gluten free, low carb blueberry muffins

I’m going to keep this short … and sweet. These need no huge introduction; who doesn’t love a blueberry muffin? And low carb, gluten free at that! No additional artificial sweeteners were added, just the Monkfruit that derives from plants. You Will Need: * Almond Flour * Baking Soda * Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk *…

rustic olive bread with rosemary olive oil and an herbed butter

I’ve never made bread before. I’ve said “I’m not a baker, I’m a burner” while still learning how to make my cakes and dessert loaves. They were finally mastered but I still had this deep hesitancy at the thought of making bread. Which means I had to do it. If anyone else feels the way…

lobster bisque

We tested out almost all my soups for the perfect second course of Christmas dinner (all soup recipes here). They were delicious – but I wanted something new. We always use clean, never “previously frozen” and wild caught seafood preferring to purchase from Wild Caught Alaskan Salmon and Seafood. We’re lucky enough to have our…

stuffed turkey loaf with egg and an avocado pistachio pesto

When the weather breaks and the smell of fallen leaves and chimneys set ablaze travel the air into your living room with windows finally thrown open to welcome it all, you crave things warm and savory. At least I do. And if I could have breakfast at every meal I would!! These were easy to…

gluten free, sugar free vanilla & lemon white chocolate cake

(Cake is topped with Fresh Figs, Raspberries and Mint) Autumn is my absolute FAVORITE season of all, and this cake with champagne (tea or coffee) really helped put me in a Fall state of mind. You Will Need: 2 1/2 Cups of Almond Flour1 Teaspoon of Baking Soda2/3 Cup of Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk3 Tablespoons…

stuffed radicchio with a sunflower seed pesto

After my gallbladder was removed I agonized over what foods I could eat. For a self-professed foodie this was worst-case-scenerio type stuff… Being afraid of food. I quickly learned this was a typical response of the 750,000 plus people in America alone (per year) who have had this surgery. I can go further into why…

no bake cake with fruit puree, cashews and a nut butter pistachio crust

I am going to keep this one short and *sweet* – because really, that’s what this dessert was: a sweet, quick, satisfying accompaniment to our coffee – though it would have been equally as good with tea or champagne. You Will Need: * Lightly Salted Pistachios * Monkfruit Sweetener (optional and not recommended unless you…

grilled coconut bbq citrus ginger tuna with baby potato salad and avocado

Tuna Steaks are some of our favorite seafood. The simplest to cook, in my opinion, outside of shrimp and they are extremely versatile. These basically make themselves! You Will Need: * Tuna Steaks (wild caught, fresh or frozen) * Baby Potatoes (red or white – enough for the people you’re feeding; estimate six per person)…

sexy salmon squid ink pasta

I can’t believe I’m sharing this recipe to be honest… Everyone has that recipe they don’t share. Or don’t completely share (leaving out one key ingredient so it’s a treasure when only they make it) and this would be mine except… I want to share it. Down to the last ingredient. It is the BEST…

grilled garlic and cilantro shrimp, polenta and bosc pears

Polenta is one of those overlooked, versatile yummy comfort foods that I don’t think gets enough attention. I know a lot of people have used the kind of creamy polenta you have with shrimp as opposed to shrimp and grits but, I’m talking about these formed “logs” of polenta you can find in all different…

lemon poppyseed loaves

Much like the other chocolate loaves I created before, these are just as easy and have a lighter feel to them as opposed to the dense chocolate beloved by my husband. I thought these would be fantastic with tea or coffee… Heated up with just a tab of butter or olive oil… I’m interested in…

carrot, coconut and ginger soup

I made dinner this past weekend which had carrots as a side dish, and they were the best carrots I had ever had. That’s a huge statement since… It’s just a carrot; nothing to get too excited about. I steamed them first and then sautéed them in dried herbs till they softened and got all…

potato pita with veggies and a mango sauce

When learning about Medical Medium and what each food and herb can do for me, I realized I had been eating all wrong… for a long time. The transition to starting my day with lime water (most people have lemon but I have to work up to that; too sour for me still) and no…

nori veggie rolls with a mango, basil and cilantro sauce

I have been searching the internet for a simple, easy to understand, basic way of eating for a while. I am (or at least I think I am) limited in what I can eat while I try to get a hold of this histamine issue… That being said, everything I’ve read leads to inflammation being…

gluten free penne with a zucchini and artichoke pasta sauce

I have been on a low histamine (mostly low histamine) diet for months now… And this past weekend I was a “bad girl”. I ate chicken, I had wine… Popcorn (air-popped from home but still), more wine… I ate a tiny chocolate cookie, some french fries (with ketchup), more wine… It was just that kind…

