Disclaimer: I received a free Tiger rice cooker and soup cup for review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

I’m so excited about this post!  Not only am I going to be writing about my new cookbook, I’m also reviewing a wonderful product and hosting an amazing giveaway!  My latest cookbook, Natural Baby Food: Over 150 Wholesome, Nutritious Recipes For Your Baby and Toddler published by Hatherleigh Press, was released earlier this year.  Over the summer, we’ve had a successful “blog tour” where dozens of my amazing blogger friends have reviewed the book and helped spread the word.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

Lovely to look at and fun to eat, this smoothie bowl is packed with flavor and nutrition. 

Thanks to the National Processed Raspberry Council for sponsoring this post!  All opinions expressed are my own. 

I’m fascinated with smoothie bowls.  Thicker than a smoothie and eaten with a spoon rather than being sipped through a straw, a smoothie bowl is a heartier, kicked up version of a traditional smoothie.  And in case you haven’t noticed, they’re all the rage right now in the food world.  Just check out Instagram and you’ll find tons of amazing photos of smoothie bowls.  It seems like people love to use smoothie bowls as a canvas to express their creativity.  With their bright, vibrant colors and elaborate garnishes, many of these bowls look like more like works of art than actual food.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

These tuna tostadas are perfect for a family friendly weeknight meal!


As a chef and food blogger, I love spending time in the kitchen.  I could spend an entire day braising a stew in the oven, making fresh pasta from scratch or even baking a homemade cake.  I’ve always found cooking to be relaxing and a nice change of pace from my day job in the Emergency Room where I’m usually running around for 12 hours at a time.  But I also have plenty of days when I want to get a nutritious meal on the table as quickly as possible.  This is especially true now that it’s back to school season!  

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

All of the flavors of a leisurely Sunday brunch baked into a muffin that’s perfect to take on the go. 

Now that my daughter Sienna has started preschool, our mornings have become quite a whirlwind as we get her ready for school and ourselves ready for work.  And like her mommy, Sienna definitely likes to sleep until the last possible minute!  So although I hope to be able to sit down to a nutritious, homemade breakfast as often as possible, the reality is that there will be plenty of days when I’ll need a faster breakfast option. Enter these delicious savory breakfast muffins!   

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

Packed with nutritious whole grains, protein and fruit, these sushi rolls are the perfect addition to your child's lunch box.

As a Stonyfield blogger, I received samples from Stonyfield, Justin’s, and PackIt. All opinions expressed are my own.

I’ve been in a bit of denial about the back to school season.  Of course, I’ve seen all of the back to school stuff out at the stores over the past several weeks but I’ve been trying to hang on to the last days of summer.  You see, this is a big year for our family.  My daughter Sienna is starting preschool five days a week for the first time.  It feels like just yesterday that she was born and all of a sudden she’s all grown up and we’re shopping for backpacks and school supplies!  Can someone please slow down the clock?

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

Hold on to summer a little while longer and fire up the grill for my tasty Strawberry Teriyaki Salmon Kebabs. 

In a recent post, I shared my Strawberry Jalapeño Salsarecipe and promised that it would make another appearance soon in a second recipe to pair with it.  Well, here it is- my Strawberry Teriyaki Salmon Kebabs. 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

Pure, unadulterated crab cake goodness topped with a colorful salsa that’s bursting with flavor- it’s the perfect summer entertaining dish!

I received free samples of Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by Zespri Kiwifruit and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

For the most recent Recipe Reduxcontest, we were challenged to “surprise and delight” with a recipe featuring Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit.  I was really excited to start experimenting in the kitchen because I’d never tried SunGold kiwifruit before.  This new variety of fruit is a natural cross between other gold varieties of kiwifruit (non-GMO) and is one of the fastest growing new fruits globally.  With their sweet flavor, pop of color, excellent nutritional profile and culinary versatility, these beauties are a must try! 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these avocado fries are baked to golden perfection. 

As a Stonyfield blogger, I received samples of Stonyfield yogurt and Kitchen IQ products. All opinions expressed are my own.

Move over French fries, there’s a new fry on the block!  Just when I thought avocados couldn’t get any better, I discovered these beauties.  Coated in panko breadcrumbs and baked to golden, crispy perfection, these crispy avocado fries are not only nutritious- they’re downright addictive!  

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

Bursting with flavor, this easy 5 ingredient salsa is perfect for summer!

I always have fresh strawberries in my fridge in the summertime when they’re at their peak.  Strawberries are my daughter’s favorite fruit and we love them too.  They’re so easy to incorporate into a wide variety of dishes, from breakfast to lunch, dinner, and of course, dessert.  And you can use them in both sweet and savory dishes.  Check out my post on 10 fun ways to use summer berries.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

A healthier take on a classic summer dessert, these shortcakes are sure to please.

