Category Archive

healthy food

Here’s the easiest way to de-stem strawberries

If you’re a strawberry lover like I am, you might be used to chopping off the stem of the strawberry before making it into your oatmeal topping, smoothie ingredient, or shortcake deliciousness. But with that technique, you’re sending a lot of the yummy fruit into the garbage or compost. Here’s a trick I learned to save as much strawberry guts as possible…

Delicious ways to use Trader Joe's umami seasoning at every meal

Delicious ways to use Trader Joe’s umami seasoning at every meal

If you’re unfamiliar with the savory glory that is “umami,” you’re not alone. It’s one of the basic five tastes (like sweet, sour, bitter, and salty) but definitely the least known. Trader Joe’s rolled out a version of the flavor in a handy sprinkly seasoning. I think a lot of us went out, bought it, and then didn’t have a clue how to use it. So I did some digging and came up with some ideas on how to cook using Trader Joe’s umami seasoning.

savory pumpkin recipes

11 unusual pumpkin recipes that go WAY beyond pie

Tired of pumpkin yet? Pumpkin isn’t tired of YOU. It never tires of you. It loves you. And when you see these unusual pumpkin recipes, you may change your tune and return that love. OR maybe you’re still totally ready for pumpkin to find its place in your menu, in which case, scroll for the goods. We’ve got savory pumpkin dishes, pumpkin sweets that totally aren’t your usual pumpkin pie, and even a little treat for the pooch in your life. Because y’all KNOW puppies love pumpkin. So grab a can of pumpkin puree or a whole pumpkin if you’re feeling Martha Stewart-ish today, and tell us how the cooking goes…

Is ugly produce your path to food budget bliss?

Is ugly produce your path to food budget bliss?

We all know there’s a big problem with food waste. So if you’re not the type to fuss too much about picking the perfect apple in the stack at the grocery store, a new food delivery service might be the solution for you AND for the environment. You may have already seen friends posting on social media about a company called Imperfect Produce, a CSA-style program that delivers just slightly bruised or weird-looking veggies to you. They’re still tasty, but just not quite as pretty as you may be used to.

Your microbiome and you! How how to feed it a healthy diet

Your microbiome and you! How to feed it a healthy diet

Three years ago, I decided I needed to re-haul my diet. I was slowly gaining weight, no matter how much I exercised. I had a host of health issues, including eczema, vitamin deficiencies, and food sensitivities. I had lots of chronic pain, and caught every single cold and flu that came home from school with my kids. It got to a point where I began to wonder what was wrong with me. Why was my body fighting against me?

That’s when I got interested in feeding my microbiome. WAIT! HOLD ON A MINUTE… WHAT IS A MICROBIOME?

easy lunch & dinner ideas

19 super easy meal ideas from readers’ go-to recipe files

Back in the summer, we featured a call-out to readers for their favorite super-easy lunches and dinners and you delivered. You gave us a ton of awesome lunch and dinner ideas! Let’s face it, we’re also tired after work, amirite? I’ve divided them into categories: grains and stuff, easy pastas, salads and greens, and sandwiches and toasts.

There are a lot of super easy meal ideas to be had here…

Let's get spicy: your favorite cooking spices & flavor staples

Let’s get spicy: reader-favorite cooking spices & flavor staples

Way back in the day we called upon our Offbeat Homies to pony up their favorite garlic and onion alternatives for those of us who can’t eat them. Sad, I know, but there ARE a ton of delish cooking spices that slay when it comes to amping up flavor in recipes. I decided to cull a bunch of those helpful reader comments into a roundup of reader favorite spices that will take your cooking game up a few notches.

Vegetarian and gluten-free Disney: Magical gluten-free vegetarian land? Yep, here's how!

Disney: Magical gluten-free vegetarian land? Yep, here’s how!

My husband, Tom, and I recently vacationed in Orlando, Florida and went to Disney World! Pause for magical reaction. I am a gluten-free vegetarian (Tom is also a vegetarian, but can eat the wheat), so you KNOW it’s tough to eat and travel.

There was a lot of internet advice that mentioned dining as a gluten-free vegetarian in Disney is so easy, and Disney is so accommodating. I was dubious, but guess what — The internet can be right sometimes! Here are just some of the vegetarian and gluten-free Disney yummies I got to enjoy on the trip…