I like to plan ahead, even if things don’t always work out that way. Sometimes half the fun is in the planning, such as a vacation or an upcoming weekend. And sometimes the anticipation is better than the reality LOL! I do a lot of food planning – classes, family meals for the week, and holidays, for example. It’s truly one of my favorite things to do and I love thinking about how everyone will enjoy a particular meal or recipe.Continue reading
I hope I’m squeezing in this recipe in time for your St. Patrick’s Day baking!  I know how much fun it is to surprise the kiddos with green treats on St. Patrick’s Day.  I have had amazing feedback from the “green” recipes I have posted in the past.  If you’re new here, you must check out these green muffins, this vegan mint chip smoothie, green pancakes, and this matcha chia pudding parfait. If you’re looking for something savory, I always make this vegan split pea and barley soup with whole wheat Irish soda bread.  My family loves it so much, I make it often in the colder months.Continue reading
After I posted this bread on Instagram over the weekend, I had no idea that the reaction would be so enthusiastic for this recipe! I’m excited to share it with you, but I didn’t have time to remake it and photograph the step-by-step instructions. So just read through the instructions so you are familiar with the steps and you’ll be fine. I originally developed this recipe for Clean Eating Magazine and the editors went crazy for this bread. I’m not grain-free but I really like grain-free baked goods. They’re higher in protein, lower in carbohydrates (usually) and they last longer in the fridge.Continue reading
This blogpost is sponsored by the Argentinian Yerba Mate Board. All opinions are my own.
Let me introduce you to my new favorite morning companion, Argentinian Yerba Mate. I have touted my love of tea many times on this blog and on my instagram, and I believe it’s a wonderful addition to a well-balanced, whole food diet. Yerba mate, however, is a step up from your typical bag of green tea. Originated and grown in Argentina from the yerba mate tree, this tea is chock-full of powerful antioxidants (shown to be even higher than green tea) and nutrients such as vitamins B and C, zinc, potassium and manganese. Yerba mate has been found to be ‘hepatoprotective’ which translates to: ‘protecting your liver cells’ and can help in weight loss. I also love that it provides as much energy as a cup of coffee but isn’t as harsh on your stomach. The traditional way to consume it is to prepare it in a traditional Argentinian gourd and drink through a straw.Continue reading
Vegan husband update: Â STILL VEGAN!! Â Can you guys even believe this? Â MY meat and potatoes guy went vegan in October for 6 weeks and he’s still at it. Â He feels great, lost weight and is keeping it off and I’m trying to support him the best I can. Â BUT, the rest of us are not vegan, so I have to have a lot of flexibility in our meals. Â No problem. Â I’ve been trained for this in my classes over the last decade teaching in LA. Â Who’s avoiding this food group, who’s Paleo today, who’s mad at gluten…I’ve got this one!Continue reading
It has been super chilly in LA this week, which means it’s dropping below 50 degrees at night and everyone is busting out their UGG boots, mittens and puffy jackets. HA!  And as much as I would like to be, we aren’t quite into spring fruits and veggies yet. I can’t wait for my strawberries, spinach and asparagus from the farmers market, but for the time being I am hunkering down next to my fireplace and enjoying all that winter has to offer. Brussels sprouts are one of my favorite winter vegetables and I have a ton of recipes on my site which celebrate this fabulous crucifer. They can be oven roasted or pan-roasted (see my cookbook for the best pan roasted brussels sprout recipe), made into a hash, made into latkes, or make a whole salad with them like this one or this one (my personal favorite). They are also chock full of nutrients and antioxidants which we need in the winter to keep our immune systems strong. Brussels sprouts are also one of the few vegetables which contain Omega-3 fatty acids, which are really important if you’re on the vegan train like my husband and you aren’t getting your fatty acids from fish.Continue reading
I debated whether or not this “recipe” actually deserved its own post, but I thought it was too fun not to share with you all. Â I had this idea of a huge, layered stack of pink pancakes for Valentine’s Day. Â I visualized everyone digging into it and enjoying a different flavor with each bite, bananas commingling with raspberry chia jam with a hint of shaved chocolate. Â I thought about other fillings like almond butter or date caramel sauce or yogurt, too. Â How much fun would this be even if it’s not Valentine’s Day? Â I am definitely going to make this for a family breakfast/brunch when my daughters come home for spring break.Continue reading
I am so fond of food boards in any shape or form.  Cheese, charcuterie, crudités and dessert boards have been having a moment.  They’re a very modern and beautiful way to present small bites.  But I have also been doing less traditional, but equally as fun, lunch and snack boards.  Put a bunch of colorful, easy and pre-made snacks on a wood board, cutting board or baking sheet and you’ve got yourself an instant party.  Everyone can help themselves and you look like a star!Continue reading
