Recent Posts

A Weekend in New Mexico (Albuquerque & Santa Fe)

A Weekend in New Mexico (Albuquerque & Santa Fe)

Taking advantage of some super cheap Alaska Air airfare, I booked a trip to New Mexico for the extended President’s Day weekend. Although I’ve driven through New Mexico, I have never actually had time to check out the towns or natural environment. Winter is off-peak…

Save Time Prepping your Herbs

Save Time Prepping your Herbs

I love cooking with fresh herbs but often find myself coming up short at dinner time. Either the fresh herbs I want at the market are not available, or I didn’t use the ones I had in time and they look wilty and sad! Thankfully…

Add Extra Plant-Based Protein To Your Day With VeganSmart

Add Extra Plant-Based Protein To Your Day With VeganSmart

This is my girl. My daughter is active, thin, and can slam a ball down a fairway. As she is burning calories like a furnace, I’m always looking for ways to add extra plant-based protein to her diet. We eat a vegetarian diet, with the exception of some fresh fish occasionally (so, technically we’re pescatarians). Fish is tasty, but not always convenient, nor desirable as a quick breakfast or afterschool snack.  Therefore, I’ve started doing smoothies to help sneak in extra valuable nutrients. Protein powders have been a CHALLENGE. My daughter doesn’t like the taste of most powders out there, so imagine my absolute relief and joy when she devoured a smoothie made with VeganSmart Vanilla pant based protein powder.  (more…)

11 pantry staples for quick meal prep

11 pantry staples for quick meal prep

My husband always jokes that the apocalypse could happen and we’ll still be eating well (& gourmet!) due to my extensive on-hand collection of shelf-stable essentials for meal prep. Water chesnuts? Yes, I have them. Always.  However, when push comes to shove, here’s what made…

Food Science: Cutting Edge Gluten-Allergy Products You Need To Know About

Food Science: Cutting Edge Gluten-Allergy Products You Need To Know About

What if you have celiac disease and you accidentally ate gluten? 

10 Ways To Green Up Your Day

10 Ways To Green Up Your Day

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NatureUp2018 #CollectiveBias

Making healthy choices in the New Year has not only been expressed in how I eat, but how I live my life as well.  Gravitating towards more natural products and energy conservation on a daily basis creates a healthier household and ultimately a healthier planet. That’s why I love Tom’s of Maine® new partnership with Mind Body Green to show people how to bring a natural focus to their life, whether it be in fitness, health, and most importantly personal care. (more…)

How To Save Money For the Future Without Trying

How To Save Money For the Future Without Trying

This is a sponsored post, but the content and thoughts are that of my own. Charge Yo’ Self (It’s like Treat Yo’ Self, but even MORE rewarding)

Easy Night Before Hair with TRESemmé

Easy Night Before Hair with TRESemmé

­ If you have limited time in the morning to get ready, then this is an easy way to style your hair the night before! This is a favorite way for my busy high schooler to do her hair because she (insert teen eye-roll here), just…

Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo in San Diego, Feb. 10-11, 2018

Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo in San Diego, Feb. 10-11, 2018

Hey Southern California – if you, a friend or a family member is Gluten Free or in search of Allergen Friendly products, the GFAF Expo is for you! In fact, it’s the biggest gluten-free and allergen-friendly event in the US!

Whether you’re looking for specialty products that taste great or trying to learn how to cook and bake to meet your dietary needs, the Expo is the place to be this weekend at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in the Wyland Center.

Not only is this a great event to learn about new Gluten Free/ Allergen Free products, but there is a series of informative classes each day.  Some examples, Learning how to manage Food Allergies while on the Road and another class reviews 3 Foods to Heal Inflammation. Complete Class List Here. 

I personally know many people in San Diego who are Gluten-Free (Celiac’s Disease) or have a Gluten-Sensitivity. Although I am not Gluten-Free, I am always looking for products, ingredients and useful tips so I can accommodate my friends and family in a tasty, healthy way when I cook for them!

Buy your tickets before February 9th, 2018 and save 20% with code ADVANCE – Buy Tickets Here 

More Information

February 10-11, 2018
10:00 am – 3:00 pm on Saturday the 10th
10:00 am – 3:00 pm on Sunday the 11th
Del Mar Fairgrounds-Wyland Center

Parking is $14

2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.
Del Mar, CA 92014-2216
Click HERE for directions.

 

 

Blue Evolution’s Seaweed Pasta is Super Food & a Planet Super Hero

Blue Evolution’s Seaweed Pasta is Super Food & a Planet Super Hero

Growing up on a peninsula jutting out from San Diego, CA, I was fortunate to be surrounded by the sea. As kids, we would often go out fishing in the peaceful kelp beds right off of Point Loma. One of my most favorite activities was…

Tips for having a climate-friendly day (including Happy Hour!)

Tips for having a climate-friendly day (including Happy Hour!)

Call it eco-anxiety. Between melting glaciers, the USA exiting the Paris climate agreement, dwindling coral reefs and increasingly forceful hurricanes, being an environmental steward can feel pretty stressful. Pioneering research from the American Psychological Association (APA) and the organizations Climate for Health and EcoAmerica confirms…

Coconut Curry Red Lentil Soup

Coconut Curry Red Lentil Soup

This soup has a lot of ingredients, but I promise it’s worth it! The flavors are unique, exciting and complementary with rich coconut milk, spice and lime. Red lentils are also a great source of protein, so it’s a nutritious soup to enjoy on a cool evening.

You will need:

Makes about 6 servings.

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 teaspoons turmeric
  • 2 teaspoons nigella seeds
  • 1 teaspoon coriander
  • salt to taste – 2 teaspoons approximately (add this last)
  • 3/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 14-ounce can of coconut milk
  • 3-4 cups of water
  • 1 cup red lentils
  • 2 cups of fresh spinach leaves, chopped
  • fresh lime juice (about 1/2 lime per bowl of soup)
  • optional: dried unsweetened coconut to sprinkle on top of soup

How to prepare:

In a medium saucepan, saute oil, onion, and garlic until onions become soft and golden. Add all of the dry seasonings with the ginger for several minutes to coat onion mixture.

Pour in a can of coconut milk with 3 cups of water. Add in lentils.

Simmer for approximate 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. As the soup cooks down, you may add another cup of water.

Still in spinach to the hot soup about 10 minutes prior to serving and season with salt.

Serve with freshly squeezed lime juice with dried coconut! It’s fantastic!