Watermelon, Arugula and Feta Salad is the perfect refreshing salad for a hot summer day! The ingredients in this salad are: Extra virgin olive oil Fresh lime juice White balsamic vinegar Jalapeno Fresh ...Continue Reading
Loaded Baked Potato Skins
Loaded baked potato skins are a favorite game day food and when made with the right ingredients, they can also be a healthy option as well! Here are some tips to making loaded baked potato skins a healthy option: 1. ...Continue Reading
Maple Cheesecake Recipe (Gluten-Free)
A slice of maple cheesecake is rich and indulgent and so fitting for the holidays.The pure maple flavor intertwined with cream cheese and sour cream make for a knock-out dessert. This recipe uses homemade grain-free graham ...Continue Reading
Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Hash
Brussels Sprout and bacon hash is a flavorful and healthy side dish for any day of the week! I know that Brussels sprouts can be quite bitter so I referred to my favorite vegetable cookbook and used their method of simmering ...Continue Reading
Organic, Real Food on a Budget – Open-Face Eggplant Sandwich
When eggplant is in season, the first thing I always want to make is this open-face eggplant sandwich. Buy in season. It may seem like a obvious thing to say, but how many of us have succumbed to the bright pink raspberries at the ...Continue Reading
Cherry Clafouti (grain-free)
Cherry Clafouti (Klah-Foo-tea). It sounds so fancy. Tell your friends you've made this and they’ll think you spent hours in the kitchen. The first time I made one I thought, "That's it? How easy is this?” Our first cherries of the ...Continue Reading
Waffles and Ice Cream
I was never very interested in history as a kid. I don't know if it was the teachers or simple lack of interest, but what did fascinate me was the history of food (no surprise there!). My favorite story was about the origin of the ice ...Continue Reading
How to Butterfly a Chicken
I often hear people say they'd like to change to a more organic, unprocessed diet, but . . . they think it's difficult and it's (always) expensive. I understand why people think this way. In a world where we're accustomed to buying a ...Continue Reading
Chocolate Stout Cake
You may not be aware, but the food blogging community is one amazing bunch of people. A little over a year ago, I didn't personally know a single other food blogger. I was living in Florida and felt a little like no one else understood ...Continue Reading
Honey Coated Salmon with Spinach and Noodles
If you were to open my refrigerator, you'd find dozens of bottles, mason jars, and glass containers filled with broth, drinks, and different foods. Aside from making food from unprocessed ingredients, I eat and drink certain things ...Continue Reading
Mocha Frappe
Who doesn't love a mocha frappe? Icy, chocolaty, a shot of espresso topped with whipped cream. As you know by now, I love to put an organic twist on the stuff we love to eat and drink but isn't always healthy for us. The frappes in ...Continue Reading
Cream Tart with Oranges and Toasted Almond Crust
I’m writing this post from the Grand Velas resort in Carmen Del Playa, Mexico. I know, I'm having a hard time believing it myself. I’m attending Food Blog Camp for 5 days of hands-on workshops with the great David Lebovitz, Matt ...Continue Reading
Quinoa Salad with Roasted Vegetables
I love this simple but flavorful quinoa salad with roasted vegetables. Many of us will make new health goals this week. We often start with great intentions, but get overwhelmed or simply fall back into old habits. I realize that ...Continue Reading
Gluten Free Croquembouche
I've wanted to make a croquembouche for as long as I can remember. This month when I got the December issue of Fine Cooking, I was inspired by their traditional recipes and decided to tackle several of the classics. I made a fruit cake ...Continue Reading
Bacon and Steak Bites
Have you finished your Christmas shopping or planned your Christmas menu? I know we are all busy right now so I wanted to give you a quick and mouth-watering appetizer and a few last-minute gift ideas. Root is a 100% organic neutral ...Continue Reading
Gluten Free Chocolate Butter Cookies
A few days ago, a highly anticipated email arrived. The news? The first copy of my book sat nestled in a box on a truck on the way to our house! I felt like a kid waiting for Santa as I paced around the room, peering out the window ...Continue Reading
