Black Olive Tapenade

So, Tapenade, huh?
First things first. It’s ‘tap-uh-naad’ not ‘tape-nade’ nor “tap-and-aid”. Please don’t ever call it tape-nade or tap-and-aid in public; especially in one of those upmarket delis where the staff feel compelled to correct your pronunciation with a condescending look. Like they have majored in French literature at Columbia Uni, while you’re nothing but an ignorant who has never set foot outside your home town.
I genuinely hate those food shops with surly and pretentious staff; where you are left feeling unwelcome throughout and a mere inconvenience in their day. Like they have something better to do notwithstanding the fact that you are actually spending 10 bucks for a ¼ lb of cherry tomatoes.
Overpriced food and paraphernalia with a side of indifferent customer service...deffo not my kinda spot.
That’s why I love Farmers’ Market instead. Vibrant gathering places, good prices, top quality produce; where it is common to see people lingering to chat with vendors and maybe even meet friends.
To me, a farmers’ market has a real sense of community, even in a big city.
Or maybe I’m just fooling myself and I’m seeing things that are only in my head.
Guys, am I becoming a tree hugger? Be honest.
The Iron Tree Hugger...weird.

Cauliflower Crust Grilled Cheese

Don’t worry people, I’m going to cauliflower crust rehab in a day or so.
They say the first step in solving a problem is to admit that you have a problem.
So, here it goes: “Hello, my name is Mike and I’m a cauliflower crust addict”
“Hello Mike”
“Over a year ago I’ve first tried cauliflower crust and since then I’ve been making it at least twice a week. It started out with pizza, then it was calzone, hot pockets, breadsticks and stromboli. I can’t seem to stop. I need help!”
Seriously though, when I made the cauli crust stromboli (about a month ago), I thought that was the end of my experiments with cauliflower crust.
Apparently not.
But before we move on, let me say this: If you’re sick and tired of this cauli crust thing, feel free to leave. It’s okay, we can still be friends (or at least I'll pretend to be your friend...)
If, instead, you’re willing to cope with my cauliflower madness in all its psychotic glory, then I can show you what I believe is one of my biggest achievement with cauliflower crust.
I made cauliflower crust grilled cheese! BOOM!

Parmesan Cauliflower Fritters (Low Carb & Gluten-Free)

There's a long line at the grocery check-out counter. Do you sneak a peek at the contents of other people’s carts? Or do you peruse the gossip magazines?
I confess: I definitely peek at other people’s carts.
I try not to be obvious, but I am always curious what other people buy.
It's an entertaining game. I try to guess if they are buying for a family or if they are a single person or a gourmet eater or a convenience food junkie.
Like 10 cases of pop and 20 bags of chips, yeah, maybe they were on sale but still. Or an entire cart filled with lean cuisine, nothing else...weird.
And I try not to judge (even if I do it), because, sadly, healthy food is expensive and I think people are creatures of habit for the most part. They are comfortable buying the same things, making the same 8 recipes in rotation.
Sometimes it gets pretty damn funny. Like this one time I was in line behind someone who had a monster size case of toilet paper, gallons of water and several family size bags of prunes. That's all. Pretty obvious what his plan was. Poor guy.
The only thing that bothers me a bit is when families with kids are buying tons of sugar and junk, but, again, who am I to judge?
Anyway, if I see actual ingredients, like fresh produce or organic meat I’ll give that person a little gold star (mentally of course!)

Almond Flaxseed Yogurt "Granola" Bars

Energy bars, granola bars, breakfast bars, protein bars, the grocery store aisles are full of them.
However, the majority tastes like artificial flavoring (ugh, fake chocolate and PB!), chalk, and misery.
Plus, they all have a way of “looking” healthy no matter their chemical/y flavor profiles and suspect textures.
To be honest, it’s actually pretty rare to find energy bars that are healthy AND tasty.
I, for instance, like Larabars. Each one has between 2 and 9 ingredients, all of which are whole organic foods like fruits and nuts.
Okay, I suppose the few with chocolate aren't "whole" foods in the strict sense (there must be some processing going on there), but here's the thing about Larabars: they actually taste pretty good.
Like fruits and nuts (except the lemon bar; I had it once and it really grossed me out.)
Oh yeah, because - and you probably already know this - I only eat things that taste awesome. I am not interested in bland, gross energy bars. Not worth it.
(Just to be clear, I haven’t received any money nor products to review from Larabars. I just like ‘em so much, I thought you should know!

