All Recipes

Sign up here for my "Rooted in Nutrition" Newsletter!


When gathering with family and friends, it's always nice to accommodate everyone's food needs with as little stress as possible.  This salad can be a side or a main depending on the individual.   For a “nut free” option, omit pecans or have them on the side.  Free of gluten and dairy, but full of flavor!  BTW- don’t forget the dried cherries, they definitely tell your friends you care about what you are serving them 🙂


I have wanted to make homemade yogurt for years, but always thought I needed special equipment and the temperature would be difficult to maintain. I was wrong! It was a success first try and sooo good! I only needed milk, a saucepan, plain yogurt, a heating pad, and a thermometer. I had every single one of these at home, so I had nothing to lose! Now once a week, I make yogurt and save tons of money and never have to buy plastic yogurt containers again. You can’t afford NOT to do this! Let’s make homemade yogurt today!


Salad kits are great but...think of the expense, the quality of the ingredients and the dressing made with seed oils, thickeners etc.  Salads are not complicated and can be as creative as you want them to be.  Oil and vinegars are your go to dressings!  Plus, when cutting up salads fresh, the taste is unbelievable better and packed with a ton more nutrition since it hasn't sat on a shelf for weeks... or months!


Blueberries may help lower blood pressure, prevent heart disease, improve memory, aid in exercise recovery and is a powerful antioxidant  just to name a few.  This superfood is in season and is readily available for a great price!  My blueberry lemon skillet bread is an easy breakfast (add protein powder to the bread), snack or dessert.   The best part is, there is no oven required.  I use my electric skillet as my oven!  ALL DAY LONG!!!!! This means I’m not heating my oven (or house) in the summer.  I save big on electric bills.  The electric skillet acts as a “mini-convection” oven, so I don’t use as much oil (an oven dehydrates food).   If you make this in a traditional oven, add more oil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.    Oh yeah- it’s also gluten free! 


Gluten free brownie bites! If almond flour isn’t a staple in your pantry, it should be! I use for pizza crusts, banana bread, chocolate chip cookies and in these easy brownie bites. This recipe is versatile as I use the base and make oatmeal cookies, chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodle and these brownies. I love base recipes I can change to make many others. This is what makes cooking easy, stress-free and fun. Simple ingredients, great technique and amazing tools! Try these and I know you will be hooked and your gluten free friends will be happy if you share! 

Sometimes the urge for curry can't be stopped.  Instead of the impulse to "order out",  find all the ingredients in your pantry and refrigerator and make!  This delicious vegan recipe will please even the carnivores in the the house.  Keep cans of beans on hand for quick lunches and dinners.  I prefer to make beans/lentils ahead and freeze for easy use.  Whatever works for you, just make it!    Made in 15 minutes from start to and it tastes like it was simmering all day.  Let me know what you think!

There is no reason to buy tzatziki when it's easy to have all the ingredients on hand.  Either plant based or greek yogurt, garlic, cucumber, lemon and dill.  As a side for greek night or a guiltless vegetable dip, you will love this one!

Sauerkraut has become a family favorite. Fermented foods are so important for gut health. Sauerkraut is a probiotic, which means it’s the “good bacteria” for our gut. Diversity is key with probiotics. We need many different probiotics to make our gut happy and healthy.  Add sauerkraut as a side with any dinner or lunch.  It has a fresh taste, an amazing crunch and is so easy to make.  Try it and you will be hooked!


Impress anyone or just make for yourself because it is so easy!  Daikon radish are a low carb root vegetable that is full of flavor, color and satisfies.  Paired with salmon, chicken or steak.  Remember to purchase wild caught salmon with no color added unless you know the farm and how is it produced.

Talk about starting the day with a colorful burst of flavor and nutrition!  Purple sweet potatoes are high and fiber, phytonutrients, antioxidants and just makes sense to add to you diet...And let's face it, the color is brilliant!

My kale definitely knows that I appreciate it.  Yes, it is messy and takes a couple of minutes to massage those "greens" but the taste is amazing (not to mention, it is much easier to digest)!  Use an avocado and lemon to create a creamy dressing!  This salad will impress any dinner guest,  compliments almost any meal and looks beautiful on a plate.  Eating the rainbow is so easy!


