The week after Thanksgiving can feel like a blur—leftover pie in the fridge, holiday calendars filling up quickly, and the quiet hum of Christmas prep already underway. It’s a joyful time, but it can also be the stretch where healthy habits get pushed aside. The...
Thanksgiving. A time to enjoy the company of loved ones, share stories, and of course, indulge in delicious food. Here's a tip to help you savor the day even more: do not be concerned about skipping your favorite treats. Enjoy them all. Choose a small amount of...
As the Midwest air turns crisp and daylight fades earlier, it’s natural to crave warmth — both in what we wear and what we eat. Fall invites us to shift from cool, refreshing foods to dishes that comfort, nourish, and ground us. (For those of...
In last week’s blog, I wrote about a variety of spices that add warmth to fall dishes. I had a question from a reader about how to use star anise. Since I’d not used it, I did some research. I bought a jar of whole...
As the air turns crisp and leaves begin to scatter the sidewalks, many of us automatically think of pumpkin spice. It seems to be in everything from lattes to donuts. But fall’s spice cabinet holds much more than nutmeg and cinnamon. This season, consider exploring...
Eating out doesn’t have to derail your health goals. Whether you’re grabbing a bite at your favorite local diner or trying a new international bistro, there are simple, effective strategies that can help you make more nourishing choices—without giving up the joy of eating out. Here’s...
Yesterday, my friend Lisa presented me with a zucchini that looked as though it had taken growth hormones. It was gigantic! She told me that she grated so much from one of them that she made a double batch of muffins, then proceeded to freeze the shreds...
Can you feel the shift? The days are steamy--yet the calendar is getting a bit crowded with commitments that pair better with the cooler days of autumn. Today I’ll share some ideas on what to make for dinner when you don’t feel like cooking, how to...
Have you ever returned home from a vacation and thought to yourself, “Gee, I could use a vacation.”? I know I have. It seems wrong. We have such a great time in a different setting and come back to a host of responsibilities. Mail to go...
Summer vacations. I’ve always been a big fan of vacations any time of year. They are SO FUN, and people are usually very nice to you when you’re a guest in their city or country. My memories of summer vacations with our boys are the...