Often new acquaintances ask me, “Well, what do you cook for dinner?” On one particular occasion, I nonchalantly mentioned that I might cook salmon, corn and asparagus on the grill. Et voila. Dinner is served. Their eyes nearly popped out of their heads, “You...

 Healthier restaurant saladOne of the biggest reasons we get into trouble when eating out are the larger than life portion sizes. Even if the ingredients in the dish are healthy, the menu item can contain twice as much energy (calories) as our body needs,...

I adore wine. Yes, I do. It’s brimming with antioxidant’s after all. Now that the thermometer is heating up, I switch from red wine to white much more frequently, my preference being Sauvignon Blanc. This variety is fruity (pear, apple), herbaceous, acidic, and has perfect body, between Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay....

  Cookies are a treat I indulge in on a weekly basis, in moderation, of course. Chocolate chip, peanut butter, double chocolate, and sugar cookies are a few of my favorites. Recently I received a review copy of the Weight Watchers One Pot Cookbook and...

When I worked as a private chef, my boss’s favorite dessert was banana cream pie. This recipe became his healthy favorite and satisfied his craving while keeping saturated fat and refined sugar in check. My “made with love” pudding tastes lots better than boxed mixes filled with mysterious gobbledygook....

 A toast to spring: Martini chicken As the weather warms up and the days get longer here in sunny Arizona, I’ve been breaking out the running shorts, Skinnygirl Margaritas, and grilling recipes. Ah, the aroma of meat searing on the grill. This lean recipe offers...

Recently I received a gorgeous bouquet of California endive as a gift and was excited to prepare it my favorite way with sweet salad ingredients to balance the leaves’ mild bitterness. Endive is available fresh year round at many major supermarkets and specialty stores. Wrap...

Jack of all trades, master of nothing. That is how I feel about most all-purpose baking mixes. Use them to produce pancakes with additives? I don’t think so. And, how “healthy” are the varieties marketed as such? After years of enduring these inferior products,...

My favorite thing about game days is the food. Fried mozzarella cheese sticks rank in my “top five”, along with bean and guacamole nachos, baked Buffalo wings kissed by ranch dressing, chicken tenders, and 7-layer dip. I feel much better about my version of...

Show your sweetie a little love by making this dish and you’re bound to receive even more in return. It won’t weigh you down or make you feel sluggish either, so you can give your valentine the attention he or she deserves. You do...