Summertime caprese salad is a favorite.  Shoot, sometimes when it's hot, it's our entire meal.  You can't go wrong with the  combination of fresh mozzarella, garden tomatoes, basil, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and sometimes capers.  If you are trying to eat  less cheese or accommodate others that can't eat it, give this fast alternative a try.  In just 3 minutes on the stove, cashews turn into a ball of "cashew mozzarella"!   Place in the refrigerator to chill and slice just like the real stuff!  It's fun to make and tastes amazing.  It’s also great on dairy free lasagna!

When I want something easy, healthy, inexpensive and vegetarian, cashews are my go to as they are a staple in the home.  This Pumpkin cashew alfredo over zucchini and broccoli bits make s low carb option loaded with plants and all things good!  Adding a kale broccoli salad with cranberries on the side was just enough sweet to make this the perfect fall meal! Vegan approved!

Not gonna lie, this one is hard to control yourself with!   The depth and flavor are so amazing and the creamy smooth taste will make you forget it is dairy free.  We like to have a batch ready for burritos, tacos, dip, potatoes, etc.  If you are unable to eat dairy or try to avoid for various reasons, this cream will give those meals when you are really missing cheese, new hope!  I promise!

Wanna play a trick on your family???  Make this and just serve it without saying a word!  See how long it takes for them to figure out it is not chicken salad.  This is a new weekly "packable" lunch that is so perfect.  1. It's a meatless lunch  2. It's super inexpensive  3. I usually have all the ingredients on hand 4. Takes minutes to make. 5. Everyone loved it!  

Got a minute?  Okay maybe two, but I promise you won't regret.   There are some health benefits to pickled onions,  but to me the real benefit is they are a tasty replacement for a few less healthy condiment options.  Plus, when we add them to salads, quinoa, veggie burgers, greek, tacos, potato salad and even on avocado toast, they make eating more plants easy.  Basically,  it takes any meal to new heights... just because you took two minutes to make them.  Have I convinced you yet?  Like, save and tag me when you make them!  I'd love to see your creation.

The is a fast soup for a weekday or weekend meal for any season.  Shredded chicken in the rice cooker is a no brainer on the laziest nights when you don't want to cook, but the mouths are waiting for you to feed them.  I love to have organic corn chips with this.   My "secret" is to add a dollop of sour cream to the soup before serving.

Need Fiber?  I have the answer to your prayers right here!  This seedy bread is hearty, yummy and incredibly easy to make.  Mix and bake!  No eggs, no rising no mess.   Use with veggie burgers, a side for soup, toast for avocado toast,  bruschetta or for no tuna/chicken chickpea salad.  It's so satisfying!  Store in refrigerator for up to a week.


Summertime doesn’t have to be a junk fest. Simple, real and whole foods are the best! This summer salad makes zucchini the star, but avocado steals the show and adds a creamy rich flavor that will wow the audience.  Get this recipe and more from the Gutsy Health “How to Heal” Cookbook!

No need to preheat the oven when heating the electric skillet takes only a few minutes!  Use baking flour instead of all-purpose flour and save time preparing.  This quick bread will be gone as fast as it took to make!  

Are you prepared for the week? How about mason jar salads for the family? Add the dressing to the bottom and build. Shake  before serving and eat out of the jar or put on a plate.



Colorful Pad Thai!  This recipe comes from the "Gutsy Health How to Heal Cookbook".  All the ingredients came from my pantry,  I already had the vegetables in the refrigerator and no planning seemed necessary.  It almost felt like I was cheating because it come together so easy.  Plus, when I look at the plate of color, I just feel so accomplished.


I just love when I am in the kitchen and an idea comes into my head and I have all the ingredients.  Dark chocolate and zucchini with blood oranges- umm... YUM!!!!!  What a treat!


Simple, quality ingredients makes a recipe go from good to great.  Not only does it taste delicious, but helps our body naturally detoxify!  And- if you closed your eyes,  you might believe the brazil nut cheese was actually parmesan.  Who knew "healthy" could taste so good!



Years ago I would always keep a bag of frozen hashbrowns in the freezer along with "frozen french fries" for a quick meal at home.    Since I started to eat "whole" foods and not processed, I wonder why I waited so long to change!  Now, I keep a bag of organic sweet and russet potatoes on hand for an easy meal that is soooo satisfying.   The yogurt sauce takes it to an entire new level and would also make a great dinner.  Serve with sauteed mushrooms, spinach, peppers and onions and get all those colors covered!

