Healthy Chicks

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…and also the busiest. Between last-minute holiday shopping and hustling to hit those year-end work deadlines, it may feel like you’re go-go-go this time of year.

That’s why when it comes to cooking, I’m all about making it as simple as possible — without compromising on flavor. Looking for an easy app to add to your repertoire? Ditch your go-to supermarket veggie platter and instead make these Goat Cheese & Sundried Tomato Baked Mushrooms for your next dinner party!

They’re super savory, simple and will add festive touch to your holiday spread! Plus they’re infused with European Extra Virgin Olive Oil for a boost in healthy fats and flavor.

Now that you saved some time in the kitchen, you can kick back, relax and watch Elf with a big ol’ cup of hot chocolate. You totally deserve it!

Goat Cheese & Sundried Tomato Mushrooms

Goat Cheese & Sundried Tomato Baked Mushrooms Recipe

serves 4 as an appetizer

• 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (such as Olitalia)
• 4 large portobello mushrooms
• 4 slices goat cheese (use herbed for a festive spin!)
• sundried tomatoes in oil, finely chopped
• chopped fresh basil
• balsamic glaze (optional)

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Hope you all had a wonderful Labor Day Weekend! Hubby and I enjoyed a lovely weekend camping (ahem, glamping) with family in Cooperstown, NY…the perfect way to say goodbye to sweet summertime.

But before you say goodbye for good, you’re going to want to make this grilled Elote Corn. With just the right amount of salty, savory and zest, this recipe is a late summertime must!

Late-Summer Grilled Elote Corn

*recipe inspired by Bon Appetit, serves 4 

• 4 ears of corn, husked
• Sir Kensington’s mayonnaise
• chili powder
• cayenne powder
• fresh cilantro, chopped
• feta cheese
• 1 lime, cut into 4 wedges

Grill corn until lightly charred, for about 8-10 minutes. Brush with mayo, and generously sprinkle with feta cheese followed by a dash of chili powder, cayenne and fresh cilantro to your liking. Serve with a lime wedge and a bottle of your favorite rosé. 

 

 

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With summer coming to an end, I’m soaking up every last bit of the season — pineapple sangria, al fresco dining, fresh berries, and all.

A couple weeks ago, baby girl woke up an hour early, so I quickly fed her breakfast, got her dressed and ventured out to go blueberry picking. While little miss fuss only lasted about 30 minutes (that’s what ya get when you try to stretch nap time), we got enough bleubs to make a couple batches of gluten free blueberry muffins.

If you’ve got yourself a stash o’ berries you’re not quite sure what to do with, I highly recommend making a batch of these bad boys!

I used this gluten free recipe from Iowa Girl Eats (subbing brown rice flour for 1:1 baking flour). Let me tell you: they’re deeelish, and babe’s a fan as well. It’s hard to believe these babies are gluten free and vegan, the only sugar coming from the banana and maple syrup! Win, win.

Recipe hack: sprinkle with cinnamon & brown sugar before popping in the oven for a little extra pizazz. 😉 Enjoy! … Read More!

After a fun-filled 4th of July and birthday weekend, this mama needed a little breather from all the meat. After raiding the pantry, I whipped up some veggie burgers with some budget-friendly kitchen staples like spicy black beans, Lundberg Farms turmeric rice, sweet potatoes and spices!

Served on refreshing bibb lettuce wraps, these gluten free and vegan gems are perfect for a light but filling dinner in a snap. Plus they’re a hit with the whole family!

Turmeric & Black Bean Veggie Burgers

Ingredients: 

• 1 package Lundberg Family Farms Ready to Heat Turmeric Rice
• 1 large sweet potato, mashed
• 1 can Spicy Black Beans (Whole Foods brand has a great organic variety!)
• 1/2 c. gluten free breadcrumbs (almond, walnut or pecan meal also works well)
• Few good shakes of cumin, chili powder, and turmeric
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Bibb lettuce
• Shredded cheddar or vegan cheddar (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 400. In the meantime, chop sweet potato into 1-inch chunks, and steam for about 8-10 minutes or until you can mash with a fork.
2. In a large bowl, combine sweet potato, rice and black beans, mashing with a fork to create desired texture. Mix in gluten free breadcrumbs or nut

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Summer is a couple weeks away, and I’m already pretending it’s here. We recently took baby girl on her first ever camping trip, and this weekend, we’re celebrating my sister & her hubby’s 30th birthdays with a backyard BBQ complete with an ice cream truck and fire pit!

