SCHOOL LUNCH MEAL PLAN & PREP Simplify Lunch "What's in your kids lunch?" is one of the most common conversations I have with moms.  It doesn't seem to matter how old their kids are, if they are still in school, the topic comes up again and again and again.  That is why I created this, to take the pressure off the parent (or caregiver), put some responsibility on the child and have lunches that are consistently eaten by your child at school. The School Lunch Meal Plan & Prep is one of my most popular meal plans and I'm giving it to you as my "Happy Back-to-School" gift ..read more

Click here to download the printer-friendly PDF. It is holy hot right now!  Triple digits means that I'm reaching for the chilled and cold dishes any time I can.  This dish is yummy, but also so easy to prep ahead and have in the fridge ready to eat any time. Change it up with peppers, pears or carrots instead of the cucumber and apple slices. If you're kids are into salmon, this is a great dish to take to school in small 4-oz mason jars. It also makes an AWESOME food for baby. Ingredients: Dill Salmon Spread with Apple & Cucumber Slices 1 LBS Salmon Filet   4 Apples   ..read more

Click here to download the printer friendly recipe. Simplicity is the key word weekday mornings.  With the hubby heading out to work, the kid rushing off to school and my days switching between working in the kitchen to working in front of my computer, I don't have much capacity for creativity or taking orders like a line cook.   So, I've streamlined breakfast during the week with only slight variations for a change in flavor and the seasons. Something green, something with acid, something with protein and at least one (if not two) fat sources.  The BLTA breakfast bowl is the pe ..read more

Click here to download the printer friendly version. The flavors of Baja remind me vacations with my family as a child where we rented a boat, went fishing then brought those fish to a guy with a grill and a tarp shading some plastic chairs and tables and he cooked up the best fish tacos I've ever tasted. Part of it might be the memory, it sticks with me as one of my favorite childhood memories. After I got married, Dave and I went to Cabo for a late honeymoon.  I convinced him to rent a boat (I don't speak Spanish, Dave is fluent, so he had to do it) and go fishing with me.  A ..read more

We are all busy, sometimes the dishes pile up for days and the dog is the official floor cleaner.  I get it, it happens in our house too.  But, of all the rooms in our homes, the kitchen (and bathrooms, but this is a food blog) is where we should be taking some simple, yet important, steps to keep it safe and clean for everyone. In my video, I share 6 simple tips including my supper awesome kitchen cleaner recipes, why separating foods is important, keeping knives sharp (check out my knife sharpening video) AND my BONUS tip. I hope you enjoy it.  Please leave a comment, tell me ..read more

So... it happened again.  But, this time, I'm almost embarrassed to say, it was so much easier. Even now, as I write this almost four weeks later, I can't believe that is one of the strongest emotions I have; relief at how much easier it was than last time.  The last time I had a miscarriage that is.  Yep, it happened again. If you missed the horrifying experience I had last year with my first miscarriage, I encourage you to read about it here.  The short of it is that I am high risk for an ectopic pregnancy, was MIS-diagnosed as having an ectopic pregnancy, then went thro ..read more

Let's talk about keeping the kids occupied during spring break.  I'm just going to get this out there, spring break gives me heartburn.  Trying to fill the week with activities, hoping you don't have to take more time off work than necessary and praying that the kids don't start making cave drawings on their walls with a Sharpie. It can be a stressful week.  I totally feel it.  So, what can we do about it? What about teaching your kids a new recipe each day of spring break? I'm not talking complex recipes, they may not even need supervision.  But, basic recipes that ..read more

I love knives.  They are my favorite tools in the kitchen.  Chopping, slicing and carving are cathartic acts for me.  If you have yet to invest in a few good knives, I want to share with you my three "must have" knives, plus a couple extras and how to keep them sharp so they last a life time. If you can't get to a good knife shop, here are links to my favorites via Amazon.  You can always return them, if the fit feels off.   European Style Chef's Knife, This is the same one I own and I LOVE it! Santoku Chef's Knife, Same brand as the European above, but in the shorter ..read more

Have you read about the 1% performance improvement?  No? It is a concept in process improvement, which I'm an expert in AND is at the core of my business; though my goal is for you (the user) not realize that and just reap the benefits. However, when I started down this collaboration with Dr. Melissa Shays and her team at ReSports Wellness, the idea of finding that 1% performance improvement was such a hot topic with what we were creating that we couldn't help but make it a major point in our new program, Endurance Nutrition Evolved. The 1% performance improvement is a component of kaize ..read more

Paleo Chicken Fajita Bowl Click here to download the printer friendly version. I can't say it enough.  Prepping ahead for lunch will reduce your stress level during the week and, if you choose well, will make your belly happy.  Fuel your mind, body and soul with a little planning ahead. This recipe will yield 4-5 servings of lunch, perfect to prep ahead for the week. Paleo Chicken Fajita Bowls Awesome Prep Ahead Meals INGREDIENT LIST 1.25-1.5 LBS BS Chicken Thighs  2 Bell Peppers   1 Sweet Onion   1 Zucchini   2 Avocado   3 Limes   2 tsp Garlic Powder ..read more