Hummus has to be one of the most perfect snacks and a great holiday appetizer.  It is high in protein, fiber and is so versatile.  Here are a few of my favorites.   I really like the "mix in" of a vegetable.  The key here was cooking the beets or butternut squash at a lower temperature to retain the nutrition and flavor.  


I just love how easy this comes together!  My all time favorite breakfast (yogurt parfait) and this as the topping starts my morning on a positive note of good health.   Most store bought granola is loaded with sugar.  It great when we have control of how much sugar we choose to consume.   This is also why it is best to buy plain yogurts and sweeten yourself.   Take control of your health!

This is just a variation of another sweet bread using the basic same recipe I use for all "breads".  Using a baking flour cuts out a few steps and it makes measuring, stirring and baking a breeze.  It's a perfect dessert and also a lovely side for a brunch.  And of course, no oven needed as I bake on the stove top of in my electric skillet.


Meatless nights are made fast and easy with this soup full of warm and inviting spices.  Make ahead on a sunday and have it for lunch or dinner during a busy week. 

Here is a guilt free, fast and easy holiday treat from the “Gutsy Holiday Treats” Cookbook that will leave you with more time enjoying the holidays and less time in the kitchen.  Avocados are so versatile when baking.  It acts the same as applesauce or bananas as a substitute for oil but gives a dish a fuller flavor.  


Roasting and cutting a pumpkin was never so easy!   When we boil or roast at high heats, our food is no longer as nutritious as it was before we started cooking.  That's because, heat, water and oxygen changes the integrity of our food.  Cooking at temperatures below 200 will allow us to consume the most nutrition and the flavor is out of this world!   Look how easy this is cut with the skin on!!!!!!!!   

I just love chickpeas, coconut milk and all things "soup".    Soup is the ultimate perfect meal.  It's an easy way to get extra vegetables in your diet,  make ahead, clean up is fast (since you can make head) and leftovers taste better than the original meal.  I make this into a double batch and freeze in large mouth mason jars.   The chickpeas are addicting, so make a double or triple batch.  

These are great to make in advance for buddha bowls, as a quick snack or on the side for breakfast.  They compliment almost any meal and take almost no time to make in the electric skillet. 

When the holidays roll around, it's nice to have some alternative dishes incase you have guests with food allergies or intolerances.  Here is a classic, that's not so classic in ingredients, but tastes classic anyway. 


I always make chili on Halloween so I can enjoy the night and have very little clean up.  This chili is a great option as it has an entire can of pumpkin in the chili!  It’s an added bonus of vitamin A and the last healthy food item your kids will have for at least 24 hours!!

Mac and Cheese brings back childhood memories, but the thought of having a box of mac and cheese today is a nightmare!  Here is a healthy alternative made with chickpea pasta, nutritional yeast, cashews and zucchini!  So creamy and no guilty thoughts here!

The raw beet is the star as it adds a beautiful red color and benefits your cardiovascular system plus so much more.

Serve this salad at a holiday dinner or with mac and cheese. It’s great anytime, but especially in the fall!

Butternut squash is a versatile fall vegetable  (technically a fruit) with a sweet, nutty flavor.   Cooking this soup at lower temperatures for a short period of time will help retain the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that this powerhouse provides.   Two versions with a slightly different taste.  One is about five more ingredients and one keeps it about as simple and pure as possible.  Your choice to change it up and create as  many versions as you wish.

If you are like me,  when you find a great recipe, you just want to tell everyone!  This is it!  I heard about this recipe from others and had to make myself.  Cooking and tasting is believing!  These pancakes are full of greens and you would never know it.  Plus, they are easier to make than a box of pancake mix.  This will be a weekly breakfast from now on.  Plus, they freeze great.  If you have greens that are about to go bad, make a batch and freeze.  


In season or not in season, this soup is brilliant anytime of the year!  Just buy frozen organic corn and have it on hand and you will be ready for dinner in 25 minutes.   Don't forget the pumpkin seeds and green onions with a drizzle of high quality olive oil.  These small touches will take any soup and elevate it to a new level.  

Make a side salad and cornbread and you will even want to make this for guests!

Butternut squash replaces the pasta and makes this meal a one dish wonder.  Just look at those beautiful colors!   Colors equal nutrition!  Start counting colors and not calories and you will be amazed how much better you feel.


