Sheela Prakash, Author at Clean Plates

For Healthier, Tastier, Extra-Moist Baked Goods, Use This Ingredient

By Sheela Prakash / March 3, 2021 /

Greek yogurt is good for so much more than just your morning breakfast bowl. You can cook with it — and you can bake with it. The result? Moist, slightly tangy baked goods that are loaded with nutrition and flavor.

An Easy & Flavorful 5-Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan

By Sheela Prakash / March 3, 2021 /

Sheela Prakash, author of Mediterranean Every Day, shares five easy, healthy, and delicious meals that come together easily on a weeknight, but still feel special enough for a weekend. The shopping list is simple, the flavors are anything but.

10 Bright & Fresh Citrus Recipes to Beat the Winter Blues

By Sheela Prakash / February 24, 2021 /

It’s just around this time of year, every year, when the fatigue of dark nights and bitter cold days really settles in. Spring still seems so far away, even though we’re nearing the bend! So we’re fighting the winter blues the best way we know how: By loading up on juicy citrus. Oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes are bursting with so much bright flavor, they practically transport you to sunnier weather. They’re also loaded with vitamin C, which keep your immune system strong.

Add These High-Magnesium Foods to Your Diet

By Sheela Prakash / February 21, 2021 /

It’s rare to be deficient in magnesium, but it’s useful to know a few high magnesium foods, just so you can be absolutely sure you’re getting your fill of this PMS-busting, sleep-improving, blood-sugar regulating mineral.

What Is Natural Wine? (and Other Questions, Answered)

By Sheela Prakash / February 19, 2021 /

If you drink wine at all, you’ve probably heard the term natural wine. But what is it? Here’s our quick guide to everything you need to know about this buzzy category of wine.

Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas That Aren’t Steak

By Sheela Prakash / February 5, 2021 /

This year, skip the steak and try something different for Valentine’s Day. From spicy shrimp pasta to whole roasted chicken, these dinner ideas are just the right kind of fancy.

Your Favorite Cheesy Casseroles Made Lighter

By Sheela Prakash / February 4, 2021 /

There’s something so comforting about digging your fork into something warm and cheesy. Of all the cozy ingredients out there, melted cheese really does top the list.

3 No-Brainer Ways to Save Money at Whole Foods

By Sheela Prakash / January 30, 2021 /

These smart tips and tricks save me money every time I shop at Whole Foods.

Celebrate the End of Dry January with This Cheap & Easy Non-Alcoholic Cocktail

By Sheela Prakash / January 28, 2021 /

We’re letting you in on a super-easy, super-tasty, non-alcoholic drink that also happens to be super-cheap. In fact, you may already have the ingredients for in your kitchen right now.

10 Hearty Slow Cooker Soup Recipes for Chilly Nights

By Sheela Prakash / January 24, 2021 /

Slow cookers excel at making seriously great soups. The slow simmer of a slow cooker ensures soups are as full-flavored as they possibly can be. Even better, though, is that slow cooker soups are hands-off. Go about your business and you’ll be rewarded with a healthy, hearty pot of goodness whenever you’re ready for dinner.

5 Ways Sourdough Is Healthier Than Conventional Bread

By Sheela Prakash / January 13, 2021 /

In a world where passing on the bread basket is the trend, sourdough stands out. More and more people are talking about it, baking it, and eating it. This type of bread is special from not only a taste perspective but a health perspective, too — it’s actually full of good things your standard loaf might be missing.

10 Healthy One-Pot Meals You Can Make in Your Dutch Oven

By Sheela Prakash / January 2, 2021 /

My Dutch oven is the one thing that never leaves my stove. My favorite thing to do is make my entire meal right inside — easy to make, easy to clean up. Here are 10 of my favorite healthy one-pot Dutch oven recipes.

