Dani's Corner

Dani Spies is a Health & Food Coach and Fitness Trainer who enjoys finding simple and d'lishes ways to incorporate nutritious ingredients into an everyday kitchen.More »

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The PB&B Sandwich - The Ultimate Snack Food

The PB&B Sandwich - The Ultimate Snack Food
Unlike the self-proclaimed life of Denise Richards, eating well does NOT need to be complicated.  Sure we can complicate it if we want to and more often than not we do, but the truth is that it doesn’t have to be that way.

Protein Pancakes

Protein Pancakes

I wasn't planning on posting this recipe for Protein Pancakes this week, but after this conversation that I had with my Dad, I changed my mind!

It went something like this: 

Tuna and Onion Egg "Pizza"

Tuna and Onion Egg

What can I say, I've been making so many different types of Egg "Pizza's" lately, I just couldn't help but share another Egg "Pizza" flavor combination! 

Apple and Cheddar Egg "Pizza"

Apple and Cheddar Egg

Hey guys... I'M BACK!  Lot's of fun, long trip, happy to be home BUT most importantly... happy to be back in my kitchen with my knife and my cutting board!  Man oh man, did I miss cooking!

Frozen Banana and Cacao Topped Yogurt

Frozen Banana and Cacao Topped Yogurt
As a Health Counselor and Food Coach I find that many of my clients are more interested in clean, simple, and d'lishes ideas than they are actual recipes.  It's not they don't enjoy the recipes, it's just that for most, a normal, busy work week just doesn't allow the time for them. 

Fruit and Flax Smoothie

Fruit and Flax Smoothie
For those of you that receive my newsletter, this Fruit and Flax Smoothie is old news.  This is the smoothie that was the featured this June as the recipe of the month. (what can I say, I've been a busy girl... notice there were no new videos this month??  Let's just say I've fallen a little behind schedule, but I promise... they will be back;)).

Salmon and Dill Frittata

Salmon and Dill Frittata

Never underestimate an egg.  Really.  They are so darn versatile!  I've become a big fan of eggs for dinner so when I was at my Yoga class last week and my favorite yoga teacher (Amy) in the whole world told me that she made my Leek and Potato Tortilla with the addition of smoked salmon I was not only flattered but I couldn't wait to get into the kitchen and give it a try!

Asparagus and Herb Omelet - VIDEO

Asparagus and Herb Omelet - VIDEO
Food is simple AND cooking is simple.   It's that simple.

Of all of the cooking classes I have attended, all the cook books I have read, and all the cooking shows I've watched, there is one on going fact that seems to be repeated:  Keep it Simple!

Quinoa with Oranges and Yogurt

Quinoa with Oranges and Yogurt

Here's another great way to sneak some Quinoa into your diet... top it with some fruit and yogurt.

Once again guys, this is a meal you could make a million different ways!

Butternut Squash and Quinoa Frittata

Butternut Squash and Quinoa Frittata

Mmmmm, mmmm, mmmm am I loving Quinoa!! I made a big bucket of it over the weekend and have been throwing it in to just about everything all week long. 

When I saw this recipe over at Anticiplate,  I just knew I was gonna have to give it a go.   

Quick-Quinoa Breakfast

Quick-Quinoa Breakfast

New Quinoa recipe number two... Quinoa Porridge!

I've made this recipe a few times in the past but was recently reminded of it when I saw this post over at Closet Cooking (I love that site, Kevin is always trying something new).

Clean and Simple Egg White "Omlette"

Clean and Simple Egg White

So this one isn't so much a recipe as it is an idea. 

Really you can use any veggies or any cheese that you have hanging out in the fridge, it's is less about the details and more about the big picture.

Spinach Scramble - VIDEO

Spinach Scramble - VIDEO

*updated from the archives.

As you may know, I am a big fan of "whole foods" and I think that whole eggs are a perfectly delicious and nutritious food.  I love adding them to just about anything; breakfast, lunch, or dinner. But anytime I am trying to pull back on my calorie intake a bit without pulling back on flavor, I skip the yolks and stick to the whites

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Oatmeal

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Oatmeal

Here's another simple and d'lishes way to whip up some oatmeal for breakfast.  Remember, I almost always make my oatmeal ahead of time,  so all I  have to do is reheat it with some yummy "add-in's" come breakfast.

