rosemary

When it comes to affordable and easy entertaining, I'm a huge fan of the other white meat: pork tenderloin. It comes in packs of two that are usually sold for under $10. It's also a quick-cooking and versatile cut of meat that can be seasoned with just about anything.

Recently I made grilled pork tenderloin with a rosemary coating and red pepper sauce. The tender pork was so juicy and flavorful that some of my guests thought the sauce was unnecessary! It's an elegant but unfussy preparation that's perfect for a Summer dinner party. Want to enjoy it? Here's the recipe.

With Memorial Day kicking off the unofficial start to grilling season, it's likely there are plenty of burgers in your near future. Unfortunately, cooking meat at high temperatures (like grilling) can create carcinogenic chemicals known as heterocyclic amines (or HCAs), which have been linked to cancer risk. The good news? Certain add-ins can make your meat much safer to cook — and more flavorful, too!

Studies have found that adding rosemary to uncooked meat will greatly reduce the amount of HCAs found in your beef after cooking, attributed to the antioxidant carnosol. If rosemary isn't your thing, there are other ingredients that work, too. To find out what they are, keep reading

Each March, I bake my favorite uncle a cake for his birthday — but this year, I was at a total loss about what to make. It had to be transportable (he lives an hour away) but also unique. That's when I remembered a special cake that I'd tried awhile back.

"This is going to sound weird," a friend told me when she'd brought it over, "but this cake is made from olive oil and rosemary, and it'll blow your mind." She was right!

The earthiness of the rosemary, nutty olive oil, and bright citrus elements really complement one another. The refined cake turned out to be perfect for his understated birthday celebration. Enjoying a piece is like eating a sliver of sunshine. Read more for the recipe.

No matter how healthy my lunch is there are still days where I hit that dreaded afternoon slump. My eyes begin to glaze over and I start to zone out at my desk. A quick walk outside usually helps, but, depending on my workload, I can't always get away.

Luckily I've found a quick and simple solution in the form of rosemary or peppermint oil. I know that there are doubts surrounding the validity of aromatherapy, but I definitely feel refreshed after taking a small whiff of these oils — I'm more awake, lifted, and ready to work.

If oils are hard for you to find, keep a lemon at your desk for afternoon sniffing. Citrus fragrances, especially lemons, have been shown to lift people's moods.

Have you ever used aromatherapy as a pick-me-up? If not, how do you beat your afternoon slump? Tell me in the comments section below.

By now, you may know that I love pizza. Not only do I serve it as an appetizer and use leftovers as toppings, but I make it when I'm in need of a quick pick-me-up. After a long day, there's nothing quite as comforting as a crisp crust oozing with melted cheese.

Assembling a pizza also allows me to get creative in the kitchen without having to waste a ton of time prepping ingredients. This simple recipe combines a crunchy dough with rotisserie chicken, goat cheese, rosemary, and Parmesan cheese.

It's a filling meal on its own, but for additional balance I'll enjoy it with mixed greens. To look at the recipe, read more