SEARCH RESULTS

We adore salads with a million toppings. Bring on the olives, avocado, croutons and goat cheese medallions.

Ever notice how fresh, nutritious foods not only taste great, but also happen to be absolutely beautiful?

Toss this unusual salad together the next time you want something different for a brown-bag lunch.

Do you like green eggs and ham? Would you like them here or there? Would you? Could you? In a car? Eat them!

Deviled eggs always bring a crowd-pleasing touch to start a meal or small party.

Grilling lean pork chops and thinly slicing them is a fast way to get that classic pork flavor found in many Mexican dishes.

Watermelon, Cucumber & Feta Salad Here's a healthy salad recipe to make at the height of summer when watermelon and cucumbers are at their juiciest and most flavorful. Feta adds the perfect creamy, salty, tangy edge, and mint makes this salad taste even brighter. This is one easy side salad you'll want to serve at all your summer BBQs. Ingredients ½ cup red-wine vinegar 2 teaspoons honey ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground pepper ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil 5 cups cubed seedless watermelon 1 English cucumber, chopped 6 ounces feta cheese, cut into 3/4-inch cubes ½ cup thinly sliced red onion 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint Directions Whisk vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl; gradually whisk in oil until completely incorporated. Combine watermelon, cucumber, feta, and onion in a large bowl. Gently stir in 1/2 cup of the vinaigrette. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes or up to 2 hours. Just before serving, gently stir in mint; drizzle with the remaining vinaigrette. Tips To make ahead: Prepare through Step 2 and refrigerate for up to 2 hours. Macaroni Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing Give classic pasta salad a fresher, more flavorful spin. This fast pasta dish calls for avocado to replace some of the mayonnaise, which makes it extra creamy. Whole-wheat elbow macaroni and fresh vegetables lighten up this healthy pasta salad that you'll be making all summer long. Ingredients 8 ounces whole-wheat elbow macaroni (about 2 cups) 1 cup chopped red bell pepper ½ cup thinly sliced celery 2 scallions, chopped 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or cilantro 1 ripe medium avocado ¼ cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons rice vinegar ¾ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon dried minced garlic ¼ teaspoon ground pepper Directions Cook macaroni in a large pot of boiling water according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water; drain again. Transfer to a large bowl. Add bell pepper, celery, scallions, and parsley (or cilantro). Halve the avocado, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh into a mini food processor. Add mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, dried garlic, and pepper. Process until smooth. Add the avocado dressing to the large bowl with the macaroni salad and stir until well coated. Tips To make ahead: Refrigerate for up to 1 day. Watermelon Fruit Pizza This refreshing fruit dessert pizza recipe swaps classic cookie crust with a healthier watermelon crust. Topped with yogurt sauce, your favorite berries, and mint, this fresh dessert can easily be doubled for a party or halved for every day. Ingredients ½ cup low-fat plain yogurt 1 teaspoon honey ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract 2 large round slices of watermelon (about 1 inch thick), cut from the center of the melon ⅔ cup sliced strawberries ½ cup halved blackberries 2 tablespoons torn fresh mint leaves Directions Combine yogurt, honey, and vanilla in a small bowl. Spread 1/4 cup yogurt mixture over each slice of watermelon. Cut each slice into 8 wedges. Top with strawberries, blackberries, and mint. Berry Sangria In this red, white, and blue sangria recipe, we've skipped the added sugar and used a slightly sparkling white wine, sweet dessert wine, and tons of fresh fruit to create a delicious, yet healthy cocktail. Ingredients 1 750-mL bottle Vinho Verde 1 cup Sauternes or ice wine 1 cup blueberries 1 cup sliced strawberries 1 star fruit, sliced 1 cup chilled plain seltzer Ice Directions Combine wine, Sauternes, blueberries, strawberries, and star fruit in a large pitcher. Refrigerate until cold, about 4 hours. Just before serving, stir in seltzer. Serve over ice. Tips Make-Ahead Tip: Refrigerate for up to 12 hours. Stir in seltzer just before serving. Thank you, eatingwell.com for your inspiration!

This produce-packed smoothie is a great way to get extra fruit and vegetables into your day.

