I’m going to start an infrequent series called “Recipe Repeat”. I use the word “infrequent” because I want to continue trying new recipes, always. However, some recipes are meant to be repeated. Again, and again.

…and again.

When I was tagged to participate in a “My 7 Things”, a while back, this granola was the post I deemed “Most Overlooked”. I stick to that. This coconut-containing granola is one that the coconut-hating Mr. Prevention can’t keep his paws off.

When I signed up for this year’s Bloggers Bake for Hope to help raise money for the Avon Foundation and support breast cancer research, I had no idea what to make. Last year, I made Big-O Brownies. No regrets there…those things are…um…sinfully delicious (and appropriately named!).

This year, I wanted to choose something that ships really well and offered up some nutritional value. I landed on this granola recipe and I am glad I did. The winner of the granola, Amber (who blogs over at Bluebonnets + Brownies), posted this comment about the granola:

Nicole, we received this in the mail yesterday from the bake sale. OMG! It is SO good! After one taste, my husband asked if you’d sent the recipe along. I said I was sure it was on your site, and here it is. I had it for breakfast this morning on top of my Lemon Chobani.

I also sent my friend, Kim of Feed Me, Seymour, a batch of this granola for her birthday. I think I might have to make and send some more because her daughter requested the recipe and her husband loved it, too (much to her surprise!).

Not just any recipe is worth of a Recipe Repeat…only the best of the best. And this one, it’s the best of the best when it comes to granola. Though I always welcome contenders and recommendations

Teaching, clinic for a bit to do some med changes and meeting minutes, and then tonight Donna and I are meeting for drinks to discuss writing an e-book! Eeek! I’m excited!

P.S. I just realized our wedding anniversary is next Wednesday. Any suggestions on what to spoil the pizza and wing-lover with? They always say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach!

Be well,

Does anyone else feel as though everyone they know is currently pregnant and/or has a child under the age of 1? I can think of only a handful of friends and acquaintances who don’t fit that bill.

I guess that someone in their mid (late?) 20′s comes to that “point” in life, though I personally am not there yet. Heck, I went ballistic on Mr. Prevention last night for getting home super late from work and then heading straight out for a long run. I’m out of town until this afternoon, and my baby girl had no love.

Clearly, I am not ready to balance life + child…yet. Life + dog is hectic enough at the moment.

With all the pregnancies, I’ve heard a lot about cravings. Hearing about these cravings created one of my own. Crab cakes!

Truth be told, crab cakes were supposed to have been on my menu MONTHS ago, but they kept getting pushed aside for something new and exciting I had run across that week. When you love reading food blogs and get about 6 different cooking magazines delivered each month, I guess this sort of thing is bound to happen…and happen often.

Thank goodness crab isn’t put on the pregnancy no-no list. Women complaining about sushi deprivation is depressing enough. And at 5 o’clock on a Friday, a Kiddie Cocktail or tonic do not make the cut. Though a girlfriend of mine was raving about a virgin Bloody Mary just the other day. A Bloody Mary may be able to ditch the vodka, but crab cakes need the crab.

The remoulade was the star of the recipe…the perfect crab cake must be topped with a dollop of remoulade.

Busy day then heading back to Ohio!

Be well,

Even though the days are staying lighter longer, each day seems to fly by faster than the ones before.

To add insult to injury, my workouts lately…they’ve been a struggle, to say the least. Historically, my first mile running is always my slowest. Why? I haven’t a clue. I get “warming up”, but during a 3-mile run, 1 mile is hardly a warm-up. By the end of mile 1, I’m ready to walk. But I don’t…and I push through. Lately, miles 1.5 to 2.25 have been tolerable, and then the final 3/4ths of a mile either feel great…or absolutely terrible.

I have to give myself a serious pat on the back for sticking to my 5 weekly workouts. This slump has been going on for about the last 2 weeks, and I hope I can ride it out and return to enjoyable runs.

Sometimes, what gets me through a run after work is thinking, “The sooner I get home, the sooner I can make dinner…and eat, and shower, and settle in for the night.” How sad. This is like time management to the extreme…or my reaching very deep for every excuse not to walk during my runs.

