I recently had a run-in with a tick that landed me on antibiotics. It’s one of the joys in living in a region with an AMAZING AUTUMN but a high incidence of both Lyme and Anaplasmosis. Now, to be fair, this is only the 4th time that I’ve taken antibiotics in over 30-years. I’m feeling confident in my body’s ability to both utilize these meds and heal from it all.

That said, I needed something handy to eat with my antibiotics to keep my tummy in check. Plus, who doesn’t need a quick treat that nourishes the brainy bits? Enter the Brainy Bliss Balls.

I didn't grow up eating fresh beets—only the ghastly canned variety at holidays. I absolutely abhorred every stinkin’ bite of those dirty, soggy excuse of a beet. It wasn’t until years later when I was working in fine dining that I experienced the divine flavor of perfectly roasted beets. Since that first bite, I’ve been hooked on beets. Roasting beets are still one of my favorite ways to prepare them.

This Curried Pumpkin Soup is one of those recipes that comes to you in a dream. Literally! I had a dream about this soup for two nights in a row. Finally, I could wait no more to experience it in the waking world. This soup is now a favorite in our home and a staple in the Fall months. I hope that you enjoy it as much as we do.

Omega-3s get a lot of notoriety — and for good reason! Not only is one of them essential for good health, but it can also be a powerful part of your chronic pain plan.

A friend recently requested a Quinoa recipe and I instantly thought of this super-duper yummy Quinoa Breakfast. In fact, this is my favorite summer breakfast meal. It is simple, and I always feel ready to take on the world after eating it. I hope that you do too!

A Few Quinoa Facts

Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is actually a species of Chenopodium grown as a crop primarily for its edible seeds. Yum! It is a pseudocereal rather than a true cereal as it is not a grass and its leaves are also eaten as a leaf vegetable.

The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has officially declared that the year 2013 be recognized as "The International Year of the Quinoa." Yay!

This condiment is one of my trusty staples that I keep on hand for a dash of pizzazz. It’s one of those key ingredients that can make any meal delicious. If ya’ wanna know a wee little secret, I kind of pride myself on being able to make a fantastic meal when it seems there is nothing in the refrigerator. And this Chipotle Paste is one of my secret weapons! Plus, it keeps for 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator and longer if you freeze it.

I really enjoy the cool quickness of a green smoothie during the summer months. There's nothing like gobbling down those enzymes and phytonutrients that you can only get fresh from the vine.

I'm a big fan of the crustless quiche for a variety of reasons. First, it's easy. Second, it works well for those who are gluten-free. Third, and this is true of all quiches, you can bake it once and eat on it for a few meals. Often, I'll prepare my quiche in 4-6 ceramic ramekins. You can buy a set with lids so that you've got some grab-and-go breakfast or lunch options for a few days.

This is such a simple and delicious recipe! Recently I invited my partner’s mother over to teach me the ins-and-outs of making this classic Polish Soup. Once fall hits, I find that a mug of this nourishing goodness soothes my palate and warms my soul. I tend to make a batch of this every other week throughout the cooler months.

Let me start by saying I LOVE roasted roots and veggies of all sorts. The earthiness of roasted broccoli makes my inner goddess swoon. In the Springtime, this glorious green crop joins in the flames of our grill for a bit of tasty magic. In fall, the earthy fumes of florets meet fire, oven style, fills our house with a scent that acts as an aphrodisiac for the palate.

This Flourless Orange Cake recipe hails from my days of living in San Diego, CA. There were times when we had more oranges than we could possibly eat or juice. It’s simple to make and scented with whole sweet oranges, vanilla, and almonds.

The first thing you’ll notice, and love, about this cake is the floral and citrus aroma. As you take your first bite, the crunch of the almonds and then the super moist decadence cake will delight your oral senses. The flavors are dynamic and not overpowered by sweetness.

When life is full, it’s also busy. And my life is gloriously full these days. I’m betting your life can be hectic too. So if you’re like me, then you are always on the lookout for super simple recipes of grab-and-go goodness. Well, these nourishing Lemon & Cashew Energy Bites (a.k.a. Bliss Balls) fit the bill! They’re nutrient and calorie-dense to keep you fueled throughout the day.

Blood sugar is literally that: the sugar in your blood. Your blood contains all kinds of important nutrients and other substances that you need to be healthy, including glucose (i.e., sugar), a crucial energy source for your brain and your red blood cells. Blood is the liquid transporter that distributes these compounds to all parts of our bodies.

Sugar (a type of carbohydrate) is one of our body’s main fuels. The other two fuels are fat and protein. I call it “fuel” because our cells literally burn it to do work. It’s this “biochemical” burning of fuel in all of our cells that is our metabolism.

So, How Does Blood Sugar Get Too High?