creamy summer squash and cauliflower soup with dill

I love soups when the flavors sound strange together but come out beautifully. Summer squash? Sure. Cauliflower? Sure. But together? I decided I wanted to continue to lower my histamine levels while also having something low carb and filling – soup it is. You do not need to be on a low histamine diet to…

squid ink pasta with ground beef, kale and a pistachio pesto

Squid Ink has a lot of nutrients, fantastic flavor and a sexy dark aura. Pair it with my “meet you in the schoolyard”, tough-guy pesto and you have a robust filling dinner that is as glorious as it is glamorous. Like many pastas, this is a quick meal that would fit the 20 min-prep weekday…

rosemary and macadamia nut butter biscuits with ricotta and olive oil

I’ve written a bit on histamine intolerance lately and how the simple effort of making just a few changes to your diet can make all the difference in how you feel. Even if you’re not having any heart palpitations, skin flushing, rashes, brain fog, sleeplessness, itchy skin, runny nose, chest congestion, etc – these ingredients…

twice baked sweet potato with veggies and a macadamia nut pesto

This is another low histamine dish that you can cook with very little effort and makes you feel really full and happy. That’s the great thing about comfort food – or just potatoes in general, right? They make you feel full and that makes you feel happy. Or at least it does me. While waiting…

roasted vegetable soup with ricotta and kale

I have been trying to add more healthy options to my diet, things that I may have passed over in the produce isle. They say to stick to grocery store perimeters; stay away from the interior… Produce is a great place to start getting creative. We all know the benefits of kale, but have you…

salmon and lemon orzo with tarragon

I’ve written before about how hard it is for me to get creative with salmon during a weeknight. I’m tired, I’m hungry… I’m just coming back from a walk and I don’t want a lot of cleanup. I discovered the best way to cook salmon was in parchment because it ticked all those boxes: quick,…

sweet potato and kale soup

We’re hanging onto colder weather here in Franklin for as long as we can… We had snow, then it was 70 degrees and then it dropped back down to the 40’s and I’d be happy if it just stayed put for a while. I’m not done making soups and snuggling up under blankets! This soup…

(best damn) turkey meatballs with fennel and cream cheese

I’m never giving up Italian food. Ever. Ever. Not sure if that’s why I married an Italian, seeing as I’m the one doing all the cooking (insert an off in the distance gaze – pondering life choices <here>) but, he does find his way into the kitchen whenever an Italian dish is being made. Just…

decadent vanilla cream and wild blueberry martinis

Most people when starting a health journey are told to stay away from alcohol. I don’t subscribe to that rule but, I DO think when we DO have alcohol we can make smarter decisions… I don’t understand total avoidance – it just makes me want something more! In this case, I was craving something sweet…

stuffed roasted butternut squash with a pistachio pesto

I love butternut squash everything. Now that we’re more “North” than my husband and I have been in a while, we see it on more menus than when we lived in Florida, especially during this past winter. I always get so much inspiration from the weather and this meal feels like a holiday. It feels…

roasted butternut squash soup with cashews and ground sage

Soup again? Yes. Never gets old in my opinion, especially during this weather. I was told Franklin, TN hadn’t had a snow “storm” in over five years. Now today, stores, local offices… all closed for the second day in a row due to what’s happening outside. We’re expecting more snow tonight through tomorrow… What is…

shrimp bisque with mushrooms, cashews and low carb dunking chips

Shrimp bisque was something I was dreaming about for days… Thinking this was because I was about to have it at some obscure new restaurant I had yet to discover (we only just moved here) or that I would manifest it into existence by just obsessing about it. I realized instead… In the end, what…

sugar free sunflower butter and chocolate loaves of ooey-gooey gorgeous

I’m not a “baker” – I’m a “burner”… I can’t bake anything if it’s a dessert or something that needs exact precise measurements. I can follow directions; I just can’t not burn anything. Which is why these are perfect – they never burn. The ingredients keep them moist. They’re keto. And they’re easy. PLS SEE…

christmas table-setting and dinner, our still-unpacking-style

This was my first Christmas with my husband in our new town of Franklin, and we were only a month into living here. Boxes everywhere… I did the best I could using what we found. I’ll outline the menu and then just show photos, as well as where I got some of the things you’ll…

cream of zucchini soup with onion and cilantro

For anyone who wants a clean creamy soup which is also a detoxifying powerhouse with the addition of cilantro, or just wants a keto-soup that leaves you feeling full for hours, this one is a sure thing. Adding the cilantro is a tasty benefit as it removes heavy metals and inflammation from your body. The…

no sugar or carbs, guilt free guilty pleasure

I’m a self-professed wine girl. I love white, red, blush, the glasses, a vineyard, etc… I have every different Riedel glass for every different varietal. I have the Swan Riedel decanter (though we don’t dare use it!), an incalculable amount of wine drinking gadgets and aerators and so on and so forth and I love…