Can you believe it’s almost August already?  I feel like summer just started!  The other day I was at my local grocery store and the back to school stuff out was already out!  The end of summer tends to creep up on me even faster now that we live in Florida since schools start early here.  Growing up in New York, we had a little more time to enjoy the lazy days of summer since Labor Day traditionally signaled the start of school.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

Nutritious sweet potatoes and a classic summer salad come together in this elegant appetizer.

This month’s Recipe Redux theme is “Get your fruits and veggies in shape… Show us how you’re serving the bounty of gardens and orchards in shapes like ribbons, noodles, cut-outs, or other creative cuts.”  When I read this, my first thought was- perfect!  Finally, I had an excuse to pull my spiralizer out of the closet!  My husband Pete actually got it for me as a gift about a year ago and I think he’s (not so) secretly been a little disappointed that I haven’t been cranking out spiralized dishes every night for dinner.  It’s not that I don’t love my spiralizer- on the contrary, the first time I used it to make zucchini noodles (aka zoodles), they came out great!  The sad truth is that as a food blogger, I tend to get so bogged down with my blog schedule, that it’s hard to find time to just play around in the kitchen and experiment with new tools and recipes.  I know my fellow food bloggers can relate!

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

Take your chicken salad up a notch with this easy and nutritious summer dish.

Thank you to Chosen Foods for sponsoring this post!  I was selected for this opportunity as a member of the Mambro Sprouts blogger program.  As always, the opinions expressed are my own.   

I love classic dishes but sometimes I like to break from tradition and spice them up a little.  My Chicken Salad with a Twist is one of those dishes.  I created this dish when I was looking for something to jazz up my basic chicken salad recipe.  I loved it so much, that I actually put the recipe in my Natural Pregnancy Cookbook.  And no, of course you don’t have to be pregnant to enjoy this dish or any of the dishes in the book!  It actually has over 125 of my best nutritious and wholesome recipes for anyone trying to lead a healthy lifestyle.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

This post was sponsored by Olive Oils from Spain.  All opinions expressed are my own. 

People are always asking me for healthy eating tips.  What’s one of the best ways to make sure that you’re eating the right types of foods?  Cook at home!  When you cook at home, there’s no mystery involved.  You are the one controlling the ingredients and the cooking methods.  Healthy eating is not about following a restrictive diet and denying yourself the foods you love. It’s about eating a well-balanced diet filled with a wide variety of delicious and nutritious whole foods and leading an active, fulfilling lifestyle.

One of the most basic changes you can make to your every day cooking routine that can significantly improve your health is to cook with olive oil.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

These healthy chicken tenders and tomato poppers are the perfect addition to your summer picnic basket.

Don’t you just love summer?  Everything is just more casual and relaxed when the summer season is underway- including entertaining.  All you need is some good friends, good food, and some cold drinks.  Simple is best when it comes to summer entertaining.  No slaving over a hot stove for hours. I’d rather spend the time outdoors! 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

Grilled avocados are the perfect vehicle for serving up a delicious corn and black bean salsa in this easy and nutritious vegetarian dish.  

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…

No it’s not my birthday, it’s the Recipe Redux’s 5^thbirthday!  While I haven’t been a member from the beginning, I’m so happy to be a part of this amazing group of healthy food bloggers.  I think that this month’s theme is one of the best we’ve ever had but it’s also one of the hardest!  We were asked to celebrate each other by choosing a fellow Reduxer and creating a dish inspired by one of their recipes.  The problem is, with so many amazing people in the group, this was such a tough decision! 

Ultimately, I decided to feature the one and only Jessica Fishman Levinson from Nutritioulicious.  Why Jessica?  Well, for a few reasons.  Although we’ve never met in person, I kind of feel like we’re kindred spirits in a way.  She’s a New Yorker, she’s a mom, and she’s passionate about delicious and nutritious food, like myself.  We also definitely have a recipe ESP thing going on and there have been plenty of times when we posted similar dishes at the same time.  We even know the same people- it turns out that I went to high school with her sister-in-law!  If I hadn’t moved to South Florida, I have a feeling that Jessica and I would be getting together for coffee or lunch all the time! 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

This rich and savory dish is perfect for entertaining- and you can assemble it all the night before!

This blog post was sponsored by Stonefire Naan, but all opinions expressed are my own.

When most people hear bread pudding, they think of dessert.  But there’s a whole other world of savory bread puddings and it’s pretty amazing.  Savory bread pudding, also sometimes known as strata, is a casserole made with cubed bread, cheese and other ingredients like vegetables or meat, baked in an egg-based custard.  This rich and elegant dish is equally suitable for the brunch or dinner table.  It also makes an excellent side dish or vegetarian entrée for the holidays.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

Oats, walnuts, blueberries, and apples are baked together in this hearty breakfast dish that's so good it almost tastes like dessert!