I'm not sure why but many are intimidated by roasting an entire bird.  It intimidates me also but I know that certain members of the family appreciate a traditional family dinner.  This is about the easiest meal to make.  I made gravy from the bottom of the pan and 'waterless' mashed potatoes.   It was better than Thanksgiving.



“Skillet Pumpkin Zucchini Bread” was born when pumpkin

season starts and zucchini is still growing in the garden. The best part is, it is made in an electric skillet that acts as an oven or sauté pan.   What a perfect snack or dessert in 30 minutes with barely any prep!  Feeling fancy? Try cashew cream icing on top. Amazing all year, but especially in the fall! 


Fall isn’t just for pumpkins.  Apples make an appearance that is hard to pass up. Not only high in fiber, it is nature’s dessert.  Make applesauce or a quick crumble but remember, never peel it!  The skin is the where the nutrition is hiding.  Eat and enjoy!

.

This is a Dr. Hyman recipe I had to try!  It's crazy to think the only "grain" is coconut flour and ground flax.  The eggs and the almond flour make is fluffy.  It also took minutes to make since I blended it in the vitamix.  


.

Homerun dinner for many reasons! 1. Easy, 2. Made a double batch and froze half for another day, 3. Vegan option available (just use tempeh or add more black beans), 4. Used the leftover rice for the night before, 5. YUM! 6. No stove needed and easy to clean up.

The absolute perfect salad to accompany Pulled Pork or Shredded Hula Chicken.  Make a batch of Mango Salsa and you will be sure to have every color in the rainbow covered!   Remember to freeze half the protein for BBQ sandwiches and coleslaw for a meal next weekday.   Also, make enough salsa to have fish tacos tomorrow night!

The absolute perfect salad to accompany Pulled Pork or Shredded Hula Chicken.  Make a batch of Mango Salsa and you will be sure to have every color in the rainbow covered!   Remember to freeze half the protein for BBQ sandwiches and coleslaw for next weeks weekday meal.   Also, make enough salsa to have fish tacos tomorrow night!

Get the cheesy flavor without the cheese! This recipe is incredibly versatile and takes only minutes to make!

Tart and sweet in a perfect combination!  I like to add grated zucchini for more fiber and I think it adds to the festive color combo!  Making this in the electric skillet allows for less oil, more nutrition and saves energy.

This dish is a perfect weekday meal that tastes like you made it on a weekend when you had time!  Be sure to make a double batch of the protein to freeze for the future!  If you're feeling a little more "low carb, omit the quinoa and have it as a wrap with bid lettuce.

This is worth making once a week and is a perfect way to clean out the refrigerator.    The time is minimal and the taste is amazing!  It's not necessary to use cashew cream.  Half and half is also an option, but I really like the rich taste of cashews.  It's a great alternative to half and half and the guilt just disappears! Also, cheese is an extra bonus but this can also be omitted if you are looking for dairy free.    Two frittata recipes are included but remember, anything goes in from the refrigerator.   I love adding sweet potato fries from another night of meals to mine.    My goal is for you to become creative and make a different type of frittata every week.  The possibilities are endless.   Check out my carrot, broccoli slaw as a "gourmet" side.  You will be proud to serve to your guests and family.

This is a slightly different soup than you might be used to, it provides a warm, rich flavor and is easy to have all the ingredients in the pantry when it's 6pm and you haven't thought about what to make.

Short on time?  Make these ahead and grab and go!

Looking for a healthy alternative to a Styrofoam cup and card board noodles?    Here is the perfect lunch for everyone!

Shrimp, tofu or thin rice noodles are an option, but they can also be as easy as shredding/ chopping vegetables and herbs  and roll.  These make a great summertime dinner or make ahead lunch.

Stovetop No Boil Lasagna 

Simple, healthy, hearty and the flavors that remind you of your childhood.  This recipe is an updated version of my mother in laws homemade lasagna.

No chance you will miss meat in this one!  It will be a home run in your house also.  The Salsa Verde is a must in this one!

It's dessert and you will forget there are one and a half cups of carrots. 

For the past year,  we have been  this one at home and like it better than what we ordered out.    Bonus, it is half the carbs of traditional Pad Thai.

