Salad

For some reason or another, the salads we order in restaurants taste far better than the ones we make at home! At least that was the case with me. It was pretty frustrating buying a whole bunch of vegetables and wanting to make a “restaurant-style” salad, only to make an uninspiring, dry salad. But with practice, I’ve learned

Whether you really like more Netflix and less chilling, OR less Netflix and more chilling, there’s nothing like spending time with someone special and watching a movie or your favorite show. Here are some heart-healthier snacks you both can enjoy that won’t have you regretting what you ate later on.

Ditch the takeout! You can never go wrong Beef & Broccoli stir-fry whenever you’re hungry. And it’s even better when you can make it at home for a fraction of the costs and calories so you can stay on track to achieve your fitness goals.

Fall is here and with that, we welcome the season of “comfort food” recipes! But not all comfort foods have to be calorie dense.  With a few tweaks it is possible to make heart healthier versions of our favorite meals that are equally delicious, yet more nutritious. Here is a creamy, cheesy butternut squash mac

You don’t need to break the bank or become a master sushi chef just to enjoy sushi.  You can make it at home, prepare it in more nutritious ways and save a ton of money!  All you need is sushi-grade seafood and a little creativity.  

Living in the south, chicken salad is a classic dish. No picnic or family gathering is complete without someone bringing a batch of “grandma’s chicken salad.” But I can guarantee that you’ve never had it like this before! A few weeks ago, I had this chicken salad in Traverse City, MI, home of the nation’s largest

Save yourself $11/day and make your own salad wrap. But not just any wrap with iceberg lettuce, tomatoes and chicken; but a MEGA chicken, kale & quinoa salad wrap at half the cost! You can eat this salad separately or toss the salad in a wrap. Either way, it’s delicious! Fully loaded it’s over 600 calories

Hi-protein, low-carb never looked and tasted so good. Here is my spin on a popular Thai-inspired salad recipe. Hands down, this is my new favorite go-to salad for the summer!

Grilled shrimp is good. Grilled avocados are good. But, good together? I think – I mean – I know so… Here’s a quick and easy grilling recipe that I whipped up in about 30 minutes using minimal ingredients.  And best thing is, it passes the #FitMenCook 3-Color Meal Rule of eating at 3 colors at each meal! Winning. And don’t let the

Avocados. That one word is a sentence all by itself!  It’s one of my favorite foods and always a “crowd pleaser” at get-togethers and barbecues. And as far as health benefits are concerned, there are not too many fruits that come close to matching the nutritional value, as it has nearly 20 vitamins and minerals.

Here’s a quick and easy snack recipe – made even easier by – using the new FitMenCook App for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. I FINALLY got my hands on the Apple Watch so I could truly test the full integration of the app…and I was blown away. Here is my full experience – all culminating

Ditch the stuff in the grocery store and make your own hi-protein ranch dressing.  One of the best things about homemade dressings is that you can customize to meet your dietary needs and preferences.

I don’t always make big salads, but when I do…who am I kidding?! My salads are always big! BOOM! Here’s a quick example of a typical salad that I will have as a meal when I’m trying to keep things on the lighter side. And remember to observe my #3ColorMeal Rule – your meal must

This year for Valentine’s Day I challenged myself to see if I could come up with a 3-Course Meal, based on some of my favorite restaurant meals, but only “use” 750 calories. Why? Besides finding a new way to challenge myself in the kitchen and keep me busy, this challenge  taught me that with a

Who says carbs have all the fun? You can still enjoy low-carb meals that are FULL on flavor and macronutrients. Here’s a low-carb spin on a “fully loaded baked potato.” And it’s easy to customize to fit a carnivorous or vegetarian diet. Guarantee you won’t be able to eat just one serving!  

Ever caught yourself randomly dreaming or thinking of a delicious meal you’ve had before?  Well, that was me the other night while I was up working late on a project.  And what was on my mind? A delicious, flavorful gyro that I had eaten a few months ago when I was in NYC.  The image was so

Spice up your next salad or sandwich with this homemade sriracha dressing.  Perfect to add to your sandwich to give it some heat, texture and of course, awesome flavor! Gyro anyone?    

Fresh fruit is great for snacking, and in some cases, complementing meals like breakfast.  Often times though when I eat fruit by itself, I’m rarely left feeling satisfied which is why I enjoy adding heart-healthy fats such as nuts and seeds to increase the amount of calories.  This time I used avocado and it was pretty delicious.  

If you’re running low on cash but need to keep your protein high, remember you can always use egg (whites) to boost the protein content of any meal!

As we near the holidays, chances are you’ll be asked to attend or host countless potlucks.  Instead of bringing a dish that is loaded with saturated fats and simple carbohydrates, try “making over” some of your favorite foods so that they nourish your body and feed the muscles. This particular recipe is easy to make and incorporates

Dressing! It can make or break a salad and…make or break a healthy diet. Try making your own using fresh ingredients you likely purchase on a weekly basis.

Making your own salad dressing and sandwich spread can not only save you money, but also spur your creativity to make your meal masterpieces.

Recipe is for 2 servings, so eat one half and save the rest for later!

One of my favorite salads that I made in 2013 was a chicken avocado salad. It really went well with just about anything- wheat bread, rice cakes, pita bread, etc. It’s quick, delicious, filling and nutritious! Give it a try and make it your own!    

Confession: I rarely order salads at restaurants. Give me bland, raw veggies any day! Why? The thought of trying to choke down a block of iceberg lettuce topped with 2 tomato slices and dry carrot shavings makes me gag. If I was a competitive eater, mounds of iceberg lettuce would be great training! But, sadly I’m not.