Beef Turnovers with Caramelized Onions and Stilton Cheese
The Christmas rush has arrived in full force now! Our house is bustling with all sorts of activities. The end of the year brings graduation at the test pilot school, so there are plenty of events this week ending with a ceremony and ...Continue Reading
Almond Toffee
This week I've been baking round-the-clock. Cookies, cakes, and candy have all emerged from my kitchen. I've done quite a bit of experimenting, too. Some experiments went straight to the trash, but the successful ones went to our ...Continue Reading
Cranberry-Amaretto Kiss
Throw in a few floating cranberries into this cranberry-amaretto kiss and you've got the perfect holiday cocktail. ...Continue Reading
A Whole Foods Thanksgiving – Persimmon Cranberry Sauce
The responses to my post on Monday truly surprised me and I feel so thankful for the chance to "get to know" so many readers. The encouraging comments mean so much to me. Today I was reflecting on all you said and thought, "Oh, what ...Continue Reading
Pumpkin Banana Tart
A Pumpkin Banana Tart is a fun twist from the usual pumpkin pie during the fall! The graham cracker crust is topping with a sweet puree of pumpkin and banana and is served chilled with whipped cream. [mpprecipe-recipe:4190] ...Continue Reading
A Whole Foods Thanksgiving – Pecan Pie
Pecan pie is my all time favorite Thanksgiving dessert! It's always been my favorite but of course, it contains corn syrup as a necessary ingredient. I only make it on Thanksgiving day so in the past I've bought a bottle of organic ...Continue Reading
Turkey, Date, and Orange Panini
So what do you think of the changes? I thought it was time for a little facelift and Thomas from TCDawson Designs built this fabulous blog for me! The header photo was taken by Helen. It's one of the many gorgeous photos she shot for ...Continue Reading
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
We don't have an official fall out here in the high desert. The mornings and evenings begin to cool then around Halloween it gets cold (very cold) and windy. We haven't had any rain since March, but the last few days the ...Continue Reading
Whole Wheat Waffles
These whole wheat waffles are the perfect breakfast to make ahead. It's only Thursday and I feel that I've lived several weeks in just a few short days. It's been one of those weeks where life gives you unexpected twists and turns. ...Continue Reading
Back-to-School Lunch ideas and Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
It's been a great week. We're getting used to our school routine and I'm enjoying getting back to the gym each morning. I really missed the gym this summer! Last week, I gave you tips on nourishing breakfasts and today I want to ...Continue Reading
Hashed Browns
The two questions I get asked the most are, "Why do you use so much fat in your recipes?" and "Can you give me new lunch ideas?" This week, I want to tackle both questions for you and today we'll start with the question of fat. I ...Continue Reading
Chocolate Peanut Granola
The kids started school today. I love the first day of school. The anticipation. The excitement. The freshly sharpened pencils, boxes of crayons, and new backpacks. The start of school is like a second New Year. It's time for ...Continue Reading
Vanilla Ice Cream with Strawberries and Balsamic Syrup
A few weeks ago I told you of my love for learning about writing and this week I've learned a few things about photography. When I got to my parents' house, I pulled up my blog on their computer and was mortified to see so many ...Continue Reading
Double Stuffed Portabella Mushroom Sandwich
Oh my, it's hot here in Texas. We arrived amidst the rain on Friday evening and were greeted by my parents and a kitchen full of food. Mom made pan-fried cajun corn, black-eyed peas, salad, jalapeno cornbread, and a heavenly summer ...Continue Reading
Chocolate Almond Mousse with Boozy Cherries
I love cherries, and this chocolate almond mousse with boozy cherries is one of my favorite ways to use them! Our vacation continues. We've enjoyed the hospitality of friends and family who've hosted us in their homes this week, ...Continue Reading
Plum Crisp
Over 40 plums arrived in my CSA (community supported agriculture) box this week, and I immediately thought of making a lovely plum crisp. I actually took a full twenty-four hours to decide if wanted brandy or almond extract in my ...Continue Reading
The Price of Chicken
