I was in the health food store a few days ago and orange color popped out at me from every corner… papaya puree, orange cauliflower, and red lentils. Why they are named "red" lentils I don't know, since they are orange .   I bought two bottles of the papaya puree and have been adding…

I purchased a Heartland brand ready-made granola crust and knew that I must make a banana cream pie with it. I found a recipe in an Eat Smart with Ellie Krieger Magazine that ended up being a keeper. The recipe's length deceptively makes it appear complicated and time-consuming, but it's really very simple and goes together quickly,…

Today, I made a pot of "stormy day bean soup". To measure the water and chicken stock, I used this handy 4-cup measuring cup that I received through a free mail-in offer several months ago. The arched feature inside the cup eliminates the need to crouch to eye level to read the markings on the…

This morning, as I pedaled 9.5 miles, I stopped at yard sales along the route. Yes, I did… I carried this Betty Crocker toaster oven home on my bike. The minute I set my eyes on it, I was in love… the gushy kind like, "I can't believe how unbelievably adorable this is! Did people actually pass…

I knew that my day was going to be an unusually busy one, so I planned for it by having ingredients on hand to make a super easy throw-together, but very flavorful, nutritious soup. I used a combo of two recipes… a Kale and White Bean Soup from Bob Greene's The Best Life Diet and a Tuscan Style…

I made these high fiber muffins this morning using a recipe from Bob Greene's The Best Life Diet copyright 2006 that I snagged at a yard sale for a song. You may recall that he has been Oprah Winfrey's personal fitness trainer and nutrition counselor for quite a number of years. He is the author…

When you are cooking/baking, do you ever wonder where to set your recipe and then can't remember where you set it? Well, here's a simple solution that I ran across in a magazine… maybe Real Simple or Body + Soul, using a clip you've probably already got sitting around. Position a clip on your counter like the yellow…

Dick was zapped by the cold bug, so I thought this would be a perfect day to ease him back to health with an alfalfa sprout concoction. I have set out to expand my use of sprouts, that are bursting forth in three jars on my kitchen counter, beyond a sandwich and salad topping. With this beverage, I have crossed the starting line. What a tasty way to enjoy nutrition at…

I learned a new trick today that I am extremely excited to share. You know that bitter taste you've experienced when you add kiwi to a smoothie? Well, no more… Prepare it in a food processor instead of a blender to prevent crushing the kiwi seeds and you'll have no bitter taste. This Starburst Smoothie…

While my oatmeal cooked this morning, I made some cashew milk to pour over top. Just toss 1 cup raw (unroasted) cashews in the blender with 4 cups water and whirl. Optional: 2 tbsp maple syrup (the real deal… not Aunt Jemima's) or honey (preferably raw/uncooked and unfiltered) may be added. No presoaking of the cashews is…