Turkey Zucchini Burgers with Lemon Yogurt Sauce

I try not to whine too much. Honestly.
While I am writing this post, my legs hurt like hell from doing intervals very fast last night.
I’m actually sitting with straights legs, because they seem to cramp if I keep them bent for more than 1 minute.
But I am well aware that it is my own fault.
I shouldn’t have done intervals, but wanted to because...well...since I’ve promised you guys that I was not going to bore you with my training running mis-adventures, let’s just say that I shouldn’t have done intervals. Period.
Still, I made my choice. I’m an adult, I know what can happen when I overtrain.
There are no accidents to report around here. No whining possible.

(Hand Cut) Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Shoestring Fries

There are some things I’ll just never be able to grasp. Like physics. Or how the trashcan fills up so fast. Or where all my socks go.
For real folks, I have 18 unpaired socks.
And I’m sorry for them. Being a sock isn’t easy already (especially MY socks). But being an unpaired sock is even worse. Forced to make their own solitary way in a world of pairs.
A beautiful love story of Left + Right that started out in a factory faraway, and that ends in separation.
I held the dryer responsible for all these losses.
Because sometimes socks get lost before and after they go into the laundry, but most of the time it seems like the dryer ate them for a snack.
If you ask around, you'll find that pretty much everybody shares my suspicion for the dryer — evil machine.
Or maybe between the washing machine and the dryer, they run way. There's probably a huge black market in runaway single socks somewhere. Who knows...
Anyways, I have 18 unpaired socks, and I’m holding onto them in hopes that their twins will return from the space wrap before I do my annual sock purge.

Beef A La Sichuan (Low Carb & Gluten-Free)

Apparently all of the food blogosphere is going Cinco de Mayo.
Tacos, burritos, nachos, enchiladas, tostadas, pico de gallo, margaritas, horchatas, you name it.
I mean, take a look at my lad Chris over at Shared Appetite; he’s going berserk over it (in a good way, of course!)
He’s been posting the most amazing Mexican-themed food ever lately. Head over there and be ready to salivate!
But I - being the rebel that I am - refuse to participate in this charade because....well, just because I haven’t cooked any Mexican food in the past few weeks. That’s pretty much it.
I actually CAN’T be part of this Cinco de Mayo bonanza, because I wasn’t smart and organized enough to plan around it. My loss.
So, no Mexican for me.
But I made some tasty Chinese-inspired food though if you’re interested.

High-Protein Zucchini Parmesan

You guys. This is good, like really good. Amazing even!
We’re talking Parmigiana here.
It’s no secret that I’m an eggplant parm kind of guy.
Just like Aristotheles “Give me an eggplant, tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese and I will move the earth!”
OK, not really, but I can certainly make you some badass + low-calorie eggplant parm or some pretty darn tasting roasted eggplant and tomato gratin.
If you’re generous enough and offer me some quinoa, then I can whip you up even a yummy eggplant parm quinoa casserole.
Neat-o.

3-Ingredient Crunchy Strawberry Ice-Cream

One of the things I’ve learned since I started this blog is that NOT everyone’s got a microwave, a blender, a juicer, a slow cooker or an ice-cream maker.
Personally I own all of those kitchen appliances/gadgets, but you probably have a washer-dryer in your apt; I don’t...hence, you win, I lose.
Let me explain...in the City That Never Sleeps the real luxury, the one item that can make all your friends green with envy, the thing that pierces the fantasy of entitlement is owning a washer-dryer.
Like it’s yours and it’s right there, in your apt.
There’s no more descending to the depths of the basement laundry room. Or worst, walking a couple of blocks to a sad laundromat, where (notwithstanding what you see on commercials) there’s never a Victoria’s Secret model waiting for you, stripping to her underwear, throwing her dirty clothes in the washing machine and then hitting on you.
Never happened, never will.
So you fill the washer-dryer void with many kitchen gadgets, and you convince yourself that owning an ice-cream maker is way cooler and 100 times more useful.
Because you know, sometimes it's okay to lie to yourself.

