Roasted Eggplant and Tomato Gratin (Low Carb & Gluten-Free)

One of the awesome things of running a blog is receiving products to sample, books to review, invitations to events, and even offers from writers/journalists to contribute with their work to the website.
Most of the time these offers are legit; other times you get the feeling they’re computer/mass generated because they’re just way out of line.
Such as the one I got last night.

“Hi Mike,

Hope all is well! I wanted to reach out with a few unique story ideas for your blog.

[...]

Below are some women-centered, completely unique story ideas/topics – let me know thoughts:

(1) PMS, Menopause and eating for your age: Did you know that based on age, women need to start eating specific foods to stay healthy, happy and fit?

(2) PMS and relationships: Do your cramps and crankiness make your significant other avoid you at all costs once per month? Our expert can weigh in on the best ways to soothe PMS symptoms and get you back on track (your guy will appreciate it!)

(3) Cramping, Crankiness and Headaches, oh my! PMS affects 681 million females in the U.S. and all are looking for some type of relief from the various symptoms. Our expert can speak to why we get PMS and unique, out-of-the-box alternatives to help symptoms”

First off, YOU, yes you, PR woman, did you even care to notice you sent this email to a dude?
And don’t get me wrong, I’m not ditching the informational value of your message.
I mean, I do get cranky, but in the morning and before having my cup of Joe.
I also get cramps, in my legs, especially after running more than 17 miles, and if I haven’t hydrated properly.
Headaches happen too, such as when the music is too loud at the gym (yes, Equinox, let’s remind ourselves that a gym is a gym, not a club!)
But why do you think I should be interested in discussing PMS? I'm seriously not the best person to talk about it... and what I already know is kind of enough for me.

Coconut Lemon Mousse (Paleo, Raw & Vegan)

While it’s already settled that coconut milk can do no wrong - as proved by this tomato curry with creamy coconut cauliflower rice - we can never get enough of the magic liquid that comes from the grated meat of a coconut.
And then there’s coconut cream, which is the thick non-liquid part that separates and rises to the top of the coconut milk when is refrigerated and allowed to set.
Coconut cream is very similar to coconut milk but is thicker because - of course - it contains less water.
Now here’s the thing about coconut cream, you can make luscious whipped cream from it.
I know, BOOM!

One-Pan Mediterranean Quinoa

This recipe falls into the following three categories:
1) making-your-life-easier-by-using-only-one-pan-clean-up-as-easy-as-the-meal-prep;
2) dinner-ready-in-20-minutes-and-you-didn't-even-have-to-defrost-anything-from-the-freezer; and
3) so-good-no-one-will-know-it's-as-healthy-as-it-is.

Almond Crusted Baked Zucchini Crisps

Truth: almond flour is better than breadcrumbs for coating.
Boom. There, I said it.
OK, OK, OOOOOK...subbing one ingredient for another doesn’t always cut it.
Sometimes it yields “just as good as” or “almost like the real deal” results.
Other times (such as this case) it’s way better.
To put it in car terms almond flour is better than bread crumbs just like a Camaro is better than a Chevy Citation.
Got it?

10-Minute Soy-Ginger Salmon

OK, I know I’ve said this before but I’m going to say it again: I used to hate fish.
All of it. Blech. Yuck.
Slowly I weaned myself into the seafood genre, starting with tuna. And it was on accident. Then crab cakes. Then swordfish. Then salmon. Then a bite of someone else’s grilled something-or-other, but only because it didn’t smell fishy.
I then realized the reason I hated fish was ‘cuz I don’t like FRIED fish, and that’s what they served at the school cafeteria.
But nowadays, a good fish entree is the one thing I look for in fine restaurants; because when done right, fish is absolutely delightful and super healthy too.

The Amazing Health Benefits of Turmeric

In the realm of herbs and spices, there’s one that stands out in terms of health benefits.
Turmeric, an orangey-yellow spice that comes from a root belonging to the ginger family, is an important ingredient in Indian curries and also gives ballpark mustard its bright yellow color.
The medicinal properties of turmeric have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries.
Long-known for its anti-inflammatory and immune supporting properties, recent researches have revealed that this spice is a natural wonder, providing benefits in the treatment of many different health conditions.
Turmeric might just end up being the most important spice in your cabinet.

Paleo-tella (Chocolate Hazelnut Spread)

Paleo-Tella = Awesome. No, really. I mean it.
Like a chocolate hazelnut spread that is secretly good for you and that is so awesome it makes your day brighter. Creamy, delicious and without loads of sugar, oils or other stuff with shady/unpronounceable names.

Orange Beef (Low Carb & Gluten-Free)

When it comes to healthy food in a flash what beats a stir-fry?
Right, nothing beats a stir-fry.Vegetables and proteins mingle together over high heat until just crisp with a swirl of savory sa uce that makes everything so very special.
Quick, healthy, delicious: what’s not to love about it?

(Primal) Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Awesome casserole.
I know I tend to overuse the word “awesome” in daily life as well as online, and I'm trying to be mindful about it; but I can’t find better words to describe this dish.
Because this (Primal) Chicken Enchilada Casserole is so very delicious - awesome is the only word that comes to mind.
It’s like taking all the goodness of an enchilada, stacking it up, and baking it under a nice layer of mozzarella. Plus, it’s gluten-free and loaded with veggies.
It may not look like, but it really is.

