Lemon Hemp Breakfast Muffins? This recipe gives a whole new meaning to “wake and bake!”  Many recipes for lemon poppy seed cake, the simple tea cake loaf that inspired this recipe for Lemon Hemp Breakfast Muffins, contain two sticks of butter and two heaping cups of sugar! Yikes. In lightening this recipe up, I’ve made it less sweet, fantastic to be served at breakfast or brunch. The tender crumb is not overly rich, yet and packed with luscious tart lemon flavor.  I’m also substituting hemp seeds for poppy seeds and baking individual muffins for better portion control. You wi ..read more

These rich and indulgent Small Bake Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownies are gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, made with vegan butter, and baked with reduced sugar. Do you ask, “What is this strange dark chocolate magic?” Or, do you now want to smash the delete button? Stop! Don’t do it! This “small bake” brownie is rich and bursting with two layers of chocolate flavor. You will love these Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownies — even if you have no dietary concerns. They are rich and indulgent and it’s super helpful to have a recipe with wide accessibility and appeal for friends and family instead of cat ..read more

food styling by Lori Horne   Lentil recipes are often easy and quick, making them a great component of your culinary repertoire. These edible seeds boast powerful nutrients and an earthy, mild, nutty flavor that works well in many recipes. I’m sharing a wonderful hearty Alsatian-inspired recipe for Warm Lentils and Turkey Kielbasa with Shallot Vinaigrette. It’s great for early spring — not too heavy, but still filling and very satisfying. My goal with this newsletter is to share tips that help us have a better life. Yes, I mean us. I’m part of this, too! I got myself in a bad place once u ..read more

These Strawberry Pillows are a perfect dessert to celebrate spring this weekend. They’re easy, beautiful, and absolutely scrumptious. There’s not much to it — you simply make a French meringue, add freeze-dried strawberries,  then low and slow bake them in the oven. Once cooled, smash them and top them with fresh strawberries. They’re sweet, tart, and packed with strawberry flavor. Stress relievers and Strawberry Pillows sound like quite the combo, doesn’t it? Good and Good for You is all about giving you the information you need to take steps to improve your life. Read on for this amazi ..read more

  “Skinny” Spinach Artichoke Dip — Ha! “Skinny Dippin'” which involves water and nakedness is about the only time I will willingly use the word skinny. And, it’s pretty much the only time the use of the word “skinny” is actual fun. The word skinny has become synonymous with the word beautiful for some people. Just this very day, I had a female colleague say to me, ” Oh my gosh, you are so skinny, you look amazing.” She then proceeded to use the word skinny at least three times. I am thrilled my dedication and consistency is paying off, but Lordy mercy why do women perpetuate this!? I don ..read more

PBJ is an all-American sandwich. It’s good and good for you, filling, protein-rich, and tastes great! I’ve put that flavor combo into an easy blender pancake. And, this is a recipe for a pancake, not pancakeS. No standing at the stovetop and flipping flap jacks all morning. This is a one-and-done! Bonus, it’s gluten-free, made with heart-healthy oats, and fresh fruit. Do you have trouble getting to sleep? Staying asleep? Waking up too early? You are not alone. According to the National Institute of Health,  an estimated 50 to 70 million Americans have chronic, or ongoing, sleep disorder ..read more

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. I consider it an opportunity to honor the many incredible women I have learned from in my life. Anne Willan, founder of Ecole de Cuisine LaVarenne is one of my culinary mentors. (Along with Nathalie Dupree, Martha Stewart, and Nora Pouillon, my other former Lady Bosses.) To celebrate Anne’s work and accomplishments in honor of  International Women’s Day I am sharing my version of her recipe for Shrimp Rilletes — aka Shrimp Spread. You’re going to love it. My recipe ..read more

  Mushroom Magic Mushroom Soup is a classic, comforting soup, perfect for this time of year. Mushrooms are having a moment! They are popping up at traditional grocery stores, farmer’s markets, doctor’s offices, and even on our screens with informative films like Fantastic Funghi – and scary zombie apocalypse shows like The Last of Us. Read on for this great recipe, more info on a best life living tip that explains what mushrooms and ham bones have in common, and a self-care technique that can change your brain. Maitake mushrooms aka Hen of the WoodsWhat is Umami? Mushrooms are a rich, l ..read more

  Beans and Greens are the pinnacle of good and good for you eating. Every cuisine in the world has some form of this classic combination. This version is an Italian-Cajun-Appalachia mash-up. The best part is that canned beans make for easy preparation and clean-up. Adding a cup of chopped collards and a handful of baby kale at the end of cooking is a great way to bump up the nutritional content. Try adding a handful to soups of all kinds or mashed or roasted sweet potatoes. (Remember, the good and good for you approach is about health GAIN not just weight loss!) Beans and greens are go ..read more

Eat the Damn Cake Ha! Not what you were expecting from a health and wellness newsletter? Yes, my philosophy is pretty much summed up with that expression. No, you can’t eat cake all the time, but when life calls for cake, you should eat cake. This One Bowl Apple Date Snack cake will become a go-to for you! It’s a small bake, meaning not an enormous recipe, and can serve as a breakfast or brunch bread, cake for tea, an afternoon pick-me-up, and can work as a dessert, too. You won’t believe the Self-Care Technique of the week — it’s about eating MORE. How about them apples? Read on for more inf ..read more