I received free samples of California walnuts mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe I am entering 
a recipe contest sponsored by the California Walnut Commission and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

If you have never experienced the wonders of baked oatmeal, then you must try this dish!  Oats, walnuts, blueberries and apples are baked together in a hearty and comforting breakfast dish that tastes so good it almost feels like dessert.  And the best part is, it tastes even better the next day. 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

Sweet raspberries, tangy lemon curd and creamy yogurt come together in this craveable summer dish!

Stonyfield and prAna have partnered in the #SummerCravings campaign!  I received samples to develop this post.  All opinions expressed are my own.  

What are you craving this summer?

For me, summer means taking a little break and slowing down a bit.  What I crave is time off with my family to enjoy the simple things- lazy days at the beach or pool, grilling outdoors, outdoor music festivals, food truck events, etc.  I crave cute summer dresses, colorful salads with vibrant summer vegetables, fresh berries, locally caught seafood, and plenty of sweet treats.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

These tasty vegetarian patties are nutritious and satisfying- the perfect addition to your dinner table!
  

I received free samples of California walnuts mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe I am entering 
a recipe contest sponsored by the California Walnut Commission and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.


One of the most common requests that I get for the blog is easy, filling, vegetarian dinner ideas.  Perhaps it’s partially because of the Meatless Mondays movement, which encourages people to give up meat once a week to help reduce our risk of chronic preventable diseases and reduce our carbon footprint.  People are starting to shift from the traditional way of thinking that meat should take center stage at each meal with vegetables, fruits and grains relegated to the role of supporting players.  I try to incorporate as much plant-based whole foods as possible into my diet, so I’m always happy to oblige with new tasty and hearty vegetarian recipes.  In fact, the most popular recipe on my blog to date is a veggie burger recipe.  Who would’ve thought?

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

Earthy beets are paired with creamy goat cheese and a refreshing vinaigrette in this light summer salad.  

This post was sponsored by Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Company.  As always all opinions expressed are my own.

           

Once Memorial Day rolls around, it typically signals the start of the summer season!  Although we don’t get as much seasonal temperature variation in South Florida, I still prefer to eat lighter, simpler meals in the summertime.  That means plenty of grilled dishes and yummy salads filled with fresh, local Florida produce. 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

Today I’m celebrating the recent release of my latest cookbook, Natural Baby Food.  Published by Hatherleigh Press and distributed by Penguin Random House, this book is the culmination of a year of work and is the follow up to my Natural Pregnancy Cookbook.  After many late nights spent researching, writing and testing recipes, it’s so exciting to finally see the finished product in print.  It’s almost like giving birth to another child! 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

Looking for some fun, nutritious snack ideas for your kids? Try these quick and easy snack hacks!

I’m always looking for fun and easy ways to incorporate healthy foods like fruits and vegetables into my daughter’s diet.  Most parents of young children struggle with this issue at one point or another.  My daughter Sienna is almost three now and at times it can be hard getting her to slow down long enough to eat anything at all, let alone a full meal!  Providing healthy snacks for your little one is a great way to balance out an uneven diet.  Young children need nutritious snacks throughout the day to fuel their bodies, boost their nutrient intake, and give them long-lasting energy.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

This delicious smoothie will not only satisfy any chocolate cravings, it will also give you a boost of nutrients to fuel your body.

As a Stonyfield blogger, I received free samples of Stonyfield yogurt and Barlean's products to develop this recipe. All opinions expressed are my own.

I make a lot of smoothies- not only do I love them but my daughter loves them too.  Smoothies are great as a post workout snack or an on the go breakfast.  They’re also one of the few things I know my daughter will always try.  And I can add in all sorts of healthy ingredients! 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

A fun take on a classic kid favorite, these tater tots are packed with nutritious zucchini instead of potatoes.

Now that my daughter Sienna is in school, I have to pack her lunch three times a week.   Even with all of the cooking I do, I must admit that I still sometimes find myself in a lunch rut.  I have my usual standbys that I turn to when I’m short on time or creativity like cashew butter and jelly sandwiches (one of her classmates has a peanut butter allergy), yogurt and fresh fruit.  But when time permits, I love coming up with fun and healthy new ideas to pack in her lunchbox. 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

These wholesome, nutritious corn fritters are the perfect snack any time of the day!

By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by Real California Milk products and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

We’re always on the go in my house so I usually like to keep healthy snacks around.  If a snack is nutritious, tasty and my toddler likes it too, then it’s a winner in my book.  During a recent trip to the grocery store, I saw fresh corn for the first time this year, reminding me that summer is just around the corner!  As I loaded up my cart with several ears, I started thinking about how I was going to use them.  One of my favorite dishes is Mexican street corn.  It's a simple dish that features grilled corn on the cob slathered with a chili-spiked mayonnaise and rolled in crumbly cheese.  It’s absolutely delicious but can be a bit messy to eat.  So I decided to make an easier, portable, family-friendly version of this delicious street food.     