As trivial as a few minutes sounds, it makes a difference. But even more so than running faster…quick dinners can make my evenings feel longer…and more enjoyable.

I fell in love with basil in meat and soup dishes in Thailand. Basil outside of Italian is something everyone should experience. There’s something about the blank slate of chicken that takes on flavors so well. For the basil lovers like myself, this is a winning decision. Maybe I should have planted 2 basil plants this year…

Outside of being quick as is, you can prep everything ahead of time for this meal. Even rice! Make a huge batch of rice and freeze using this technique. As much as I love brown rice and brown basmati, it takes the better part of an hour to cook. This somewhat defeats the point of a quick weeknight meal, unless you opt for a quick-cooking rice which is absolutely fine, too.

My plan is:

1. Try to enjoy my workouts more – even if that involves walking from time to time. It’s important to listen to my body…and to not hate exercise.
2. Find more meals that are quick, easy, or can be prepped ahead of time.
3. Continue finding meals that are cost-effective. My grocery bill was $55 this week and that included a $7 watermelon (!) and $10 in tomatoes, as well as a $4 bouquet of flowers just because. Not..,too…shabby!

I’m teaching and then heading out of town for the night. More on that soon, I promise!

Be well,

Yesterday, Mr. Prevention wanted to go see The Avengers. I kind of blew him off all day because I really have no interest in seeing the movie, despite the great reviews. Yesterday, all I wanted to do was catch-up with grading and photo editing, and relax around the house. It’s been months since there was a day free of absolutely everything, and I wanted to take full advantage.

At 2pm yesterday, we were laying in bed with a cool breeze coming through the window just talking and laughing. When life gives me the opportunity to slow down, relax, and enjoy…I try to. Yesterday was one of those days. And now it’s Monday morning and really, really early…ugh.

Before anyone feels too bad for Mr. Prevention not getting to see the movie, he blows me off a lot when it comes to dinner. When these crepes were on the menu I was asked to, “Have those one night this week when I’m out of town.”

If this didn’t benefit me in every way, I’d have been offended! He seriously missed out. These crepes are what I would refer to as an “adult grilled cheese”. And I’ve never, ever, EVER heard of a person not liking (loving!) grilled cheese.

The concept of a savory crepe is sheer genius. The concept of a crepe…so simple, yet elegant and sophisticated.

I falsely believed that crepes were hard and/or time consuming and neither could be more off-base. Having a go-to crepe batter and a great non-stick skillet is all you need. Remember when I trialed red velvet crepes and ended up with a DISASTER? And then I tried this recipe that proved me wrong. This recipe will prove you wrong about crepes, too.

I ended up with a masterpiece…without a disaster first. These were phenomenal and the fact that a “grilled cheese” can be enjoyed for under 200 calories? Well, I was one happy dietitian.

Another week, here we go. It’s hard to believe this quarter is only 3 weeks from the end!

Be well,

Happy Mother’s Day to my mom and all the moms out there!

In 2010, I wrote a Tribute to Mama Prevention and while I’m not with her today due to the many miles between us, reading that post affirms that my mom is absolutely wonderful in every way.

When people say I look like her, I am flattered. When people say I act like her, I laugh and I agree. To be any resemblance of my mom is an honor.

I was talking to my mom on Friday night. I was completely exhausted from the work week, laying out on our deck furniture in the sun, talking to her half asleep. It was 5pm.

“I’m going to go to spin tonight at 5:30 and step aerobics tomorrow at 8!” my mom said.

Ten years ago, my mom would dabble in fitness classes and tried to stay active, but my mom is fit! She’s even playing racquetball these days! I’d like to think that when I changed my life to be more active and healthy, it rubbed off on her just a bit As for my brother and my dad…they’re a works in progress.

I would venture to say my mom even cooks more now than ever. She’s signed up for all the healthy cooking email list serves and consults her favorite healthy cooking blog each day Mom’s favorite recipe is Slow Cooked Sweet Barbacoa Pork. She makes it all the time. She also loves brunch, so any easy breakfast casserole or “bake” are right up her alley.

