What can I help you find?

Looking for a healthy recipe, tips & tricks for healthy habits, or food discussions? It’s all here!

Latest from the blog
Muffin Tin Tomato Tarts

Muffin Tin Tomato Tarts

Recipe developed for Planted Garden Co. kitchen gardens: SUMMER HARVEST These Muffin Tin Tomato Tarts are a fresh, flavorful way to showcase ripe cherry tomatoes and fragrant herbs in a convenient, naturally gluten-free format. The crust, made with chickpea flour and pine nuts, adds a toasty, savory base, while the creamy egg filling is layered…

Grilled Halloumi and Strawberry Puree Cheese Board

Grilled Strawberry Purée and Halloumi Cheese Board

This vibrant summer cheese board brings together a fresh mix of textures and flavors: lightly sweet grilled strawberry purée, warm halloumi cubes, fresh basil, and toasted pine nuts. The salty richness of the halloumi contrasts beautifully with the strawberries, while the basil adds a delicious herbal note, and buttery pine nuts add a light crunch….

Pizza Squash Slices on white platter

Pizza Squash

Recipe developed for Planted Garden Co. kitchen gardens: SUMMER HARVEST This Pizza Squash is a simple, seasonal recipe that makes the most of ripe tomatoes, fresh herbs, and summer squash. Halved zucchini or yellow squash become the base that captures the familiar flavors of pizza—without any dough. Fresh mozzarella melts over the squash, while juicy…

Apricot Mango Salsa

Apricot Mango Salsa

This Apricot Mango Salsa is a celebration of early summer produce, balancing the lush sweetness of ripe mangos and apricots with just enough kick from jalapeño. Red onion and fresh cilantro bring a crisp contrast. Every ingredient is chopped fine so you get a little of everything in each bite. The recipe comes together in…

Fresh Herb Shortbread

Fresh Herb Shortbread

Recipe developed for Planted Garden Co. kitchen gardens: SPRING TO SUMMER TRANSITION These Fresh Herb Shortbread slices are an unexpected twist on a classic, combining the buttery crispness you’d expect with a savory and lightly sweet flavor that highlights garden herbs and nutrient-dense flours. Rosemary, thyme, and basil are finely chopped to distribute their flavors…

Fresh berries at the farmer's market

6 Simple Tips to Make the Most of Your Farmer’s Market Visit

Part of the Food Talk series Let’s talk about farmer’s markets… There’s something special about a morning at the farmers’ market—the smell of fresh herbs, the vibrant produce piled high, the friendly hum of conversation. Whether you go every week or only occasionally, it’s one of the best ways to connect with your food and…

Mexican Tortilla Pizzas with Mushroom Pan Sausage

Mexican Tortilla Pizzas

with Mushroom Pan Sausage These veggie-forward Mexican Tortilla Pizzas come together with bold flavors and fresh, colorful ingredients. Each layer brings something to the table—melty manchego cheese, tender greens, juicy tomatoes, hearty black beans, and a mix of vibrant peppers. Toasted corn tortillas hold it all together with the perfect crunch. A handful of pumpkin…

Chocolate Coconut Overnight Buckwheat

Chocolate Coconut Overnight Buckwheat

Notes: Buckwheat requires soaking for 6 hours before putting the jars together for ideal texture (see instructions in recipe). Overnight buckwheat has a slightly firmer texture than overnight oats. This make-ahead breakfast uses soaked buckwheat groats for a texture that’s more substantial than oats. Mixed with coconut milk, cocoa, almond butter, and date paste, it…

Herb Roasted Sugar Snap Peas

Herb Roasted Sugar Snap Peas

Recipe developed for Planted Garden Co. kitchen gardens: SPRING HARVEST These herb roasted sugar snap peas come together fast and taste like spring! Tossed with olive oil, ghee, garlic, and herbs, they turn tender and flavorful in the oven without losing their freshness. Rosemary adds depth, while lemon thyme brings a hint of brightness. They’re…

