New Year Health Challenge Week 3: Cut Out Sugar (I Know It’s Painful)

Welcome to Week 3 of the ten-week New Year Health Challenge, courtesy of Christine Kling of Body Basics LLC in Boise ID.  Ever wondered how bad sugar is for you? SUGAR IS ADDICTIVE! – Scientists say that sugar is just as addictive as cocaine. Researchers discovered that cocaine-addictive mice preferred sugar water over cocaine. This intense euphoria from sugar […]

The Magic of Protein Smoothies and Kids

As much as I love preparing dinner, trying new recipes, and introducing my family to different flavors, I struggle with other meal-times– namely, breakfast and snacks. Breakfast is notorious for its high-calorie, high-carb and sugary assortment of options, ranging from cereals to cinnamon rolls. Though eggs are a great alternative, the family will grow weary […]

Quiche A La Mel

Quiches are one of these wonderful “kitchen sink meals” in which you can throw whatever you have in your fridge. The problem with this strategy is that some quiches turn out better than others. The last time I whipped one up, however, the recipe was worth saving. And fortunately, I actually wrote down the ingredients […]

The Continuing Saga of Snacks

Is ‘snack’ a four five letter word in your vocabulary? I am a big fan of snacking throughout the day as a means of managing my weight and controlling an otherwise ravenous appetite. Working from home greatly simplifies the snacking process, as I can walk over to the cupboard or fridge and grab a variety […]

The Great Veggie Challenge: Dinner Finale

I just finished teaching a six-week course at Anser Charter School entitled the Great Veggie Challenge. After planting potatoes, touring organic markets and preparing a whole host of vegetables at my house, we celebrated by visiting Peaceful Belly to harvest vegetables and cook for parents.  Just the other day, Luke told me that his last day […]

Paleo: Diet or Lifestyle?

The Paleo Diet is based on whole foods presumably consumed by hunter-gatherers during the Paleolithic era, specifically animal protein and plants. It consists mainly of fish, grass-fed pasture raised meats, eggs, vegetables, fruit, fungi, roots, and nuts, and excludes grains, legumes, dairy products, potatoes, refined salt, refined sugar, and processed oils. Many tout this diet to be advantageous for weight loss and […]