Hello Dear FITME Family! Are all of you okay? Hoping that you are well stocked with necessities and that you are healthy? Thinking about you all during this surreal time and can’t wait for this to be over. This whole thing has taught me to appreciate valuable time with my family even more–even if…… Continue reading Chickpea Burgers and Virtual Bday Party this Friday!
Category: fitness
Madgooga (Madkooka) The ancient energy bar of Iraq (vegan, dairy, and gluten free!)
Middle eastern desserts from centuries ago did not require many ingredients to create a rich yet healthful treat. Some desserts did not even require an oven, like the sweet Iraqi snack called “Madgooga”, also known as “Madkooka”. Madgooga is basically an Arab style energy bar, comprised of natural yet decadent tasting ingredients like mejdool dates…… Continue reading Madgooga (Madkooka) The ancient energy bar of Iraq (vegan, dairy, and gluten free!)
The Ancient Arab Grain: Freekeh!
While I don’t subscribe to any rigid dietary protocol, I do follow the mantra of “eat what your grandparents ate” for optimum health. Not only did my grandparents eat the ancient grain called freekeh, but their ancestors ate this grain for hundreds of years. Freekeh is wheat that is harvested when it’s young, so the…… Continue reading The Ancient Arab Grain: Freekeh!
Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Citrus Sauce (KETO & LOWCARB)
As the low carb lifestyle continues to maintain popularity, cauliflower has become the superstar vegetable of this dietary movement, morphing into cauliflower rice, pureed as a replacement for mashed potatoes, and even incorporated into pizza crusts. The latest reincarnation of cauliflower is the cauliflower “steak.” Now before steak lovers protest that cauliflower can never come…… Continue reading Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Citrus Sauce (KETO & LOWCARB)
Summer Salad Series Part 2- Egyptian Balela Salad
In Part 1 of my Summer Salad Series, I shared the recipe for Salata Baladia, ubiquitous in pretty much every Arab country. This time we focus on the country of Egypt, with their protein packed and colorful Salata Balela, or Balela salad: I particularly love this salad because I adore sweet cherry tomatoes, especially…… Continue reading Summer Salad Series Part 2- Egyptian Balela Salad
Middle Eastern Style Stuffed Butternut Squash…And FITME in the News!
Middle eastern people love stuffing vegetables with a tantalizing combination of rice and meat with herbs like parsley and mint. They stuff everything from zucchini, eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes and even carrots. However one vegetable “vessel” underutilized in the Arab world is the butternut squash, because it is not indigenous to the Middle East. Rather this…… Continue reading Middle Eastern Style Stuffed Butternut Squash…And FITME in the News!
7 Reasons Why Cooking is a Sign of Strength!
If I had a dollar for every time I hear the phrase “Women belong in the kitchen” I would have a nice stash of cash. The reality is, there are many women AND men, who enjoy being in the kitchen that also have many other talents and responsibilities. I have met many doctors, lawyers, teachers,…… Continue reading 7 Reasons Why Cooking is a Sign of Strength!
Autumn Harvest Bowl- With Freekeh!
If you checked out my last blog, I wrote about the Palestinian Harvest Box and how community supported agriculture can have many positive effects on the environment worldwide. In this blog I am going to focus on freekeh, one of the items from the farmer’s box many people are not aware of. Freekeh is a staple…… Continue reading Autumn Harvest Bowl- With Freekeh!
“ZONION RINGS” Za’atar Onion Rings!
Every time I go to a restaurant and see someone order a heaping plate of onions rings, I get fast food envy. While some people advocate eating the foods you love in moderation, I don’t do moderation with certain foods, be it onion rings or chocolate cake. Those food trigger something visceral in me where…… Continue reading “ZONION RINGS” Za’atar Onion Rings!
Homemade Vegan Nutella Recipe!
Before I get to the recipe of the day, I just wanted to let you know I have only 2 spots left in my Draeger’s cooking class coming up March 22nd! The class includes a demonstration, wine and light appetizers, and of course a tasting of this special menu I created just for my live…… Continue reading Homemade Vegan Nutella Recipe!