All summer long I have been enjoying growing my own fresh herbs in the backyard and of course, finding fun and creative ways to use them! This week I decided to whip up an Italian dish using fresh homegrown basil and off the vine tomatoes. I was also excited to wow my significant other with one of his favorite Italian dishes, Prawns in Angel Hair Pasta with Tomato Basil Sauce! This dish is light and tasty, full of fresh and healthy flavors and it's a meal you can throw togeth

A fresh Italian dish, lightly sprinkled with homegrown basil and tomatoes picked right off the vine is this week's, Penne with Prawns! Whether you want all the flavor of a fresh pasta dish without the heavy sauces, added fats and sodium, or a simple recipe you can whip up without needing a chef's culinary skill, this is it! The perfect recipe for those busier days that leave don't leave much time for meal prep and yet a hearty dish full of complex carbs, protein, and healthy

If you’re looking for a simple, satisfying snack that actually supports your energy, these Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Energy Bites are a must-try. These no-bake bites are perfect for pre- or post-workout fuel, a mid-day snack, or anytime you want something a little sweet that still works with your goals. I still remember making my first batch as a kid (back in my Camp Fire Girls days!), and all these years later, they’re just as much of a favorite. Made with a balanced mix of pro

Looking for a tasty side dish? Bored with the same old veggies? Maybe it's time to try a batch of Roasted Cauliflower! By grilling, sautéing, baking, broiling, steaming or roasting your vegetables you can actually change their texture from hard to soft or wet to crunchy and alter their flavor, going from sharp to mild or mild to mellow. Raw cauliflower is traditionally a sharper flavor, which can be a turn off to picky vegetable fans. By roasting that cauliflower with a few

Do you love the smell of warm apple and cinnamon baking in the oven? These Apple Cinnamon Cookies bring together everything you love about that classic combination—soft, moist centers with fresh apple baked right in, and a lightly crisp edge for the perfect texture. Made with hearty grains, fresh fruit, and warm spices, they’re a great example of how you can enjoy baked goods while still supporting a more balanced approach to eating. Because in midlife, it’s not about cutting

Eating from the rainbow just got a whole lot easier with these Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers! This simple recipe calls for red, orange, and yellow bell peppers stuffed with a hearty medley of ground turkey, corn, and tomato, along with fresh spices and herbs. When I first set out to make stuffed peppers I'll admit I was a bit intimidated by all the fancy recipes out there, so many of them called for multiple ingredients with much more time than I realistically have to prep

Do you love chocolate but feel like you have to avoid it in order to support your health and weight loss goals? No way! These Double Chocolate Muffins are delicious and nutritious! Yes not only are they double the chocolate, they boast some nutrient dense ingredients and thanks to a few healthy swaps they're actually even richer and creamier than the store bought kind! I warn you now, while you're indulging in their YUM it may be hard to stop at just one! Ingredients 1 C w

Calling all chocolate lovers!! This week I share with you one of my FAVORITE chocolate recipes: Chocolate Haystack Cookies! They're so rich and creamy it's hard to believe they are actually loaded with heart healthy ingredients too! Who knew eating better could taste so good?! Such a quick and simple recipe to whip up, with a list of ingredients you probably already have on hand, so you can easily satisfy your sweet tooth in no time flat. I like to put half the batch in the f

If you’re looking for a simple, satisfying meal you can get on the table in under 30 minutes, this Ground Turkey Taco Skillet is a go-to. One-skillet meals like this are perfect for busy days when you want something quick, flavorful, and easy to clean up—because the less complicated it is, the more likely you are to stick with it. Made with lean protein and simple ingredients, this dish is a great option for supporting balanced meals that keep you feeling satisfied and energi

Do you love the smell of warm cinnamon toast in the morning? There’s something about that cozy, sweet aroma that brings back memories—and for me, it always takes me back to slow mornings in the kitchen growing up. This Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread is a simple, more balanced take on that classic flavor. Made with a few easy swaps, it delivers that same comforting taste you love, with a little more staying power to help keep you satisfied. And don’t let the banana fool you—this

