I had the pleasure of experiencing two very different big cities while in Australia – Sydney and Melbourne. We spent the majority of the trip in Sydney, but a few friends and I took a weekend trip south to Melbourne. We had a great time …
Studying abroad in Sydney was absolutely amazing! I loved the city and the surrounding areas… Sydney really has everything, from city sights to beaches and nature escapes. I think I took over 2000 photos there but was able to dwindle it down to about 120 …
While studying abroad in Australia, I had the chance to go on a weekend getaway to Fiji! What a tropical paradise! It was a lovely, relaxing time with a bit of adventure. Here are some photos at the resort, the Sri Siva Subramaniya temple, a Nadi …
For tourists and Melbourne residents, the Brighton Bathing Boxes are in a prime location, as the colorful huts on Dendy Street Beach sit less than a 30-minute drive from the central business district. Perhaps take a quick trip to escape the hustle and bustle of …
Cairns, pronounced “cans”, was the last city I visited on my study abroad trip to Australia. It’s a small town on the northern coast and a major gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and rain forests. Thus, many people travel to Cairns to experience adventures …
My three favorite grab-and-go breakfasts – chia seed pudding, smoothies, and yogurt parfaits – all rolled into one! Here’s a healthy, balanced meal or snack that could easily be mistaken for dessert any day. With the texture of pudding and a creamy, fruity flavor, this parfait …
Instead of simply raving about the recipe, I thought I would bring in some inspiration. So, I will be introducing a quote and adding my personal insight before discussing how it relates to your life. Ultimately, it all ties back to this delightful strawberry banana bread and …
Another day, another parfait! Seriously though, these things are awesome. Besides being totally balanced with whole grains, protein, fruit, and flavor, parfaits are one of the easiest things to put together. It’s like instant dessert for breakfast (you can even leave it in the fridge …
Spring always calls for fresh greens, and this dish complements the season perfectly! With vibrant berries and a bit of goat cheese, there is a great balance of sweet and tangy. However, the real star is these sweet curry roasted chickpeas! With an Indian inspired …
Roasted chickpeas are one of my favorite snacks because they are just so healthy and delicious! With an abundance of spices to choose from, you can flavor them however you would like. This particular version is inspired by Indian food, but has a cinnamon kick. …
I absolutely love French toast, and I am always searching for new ways to make it! Below you will find four of my favorite preparations. They each came from creative kitchen moments, but have all made their way into my weekend breakfast routine. Each is …
Bananas and chocolate – a classic yet decadent combination, especially for breakfast, and especially in banana bread. However, making a loaf of bread can be a time consuming task because it takes nearly 60 minutes to bake. But what if you are short on time, or you …
Ahhh – the green smoothie. The first time I saw my health focused coach drinking one several years back, I was appalled. Why would someone want to drink something green? I thought green was for vegetables, not a smoothie. When I finally tried one, much …
It was a chilly December day in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Snowflakes were falling, and my stomach was growling. It was the morning after a gymnastics competition, and my family was speed walking through the cold to a local breakfast restaurant. Once we settled inside, pulled …
“A mistake that makes you humble is better than an achievement that makes you arrogant” The first time I made these, I messed up. Yup, it happens to everyone. I wasn’t careful enough when writing out the recipe, and I failed to add enough wet …
I’m not sure I have met a smoothie bowl I don’t like, but this one is definitely my favorite. I eat this after almost every hard workout for recovery, and I never seem to get tired of it. There is something about berries and banana that …
Fair warning, these do not taste like normal pancakes… but they are extremely delightful and perfect for any chai spice and butternut squash lovers. With a great balance of sweet, savory, and spicy, they make for an exciting, unique meal. They’ve got splash of cinnamon, …
A little story about this French toast… I woke up Monday morning feeling revitalized after a rough weekend. I had come down with a bug on Saturday, and it forced me to miss my team’s competition. I watched what turned out to be the last …
I make this salad every time I have any leftover sweet potatoes, without fail! I’ve even roasted some sweet potatoes just to make this salad. It has become one of my favorites, due to its balanced nature and sweet flavor. Overall, this vegan meal is delightful, colorful, and …
Writing something like this is never easy. Unfortunately, my team had a rough end to our season, as it was cut short before we could fight for our ultimate goal: winning the NCAA National Championships. We had been pushing and pushing, committing everything we had …
Are healthy peanut butter cups a thing? Probably not, but these energy balls come really close. I mean, memories of Reese’s instantly popped in my mind when I tried the first bite. With only 5 simple ingredients, they come together in a flash. It’s almost …
Iceberg lettuce was the only kind of lettuce I would eat when I was younger. I loved the crunch of the white part, even though it had virtually no flavor. Things have completely changed now, as I usually opt for more leafy greens, thanks to …
One of my favorite things about energy bites is how many flavors you can create… and these coconut chocolate ones certainly do not disappoint. Thanks to the dates and cocoa powder, they are a healthy snack that tastes like dessert! With only a few ingredients, …
Although I love making more extravagant dishes, I usually have minimal time to spend cooking dinner (or I’m hungry right away). Reality is, I often opt for quick and easy dinners, and this is one of my go-to meals. In 15 minutes flat, you can …
Say “aloha” to a new breakfast favorite! This quick and easy recipe is delightful start to any morning. Hawaiian rolls make for a soft and sweet twist on traditional French toast. Plus, they are mini and cute, perfect for sharing a large batch. Tip: serve …
