Author: Lily

I love having simple breakfast recipes I can make ahead for busy mornings. While smoothies and overnight oats have their place, I also try to prioritize protein in the mornings. This broccoli  cheddar egg bake is a great way to do that. It’s one of those recipes that’s almost effortless to throw together but everyone in my family is a fan.  The best part is that it only takes a few minutes to mix everything together before the oven does the rest of the work. I can prep it while I’m making coffee, then let it bake while I dive…

The Gay Street district in downtown Columbus has long been a focal point of the city core’s resurgence. While there’s always growth and change, comings and goings, the areas around Gay and High have seen new builds, renovated buildings, the addition of public art, and more. Right now the district is being affected by the first phase of construction of The Capital Line, a two-mile bike and pedestrian trail that will connect downtown. It will be great when it’s finished, but for now all the work has put a squeeze on nearby businesses. So to help you navigate it, I…

Key Takeaways: If there are such things as fads in nutrition science (and I assure you there are), then vitamin C is out of vogue, like 50 years out of step. The vitamin C craze was in the ’70s, and now? Now the doctor says, “Don’t bother. But if you want, go ahead and take 500 milligrams, but don’t expect much. It doesn’t even cure the common cold. Cancer? Sepsis? Serious diseases? Forget about it!” the doctor scoffs. But you’ve heard about people using vitamin C for cancer therapy, and you’re curious. Could it help you with your own health…

If you’ve got a child starting school for the first time, you’ve probably heard the terms Crunch & Sip, Brain Break, Fruit Break or Fresh Food Break. While every school calls it something slightly different, the idea is the same. Children have a short break early in the morning (usually around 9:00–9:30am) to enjoy a small, healthy snack and a drink of water. It’s designed to fuel their brains for learning while encouraging children to eat more fruit and vegetables throughout the day. The tricky part? It usually needs to be packed separately from their lunch. The good news is that…

This Strawberry Banana Smoothie skips the ice entirely, no diluted flavor here. Instead, Greek yogurt and a touch of vanilla do all the work, giving it that creamy, melted ice cream taste without the guilt. Jump to: Simple Strawberry Banana Smoothie This is how my mom used to make us a strawberry banana drink. No protein powder, no complicated ingredients, just basic 4 ingredients plus two optional for flavor and sweetness. My mom, though, did not add yogurt. Adding a dollop of Greek yogurt makes the smoothie incredibly creamy with a rich, luxurious texture. Pro Tip For the thickest, most…

Time is something that almost every human being has a had a problem handling because it waits for nobody. Apart from the fact that it doesn’t wait for you, it also flies very fast. So you can see why many people struggle with keeping to time. Effectively managing your time is very important, because good time management is the key to accomplishing simple daily activities to difficult and longer ones. There are so many tips offered to deal with bad time management, such as to avoid procrastinating and start prioritizing. Those tips are very good. However, the most important way…

This Easy Greek Orzo Salad is packed with fresh veggies, chickpeas, feta, briny olives and the most delicious homemade lemon herb dressing. Perfect for meal prep, picnics, and summer cookouts! If you are looking for the perfect summer pasta salad that feels fresh, colorful, and satisfying, this Greek Orzo Salad recipe checks all the boxes! Packed with tender whole wheat orzo, crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, creamy feta, hearty chickpeas, peppery arugula, and a bright homemade Greek vinaigrette, this salad is loaded with fresh Mediterranean flavors in every bite. Whether you’re meal prepping lunches for the week, heading to a backyard…

This chili crisp silken tofu is silky, savory, and packed with bold flavor. Made with a simple no-cook sauce, it’s a quick, protein-packed dish that comes together in just 5 minutes. If you’ve never eaten tofu straight from the package before, let me reassure you: yes, you can eat uncooked tofu! It’s perfectly safe, and one of my favorite no-cook vegan meals for hot summer days. Silken tofu is soft, creamy, and almost pudding-like, making it the perfect canvas for bold flavors. In this recipe, it’s topped with a simple chili crisp sauce that’s savory, spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet.…

Whether you’re cooking pasta, seafood, chicken, or looking to make vegetables sing, a spoonful of pesto adds so much flavor! Here are my favorite recipes with pesto, plus 4 pesto recipes that go beyond basil! Shrimp Pesto Pasta Photo Credit: Mark Beahm More to Pesto Than Basil When I hear the word pesto, my mind immediately thinks of Pesto alla Genovese, commonly known as basil pesto, but there are many variations on this classic sauce, and endless ways to use pesto of all kinds.You can replace the pine nuts in the recipe with walnuts, or swap the basil with other…

For people over 50 who know they should exercise but don’t, it’s always one thing after another. They say they don’t have the time. Or the money. Or they’re too old… But none of that will keep you independent as you age. It won’t keep you strong enough to enjoy life on your own terms. And it won’t keep your weight down, regulate your blood pressure, or provide a key social outlet. Facts are: You have the time, money and motivation. What kills time, eats money,  and withers motivation? The same thing that’s more dangerous than almost any exercise: doing…