Some like to celebrate St. Patrick's Day by eating a green bagel or drinking green beer. Here are 10 ways to get your greens - hangover, guilt, and food coloring not included.
Read moreWho Knew Caesar Was a Vegan?
Caesar salad is notoriously known for its cheesy, garlicky, and creamy dressing that blankets leafy, watery greens. What it is not known for is its nutritional attributes. Traditional caesar salad dressing contains anchovies, raw egg yolk, and parm - tasty, but not necessarily virtuous. For a vegan and healthified version, I made a few swaps and modifications to add nutrient density to a classic dish without sacrificing palatability and mass appeal.
Read moremy favorite way to fuel after a workout
Adequately fueling your body post-workout is essential to replenish used glycogen (stored carbohydrates used for energy) and to restore strained muscles. Carbohydrates, which get absorbed by the muscles first, and protein, which prevents muscle breakdown, are the ideal post-workout nutrient combo. Opting for real, clean sources of protein and carbohydrates is also important to keep in mind as opposed to immediately jumping to processed protein powders or 20-ingredient energy bars.
Read moreWeekend Essentials
Hope everyone is off to a great weekend. Looks like we are having a "heat wave" here on the east coast, hitting a balmy 40 degrees. Here are a few of my essentials for this weekend.
Read moresay hello to my little friend
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 moreFriday Favorites
Happy Friday! Last Friday was well spent with a sunset beach walk at my happy place in Longboat Key, FL along with plenty of local grapefruit and sunshine.
This weeks Friday Favorites are brought to you by my best friend Kevin Michael Ericson, who always keeps me on trend, motivated, and provides me with constant warm and happy thoughts. Check out the FF here.
Read morebanish your winter woes with this hearty salad
We all know that we are supposed to eat our greens, but in the winter it is not always appealing to crunch and munch on cold and crisp vegetables. Our bodies naturally gravitate toward warm and hearty dishes during the colder months which increase our body temperature and also make us feel comforted. Mother Nature also has her way of letting us know what we should be eating this time of year. Juicy tomatoes, water-rich zucchini, and lettuces are nowhere to be seen at the farmer's markets, and durable root vegetables and hearty greens dominate the scene.
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 moreRadish Recs: Buenos Aires and Patagonia
Not 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.
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