This “Sweet Potato Enchilada Casserole” is a family favorite!  It fits almost every dietary need.  It is gluten free, dairy (optional) and vegan.  This Mexican dish will make you forget it doesn’t have flour or corn tortillas. Actually, you will even forget you’re eating a sweet potato!  Remember to add avocado as a side since sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamin A and it is fat soluble vitamin. Your body needs fat to absorb it!  Enjoy and let me know what you think! 

This chili is easy to keep all the ingredients on hand and is perfect when time is short.  it is will taste like is has been simmering all day.

Forgot to plan dessert when having guests?  This will impress and shock them that is will baked on the stove.

Made with  cashews, this rich, hot drink won't leave you craving for more.

Great recipe for hikes, day trips, or a quick breakfast! 

One skillet is all you need and dinner is ready in 30 minutes.  The prep and  clean up take only minutes.  Herbs can count in your daily vegetable count of colors.  

Five stars: 1. easy 2. colorful, 3. pack with nutrition,  4.  perfect next day lunch option,  5.  Make for dinner guests and they will think you worked all day! 

Bonus marinade that is over the top in flavor!

Rich in flavor and color.   Note: Add the vegetables at the end of the cooking process.   Cooking vegetables at a lower heat not only helps retain nutrition but also retains the flavor!

Some of my friends laugh at me for soup obsession, even in the summertime!  Let's face it, soup is so easy to make in advance, freeze and reheat that having it on the menu once a week seems like a no brainer.   The original recipe called for "roasting" the squash in the oven and I definitely see no reason to turn the oven on in July.  Not only that but also high heat will destroy those delicate nutrients in that gorgeous orange squash.  Temperature over 200F degrees will cause damage and loss to our produce.  Think of all the work (farmers, drivers, grocers) that went into getting those vitamins and minerals to our table?  Why destroy up to 85-90% of the nutrition of our food?  Cooking low heat will help and the flavor will prove it!  Favor-less foods have lost their mineral content in the cooking process.  

Curry paste is a game changer.  If you aren't familiar, it adds so much to a dish.  Once you try it, it will be a pantry item forever! Salad on the side and  dinner is served.

Pair this Salad with the Thai Coconut Curry Soup for a taste with is out of this continent!  

When I go to dinner and someone says ,"I want something healthy and light, I think I'll just get a salad" and  then proceeds to order a Caesar Salad, I want to scream!!!   Instead I bit my tongue (not easy for me)..  But what I want to tell them, is when it comes to salads,  Caesar isn't as "healthy" of a choice as they might think.  Traditional Caesar is loaded with oil, raw eggs, cheese, butter soaked croutons and possibly bacon with a "side' of lettuce.  This salad is made with "healthy" fats and is low in carbs making it a guiltless indulgence that you will want to add to your repertoire of meal.  Paired with salmon, grilled chicken or on the side of vegetable lasagna.  Also, 1 cup of cashews maybe make enough dressing for two meals.  It can be stored in refrigerator  for a week.   Look for my recipe for brazil nut cheese to  replace the croutons.   Enjoy with NO GUILT!

This recipe will help stretch you out of your comfort zone of foods.  Eating healthy doesn’t have to be hard.   This is first in a series of recipe ideas to create “3 days of meals” that build on each other and will save time in the kitchen each day.  Doubling food prep in one area will help save time for the days to come.  This grain/gluten free tortilla is made with only 3 ingredients!   Tapioca flour,  cassava flour (garbanzo fave flour) and spinach!  Cassava flour is loaded with dietary fiber and protein and will help with blood sugar control and a feeling of satiety.  

Breakfast Burrito

Breakfast dinner or upside down night is one of my favorites.  It saves time, money and a great vegetarian choice.    Here is a burrito that checks all the boxes, protein, healthy fats and lots of colors.  When planning for the next three days of meals,  make this burrito first.   Make head two batches of flour tortillas (Chinese Burrito)  sautéed onions and peppers and creamy Chipotle dressing (Mexican Polenta Bowl)  for two other meals this week.  Once 5pm rolls around, you will be ready to tackle dinner and will be sitting on the couch watching Netflix before you know it!

Relax, dinner is almost ready.  If you are making this as part of the three plan meal plan, you are almost ready!  Make polenta and assemble bowls.  

I love corn tortillas but usually finding organic corn tortillas that last more than a day in my pantry isn't easy.  They seem to only be "fresh" for a day or two before they become cardboard.   Non organic GMO filled corn tortillas last for weeks... HMMMM- maybe not the best is a choice???   Organic polenta is my new favorite "corn" option.   Bowls are the the packed with nutrition, easy to make and many times we have ingredients on hand.   1-2-3 and dinner is ready!