Eggs Baked In Avocado Boats

I first saw this concept on Pinterest a couple of months ago. Since then I haven’t been able to get the image of a baked egg in an avocado boat out of my mind.
Are you big fan of Pinterest? I certainly am. It’s like the greatest place ever on the internet to find inspiration. Although it’s undeniably ruled by women.
According to my friend Denise, girls like Pinterest because they’re so desperate to get away from Facebook.
She says that for girls Facebook isn’t so much of a social network, it’s more of a tool you use to show how much further ahead in life than your friends.
Such as posting when you get a new job, complaining about how stressed you are about your job, taking pictures of your engagement ring, showing that your lunch consists of only 2 lettuce leaves and a dry tomato, posting pictures your mom took of you giving birth (which I’ve just found out you’re not supposed to comment, ever) and posting 400 pictures of that one time you went out in the last four months.
Not the guys are any better; the only reason we use Facebook is to repost things we’ve found on Reddit so that we can look witty, smart and generally badass. Or ranting about sports/politics.
That’s pretty much it.

Chicken Piccata (Low Carb & Gluten-Free)

How many movies do you have on your Netflix queue?
Seriously.
I just checked mine and I have exactly 153.
I guess it will take me about 10 years to catch up on it.
Unless I take a month off from work, veg in bed and binge on movies.
Something that sounds pretty cool, but that I already know will probably drive me mental after the third day.
The funny thing about my Netflix queue is that it’s completely random.
It includes everything from classic sitcoms, 21st century classics, action movies, horror movies chick flicks (?), kid cartoons such as “Dora the Explorer” (??) and even the One Direction's movie — which can either mean that Niece found out my Netflix’s password or that I logged in into my account when I was completely wasted.
For real though, there’s no logic behind that list of movies, at all.
It’s like a 1-year old was left in front of my laptop for an hour and kept on clicking the mousepad. Random.

3-Ingredient (Dairy-Free) Cocoa Mousse

I had a really bad dream two nights ago, more like a nightmare.
I was riding the subway, I had no iPad, iPod, Kindle, book, magazine or even newspaper with me and I sat across from a woman who kept staring at me.
I didn’t want to make eye contact, so I kept looking at the floor. But for some reason (dreams are always weird) I was eventually forced to meet her eyes and she started talking to me.
We had like the most weird conversation ever, which seemed to never end.
Let me tell you, I woke up drenched in sweat and scared as hell.
I mean, engaging in friendly chit-chat on public transportation?
That’s something we just don’t do around here.
I’m sorry, we’re from the City, we are not trusting people!
Okay, okay...I’m exaggerating a tad, but I honestly don’t think I ever said anything, let alone had a conversation to anyone on the subway (who wasn't a friend/acquaintance).

Cauliflower Crust Stromboli

This is me showing you that cauliflower crust is dope.
Dope as in awesome and nasty as in “Yah brah thats sik!”
Shaka sign dope and awesome and sik. Got it?
Because there’s really no end to what you (and I) can do with cauli crust. Like really.
Pizza, calzone, pizzettes, hot pockets, garlic breadsticks and today Stromboli.

Paleofied Banana Pudding

As you may remember, last week I baked a batch of pretty darn awesome (Paleo) Nilla Wafers with just one goal in mind, whip up some banana pudding during the weekend.
Which is what I did.
It turned out great; so great, I offered some of that pudding to a couple of friends I had over for dinner... and before I knew it, there was none left. Like none, nada, zip, zero, zilch.
This, under normal circumstances, is fantastic; there’s no more satisfaction for a cook than seeing no leftovers of the food you offer.
But you see, I hadn’t taken pictures of the banana pudding yet, and in the food blogging world not taking pictures equals to a catastrophe of epic dimensions.
I’m talking about “Release the Kraken!” or Death Star destroying entire planets or the Chitauri fleet invading the Earth, that kind of catastrophe.
Catastrophe as in you have to start all over again from square one.
Buying the ingredients, baking the wafers, assemble pudding, let it rest and then hope, hope there’s still a ray of light outside that will allow you to take decent pictures.
Not great, decent.
Good enough to make you guys wanting to try it out. Because this is the point of this whole site and what I do. Inspire you in making the recipes I create. Right?

