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The easiest, yummiest way to eat your greens.

  • Aug 4
  • 2 min read

Have you heard of pesto?

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If not, you're in for a treat!


Pesto is an italian sauce made from blending basil leaves with garlic, olive oil, pine nuts and parmesan cheese.


It's seriously so easy, you just plop the ingredients in a blender/food processor and mix until combined. That's it!


It's a great alternative to red sauce on pasta and pizza and kids usually LOVE it, despite it's Green-ness. Here's my 2 year old eating it by the spoonful!

Pesto is a kid favorite!
Pesto is a kid favorite!

My favorite summer meal = pesto spread on baguette slices topped with garden fresh tomatoes.

Pesto Bread! Baguette slices, topped with fresh tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese.
Pesto Bread! Baguette slices, topped with fresh tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese.

Basil is high in antioxidants and phytonutrients that help prevent chronic diseases (like cancer, heart disease, etc). It's basically like eating spinach, but with more flavor!

You can use any type of nut in pesto. I tend to use inexpensive almonds.
You can use any type of nut in pesto. I tend to use inexpensive almonds.

While traditional pesto is made from basil and pine nuts, this can get expensive. Here's what I use to make it more affordable:

  • broccoli, spinach or parsley for some of the basil

  • canola oil instead of olive oil

  • almonds or sunflower seeds instead of pine nuts (pine nuts are so expensive)

  • parmesan cheese is essential, but you can use nutritional yeast if you can't have dairy

  • NEVER use dried basil, it just doesn't work.


Next time you are at the farmer's market, pick up some basil for pesto. I've never met a person who doesn't love my pesto bread (pesto sauce, spread on a baguette and topped with tomato).

farmers market basil!
farmers market basil!


Here are my 3 favorite recipes for pesto.


Basic Pesto Recipe:

New York Times basic basil pesto recipe - I sometimes use almonds and canola oil to save $$
New York Times basic basil pesto recipe - I sometimes use almonds and canola oil to save $$

Spinach and sunflower seed pesto recipe:

Budget Bytes Pesto
Budget Bytes Pesto

Broccoli Pesto Recipe


MJ and Hungryman Broccoli Pesto Pasta
MJ and Hungryman Broccoli Pesto Pasta

Enjoy your pesto making!


Let me know if you try it!

Top 5 Dietitian Approved Minimal-Cook Meal Ideas

  • Jul 17
  • 3 min read

I get tired when it's hot.


When I get tired, I don't feel like cooking.


So basically: summer = me wanting Little Cesar's Pizza every meal.


But health is more important to me than convenience, so I somehow find the energy to drag myself into the kitchen to whip up something quick and healthy (most nights).


Here's what I aim for when making a healthy meal:

whole grain

lean protein

fruit & vegetable


Here are my 5 go-to summer meal ideas:


#1 Quesadillas with canned beans, salsa and mango smoothie

AI image of whole wheat tortilla, beans, pico de gallo, and mango smoothie
AI image of whole wheat tortilla, beans, pico de gallo, and mango smoothie

Why is this healthy?

  • Fiber from the beans & tortilla (buy a high fiber tortilla, there's lot of options!)

  • Protein in the milk, cheese, beans and tortilla

  • Vitamins and minerals in the salsa, mango and milk


How to do it?

  1. cook tortillas & cheese in microwave or on a griddle/fry pan

  2. blend milk + mango in a blender, I don't add sweetened, but you might need a little

  3. top tortilla with beans and salsa


#2 Plain yogurt + berries + cereal

Image from unsplash of berries, yogurt, cereal and nuts (avoid whole nuts for young children)
Image from unsplash of berries, yogurt, cereal and nuts (avoid whole nuts for young children)

Why is this healthy?

  • yogurt is high in protein and calcium

  • berries are super high in fiber + nutrients that help with brain development

  • choose a low sugar cereal that is high in fiber (like cheerios or grape nuts)


How to do it?

  • I use frozen berries to cut costs

  • I microwave frozen berries until they are like syrup and pour them into the yogurt

  • top with cereal (granola also works, but it's often hard for babies to eat)


#3 Tuna Salad on whole wheat bread + lettuce + fresh fruit

Tuna salad sandwich with lettuce, tomatoes and cheese, courtesy of Unsplash
Tuna salad sandwich with lettuce, tomatoes and cheese, courtesy of Unsplash

Why is this healthy?