cream of mushroom soup with thyme and parmesan

I love cream of anything. And as we continue to be brave and creative with our culinary exploits, I want to make sure I publish recipes that feel decadent but not be considered real cheating. Soups are a great way to accomplish this. You will want to play around with the amount of each seasoning…

sous vide pork tenderloin with vegetables

A pork tenderloin is one of the easiest things in the world, and cooking sous vide is like cooking with a crock pot on steroids. This came out juicy and the seasoning stayed with the meat. If you can find miniature pork loins I highly recommend them… You Will Need: A Sous Vide (my sous…

bacon and dill deviled eggs

I remember my first deviled eggs experience. I don’t know why, except that it was like someone was introducing me to eggs and mayonnaise – for the first time. Which makes no sense since mayo is literally made of eggs, but in my mind these were two completely unrelated items, coming together. And I had…

steamed artichokes with a basil butter dipping sauce

As you can see with my website icon, I love artichokes. I love the ease of cooking, the health benefits, the way they taste and, of course, ripping through them to get to their heart. So good (more on that in the menu under Bio). You Will Need: Artichokes Kitchen Shears A Knife Butter Olive…

baked spinach and grass fed beef in cheese rolls

I had never tried these cheese rolls before. Though I knew they were inexpensive and versatile, they sat in my fridge for quite some time. I’m embarrassed to write that now, considering all the meals where we could have enjoyed them. Nevertheless, here’s a quick idea for anyone who has been eying these at the…

asparagus and sage soup

Making a lot of soup lately… It calms me drinking soup during this quarantine. I can feel the bone broth nutrients hitting my system and I’m immediately calmed knowing that I’m putting ingredients in my body that are good for me. Good for my gut, for my mind and took no time at all to…

chicken and roasted broccoli soup with toasted sesame oil

I had wanted to find a way to use up what we had at the time in our home: a half empty box of broth and some broccoli. Of course that would be fine but, my husband would have said he was still hungry and hour later. And then into the keto snacks he’d go……

bacon and cheddar sous vide egg bites

I watched a youtube video of a chef who was going to different well known locations and trying some of their more popular foods on the menu. During one video, he and his cousin went to Starbucks and ordered one of each of their Sous Vide Egg Cups. Almost 40 dollars later (for three cups),…

cream of broccoli soup

Whenever you read “cream of” anything, you don’t think *healthy*. But this soup is very low in calories and carbs, while filled with nutritious ingredients in a filling warm concoction. I had missed soups… I used to make them creamy with potatoes or cashews. Then we started Keto and I would dress up our favorite…

roasted herbs de provence shrimp in a lemon, garlic butter sauce

In this unprecedented time of fear and uncertainty, I have not only slowed down on cooking, I have decided to not even use my bone china. I have used (with my husband’s curious enthusiasm) paper plates and napkins. Well, that’s not entirely true; I still use cloth napkins… I just can’t find the energy and…

bathtub oasis {condo style}

There’s not much that will relax me more than feeling water. I’m not a huge ocean person, unless the beach seems more rugged than touristy. I like the splashing water against jagged rocks and free formed beaches that almost beckon you to explore them for ship wreck treasure. The beaches we have here are pretty,…

garlic basil pork loin with pureed vegetables

Pork loin is one of the most versatile proteins I can think of. And much like the cornish hen recipe preceding it, this recipe is just as fool-proof. There’s no great story to accompany this post; it’s about as straight-forward as it gets for an easy Sunday night dinner. You Will Need: * Pork Loin…

cheese tacos with chicken, salsa, avocado and sour cream

I am a massive cheese fan. I am also aware there is a heightened spotlight placed on dairy farms recently however, I admit I still love my cheese… Perhaps in the future when I have received the complete benefits of this low carb lifestyle, I will let go of dairy but, for right now, I…

high falutin’ egg cups with a turmeric mayo and champagne

I love brunch. I love everything about it. I love the laziness, the decadence and (yes, I’ve said this before) unapologetic day-drinking. I especially love when I can have it at home, in our big king bed with my most favorite purchase of last year: The Scully & Scully Breakfast Bed Tray It shouldn’t have…

salad, pasta & a bundt cake

**This post includes a full meal: Starter, Main and Dessert. Scroll through if necessary.** Cooking, table-setting, hosting, decorating… these have all been what have brought me the most happiness. I love cooking for and taking care of my husband and my friends. It has been a way for me to show my love and my…

