Before you raise an eyebrow or give me that skeptical look, hear me out! Cottage cheese ice cream isn't just a quirky fad or a passing trend; it's a delicious and healthy treat that deserves a spot in your freezer. Trust me, once you give it a try, you won't look back!

Summer is here! The weather is finally warming up and the kids are home. And that means they’re asking me my favorite question - "what’s for dinner, mom?” a bit more frequently. Dinner this week is full of family favorites including pulled pork sandwiches, grilled salmon with avocado salsa, and some simple salads - perfect for those warm nights.

I love a good smoothie. And provided they are loaded with good-for-you ingredients, they are the perfect way to start your day. Today I’m sharing one of my favorites, the Cherry Berry Smoothie.

Ah, the Fab4 Smoothie…the perfect blend of protein, fiber, greens, and fat to support blood sugar balance, improve digestion, and decrease cravings. The Fab4 smoothie is the best way to break your fast and because the basic recipe is so simple, there are millions of different possible variations to suit every like. This is one of my favorites, the cookies & cream.

Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. One of the most celebrated days in America, the Fourth celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence. And after the last 18 months we’ve all had, I think this year the celebrations will be bigger. Today I’m sharing my favorite recipes for a family and friends get-together. What’s on your menu?

When things around me are crazy, I find solace in food. Cooking and baking takes my mind off of everything going on around me and I find comfort in tastes that I know and adore. I can control food when I can’t control everything going on around me. That’s why my menu this week is heavy on comfort food. I’ve taken recipes and made some changes to lighten them up, so they all fit within my macro goals.

A great salad sets the stage for your holiday dinner. You want something simple and festive, compliments the star of your holiday table, and won’t fill everyone up so much they don’t have room for the main course. The Pride of the Crown Salad is the perfect addition to any holiday menu.

Preparing Thanksgiving dinner can be stressful. And though you’re likely not having a crowd, it can still be a challenge. It doesn’t need to be. I’ve created a simple planner that notes everything you should consider so that you enjoy the holiday stress-free.

Looking for a quick appetizer that is guaranteed to be a hit with everyone? Look no further than the Brie & Cranberry Pull-Apart bread. I’ve been making variations of this for years and regardless of where it’s served (Thanksgiving, Christmas, backyard BBQ), everyone loves it. Plus, it’s super easy to make and budget-friendly!

With everyone staying a bit closer to home this year, experts predict that the Butterball Turkey Hotline will be busy this year. If this is your first-holiday attempt at a turkey, I’ve got you covered. My recipe is tried and true and delivers the juiciest, tender turkey. It doesn’t disappoint!

If you’ve been on Instagram lately, you’ve seen the Fab Four Smoothie (#Fab4Smoothie). And for good reason. Developed by Kelly Leveque, this smoothie is the perfect formula to help balance your blood sugar with enough protein, fat, and fiber to keep you full. It also supports your immune system to cleanse regularly, stay regular, avoid blood sugar spikes, and increase insulin sensitivity.

For a number of reasons, I don’t drink caffeine and miss having my cup of coffee as part of my morning ritual. Decaf tea and coffee are ok but I don’t love them so I’ve started drinking warm lemon cayenne water as a replacement. With anti-fungal, immune boosting, and detoxification properties, lemon cayenne water is a powerhouse drink and a great way to start your day.

Chia seed pudding is one of my favorite ways to break my fast so I was excited to see it in the refrigerator section of my local Starbucks pre-SIP. While I normally would take my lunch to work, sometimes in the craziness of getting two teens and myself out the door, I forget. Between meetings, I would run downstairs to Starbucks and quickly grab something to hold me over until dinner. And their pre-made chia seed pudding is perfect. Creamy, lightly sweet, with fresh coconut and strawberries. Yum. So I set out to make it at home.

While some made sourdough and others made banana bread, during our Shelter-In-Place I decided to try my hand at making kombucha. Kombucha is one of my favorite drinks, supports gut health, and if you purchase it at the store, it can be fairly expensive ($5 or more per bottle). So since I had nothing but time, I decided to give it a try. And wow, I am so happy I did.

If you’re like everyone I know, you’ve been enjoying a few more cocktails while you’ve been SIP than normal. With that in mind, I thought I’d share some pantry staple cocktails for your weekend (or heck, anytime during the week). My Skinny Spicy Margarita remains a favorite, but here are some others that I will be enjoying this week.

When life gets crazy, I crave comfort food. I want something warm, yummy, and satisfying as if it will bring calm to my day. And this vegetarian chili does the trick. This is a simple recipe that delivers big in the chili category. It has a bold taste and uses ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.

When it’s cold and wet outside, there is nothing better than an amazing bowl of soup to warm your soul. Add in the viruses we can’t seem to get away from (hello flu and COVAD-19), there really isn’t a better time to enjoy a warm bowl of soup than right now. That’s why this week I’ve decided to forgo my weekly “this is what I’ll be eating” and instead I’m sharing different soup recipes for all lifestyles and flavor profiles.

My family loves a good pound cake but they are loaded with fat and sugar, so I limit how often I either make or have them in the house. My kids love to have a piece at night or grab one as they are heading out the door in the morning so I’ve been on the hunt for a healthier version. And I’ve found it!

It’s the last week of summer vacation in our house and the kids are already gearing up for another great year. Two-a-day football practices, wrapping up that summer reading, math, and history, and getting those backpacks ready while enjoying time with friends is what this week is all about. Dinners this week are super simple, tried and true, crowd pleasers. So whether, like us, you’re expecting a few extra people for dinner as the kids soak up the final days or it’s a more intimate group, these recipes won’t steer you wrong.

It finally warmed up in the Bay Area and we’re seeing some higher than usual temperatures. So this week I focused my meal plan on simple dinners that leverage seasonal fruits and veggies, and could be cooked on the grill, in the slow cooker, or with minimal stove time.