Yogurt Deviled Eggs

Yogurt Deviled Eggs

These Yogurt Deviled Eggs offer a delicious, more nutritious spin on the traditional recipe. The yolks are blended with creamy Greek yogurt, olive oil, champagne vinegar, and a touch of honey for balance. Finished with crunchy dill pickles, pickled radishes, and a dusting of smoked paprika, they bring bright flavor and plenty of texture to…

Dill Pickled Radishes

Dill Pickled Radishes

Recipe developed for Planted Garden Co. kitchen gardens: SPRING HARVEST These dill pickled radishes are a simple way to add flavor and color to your favorite dishes. Thinly sliced radishes are mixed with fresh dill, garlic, and a hint of honey, then quick-pickled in champagne vinegar. The result is a crisp, tangy condiment that balances…

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Recipe developed for Planted Garden Co. kitchen gardens: SPRING HARVEST Think of these chicken lettuce wraps as your answer to a fast, fresh, and flavorful meal. They start with tender chicken and a medley of mushrooms, bell peppers, and onions, all simmered in a rich Ginger Sesame Sauce. Served in crisp romaine leaves and finished…

Sesame Flax Crisps

Sesame Flax Crisps

A mix of sesame and flax seeds gives these crisps a naturally nutty, toasted flavor. They’re quick to make and deliver plenty of crunch in every bite. Serve them alongside a creamy soup, add them to a grazing board, or enjoy them straight from the tray. You can even sprinkle the leftover bits over salads…

Pea Soup with fresh Herbs and whipped yogurt cream

Pea Soup with Fresh Herbs

and Whipped Yogurt Cream Fresh peas, mint, and thyme create a soup that feels as vibrant as it tastes, with layers of gentle sweetness and herbal depth. Blending the soup until smooth gives it a luxuriously creamy texture without heaviness. The whipped yogurt cream adds a cool, tangy contrast that melts beautifully into each warm…

Building healthy habits through consistency and small daily actions

Building Healthy Habits: Why Consistency Wins Every Time

Part of the Healthy Habits series Let’s talk about building healthy habits with consistency… There’s something energizing about building healthy habits and imagining a better version of ourselves. But too often, that excitement fades before real change can happen. What truly makes the difference isn’t how hard you go at the start — it’s the…

Mango Chili Spinach Salad

Mango Chili Spinach Salad

Sweet mango, crisp spinach, and a kick of chili powder come together in this refreshing Mango Chili Spinach Salad. Minced cilantro, red onion, and garlic bring fresh, savory flavor, while a simple seasoning blend ties everything together. It’s easy to make and full of color and contrast. Serve it on the side, spoon it over…

Celebration Desserts

Celebration Desserts

Part of the Food Talk series Let’s talk about celebration desserts… From weddings and birthdays to anniversaries and christenings, dessert often marks the joyful finale of life’s most meaningful celebrations. It’s the sweet punctuation that brings the gathering to a delicious close. These celebrations of life’s moments are so very important. I believe there are ways…

Peanut Butter Miso Skillet Cookies

Peanut Butter Miso Skillet Cookies

These Peanut Butter Miso Skillet Cookies bring together the savory depth of white miso with the creamy richness of peanut butter for a cookie that’s out of the ordinary. Made with buckwheat and whole wheat pastry flour and just a touch of coconut sugar, they’re naturally low in added sugar and full of satisfying flavor….

Skillet Chicken Stew

Skillet Chicken Stew

This Skillet Chicken Stew is a hearty, yet healthy, dish that’s rich, creamy, and packed with tender chicken and vibrant veggies. A velvety sauce made with bone broth, milk, cream, and a touch of nutmeg brings everything together for a comforting dish perfect any night of the week.

