Believe it or not, there are only 16 days until Christmas. How’s your shopping coming along? I’m a list maker, so I like nothing better than to write down all of the people I need to buy for, make note of something they mentioned wanting, and cross their name off once I find the perfect […]
Category Archives: Self-Health Survival Guides
03
Dec
Dec
The day I sat down to write this post, the weather had severely changed. The previous morning I was wearing sandals and a dress as I dropped my daughter off at preschool. But by early afternoon, the temperature had dropped so dramatically that I struggled to get warm. Today it seems as if winter has […]
02
Dec
Dec
In case you haven’t been paying attention, here’s your friendly reminder that there are only 23 days until Christmas. If this makes you cringe, don’t worry. Gifts don’t need to be overly complicated or even pricey. Of all the presents I’ve ever given or received, my favorites have been simple, straight from the heart, and […]
26
Nov
Nov
It’s that time of year again—the week when you just can’t seem to find enough uses for Thanksgiving leftovers. Now don’t get me wrong. I think one of the best things about Thanksgiving is the leftovers. Then again, I’m one of those funny people who actually prefers the leftovers to the feast itself! But I […]
25
Nov
Nov
Hooray! In just a couple of days it will be Thanksgiving—the perfect time for…cranberries! Yup. You read that right. I’m excited for the cranberries. Sure, the turkey and the taters are delicious, but you can have them any ol’ time of year. For me, cranberries are a special treat for Thanksgiving Day and not something […]
19
Nov
Nov
Ask Chef Phyllis: The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is very busy for me, but not for the obvious reasons. When the ski lodges open, everyone comes to our house for the Thanksgiving break. They also come for the school break between Christmas and New Year’s. Our family serves roast turkey for both Thanksgiving and […]
18
Nov
Nov
We decided to send our kids to school with packed lunches long ago, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. But there’s a sticky little problem that goes along with it—around our house, we call it “lunchbox envy.” And this far into the school year, we know it will make an appearance any time […]
12
Nov
Nov
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s time to talk turkey…and stuffing, and gravy, and squash, and mashed potatoes. And, of course, dessert. While pie is absolutely imperative in my opinion, sometimes it’s also nice to add something unusual to the spread. This scrumptious cheesecake combines two traditional flavors of fall: warm spices and sweet […]
11
Nov
Nov
A battle has been raging between adults and children since the beginning of time. You know what I’m talking about. It’s about a simple, throughout-the-day routine that keeps some pretty serious diseases at bay. And it only requires two things—soap and water. Yup, hand-washing. Think about the most common question you hear parents ask their […]
05
Nov
Nov
Ask Chef Phyllis: My family loves turkey. I make it for Thanksgiving and sometimes for Christmas dinner, and we happily feast on the leftovers for days. I often say that I’ll make it again soon. Sadly, I don’t, probably because the family doesn’t want a Thanksgiving-style turkey dinner—they think it’s just for the holidays. But […]
04
Nov
Nov
We all know the old saying touting breakfast as the most important meal of the day—and there’s a ton of truth to support this philosophy. Making breakfast a priority sets the stage for balanced blood sugars and reduced food cravings throughout the rest of the day. But not all breakfasts are created equal, right? The […]
29
Oct
Oct
It’s squash season! I’m not ashamed to incorporate this delectable winter vegetable into my diet in every way, shape, and form imaginable—at least for the next few months. Thankfully, there’s such a multitude of winter squash available at this time of year that I don’t get terribly bored. And just when I think I can’t […]
28
Oct
Oct
With Halloween fast approaching at the end of this week, pumpkins are everywhere, and especially around this time of year, pumpkins make most people think “Jack-o’-lantern!” Yet if the only thing you’ve ever done with a pumpkin is carve out a spooky face and leave it on your front stoop for decoration, you’re really missing […]
Ask Chef Phyllis
Chef’s Tips for Gluten-Free Treats: Peanut Butter Cookies and Almond Thumbprint Cookies
22
Oct
Oct
Ask Chef Phyllis: I need some recipes for gluten-free cookies or treats that will satisfy children and are really easy to make. I’ve already tried the prepackaged, store-bought products available, but I think they have unhealthy ingredients to make up for taste. The rice flour, tapioca flour, and almond flour that most supermarkets sell are […]
21
Oct
Oct
Walking is my exercise of choice. I have a few avid runner friends who’ve tried to convert me, but walking is just so much more appealing to me. Whether I’m enjoying the city sidewalks, exploring the trails around town, or hiking in the foothills, I always feel better after a walk outdoors. And based on […]
16
Oct
Oct
On a crisp, chilly, autumn night, this warming dish is just as perfect for a rustic family meal as a formal dinner party. Adding cauliflower to the puree lightens the potatoes, increases the vitamin and mineral content, and imparts a wonderful flavor. The sautéed leeks offer visual appeal and an enhanced nutritional profile. The slightly […]
14
Oct
Oct
Landscape plans may be the furthest thing from your mind now that it’s autumn, but I say this is the perfect time. With incredible deals at local nurseries, you can get so much more bang for your buck—sometimes twice as much. My family has moved around a fair bit, and at each of our homes […]
09
Oct
Oct
Ask Chef Phyllis: I confess that I buy chicken breasts at the supermarket each and every week. I bake them, grill them, smother them in cream of mushroom soup, and overcook them in every way possible. I’m tired of them. I never buy whole chickens anymore, or other parts of the chicken except for wings […]
07
Oct
Oct
When the temperature cools and the leaves begin to change color, I always seem to get the urge to dust off my slow cooker. Not that it’s neglected at other times of the year—after all, what better way to keep your baked beans warm at the neighborhood cookout? But fall and winter are definitely the […]
03
Oct
Oct
Ask Chef Phyllis: By late summer, I have an abundant amount of zucchini from my garden, and most of the time by then my family is tired of eating it as a vegetable, in a soup, or from the grill. I know if you leave a not-so big zucchini just an extra day or two, […]