Holli Thompson

I spoke recently about superfoods and smoothies at an event in Washington, DC, and I was surprised at how many people had never tried, or even heard of chia seeds. Is that you? Chia seeds benefit us with anti-inflammatory properties; they’re a healthy source of Omega 3 fatty acids, high in fiber and protein, and smoothie lovers appreciate how they thicken naturally when these tiny seeds are added to liquid. They taste almost like old school tapioca pudding. Here’s my latest version of chia pudding. I prefer using liquid stevia to keep my sugar intake in check, but you can use whatever healthy sweetener you have in the cupboard. Fresh raspberries are abundant right now, and southern pecans make me feel like summer. Here’s hoping you love it! Ingredients 2 cup coconut milk 15 drops liquid vanilla stevia (note: you can substitute 2 tsp of maple syrup or honey if you desire) 1/2 cup whole chia seeds 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pinch sea salt 1 teaspoon raw cacao powder 1 cup fresh raspberries plus extra for topping 1/4 cup chopped pecans for topping 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for topping Preparation 1. In a 1-quart mason jar or other container with…

Craving more meat and animal protein in the colder weather? You’re not alone. Many people do this time of year. And yet venturing too far down that path may not be the best for your health for many reasons. Excessive meat consumption has been linked to higher cancer rates, heart disease, and digestive disorders. Meat takes longer than most foods to digest, and has a longer transit time in your digestive system than plant-based foods, like vegetables, fruits or seeds. And then there’s the pH theory of nutrition. Animal proteins create an acidic environment in your body as they are digested, and your body neutralizes in order to maintain the slightly alkaline environment it prefers. Because your body likes to be slightly alkaline, if you eat too many foods that are acidic, it will scramble to return itself to the right pH balance. Your pH is the number that measures how acidic or alkaline something is (A pH of 7 is neutral). Maintaining a proper pH is important for digestion, energy, clear skin, and your overall well being. It’s surprisingly easy to re-balance, however, so don’t despair. If you’ve been splurging this season, try to incorporate the following alkaline foods…

You may have heard me recently referring to the Lodge at Woodloch, a destination spa in the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania. I ran away to “the Lodge” last month after turning in my book, in need of both movement and rest. The Lodge is located in the Pocono mountains, in a gorgeous mountain-top setting northeast from Scranton, PA. More coming on this lovely get-a-way, but I had to share this unique Quinoa Seaweed Salad with you. (I posted it on Instagram the other day, and my friends are asking for this recipe.) This is the creation of Chef Adam Mosher, for the Lodge at Woodloch. Ingredients: 3 cups quinoa (any color) cooked, and cooled 1 package of prepared seaweed salad from Whole Foods (quick fix) or the following to make your own Seaweed Salad 1 package wakame seaweed 2 tablespoons tamari soy sauce 2 tablespoons sesame oil ¼ cup mirin 2 cloves garlic 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 2 tablespoon honey ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil ¼ cup toasted white sesame seeds Preparation: 1. Slice the dried wakame seaweed very thinly. 2. Combine remaining Seaweed Salad ingredients in a blender and puree on high to blend. 3. Mix the dressing into…