  • tuna is high in omega-3 fats, which are important for babies brains & mom's bodies!

  • A can of tuna has 22 grams of protein!

  • Choose a whole wheat bread with 3-4 grams of fiber


How to do it?

  • drain can of tuna, stir in mayo (and pickles and mustard if you like)

  • put tuna on top of bread

  • top with lettuce and eat! Serve fresh fruit on the side

  • I prefer to toast my bread first, and I like it best with lot of lettuce


#4 Cottage Cheese, crackers, sliced cucumbers & strawberries

These are the only kind of crackers I buy. They are low in salt and high in fiber.
These are the only kind of crackers I buy. They are low in salt and high in fiber.

Why is this healthy?

  • cottage cheese has 13 grams protein per 1/2 cup

  • Triscuit crackers have 3 grams fiber per 6 crackers, I buy hint of salt variety to cut down on my salt.

  • cucumbers have fiber potassium, and provide a satisfying crunch!


How to do it?

  • top crackers with cottage cheese

  • Serve sliced fruit and veggies on the side


#5 Toast with peanut butter and bananas

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Why is this healthy?

  • choose a whole wheat bread with at least 3 grams of fiber per slice

  • peanut butter is high in protein and healthy fats

  • bananas are high in vitamins and potassium!


How to do it?

  • toast bread (or don't)

  • spread with peanut butter and sliced bananas

  • Sprinkle with cinnamon for extra delight

  • I like to drink a glass of milk with this meal!


Unsure about how to serve these types of meals to your baby?


After I wrote this post, I got an email from the website Feedinglittles.com. The email contained a few more meal ideas, but presented in a beautiful graphic design! Check out these photos below from feedinglittles.com


This website has great ideas on how to feed babies, and I get their email newsletter weekly. There is a lot of info that requires you to pay, but the free stuff is excellent too! If you want to learn more about nutrition, ask your Family Advocate for a free consult with the Registered Dietitian. When you are out of the program, this would be a great resource if you want additional nutrition education.


PHOTO AND WRITING FROM FEEDINGLITTLES.COM
PHOTO AND WRITING FROM FEEDINGLITTLES.COM
PHOTO AND WRITING FROM FEEDINGLITTLES.COM
PHOTO AND WRITING FROM FEEDINGLITTLES.COM
PHOTO AND WRITING FROM FEEDINGLITTLES.COM
PHOTO AND WRITING FROM FEEDINGLITTLES.COM
PHOTO AND WRITING FROM FEEDINGLITTLES.COM
PHOTO AND WRITING FROM FEEDINGLITTLES.COM


Happy Eating!

Quick and Healthy Salads for Summer

  • Jul 9
  • 1 min read

One of the best things about summer is the abundance of fresh produce. Fresh, in season produce tastes so good and also makes for really great salads!


Here are a few of my favorite salad recipes that we eat all summer long.


Rice and Bean Salad

DDI VANTAGE frequently serves this salad at socializations during the summer. It's perfect for picnics!
DDI VANTAGE frequently serves this salad at socializations during the summer. It's perfect for picnics!

Cabbage and Ramen Salad

Cabbage and ramen can be a choking hazard for young children. Simply cook the ramen and add cabbage to the cooking water if serving children under 3 years of age.
Cabbage and ramen can be a choking hazard for young children. Simply cook the ramen and add cabbage to the cooking water if serving children under 3 years of age.

Pasta Salad

If you are cooking for babies, chop the veggies very small to avoid choking hazards.
If you are cooking for babies, chop the veggies very small to avoid choking hazards.

Salad Bar

Just put salad greens and whatever you have in your fridge on the table with some bottled dressing and call it a meal! Canned salty kidney beans are a family favorite for salad bar night.

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If you are looking for something a little fancier and different, I love these salad ideas from the blog "Cookie and Kate" https://cookieandkate.com/summer-salads/?


I frequently make her "Tabbouleh" recipe and plan to get a recipe for Tabbouleh on this blog soon.


I also love the salad ideas from Eating Bird Food, the recipes on her blog are always so easy to make and tasty: https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/category/meal-type/salads/


I hope this gives you some yummy ideas! Happy Salad Season!

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