Classic hummus Board with hummus, marinated vegetables, nuts, feta, and pita

Classic Hummus Board

This Classic Hummus Board brings together homemade hummus with bright, crisp veggies and a variety of flavorful accompaniments. A simple diced veggie salad adds freshness, while cubes of feta, toasted nuts, and warm whole grain pita provide the perfect balance of texture and taste. Whether served as an appetizer or a light meal, this yummy…

Asian Slaw

Asian Slaw

Packed with color, texture, and bright flavors, this Asian slaw is a delicious mix of crisp cabbage, sweet carrots, and nutty sesame seeds, all tossed in a sesame-honey dressing. The toasted almonds add a satisfying crunch, while fresh cilantro and green onions bring a burst of flavor. It’s a versatile dish that works as a…

Asian Chicken Burgers

Asian Chicken Burgers

with Thai Peanut Sauce and Asian Slaw These Asian Chicken Burgers bring bold flavors and irresistible textures to your plate, combining tender chicken with aromatic ginger, garlic, and a hint of chili. Topped with a vibrant Asian slaw, creamy avocado, and a luscious Thai peanut sauce, every bite is a perfect balance of savory, tangy,…

Mexican Black Bean Breakfast Bowl

Mexican Black bean Breakfast Bowls

Kickstart your morning with these Mexican Black Bean Breakfast Bowls, a hearty and flavorful dish featuring spiced black beans, fresh spinach and cilantro, and an array of vibrant toppings like chili crunch sauce, toasted pumpkin seeds, and avocado. Rich in protein, fiber, and bold flavors, this bowl is both nourishing and satisfying. Customize it with your favorite egg style and…

Healthy Happy Life Hacks

Healthy Happy Life Hacks

Quick, easy tips to make living a healthy lifestyle simpler and sustainable over time. #1 What You Can, When You Can When life gets in the way of your Healthy Habits and routines, instead of scrapping, them do what you can, when you can. This video shares the basic principle of this Healthy Happy Life…

Ginger Sesame Salmon with forbidden rice, broccoli, carrots, and mushrooms

Ginger Sesame Salmon

with Forbidden Rice, Broccoli, Carrots, and Mushrooms This Ginger Sesame Salmon is a flavorful, nutritious dish featuring sesame-crusted salmon, forbidden rice, and sautéed broccoli, carrots, onions, and mushrooms, all tied together with a savory ginger sesame sauce.

Mushrooms in wire basket

Mushrooms

Part of the Food Talk series Let’s talk about mushrooms… Mushrooms are a staple in my fridge for their ability to add flavor and texture to a dish and for their nutritional value. They come in so many different varieties and offer a multitude of health benefits. Even the common white button mushroom can transform…

a variety of plant foods for 30 plants a week

30 Plants A Week

Increasing Variety in Your Diet Part of the Healthy Habits series Let’s talk about eating 30 plants a week… You may have heard about the trend of eating 30 different plants per week. Unlike some fleeting fads, this one aligns with one of my guiding food principles: ‘Eat Variety.’ Plus, it’s backed by research. 

Noting How you feel after eating

Noting How You Feel After Eating

Part of the Healthy Habits series Let’s talk about noting how you feel after eating… Have you ever stopped to think about how you feel after eating certain foods? It might seem simple, but taking a moment to notice the connection between what you eat and how you feel could be a powerful tool in…

freshly harvested carrots

Carrots are In Season

Part of the In Season series It’s carrot season… Carrots are in season here in Georgia from October to June. This may vary a bit for you depending on where you live. Carrots have been cultivated for a very long time with possible evidence found in ancient Roman and Greek texts.  

