Author: Lily

Ultra-processed foods (UPF) have been in the news a lot lately. I recently wrote about them, too, pointing out that UPF can easily undermine a healthy plant-based diet. We need to eat real food, not processed junk. But not all ultra-processed foods are equal. In this article I share a more nuanced analysis that I found very helpful, and think it will help you make better food choices, too. So let’s dig in.  A recent study was published in the journal Diabetes Care that exposed the link between ultra-processed food consumption and the risk of getting type 2 diabetes. The…

If you don’t already have an air fryer, let this easy recipe from Alyssa Rivers of The Recipe Critic convince you to add one to your holiday wishlist. Rivers published this recipe last year, and she said it was her most “viral” recipe in 2024, with over 8 million views on Instagram and Facebook. The popularity makes sense: In just 15 minutes, you can make crispy, tender mushrooms covered in Parmesan and fresh thyme. They’re perfect as a side dish or a snack you can eat by the forkful. How to Make Air Fryer Mushrooms The full recipe can be…

I’ve been on Medicare for several years now but hadn’t signed up for the Silver Sneakers Fitness Program until just recently. The main reason was the COVID pandemic. Most gyms were closed or it didn’t feel right being in a room with a bunch of sweaty people. The other reason was, I didn’t want to feel old taking a senior fitness class. Silver Sneakers is available both in person and online for Medicare-eligible participants. After prodding from my Health care provider (Kaiser Permanente) I decided to give it a try and have found the program to be well worth it.…

Everyone loves a cookie, but when it’s going in the lunchbox, I like it to have a little more nutrition. These apple and muesli cookies deliver plenty of fiber from a hearty muesli base, while in-season apples add natural sweetness and a boost of vitamin C. They’re a great autumn bake—full of flavour, perfect for lunchboxes, and a fun one to make with the kids. Ingredients:  Makes approx. 20 cookies Optional: Method:  Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius and line a baking tray. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy…

This Keto Zucchini Bread is an easy moist almond flour low-carb sweet bread with grated zucchini, walnuts, pecan, and delicious fall spices flavor. Plus, it is dairy-free, meaning it is a paleo low-carb zucchini bread! You know how much I love good zucchini bread. Last year, I shared my chocolate zucchini bread with you, so let me introduce the fall spice version of it! Zucchini bread is a classic bread loaf made with a large portion of grated zucchini. The zucchini in the bread add a degree of chewiness but also a great fresh taste! If…

Candy lovers and sweet tooth owners everywhere will love this simple and delightful recipe for homemade Cashew Brittle! The irresistible crunch of roasted cashews pairs perfectly with light, sweet, and crispy brittle to make the best candy, and it’s easy to make with this step-by-step recipe. Why This Cashew Brittle Recipe is So Good Making cashew brittle at home will save you money! Buying a box of this salty candy at a shop will set you back a few bucks. When you make your own, you will see that the ingredients cost much less. It’s an easy candy recipe, with…

Mushroom polenta is a hearty and appealing vegetarian (and gluten-free!) meal sure to satisfy even the meat-eaters at your table. Photo Credits: Ali Redmond Mushroom Polenta Is My Comfort Food Go-To Recipe Creamy comfort in a bowl: Slow-simmered polenta becomes ultra-smooth and velvety, perfect for chilly nights. Hearty but vegetarian: Savory mushrooms, herbs, and greens give this dish rich, “meaty” flavor—without any meat. Simple, satisfying cooking: Just a little patience and pantry staples turn into an impressive, cozy meal. Hearty mushroom polenta is an ideal comfort food! Creamy polenta is the ideal counterpoint to savory mushrooms, one of my favorite…

Once upon a very terrible time, all my kids got a stomach bug at the same time… while I was gone. We don’t get sick often, but it was terrible and I wasn’t on hand to use all of our natural remedies. Thankfully, that was the first and last stomach bug they’ve all gotten at once. However, at least one child gets a stuffy nose or cough sometime during the winter. Or I dust my closet and get a cough/congestion/nasal drip for a few days. In those cases, I like to have this herbal throat spray on hand. It’s great…

This Winter Kale and Quinoa Salad is a vibrant, wholesome salad that is bursting with flavor! Made with leafy kale, tender quinoa, juicy pomegranate seeds and crunchy walnuts all tossed together with a light dijon vinaigrette for the perfect holiday side dish! You are going to love this vibrant and cozy Winter Kale and Quinoa Salad! In the winter months I crave meals that feel fresh and nourishing while still being hearty enough to feel satisfied. This kale salad checks ALL the boxes and works perfectly as a light lunch, a wholesome side dish or a stunning addition to your…

Monday mornings are hard. After a nice, peaceful, restful weekend, or even after a very exciting, activity-filled weekend, heading back to work is a drag. Even if you like your work, it can be quite stressful. But the stress is not just mental; it’s also stressful for your body. Your cardiovascular system is particularly vulnerable. See, decades of research show a very clear “Monday effect,” with heart attacks and strokes rising on Monday mornings. There are more heart attack deaths on Monday than on any other day of the week. This has been shown globally with several studies backing up…