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!  

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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! 

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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.

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Chocolate for breakfast?  Not only is this satisfying smoothie bowl delicious, it’s good for you too, packed with almost 12 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber!

I was asked to participate in the @CocoaVia #HeartMonth campaign as a member of the Healthy Aperture Blogger Network. I was compensated for my time.

In case you haven’t noticed, smoothie bowls are all the rage right now.  Thicker than a traditional smoothie, smoothie bowls are eaten in a bowl with a spoon rather than being sipped through a straw.   A smoothie bowl is a more substantial meal than a smoothie and is a great way to jumpstart your day.  And you can have fun with smoothie bowls, customizing them with your favorite ingredients and toppings.  People go all out on social media creating beautiful smoothie bowls that look like pieces of artwork.  I was inspired to create my own delicious smoothie bowl that would satisfy my appetite, give me a boost of nutrition, and also provide me with enough energy to get through the morning.  

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With only two ingredients, this simple and nutritious fruit compote is equally suited for babies or adults!

I'm in the midst of testing recipes for my upcoming book, Natural Baby Cookbook, which means I'm up to my ears in baby purees!  When Sienna was younger, I made all of her food.  CLICK HERE to see my post on making homemade baby food.  Now that she’s older, she’s moved on from purees but still enjoys dishes like this Strawberry Apple Compote. 

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Crunchy, refreshing and delightfully tangy- who doesn’t love a good pickle?  Plus, they’re a cinch to make at home! 

This month, the Recipe Redux challenged us to write about our favorite DIY kitchen essentials.  Specifically, they wanted to know what healthy kitchen staples do we now make from scratch that we used to purchase in the past?  When I read the challenge, a few ideas popped into my head right away like homemade frozen pancakes, fish sticks, salad dressings, and popsicles.  But then I thought about it some more and found the perfect recipe- my Super Easy Refrigerator Dill Pickles.  Once you make these, you’ll never buy pickles at the store again!

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These healthy, gluten-free coconut shrimp are baked instead of fried and are perfect for entertaining guests!

Have you ever had to whip up a quick dish or meal for last minute guests?  It’s always good to have one or two go-to recipes under your belt for those days.  I had an impromptu cocktail party the other night and needed a delicious and fun appetizer that would appeal to everyone and wouldn’t take too much time to prepare.  After a quick search through my pantry and freezer, I decided to go with coconut shrimp.  They’re the perfect appetizer for entertaining- they’re easy to pick up, you can eat them in one bite and most importantly, they taste great!   

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Today I’m excited to review my dear friend Ally’s new cookbook, Ally's Kitchen: A Passport for Adventurous Palates.  You may know Ally from her popular blog, Ally’s Kitchen. In this unique book, she shares her favorite recipes from around the globe and lets you wander the world without ever leaving your kitchen! 

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Jump-start your day with this Strawberry Almond Breakfast Quinoa- a hearty whole grain dish!

Start your day off right with this nutritious whole grain breakfast.  Quinoa might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of breakfast dishes but it’s a nice alternative to traditional oatmeal and it cooks up quickly.  Quinoa is an ancient grain with spectacular health benefits.  It’s packed with protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals- no wonder the Incas referred to it as the Mother Grain!  To read more about quinoa, CLICK HERE. 

Quinoa can be cooked in milk instead of water, which will give it a slightly creamier consistency.  I use unsweetened almond milk in this recipe but you can use any type of milk like regular milk or coconut milk.  Then you just top it with your favorite ingredients for a filling breakfast that will jump-start your day. 

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A quick and easy version of a classic Indian dish, this delicious biriyani features U.S.-grown rice and can be made in just thirty minutes.

By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by USA Rice Federation and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

Think rice!  In honor of National Nutrition Month, the USA Rice Federation challenged the RecipeRedux members to create our own nutritious and delicious recipes featuring U.S.-grown rice. 

Whether you prefer white, brown, wild, black or red rice, U.S.-grown rice has you covered!  Not only is it delicious, but U.S.-grown rice is healthy, sustainable, locally-grown, GMO-free, affordable, and versatile.  How can you beat that?  You can use it in so many ways, from savory to sweet.  Try pairing it with other nutritious foods like seafood, lean proteins, fruits and vegetables for a perfect meal.  An added benefit- it’s also gluten-free and easily digested.  Because it is the least allergenic of all grains, rice cereal is often recommended as a first food for babies.

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Are you looking for the perfect sweet treat to serve to your loved ones this Valentine’s Day?  These lovely bites are big on flavor and low in calories and will please adults and kids alike. 

This post was created in partnership with Stonyfield.  All opinions expressed are my own.

I’ve always preferred having a romantic meal at home over going out on Valentine’s Day.  What better way to show your loved ones how much they mean to you than to prepare them a delicious, home-cooked meal?  My Yogurt-Dipped Strawberries with Drizzled Chocolate are the perfect Valentine’s Day treat.  Using Stonyfield organic Greek yogurt helps make these treats feel really indulgent tasting even though they’re actually very nutritious. 

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I’ve never been a huge fan of New Year’s resolutions because they’re easy to make but also so easy to break.  However, I do think that the New Year is a great time to start developing healthier eating habits, especially after overindulging during the holidays.  But rather than setting unreasonable goals for yourself (and invariably ending up disappointed), why not try making small but significant changes to your diet and lifestyle?  Changes that will positively impact your health and put you on the road to success for the whole year.    

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