2021, a bright new year and another opportunity to get back on track with our health goals. Whole 30 has been a very popular diet for a number of years for good reason; it focuses on consuming lean meats, vegetables and fruits and eliminates potentially inflammatory foods like dairy, grains and processed sugars.

This vegan, plant based dish is a great substitute for a meat. Grilling the mushroom brings the familiar grilled flavor and combines with the hearty texture of the mushroom to fully satisfy your tastebuds!

I’m sure everyone is used to starting off the new year with a specific diet to try and lose weight. This will maybe go on for a month or two before we get tired of it and lose our “beginning of the year” motivation. As a chef of Whole Health Everyday, I want people to focus more on long term wellness of their body and not just a diet that will make them lose weight fast, but then gain it back once they get tired of the diet they are on. Instead of making a plan to follow a fad diet that is very restrictive, this New Year, make a resolution to break the dieting cycle. Create a nourishing, sustainable, eating pattern that works for you that will be reasonable to stick with long-term. This way, you could stick with this eating habit on vacations, during the holidays, and at any party or event. ​

With fancy baked goods every where you turn this time of year, it's nice to have a slightly healthier classic to bring to the party. These chocolate chip cookies are gluten free and can be made with or without dairy butter. And you can make them ahead of time, roll the dough into balls and freeze them to take out and only bake as many as you need!

Starting new traditions this holiday season? Try Chef Frances's Romesco Shrimp Crostini with an original cilantro oil as an appetizer. It's simple enough for anyone to try to make and everyone will enjoy it!

Watch Chef Courtney teach you how to cook these two tasty apps in the Fountain Hills Community Garden Facebook group on December 12th at 11am PST! Keep reading for the recipes, photos, and more.