Whey Protein Powder: Too Much of a Good Thing?
Can a person eat too much whey protein powder? How much protein supplement is too much? I was recently asked by a friend if she should be concerned about eating too much whey protein powder. If you’ve recently started adding whey protein to your diet, or even thought about it, you may be curious about this too. For the record, I add about one scoop of whey protein powder to my diet nearly every day and have for years. I find that it helps me get high-quality, complete protein when food options like meat, fresh dairy, etc. are not available or convenient. By the end of this post, you will…
Make The Ultimate Comfort Food This Winter – Chicken Vegetable Soup
Have you ever told your family that you’re making Chicken Soup, and they respond with a sad-faced sigh? I don’t know why husbands and kids think soup is boring – that’s crazy! When it’s cold outside, nothing says “warm and soothing” like an ultimate comfort food like Chicken Vegetable Soup, and this is a recipe that got rave reviews from my picky eaters. How to Make Chicken Vegetable Soup Exciting Chicken soup has a reputation for being bland. After all, it’s what you’re supposed to eat when your stomach is upset, right? With a few creative ingredients and some unexpected toppings, chicken vegetable soup is transformed from “just OK” to…
Amazing Super Bowl Party Dips That Aren’t Guacamole
Sick of guacamole? Me either – I could eat it forever! Still, if you’re looking to change up the dips you serve this superbowl, here’s a roundup of non-guacamole options that are healthy and delicious. There are options for every dietary restriction – all are gluten-free, most are paleo, and some are vegan and dairy-free as well. I’ve included helpful labels to let you know which categories they fall into. Easiest – Homemade Ranch Dip Gluten-Free, No Sugar Added Ranch Dip – it’s a crowd-pleasing classic, not to be underestimated! Mix a cup of sour cream with 1 – 2 tablespoons of these dried herbs and spices and a few…
How to Make Better & Cheaper Protein Bars at Home
Tired of spending money on protein bars that look (& sometimes taste) like a piece of you-know-what? With the help of my taste-testing family (and lots of failed attempts), I’ve learned how to make protein bars at home that taste better and are a lot cheaper than prepackaged ones we buy. Have you ever been in an airport or grocery store looking for a healthy and convenient snack and wandered over to the protein bar aisle? There are dozens of carefully-concocted bars that have just the right “macros”, are shelf-stable, and come in mouth-watering flavors like “chocolate chip cookie dough” and “peanut butter pie.” Follow-up question: How many times do…
Which Less Sugar Greek Yogurt is the Best
Less sugar Greek yogurt. Is it any good? I tested five types of less (or low) sugar Greek yogurts to find out which one is the best.
Ring in the New Year with Spicy Peanut Stew
Whether you believe in “good luck” foods or not, you’ll love to ring in the new year with Spicy Peanut Stew. It’s full of “lucky” legumes – black beans, garbanzo beans, and peanuts. (Feel free to throw in some black-eyed peas, if you’re a purist.) According to popular folklore in the United States and elsewhere, eating certain foods on New Year’s Day will guarantee good luck in the new year. Legumes – especially beans, black-eyed peas, and lentils – are traditionally “lucky” foods because they symbolize money or wealth. Other so-called lucky foods (and recipes) are: Pork – Juiciest Pork Chops Cabbage – Pan-Asian Chicken with Cabbage Greens – Salad…
30-Minute Creamy Broccoli Soup for Kids and Special Diets
Have you tried to offer creamy broccoli soup to a kid? I have. The reaction is a combination of bewilderment and disgust. Once I tricked my kids into actually tasting this (gluten-free, dairy-free, & vegan) soup, they were hooked (yesss!). This kid- and special diet-friendly creamy broccoli soup is ready in 30 minutes and now in heavy winter rotation at our house. Creamy Broccoli Soup Without Cream How to make a soup creamy without the cow? First, the non-dairy milk alternative (NDMA) adds the right amount of white/creamy color and enhances the texture. Note that “creamiest” NDMAs I’ve tried are oat milk and soymilk. Second, nutritional yeast gives the soup…
How to Handle Party Snacking Like a Boss
Don’t you love to hate a good snack or appetizer tray? I know I’ve struggled with how to handle a couple hours of heavy, buffet-style snacking, immediately followed by a mouth-watering celebration meal. You show up already hungry, and the snacks spread out before you like the poppy field in the Wizard of Oz. What to do? Three Approaches to Appetizers & Snacks Delectable bites of sweet or salty goodness are a hit with our taste buds and, like a can of Pringles, once you “pop” (on into your mouth), you can’t stop. Or, it’s really hard to stop! There are three ways to handle the “Snackmeal” before the actual…
What you need to know about Noom, according to a nutritionist
Update!! Back in January 2020, I published a post on why Noom is not for me. This fall (2020), I decided to check out the weight loss app again to see if anything had changed. Noom is still not for me for a long list of reasons. And, as a nutritionist, there are six things I think you need to know about Noom before you try or buy. Praise for Noom: Noom works like a Christmas miracle for some people! That’s awesome, and I’m glad that an app like Noom can really make a difference in so many lives. Noom even has a CDC-endorsed Diabetes Prevention plan, which is a…
10 Awesome Gift Ideas for Foodies
Whether you’re buying for someone who loves to cook, loves to eat – or both – here are some awesome foodie gift ideas for a wide range of budgets. And, since we’re all cooking at home more often these days, why not buy something to make that experience more enjoyable? If you’ve read my previous posts, you may recognize certain themes in this list: functionality, practicality, quality, and value. (Hmm, when I read those words I think “boring”.) In any case, I would be thrilled to receive anything on this list (full disclosure: I own almost every item and love each one), and I think the foodie or epicurean in…
Small Bites, Big Results