My mom will regularly rattle of the nutrition facts about a new “food find” (she’s much more adventurous in shopping than I!), usually boasting about how much fiber is in something.

Mom: I love, honor, and respect you.

I have learned so much from you. And you a few things from me.

You make me laugh, and smile, and never want to leave Chicago.

Wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day from O-H-I-O.

Happy Mother’s Day!

 Be well,

Another year. Some more planters.

I broke the Midwest gardener’s rule of thumb, planting not one, but two weekends before Mother’s Day this year. With the mild winter, spring sprung early and the weather forecast looked favorable. So far, good choice. My tomatoes have probably grown 30% in the past 14 days and I have some green tomatoes that are growing rapidly.

As much as I was against a planter garden last year, it yielded a generous amount of tomatoes, bell peppers, and zucchini. Other than cilantro, my herbs were BOUNTIFUL. My oregano, sage, and thyme x2 even survived the entire winter. Though my neighbors were confused as I trekked out to the back of my yard with kitchen scissors and returned with fresh herbs in the middle of December and January, I saved a ton of money!

I decided not to grow bell peppers this year and in that planter, I put in parsley and rosemary (which did not survive the winter), as well as chives. I fully realize these are jam-packed in there, but I’m trialing this to see how it goes. I can always transplant them later, right?

Herbs are one of the “best buys” for garden space if you do a lot of cooking. Herbs are so expensive in stores!

I planted my basil in the same location as last year, in an “island” of landscaping, at the back of our yard. I did 2 plants last year, but I think 1 will be plenty. Unless I go on a pesto kick (highly likely), in which case I may buy a bunch at the farmer’s market (about $1 around here).

Basil does well for me…outside. Inside, I tend to kill it and kill it fast. Oops.

And in my other planters, I have a blueberry bush (compliments of my father) and a zucchini. I had a hard time choosing what veggie to put in this year, but zucchini is a favorite and it’s so versatile. I love that it’s good raw, grilled, in veggie enchiladas, in muffins and breads…and much more.

Plus, it is usually one resilient plant and even I have trouble not getting great yield

There’s my little “garden” this year. Even though it’s not as big as I’d like, I always remember the line in Food, Inc. where they remind you that even a small garden helps save the planet

Weekly Menu: May 13th – 17th

Sunday: Slowcooker Cuban Pork Tacos
Monday: Baked Tomatoes with Quinoa, Corn, and Green Chiles
Tuesday: leftovers
Wednesday: Southwestern Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Thursday: Chicken in a Tomato-Basil Broth over Couscous

Mr. P and I both have oil changes this morning and not too much else on the agenda today. Last night, we went out to dinner and split a salad and a goat cheese and mushroom pasta dish and then made our way to a local brew shop, grabbed a beer, and sat in their window display and chatted. A little date night – it was fun

Be well,

Two dessert recipes in one week. Yes, indeed. Unlike Biscoff Cookie Truffles, however, these offer up a bit of a nutrition.

I wasn’t at all shocked when Renee asked a question about the healthfulness of coconut oil in the last RD Q&A. Like many “trends” in nutrition, I figured this one would come and go, but coconut oil has had quite the long life in the nutrition spotlight. If you missed the details on why coconut oil can be a healthy choice, check out this post. P.S. I have NO Q&A questions to answer Gladly accepting questions!

As for flavor, coconut oil is perfectly suited for baking as it can add a subtle sweetness and nuttiness, as is the case in these cookies. And thanks to the coconut oil, these are butter-less cookies!

When people ask me what I love most about nutrition and being an RD, it really boils down to science. Not beakers and test tubes (I failed those courses miserable. Okay…nearly failed those courses miserably.), but the science of how food is digested and absorbed in the body. Being able to apply what I learned in 6 years of nutrition studies is what allows me to help people to truly understand their bodies, their health, and the reasons why what they choose to eat can help prevent or treat disease. In other words, I don’t tell people what to eat, I teach people how to eat a diet that’s best for them as an individual.