mini eggplant pizzas

So it’s Tuesday and there’s nothing really notable about this day. Sure, it signifies the end of Monday but, there’s not even a cute Tuesday wine reference like Thirsty Thursday or Wine Wednesday, or a memory hashtag like #TBT or #WBW. Tuesdays are the new Wednesday of the week: a forgotten hangnail of a day…

pretty in pink, shrimp charcuterie tray

Cheese. Enough said. For the most part, I’m a massive fan. You put cheese and creamy marinated artichoke hearts on a shiny silver tray with other goodies and a gorgeous full bodied wine, and I’m not going anywhere. Let’s be honest, if you’re avoiding this heat, use a charcuterie tray like this What a gift…

toasted coconut mahi mahi with a lime avocado mousse

I don’t usually follow fads. When the new “coconut oil everything” trend started I ran in the opposite direction; I wanted nothing to do with it. I like the taste of coconut but usually, when these things happen, it’s a saturation of epic proportions which for me, is a complete turn-off. Same with pumpkin spice…

smoked gouda cauliflower “mashed potatoes”

I love mashed potatoes. I love any potato. When I first started using cauliflower to curb my cravings, is when everyone else did. I think most of us ran to cauliflower to cure all our carb problems. I’m not sure who first saw the potential of the cauliflower but until then, I wasn’t making much…

panko fried tomato caprese with sliced almonds

A quick dinner for Joe after a long walk… Reminiscing about old movies I loved while growing up. “Fried Green Tomatoes”: really struck a chord with me. As I got older and watched it again and again, I got from it more and more. We should all do that; revisit things now that we’re older…

about me

When thinking of my life I realize how much care has gone into what I have surrounded myself with, what I have searched out to buy, how I choose to spend my time and really, what makes me happy. Joy is intentional; it does not come without some search of yourself, some consistent effort and…

smoked salmon avocado toast with coddled eggs and champagne

Smoked salmon is a true pleasure in my family. This goes back to visits to NY to see my uncles or visiting my father and step-mother in DC, and my uncles providing the typical NY brunch with bagels and lox. I learned early on, even with my mother who likes to combine smoked salmon, lemons…

chicken cordon bleu, brussel sprouts and walnuts with a lemon dijonnaise

Chicken has been something of a crapshoot lately. I never know what is safe to eat anymore. What are we really eating… Is “organic” really organic? You can drive yourself crazy overthinking every company. Once you’re sure you’ve found a good one, there’s a recall. In the end, you just do the best you can….

have luggage, will travel

I first started wandering when I was young. I would say that’s like “most people” however, as I have gotten older, I have realized not everyone was prone to wandering at a young age. Some kids sat quietly alone, or they played with other children. Some kids didn’t do either; they just latched themselves to…

parmesan, dill tuiles with garlic shrimp and fresh basil

Another week has passed and we’re already headed towards mid-July. The days are hotter and oppressive. These are the months when I wonder why I live in Florida. The relentless sun drags on and on, until it’s well into the tomb of the evening and you’ve dug into your couch so long it no longer…

semi-sweet chocolate chip biscuit cookies

I’m not a baker. I repeat: I am not a baker. If you want a cake, I can make a cake. If you want cookies, I can do that. If you get all specific and crazy like “creamy in the middle” or something, you can go to a bakery. I do try however, to make…

fresh lemon and dill pasta, sautéed shrimp with basil and garlic

I have never met a pasta I didn’t like. In fact, my pasta preference has gotten me into some trouble as I also really like clothes… Nevertheless, my relationship with this carb has been an overall positive one and I have experimented with it greatly. In my vast catalog of experience I’ve found, I prefer…

no pasta lasagna

It’s pouring here in Florida, as it does now most days. The storms are heavy and arrogant. They command all of your attention with either the massive claps of thunder, the unrelenting rain or the sky firing up suddenly with rapid bolts of lightening surly to hit somewhere near you. Some days, the electricity goes…

garlic and tarragon shrimp over homemade cheese-free pesto

Sundays nights in Florida aren’t typically nights you can enjoy long walks holding hands with your partner, thinking about the week to come… It’s hot, it’s humid, it’s a problem. Sometimes though, we get a break from all that and even better still, it lasts for weeks. Just long enough to forget about running away…

chipotle ziti with red pesto and micro greens

When I finally made the decision in my thirties to get married (late in life compared to some), I was quite specific with who I wanted as a partner. Sometimes life is funny and takes who you want and gives you instead, who you need. I met my husband and shortly afterwards I tried to…

thanksgiving spoons

Holidays are stressful for anyone. Even, I imagine, Ina Garten, Martha Stewart and Nigella Lawson. I relish in the chaos, however. The music, the smell of all the food cooking, my husband running in and out of our kitchen sneaking tastes of everything… It’s beautiful even at that stage. When I think of Thanksgiving specifically,…