While summer is full of nonstop fun, it can also be stressful for many.

Does wedding season, summer BBQs and family vacations stress you out when it comes to taking care of your health? I hear ya. 

When I was coaching 1:1, one of the most common concerns was from women fearing they’d derail their diet during the summer months by living it up. And while I’m not a fan of dieting, overdoing it on the poolside cocktails and fried food likely isn’t going to feel good in your body either.

Here are my 6 simple tips on how to find a happy medium. 

1. Set Your Summer Intention

We put so much focus into getting “beach body” ready and eating healthy, but what about taking care of your soul? Now is a great time to set your summer intention! Grab a journal and ask yourself, How do I want to … Read More!

There’s nothing worst than being a hungry, hungry mama — especially when you’re trapped nursing, trying to cram in some work (before the coffee gets cold) or out and about running errands with babe.

Here are some of my go-to healthy snacks for mom fuel! Let’s face it: the diaper bag is pretty much just one giant purse to stash mom snacks when you need something stat!

1. Chomps Grass-Fed Beef Sticks

Where have these been all my life? I discovered these gems right after I gave birth — and they’ve been a must ever since! I’m usually not a fan of beef jerky (it kind of creeps me out), but these grass-fed beef sticks are legit!

I’ve tried a couple of the flavors but the original is by far my favorite; I love that they’re made with simple clean ingredients like grass-fed beef, without any gluten, nitrates or nitrites. Get ’em at Trader Joe’s or snag your own pack online here with free shipping!

2. Larabars

Larabars were my go-to in my twenties, then I kind of forgot about ’em for a while. I always grab a few every time I’m at Trader Joe’s, and … Read More!

When it comes to cooking, the recipe’s gotta be super easy with minimal ingredients, otherwise I’m not making it. This mama doesn’t have time to peruse the grocery aisles for mysterious spice blends and vegetables I’ve never heard of, or follow a 20-step fancy recipe. Bonus if I don’t need to actually “cook” said food!

This Mediterranean style lemony hummus checks all the boxes: it’s easy, made with just six ingredients (that you likely already have on hand), and no oven required! Win, win, win.

Healthy Chicks Two-Minute Lemony Hummus

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 tbsp. tahini (optional)
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• dash of sea salt
• 1 tsp. cumin
• juice of 1/2 lemon

Simply toss everything in a food processor or high-speed blender and pulse until smooth, or desired consistency. Top with an extra shake of cumin and drizzle of olive oil before serving. Enjoy alongside rice, salad, gyros or with raw veggie slices as a healthy snack. No need to ever buy store-bought hummus again!… Read More!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! However, unfortunately holiday parties can bring on quite a bit of anxiety…especially around food. It’s common to feel anxious, guilty or even fearful over what you’re going to eat at your next social gathering. Sound familiar? No worries! Here are 6 healthy ways to navigate eating at holiday parties like a champ (without giving up apple pie).

1. Bring a Homemade Dish

Consider bringing a homemade dish to your next holiday gathering! Rather than focusing on the calories or fat content, focus on the beautiful, nourishing ingredients that go into your meal. Follow Mother Nature’s lead by cooking with seasonal produce like winter squash, apples, pears, sweet potatoes, beets, and of course — an extra dose of love!

2. Slow Down

The holidays only come once a year, and so does grandma’s famous mashed potatoes. Why race through them? Instead, take a deep breath before your meal, slow down and enjoy yourself. Relish in the flavors, the smell and the texture, and thoroughly soak in every last bite.

3. Celebrate the Experience

If eating at holiday parties brings you a lot of anxiety (trust me, I’ve been there), try shifting the focus … Read More!