When I can meet with someone for an hour and help them understand the implications nutrition has on their prognosis and treatment of their disease or condition, it is the ultimate reward. I like to think I have the ability to take complex medical mumbo jumbo and make it 1) easy to understand and 2) apply to nutrition.

Coconut oil was, for me, one of those foods that I had to think through. Admittedly, I didn’t take the time to do this right away. For many years now, tropical oils have been limited and discouraged and here we are putting coconut oil on the highest pedestal of all. I’m not going that far…if for no other reason than I tend to not worship individual foods. Unless of course those foods are toffee, avocados, or king crab legs. Maybe even some fresh mozzarella or Gruyere.

I digress. Coconut oil…it’s good. In moderation. Just like butter…but healthier than butter (not that butter is healthy in the slightest..unfortunately). And most importantly, it’s great in these cookies!

It’s Friday!! Wooo! Labs and rounds with the doc and then it’s the weekend! Sad to not be spending it with my mama, but anxious to celebrate her anyways and enjoy the beautiful weekend weather we are expecting here in Ohio.

TGIF,

When we got Lily, our bulldog, life changed…a lot. People say having a dog is good preparation for children and I would like to think this is true. In which case, we are very prepared future parents. I can’t remember if it was my parents or my in-laws who said that having children may prove to be less challenging that rearing our Lily. Princess? Adorable? Spoiled? Brilliant? Privileged? Stubborn as all get out? She’s all of the above.

For the first 6 months of her life, Lily was blocked off from the carpet in our home in Tulsa. It was our first home, and a new home, and we wanted to keep it looking good. We would spend our evenings on our tiled kitchen and dining room floors, playing with Lily, trying to maintain our evening routine. Needless to say, it was long. And trying.

But, our training paid off. Miss Lily had one accident, on day #1 that we had her…and that was it. Other than the time she chewed up a window sill or the time she ate a plug-in night light, she’s been fairly free of “accidents” and doggy misbehavior. Thankful, she’s never been a “chewer”.

I’ve mentioned it before, but even now I spend most of my time on the floor with Lily as she’s not allowed on the couch (or in bed)…and she doesn’t allow me to be more than 0.2 inches from her at any given time. But on the days she goes to “daycare” (Wednesdays – typically, my longest day at work), she’s a sure bet for an evening of solid snoring. Which means, I get a night “off” and can spend some time doing what I want, where I want…like on the couch.

Last night, Mr. Prevention wanted to watching something on the theater screen in the basement, so we retreated to watch our show. Afterwards, I went up to the second floor to grab a shower, not bothering to check on Lily who was in the dark living room on the main floor.

A few minutes later, Mr. P walked into the bathroom and said, “I just had to put your dog in her crate.” I immediately asked why as she hasn’t been crated in about a year, maybe even longer.

“She was on the couch when I came up from the basement…just sprawled out, relaxing and snoring away!”

Seeing as it was only 9:15pm, I went downstairs to catch up on emails, etc. There she was….standing in her crate with a “What the heck” look on her face and a quick head tilt to the side. I let her out and with that, her crate latch made a very distinct metal-on-metal noise that Mr. Prevention heard from alllllllllll the way in our bedroom.

“Did you let her out?!” he screamed. He knew the answer.

Then, he said, “I bet you’re going to give her some CHICKEN because I was ‘mean’. Don’t do it, Nicole. Don’t do it.”

While I wasn’t going to give her chicken (even though I usually do, as was the case with these burgers), I couldn’t let her stay in there all night. Lily is very, very smart and I think she learned her lesson about trying her luck with snoozing on the couch. It does make me wonder what all she’s up to when we’re gone all day, however.

P.S. I totally got yelled at for not making Lily sleep in her crate. Softy mom.

Be well,

My in-laws were in this past weekend for Mr. Prevention’s half marathon. I regularly use entertaining as an excuse to make recipes that otherwise remain on the “danger zone/must make” list of recipes I want need to try.