I started thinking about one of my favorite quotes today and how this sort of mindset has shaped my life – for the better. “If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine; it is lethal.” ― Paulo Coelho We all have our routines – and for the most part, the things we do become routine because they’re either necessary, enjoyable, or both. We do the things that we need to do to take care of our families, we work, we care for our bodies, we keep the bills paid, but what do we do to care for our souls? I’m not talking about attending your regular Sunday services, I’m talking about doing the things that excite you, scare you, and challenge you in a way that you’ve never experienced before. I’m talking about: When is the last time you did something for the first time? Sharing those special “should we?” moments right before you do something wild like jump off the side of a boat, trying the flavor of a new and possibly terrible food, exchanging ideas and having incredible conversation with a complete stranger. I believe that being open to new opportunities is the first step to living a life that’s full of wonder. If you’re stuck in the same routine every day and you’re not open to switching things up imagine what you’ll miss!

Our dogs, Peanut, a beagle mix rescue we got from Stray Rescue of St. Louis, Moose and Magic, our forever-puppy labradors, are exuberant, loving, and perhaps the only members of our family who aren’t fans of travel. Though the Pronger pups don’t love life on the road, there are countless benefits to traveling with your beloved pets. If everyone’s on board for a trip by plane or car, traveling with your furry friends can be therapeutic, peaceful, and an enjoyable experience for you both. Hotels and resorts have taken notice of the desire for guests to not part with their pets while on vacation and many offer a variety of amenities that any world-traveling hound will adore. And, although my dogs are more comfortable at home with a trusted sitter, I’ve rounded up some considerations for anyone ready to take their pet on their next getaway. Does your dog like traveling? Considering if your pet is even a fan of travel should be the first step to planning any trip with your four-legged friend. If your pet would rather stay home than head to the beach or mountains, speak with your veterinarian to get suggestions for special accommodations while you’re gone! If your pet has special health consideration, boarding them at your vet’s office may be your best option. I have friends who’ve used services like Rover.com to find fabulous sitters, and there are a host of qualified caregivers there! Traveling with Your Pet: Car or Plane? Whether you’re booking your plane tickets or ready to load up the SUV, traveling with your dog can take some extra planning. Be sure to speak with your airline representative to ensure you’re taking all necessary precautions and you’re ready for what their procedures will entail. Some airlines may deny travel for your pet depending on their age, size and breed. If you’re planning to travel by car, be sure to plan for extra stops. Allowing your dog to stretch their legs regularly is good for both you and them! Take the extra time to walk, stretch, and enjoy the sights of an entirely new place to your pet. Ask your vet about creating a special feeding schedule for your dog while on the road. Some dogs may travel better on an empty stomach while seasoned road-trippers may enjoy a snack! Packing for Your Pup No matter how you decide to travel with your dog, you’re going to want to ensure their tags and veterinary information are up to date. Check with the region you’re traveling to, to see if there are extra immunizations or information you should consider before arrival. You may gain some peace of mind by adding the Pet First Aid app by the American Red Cross to your phone before you go! Packing your pet’s essential medication, bedding, food, and other accessories will prevent extra trips to the store (and added stress!) Hotel and Resort Amenities for Pets Bringing your pet along on vacation is a wonderful opportunity to experience your destination in a whole new way. Active dogs need extra exercise – what better way to start the day than with a brisk walk or jog? Take a closer look at beaches, hiking trails, and attractions like restaurants, wineries, and breweries that allow your dog to come along for the fun. Thankfully, we live in a world where all of these special spots can be found with apps like BarkHappy or TripAdvisor. Making special plans to include your dog in a few of your activities will create a bond and lasting travel memories you wouldn’t have otherwise! Ask your concierge about pet amenities. Some resorts and spas feature treatments for keeping your pet healthy and relaxed while on vacation. Resorts that welcome your dog with open arms may offer things like: Fresh food + water ready for your pet’s arrival Pet care performed by expert staff including walking, sitting, & grooming Happy hours designed for pet play, socialization, and exercise Specialty pet “cocktails” and treats crafted for their enjoyment Custom canine menus and room service Turndown service Birthday parties and custom celebrations for their milestones Our dogs can contribute to our wellness by keeping us active and alleviating daily stressors. It’s important to keep them healthy and happy, too. Traveling with your pet can be good for your body and soul – and if it’s done well, you’ll both be eager for your next trip together! Magic on The Go

