Its hard to believe, but our little guy is turning two in a few short months. For Holden’s 1st birthday party last June, I made this Frosted Watermelon Cake. He hadn’t had many sweets at that point, and this worked out to be the perfect first foray into dessert. Super simple to prepare and comprising very few ingredients, this faux cake makes for excellent photos, and you don’t need to feel bad when you dump the remainder after your wild one year old goes to town on it (as they will!). For a dairy free option, you can whip the cream that rises to the top of a can of refrigerated full fat coconut milk. Feel free to decorate with whatever berries or citrus you like, and have some backup cake for the celebrating adults!

Souvlaki has been a culinary favorite in Greece since ancient times. Homer makes mention of a meat and bread recipe resembling souvlaki, and there are also later references to street vendors selling souvlaki with pita in Constantinople during the Byzantine era. Today, this delicious combination remains just as popular. Often eaten on the street or taken home to enjoy, you can easily duplicate this recipe, and even make it a bit healthier, by cooking it yourself at home. Packed with filling protein from the chicken, calcium from the yogurt, and a bounty of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber from the vegetables, this recipe is a nutritional homerun and a fast family favorite.

A few weeks ago I met up with Karen Vizueta of Workout Hotel to film some healthy recipe videos at the YouTube studios in NYC. Karen is a fantastic workout instructor who teaches some of my favorite workout classes, and has an awesome YouTube channel with videos that are perfect for squeezing in at at home workout. We collaborated on a few recipes that are protein packed, plant based, and make for a great pre or post workout snack. These Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Balls are a favorite in our family, and a big hit with Holden. Stay tuned for more recipe videos with Karen, and be sure to check out her workouts!

A mainstay in Argentinian cuisine, chimichurri sauce is as versatile as it is delicious. Full of bright, punchy flavors, this sauce pairs beautifully with the classic Argentinian beef, and also works flawlessly with seafood and shellfish.

Cilantro contains powerful detox properties, helping to chelate heavy metals from the blood. Shrimp offers a lean source of protein to keep you satiated until your next meal.

This recipe makes for easy entertaining or a quick weeknight meal. Serve over rice or grains, or pair with greens for a well-rounded meal. Save any extra chimichurri to add a welcomed punch of flavor to leftovers all week long.

This pasta salad is the perfect addition to any summer gathering. It tastes deceptively decadent, but it’s also bathing suit-friendly. Make up a big batch; it doubles easily for a large crowd, and pair it with all your favorite summer grilling recipes. It also keeps well in the fridge overnight; perfect for making in advance so you can enjoy the party.

This flatbread celebrates the best of spring produce, and makes a quick and delicious appetizer for impromptu entertaining. You can also easily swap in ripe heirloom tomatoes, or even thinly sliced zucchini for the figs here, or do a tasty combination of all three! Just use whatever is local and seasonal and ripe where you live. If you’re outdoors and have your grill kicking, just throw this flatbread on the grates for 6-8 minutes. Delicious!

I’ve never met a margarita I didn’t like. This sweet and frosty version uses a whole lemon (or lime or orange) for a zesty kick, and fresh ginger for heat and spice. Toss all the ingredients in your blender, and you’ve got a delicious cocktail faster than you can say “fiesta!”

This quick and easy asparagus tart celebrates spring with its bright, lemony flavors & fresh seasonal produce. You’ll have everyone fooled when you serve this impressive looking dish. Its deceptively simple and easy to make with just a few ingredients, yet the results are company-worthy, and perfect for your Easter celebrations!

These gluten free pancakes are so delicious; you won’t even suspect they’re different from your favorite less healthy recipe. Light, fluffy, golden brown and delicious, these make the perfect lazy weekend breakfast with fresh summer fruit. Alternatively, you can make up a batch for yourself, and freeze the leftovers for a warm and healthy breakfast for weeks to come.

This quick & easy version of empanadas makes these delicious treats totally doable in your home kitchen, without having to fuss with making your own dough. Refrigerated crescent roll dough makes the perfect buttery foundation for this delectable recipe, and saves you tons of time. Feel free to use whatever filling here you like- ground beef, shredded chicken, or roasted and diced vegetables all work seamlessly. Mash up with easy 5-minute guacamole recipe below, pull out your favorite hot sauce, and you’re in for a real fiesta!

This cozy white bean chicken chili is just the thing to tide you over until the arrival of warmer spring days. Packed with spicy jalapeños, zesty lime, and savory spices, this delicious soup adds a kick to any mealtime. Make up a double batch, it saves well, freezes beautifully, and makes for amazing leftovers!

Serve this recipe as an appetizer and watch them rapidly disappear! Or serve with a simply dressed green salad for a meal everyone will be excited for.

This bright and zesty Thai recipe packs a ton of flavor and satisfaction into every bite. Flank steak is one of the leanest cuts of beef, lower in fat than other cuts while still being protein rich. A quick marinade and a fast sear will coax the maximum amount of flavor out of the steak, which pairs perfectly with lightly dressed rice noodles. Cilantro can help remove heavy metals from the blood, and also can balance blood sugar levels, while mint boosts digestion and basil acts as an anti-inflammatory. Gluten free, dairy free, and protein packed, this recipe caters to a wide swathe of dietary needs, making it ideal for entertaining.

A health food these rich & fudgy bars are not, but they sure are delicious! Layers of graham cracker crust, chocolate fudge, salty peanut butter chips, and chocolate chip cookie dough bake together into a sum far better than its parts. Make a batch of these for your next get together, birthday, or bake sale and be prepared to share the recipe! For a variation on this base recipe, swap in an equal amount of your favorite candy bar chopped up, for the peanut butter chips.

This riff on a decadent Italian classic allows you to indulge without the carb overload of regular pasta. Spiralized zucchini, also known as zoodles, stands in for spaghetti in this fast and delicious recipe. A nutrient dense food, zucchini boasts health-protecting antioxidants and phytonutrients including vitamins A and C, beta-carotene, folate, polyphenols, and fiber. Clams are a tasty source of lean protein, omega-3 fatty acids. and contain zinc which bolsters your immune system. This recipe is easily doubled and is perfect for entertaining.  

Bright and zesty orange and grapefruit balance perfectly with salty, creamy feta, and crispy quinoa adds texture and protein to this delicious dish. Citrus fruits offer a multitude of health benefits. Vitamin C acts as a powerful antioxidant protecting the body from free-radicals, and flavonoids can help protect against heart disease. Serve this salad in the last few weeks of summer, accompanied by grilled fish or chicken to round out the meal if desired.

This sweet and spicy cocktail is just the thing to liven up all your holiday entertaining. Sweet cider mixes with peppery ginger beer for a match made in cocktail heaven. Set out the ingredients for these Moscow Mules at your next party and let your guests play bartender.

This vegan quinoa burrito bowl is packed with so much flavor, you won’t even miss the meat. Dressed with a creamy, spicy chipotle dressing, you’ll want to double the recipe and take it for lunch the next day. Lucky for you, all the components for this bowl keep and pack well. 

Rotel. And while there's a time and a place for everything (including non-dairy cheese!), this more natural, homemade version of queso is quick, simple, and beyond delicious. This dip will be a sure-fire hit at your next party, tailgate, or movie marathon. Make up a big batch, and watch it disappear!   

If you're looking for a healthy, simple appetizer for holiday entertaining, look no further than these smoked salmon sweet potato bites. Super delicious and ready in a flash, these bites are the perfect starter for all your holiday parties and cocktail hours. Make up a bunch and watch them disappear!