Cooking Archives - Page 2 of 2

Healthy Family Meal Plan: Week 2

You’ve probably figured out by now that I’m not the absolute best chef, but I do like to eat, so that counts for something. I’m honestly more of a baker, but since I’m still trying hard to keep my sugar addiction from overtaking me, I try to only bake for others. To stay on track with my healthy eating, I really need a healthy meal plan. With a 2 week healthy meal plan, it’s easy to choose your favorites and make them staples in your house. That will make eating healthy on a regular basis much easier. So, try these recipes out, enjoy them, steal them, make them your own with modifications. Eat healthy; be happy…

Canola Oil vs Olive Oil vs Vegetable Oil vs Coconut Oil vs Almond Oil

Wonder if I you can substitute one oil for another in a recipe? Not only can we cook with oils but we can also use them for cosmetic purposes. Find out the number of things you can use oils for and the difference between them all. We’ll even get into the nitty-gritty of types of oils in more detail, including our top picks for each as well as some of the basic terminologies…

Healthy Eating Plan: Week 1

I find that I am the most successful with eating healthy at home when I come up with a meal plan for the week ahead of time. I’ve tried many online recipes and found some things that have become staples in our house. Often, I tweak recipes I grew up with to make them healthier (or at least less processed!). I’ve been playing a lot with gluten-free recipes lately too and have found a few that are pretty tasty. So, to help you succeed in a healthy eating plan, I figured why not put two weeks of my favorite meals I’ve found in one place so you can have a varied meal plan that will help you eat fresh, non processed food, at home, for two full weeks. I’ll do this in 2 parts so it isn’t insanely long…

Smoothie in blender (caption: Best Blenders For Smoothies)

Best Blenders For Smoothies: Ninja vs Vitamix vs Cleanblend

Kickstart your day the healthy way! By combining a plethora of fruits, vegetables and superfood extras into a quality blender for a few minutes, you’ll have the energy you need to make it through your workday. Caution: by using one of these high-end blenders, you’ll have a well-blended, delicious and nutritious smoothie that will leave you feeling amazingly energetic and ready to take on your day’s activities (even on a Monday). A quality blender can truly change your life; I know it changed mine. Read on to find our picks for the best smoothie blender…

Whole30: AKA 30 Days Of Torture For A Good Cause

I had several friends who had done (and some continue to live by) Whole30. Whole30 is a 30 day detox diet. It’s Paleo, but even more strict than your typical Paleo diet. It is supposed to reset your body to eliminate cravings and help figure out what your trigger foods are that may cause discomfort, bloating and even illness. You give up all non-naturally occurring sugars, all dairy, legumes, grains, alcohol and preservatives in food for 30 days. That first week or so is brutal though…

Spiralizer Reviews: Veggetti vs Paderno vs Kitchen Supreme

Best Spiralizer: Veggetti vs Paderno vs Kitchen Supreme

We all indulge in spaghetti every once in a while (maybe more than we should?). Pasta is an indulgent and go-to meal but sadly one that is loaded with carbs, gluten and leaves you feeling full and bloated.Imagine, that you could still enjoy your Italian grandmother’s spicy arrabbiata recipe but with the daily quotient of veggies in just one sitting, because you made zucchini, butternut squash, parsnip or sweet potato zoodles? Turning your vegetables into a healthy, lower calorie alternative “zoodles” (aka zucchini noodles) is a fun, easy way to create innovative stir fries, salads and vegetable noodles as well as julienned vegetables (and fruits) using a kitchen spiralizer…

What is Cricket Flour?

Have you heard about cricket protein bars and flour? Did you get a little squeamish reading that sentence? Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it! Cricket protein powder is the latest rage for health nuts and once you read the stats you’ll consider trying it too. Consumers have been pleasantly surprised by the taste and nutrition quality found in cricket protein bars. Find out why so many people are talking about cricket flour…

Chia Seeds Recipes

If you ask me, chia seeds don’t really have a taste, but some might describe them as slightly nutty. Either way, they are an easy add in to smoothies or morning oat topper. They can even be used as an egg substitute or, drum roll please… can make the most delicious and satiating breakfast, snack or dessert all on their own. And, without further ado, here are two of my favorite chia seeds recipes for you to try out…

The Local Food Movement

The word local is one of America’s hot new buzz words. Although the idea of buying locally grown food is not at all new, the local food movement has certainly picked up momentum in recent years and has therefore thrust the word “local” into all kinds of headlines. Forty years ago it was mostly grown hippies and environmentalists who promoted local food. College towns had food co-ops and bigger cities hosted weekend farmer’s markets. Today, politicians, white collar workers, blue collar workers, housewives, retirees, college students and people from all parts of society are getting on the local food movement bandwagon.

Carlo Petrini and the Slow Food Movement

In a nut shell, the slow food movement is the opposite of fast food. In fact, it was founded by Carlo Petrini in Italy as an initiative to preserve local, cultural cuisine, and thereby combat the unchecked growth of unhealthy fast food. The slow food movement encourages us to return to our roots…