These pages hold not only our best recipes but our favorites. The greatest hits — the ones we cook most often, the ones we have taped to the front of the fridge, the ones we crave, and the ones we rely on. The ones we mark with a gold star sticker in the binder of recipe printouts.

On this page:

  1. Balanced Plate files
  2. Spice Mixes
  3. Heavy rotation
  4. Links to additional gold-star pages

Balanced Plate files

Balancing protein, carbs, produce, and fats for satisfying nutrition.

Spice Mixes

  • Mexican spice blend (link): Mix equal parts mild chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, Mexican oregano, and smoked paprika.
  • Salt-free Taco Seasoning: Combine 1 Tablespoon chili powder, 1 Tablespoon cumin powder, 3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon each garlic powder, dried onion, oregano powder, and ground black pepper.
    • Makes enough for 2 packages of ground turkey.
    • Use 2 Tablespoons of taco seasoning (equivalent to 1 store-bought packet) to season a 1.25 lb (20 oz.) package of ground turkey.
    • A single batch version of this mix is used in Taco Seasoning / Turkey Taco Bowl.

Heavy rotation

Literally taped to the front of our refrigerator, and I mean that literally.

  • Balanced green smoothies (1 cup milk | 1 protein | 1 cup greens | 1 cup unsweetened fruit | 1 Tbsp nut butter)
  • Best Recipe: Big Buttermilk Biscuits can be made as drop biscuits or patted out into squares.
  • Overnight chia pudding for 2
  • Deviled eggs for 2
  • Garlicky yogurt dip and marinade
  • Mild guacamole
  • Nora Ephron vinaigrette: Mix 1 Tbsp Grey Poupon mustard with 1 Tbsp good red wine vinegar (or balsamic). Then, whisking constantly with a fork, slowly add 3 Tbsp olive oil until the vinaigrette is thick and creamy. Diced shallot optional.
  • Protein breakfast bowl: Made with cottage cheese and Greek yogurt
  • Salted limeade: Heat 1/4 cup water in the microwave and stir in 1 to 2 Tbsp sugar and 1/8 tsp salt until dissolved. Add 1/4 cup key lime juice and stir to combine. Fill a large glass with ice; pour limeade mix over ice and dilute with additional water.

Links to additional gold-star pages