December 8th, 2014
Apple Pie Smoothie recipe and an app I can’t live without
It may seem crazy to talk about smoothies given all of the cocktails and appetizers, pies and cookie dough flying around this time of year but, you know, I’m a little crazy. And—to be frank—I’m hoping not to gain 1,000 pounds this holiday season. (It can happen.) With so much decadent intake this month, I’m trying to keep it light and healthy at home whenever possible, and this Apple Pie Smoothie is my new jam. It’s super healthy, filling, and has all the great taste of the season. It’s the next best thing to pie. Well, it hits the spot big time—close enough.
posted in:
10+ mos | 12+ mos | 24+ mos | 6+ mos | 8+ mos | breakfast & brunch | dairy free | drinks | fast & easy | fruit | snacks | vegetables | vegetarianDecember 6th, 2014
Chewy Gingerbread Cookies with Lemon Glaze
Last week I pronounced December cookie month, served up these ridiculously addictive Coconut, Almond & Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies, and promised a new cookie every week until Christmas. Well, guess what? I couldn’t wait until next week was officially underway before sharing these Lemon Glazed Gingerbread Cookies. I figured that you might be baking this weekend and you’ll definitely want to give this recipe a go. (Bake a few to taste, then freeze the dough to have them on hand again closer to Christmas.)
If you’ve been visiting for a while, you’ve probably caught on that I’m a sucker for thin cookies that are crispy around the edges and chewy, ooey, gooey in the middle. That’s not usually the way gingerbread cookie recipes are developed, so I came up with my own.
December 2nd, 2014
Coconut, Almond & Raspberry Thumbprint Cookie recipe
I hereby declare December cookie month. If the winter holidays aren’t excuse enough to bake cookies like a crazy person, then I don’t know what is. Every week this month I’ll be sharing a new cookie recipe. Each one will suit the holidays, but also be the kind of cookie that you can enjoy any time of year. These Coconut, Almond & Raspberry Almond cookies especially. Just beware: these vegan cookies are INSANE.
I first tried these cookies while visiting my friends at Earthbound Farm Organic. The recipe is from Straight from the Earth: Irresistible Vegan Recipes for Everyone, one of the many amazing cookbooks by Earthbound founder Myra Goodman (this one is co-written by Myra’s daughter, Marea). These cookies were part of a delicious, abundant spread of sweets and—I am not kidding—people could not tear themselves away from these cookies. Non-vegans like me, included.
I recently made these as part of snack week duty for my son’s 3rd grade class and everyone was freaking out for them. I shared the recipe with several folks and several of the kids have requested that I also pass it on to their parents.
Myra says that these cookies will make you believe in magic because they’ll disappear right before your eyes. She’s not joking.
posted in:
12+ mos | 24+ mos | dairy free | dessert | entertaining | holiday cooking | snacks | sweet baked stuff | vegetarianNovember 25th, 2014
Cumin Lime Roasted Carrot Salad: A perfect healthy holiday recipe.
This bold holiday salad recipe is brought to you with the support of my video sponsor, Earthbound Farm Organic whose greens earn salad a real-deal spot at your holiday table.
When I first began creating a holiday recipe for Earthbound Farm Organic, I started playing with their fresh and frozen fruits. Pie, dessert, sauce, cocktails: they seemed the obvious direction—until it dawned on me that salads are sadly overlooked at the holiday table.
With so many rich Thanksgiving foods, salad can be a welcome respite. At the same time, it can’t be a lame obligatory bowl of greens. Only something fresh, bold, hearty and healthful fits the bill, which is why this Cumin Lime Roasted Carrot Salad is my all time favorite holiday salad.
posted in:
10+ mos | 12+ mos | 24+ mos | 6+ mos | 8+ mos | entertaining | holiday cooking | salads | vegetables | vegetarianNovember 24th, 2014
Pumpkin Yogurt Parfait: An easy, healthy breakfast recipe
You know what my problem is? I want every meal during the entire holiday weekend to be delicious. All of the food doesn’t have to be complicated or take tons of time, but I feel like every meal should feel like a treat. It’s a little overkill, I know, but that’s why I’m so into holiday breakfast recipes. Proof:
Orange Cranberry Spice Pancakes
Blueberry Almond Morning Polenta
And there’s more, like a make-ahead Spinach and Cheese Strata and Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Scones.
