Fall is officially here.

As in, the calendar says so. It's still hitting temps in the three digits here - so I am praying for some cooler days with my boys before little baby girl arrives.

Due in just 3 short weeks folks, this pregnancy felt like it went SO much faster than Grey's. Probably because I had a four year old, homeschool preschool, a pandemic and shooting a cooking show to keep me busy through it. 

I'll keep this short and sweet today - and speaking of sweet, these Vanilla Maple Roasted Pears are SUCH a wonderful hygge treat to enjoy by a fire or snuggled under a fall throw with a good book. 

We served these alongside a traditional Medieval Knights dinner for my sons preschool and they were the perfect dessert addition! 

I always seem to find myself experimenting with so many entrée and side recipes in the springtime. Maybe it’s the gorgeous weather, the backyard picnics or the impending pool days. Usually, winter brings about much baking and sweets and plentiful brunch foods. While spring I turn my focus to fresh entrees and hearty dishes that I can bring to the table for mealtime. I find this pattern makes for a well-rounded arsenal of new recipes to access each year, both for our own family, and for my readers.

I have the honor of partnering with the Vidalia Onion Committee to bring you my latest recipe – a perfect side dish to pair with salads or meat dishes for a well-rounded meal. The Vidalia crops limited availability window works well with my need to make savory dishes in the spring and summer, as they are only available April through August. It’s like a match made in food creator heaven. 

The unique taste profile and sweetness of Vidalia onions adds dimension to this dish which is simplistic and beautiful. You can double or triple the recipe and easily share it with others. We adore dropping meals on our friend’s doorsteps from time to time. New babies, sick family members, birthday surprises – there are so many instances where this warm dish can bless someone dear to you.


When I thought about creating something warm and hearty with my Vidalia onion delivery, I knew I would do a potato bake. This Vidalia Onion and Potato Bake is comforting while remaining nutritious and the addition of fresh herbs from our spring garden add to the homemade factor that makes me feel so proud when I’m dishing it out to my family.

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I’d love for you to be able to create sweet moments this season as well by following my simple recipe below. You can easily cook it ahead of time too as it reheats beautifully. 

Another fun surprise? I’m giving away a shipment of a ten pound box of Vidalia onions with Vidalia on social media right now as well and would love for you to enter to win and see you create this dish or to get creative and see what you create! You can enter at http://www.instagram.com/noshandnurture

​And for more on delicious Vidalia Onions, visit here!

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Ingredients:

• 2 Vidalia onions
• 8 small gold potatoes
• 2 tsp Himalayan sea salt
• ½ tsp white pepper
• 1 2/3 C. vegetable broth
• 1 ½ TBSP. fresh rosemary
• Additional sprigs of rosemary for garnish

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Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease bottom and sides of a 10x10 baking dish with butter or oil.
• Wash potatoes and peel. Set aside.
• Peel and slice your Vidalia onions and, using a sharp knife, cut your potatoes into thin rounds.
• Arrange your first layer of potatoes at the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Top with a layer of Vidalia onions, fresh rosemary, salt and white pepper.
• Repeat until you’ve used all ingredients and finish with the top layer being potatoes and rosemary.
• Pour broth carefully over your layers until it just covers the top, adjusting the broth measurement as needed for your dish.
• Place your butter inside the dish and bake for 70 minutes or until potatoes are tender and golden.
• Garnish with rosemary sprigs to serve. 

For more baked dishes like this one, stay tuned for my new show 'The Clean Plate with Mandi' this Spring which premiers on Amazon Prime Video and Roku Channel!

There is something about summertime since becoming a mom. A sweet spot I've found in the season that's been my least favorite for years. Now living in the desert, in all honesty, summer has been borderline depressing after living my early adulthood as a California girl. But since becoming a mom, especially a toddler mom, this little man has given me so many reasons to not only tolerate these days easier, but love them and the moments we are creating within them. 