Not surprisingly, dessert recipes are more popular than “healthy” options on any blog. And in the case of these truffles, I can certainly see why. When I saw them, I drooled on the keyboard…instantaneously. Biscoff is absolutely incredible and as I learned this weekend, thanks to my sister-in-law, Trader Joe’s sells a cookie spread that is very similar to Biscoff (!!).

When I was in San Fran for the FoodBuzz Festival I ended up at the Biscoff store with this girl and this girl. I left with a Biscoff latte (oh-em-gee) and a jar of Biscoff spread. The Biscoff spread was later confiscated at airport security because it was “spreadable”. I almost hate to admit that I firmly prompted (yelled at?) SOMEONE from the TSA to enjoy the $8 Biscoff that was taken from me.

Fast forward to about a month ago when I was walking through my Kroger, heading from produce to seafood, when I ran across a small display of Biscoff cookies and spread. Naturally, a jar made its way home with me and I enjoyed it on Whole Wheat English Muffin Bread for a solid week. Let’s just say…the jar should’ve lasted longer than it did.

The jar I bought for this recipe stayed sealed until I was ready to make these. I am not to be trusted near an open jar of Biscoff and after making these for my in-laws, I bet they share a similar obsession with this addicting cookie spread.

Let’s just say these truffles didn’t last past night #1, so Saturday I got the chance to whip up another dessert…that was a bit on the healthier side. But more on that another day.

I looked through to recall the very few truffles I’ve made in the past and while there are none that fall to the back of the pack, these most certainly lead the pack. The Biscoff cookies are so buttery and rich and when you add Biscoff spread and cream cheese to the mix, covered in white chocolate…I mean, c’mon. What’s not to love?

I generally think of truffles as being a labor intensive dessert, but these were really very simple. A few whips around a stand mixer and some chocolate melting in the microwave and wha-bam. Done.

And then…they’re gone. Because yes, they are that good.

Annddd…now I want Biscoff for breakfast! Ahh!

Be well,

Yesterday, I was sitting at my desk charting away on some of my afternoon patients. Even though my office is right off the clinic floor, it remains pretty quite within my four walls.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get a “feeling” that something isn’t right. That happened yesterday afternoon. I got up, walked out my office door, and there was a code blue going on. Right. There.

Someone was already on the phone with 911 and the staff was grabbing the crash cart.

It was scary. And a bit surreal - I had just been talking to the patient 5 minutes earlier.

Within minutes, there were 2 ambulances and a fire truck and 12 (yes, 12) firemen and paramedics in our clinic. Because I am not “direct patient care”, my job is to be sure the other patients stay calm.

Well, my job was easy. All but one patient slept through the entire ordeal. Chest compressions. Talking AED’s. The whole 9 yards. Just snoozin’ away.

The one patient who was awake…she was taking pictures of the paramedics and firemen. “I love a man in uniform!” she said. To see a 79-year-old take photos on a cell phone of paramedics tushies certainly lightened the air. I was able to laugh about it later…pretty hard. Our office clerk even joked with the patient, handing her a tissue and joking with her to wipe up the drool on his chin. Too funny.

As for my patient, he’s okay. Phew.

What does this story have to do with Baked Quinoa and Chicken Parmesan? Absolutely nothing other than being  truly memorable like the code blue yesterday. This dish, however, is sure to keep your heart healthy and your pulse regular and strong.

Chicken Parmesan, in all of its Italian inauthentic glory, is a weakness of mine. What’s not to love about cheesy chicken and tomato sauce served with pasta? Not…a…thing. This dish encompasses all that I love most about chicken parm with far less guilt (none at all, in fact!), lots of nutrition, and a kind price tag. Moreover, it is gluten-free, carb-controlled, high-fiber, and packed with protein.

Dinner for under 350 calories and less than $2 per serving is certainly memorable. But don’t take my word for the taste…you should make that memory and have it last for yourself. Mmmm!

Mr. P and I went out for a run last night, and a mile away from home it started it POUR. I hate rain!!! It put me in a cruddy mood the rest of the night.Weather.com, you are not to be trusted!

Be well,