Toasted Coconut, Quinoa & Oats Cereal

Since I don't work in a psychiatric emergency room every night anymore, I'm much more equipped to curb my stress-eating-tendencies, which included uncontrollably munching a half a box of Cheez-its in one sitting, scarfing oreo cookies for dinner and...the never fail.... mindlessly shoving pizza slices down my gullet. Sounds peachy, doesn't it? Now that my work hours are reduced, I'm going for long walks with my beagle. When I eat pizza, I'm sitting down, with my husband, to savor it. I'm also whipping up my favorite cereal. Life, for the moment, is more balanced. 

My homemade granola cereal has delicious coconut flavor and a crunchy texture. It fills the kitchen with divine, warm aromas as it bakes. My husband sprinkles it on yogurt with fresh fruit or honeyed strawberries. I love to mix-in dark chocolate chips and eat it with very cold milk.  

Think you don't like quinoa? Think again! When it's toasted with oats and maple syrup, something magical happens. Even picky eaters will love this healthy breakfast. They won't even know the quinoa is in it. Loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, omegas, trace minerals, fiber, iron and protein, I always feel well nourished after eating it. Get your crunch on!

Strawberry Cucumber Salsa With Thai Flavors

One summer, Tom and I were lucky enough to vacation on a remote part of Martha’s Vineyard with my sister and her husband.  I’d been planning this trip for most of my life, since I’ve always wanted to stay there. It seemed like a distant, dream-like place of amber light and blue water. It was everything I imagined it to be.

Strawberry Mango Salsa With Thai Flavors

With two ripe mangoes, some Thai basil (or regular basil) a squeeze of fresh lime, a chili pepper for heat, a few strawberries for sweet, a red pepper for crunch, you can whip up this salsa.  It's a tropical and refreshing alongside a piece of locally caught and grilled bluefish. It's good on chicken or with tortilla chips too.