If you had a grocery list and a plan for three days of healthy meals, wouldn't it make your meals during a busy work week easier?  This is a recipe part for a series of three meals that have overlapping ingredients.

First: Breakfast burritos with homemade fries, Possible lunch with leftovers: melted turkey wraps with chipotle cream and cabbage and left over french fries. Second night: Polenta bowls (make a double batch of creamy chipotle dressing), Third night: Chinese Burrito (make two batches of tortillas for another night and a double batch of the meat mixture and freeze for a future meal). If you don't this as a burrito, make quinoa and have as a "bowl".

if desired make ahead on the weekend- tortillas, cashew cream dressings, meat mixture for Chinese Burrito.  

This meal is about as easy as making a box of mac and cheese but the nutrition benefits can't be compared.   Quinoa is a great source of protein.  Salmon is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, B vitamins, Potassium and Selenium.  You brain and heart will thank you after you! 

This is the perfect weekday meal.  It only has a few ingredients and most are in my pantry waiting for dinner.  Coconut milk gives this dish a rich taste and is a great dairy alternative. 

Potatoes are a great gluten free alternative for feeding the troops.   Either as french fries,  mashed,  baked or hash browns potatoes,  here are a few ideas and tips.  Once again, last minute meal ideas can be potatoes, frozen chicken and a vegetable medley (any veggies left in the drawer ).  And will be sure to save you when you have  another "what's for dinner?" night.  Cooking potatoes in a waterless fashion will retain vitamins and and minerals and maintains the flavor of the potato.  Remember the carrot test? same goes for boiling a potato.  Click to learn more. 

Chili and Cornbread- BOOM- DONE!!

Five stars from all for this easy dinner!  I shoe-stringed a zucchini and added at the end to lower carb count. This dinner serves enough for 3-4, but I had to double it for my family. 

Cauliflower pizza, paleo pizza or a pre-cooked crust.  Kale pesto, BBQ pizza or just traditional.  The ideas are endless.  

Cabbage, broccoli stalks, carrots all stay fresh in the refrigerator longer than most other vegetables, so it important for me to have these on-hand for a "meal in minutes".  Here are a few "slaw" recipes to fit multiple dinner themes.  Get ready to shred some cabbage in thirty seconds!  The minimal cleanup makes dinner enjoyable once again!

And while we are still talking cabbage,  let's not forget sauerkraut!  Video added to start making you own. 

The perfect meal on the night you say, "We have nothing here for dinner, what do we eat?".  Cashews are a must to have on hand.  Zucchini in the fridge and shrimp in the freezer,  BOOM- DINNER!  You're welcome.

We all should be eating more fish since omega 3 fatty acids have benefits to both our bodies and brains.  Here are three different fish taco recipes that take only moments to make.  Fish tacos once a week?? Of course!!!!!!!

Need the feeling of home?  Yet, you hated meat loaf as a child like me.  This one has a Mexican flare you will LOVE!   Pared with  a mix of vegetable and No boil mashed potatoes that leave other mashed potatoes taste like paste.    This my one of my Sunday evening favorites but it doesn't take me all after noon to make.

I love this because I don't have to boil water and make pasta.  Butternut squash may have more carbs than zucchini noodles, but it's a great source of vitamin A, has only 82 calories in one cup, loaded with fiber and a great source of  Vitamin C, E, magnesium, and potassium.

In the summertime, zucchini are in abundance from the garden.  Here are a few different variations of the same recipe.  All of them are my favorite, it just depends on the day and mood! 

Even your meat loving friends will be shocked at the amazing taste that comes from a lentil.  The cashew cream will make this non-dairy also and is my preferred way to enjoy them.

Oh boy, this is my new favorite summer meal.  The peaches and corn salsa are the stars of this “in season” summer dish.  If you are looking for a vegetarian option, use chickpeas and seasoning with spices and roast in the oven or electric skillet.

Cookies in a skillet!  No oven and  it takes minutes to make.  Granted, I can't make 4 dozen this way, but maybe that's a good thing??

Cookies in a skillet!  No oven and  it takes minutes to make.  Granted, I can't make 4 dozen this way, but maybe that's a good thing??

