Author: Lily

“You know, it looks like a gingerbread house,” my Uber driver says as we wind through the forest-lined roads toward the Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa in Asheville, North Carolina. I’ve heard the hotel is otherworldly—an idyllic mountain escape since it opened in 1913. He doesn’t believe me when I tell him the hotel is my destination for the National Gingerbread House Competition, an event the idyllic hotel has been hosting since 1992.  As we approach the grand entrance, warm, amber light glows from within. The rust-colored roof drapes low, mimicking thatch as it hangs over a facade of…

Medical weight loss programs offer a safe, structured, and effective path to shedding excess fat and improving health. However, one common challenge many face afterward is loose or sagging skin, a natural side effect that comes with rapid or significant weight loss. In this article, we’ll explore practical, research-backed ways to restore firmness and tone, from natural lifestyle habits to advanced medical procedures, for firmer and healthier skin. Why Loose Skin Happens After Medical Weight Loss Skin’s firmness and ability to “snap back” after shrinking fat mass depend on structural proteins like collagen and elastin. When you gain weight, skin…

This delicious no bake keto eggnog cheesecake is a simple recipe, made without baking, without a water bath, and without turning on the oven — yet it delivers a creamy texture, clean slices, and that classic eggnog flavor everyone loves this time of year. Why You’ll Love This Keto Eggnog Cheesecake If you love eggnog during the holiday season but don’t love the sugar crash that comes with traditional store-bought eggnog desserts, this no-bake sugar-free keto eggnog cheesecake is for you. Even better? This version is lighter, higher in protein, and more midlife-macro friendly than traditional bake cheesecakes. No oven,…

Forget the diet trends and detox claims—cabbage soup has been rebranded (rightfully so) as a low-lift, flavor-packed comfort food that just happens to be light and nourishing. While cabbage soup has earned a reputation as a so-called “fat-burning” miracle, today’s home cooks also appreciate it for what it really is: a budget-friendly dish made with pantry staples like canned tomatoes, broth, and a bounty of chopped vegetables.  History of Cabbage Soup Dotdash Meredith Food Studios Cabbage soup has deep roots in medieval Europe, where cabbage was prized for being cheap, versatile, and easy to store—especially during the long winter months…

The keto diet or ketogenic diet is a variation on the classic strict low-carb diet. It’s also quite close to the Atkins Diet, the South Beach Diet, and the paleo diet.There’s a wide variety of foods that can be consumed on the keto diet, although the emphasis is on eating foods that are high in protein and/or high in fat with limited intake of carbohydrates. Of course, the more varied your diet, the broader your nutrient intake, which can help prevent deficiencies. Fortunately, most low-carb vegetables are acceptable on keto, and, depending how strict you’re being, some low-carb fruits are…

A hearty and filling recipe to add to your rotation this cozy season. This vegan mushroom pot pie delivers on flavor with a filling made from mushrooms and wild rice topped with crispy puff pastry. When it comes to cozy dishes that are perfect for cold weather, this mushroom wild rice pot pie checks all the boxes. (Just like my shepherd’s pie recipe!) I’ve actually teamed up with USA rice to create this delicious recipe using California-grown wild rice. The nutty flavor and chewy texture of the wild rice complements the mushrooms and veggies in this flavorful dish. Not just…

Featuring cranberry juice, rosemary simple syrup, and club soda, this simple mocktail is perfect for holiday gatherings. It comes together in under half an hour—and most of the time is hands-off! Photo Credits: Ali Redmond Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Mocktail It’s festive with minimal effort. With just a quick rosemary syrup and a splash of cranberry juice, you get a drink that looks impressive but comes together in minutes. Perfect for everyone at the table. Kids and adults love its tart-sweet balance, and it’s a beautiful non-alcoholic option for holiday gatherings. Bright, refreshing flavor. The combination of pure cranberry…

Pneumonia remains a leading cause of hospitalization and death among adults over 50, especially women with underlying health conditions. The pneumonia vaccine is a crucial defense, but like any medical intervention, it can cause side effects. Understanding these effects, who is most at risk, and how to prevent them is essential for women in this age group to make informed health decisions.What Is Pneumonia?Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, often filling them with fluid or pus, leading to cough, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. According to William Schaffner, MD, Professor of Preventive…

Italian cream cake, also called Italian wedding cake, is a fabulously moist cake with flavors of coconut, pecans, and almond. It’s slathered with cream cheese frosting, and all the flavors come together beautifully. (soy-free and gluten-free options) Italian wedding cake is normally much more decadent, with a cream cheese buttercream frosting with tons of sugar. I converted it into a lighter, vegan version.  Traditionally, Italian cream cake is supposed to be dense, but I aimed for a texture that’s still moist and fudgy, but with a little airiness. For the cream cheese frosting, I kept it less sweet, but you…

As mere mortals in the USA, our aging population is very concerned getting old. Sales of anti-aging creams, longevity supplements, and biohacking methods are all the rage these days. But what if the basics aren’t so complicated? What if graceful aging just begins in your salad bowl? Don’t have a salad bowl? Maybe you should change that, like now, today. Here’s why. Recent scientific studies are revealing that plant-based diets might not just make you feel better today, but they might actually help slow down the aging process at the deepest cellular level. Results from everything from longer telomeres (those…