Not every destination will feature an array of Olympic-sized pools, a massage therapist at your beckon call, and a bevy of protein-infused shakes at your fingertips. Infact, if you’re hopping from one destination to the next you may have a hard time scheduling spa appointments or knowing where your next workout is going to happen. That’s okay! Making wellness a priority doesn’t require a concierge. I’ve been able to source some incredible and healthy options while just about anywhere in the world. Knowing what you’re looking for while you’re on the road can make creating your own well-inspired trip a memorable one. Starting with an outline of what you need to keep your health at the top of its game is a great way to start! Food Anyone with dietary restrictions or who’s working to keep their eating well-balanced knows: not all restaurants are created equal, and if you’re on the road finding fresh and healthy foods can be a challenge. In fact, I pack healthy bento boxes for him on long road trips scouting or for plane rides for us both. I’ve been known to ship my favorite healthy snacks to different destinations via Amazon and have them waiting for me on my arrival. I’ve been known to ship my favorite healthy snacks to different destinations via Amazon and have them waiting for me on my arrival. If shopping in advance isn’t an option, I prefer to visit the local grocer or market to find some options to keep in the car and at the hotel. I request a refrigerator be delivered to the room and I stock with waters, kombucha, and healthy snacks from the local grocers and farmer’s markets. You can also request they clean out the mini refrigerator to avoid the possible charge (and temptation!) Most restaurants large or small will try to do their best to accommodate you. So, even if you find yourself at “mom & pop’s greasy spoon” there should be some modifications you can enjoy! I’ve split larger servings of salads and signature sandwiches to enjoy later, or asked for “off the menu” hard boiled eggs and veggie plates. Healthy Eating Apps I Love MyFitnessPal HealthyOut’ HappyCow Drinks Keep an eye out for local juicers! If your hotel doesn’t offer an incredible protein shake lineup or your favorite fresh juice, use it as an opportunity to venture out and try something different! It seems as though more regions are becoming health conscious and the options we have as travelers are endless! You may even be introduced to some local produce + blends you’ve never heard of. Let your juicer know you’ve never been before, if you have any dietary restrictions, and ask for a recommendation of what’s best there. Take the chance to try something different and you may find a new favorite. Easy to Use Apps for Finding Healthy Drinks: Green Hopping Yelp Fitness Wherever you are – there’s an opportunity for fitness. Whether you’re kayaking in the Northwest or visiting family in the middle of a cornfield, you can get creative with your workout routine. If your hotel, lodge, or resort does not offer a gym as an amenity and you’re bound and determined to lift or rock the elliptical take a look at local gyms or fitness centers for a guest pass. Bonus: most gyms offer stellar drop-in style classes at reasonable rates + all throughout the day. I personally love to visit Lagree Fitness, Orangetheory, SoulCycle, Barry’s Bootcamp, Yoga Six, Equinox Fitness Centers, and Lifetime fitness centers while traveling! While on the road and away from a gym I prefer to include a mix of cardio, weight training, and athletic activities that don’t feel like working out (think – canyon hikes and swimming with dolphins and pigs, and flamingo yoga!) Apps I Love For Fitness on the Road MindBody Exhale on Demand ClassPass Wellness Tight muscles, puffy skin, and exhaustion from travel are all reason enough to want to treat yourself to a bit of extra pampering while on the road. So, if you’ve looked at your hotel’s health menu and you’re not finding what you’d like most, take a look at wellness options outside of your resort’s walls. Of course, it’s not easy finding the perfect massage or facial with a quick online search – so here are some helpful reminders! Check for certification. Each spa + wellness center require different levels of certification for their practitioners. Be sure that anyone who’s working on your skin, hair, or body is knowledgeable. Don’t bargain hunt for wellness. I love a good value as much as anyone, but when it comes to your health and permanent or semi permanent treatments, there’s no deal if it’s not quality! You may be tempted to try specials while you’re in vacation mode so remember to check for certifications and consider the old saying, “you get what you pay for.” Read the reviews. If more than just a few bad apples are complaining about the services received you should see a red flag and avoid the provider, spa or salon. Take some time to do a bit of digging before committing to a particular wellness provider. Apps I Use to Find the Perfect Spa + Book Appointments Spafinder MindBody Bliss Spa Sourcing healthy options on the road, to me, is part of the fun of travel. Exploring what any given region has that could potentially elevate my health and fitness routine ignites my drive to continue to see new parts of the world! Every trip offers something different, and every adventurer and fitness enthusiast has something special they’re looking for. Consider the last time that you discovered something new that you now love to do every day. Where were you? Share with me in the comments!

