In our culture of smoothies galore, anything goes. Smoothie add-ins range from whey protein to wheatgrass to collagen. I’m not betting on wrinkles miraculously disappearing by gulping smoothies. {Anything’s possible?} That said, this Chia Seed Pudding and this Tropical Green Smoothies are on-trend, healthy, and taste pretty awesome. But sometimes, we all just long for sweet and simple. Nothing…

By Gretchen McKay From Pittsburgh Post-Gazette When it comes to humble, ho-hum vegetables, cucumbers often find their way to the top of the list. Available in every grocery store produce aisle, no matter what the season, the long, green members of the gourd, or Cucurbitaceae, family of plants is so ubiquitous that the average American…

View the print-ready version of this recipe. What I love most about Overnight Oats is how nutrient rich and filling they are, plus the ingredients are ones I always have on hand. They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day so it’s nice to get started with something that isn’t just empty…

The buttermilk marinade lets these fried chicken tenders get crispy on the outside and stay deliciously juicy on the inside. The fresh crunchy slaw helps balance the richness of the chicken. Don’t have buttermilk on hand? Make a substitute by mixing the equivalent amount of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar….

By Gretchen McKay From Pittsburgh Post-Gazette For many of us, summer is the best time to throw a party. Getting everybody outside onto the porch, yard, or patio means you don’t have to worry about cleaning the house or squeezing a ton of people into a crowded space. Also, summer entertaining tends to be more…

Fourth of July may be over, but there is still much more grilling ahead this summer. Use some of the leftover chicken from your backyard cookout to make these delicious grilled chicken and peach kabobs. Peaches are one those must-have summer fruits, which is one reason why this kabob recipe is an easy chicken dinner perfect for summer. Pair…

Summer is a time for frozen desserts and easy grilled chicken recipes, but sometimes you just need something a little heartier, but that doesn’t mean you need to turn on the stove and heat up your house. This cool and easy gazpacho is a great way to incorporate a comforting dish into your summer dinner rotation. The elevated…

By Bethany Jean Clement From The Seattle Times   SEATTLE — Corn chowder does not sound like a thrill. A ubiquitous vegetable plus a soup intended to make use of any kind of ubiquitous stuff using also-ubiquitous milk and/or cream, plus other ubiquitous vegetables … should be fine. Not amazing, however. And, then, vegan corn…

Grain salads are always a good solution to cooking on hot summer days, since you can cook the grain in the early morning, leaving your kitchen cool for the rest of the day. I like experimenting with different rice and wheat varieties as the foundation for cooling summer salads, and I particularly like the toothsome,…