Joy Bauer

Macro tracking is having a major moment. Scroll through social media and you’ll see people weighing chicken, measuring peanut butter and proudly announcing that they “hit their macros” for the day. But do you need to track yours? For some people, it can be an incredibly helpful way to learn more about what they’re eating and whether they’re getting what they need. For others, it can turn eating into a numbers game and take some of the joy out of food.

Home > Recipes > Main Dishes I have a soft spot for recipes that make a store-bought rotisserie chicken feel like I had a whole lunch plan all along. This one does exactly that—with a little help from basil pesto, sun-dried tomatoes and a handful of toasted pine nuts. Here’s all it takes: shred your rotisserie chicken, toss it with basil pesto and savory-sweet sun-dried tomatoes, then pop it in the fridge so the flavors can chill and meld.

When it comes to living a long, healthy life, you don’t need to overhaul your diet, swear off your favorite foods, or follow a complicated set of rules. Some of the most powerful habits are surprisingly simple. That’s great news, because I’m a BIG believer that the healthiest habits are the ones you can realistically stick with. I dug into the research and pulled together four doable strategies that can help support your metabolism and heart health… and may even play a role in longevity.

Home > Nutrition & Meal Plans > 20 Easy Chicken Recipes Winner, winner, chicken dinner! When you’re staring into the fridge at 6pm with zero plan, chicken is always the answer. It’s lean, it’s loaded with protein, and it plays well with just about every flavor on the planet. I’ve rounded up 20 of my favorite easy chicken recipes — sheet-pan suppers, one-skillet wonders, crunchy slaws, cheesy quesadillas, slow-cooker set-and-forgets, and a cozy soup to finish.

Home > Nutrition & Meal Plans > 5-Day High-Fiber Meal Plan (30+ Grams!) You’ve heard “eat more fiber” a hundred times. Here’s what it actually does: keeps digestion moving, supports heart health, steadies your blood sugar, and keeps you full long after you’ve eaten. But the biggest reason is one nobody talks about. Your gut. Think of it as your belly garden. Trillions of friendly bacteria live down there, and fiber is what feeds them.

Home > Nutrition & Meal Plans > How to Boost Your Metabolism: 4 Habits That Really Help It might be the sentence I hear most: “Joy, my metabolism just isn’t what it used to be.” Here’s the good news: your metabolism didn’t suddenly quit on you. What’s really going on is gradual muscle loss, plus hormone and lifestyle shifts that sneak up over time. And all of it is something you can influence. 1. Make protein the MVP of every meal. Protein is your metabolism’s best friend.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Generously coat an 18×13-inch half sheet pan with nonstick oil spray (get the corners and sides!), or line it with parchment paper and mist the parchment. In a large bowl, mash the bananas until fairly smooth. Add the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and maple extract, and whisk until the eggs are fully beaten and everything is well combined. Stir in the oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until everything is evenly moistened.

Home > Nutrition & Meal Plans > The Healthier Way to Satisfy Cravings — From Chocolate to Pizza! If you’ve ever wondered why your cravings hit so hard, you’re not alone. Here’s what’s really going on, and healthy suggestions for when one strikes. They’re two totally different animals. Hunger says “feed me anything.” When you’re truly hungry, an apple works, a sandwich works, last night’s leftovers work. A craving is much bossier. It says “feed me THAT.” The chocolate chip cookie.

Home > Uncategorized > The Craving Decoder: What Your Body Is Really Telling You Chocolate at 3pm. Chips the second you walk in the door. That “I need pizza tonight” feeling that comes out of nowhere. If you’ve ever wondered why cravings hit so hard — and whether they mean something’s wrong with you — you’re not alone. Let’s break down what’s actually happening when a craving strikes, which ones genuinely mean something, and what to do about it. Hunger and a craving are two totally different animals.

Home > Recipes > Breakfast > Oatmeal Creations > Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats I think of these Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats as dessert that happens to be breakfast. Stir everything together at night, divide it between two ramekins, and by morning, the oats have softened into something thick, creamy, and unapologetically chocolatey. Then comes the good part: a warm peanut butter drizzle, mini dark chocolate chips, and roasted peanuts for crunch.