(Paleo) Nilla Wafers

As you might have noticed, I have an innate desire to take awesome things and figure out how to make them even more awesome.
Do you know what’s awesome (besides me, cauliflower crust, and basically everything else that I’ve previously declared as such)? Banana pudding.
And do you know what you need to make banana pudding? Nilla Wafers.
And do you know how much crap there is those vanilla cookies that have been around for years? Too much — including stuff like partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil (a trans fat, one of the real villains of nutrition.)

Chicken Souvlaki Kebabs with Tzatziki Sauce

I am obsessed with food trucks. Really obsessed.
So obsessed last night I’ve found myself taking notes while watching “Eat Street” on the Cooking Channel; and mentally planning a coast-to-coast trip with stops and detours at the coolest food trucks around the country.
I love food trucks because they have revolutionized the concept of meals on wheels by bringing a healthy, innovative, sustainable and gourmet approach to standard street fare.
Excellent food, convenient, casual, fun, with not a hint of formality. My kinda eatery.

Salmon, Avocado and Arugula Salad with Lemon-Parsley Dressing

How do you feel about doggy bags? Yes or No?
Personally I disdain wasting food - especially when the food is good - and leftovers can be a wonderful treat to have the next day.
But how many times those styrofoam clamshells or cardboard boxes just spend a couple of days in the fridge before being tossed into the dumpster?
I often just forget about them.
Other times, no matter how appealing the food looked when it was served at the table, it looks so inevitably soggy and unappetizing the next day.
That’s why I’m always on the fence about asking for doggie bags.
As I do not own a canine friend, bringing scrap bones and other food to my pet doesn’t really work for me.

Vanilla Berry Chia Pudding

When someone says “chia”, what is the first thing that pops into your mind?
For millions, the answer is “Chia pet”, the terracotta figurines where the chia sprouts grow within a couple of weeks to resemble the animal's fur.
Who doesn’t remember the Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia commercial?
“They’re fun, they’re green, they’re the greatest thing you’ve ever seen...I want a chia puppy for my school! I want a chia guy for the office! I want a chia tree with a color changing star light!”
Best.Commercial.EVER.
Seriously, name one commercial better than this one.
It's enticing. It's smart. It's forward-thinking. It's caring. It's sensitive.
It brainwashes you into running out and getting one of those super fun chia pets. It is actually so powerful I’m thinking of getting one right now.
In your face Old Spice!

Cauliflower Crust Garlic Breadsticks

Remember when you were a kid and you thought that being grown up just meant driving cars, not having to go to school and eat all the ice-cream and pizza you wanted?
Well, we all grew up. And we discovered that adult life is indeed about driving cars, (sadly) not going to school, and about the ice-cream+pizza part...well we figured out our metabolism is not as fast as it used to be, and as much as we would love to eat ice-cream+pizza 24/7, we really can’t (turning into a big tub of lard is a far too easy with that kind of diet.)
But we are also smarter than we used to and we have discovered new healthy ways to enjoy our favorite foods.

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...

Chinese Chicken and Broccoli (Low Carb & Gluten-Free)

Grilled chicken breast and steamed broccoli is one of the staple meals of sportsmens (especially weightlifters). I once even met a dude at the gym who told me he was sick of preparing different meals and was seriously considering just eating that for every meal.
I mean, chicken and broccoli is an easy and quick meal to prepare, it’s also pretty healthy and tastes okay; but twice a day, every single day? Let say it out loud: BLAH!
On top of that, how boring can it get to eat the same thing over and over again?

