Geraldine Campbell, Author at Clean Plates

The One Kitchen Chore You Should Do First Thing in the Morning

By Geraldine Campbell / February 25, 2021 /

“Make your bed first thing in the morning.” We’ve all heard this advice before and there’s plenty of good reasons why. Various studies have found that people who make their beds are more productive, happier, and even sleep better. But we have another suggestion.

This Pantry Staple Is the Secret to Crunchier Everything

By Geraldine Campbell / February 18, 2021 /

This pantry staple has the ability to add crunch to dishes sweet and savory, from crisps and crumbles to salads and soups.

Make-Ahead Breakfast Recipes for Valentine’s Day (or Just Because)

By Geraldine Campbell / February 1, 2021 /

The only thing better than a special breakfast on Valentine’s Day morning? One that’s ready to go when you wake up. Luckily, this is not a dream: These make-ahead breakfasts require very little work other than preheating the oven and popping them in.

We Tried Four Healthier Chocolate Cake Mixes and Found the Best One

By Geraldine Campbell / January 28, 2021 /

Most boxed mixes are full of artificial flavors and questionable ingredients. But, as always, there are exceptions to the rule, mixes that offer a shortcut to homemade chocolate cake, minus the junk. We gathered them all up, put them to the test, and found a clear winner.

Instant Pot vs. Air Fryer: Which Is Better?

By Geraldine Campbell / January 28, 2021 /

Few kitchen appliances have ever reached the trendiness levels of the Instant Pot. And yet, a newcomer to the small appliance scene is looking to upstage the uber-popular multicooker. We’re talking about the air fryer. If you’ve been wondering which gadget delivers the best bang for your buck, helping you overcome quarantine cooking fatigue and get healthy meals on the table, pronto, you’ve come to the right place.

The Addictively Crunchy Snacks We’re Loving at Trader Joe’s

By Geraldine Campbell / January 26, 2021 /

Snacking can be a healthy part of most dietary lifestyles, but it’s not always easy finding snacks that fit into your personalized nutrition plan. Craving something crunchy and clean? Trader Joe’s can help. Their in-house brand offers a slew of options that are free of GMOs and trans fats, and low on sugar and salt. Here are the five Trader Joe’s snacks we’re stocking up on right now.

How to Avoid Buying Rancid Olive Oil

By Geraldine Campbell / January 23, 2021 /

Extra-virgin olive oil is one of the healthiest, tastiest, and most versatile oils available. But that’s only if you’re buying the highest-quality extra-virgin olive oil. Here’s what to look for to make sure you’re getting the best of the best.

The One Winter Cooking Technique Everyone Should Know

By Geraldine Campbell / January 22, 2021 /

There are few cooking techniques that you can learn in one day and use to cook nearly anything. Braising is one of them. Here’s what you need to know about this go-to winter cooking method.

Our Favorite Costco Nuts to Buy in Bulk

By Geraldine Campbell / January 18, 2021 /

Nuts are always a good idea, especially Costco nut. They’re fresh and affordable and they’ll last for months so long as you store them properly. Here are the 5 nuts you’ll always find in our carts.

We Ate a Lot of Tomato Soup — and Found the Healthiest, Tastiest Ones

By Geraldine Campbell / January 14, 2021 /

Tomato soup is, perhaps, the most comforting soup on the planet. Vegetarians and meat-eaters adore it. Plus, it makes your grilled cheese taste one thousand times better. But for something so simple, it’s surprising how different all the brands out there can taste. And there are a lot of brands.

These Are the Best Food Storage Containers

By Geraldine Campbell / January 14, 2021 /

You’ve heard it before: Meal planning is the key to eating healthier. Personally, if I know what I’m going to make for dinner for that week, it stops me from eating cheese and crackers for dinner. But meal planning requires more than great recipes and a detailed grocery list. You also need the right tools — specifically, these meal prep containers.

You’re Probably Storing Your Nuts All Wrong

By Geraldine Campbell / January 13, 2021 /

It’s pretty much always a good idea to eat more nuts. Bursting with healthy fats and nutrients, nuts are also relatively easy to add your diet. They’re widely accessible, easily transportable, and they’re a varied bunch, with different tastes and textures. In other words, there’s something for everyone. The disadvantages of nuts are mostly logistical: They’re prone to going rancid, especially if you’re storing them incorrectly.