This year I took a page from Martha Stewart where I got the idea for this Pumpkin Yogurt Breakfast Parfait. It’s even easier than all of the recipes above, including the make ahead recipes since it preps in 5 minutes flat. It’s also a totally delicious way to get in the turkey day mood. If you like this breakfast parfait as much as we do, I bet it will become a go-to quick school day breakfast. It’s honestly as easy as pouring a bowl of cereal and so much better for you. It makes a killer snack, as well.
posted in:
10+ mos | 12+ mos | 24+ mos | 6+ mos | 8+ mos | breakfast & brunch | dairy free | fast & easy | gluten free | holiday cooking | snacks | vegetarianNovember 20th, 2014
A quick-look guide to Thanksgiving pies & holiday baking
Salted Caramel Apple Pie
Cranberry Pear Upside Down Cake
Turkey day is next week and that means… cakes and pie!
That’s right, I’m not ready to talk turkey. I’d much rather help make sure that your pies and baked goods are in order. Because if your Thanksgiving meal ends happy, it will be remembered as a happy meal.
I’m dropping gems here, people.
November 18th, 2014
Family food find: Red Pepper Roasted Chicken
As the cold sets in—and, oh, how it has set in here in Brooklyn—I start cranking the oven and experimenting with recipes for roasts like my Apple Butter-Balsamic Glazed Pork Loin and this Red Pepper Roasted Chicken. There’s really nothing better or easier than throwing a handful of ingredients and good cut of meat in the oven and taking out a delicious, hearty dinner.
November 14th, 2014
Favorite Fall Salads
Curried Cauliflower Salad with Lentils
I’m thinking turkey, gravy, pies and eating salads, salads, salads. Or, at least, that’s my plan. Starting next week (ha!).
It’s all about balance and I plan to strike one by spending the days leading up to Thanksgiving eating as healthfully as possible. With that in mind, I’ve been rounding up fall salad inspiration. I want there to be no excuse.
Check out my latest favorite fall salads. You can eat them now like me or bookmark some for your holiday table. Many of these would make a lovely addition to a Thanksgiving meal.
November 11th, 2014
Easy Thanksgiving dessert: No-Bake White Chocolate Cheesecake
No bake, no stress. That’s what I’m screaming with this decadent Thanksgiving dessert. Holiday cooking and baking are fun, but let’s be honest: they can suck the life out of you if you don’t pace yourself. If I’m not responsible for cooking Thanksgiving dinner, I’ll happily grab some made ahead pie dough from my freezer to make Sweet Potato Pie with Ginger Pecan Crumble or something equally delectable. If I’m responsible for Thanksgiving dinner, though, I save baking for the December holidays and keep it easy with this No-Bake White Chocolate Cheesecake.
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November 10th, 2014
Roasted Squash Salad with Maple Mustard Vinaigrette
It always takes me until after Halloween to realize that, yup, it’s all about fall foods. No more stray berries or plums. Even lighter greens are going away in these parts. It’s officially time for apples and dark greens, pears and squash. I guess it has been for a little while, but I’m just processing now. One of the ways that I love to transition from the lighter foods of summer to the heartier foods of fall is to make big autumn salads like this one with roasted squash.
Salads are an all-year-around food, but the ones founded on a bed of baby lettuces will always have a lighter, summer-spring essence for me. Then I build in winter or fall using roasted veggies and this Maple Mustard Vinaigrette. I’m working on slowly accepting the change of season. Little by little.
posted in:
10+ mos | 12+ mos | 24+ mos | 6+ mos | 8+ mos | dairy free | gluten free | salads | vegetables | vegetarianNovember 5th, 2014
How to make homemade almond milk in 3 easy steps + a Spiced Vanilla Almond Milk recipe
We’ve just crossed into holiday cooking season and here I am offering you a tutorial on how to make homemade almond milk. This recipe does not call for butter. The vanilla almond milk recipe doesn’t even have sugar (it’s sweetened with prunes!). No pie crust. No heavy cream. But, still, this is our favorite recipe right now. The spiced vanilla almond milk, in particular—it has a warming, holiday flavor that’s perfect for right now. My boys have been drinking it warmed with a little honey mixed in. I plan on using it to make a healthy holiday nog and plenty of holiday spiced smoothies, so keep an eye out.