Easy Healthier Crock-Pot Carne Guisada

There are days when you wake up and do something that will make the whole day better.
Such as filling your slow cooker with ingredients, setting the timer so that it kicks on whilst you’re out and that by the time you get home: Dinners Ready!
I must come clean though, whenever I leave the Crock-Pot and I’m not home I do worry that I might burn the place down.
In fact, I know quite a few people that are so freaked out they run their slow cooker on the garage floor or outside on the terrace.
I try to use mine as safe as possible; I place it on the granite island with nothing near it.
It’s also plugged into a GFI plugin, so if there is any electrical problem it would be tripped.
I also do not have cats or dogs, so there’s no risks about an animal climbing near it.
Still, I worry because I do not trust technology that much...and yes, I’ve suddenly realized I’m becoming my grandpa!

(Paleo) Chocolate-Hazelnut Cookies

I don’t even know how to break the news to you – but these Chocolate-Hazelnut Cookies are my new obsession...soon to be yours too.
Not only they are decadent in flavor and they taste kind of naughty - with all that rich dark chocolate; but they are paleo-friendly and kind of healthy.
Now, I could easily go on, and on, and on for the whole post citing the reasons why you should eat these cookies. Because they’re gluten-free, refined-sugar free, because of this, because of that, etc.
For once let’s focus on the delicious instead...as these cookies are pure perfection.

Cauliflower Crust Spinach White Pizza

Habit is powerful: things are done a certain way because that’s how they’ve been done before, and because that’s the way the people expects them.
Such as pizza.
Since you were 5 you’ve been told that pizza is basically bread with tomato sauce and cheese on it, and maybe some other stuff.
You liked pizza because it came in huge quantities and it could be easily divided into equal parts; satisfying your obsession with fairness.
You liked pizza because there was no chance for your mom to trick you into eating veggies by hiding them — and if she tried, you could pick them out, one-by-one.
You liked pizza because it’s basically inoffensive food made with few, reassuring ingredients.

Pomegranate Chocolate Chia Pudding

I'll promise I'll stop with these avocado+chocolate+chia puddings. I just had to share this very last one.
Then I’ll stop.
But you see, the other day I made pomegranate juice and wanted to do something else with it besides - you know - drink it, making smoothies, cocktails or popsicles (yes people, I make popsicles!)

The Easiest Way To Make Pomegranate Juice

OK, maybe the easiest way to make pomegranate juice is going to the store and buy some, I’ll concede that.
But oh, it is pricey. A little 16 ounces bottle goes for over $4, easily. That’s a LOT of money.
So if you find pomegranates when they’re in season (and maybe on sale), you can make your own juice at a reasonable cost. It’s easy, quick and tastes so much better than store bought —
you have no idea how much better it actually tastes.

Easy Garlic Butter Roasted Mushrooms

Let’s keep things delicious, people.
Because it’s Wednesday and that means you (and I) need some yummy to get through the rest of the week.
Personally, I hate Wednesdays because, well...they’re not Fridays (and the only cool day of the week is Friday).
On top of that, today the weather is gloomy and we’re expecting snow (again!)
That isn't helping either, considering that I should go on a 2 hours bike workout.
And if I can’t ride outside, I need to train on the indoor bike trainer — which makes me feel like I’m a hamster on the wheel. Pedaling like crazy for 2 hours and not moving an inch...so many things are wrong with it.

Orange Thyme Pork Kebabs

Nothing makes me hungry like swimming does.
After completing my laps I get so ravenous, I could eat everything in sight. More so than after the other vigorous cardio workouts I routinely do for triathlons (i.e., running and biking).

Cauliflower Crust Hot Pockets

Guys, this recipe is phenomenal. Truly, madly, deeply phenomenal.
But let’s start from the beginning.
Let’s start from Hot Pockets.
For those of you unfamiliar with Hot Pockets, they’re wildly popular microwaveable turnovers, made of dough and stuffed with a LOT of cheese, meat, and/or vegetables.
They probably are the quintessential microwaveable food.
I actually can’t think of any other food that screams “microwave food” as much as Hot Pockets do.
Grab one from the freezer, remove the wrapper, pop it in the microwave, nuke it for 2 minutes, and voila’ a steamy Hot Pocket ready to be devoured.

Easy Soy-Ginger Chicken (Low Carb & Gluten-Free)

Funny things happen while you run 13.1 miles on a lazy, freezing, dark February Tuesday evening.
Such as bumping into your high school math teacher; darting to avoid collision with double-wide stroller driven by a firm-handed mom down the sidewalk; seeing a Doberman wearing a pink tutu [and - just for the record - why forcing your dog to wear uncomfortable costumes, people? Is there really a need for this?]; AND craving Chinese food at around mile 10.

Vanilla & Honey Avocado Pudding

This pudding is the result of me being lazy or better yet, of me been completely swept away by the Olympics.
Like everyone else, Saturday morning I was glued to my TV watching US hockey team win over Russia. An amazing game decided in the shootout. [For the record: T.J. Oshie you've just made it onto my list of heroes!]
It was breakfast time and I wanted this chia chocolate mousse. But as I was about to start making it, I discovered I had no cocoa. I had hot chocolate powder, real dark chocolate, cocoa nibs, but no cocoa. A total impasse.
And leaving the apartment...let me rephrase that...leaving the TV, and that awesome Hockey game, to get cocoa? Not gonna happen.
So I went with what I had on hand and that was avocado, honey, vanilla, almond milk and chia seeds.

Cheesy Baked Spinach

When I was 6 I used to carry a can of spinach around my back pocket, mimicking Popeye.
I would even borrow one of my grandpa's pipes, pretending to gobble spinach through it (sometimes even pretending to suck in the can itself along with the contents) and acting afterwards as if I had become super-strong, flexing my biceps and all.
Then I would set off for great adventures with Bruto, Olive Oyl, baby Swee’pea and stowaway Wimp (all impersonated by my sisters’ old dolls).
Ah, those were the good times...