Some of my favorite summer moments and activities so far have been splashing in our kiddie pool, enjoying ice cream on the patio, evening nature exploring once the sun has begun to set and the heat has died down, summery crafts and BBQ recipes. But nothing makes it better than his early childhood summer bringing back such amazingly fond memories of my own childhood summers and it's something wonderful. 

Speaking of summer BBQ recipes, I know you're all here to see what I've whipped up in the kitchen this week, or shall I say whipped up outside this week, because these babies are cooked on the grill. 
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I saw a recipe where someone threw cheese on corn and I was like "whaaaaaaaaaaaaat?", so I got to thinking of how I could jump on that with a vegan option and spruce it up to make it a suitable side dish to even the swankiest dinner party BBQ dishes. 

And these Grilled Parmesan Basil Corn on the Cobs were born. We paired them with steak, garlic mashed potatoes and a spinach salad, but have also served them with ribs, chicken and for lighter vegan fare with a tossed bean salad and baked potatoes. 

The secret is in the cheese. Go Veggie makes vegan Parmesan crumbles that are AMAZINGLY close to the real deal without the dairy and the basil gives the dish a sophisticated taste that tickles the taste buds. 

To make these just follow the recipe below and enjoy a side dish that isn't just simply delicious but that plates beautifully. 
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INGREDIENTS:
4 Ears of Corn on the Cob
3/4 C. Go Veggie! Vegan Parmesan Cheese 
2 tsp. Fresh Basil, Chopped Fine 
1/2 tsp. Sea Salt
3 TBSP + 4 TBSP Softened Vegan Butter (I use Earth Balance)
1/4 tsp. Black Pepper 
​INSTRUCTIONS:

• Preheat grill on high.
• Brush 3 tablespoons of butter all over corn cobs.
• Add the cobs to the grill and grill until each side gets a nice char, turning often and checking so they don’t burn. About 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove the corn from the grill and plate on your serving dish. 
• Sprinkle with salt, pepper, basil and vegan parmesan cheese. 
• Serve with entree and other sides of choice. Enjoy!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SamsClubMag #CollectiveBias

If there's anything most people know about me it's these two facts...

First, I adore creating, eating and sharing healthy food.

​Secondly, Fall is one of my very favorite times of the year.

​So, it's only natural I go a little crazy in combining these passions. If I'm not outside enjoying the gorgeous weather (finally!) I am in the kitchen cooking and baking with all of falls best gifts. 

Gifts like squash, pumpkin, spices and root veggies. This season I'm also into incorporating mushrooms! As a big fan of the online magazine, Healthy Living Made Simple, it's their super food of the month, so I got inspired to pick some up.

I ventured to our local Sam's Club to get some of these fantastic fungi to whip up something hearty, healthy and yummy. I also love that I can buy my produce in bulk there since I stick to natural healthy foods as my everyday staples and can always use large quantities of what I find there. 

Healthy Living Made Simple is my go-to when it comes to tips on my family's health and wellness, and as a journalist, you know I totally eat up good information, especially when it's combined with my love of food.
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I haven't gotten out much since little man arrived, with him still being just 5 weeks old, so I had so much fun planning a tailgate themed party while Mr. Charming and I were out shopping. Being a Sam's Club member for nearly 10 years now, it's a great place to stock up on my healthy eats.

I mean. Their produce section is dreamy. With so, so many options!
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After grabbing my mushrooms and other fall vegetables to make my tailgate dinner spread, we headed over to pick up our grilling supplies and grabbed a couple of other fun items that make heading outside to nosh super convenient. 

I loved finding fashionable cooler totes, a rolling cooler for drinks and an easy pop up tent to keep baby in the shade while we take in games during dusk. 

Look at those striped cooler tote bags! *swoon* 

Another perk to shopping at Sam's Club are the free health screenings they offer at their pharmacy the second Saturday of every month. Visit your nearby club on October 8th to check up on your health and then stay and shop to stock up on products that will give you a healthy boost. From fresh produce and heal;thy eats to vitamins and natural beauty products, it's a one stop shop to keep up with your wellness. As a nutritionist who promotes natural health care to her clients, I love Sam's Club's holistic approach to health items. 