Spicy Pickled Green Beans

Spicy Pickled Green Beans

Recipe developed for Planted Garden Co. kitchen gardens: SUMMER HARVEST These quick-prep spicy pickled green beans are a flavorful way to bring heat, crunch, and brightness to your favorite meals. Blanched green beans are jarred with garlic, jalapeño, crushed red pepper, and vinegar for a bold, tangy bite. Let them chill in the fridge for…

Summer Stir Fry

Summer Stir-Fry

Recipe developed for Planted Garden Co. kitchen gardens: SUMMER HARVEST This summer stir fry is a lively mix of peak-season produce and savory ground meat for an easy, satisfying meal. Juicy cherry tomatoes, green beans, and plenty of fresh basil cook quickly alongside shallots, garlic, and hot peppers. Everything comes together in a rich sesame-ginger…

Healthier Baking Substitutions

Healthier Baking Substitutions

Part of the Cheat Sheet series Let’s talk about healthier baking substitutions… Baking usually involves some combination of flour, sugar, and fat. Knowing how to make healthier substitutions for these three basic components can help you enjoy these treats (in reasonable portions) without sabotaging your health goals. When I bake at home, I want my…

fresh Brussels Sprouts in a white bowl

Brussels Sprouts are In Season

Part of the In Season series It’s Brussels sprouts season… Brussels sprouts are in season here in Georgia from November to February. This may vary a bit for you depending on where you live. Brussels sprouts have been grown in Belgium for 500 years or more and may have originated in Ancient Rome.

Reimagining Traditions with healthier treats on white trays

Reimagining traditions to fit your healthy lifestyle

Part of the Healthy Habits series Let’s talk about reimagining traditions…. I’ve never liked the idea of throwing away healthy lifestyle changes during the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s only to restart them with fervor in January. I’ve found that starting over in January feels like taking two steps forward and three steps back.

Roux in a small bowl

Roux

Roux is a basic recipe to add to your cooking repertoire. It adds depth to soups, stews, and sauces, and can be used to thicken as well.

Bone Broth in Mason Jar

How to Make Bone Broth

Let me show you how to make bone broth. I love how this process fills the kitchen with amazing aromas throughout the day as the broth cooks down. There’s something so relaxing about this that I find it almost meditative. I never use a recipe for this but just go on experience and intuition. The…

2024 Thanksgiving menu pictures

2024 Fantasy Thanksgiving Menu

A Special Edition of the Food Talk series Every year, I plan a fantasy Thanksgiving menu where the dishes all complement each other and the meal is decadent but healthy and balanced. Below the menu, you’ll find a link to all the recipes. Wishing you a healthy, happy Thanksgiving! 2024 Fantasy Thanksgiving Menu Appetizer White…

Halloween candy and mini pumpkins

How to Deal With Halloween Candy (or Christmas Stocking or Easter Basket Candy)

Part of the Cheat Sheet series Let’s talk about How to Deal with Halloween Candy… Do you have a weakness for the leftover Halloween (Christmas, Easter, – fill in any holiday that applies) candy? Can you just hear the peanut butter cups calling your name when you walk by. Do you not really truly enjoy…

Bok Choy in a wire basket

Bok Choy is In Season

Part of the In Season series It’s bok choy season… Bok choy is in season here in Georgia from October to June. This may vary a bit for you depending on where you live. Bok Choy is in the cabbage family and has been grown in China for more than 6,000 years.

up-close microgreens

Microgreens

Part of the Food Talk series Let’s talk about microgreens… I love multi-tasking ingredients, and microgreens are definitely one of those versatile gems. They add incredible flavor, make your dish look stunning, and are packed with micronutrients. Plus, they’re easy to grow at home with a variety of options to keep things interesting.

Sessions Stand and Brasserie sandwiches, soup, and salad with orange pear iced tea

Sessions Stand & Brasserie

Local Places Sessions Stand and Brasserie is a Marietta Gem Walk up to Sessions Stand & Brasserie on any given day, and you’ll find children playing in the green space while their moms catch up over a cup of coffee, people sipping lattes and nibbling pastries while “working from home” (out in their community rather…

Glucose Revolution Book

Glucose Revolution: The Life-Changing Power of Balancing Your Blood Sugar

by Jessie Inchaspé (The Glucose Goddess) Part of the Books I Love series In the Books I Love series, I’ll share with you some of my favorite books. These will usually be nutrition books, but from time-to-time, you’ll find lifestyle books and novels within the theme of food and healthy living. I’ll be keeping the…

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes are In Season

Part of the In Season series It’s sweet potato season… Sweet potatoes are in season here in Georgia from July to November. This may vary a bit for you depending on where you live.  These earthy, sweet-flavored roots herald the arrival of fall and offer not just taste but a plethora of health benefits.