Several times a year, a friend asks me to come over, look through her kitchen, point out the unwholesome foods, and advise her on practical steps she can take to build a whole foods pantry and refrigerator. I always get ...Continue Reading
Apricot Preserves with Honey
Apricot Preserves is a fun homemade recipe to make in the summertime. This preserve recipe uses honey instead of sugar and the crushed pits help add additional flavor. You can also add vanilla bean or vanilla extract to bump up ...Continue Reading
Homemade Pickles and a Memorial Day Menu
Most of us will fire up the grill this weekend as we celebrate Memorial Day with friends and family, so I've provided a fabulous, organic menu with some of my recipes from the last few months, including my homemade pickles. I ...Continue Reading
Almond Poppyseed Crackers with Ricotta and Honey
Almond poppyseed crackers with ricotta and honey are one of my go-to snacks. The crackers are great by themselves, but you can take them to the next level by smearing ricotta on top and drizzling them with honey. Some might enjoy ...Continue Reading
Oatmeal Cream Pies
Every once in a while I get nostalgic and like to eat an oatmeal cream pie - you know, the ones that come in the little wrappers? I loved eating the little packaged snack cakes and cookies as a kid and want to find ways to make them at ...Continue Reading
Mexican Quinoa Salad
The bake sale last weekend was a huge success! Our group in L.A. raised $2,456.50, and the total raised for Share Our Strength across the country was $16,500!! My girls passed out fliers and yelled, "Bake Sale!" to the people passing ...Continue Reading
Avocado Salad Dressing
I've been busy baking up all sorts of sweets for the first Food Bloggers Bake Sale. The bake sale is happening all over the country and I'm excited to be part of the Los Angeles event. I've filled the last few days scooping and ...Continue Reading
Fresh Apple Cake
You must make this fresh apple cake! Even if you don't really enjoy apple cake or coconut, this cake is the bomb. I know it's spring, and I should be posting something with strawberries or freshly snapped peas, but I just couldn't wait ...Continue Reading
Lemon Meringue Pie
We've tremendously enjoyed visiting friends in Monterey, CA this week. We started the trip with a slow, meandering drive up Highway 1, stopping to see elephant seals and pick up fresh lemons from a roadside farm. Our close friends ...Continue Reading
Kiwi Sorbet
So many ice creams at the store nowadays have countless, unhealthy chemicals, so I like to make my own homemade treats like this kiwi sorbet. The other day, my daughter had a wistful look on her face as she gazed out the car ...Continue Reading
Sautéed Baby Artichokes with Garlic and Lemon
Sautéed baby artichokes with garlic and lemon are so simple but so delicious! On Saturday I attended thefood blog forum in LA to pick up new ideas about blog writing and meet more people within the food-blogging community. ...Continue Reading
Wild Rice Thai Salad
Wild rice thai salad is my new favorite dish to bring to share at potlucks. Military life is a very interesting thing. On one hand you have the constant moving, deployments, and long hours. On the other hand are the ...Continue Reading
Banana Cream Tart
I always loved banana cream tarts growing up, and now I can enjoy them again with organic, wholesome ingredients. I think many of us have the idea that when we switch to wholesome, organic ingredients, we have to give up our ...Continue Reading
Quick Sautéed Snapper, Roasted Potatoes, and Mixed Greens Salad
Quick sautéed snapper, roasted potatoes, and mixed greens salad is a delicious recipe and an excellent source of healthy fats. I just watched the speech Jamie Oliver gave when he accepted the 2010 TEDPrize (Technology, ...Continue Reading
Lentil, Carrot, and Kale Soup with Crème Fraîche and Dill
Lentil, carrot, and kale soup with crème fraîche and dill is a nourishing meal and perfect for a cold day. For this soup, I recommend soaking the lentils overnight. This is an important step because lentils contain ...Continue Reading
Garlic Noodles
My garlic noodles were the perfect dish to end an awesome week. Helen multi-tasking Last week was an incredible week full of laughter and many hours of learning. I faithfully follow many blogs and as I read, I usually create a ...Continue Reading
Fried Egg, Spinach, and Ricotta Toast
