years and, most recently, they have started making their way into the mainstream dining arena. So what exactly are mung beans, and once you find them, what the heck do you do with them?
Read moremy favorite way to eat spaghetti
Nothing beats incredibly fresh homemade pasta from an amazing restaurant but, since we can't indulge in fresh pasta everyday of the week, my favorite way to eat spaghetti is from a squash! Yup, that yellow oval shaped squash, when sliced in half, roasted, and scraped, produces spaghetti-like strands of significant nutrient density. This yellow-hued veg is rich in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, is gluten-free, and is the perfect alternative to pasta. Swap out your basic noodles for spaghetti squash in any of your favorite recipes.
Read moreHow to Sustain Your Motivation + a Very Cheery Smoothie
It’s February! The second month of the new year. How are you faring with your "resolutions" and dedicated decisions to make this year healthier and happier? It is easy to lose momentum and steam as January passes and the days seem to get colder and snowier. Birthdays and celebrations and any excuse to indulge start to reappear, and rich and decadent comfort food seems like the only way to keep warm. It is essential to keep in mind that the small positive shifts that you make over time have major long-term ramifications. Consider every meal a Monday morning - an opportunity to start fresh and get back on the healthy eating track. Focus on what you have already changed and continue to set realistic goals for yourself.
Read moreDid Someone Say Lentil? Smokey Lentil and Kale Soup to Fix your Winter Rut
This month is all about manifesting my insatiable love for soup. Not only are soups typically forgiving and flexible, they can be quite amenable to augmentation if you happen to run out of a particular spice or herb. A hearty soup or stew can be repurposed for multiple meals throughout the week, alleviating much of the 8pm, just home from work/gym, grab a bag of blue corn chips hangry drama. For my take on lentil soup, I enriched the flavors with smoked paprika, spicy chili powder, and warm and earthy cumin to add a distinct robustness to this hearty winter soup. A handful of baby kale is added right before eating for added nutrient density and a burst of color.
Read moreA Soup For The Winter Blues
If you happen to be living in Hawaii and nursing the last few drops of that piña colada, then you may have missed the memo. It's freezing here on the East Coast, single digits freezing. The type of bitter cold that makes you want to hibernate until spring, never remove your shearling slippers and cashmere loungewear, and curse that infamous area of a witch.
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