Cheese

January 12, 2017

2017 Low-So Reboot

Happy 2017 dearest internet friends! With the new year, I’m entering my 34th year of life and my 13th year living with lupus and kidney disease. And while the past 365 days have had their ups and downs. And downs. And more downs. They also brought a renewed faith in food and its power to heal. See: 34 years old with the same stage 4 kidneys. Still kicking! As you may remember, last year, I welcomed January with a big anti-inflammation overhaul of my diet — no wheat or gluten, no eggs, no dairy, no sugar, no soy, no nightshade vegetables, NO […]

April 1, 2016

Top Low-So Ingredient Swaps

Happy April Fools Day, World! A time to practice extreme silliness and joy, and plan a prank or two. And, in my opinion, the perfect holiday to play a little (or a lot) with your food. Because really, everyday on a low-so diet (or any diet) is a “fool” day, in which one uses creativity and fun to trick those eyeballs and those tastebuds. And trust me, if I can make vegan, low-so, and gluten-free Twinkies a reality, seriously, anything is possible. So to inspire your own edible tom-foolery — today and everyday — check out some of my favorite ingredients swaps that expertly mimic favorite foods […]

June 12, 2015

Low-So Cheesy Guacamole

Let me begin by saying that I never thought I’d write this post — one that features goat cheese. Real goat cheese and not some sort of cauliflower/nut/faux-cheese concoction. Along those same lines, I never thought I’d be putting said goat cheese (or any cheese, for that matter) on top of guacamole — an already rich and creamy delight. Because for a long time, real cheese has been on my low-so, do-not-eat lis. But low and behold, it has happened. I’ve eaten goat cheese. And I’m so glad it did. And I’m actually doubly glad I get to share it with you. Because (1) this […]

May 15, 2015

Low-So Good Cheese Swaps

This May, we are going to discuss all things cheese. From the creamy shmears to the hard stuff to the grated sprinkles that melt all over your nachos. Because while most cheeses end up on the low-sodium “do not eat” list, there are plenty of amazing solutions that will keep your favorite oozy, gooey, cheesy recipes on the table. So don’t say goodbye to those enchiladas or stuffed pastas or Croque Madames quite yet. But before we get to the creative swaps, let’s talk about the real thing, i.e., the low-sodium cheeses that exist on the market. Thankfully, there are several brands that […]

April 4, 2014

Low-Sodium Croque Madame

Today, we head to France. In first grade, I got to choose between Spanish or French classes. This was at a moment in my life where I had just learned to tie my own shoes and ride a bike. But was still totally dependent on my elders when it came to things like bathing, eating, and pretty much getting anywhere besides my front driveway. And it was at this exact moment, when I barely started to scratch the surface of big things to come, that I was given the great responsibility of choosing a foreign language. A choice that would […]

September 27, 2013

Kidney Friendly Pumpkin Quesadillas

Fall. It’s the time of year that people go totally bonkers over pumpkin. Pumpkin spiced lattes. Pumpkin muffins. Pumpkin perfume. Pumpkin colored pants. Pumpkins in windows, on doorsteps, and pretty much every which way you look. Which leads me to this announcement: It’s officially gourd season, people, and we want to be a part of it. So I started thinking of new ways to get more pumpkin in my food and my life. Because as a kidney-friendly and low-sodium ingredient (both in the canned and fresh forms), it will help you spice up and switch up favorite recipes. Of course, there’s […]

August 9, 2013

Zucchini Tortilla Bites

There are exactly three things I am super good at: 1) putting two words together to make one new word; 2) feeding friends during spontaneous gatherings, and 3) finding awesome substitutes for high-sodium ingredients. And low and behold, all three of these highly-useful talents have finally come together in one small bite of food. The Zucchini Tortilla Bite. It’s a snappetizer (snappy appetizer) that can be easily thrown together when unexpected guests arrive, wowing everyone with the pure geniusness (and tastiness) of stringy, melty zucchini used in place of salty cheese. So I’m going to keep it short and spicy this […]

March 22, 2012

Secret Low-Sodium White Sauce

Shhh. I’m going to let you in on a little secret. White sauce. It’s usually made of milk, cheese, butter, and other ingredients that can be full of sodium. But here’s what people don’t know. And please, try to contain your reaction as we don’t want to draw attention to this news. White sauce doesn’t need milk, cheese, or butter. (Are you sitting down?) White sauce can actually be made with one, simple ingredient: Cauliflower. Steamed cauliflower that gets pureed with a little bit of water and, if you’re feeling up to it, a head of roasted garlic. Amazingly, the result […]

February 8, 2012

Answering CDC’s Sodium Call

Yesterday, the CDC (and NPR) released one of the most comprehensive reports on the origins of America’s high sodium intake. Turns out it can be boiled down to ten popular foods. What comes as a surprise to most is that sodium doesn’t just exist in that shaker. Or that bottle of soy sauce. Or on top of French fries. But that high sodium counts can be found in soups, cheeses, and pizza and even more surprisingly, in less obvious culprits like bread, milk, and that seemingly healthy whole wheat sandwich with oven-roasted deli meat. That “healthy choice” lunch alone, even […]

November 28, 2011

Small Bites for Big Feasts

I am happily stuffed from Thanksgiving. But I’m far from being done with my holiday eatings. And I hope you aren’t giving up on the feasting any time soon either. Because this holiday season, I want to hit everything on your wish-list. I want to make sure all your wildest culinary dreams come, whether it is salt-free caviar or the perfect low-sodium BBQ spice blend. Or the personal butler to make you french fries any time of day or night. And while I can’t actually help you with the butler thing (sorry, backordered on Amazon), I can most definitely help […]

Previous Entries