After grabbing some healthy eats, and tailgate essentials, it was time to head home and whip up a fall recipe for our neighborhood tailgate block party. 

I was craving something hearty and healthy and wanted something festive to plate for our friends and family, so I tossed some colorful fall vegetables and herbs in with wild rice and the mushrooms I picked up at Sam's Club. 

Served alongside some grilled brats, it made a filling meal bursting with a variety of flavors and color.

​You can grab the easy recipe below for your next event! 
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Ingredients:

• 2 TBSP Olive Oil 
• 1 C. Cubed Butternut Squash
• Sea Salt
• Fresh Ground Black Pepper 
• 2 C. Wild Rice
• 4 C. Vegetable Broth
• 1 C. Assorted Mushrooms, Chopped 
• Fresh Thyme Sprigs 

​Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 
2. Cube 1 butternut squash, toss with 1 TBSP. olive oil and season with salt and pepper. 
3. Arrange squash on baking sheet and roast in oven for 25 minutes or until tender. 
4. While the squash is roasting, heat 1 TBSP. olive oil in a large pan and saute wild rice for 1 minute. 
5. Add the vegetable broth to the rice and bring to a boil. 
6. Cover and reduce to a simmer on low and cook for 30-45 minutes or until broth is gone. 
7. Chop the mushrooms and set aside. If you prefer cooked mushrooms, cook in a large skillet with oil until browned, about 8 minutes. 
8. Once the rice is done, fluff with a fork and toss with mushrooms and squash. 
9. Plate with fresh thyme and serve with grilled brats for a complete meal. 

For more on Healthy Living Made Simple, as well as access to more delicious recipes and health and wellness tips for the whole family visit: 
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Happy Fall Feasting! What are some of your favorite fall side dishes for the season? Share in the comments below. 

Simplicity is key when it comes to having recipes on hand for your side dishes. Oftentimes, with stricter diets, our efforts and time going into creating healthy entrees. When you have the task of also making multiple meals a day, side dishes, appetizers and desserts, no one has time for complicated.

I like the minimal amount of ingredients in these rolls and that they are easy to whip in the morning when I'm already baking for the day and store them for dinner or for the week. They hold up really well when stored and sealed and can be served along any meal of the day. 

Earlier this week I made a batch of these little hearty rolls while I was in the kitchen whipping up a new Blueberry Donut recipe and I knew I wanted to serve them with dinner. A dinner I had not yet planned. 

Once Mr. Charming got home I made a pot of delicious Turkey Chili (again, simple and easy!) consisting of spiced turkey, hot chili beans, spices, onion and avocado and served these rolls alongside it and it was phenomonal! These rolls are PERFECT for soaking up chili sauce, stew juice or runny eggs when served with a little natural fruit jam at breakfast.

​So good, so so so good. Enjoy! 

Ingredients: 

• 2 C. Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour (I use Bob's Red Mill)
• 1 1/4 tsp. Baking Soda
• 1 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt
• 4 Tablespoons of Mayo
• 1 C. Dairy-Free Milk of Choice 

Directions: 

• Preheat oven to 350 and grease a muffin pan with a light oil or dairy free butter. ​
• Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix until dough is formed.
• Spoon dough into muffin pan and bake for 15 minutes or until golden. 

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​What is your favorite yeast-free bread that you've been able to whip up or find? 

This season is my favorite. A season of cool weather, family & friends, and lots of travel and celebration. And although I am welcoming it with an open heart, it's also a season of growth, strength and testing for Mr. Charming and I. As I mentioned before, on keeping you all up to date on our family journey, we met with the OB again today who has turned us over to a fertility specialist center. We've done all the "normal" tests we've can, I tried a year on hormone therapy, bringing us to just over 2 years TTC and it's now time to step it up. I will admit today was hard. Fear, frustration and sadness are all trying to creep in. But I know better. I know I serve a greater God who has all of these moments as part of His grander plan for us. So today, I could have wallowed and napped (which I realllly wanted to do.) Or I could have celebrated life today. 