Bruschetta Quinoa Casserole

There’s something about bruschetta that makes my taste buds do a happy dance in my mouth.
I think it’s the combo of fresh tomatoes, basil, oregano, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and cheese served on toasted bread rubbed with garlic that works the magic.
Bruschetta is garlicky, very garlicky. It’s actually loaded garlic, and has it must be so.
No garlic? No Bruschetta -> no party!
However this garlic thing has a drawback, and that is garlic breath.
That's why when serving bruschetta, everybody has to eat it; so there aren’t complaints later about it.
Needless to say it, this obligation applies in particular to couples. Because let's face it, garlic breath kissing is just gross.

Svetlana's Russian Salad

T
The 2014 Winter Olympic Games begin today in Sochi, Russia. Athletes from all over the world come together and will compete in a variety of events. I LOVE the Winter Games. I mean, where else you get to watch sports like speed skating, short-track, freestyle ski or curling?
Yes, curling - one of the least understood and lower profile sports ever.
To me curling is nothing more that a mixture of shuffleboard and bocce on ice.
I honestly can't see where any athletic ability comes into play during curling. Throwing a stone and sweeping the ice is not like doing a crippler trick with the snowboard. However, there are some very sophisticated tactics - not to mention abilities - involved in the game of curling, that's why I enjoy watching it during the Winter Games. I have an uncanny sweeping ability, and I feel that someday, when I'm old and not able to compete in triathlons anymore, I could be a pretty decent curler, provided that I learn the tricks.
Anyways, to celebrate the beginning of the Olympic Games, today I’m making a classic Russian dish: Olivier salad, also known as Russian salad.
A salad usually made with diced boiled veggies, hard boiled egg and dressed with mayo.
But wait, this is not A recipe for Russian salad, this is my friend Svetlana’s recipe for Russian salad; and it's special.
Who’s Svetlana, you ask?
Let me do the introductions then; people, this is my friend Svet:

Easy Healthier Crock-Pot Chicken Mole

Cocoa and chilli in Mexico always symbolized power and glory. Mole is the combination of both, and for this very reason, so worthy of your attention.
Before taking any step further, let’s do the name thing. This is not “Mohl”, there’s an accent on the “e”; so “Moh-LAY.”
Mole is a sweet and spicy rich dark sauce; made with chocolate, two different kind of chiles, tomatoes, almonds, raisins, cumin, cinnamon, and onion (aka the usual suspect).

Chocolate Chia Orange Pudding

The chocolate/orange pairing is one that divides public opinion.
Some people don’t like it, others say it’s a small miracle in itself.
Personally, I’m on the fence about it.
At times the orange flavor is overpowering; on other instances, I feel the acidity alters the chocolate aroma (and not in a good way); but I can’t deny that when done right, the silky dark chocolate brightened by citrus fruit can be an outstanding combination. Worthy of any palate.

Mongolian Beef (Low Carb & Gluten-Free)

As you may have noticed from many of the recipes I post, I’m a big fan of meals that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less.
Many of you tell me that you’re so busy, you just don’t have the time to cook. This often results in lots of deliveries, takeouts, drive-thrus and less than optimal food choices.
I totally get it. On some nights, even I don’t feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
After a long day at work (and a stop at the gym), sitting on the couch watching TV, or surfing the Net can sound A LOT more appealing than start chopping, sauteing, etc.
But since preparing your own food is key to get (and stay) healthy; it’s important to have some quick and easy recipes to rely on when you’re in a hurry (or too lazy), but still want to make yourself something delicious.
Which brings me to this Mongolian beef.

Minty-Chia Green Smoothie

It’s no secret that I’m a smoothie aficionado.
There’s something about sipping liquid food that just does it for me.
Not that I disdain chewing.
To the contrary, I for one think that jaw activity is totally underrated.
Chewing thoroughly pre-digests food, helps you eat less, and - more importantly - makes you really savor all the flavors your food has to offer.
“Chew-chew-chew, for it’s the thing to do!” the crowd screams.
There are times however when contracting the jaw muscles feels like a chore.
Say you go for a 13.1-mile run, come home starving, barely make it to shower, stomach seized up; munching is not an option.
That’s when food in liquid form (aka smoothie) saves the day.
The blender will “gnaw” the food for you and ease the burden on your mouth and digestive system.
All you’re left to do is “Sip-sip-sip!”