Family vacations are so rewarding! It truly fills my heart to know that I’m making memories with my family in new places – places we’ll remember forever. Looking back on family vacations – I now understand how much preparation my parents must have put into them to make them happen! And, for all of that, I’m even more grateful for that time today. Packing for my three kids is getting a bit easier with time but there are still a few things I am sure to do before every Pronger family outing to ensure that we’re all (and by we’re all I mean ME!) a bit happier, more peaceful, and well-prepared for our adventure. Making Our List: Checking It Twice Depending on where we’re going and how long we plan to be there, I try to consider anything that we could potentially need well before the packing process begins. I’m not an over planner, I love spontaneity, but my idea of spontaneity does not include 11:20 pm trips to the drug store because someone forgot their sensitive toothpaste. Planning well before the trips allows us to fully embrace the moments while we’re there without worrying about the necessities – like fresh underwear. Phase One: Packing I’ve got a notebook at the ready for each trip where I can jot down memories and special moments we’ve had as a family. These notes are what help me remember the best (and worst) of our outings and share them on the blog later! At the back of the notebook I make a page or so for each kid – and have them start pulling the items that they need. Giving them each a list and trusting them (during the first round) to grab what’s needed and pack it themselves helps them gain independence, consider what’s needed, and be held accountable for whether or not they’ve got what they need. Of course, I help my youngest out a bit more during this first round but I’ve found that this step is getting a bit easier for every trip. Phase Two: Review During my second phase of packing, I visit each kid’s bag with the list and the packer to review what’s inside and what still needs to be there. Showing them what’s acceptable and what still needs to be added, I feel, teaches them more than if I grab the items and stuff and their bag just magically appears ready for them at our destination! After everyone has their bags packed and sitting near their doors it’s time for toiletries, accessories, and snacks! Phase 3: Toiletries I’ve found that regardless of where we’re going and if the kids have their own individual bathrooms or not, it’s easiest to dedicate a bag just for their toiletries. They can all add what they think they need, plus what’s essential right here. This checked bag is home to body sprays, Beauty Counter sunscreen line, hair products, toothpaste, and the works! Knowing that any toiletry for all three kids should be found in this one bag helps me keep track of what made it to our destination and what was left on the bathroom counter. Phase 4: Accessories None of my children are packing an inordinate amount of fashion accessories just yet – but I do like to have a large bag that’s for anything besides clothes + the essentials. Shoes, cell phone chargers, books, special pillows or blankets, whatever the latest gaming craze is – it all lives right here. We make extra arrangements for any larger items like sports equipment or choose to rent or purchase that when we get there if we need to travel light. Phase 5: Food and Drinks My kids are still “kids” so they’re not quite swigging kombucha and snacking on pepitas regularly. That being said, they still love healthy snacks and I try to make sure that at least 80% of what they’re eating and drinking on the road isn’t totally indulgent “junk.” I have a few easily portable recipes that we take just about anywhere we go. If I haven’t had time to pack the snack bag with everything we love, I try to visit a store as soon as we arrive to stock up on items that are healthy and delicious – it is vacation after all! Planning ahead for our trips and starting the packing process as early as possible helps me to still be able to enjoy it. If I’m stuffing suitcases and fighting zippers at 3am before a 6am flight – I’m not a happy camper! Teaching the kids to be responsible for their items starts with showing them what they need and why. Like anything… practice makes perfect… so I suppose we’ll need to plan a few more trips! How do you pack for your family?