If you know me, then we've probably had a conversation (or several) about diet and nutrition. This also means you've heard me advocate consuming less dairy and looking for other options to include in your diet. This simple coconut milk yogurt fits the bill perfectly - it's dairy free, paleo, sugar-free and it's made from two ingredients. The final product has a tangy greek-yogurt-like taste that goes well with sweet or savory dishes: top the yogurt with fresh fruit, or use a spoonful on top of pancakes or latkes.
Read MoreI see SO many patients who take medication to lower blood pressure. High blood pressure can result from many factors including diet, lifestyle, heredity, or age. High blood pressure is a big deal because it puts you at risk for things like heart attack, stroke, or kidney problems. So, of course your doctor is eager to lower your blood pressure, often by prescribing medication. Unfortunately, such medication has a lot of side effects including coughing, digestive problems (diarrhea or constipation, or both), dizziness, and erection difficulties. The good news is there is a LOT you can do to help manage your blood pressure through diet and lifestyle including incorporating one simple food. Celery juice helps to lower blood pressure - keep reading to find out how it works and how to use it!
Read MoreSo, you attend a friend's holiday party and they've made kombucha-matcha-vodka cocktails just for you (organic! sugar free! gluten free!) So, you try one, you know, just to be nice. But they are delicious... before you know it, you've had way more than one and you know tomorrow morning is not going to be fun. Sound familiar? We've all been there. Before you throw back some ibuprofen and pull the blankets over your head all day, reach for these natural hangover cures. Made from items you probably already have in your kitchen, these cures rid you of that hangover without pills or drugs (because, let's get real, your liver needs a break). The best part? they work. Stock up on these essentials before your next bash, and have a better hangover.
Read MoreYou are probably already well-acquainted with some enemies of youthful skin - such as sun exposure and smoking - that keep your skin from looking smooth glowing. But did you know your sweet tooth is speeding up your skin’s aging process? Thanks to diabetes research, scientists are aware that excess glucose in the bloodstream causes damage to internal organs as well as your body’s largest organ - your skin. Having excess glucose in your bloodstream sets you up for an expedited aging process - think wrinkles, yellowing skin, brown spots, sagging, and more. So, before you reach for that next sweet treat, read this to find out what exactly that sugar is doing to your complexion and how you can break the sugar cycle.
Read MoreUsually, when I mention the words cranberry sauce to someone, their face puckers and words like 'gross' or 'ew' start coming out of their mouths. And if you've only ever had canned cranberry sauce, I totally agree with that reaction. Because that squishy gelatin glob that plops out of a can at holiday dinners is gross. But friends, it doesn't have to be like this...
Read MoreI love to cook; I look forward to cooking dinner almost every night. Except the nights I have to work late, or the nights that I'm tired, or when I'm so hungry I can barely wait for food to come out of the pan. So, basically I love to cook long, leisurely dinners once a week. The rest of the time I'm looking for ways to simplify my dinner routine so I can have healthy, tasty food in my belly ASAP. I love anything that can be made in one pan, including this tasty ginger-honey glazed salmon. It takes about 10 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook, meaning you have extra time leftover to do things like sit down and have a glass of wine. You're welcome.
Read MoreMy mom's mom, Irene, was quite a lady - the daughter of Dutch immigrants, Irene was the perfect combination of hard-working, wise, and loving. Having 9 children of her own, Irene never wasted a single ingredient in the kitchen - her children testify that she could make "something out of nothing" and was well-known as an excellent cook in her town. Irene passed away when I was in high school, and I begged my mom to have her cookbook.
Read MoreCrunchy rice. Until I met my husband, I had never heard of such food. I always thought the browned rice left on the bottom of the pan was burned rice, due to my lack of rice cooking know-how. But crunchy rice is much, much different than burned rice. My husband made me crunchy rice when we were dating … and let me tell you, it changed my world (and, perhaps made me fall in love with him!) Known by different names in various parts of the world - socarrat in Spain, nurungji in Korea, rasguño in Latin America, and tahdig in the Middle East - the toasty and golden layer at the bottom of the pan is an intensely flavored treat (think corner sides on a brownie pan or crunchy edges of a baked casserole). Crunchy rice only requires the same ingredients you would use to make regular rice - the true alchemy is in the technique. Allow me to change your world and teach you how to make crunchy rice….no promises that you won’t fall in love with me!
Read MoreI've always been enchanted by the adorable little "sugar" pumpkins in the store this time of year. And I ways think "I should make a pie out of one!" Then, I forget, get into a rush, and end up making pumpkin pie from a can. And it's always delicious and no one complains that my pumpkin pie comes from a can. Because I'm busy. But this year, I picked up a cute little pie pumpkin and decided I was going to set aside a large chunk of time and figure out how to make pie out of it. But guess what? It's easy. Like easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy easy. And freakin' amazingly delicious. So, do yourself a favor and make one already. Then, go get a manicure with the extra time you set aside for pie-baking but won't need.
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