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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.

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Kids and adults alike will love this delicious and satisfying vegetarian dish.

This time of year I tend to gravitate towards cooking lighter dishes, often vegetarian, to take a little break from all of the holiday eating.  My Sweet Potato and Kale Quesadillasare light yet satisfying and they’re positively packed with important nutrients.  Plus, it’s also an economical dish as sweet potatoes are usually on sale at the market this time of year (and canned beans are always inexpensive).  In fact, this dish is a great way to use up any leftover sweet potatoes you may have from the holidays.

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A healthier version of creamed spinach, this Creamy Spinach Gratin is the perfect holiday side dish.

Disclosure: As a Stonyfield Blogger, I received samples of Stonyfield products for use in this post.  As always, all opinions expressed are my own.


Are you still looking for last-minute side dish ideas for Thanksgiving?  My Creamy Spinach Gratin is nutritious, easy to make and packed with flavor.  It’s sure to be hit with your guests!

This dish is a healthy makeover of one of my favorite Thanksgiving sides- creamed spinach.  Instead of heavy cream, my version uses Stonyfield nonfat Greek yogurt to thicken the sauce and make it nice and creamy.  Greek yogurt also adds a boost of protein.  Instead of adding a lot of shredded cheese, I stir in just the right amount of Parmesan cheese to give the spinach plenty of flavor.  I like to top the dish off with a breadcrumb mixture and finish it off in the oven to get it crispy and golden brown. 

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With the holidays right around the corner, here are two festive rice dishes that would be the perfect addition to your family table.  Both dishes celebrate fall flavors and ingredients.  My Stuffed Acorn Squash pairs Tasty Bite brown rice with aromatic vegetables, crunchy pecans, sweet dried cranberries and salty Parmesan cheese.  The earthy flavor and chewy texture of brown rice works well in this hearty baked dish that would make a lovely side dish for the holidays.  My Pumpkin Spice Rice Pudding uses fragrant Tasty Bite jasmine rice, and is the perfect holiday dessert.  Flavored with delicate pumpkin and warm fall spices, it has a rich, creamy consistency that your guests will love. 

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These bite-sized meatballs are packed with the flavors of fall and are the perfect addition to your holiday table. 

By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by siggi’s yogurt and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest.  I received coupons for free samples of siggi's yogurt.

When I think about holiday recipes, pumpkin immediately comes to mind.  Pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin spice lattes, you name it- I’m a fan of them all.  If you read my last post, then you know that I’m especially excited about Thanksgiving this year because my family is coming to Florida and I’m doing the cooking.  Because the main course is going to be a big meal, I plan to make just a couple of small but delicious appetizers to whet everyone’s appetites.  My Pumpkin Spice Meatballs with Orange & Ginger Cranberry Sauce are the perfect holiday appetizer.  They’re light, nutritious, and packed with the flavors of fall.  Plus, these adorable morsels are bite-sized, so they won’t fill your guests up too much before the main course. 

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Cookies that are healthy?  Yes, it’s possible.  These delightful morsels are packed with nutritious ingredients and are perfect for the holidays. 

By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by siggi’s yogurt and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest.  I received coupons for free samples of siggi's yogurt.


I get nostalgic around the holidays, especially since I moved to Fort Lauderdale, leaving most of my family in the Northeast.  The holidays are a time to gather with loved ones, spend quality time together and enjoy good food.  Although we won’t be going up north for Christmas this year, I’m excited that my family will be coming to Florida for Thanksgiving and I’m cooking dinner!  I’ve already started bookmarking dozens of recipes for my holiday menu.  I'm trying to narrow it down, but I’m sure I’ll end up cooking way too much.  The focus of our holiday meal is usually on the appetizers and main course and by the time dessert comes around, everyone is too full to have much more than a thin slice of pie.  Specifically, apple pie was always a staple at the holidays when I was growing up.  Although my mom is a great cook, she's not a baker so it was usually store-bought.  When I heard about a recipe contest sponsored by siggi’s yogurt through the Recipe Redux, I immediately knew what kind of dish I wanted to make.  I decided to create a lighter dessert recipe that has all of the warm flavors and spices of the holiday season but won't leave you feeling over stuffed.  My Spiced Apple Skyr Quinoa Cookies with Vanilla Maple Drizzle are small and light and bake up soft and fluffy.  These delightful morsels are perfect for a little nibble after a heavy meal and they pack all of the flavors of yummy apple pie into one nutritious cookie.

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Enjoy the delicious flavors of fall with this hearty and nutritious breakfast parfait. 

Disclosure: As a Stonyfield Blogger, I received samples of Nature's Path and Stonyfield products for use in this post. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.

Are you a fan of the pumpkin spice craze that occurs this time of year?  Once fall comes around, the stores start lining their shelves with pumpkin spice products and the internet abounds with pumpkin recipes.  Personally, I’m still a fan of pumpkin spice because I love this time of year.  Since I moved to South Florida, I definitely miss the change of seasons (but not the brutal winters!).  It’s just not the same drinking a pumpkin spice latte in 80 degree weather.  But even if I can’t have the fall weather, I can still enjoy the wonderful autumn flavors.

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This nutritious twist on lasagna uses spaghetti squash instead of pasta.  Spaghetti squash has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and is loaded with nutrients.  Packed with protein and fiber, this dish will keep you feeling full and satisfied!

I’m excited to announce that I recently became a member of a wonderful community of bloggers called The Recipe Redux.  Started by three registered dieticians, The Recipe Redux was founded on the belief that healthier eating should always taste delicious.  It’s right up my alley!  I’m so happy to be a part of this unique and talented group. 

For this month’s challenge, The Recipe Redux asked us to share a healthier “redo” of one of our favorite food memories.  It’s the perfect challenge for this time of year with Thanksgiving right around the corner.  For many of us, some of our most treasured memories revolve around sharing festive holiday meals with family and friends. 

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With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I'm sure many of you are in menu planning mode.  I know I am!  As one of the biggest, if not the absolute biggest food holiday, Thanksgiving gets its fair share of attention from the food blogging community.  It seems like social media has been taken over  with holiday inspired recipes, and I've been seeing so many incredible dishes on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook.  So I thought I would share some of my favorites with you.  The 20 recipes below include some appetizers, entrees, side dishes and desserts.  Many of them are healthy and some are a bit more indulgent.  Enjoy and happy cooking!

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This recipe was inspired by my mom and is one of the recipes included in my upcoming book, The Natural Pregnancy Cookbook, which will be released in 2015 (so stay tuned!).  Having grown up in a vegetarian household, my mom has always made the most delicious, vegetarian Indian dishes.  This is definitely one of those dishes that I turn to when I want something comforting that will deliver a taste of home.  

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My Spinach, Mushroom & Gruyere Strata is a perfect dish for Sunday brunch.  A strata is a layered casserole made with cubed bread, eggs, cheese and other ingredients like vegetables or meat.  It’s similar to a savory bread pudding and it’s definitely a comfort food.  The beauty of making a strata is that you can toss in whatever ingredients you have on hand and you can prepare it all the night before.  In the morning, simply bake it and serve it straight out of the oven while it’s hot and puffed up. 

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