When you find a good base for a recipe, just change the flavor and it is a new recipe!  This base is the same as the snickerdoodle one.   I bet this would be amazing  with walnuts also.

Lower carb and easier to make than rice.    Sounds like a win win...

Here are a few recipes that can be made as a side or an entire meal.

If you don't like quinoa, I'm really sorry for your loss.  Quinoa is so versatile and tastes great hot or cold.  it can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for at least 3-4 days.  It is also gluten free, high in protein and one of the few plant foods that is a complete protein.  Did you know it isn't even a grain?  it is a seed but has been referred to as the "mother of all grains" ironically.  Plus it provides, fiber, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus. folate, iron and zinc.    FYI- I like to cook my quinoa in vegetable or chicken stock to enhance the flavor.  Also, adding a dash of red wine vinegar after it is cooked give it a little extra bite.    This Buddha "Power" Bowl is great for dinner, prepared ahead for lunch and tastes great hot or cold.    


It doesn't get much easier than this folks!  Frank's Hot Sauce is a perfect dressing for the cauliflower.   Even if you aren't a blue cheese fan, there is something amazing about the combination.  If you aren't into cheese, sprinkle nutritional yeast on the cauliflower after the sauce.  Also,  if you don't want chicken, make the potato corn chowder and call it a meal!

Once again, when you find a easy meal, you become creative and add different vegetable and sauce, and it's an entire new meal!  It's perfect for those no-brainer night.

Make this in the morning or the day before the meal and it is ready to serve.  But to be honest, it is so easy to make , there isn't much of a reason to think ahead.  One pot and done!  Sometimes when I feel extra giving, I'll make cornbread or banana bread in the skillet for dessert.  Especially if no one complains about it having no cheese or bacon!

Make ahead for lunch or have this salad ready for dinner when you walk in the door after a long day at the office.  

Use as a substitute for "cheese" topping on a pizza, lasagna or even"croutons" for a salad.     Dairy free and nutritious!  

When there isn't much left in the kitchen for breakfast, here's an idea!  Kimchi is a great probiotic.  This will feed your gut with that good bacteria.  If you want to evengo more over the top, add fresh arugula to this as it is a "prebiotic".  That way, the good bacteria has something to "snack on" to keep it alive.   If you choose to eat dairy, cottage cheese is an excellent source of protein.  Add some milled flax seed on top for some bonus Omega 3's and fiber.  

When there isn't much left in the kitchen for breakfast, here's an idea!  Kimchi is a great probiotic.  This will feed your gut with that good bacteria.  If you want to evengo more over the top, add fresh arugula to this as it is a "prebiotic".  That way, the good bacteria has something to "snack on" to keep it alive.   If you choose to eat dairy, cottage cheese is an excellent source of protein.  Add some milled flax seed on top for some bonus Omega 3's and fiber.  

Quinoa is so versatile and it much easier than cooking sushi rice.  Plus, quinoa sushi can be made with less sugar.  The secret seems to be the "flax egg" added to the quinoa.  It is also gluten free, high in protein and one of the few plant foods that is a complete protein.  Did you know it isn't even a grain?  it is a seed but has been referred to as the "mother of all grains" ironically.  Plus it provides, fiber, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus. folate, iron and zinc.    FYI- I like to cook my quinoa in vegetable or chicken stock to enhance the flavor.

I may never eat a beef burger again after making these!  The flavor was AMAZING!  Have open faced on whole grain toast or as a lettuce wrap to save on the carbs.  Or, just eat on a bun with your regular hamburger toppings.  No matter what, even the meat lovers won't be asing, "where's the beef?"


Everyone deserves a little slice of heaven now and then.  Try these and see if they satisfy.  I like to make a double batch and freeze.  That way we and  get a few hour for lunches or an afternoon treat.

Want to make lasting changes this New Year?  Start with a healthy gut!  Since our gut health is crucial to our whole body wellness, it’s the perfect place to start!   Kimchi is a fermented food and a probiotic (good bacteria for our gut). Have some with eggs in the morning or as a side with dinner.  Try to have a spoonful at least twice a week to maintain a healthy gut.  Along with other fermented foods, your gut will be happy and healthy.  

I found this recipe 15 years ago and  I have made it once a month ever since.  I love soup, because I can make it ahead and it's such  easy clean up after dinner.  Lots of vegetables and a rich cheesy flavor.  YUM!