"Pear Cobbler" Oatmeal

What's a Jersey girl to do on Christmas Eve Day when the temperature is about to reach 75 degrees here in Southern California?

Why, make a breakfast that would hit the spot in the middle of a snowstorm, of course!  I mean, c'mon... how else am I gonna make it feel like Christmas??

Steel Cut Oats

Steel Cut Oats

Okay, so this isn't exactly a recipe, it's more of a strategy that I use to be sure that I have time for a nutritious breakfast.

As you guys know, I am a big fan of taking some time on the weekend do a little pre-preppin'.  This way I have a jump-start on some healthy nutritious meals for the week when things start to get a little crazy...and at some point or other, things always start to get a little crazy!

And let me just say for the record, EVERYTIME I get a little lazy and skip my pre-preppin', it never fails that I tend to make poorer food choices that week.  For me, planning ahead is definitely half the battle!

Oatmeal is a breakfast staple in our house, especially this time of the year. I usually make four servings at a time and then put them into individual containers and pop them in the fridge.  Then during the week my husband and I simply add a little milk or water and heat it up (if you are using the microwave, be sure to pop the oatmeal in a microwave safe dish...NOT PLASTIC).

I buy Steel Cut Oats,
usually from Trader Joe's.

Steel Cut Oats are whole grain groats (which is basically the whole oat kernel), cut into two or three smaller pieces.  They have a very hearty, chewy texture, which I have really grown to love!  The only catch is that they do take a little longer to cook, about 30 minutes or so and they don't do so well in the microwave (which is why they are on my "pre-prepping" list). 

The question most people want to know, is how are they different from rolled oats?  Rolled Oats are flake oats that have been steamed, rolled, re-steamed, and toasted. Basically, they have been through more processing so they tend to lose some of their nutritional value and some of the hearty, chewy texture.

Like I said, I prefer the taste and texture of the Steel Cut Oats, but some people prefer the smoother, creamier texture of rolled oats.  At the end of the day they are both super nutritious and either make a great choice for breakfast (as a matter of fact I am reading the labels of each right now and calorie for calorie, carb for carb, fiber for fiber, etc., they are nutritionally exactly the same.  So technically, the  macronutrients are not effected, it is the micronutrients that lose some value).

On the other hand, what you might want to beware of when it comes to oatmeal are the little pre-flavored, individually packed oatmeal’s.  These are the guys that can be dangerous because more often than not they are PACKED WITH SUGAR.

Oatmeal is a good source of soluble fiber, which is great because it literally lowers cholesterol.  Soluble fiber works like this; when it mixes with water it turns thick and gelatinous so as it works it’s way thru the body it pulls cholesterol out with it...then when we poop, it's bye-bye cholesterol, hello happy healthy arteries:).  

I promise to post some different recipe ideas for your oatmeal in the near future, they're really are a hundred and one different ways to make it super yummy!

In the meantime think fruit, nuts, and some type of sweetener (I like maple syrup) and you will be well on your way to a delicious oatmeal breakfast!

What are some of your favorite ways to make oatmeal?? 

Eggs-on-Quick Veggie Brown Rice

Eggs-on-Quick Veggie Brown Rice

I just had to show you another way I like to eat the Veggie Brown Rice. 

I'm telling you guys, ya throw an egg on top of just about anything and you've got yourself a meal.  I usually have this for breakfast but it would definetely work for lunch or even a light dinner. 

Quick-No-Cook Breakfast

Quick-No-Cook Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!"  How many times have we all heard this?  Maybe there’s something to it...

Strawberry-Mango Milkshake - VIDEO

 Strawberry-Mango Milkshake - VIDEO
I made this Strawberry-Mango Milkshake for breakfast yesterday and let me tell ya, I almost forgot how good it was!! And talk about easy...
So I pulled it out from the archives and decided to bring it back for another round! It's perfect for these hot summer days!

Leek and Potato Spanish Tortilla - VIDEO

Leek and Potato Spanish Tortilla - VIDEO
This is my spin on a classic Tortilla Espanola... it may not be totally authentic but it is totally delicious!

 

Food For Thought »

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