Making homemade almond milk may seem like an unnecessary bother to some—I get it. This process may not be for everyone, but it’s too easy not to share. Plus, I’ve been reading up on carrageenan, a common additive in nut, soy and grain milks that helps to thicken them and it’s definitely questionable, especially consumed in great quantity. Given how frequently my boys drink almond and soy milk, I’m thinking homemade is the way to go.
Thank goodness making almond milk from scratch is so easy with such a worthwhile payback. (It tastes so much better than the store bought kind.)
Here’s the deal:
November 3rd, 2014
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Oat Bars
Snack week strikes again. It happens early in the year when you choose a name for your child that starts with “I.” I already finished my first round of duty and, overall, it was a hit.
I packed the week with lots of staples: tortilla chips and guacamole, pretzels, carrots, hummus, grapes, apples, melon, and cheese sticks. Then I added in a few homemade treats, these Pumpkin Oat Bars included.
The class got my first pass at these bars, which was born of an attempt to make something decadent enough to feel like a treat, but healthy enough to serve as healthy late morning fuel. To be honest, though, I didn’t use quite enough sugar to achieve the taste I wanted. When I made these a second time, instead of increasing the sugar, I added a combination of chocolate and butterscotch chips. Ooooh-eeee did the combination do the trick. They added just the amount of sweetness that I was looking for (which, honestly, isn’t crazy sweet).
October 31st, 2014
Apple Butter-Balsamic Glazed Pork Loin
I cant deny it any longer: a chill is settling in Brooklyn. We still have some warm afternoons where I can get away with wearing nothing more than a pair of jeans and a light long-sleeved shirt. Nonetheless, I’m getting into the habit of carrying a jacket at all times. All it takes is some cloud coverage and the cold sets in.
It’s a nice feeling. The air is crisp and the light is beautiful. And the leaves: they’re perfect and bright. It’s gorgeous here and if I can keep my mind off of what’s coming, I feel warm and satisfied sipping tea under a blanket (with the warmth of my laptop coming through—ha!) and the oven doing all of the heavy lifting for dinner.
And that’s really the best part. Yes, the leaves are gorgeous. Sure the temps are perfect. I’m just happy that I don’t have to work too hard to make a great dinner. An impressive one, even. I love that my oven can do most of the hard work and then I get to present my family with gorgeous roasted squash, sweet cumin-lime roasted carrots, crispy-edged brussels sprouts, and satisfying roasted meats.
It’s all about priorities.
posted in:
10+ mos | 12+ mos | 24+ mos | dairy free | dinner | fast & easy | gluten free | main entree | porkOctober 28th, 2014
DIY candy recipe: Easiest, 3-ingredient Peanut Butter Cups
This is dangerous. My favorite candy—peanut butter cups—can be made at home, in the freezer, with just three ingredients. No special molds, no candy thermometers, no hours of waiting and, best of all, no chemicals or other weird ingredients in my, uh, I mean, in my kids’ treats.
This is a super fun DIY cooking project for Halloween. Either make these with your kiddo for a fun Halloween week dessert or sneak them into his lunchbox on Friday.
Or make these all the time. Because, really, do we need it to be Halloween to eat peanut butter cups? I think not.
October 24th, 2014
Natural Halloween candy buying guide. Boo-m!
I have a secret (that I’d really like to keep between us grownups): There are tons of healthier Halloween candy options that are just as delicious as our favorite classic candies. Seriously.
Despite being a (mostly) all-natural mama, I’m pretty traditional when it comes to Halloween. I’m not going to encourage apples or raisins here, though more power to you if that’s your thing. Now that my kids are older, I can get back to my roots: For me, Halloween is about candy, so you can imagine how excited I am about the many all-natural candy options available these days.
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