How to Make Any Baked Good Healthier

By Geraldine Campbell / January 11, 2021 /

With a few smart ingredient swaps and add-ins, it’s easy to make healthier baked goods that still satisfy your sweet tooth. Sure, none of these things will turn your cupcake into a green smoothie, but that’s not really what you’re going for, anyway.

5 Alcohol-Free Spirits to Try in 2021

By Geraldine Campbell / January 9, 2021 /

If you’ve decided to start 2021 with a booze-free month, or even if you’ve just resolved to drink a little bit less, we applaud you. That said, Dry January doesn’t have to mean boring old sparkling water. Today you can find delicious and complex alcohol-free spirits that can be used as building blocks for mixed drinks, or to simply enjoy on their own. Here are 5 to try.

Trader Joe’s Best-Tasting, Healthy Salad Dressings

By Geraldine Campbell / January 7, 2021 /

No more bland lettuce and dull veggies. Trader Joe’s has five healthy salad dressings that should be on your shelf or in your fridge right now. These dressings pack a ton of flavor — without the added sugar, sodium, or unhealthy fats you’d normally find in store-bought salad dressings.

3 Yoga Poses to Help Fight Inflammation

By Geraldine Campbell / January 7, 2021 /

Chronic inflammation is linked to conditions such as heart disease, cancer, arthritis and even Alzheimer’s disease. Yoga helps alleviate it. Here’s how.

10 Whole30 Recipes to Stock Your Freezer

By Geraldine Campbell / January 5, 2021 /

The number one piece of advice I give people who are thinking about doing Whole30 is to really prepare your kitchen. And the easiest way to do that is to fill your freezer with a handful of delicious and compliant meals. Do yourself a favor and make at least a couple of these freezer-friendly Whole30 recipes — your future self with thank you.

3-Ingredient Sauces That Make Everything Better

By Geraldine Campbell / December 18, 2020 /

These easy 3-ingredient sauces prove that you can combine just a few fresh, everyday ingredients to produce a flavor bomb that will ignite your cooking. The best part? every single one can be made ahead of time.

Swedish Cardamom Buns Are the Perfect Homemade Holiday Gift

By Geraldine Campbell / December 17, 2020 /

For most of my life I’ve done the exact same thing for Christmas. But Covid has changed everything: There will be no IRL gift exchange, or cooking a big roast for 20 people.

The Totally Free Way to Deal with Anxiety

By Geraldine Campbell / December 9, 2020 /

As the need for affordable mental health services surpasses availability, technology has stepped up to the plate. There are apps that connect you with real therapists (like Talkspace, which is convenient but still relatively pricey), as well as artificial intelligence-powered chatbot apps that are free. They’re basically little therapy robots in your pocket.

10 Feel-Good Food Gifts for $20 or Less

By Geraldine Campbell / December 7, 2020 /

These affordable stocking stuffers are salty and sweet; for bakers and people who prefer to be baked for; for coffee-lovers and chocolate-fiends. In short, there’s something for everyone on your list — and they’re all less than $20.

5 Things We Learned About Immunity in 2020

By Geraldine Campbell / December 6, 2020 /

There is no magic solution, no panacea, no one thing that will guarantee that we won’t get sick, but there are a handful of simple things we can do to strengthen our immune system. This year, we reached for the immune-boosters that are cheap, easy, and time-tested. They may not be revolutionary, but they do work.

7 Ultra-Tasty Breakfasts You Can Make in 15 Minutes or Less

By Geraldine Campbell / December 4, 2020 /

Why is the “most important meal of the day” often the hardest to make time for? But listen! If you have 15 minutes (sometimes less), you can make one of these ultra-tasty, ultra-filling breakfasts. Make your mornings a little better.

This Year, the Perfect Gift Is Practical — Here Are 40 Joy-Sparking, Special Picks

By Geraldine Campbell / December 3, 2020 /

‘Tis the season for our Clean Plates gift guide. But, like so many things this year, gift-giving feels a little different.