Dani Spies is a Certified Health and Nutrition Counselor, Fitness Trainer and Mom who is passionate about finding simple ways to make real, whole, nutrtious foods a part of an everyday kitchen. More about Dani »
Big, fat, plump, juicy blueberries have been all over the place lately, which is really no surprise considering it is berry season, but very exciting none-the-less!
The best part about seasonal produce is the price... when there is an abundant supply, there is a decrease in cost(yeah) which is why I had no problem handing a heaping cup of fresh blueberries over to these simple and tasty scones!
Now I'm not bragging... but the truth is that I don't like to watch the news and I very rarely read the newspaper.
What can I say, I'm a sensitive kind of gal and more times than not the news leaves me with thoughts and images in my mind that I find I am better off without!
I think there is a fine line between "healthy eating" and "depriving yourself of foods you love".
There are a lot of "not so healthy" foods that I would never give up simply because the pleasure I get from eating them nourishes me on a whole different level than the simple science of micro and macro nutrients.
As I've mentioned in the past, breakfast is not my strong suite.
Actually, breakfast is a bit of an exaggeration. Really it's just pancakes that I need to practice but every time pancakes are on the breakfast agenda...
Counting calories has never worked for me. In all honesty it drives me INSANE. I find myself getting crazy over the littlest things and always end up self sabotaging in one way or another.
This is why the "Clean Eating" style has become my favorite guideline when it comes to eating. Clean Eating does not focus on calories, rather it focuses on...
Well, it's that time of the year again when pumpkin starts pleading to be mixed into all sorts of d'lishes dishes... sweet, savory, salty, spicy... you name it, pumpkin always seems to find a way to fit in!
Don't ask me why, but the idea of starting the day with a handful of greens mixed into my breakfast makes me really excited. Not to mention looking down into this colorful bowl seems to be another "feel good" way to start the day... it just looks happy. It's like my breakfast bowl is smiling at me...
If you've been reading my blog for a while, surely you don't need me to tell you that I am certainly not the world's most proficient writer;). Short and to the point tends to be my basic style, so while after eating these cookies I had a hundred of different ways to explain just how absolutely d'lishes they are, the only thing that I can think to say about them now is, "Holy Yum!".
I know from past experience that I am going to get a handful of "isn't the microwave a not so 'clean' way of making healthy food" questions/comments on this video, so I thought I would start by addressing this point...
Ahhhh, Southern California... I just finished a beautiful six a.m. hike with my friend Mary, and when I got home boy was I hungry! I wanted something hearty and satisfying without being overly indulgent. These Peanut Butter Performance Pancakes were exactly what the doctor ordered!
This is not a new recipe but it is my favorite when it comes to Irish Soda Bread!
Growing up, my best friend lived right across the street and let me tell you, her dad perfected Irish Soda Bread! Using his recipe as my base, I make few clean, simple, & d'lishes substitutions to create my version of this St. Patty's Day favorite.
I like my Irish Soda Bread on the "drier" side... kinda like a big fat scone. So if you're anything like me, this might be the perfect recipe for you!
Hot, fluffy oats... warm bananas and maple syrup... sliced strawberries... creamy yogurt and cottage cheese... crunchy walnuts... I mean, c'mon, do I really need to explain why I have been so obsessed with my morning Oatmeal Parfait?
Why not start your Valentine's Day with a beautiful and healthy meal that will be sure to leave you with plenty of extra room for some Chocolate Covered Strawberries later in the day?!
It doesn't happen often, but every now and then I come up with a recipe that impresses even me! These "No-Bake Sweet Potato Pie" Pancakes were just one of those recipes where I really felt the need to pat myself on the back, and not just because they taste amazing...
Apparently, when one becomes pregnant, while the body focuses on nourishing the little blueberry, other bodily systems can have the the tendency to slow down. Let's just say I've been keeping the local bakeries in business lately buying bran muffins for breakfast and decided it was due time to get into the kitchen and whip up my own!
As you know by now, I am a huge fan of Mexican food so starting the day off with Breakfast Tacos is a sure way to put a smile on my face (and that's with out the margarita;).
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.
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!
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!
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.
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;)).
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 (which is not posted) 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!
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!
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).
Batters up! Here is my first new recipe using Quinoa this month. I must say, quinoa is one of those ingredients that just has my wheels spinning... there are so many things you can do with it.
For some reason my mind keeps going toward sweets like muffins, cookies, and puddings but don't worry, I'm determined to get some savory dishes in there as well. As a matter of fact, I'm thinking about making a Butternut Squash and Quinoa Frittata for dinner tonight... I'll keep you guys posted.
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.
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.
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??
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.
What can I say... the cool, crisp air really gets me in the mood for baking! I have to be careful though, because unlike so many talented bakers out there, I have a hard time keeping my fingers out of the batter OR resisting anything that is fresh baked out the oven!
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