At the beginning of the month, I resolved to simplify every respect of my life, including the number of items and ingredients I keep stocked in my kitchen. That's because I've discovered that in cooking, as in life, sometimes less equals more! One unintended consequence of this newfangled declaration? I've suddenly been eating far more meatless meals made from pantry staples (think beans, Read more

If something you are eating (or drinking) needs a bit of a kick, don't turn to salt or sugar to do the trick, try adding some spices! Spices are not only lower in calories, but also offer a long list of health benefits including curbing hunger, strengthening muscles, boosting your brainpower, and improving your mood. A simple way to spice up your life is to start with your daily cuppa joe. Read more

Some people have a serious hankering for cottage cheese. I like the white stuff alright, but it's the fixins that really make me crave the lowfat snack. Apples and oats are always a delicious addition, and avocado cups make me happy, but the easiest and perhaps tastiest treat I've found so far comes in the form of a cinnamon stick. When your sweet tooth attacks, satiate it with a few sprinkles Read more

One of my favorite perks of the holiday season are the homemade treats that my friends deliver to the house. To reciprocate the kind gesture, I considered doing some canning and cooking for their gifts, but then thought better of the little time I have and decided a jar full of tasty and toasty almonds was a better option. On their own, almonds offer up a bevy of health benefits with the loads of Read more

Last night, a craving for a gooey cinnamon roll hit me. Given the amount of calories and fat in one, it was a craving I didn't want to indulge in. But when the taste of cinnamon and sugar wouldn't leave my brain, I trekked into the kitchen to find a healthier way to satisfy it. Usually when this sort of craving hits, I do a warm apple or pear crisp, but it's Summer and apples and pears are Read more

Although I love to sip more than one beverage at a time, I didn't want too many drinks crowding the table at Easter brunch, so I settled on a holiday tipple that did double duty as part morning joe, part festive cocktail. This quick and simple libation makes use of cachaça, a sugarcane liquor that's similar to rum and wildly popular in Brazil. When combined with chilled espresso and sweetened, Read more

Although I'm a fan of interesting vinegars and exotic sauces, it can be pricey to purchase a bottle of something you may only use once. That's why it's nice to look toward the juice aisle. Juice is an incredibly affordable flavoring agent — and you can drink it after you cook with it. In this recipe, cranberry pomegranate juice is used to season savory chicken thighs. It's an effortless dish Read more