These cookies are one of my personal favorites, and they are sure to be any chocolate lovers dream. The first time I made these ooey-gooey, super-chocolatey, “I-think-I-might-eat-seven, delicious cookies, I shared a few with friends and even gave one to my hairdresser. She loved …
“Be the energy that you want to attract” I came across this quote the other day. Although it may seem commonplace, it is oh-so true. Plus, it relates to these cranberry almond energy bites! Energy is contagious, both positive and negative. How many times have …
This warming noodle bowl will soothe your mind and body while exciting your taste buds. The recipe stars the lucky bones soup blend from Aha Pure Foods, a natural, plant-based soup company. It has rosemary, bok choy, and great gut-cleansing properties. Get yours here. …
This post spotlights Aha Pure Foods, a local soup company whose values really resonate with me. Their mission to bring plant-based, organic ingredients with powerful medicinal properties into peoples’ diets is inspiring, and they have four delightful soup blends. I can say first hand they …
Cinnamon apples have always been one of my favorite breakfast sides. On french toast mornings, my mom would peel a few apples, cook them on a skillet, sprinkle a load of cinnamon on both sides, and place the whole bunch in a bowl in the …
I’ve made oatmeal raisin cookies, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and ones with pumpkin spice. In this recipe, they all combine to make one ultimate oatmeal cookie! I mean it’s got all the goodness in one spot, perfect if you can’t decide what to make! With …
A little story on this healthy treat: Last weekend, I decided to turn my favorite protein smoothie into a nice cream sundae. I stood on the counter to grab my food processor from the top shelf (short people problems), and took out my ever growing …
This wholesome dinner is a lot easier to put together than it looks. In about 30 minutes, you can be enjoying a Mediterranean inspired dish complete with homemade falafel and a fiery blend of roasted vegetables. Satisfying and nutritious, it’s packed with plant-based protein, whole …
Snickerdoodles are such a classic cookie. They are a perfect dessert to bring to a party, gathering, or simply to share with your friends. I often ask my team, “if I were to bring a treat to the gym today, what should I make?” These, …
Peanut butter banana toast is such a simple, delicious, and balanced breakfast! It is definitely one of my go-to dishes when I am pressed for time. However, this version elevates the flavors and textures past the basic three ingredients by adding chia seeds, cinnamon, granola, …
Whether you are an experienced home cook, somewhat capable of making meals, or completely clueless in the kitchen, everyone has their own story. By sharing my journey from little energetic baker to scary pasta strainer to frequent recipe maker, I hope to inspire others to …
I really don’t think these toasted coconut cookies could be much simpler! With only a few wholesome ingredients in the base, dates, shredded coconut, vanilla and a sprinkle of salt, the flavor is pure and delicious. All it takes is a couple pulses in the food …
It’s honestly difficult to describe how amazing this bread is. Mouthwatering, irresistible, and utterly delicious, it’s the kind of bread you just can’t resist coming back for another slice. It’s got plenty of apple, shredded to bring out the flavor and moisture in every bite, …
Peanut butter cookies and chocolate chip cookies merge in this decadent recipe. With a distinct nutty flavor in the base and gooey chocolate goodness all over, these cookies are any PB chocolate lovers dream. Biting in brings back memories to baking with my mom …
These cakes baked in a ramekin are a perfect dessert for two… or one – sometimes they are just too good to share! Extremely moist, chocolaty, and delicious, this flourless recipe yields an extra fudgy version of rich chocolate cake. As an added bonus, they …
I promise you one thing: this is not just another boring salad. It has some pizzazz! With an abundance of flavor and texture, this dish just made its way to the “I ate it three days in a row club.” Yes, that is partly because …
I decided to try something new the other day, and OH MY GOODNESS did this recipe turn out amazing! I don’t mean to brag, but it might be one of my greatest kitchen success stories. They turned out absolutely perfect: extra fudgy, gooey, and chocolatey. …
I’m sure a lot of people would agree that granola is a total pantry staple. It certainly is for me! As one of my favorite toppings on oatmeal, chia seed pudding, and Greek yogurt parfaits, it is rare I go a day without eating some …
As mentioned in my oatmeal raisin cookies post, they are my favorite kind of cookie. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t love a good chocolate fix! This recipe combines the best of both worlds – chewy oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips. It makes a big …
This dish pairs all the goodness and flavor of aha Pure Food’s LION’S MANE soup with a hearty texture from cauliflower rice. The best part, however, is the simplicity. It requires only two ingredients, LION’S MANE and cauliflower, and takes less than 10 minutes to …
Every Passover, my mom used to pick up macaroons from the grocery store – something I seriously looked forward too. She would always get a container of the Manischewitz original coconut ones and a container of the iconic mint chocolate chip ones. Without fail, I …
Each morning, I begin by writing down three core intentions for the day and three things to be thankful for. Today, my gratitude list included frozen produce. Although it is something we do not often think about, freezer technology allows us to enjoy food at …
In the mood for a crunchy snack? These roasted chickpeas are sure to hit the spot. Inspired by multiple cuisines, the flavorful spice blend lies between sweet and savory. With cinnamon, chile powder, paprika, nutmeg, ginger, and a drizzle of maple syrup, this recipe will …
When you can’t decide if you’re in the mood for cheesecake or brownies, these are the perfect compromise! With a fudgy brownie layer and a classic vanilla cheesecake layer on top, they are rich, sweet, and absolutely delightful. What’s more, they are lightened up! Substituting …
