A Love Letter to Chickpeas

What superfood is considered both a vegetable and a protein, and is probably sitting in the back of your pantry right now? It’s the beloved chickpea, which in my opinion could use a little more notoriety. Superfood, by definition, is when a food offers high levels of desirable nutrients that are also linked to the… Read more »

Nostalgic and Nutritious

Wally’s Desert Turtle is one of our valley’s most revered establishments. Built in 1978 as Wally Botello’s lifetime legacy, the elegant restaurant has served many desert legends including Frank Sinatra, Bob and Dolores Hope and President Gerald and Mrs. Betty Ford, to name a few.  A trip to Wally’s is always a special treat, but… Read more »

King Oyster Mushroom Scallops

This vegan delicacy, made with mushrooms disguised as scallops, will surprise and delight! It is easy to make at home or visit Wildest Restaurant + Bar where Chef Trilby will gladly prepare her gourmet version for you. Ingredients 1/2 pound king oyster mushroom cut into scallop shaped rings and caps. Specialty mushrooms are available from… Read more »

Explore Your Wildest Side

Casual elegance and an array of gourmet vegan and gluten-free offerings are why we love Wildest Restaurant + Bar. Whether you’re looking for cocktails and appetizers or a four-course dinner with friends, you’ll find both guilty and good-for-you options at this popular Palm Desert destination. Wildest is the innovation of health advocate and wine aficionado… Read more »

Cauliflower Cheese Bread

From one of our favorite books, It’s A No Grainer (Jan/Feb 2023), this grain-free, low-carb bread is a tasty and satisfying alternative. Great as an appetizer to dip in marinara or as a simple side dish. Makes 10-12 servings. Ingredients: Preheat oven to 375ºF.  Rinse cauliflower, remove outer leaves and separate into florets with a… Read more »

Made with Love

Whenever we travel, we are always on the lookout for that colorful, quaint café that seems to say, “Come in. Get comfortable and make yourself at home.” That is precisely the feeling you get when you walk through the door of Chúla Artisan Eatery. You are always greeted by smiling faces, many who have been… Read more »

Big Game Winner!

Another exceptional serving from It’s a No Grainer, these unique bite-size apps combine the flavors of Italy – fresh buffalo mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes and fresh basil – with lean ground turkey for a game winning touchdown. Ingredients:  (Makes 16 meatballs) •  Marinara sauce for dipping Directions: Tips: May be cooked in two batches if pan… Read more »

Adequate Daily Protein is Vital to Longevity

Discussions around muscle usually revolve around “fitness” level and not health. However, muscle is vital for survival and built and maintained by amino acids from protein, so nutrition and muscle maintenance are worth a discussion. Up until our mid-30s, hormones accelerate our growth. Yet as we age, we rely more on amino acids and require… Read more »

Are Plant-Based Burgers Healthier?

For years, we’ve been told to cut back on red meat to improve health and reduce greenhouse emissions, and to eat more plants instead. For those of us who have, the one thing we can still crave is a big, juicy burger. How excited were we when Beyond Beef and Impossible Burgers hit the shelves? … Read more »

Savory Egg Muffins

These healthy breakfast egg muffins are easy, low carb and great for meal prep. Best part is they are gluten, dairy and grain-free. Perfect for just about any nutritional lifestyle!  Makes 12  Ingredients: 9 eggs (or egg substitutes) 1 tablespoon oil (olive, avocado or coconut) 1 clove garlic, finely chopped or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder… Read more »

Maqui Hemp Smoothie

At Revitalize, we love superfoods for their powerful healing properties, and two of our favorites are maqui (pronounced “mah-kee”) and sacha inchi (“saa·shuh in·chee”). Maqui is a South American plant with purple-black berries that contain 30 times the antioxidant value of acai. It is believed to be one of the most antioxidant plants on earth… Read more »

Sweet Potato and Collard Green Gratin

Happy Holidays! This is the season we get to enjoy time with family and friends and share amazing food and wine. Here’s one of my favorite holiday recipes offering a creamy variation of sweet potatoes that all can enjoy as they are vegan andgluten-free.  Ingredients:  4 medium sized sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into ¼… Read more »

Pan-roasted Limey Cilantro Chicken

I came across this recipe a while back, but it was complicated. Life is about making things easier, so I simplified it for a quick and tasty meal that always “wows” company. I hope you enjoy it! (Serves 4) Marinade Ingredient: 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, split for the marinade and pan-frying.  Juice of… Read more »

Quinoa Salad

The Best Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas

So fresh and flavorful, this Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas is simple and doesn’t involve heating up the kitchen. Made with bell peppers, fresh herbs, crisp cucumber, kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes, you’ll get a delicious blend of flavors in every bite! Servings: 6 1 cup dry quinoa ½ cup pitted kalamata olives, chopped 15… Read more »

El Paseo patio at night

A Sweet Spot

Since they opened in November, I’ve been eyeing Sweet Basil California Eatery. As you cruise down El Paseo, the brilliant white building with teal blue lettering beckons the casual diner with a cozy welcome as if to say, “Stop in. We’ve been expecting you.” I’ve now returned numerous times. Meeting friends for lunch one day,… Read more »