Is there such thing as a life-changing salad? About seven years ago, on the date of my twenty-third birthday, I knew I had to make a change. I’d just eaten my way through a Brazilian steakhouse birthday dinner and felt terrible. I was heavier than I’d ever been and was just physically burnt-out. I’ve always been plus-size, but knew I wasn’t living well in that moment. Just a year and a half out of college, and living on my own for the first time, I was still learning how to t

One of my favorite kitchen activities is to play a home version of Chopped: I scan the fridge and pantry for leftover ingredients from recent meals and come up with innovative ways to use them. For example, you can make an excellent chimmichurri-inspired pesto from leftover parsley, cilantro, almonds, and parmesan (not to mention a healthy dose of fresh garlic and olive oil.) Instead of competing with another person, I compete with myself for how inventive I can make each sub

If there’s one thing I can do consistently well, it’s chicken. It’s the main protein in our household – fairly light, easily flavored, and not too difficult to prepare. As long as you’re not doing a full roast, it’s the perfect dish for a busy weeknight. Which brings me to mix-and-match chicken. This is my foolproof recipe for a delicious, easy, and fulfilling meal, especially if you’re tired after coming home from work. The concept is simple, requiring six basic elements for