This brownie recipe might just become your new favorite pairing with a cozy holiday morning coffee. I’ll admit—I have quite a few brownie recipes in my collection (from pumpkin to sweet potato and everything in between). But during the holiday season, it’s always fun to mix things up with a little seasonal flavor. That’s exactly where these Gingerbread Brownie Bites come in. They bring together that rich, chocolatey texture you love with the warm, spiced flavors of gingerbrea

Ah, the holidays… all the cozy smells, flavors, and memories that come with them. That hint of molasses and ginger instantly brings to mind warm gingerbread fresh from the oven—a classic seasonal favorite. If you love those flavors, this Gingerbread Smoothie is a fun and simple way to enjoy them in a whole new way. It’s creamy, satisfying, and made with a balanced mix of ingredients to help support steady energy and keep you feeling good—something that becomes even more impor

If you’re looking for a fun fall treat that also helps support your daily protein intake, these Pumpkin Protein Brownie Bites are a great option. They’re rich, chocolatey, and full of cozy seasonal flavor—made with real pumpkin, protein, and hearty ingredients that help make them more satisfying than your average dessert. Recipes like this are a simple way to build in a little more balance, especially in midlife when getting enough protein can make a noticeable difference in

Ever notice how this time of year we crave the goodness of warm comfort foods? The kind that would spend hours simmering on the stove top, filling the house with scents of the season, and tantalize our taste buds to dig in to it's deliciousness! Good news! You can have that all day simmered flavor in under 30 minutes with this week's tasty Hearty Pumpkin Vegetable Soup! Low in sodium and fat this delicious soup is a good source of protein, potassium, calcium and dietary fibe

Pumpkin is not only a tasty fall favorite, but also a great way to boost the nutrition of your favorite baked goods, leaving them nice and moist... Like these Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies! A healthier spin on a seasonal favorite, these cookies DO NOT disappoint! This simple recipe yields about 24 small cookies that can easily be whipped up in just under 30 minutes. Making them your new holiday favorite. Ingredients 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter (softened) 1/4 C light

This recipe always brings me back to my childhood — when I got my first cookbook and discovered just how fun it could be to make something from scratch. One of the first recipes I remember making? No-bake energy bites. Simple, hands-on, and (of course) a little messy — in the best way. This Pumpkin No Bake Energy Bites recipe is my cozy fall take on that early favorite. They’re quick, easy to make, and perfect for keeping on hand when you need a simple, satisfying snack. And

I love Fall—and everything that comes with it. The crisp air, changing leaves, and those cozy flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, apple, and pumpkin… it’s the season where everything just feels a little warmer and more comforting. And of course—Pumpkin Spice season. If you’re craving something creamy, cozy, and still supportive of your “eat better” goals, this healthy Pumpkin Spice Smoothie is a perfect option. Made with real pumpkin and a balanced mix of ingredients, it’s designed

All the cozy flavors of fall baked into one simple, satisfying treat. These Pumpkin Spice Blondies are soft, moist, and lightly sweet—with warm spices and real pumpkin bringing that classic seasonal flavor you love. Made with simple ingredients you likely already have on hand, they’re an easy way to enjoy a baked treat while still supporting a more balanced approach to eating. Because in midlife, it’s not about cutting out foods like this—it’s about finding ways to enjoy them

Get ready to indulge the senses with this tasty recipe, Banana Oat Muffins with Peanut Butter Crumble Topping! Who wouldn't love to sink their teeth into a nice warm muffin, fresh out of the oven with a delectable crumb topping? Oh and did I mention it's not only delicious, it's nutritious too? Yep! This muffin delivers, on all fronts! But I must warn you: once the smell of these muffins baking makes its way through your house, it's going to be a challenge waiting for them t

If you’re craving something sweet, cold, and refreshing—but want to keep things simple—this Banana Soft Serve is a must-try. Made with just one main ingredient (yes, really—banana!) and a few optional add-ins, this “nice cream” comes together in minutes and delivers that rich, creamy texture you’d expect from traditional ice cream. It’s a great example of how you can enjoy something that feels like a treat while still supporting your overall balance—no complicated ingredients