I chose the second. I slipped on my shoes and got outside with my fur baby Charlie and made delicious protein balls to take with me to nosh. Because yummy nosh = smiles. And because hormones = chocolate So I opted for a healthier spin on chocolate instead of bingeing (much controversy on how to spell this word, haha) on dark chocolate squares. We always have a choice. 

Getting into the kitchen and getting outside are very therapeutic for me. Since my touring and Hollywood days I tend to become introverted if I'm by myself for too long. Working from home is a blessing but it can shut you off from the world far too often, so I make it a point to get out and see people, move my body and talk to God outside. 

It's amazing what thirty minutes of sunshine and whipping up new, yummy food can do for a girl. I'd been seeing a million protein packed recipes and I'd also been eyeing my stash of pumpkin seeds that I'd been wanting to incorporate into something. With the mix of my need to make everything pumpkin, my current need for chocolate and a desire to make a snack that was hike-friendly, my Double Chocolate Pumpkin Protein Balls were born. 

These came out so good. They almost have a fudge like consistency, so I only had a couple. They would also be a GREAT addition as a party dessert for the holidays. I am LOVING pumpkin seeds right now. They are a FANTASTIC food to help detox your body. Gluten-free oats also help cleanse my system by adding fiber into my diet that is primarily protein and veggie based. 

SoyNut Butter is a non-gmo, nut free alternative to nut butters for those who can't tolerate nuts, while still offering the same nutty, roasted flavor. The soybeans are also packed with protein, meaning you don't need to use a protein powder in these balls to get your protein in. 
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Ingredients:
1/2 Chocolate SoyNut Butter - enter to win a free jar!
1 C. Gluten-Free Oats
1/4 C. Pumpkin Seeds 
1/3-2/3 C. Organic Honey (It varies on dryness, I like mine "fudgier")
1 Tsp. Organic Vanilla
1/4 C. Unsweetened Cocoa  Powder 
Ground Chia & Flaxseed Optional for additional nutrition benefits

Ingredients:
Put all the delicious ingredients in a bowl, mix well, chill for 20-30 minutes, form balls with hands, enjoy. They store for up to a week in a glass airtight container. 

Once chilled I tossed a few in a bag and headed out to explore the fall scenery with my Charlie bear. He thought they looked super yummy too! But he noshed on dehydrated chicken instead. ;) 

What are your favorite easy-to-grab hiking treats?

Making your own applesauce is super easy & can save you plenty of money. You can also store it in small containers to make it easy to take on the go and safer than buying the applesauce packets that can contain mold. 

Ingredients:
3-4 Lbs of organic fuji or gala apples, peeled & cored. 
1/2 c. filtered water

Directions: 
Once apples are peeled and cored, slice them into wedges. Place them in your slow cooker and pour in filtered water. Cook on the low setting for 6 hours. Once the apples are extremely soft, use an immersion hand blender (or transfer to a conventional blender)  to puree into applesauce. Store for up to seven days in the refrigerator or freeze for up to five months. 

Ingredients:
2 Lbs. Organic Sweet Potatoes
2 Organic Bosc or d'Anjou Pears
Olive Oil
Fresh Sage
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. maple sugar (optional, omit for AIP and Whole 30)
Sea Salt
Pepper (optional, omit for AIP)


Instructions:
Preheat over to 400 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  In a large bowl, toss sweet potatoes in oil, cinnamon, sage, and maple sugar.  Transfer to baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, saving liquid.

Meanwhile, place pears in reserved bowl of liquid mixture and toss until coated.  Add pears to baking sheet with potatoes and continue to bake until pears are golden and potatoes are fork tender, about 25 minutes. 


*recipe credit: Sprouts Farmers Market