Unda-Style Avocado Quesadillas

In by Madison Mayberry8 Comments

  Thank you all so much for your enthusiastic response to the ‘healthified’ recipe project! Between your comments and e-mails, I now have a full list of recipes to choose from. My plan is to slowly work through the recipes over the next couple months, but bear with me if I’m a little slow at getting to your recipe or suggestion. Things are a little crazy over here. While I’m 100% over the moon about getting married, I’ve started to … Read More

Send Me Your Family Faves

In Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry10 Comments

Family-favorite recipes. We’ve all got them, some healthier than others. These biscuits, pictured above, were a staple of my childhood. Warm, flakey, buttery, and typically served with a piping hot bowl of beef stew. My mother is a fabulous cook. When I first started seriously reading food magazines in high school, one of my favorite columns was the section in Cooking Light where they take a classic recipe and make it healthier with a few small tweaks and substitutions. Mac … Read More

Belgian Spice Cookies

In by Madison Mayberry4 Comments

  I realize that it makes absolutely no sense for me to be posting a recipe for spice cookies in June. But sometimes thinking, cooking and eating seasonally-appropriate foods is just so daunting. And sometimes you just want a hearty, soft, spice-filled cookie.  Last week during a particularly strong heat wave I had split pea soup from Trader Joe’s, a piece of whole grain baguette and a spice cookie for dinner. It was delicious and I enjoyed it with a … Read More

Vegan Strawberry Streusel Bread

In by Madison Mayberry7 Comments

If I’m completely honest with myself, the reason I’ve avoided vegan baking is because it seems scary and unknown. Butter and eggs I understand. I know that when you add them to recipes they produce soft, rich, fluffy baked goods that make people oooh and ahhh. Vegan baking, on the other hand, is another world full of words like flax eggs, vegan margarine and the likes. So to help you all, and myself, out I stopped by Mama Pea’s site, … Read More

1 Month!

In Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry9 Comments

In exactly 30 days from today, I will be walking down the isle to marry this man. And while it’s easy to get caught up in the planning, details and little stressors leading up to the big day, at the heart of it all is Joey, who is not only my best friend but an amazing man all around. Thank you, Joey, for making me the happiest I’ve ever been and for loving me unconditionally.

Tropical Coconut Smoothie

In by Madison Mayberry6 Comments

  Thanks to everyone who entered the Larabar giveaway. The winner is Roxy who said:  E-mail me at madisonjanemayberry@gmail.com and I will get your Larabars in the mail!  On Tuesday I had the pleasure of visiting the dentist and having four fillings done. It was, as you can imagine, about as fun as it sounds. Two new cavities and two old repairs makes for one awfully sore mouth and some pretty numb lips.  I really should do a better job … Read More

Favorite Nutrition Bars and Larabar Giveaway

In Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry67 Comments

The two questions I get asked most frequently about food revolve around my favorite nutrition bars and protein powders. I’ll save protein powder for another day because it deserves its own post. For now, let’s hit the bars. I should start off by saying that protein and nutrition bars are a highly personal thing and that what is right for me might not be what suits your needs and dietary restrictions. I’ve done my best to highlight a variety of … Read More

Raw Corn and Tomato Salad with Basil-Lime Dressing

In by Madison Mayberry12 Comments

I loved being in Austin over the past four days, but there is nothing quite like coming home and getting back into the groove of a schedule and routine. Don’t get me wrong, the food in Austin was amazing, but at the end of the day I would rather just eat at home. The process of cooking my own food and preparing meals with ingredients from my kitchen is such a safe, soothing and relaxing process. I think that has … Read More

IACP: Day 2

In Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry9 Comments

With day two of IACP under my belt, I think it’s safe to say it was a success. The morning was filled with classes, including a chat with super-talented photographer Penny De Los Santos and New York Times food journalist Kim Severson. And although I could go on for hours about the amazing things I learned and digested from the classes, let’s cut to the really good stuff, shall we? Meet my friend Dorie Greenspan. I suppose calling us ‘friends’ … Read More

Greetings from Austin!

In Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry5 Comments

     This week marks my first-ever trip to Austin, Texas, and my first time attending the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) annual conference. I only have a day under my belt, but already this experience has been rewarding, challenging and incredibly educational. Although most who meet me wouldn’t guess it, I am incredibly shy at times. I think it must have something to do with the fact that I grew up for much of my life as an only … Read More

Protein: Part 2

In Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry6 Comments

I got lots of great feedback on my protein post a few weeks ago and found that many of you were surprised to find out how much protein can come from non-meat sources. I think it’s important, vegetarian or not, to know where protein can be found in order to incorporate it into snacks and meals and keep hunger at bay. Although I eat ‘meat replacement’ type foods, such a veggie sausage and veggie burgers, on occasion, today’s meals are … Read More

Cocoa Protein ‘Muffin’

In by Madison Mayberry8 Comments

Breakfast is my absolute favorite meal of the day. As strange as it may be, I think about what I’m going to have for breakfast while drifting off to sleep the night before. Breakfast is a big deal around here. In the past I skipped breakfast more times than I’d like to admit, thinking that it was better to avoid racking up calories first thing in the morning. My poor metabolism. Now I aim to eat about 400 to 500 … Read More