Tea Time with Tea, a. healthy snack, and a book

Tea Time

Part of the Food Talk series Let’s talk about tea time… My daily habit of tea time started several years ago as a means to reduce my snacking. Initially, it was simply a designated moment in the afternoon when I would have a snack rather than grazing throughout the day. Over time,  it has evolved into…

Adding More Physical Activity

Adding More Physical Activity

Part of the Cheat Sheet series Let’s talk about easy ways to add more physical activity… Physical activity is linked to decreased cancer rates, increased longevity, better sleep, lower blood pressure, and better mental well-being. Yet, we all know how hard it can be to fit exercise into our busy lives. That’s why I created…

Starting Where You Are

Starting Where You Are

Part of the Healthy Habits series Let’s talk about starting where you are… Comparing your starting point with where someone else is often hampers you from doing the things needed to get started. It’s important to remember the very simple truth that you can only start where you are right now. So that fact alone…

help with cutting out soda: Black Tea, Green tea, and Water on a blue flowered tray

Cutting out Soda

Part of the Healthy Habits series Let’s talk about cutting out soda… We all know cutting out soda is something we should do. Whether diet or regular, soda is filled with ingredients that aren’t doing our health any benefit. It has no nutritional value. When my kids were small I decided I wouldn’t bring soda…

Zucchini on wooden cutting board

Zucchini is in Season

Part of the In Season series It’s zucchini season… Zucchini is in season here in Georgia from late April to November, but this may vary a bit for you depending on where you live. It is particularly abundant this time of year and has so many culinary uses!

picture of two Blue Zones Books by Dan Buettner with glasses and vase of flowers

The Blue Zones: 9 Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest

by Dan Buettner Part of the Books I Love series In the Books I Love series, I’ll share with you some of my favorite books. These will usually be nutrition books, but from time-to-time, you’ll find lifestyle books and novels within the theme of food and healthy living. I’ll be keeping the format short and…

Red pepper spread with raw veggies

Veggie Appetizers

Part of the Healthy Habits series Let’s talk about veggie appetizers… I have been doing veggie appetizers for several years now to curb my own snacking and encourage vegetable eating in my house. Recently, I learned that this habit is also a scientifically-backed way to help with glucose spikes when I heard the Glucose Goddess…

3 types of leafy greens on wooden tray

Leafy Greens

Part of the Food Talk series Let’s talk about leafy greens… Leafy greens are part of my daily eating and something I make sure are included when doing my weekly meal planning. They are also a staple of Blue Zone diets. When a food, like leafy greens, is part of the diet regularly consumed by…

Wooden salt and pepper shakers, he's, and a tomato with a Make It Simple Meal Builder

Meal Builder: Make it Simple

Part of the Cheat Sheet series Let’s talk about a simple way to build meals… This meal builder is all about helping you simplify your goal of eating healthy. You simply pick the specified number of items from each category and put your meal together. I envision the final products as bowls, but you can…

Wooden salt and pepper shakers, he's, and a tomato with a Make It Simple Meal Builder

Make it Simple

Part of the Healthy Habits series Let’s talk about making it simple… If a health goal seems too complicated or difficult to put into practice try simplifying. Ask yourself “how can I make this as easy for myself to accomplish as possible?” Try to make your health goals intuitive and part of your normal routine…

Okra pods in a coral colored bowl

Okra is in Season

Part of the In Season series It’s okra season… Okra is in season here in Georgia from May to October, but this may vary a bit for you depending on where you live. It is one of my favorite summer veggies – I just love how they roast up crisp on the outside and tender…

mural with leaves and saying "It's All Good"

Good Kitchen and Market

Local Places It’s all good at Good Kitchen and Market One of my favorite local places for dining out while supporting healthy eating habits is Good Kitchen & Market. If you are in or near the downtown Marietta or Smyrna area, you must check out Good Kitchen. The owners Peter and Veronica Tompkins are lovely people….