Fried egg, spinach, and ricotta toast is such a delicious and simple meal for the whole family! I'm spending the week in South Carolina with Helen during the final week of the photo shoot for the cookbook. I'm having a blast getting ...Continue Reading
Orange Creamsicle Smoothie
This orange creamsicle smoothie is a great healthy alternative to my favorite drink in college. When my husband and I first met during college he would have me over and make a huge pitcher of orange julius and salty popcorn and we'd ...Continue Reading
Cauliflower Soup with Black Truffle Oil
This cauliflower soup with black truffle oil is one of my favorite ways to prepare cauliflower. This week I embark on a new phase. I turned in my manuscript to the editors on Friday (sigh of relief) and was elated to say "I'm ...Continue Reading
Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad
My Grandma has been serving strawberry jello pretzel salad at Christmas dinner ever since I was a little girl and it's one of the most requested dishes each year. The traditional recipe is made with cool whip, loads of white sugar ...Continue Reading
Almond Linzer Cookies
Today I am thrilled to be involved in the "13 Days of Christmas Cookies" event, starting with these almond linzer cookies! I'm united with 12 other fabulous food and craft bloggers to bring you a Christmas cookie celebration. Last ...Continue Reading
Whole Wheat Maple Pecan Sables
We passed Thanksgiving and sit right in the heart of cookie baking season now—the perfect time to bake these whole wheat maple pecan sables! Alice Medrich has been one of my favorite bakers for many years. My copy of her book "Pure ...Continue Reading
Homemade Peppermint Mocha
Nothing says Christmastime to me more than a tall peppermint mocha. I don't just like coffee. I really, really enjoy it. I know I shouldn't, and I know all of the reasons why it's not the most nutritious but it's my one weaknesses. ...Continue Reading
Sweet Potato Casserole
This Thanksgiving, I wanted to share one of my favorite dishes to make: sweet potato casserole. It's warm, comforting, and the pecan topping adds the perfect crunch! Each year when Thanksgiving week comes I look back over the year ...Continue Reading
Pumpkin Pie
Thanksgiving is next week, and that means it's time to make my pumpkin pie! Our family is moving to Southern California the week before Christmas (yes, I know, not the best timing) so due to thinking so much about our move (and testing ...Continue Reading
A Whole Foods Thanksgiving – Caramelized Onion and Cornbread Stuffing
Nothing says Thanksgiving to me like this caramelized onion and cornbread stuffing! I've been serving this stuffing for several years now and it always draws high praise. I love it because it's not too complicated but gives big ...Continue Reading
Whole Wheat Chocolate Cake
After three years of cooking, testing recipes, writing, and sending out proposals, I'm elated to tell you that I have signed a book deal and I'm celebrating with this whole wheat chocolate cake! My cookbook, Deliciously Organic, will ...Continue Reading
Roasted Butternut Squash, Pomegranate, and Roquefort Salad
Recipes made on a whim like this roasted butternut squash, pomegranate, and Roquefort salad are such fun, especially when friends and family pitch in. Yesterday I was at the grocery store with my girls and my oldest saw the ...Continue Reading
Apple Frangipane Galette
I love making recipes like this apple frangipane galette because it has healthier ingredients. With the holidays right around the corner, I want to share some tips for more successful baking with whole wheat flour and organic whole ...Continue Reading
Strawberry-Raspberry Soup
This strawberry-raspberry soup is such a fun recipe that I got from a my good friend Gail. Gail was our wedding designer (almost 12 years ago) and had an incredibly successful event production company for many years in Dallas. Gail ...Continue Reading
Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes
My whole wheat buttermilk pancakes are a huge favorite in my family! Anytime we have guests staying with us I always whip up a huge batch of whole wheat pancakes with melted butter and maple syrup. I do this on purpose. I want ...Continue Reading
Whole Wheat Graham Crackers
Today's post is short and sweet - homemade whole wheat graham crackers. The dough is easy to work with and the flavor of the crackers is beyond anything you can find at the store. Come back tomorrow when I'll share with you my ...Continue Reading