Poached Eggs Over Dukkah Vegetable Hash

Poached Eggs Over Dukkah Vegetable HashDukkah is an Egyptian blend of nuts, seeds and spices usually containing hazelnuts, sesame seeds, cumin and dried hot peppers. It is crunchy, slightly smokey, spicy enough to be interesting and has a richness from the nuts that most spice blends don’t. Nuts and seeds are good sources of several minerals and unsaturated fats and using them in a spice blend like this makes them easy to incorporate into dishes- simply throw it over eggs, salads, seafood, meat or lentil or bean dishes. Continue Reading →

3 Ingredient Rice Bowl

This is a really, really simple bowl but it has been a staple of mine for a long time. It originated as a bedtime snack after late nights out and though I have less of those now, this is still my go-to choice when I need something nourishing, easy to digest, warming and grounding- basically just some healthy comfort food. Both brown rice and avocado are very nutritious and easy to digest, so much so that they are acceptable for babies who are just getting into solid food. Continue Reading →

Roasted Celeriac Carrot Yam Soup

Celeriac also goes by the name celery root and while it is closely related to the crunchy, light green celery stalks commonly cultivated it is grown particularly for the root rather than the stalks. When raw it smells just like fresh celery but the flavor is more subtle and I find it tastes like a cross between celery, parsley and apples, making it the perfect accompaniment for soups made with other more richly flavored root vegetables like carrots and yams. Continue Reading →

Sesame Honey Chickpeas

IMG_3962Roasted chickpeas are usually paired with salt and savory spices to create a healthy snack full of fiber and protein, but they work well with some sweetness too. Honey, legumes (the lentil and bean family, including chickpeas a.k.a garbanzo beans) and sesame seeds are foods widely used in Ayurveda, a five thousand year old wellness system derived in India meaning “the science of life”. Continue Reading →

Strawberry Mango Smoothie

Mango and strawberry is one of those combinations that never disappoints. Add in some lime juice, coconut water, vanilla protein powder and an avocado and it becomes a tropical tasting, rich, sweet and creamy smoothie good enough to satisfy dessert cravings. This is the perfect kind of thing to eat before or to take along when heading to a beach, pool or anywhere else you want to feel energetic, lean and comfortable. Continue Reading →

Orange Mocha Frappuccino

Several years ago I took a very elitist film class. On the first day we had to go around the classroom and say our name and favorite film. I was near the end and those before me each picked obscure foreign films I had never heard of, to a round of understanding nods from everyone else. I knew I couldn’t compete with that so I was honest and admitted mine to be the completely American and Hollywood creation- Zoolander. The pursed lips I was expecting were parted and to my surprise I was met with collective approval and a lively discussion ensued. A well known part of this movie has one of the lead male models and his crew heading out to cheer themselves up with orange mocha frappuccinos followed up by a “freak gasoline fight accident”. Continue Reading →

Jalapeño Crusted Halibut with Mango Pineapple Salad

This is one of my favorite derivatives of globalization- local fish and herbs with tropical fruit. Halibut is a great source of protein and it is very low in fat, though a decent percentage of the fats it does have are essential omega-3 fatty acids (for comparison, it has around 1/4 to 1/3 the amount in wild salmon). It is also rich in several B vitamins, including B 12 and the minerals selenium, magnesium and phosphorus. Halibut has a mild taste and smell (if it smells quite fishy it’s not fresh) that goes well with a wide range of flavors and has a rich, buttery flesh that is not very flaky, making it easy to cook with. Continue Reading →

3 Ingredient Vitality Smoothie

This is the kind of food to go for after you have been sick. After a spell of nausea or food poisoning, a wicked hangover or even just an energy depleting virus or really intense workout, we need sustenance that is easy to digest, absorb and use. When I was little this meant saltine crackers and gingerale but I wanted a more nutrient dense and chemical free option to aid in recovery. This is easy on sore tummies and it does wonders to help get one back to regular speed quickly. Once we are already dehydrated, drinking water can make us feel instantly worse but some studies, and my own empirical research has shown that coconut water helps to rehydrate without any negative symptoms like increased nausea. Continue Reading →

Blueberry Trail Mix

IMG_4007Trail mix is usually a blend of nuts, seeds and dried fruits- all nutrient dense foods to provide lots of energy in small amounts. While this combination has many possibilities there is a little something extra I like to add- puffed brown rice. It is just like rice krispies but less refined and the only ingredient should be brown rice. It adds a nice light crunch to an otherwise very dense trail mix. This can fulfill its named purpose of providing sustenance out on the trail or it can be a topping for oatmeal or yogurt. If you are a snacker, something like this can be a good alternative to popcorn at a movie (popped corn is good but not all the chemicals and cheap oils they cover it with), chips at home or candy during work or a study session. Continue Reading →