This $12 Tea Strainer Makes the Best Tea

By Sheela Prakash / December 30, 2020 /

When it comes to strainers, there are near endless options, from disposable filter bags to stainless steel mesh tea balls. But, this brass tea strainer caught my eye immediately. I am so glad it did, because this tiny tool makes the best tea and brings the most joy to my morning tea ritual.

5 Easy Ways to Make Your Favorite Comfort Foods Healthier

By Sheela Prakash / December 27, 2020 /

This time of year, with its dark nights and dropping temperatures, my craving for my comfort food is near-endless. I want to ease the constant chill in my bones with gooey grilled cheese sandwiches, steaming bowls of soup, and thick slabs of lasagna. Luckily, there a few smart substitutions and swaps that will make these dishes a little healthier, without sacrificing any of the comfort.

Here’s When Not to Use Olive Oil (and What to Use Instead)

By Sheela Prakash / December 21, 2020 /

What’s the oil you reach for the most when cooking? For me, it’s always been olive oil. However, it’s not always the best choice. Here’s when not to use olive oil — and what to use instead.

Are You Buying the Best Almond Milk for You?

By Sheela Prakash / December 11, 2020 /

Trying to decode the row upon row of almond milks can be overwhelming. Here are some key terms to look for and understand.

The Easiest Way to Make Canned Beans Taste So Much Better

By Sheela Prakash / November 15, 2020 /

Canned beans are one of life’s great conveniences. One of a handful of foods categorized as both a vegetable and a plant-based protein, they’re cheap, wholesome, and endlessly versatile. There’s just one tiny problem: Canned beans often taste muted, even a bit tinny, like they came, well, from a can.

The Simplest Pumpkin Bread Recipe Is Also The Best

By Sheela Prakash / November 10, 2020 /

Like clockwork, I get one singular craving every fall: pumpkin bread. I can skip the apple cider doughnuts and pumpkin spice lattes but I can’t go without baking a heavily-spiced, orange-hued loaf that my husband and I eat slowly all week until there’s not even a crumb left.

Why I Fell in Love with This Italian Vegetable (and You Should, Too)

By Sheela Prakash / November 5, 2020 /

After living and studying in Italy for a year, I returned with all the things you’d expect: A knowledge of (and thirst for) good wine, the need to eat pasta on a regular basis, and some semblance of fluency in the language. What I didn’t think I’d come back with was a deep love for a single vegetable.

7 Light & Summery Breakfast Ideas That Still Fill You Up

By Sheela Prakash / July 22, 2020 /

Are you someone who wakes up and is immediately hungry for breakfast? Maybe you normally crave something hearty like eggs or oatmeal. But come summer, it seems we all have an appetite change.

Help! I Want to Eat More Fish But Don’t Know Where to Start

By Sheela Prakash / June 13, 2020 /

For many, fish is something they only eat when they order it at restaurants. There’s just something about it that’s intimidating when it comes to cooking it at home. That’s a shame, though, because getting more fish into your diet is a great way to start on the road towards healthier eating since it’s been shown to promote heart-heart.

5 Quick & Clean Ways to Turn a Can of Tomatoes into Dinner

By Sheela Prakash / May 21, 2020 /

My pantry is never without at least a few cans of tomatoes. To me, they are dinner ready and waiting. Right now, that’s more important than ever. My preference is for whole peeled tomatoes, because I find them the most versatile: You can dice them, crush them, or even puree them, if needed.

5 Tips For Healthier Side Dishes

By Sheela Prakash / May 17, 2020 /

Sides are where you can get the most creative with dinner. That’s probably why they’re the best part of the meal. They can be dressed up or down depending on the mood and motivation and can easily be tweaked to fit any diet or round out any main dish.

Natural Sugars Are Still Sugars, But Here’s the Important Difference

By Sheela Prakash / May 15, 2020 /

Sugar has come under fire lately. We’ve been told to eat less of it, to lower our sugar intake, for our health because it can have negative effects on our weight and put us at risk for things like cardiovascular disease and cancer.