Author: Lily

Three sourdough starters died under my watch before I finally cracked the code. The first one turned into a science experiment that smelled like gym socks. The second grew fuzzy mold that looked genuinely concerning. The third just… gave up, separating into watery defeat after two weeks of what I thought was careful nurturing. Now my current starter has been thriving for two years, and I bake with it twice a week from my Upper West Side apartment. The difference between failure and success? Understanding what actually matters versus what the internet wants you to obsess over. The starter is…

This Tandoori Roast Chicken recipe is a great option if you are hosting a weekend dinner or prepping for the week ahead. Juicy chicken with an easy yogurt tandoori chicken marinade that brings all the bold flavors of the Indian kitchen to your home. Jump to: Try My Baked Tandoori Chicken If you’re struggling to feed your family a whole bone-in chicken, try this recipe. Believe me, my kids usually turn up their noses when a whole chicken is on the table, but not anymore. When I want dinner to feel special but don’t want to stand by the stove,…

For years I exercised daily, did plenty of cardio, and restricted my calories to the point I was way undereating. Yet the stubborn weight still held on, my thyroid wasn’t functioning well, and my lab numbers weren’t where I wanted them. If you’d told me then that the answer wasn’t a stricter diet or more supplements, I wouldn’t have believed you.  Looking back, I realized that my body was in fight or flight mode for over a decade. I had to step back and ask the hard questions. Not “how do I force my body to listen,” but “how can…

It’s been three years since the owners of Kittie’s Cakes purchased Highline Coffee in Old Worthington, and just recently, with the move of the Shift Studios retail shop, they completed a nice expansion of the space! They’ve now extended the seating and retail areas, offering more seats – and more comfortable seating overall – while the big windows still let in a lot of natural light. The coffee counter is still tucked into the side room. (Fun fact: Highline Coffee used to just occupy that room!) If you’re not familiar with Kittie’s, their menu spans full coffee and tea selections,…

A sedentary lifestyle, especially as an older adult, can give rise to numerous health problems. Some of these, according to MedlinePlus, include weight gain, type 2 diabetes, joint deterioration, coronary artery disease (CAD), heart attack, stroke, hypertension, high cholesterol, and osteoporosis. The same holds true for certain cancers and mental illnesses. Why Women Are at Greater Risk of Struggling with Health Problems Due to Physical Inactivity Than Men While physical inactivity can take a tremendous toll on both the health of women and men, women often fare much worse, according to a World Health Organization study. That’s because women tend…

When I was thirty-two, I left my corporate marketing role and decided to learn cooking properly. I spent time observing experienced cooks transform simple vegetables into something extraordinary using nothing but proper spice technique. They didn’t measure anything. They knew exactly when to add what, how hot the oil should be, whether to use whole seeds or ground powder. Watching them work was like watching a musician who knows their instrument so well they can make it sing without thinking. That’s when I realized spices aren’t just ingredients. They’re tools, and like any tool, they work best when you understand…

You can make these irresistible polenta fries either by baking in the oven or air-frying them until the edges are satisfyingly crunchy. They’re a wonderfully addictive gluten-free side dish, appetizer, or snack! Photo Credits: Ali Redmond My Family Loves These Crispy Polenta Fries When my partner, Ben, went gluten-free last summer as part of an elimination diet, it forced me (the primary household cook) to confront the fact that we were deeply committed bread and pasta people. The gluten-free shift required revisiting our whole grain pantry. As I shelved the wheat-based ingredients, I reacquainted myself with some more neglected staples:…

If your blood sugar has been creeping higher than it should, you are not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 96 million American adults, roughly 38% of the population, have prediabetes, and most of them do not know it. Whether you are managing diabetes, dealing with insulin resistance, or simply trying to feel more energized throughout the day, understanding how to bring your glucose levels down quickly and sustainably can make a profound difference in your quality of life.The good news? You do not always need to wait for a prescription to take…

After closing for a brief revamp, the delightful progressive Indian restaurant Rooh in the Short North has reopened with a refreshed space, new dinner menu, and – what I’m most excited about – the addition of a limited run breakfast pop-up called Mornings by Rooh. I was seriously geeked out over this, as I loved the owners’ Swadesi Cafe in Chicago. It offers such a delightful combination of flavors. Mornings by Rooh brings a similar Indian-inspired menu of breakfast sandwiches, pastries, coffee, chai, matcha, cocktails, and more. Here’s a look at the menu! I started with their jaggery, brown sugar,…

If you’ve read very much in the nutrition science world, you’ve run across the Mediterranean diet. US News & World Report consistently ranks it among the best diets in the world. You’ve probably heard it reduces heart disease, supports brain health, and helps people live longer, and it’s true. You probably haven’t heard of the Green Mediterranean diet, a newer, more plant-forward version that’s even more powerful. The Green Mediterranean Diet isn’t a trendy social media concept; it was generated by scientists doing rigorous clinical research. Dr. Iris Shai and colleagues at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel developed…