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

Take your next brunch from ordinary to extraordinary with these delicious and easy chilaquiles. 

Every year around this time, my entire family gets together and goes on a family vacation.  For the past several years, we’ve traveled to Mexico.  What’s not to love about Mexico?  Beautiful beaches, friendly people, and of course, amazing food!  It was on one of these trips several years ago that I first discovered chilaquiles.  Tucked away at the breakfast buffet next to the pancakes, eggs and waffles, I found what looked at first to be a very unassuming dish but ended up being quite a hidden gem. 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

There’s no doubt that Korean food has become a big food trend in recent years.  A wide range of Korean dining establishments have been popping up all over the map, from gourmet 5-star restaurants to more casual Korean fusion eateries, to trendy food trucks.  It’s become so popular, that gochujang, which is a Korean red chili paste, has even been called the new Sriracha.  I personally didn’t really experience good, authentic Korean food until I went to college.  One of my best friends from college is Korean and I went home with her for a visit my freshman year.  I still remember that meal at Anne's house.  I sampled bulgogi- tender pieces of grilled, marinated beef, japchae- thin glass noodles stir fried with flavorful meat and vegetables, and my favorite dish- bibimbap.  All of this was served family style with a wide assortment of tasty and colorful banchan, or side dishes.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

This easy, protein-packed fried “rice” features nutritious quinoa and canned tuna.

I am a big menu planner.  When people ask me for healthy eating tips, menu planning is always high up on my list.  Menu planning means that I take some time each week to plan out my family’s meals for the week and then I make one trip to the grocery store.  This helps me to plan nutritious meals for the whole week and avoid last-minute trips to the grocery store or take-out restaurant.  But sometimes life can get hectic and every now and then, I’ll find myself tired and hungry after a long day at work, peering into my fridge, asking myself the time old question, “what’s for dinner?”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

5-Minute Pineapple Frozen Yogurt

Disclosure: As a Stonyfield blogger, I received free samples of Stonyfield organic yogurt to develop this post.  All opinions expressed are my own.  


My daughter Sienna has very interesting eating habits.  Like many kids her age, one day she’ll love something and the next day she’ll refuse to eat it.  But there’s one food that’s remained a constant in her diet from the beginning- yogurt.  She’s loved yogurt since she was a baby and we first introduced her to solids.  If it were up to her, she would probably eat yogurt for breakfast, lunch and dinner!  

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

This Wild Greens & Quinoa Grain Bowl is easy, healthy and delicious- you can't beat that!

Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month?  I decided to celebrate this occasion by making one of my favorite dishes- a grain bowl.  If you’ve never made a grain bowl before, it’s the perfect vehicle for combining a variety of healthy grains, vegetables, protein and other ingredients, all in one convenient bowl.  It’s an excellent weeknight meal- quick, easy and nutritious.  And it’s also a great way to empty out the contents of your fridge!

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

These delicious rice balls are a healthy remake of classic Italian arancini.

Thanks to USA Rice for sponsoring this post.  I was asked to participate in the “#ThinkRice” campaign as a member of the Healthy Aperture Blogger Network.

If you’ve never had arancini before, then you must try this recipe!  Arancini are Italian rice balls and they’re one of those dishes that I have to order when I see them on a menu.  These delectable bites are traditionally made with risotto, an Italian rice dish that has a rich, velvety taste and texture, but is a little time-consuming to prepare.  The risotto is formed into a ball and can be stuffed with various treats like meat, cheese, raisins or pine nuts.  Then the balls are coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried.  The end result is delicious mouthful that’s crispy on the outside with an ooey, gooey, cheesy center.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BakeItWithMotts #CollectiveBias

At less than 150 calories and almost no fat, these healthy muffins are the perfect, guilt-free snack.

I have a confession to make- I love to bake.  It’s funny, most chefs fall firmly on one side of the savory or sweet fence- they're either savory chefs or they’re bakers, but usually not both.  It’s probably because with savory dishes, you can be more experimental while baking is much more of an exact science.  With savory dishes, you can add a little bit of this or a little bit of that, mixing ingredients until you achieve the right balance of flavors.  But with baking, you have to be very precise, measuring each ingredient; otherwise your pastries may not rise or have the proper texture.  In culinary school, practically every student in my class except for me dreaded the mandatory 6-week pastry module (of course I mean the cooking part, not the taste testing!).  I love cooking savory dishes but I also love to bake.  I guess it’s my background in science, but I actually enjoy measuring out ingredients.  Plus, it’s amazing to me that you can mix together a few simple ingredients like flour, eggs, sugar and oil and just a short while later, you have a delicious baked confection.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

• 0 comments »