Serena

Almond Butter Dip

Almond Butter Dip (A Healthy Lunch Option)

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Last week I had the pleasure to attend a fun Back to School event hosted by MomTrends. As a networking event/informal chat, the night included a discussion of hot trends, staying organized and balancing work and family life. I also learned an almond butter dip recipe while there. The night included a fun talk by … Read More

One-Pot Quinoa Tomato Recipe Medley

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Over the past year, I have been making a lot of dishes with quinoa. This one-pot quinoa tomato recipe is one of the best. I discovered quinoa after reading about its health properties on The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Resource for Healthy Eating. It was helpful to learn that it is a gluten-free … Read More

Peach Blueberry Jam

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To celebrate the upcoming release of the new summer movie The Help I wanted to make something using traditional Southern flavors. I immediately thought of cooking with delicious and fragrant peaches, which can be enjoyed “as is” or used in pies or cobblers. Other options include canning, adding them to salads or even placing peaches … Read More

watermelon feta salad recipe

Watermelon Feta Salad Recipe

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Sometimes the best foods are the ones that are the simplest to prepare. For the summer, I tend to stick with lighter fare like smoothies, salads and chilled soups since they (generally) require less preparation. Although they are easy to assemble it does not mean that these foods are lacking flavor and depth. In fact, … Read More

Pancetta frittata recipe from Chobani brunch with Chef Jason

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I recently had the pleasure to attend a fun and informative blogger brunch hosted by Chobani yogurt. As a big Chobani fan, I was excited to meet with Chef Jason, the Chobani Kitchen Executive Chef and learn how to incorporate this creamy and protein-rich Greek yogurt into dishes like soups, desserts, pasta and eggs. After … Read More

Healthy Recipes for Picnic Food: Coleslaw and Pesto Pasta

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One of the best parts of the summer is the opportunity to spend more time outdoors and to get a group of friends together for a picnic in the park. This relatively inexpensive option is a great way to share some of your favorite recipes as well as sample some of your friend’s culinary masterpieces. Although BBQ fare and sandwiches are usually the go-to food items at picnics I really love trying sides like coleslaw, hummus, fruit salads¸ pasta and potato salad, which are usually unique recipes to the person that made them. This week, I made a healthy coleslaw that included a blend of broccoli, cabbage, carrots with apples and raisins for sweetness, a small amount of Nayonaise and some walnuts for a nice crunch. I also made a homemade pesto with whole-wheat pasta, kale, and tomatoes. This easy pesto can also be used in a variety of pasta dishes and makes for great dishes – hot or cold. Enjoy the park and delicious picnic food this summer!

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Summer Salad With Mint Peach Dressing

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I love salads in the summer. They serve as a refreshing meal that won’t weigh you down. I also love that you can really mix up the flavors and feature your favorite ingredients in order to create a healthy and light meal. For this recipe, I wanted to infuse some of the seasonal foods available … Read More

Triple berry, blueberry and watermelon summer smoothie recipes

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I love the summer for so many reasons including more daylight hours and fun outdoor activities. Perhaps my favorite thing about summer is the access that I have to delicious seasonal fruits such as fresh blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and watermelon. Since the heat is currently raging in the city, I have been seeking refuge by enjoying light and refreshing fruit-based smoothies. Instead of just adding fruit and ice, I have been experimenting with various fresh herbs like rosemary and mint as well as with adding flax seeds and light sweeteners (like almond extract and honey) to compliment the healthy, natural flavors from the fruit. I hope that you enjoy these three refreshing fruit smoothies as you stay cool and healthy this summer.

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Healthy Soup Recipe: Chunky Tomato Vegetable Soup

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There is nothing quite like a comforting bowl of homemade soup. Being that January is National Soup Month and the start of the New Year where we all have the best of intentions – both health wise and with our personal goals – I thought it was appropriate to feature a nutritionally rich soup to … Read More