Dining Out Cheat Sheet at place setting

Dining Out

Part of the Cheat Sheet series Let’s talk about dining out… Is dining out derailing your health goals? While home-cooked meals are great for staying on track, we all deserve a break now and then. And let’s face it, sometimes eating out is just inevitable. It can be hard to stay on track when eating…

dates in pale pink bowl

Dates

Part of the Food Talk series Let’s talk about dates… To me dates are like food magic. Eaten whole, they taste like caramel candy, but are filled with all the good things. Blend them up with a little water, and you get an amazing caramel puree that can be used as a spread or a…

a variety of sugars on a white tray, reducing consumption

Reducing Sugar Consumption & Cutting Out heavily Processed Sugars

Part of the Healthy Habits series Let’s talk about reducing sugar consumption… Reducing overall sugar consumption and replacing it in smaller amounts with more natural sugars is beneficial to our health, but it can be extremely difficult. I have found that sugar is addictive for me – the more I eat, the more I want.

Black garlic heads in papery skins and peeled black garlic cloves

Black Garlic

Part of the Food Talk series Let’s talk about black garlic… I love discovering new healthy ingredients. Before I first read Dr. William Li’s Eat to Beat Disease a couple of years ago, I hadn’t heard of black garlic. Now I see it popping up on menus, in recipes, and news articles. Reading that book…

Eat to Beat Disease book on wooded table with glasses, cup of tea, and vase of greenery

Eat to Beat Disease: The New Science of How the body Can Heal itself

by William W. Li, MD Part of the Books I Love series In the Books I Love series, I’ll share with you some of my favorite books. These will usually be nutrition books, but from time-to-time, you’ll find lifestyle books and novels within the theme of food and healthy living. I’ll be keeping the format…

tennis shoes , water bottle, and apple with the healthy habit cheat sheet

How to Start a Healthy Habit

Part of the Cheat Sheet series Let’s talk about how to start a healthy habit… Figuring out how to start a healthy habit can be overwhelming, and knowing how to do it in a way that makes long-term success more likely isn’t always clear. In this cheat sheet, I’ve provided you with my top seven…

Opened notebook with handwritten meal plan

Meal Planning Cheat Sheet

Part of the Cheat Sheet series Let’s talk about meal planning… Meal planning is one habit you can add that will help you meet your nutrition goals. Having a plan for the week makes it easier to stay on track and anticipate potential problems before they become nutrition sabatogers.  You should tailor your specific plan to…

In season Blueberries in yellow porcelain measuring cup

Blueberries are In Season

Part of the In Season series It’s blueberry season… Blueberries are in season here in Georgia from June to August. This may vary a bit for you depending on where you live, but no matter where you are blueberries are the perfect summertime treat! I just love how each one bursts with a sweet, yet…

Emily Haygood chopping vegetables in the kitchen

Guiding Food Principles: How I eat in Light of Constantly Changing Recommendations

Part of the Food Talk series Let’s talk about how I eat… Food recommendations are continually shifting. What is considered “healthy” today may be on the naughty list tomorrow and then back again in a few years. That’s why it’s important to have unchanging guiding food principles.

A Healthy Breakfast

A Healthy Breakfast

Part of the Healthy Habits series Let’s talk about breakfast… Breakfast eaters tend to consume less calories throughout the day and have a better-quality diet than non-breakfast eaters, but the typical American breakfast is often filled with sugar, highly processed, and lacking in quality protein, good fats, and fiber. Let’s face it, our bodies could…