Candy made from real stuff

The Greeks really have the candy thing down with their traditional Pasteli, which is essentially a chewy and crunchy treat usually made from just sesame seeds and honey. Such a simple combination, yet as sweetly comforting as it gets, with it’s pure whole food ingredients. In my version, I like to use yacon syrup (from the yacon root) instead of honey, as it lends a more sophisticated flavor alluding to molasses and hints of apple.

Turnips: The Forgotten Tuber

While the Santa Monica farmer’s market buzzed with Sunday morning action, as the turnips seemed destined to simply watch quietly. Three or four to a bundle, each bundle just a dollar a piece, I began to feel a little bad for the turnip, the way you watch an acquaintance fidget awkwardly alone at a party.

Spaghetti Squash Marinara

My dear winter squash, it’s so good to have you back. Summer squash was really just a fling – it has nothing on your simple, grounding flesh that leaves me feeling all warm inside. Whenever I hear someone using you in a recipe, I’m instantly attracted. You’re that good.

Extreme vitamin C in cacao? The honest truth.

Despite popularized news, superfood company and cacao manufacturer Navitas Naturals have just released what they consider “the honest truth” — exposing that even when processed at low temperatures (i.e. “raw”), there is actually no vitamin C (ascorbic acid) present in cacao.

Secrets to making crazy-good smoothies

For an instant healthy makeover, add a smoothie into your daily routine. Smoothies are a perfect opportunity to sneak in limitless amounts of nutrition into a killer-tasting glass. Here’s my fool-proof strategy for healthy, simple, and delicious results.

Sweeten up your diet with dates

Candy junkies looking for a healthier stash have reason to rejoice – and it’s not because of another brightly colored package hitting the shelves. Instead, the source of this sweet party is none other than the oldest known fruit: the date.

The little seed with a lot to offer: Chia

Chia seeds have actually been revered by Mayan, Incan and Aztec cultures for thousands of years.To experience the true definition of delicious hydrating refreshment, try my variation of the Mexican classic: Coconut Lime Chia Fresca.

Energy Tartlets

One of my favorite desserts – a beautiful, fresh fruit energy tart – will cost you about 10 minutes start-to-finish. In fact, by using simply healthy substitutions and time-saving tricks, these tarts emanate big flavor, well-rounded nutrition, and are healthy enough to be consumed at any time of the day. We healthy dessert people are pretty sneaky, no?

“Life Is Good” Salad

Upon nightfall, we’d make grand simple meals of the freshest of fresh vegetables. Here’s what went into our summertime garden salad bowl, which we consumed just about every night. Delicious. When I wasn’t eating it, I was thinking about eating it. Brought to you by nature and what’s perfectly in season . . .

Feeding The Salad Habit

Forget your idea of an appetizer, this salad is nothing short of a meal. Protein, greens, antioxidants, yum factor – that’s basically the food pyramid, right?