Kara Lydon | The Foodie Dietitian Blog

2017 Reflections and Intentions for 2018

January 5th, 2018 | Posted in Self-Care | 10 comments

A look back at 2017, the highs and lows, and my intentions for 2018.

2017 was a blur. It was a fast-paced blur with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. I wonder if every year as I get older will feel faster and faster. I sure hope not, because I don’t know how I could possibly keep up with a faster paced year than last.

I looked back at the word/intention I set for myself for 2017 last week, not having looked at it since I set it one year ago and I was like oh yes, of course that was my word having lived the year and seeing how it played out. My word was exploration. And that word basically sums up my entire 2017.

Exploration with my career

I started to explore new paths for my business. I immersed myself in continuing education around intuitive…

Easy Peppermint Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

December 21st, 2017 | Posted in Dessert, Holiday, Recipes | 10 comments

Delicious treats for the holidays! These easy peppermint dark chocolate chip cookies are made with whole-wheat flour and are perfectly festive for a holiday cookie swap!Hi, friends. I’ve been so lucky to work with an amazing intern these past six months, Michaela, and I’m excited to introduce you all to her today! She’s been working behind the scenes at TFD, helping me with social media and various projects but today she’s peaking out from behind the curtains and sharing a delicious holiday cookie recipe with ya’ll. Keep an eye on Michaela – I know she’s going to accomplish some amazing things in the future! I also want to wish each and every one of you a happy holiday season filled with peace, joy and lots of cookies. Take it away, Michaela!Hi everyone! I’d like to start off by thanking Kara for an unbelievable internship experience, and for allowing me to…

Gingerbread Granola Bars

December 15th, 2017 | Posted in Holiday, Recipes, Snack | 12 comments

The perfect holiday snack to nosh on this season, these homemade gingerbread granola bars are full of holiday spice and nourishing ingredients that are sure to satisfy!Thanks to Thrive® Culinary Algae Oil for sponsoring today’s post! And thanks to all of you for supporting the brands that make TFD possible. As always, opinions are my own!

For the 60-second step-by-step tutorial for this recipe, check out the video below!

Happy one week and two day countdown to Christmas!

This time of year can always get a little hectic. Like when you think your holiday shopping is done and then realize you forgot an entire side of a family (yup, that happened). It just feels like there’s so much to do. Shopping, wrapping, decorating, holiday parties, friend gatherings, gift exchanges, family obligations, tying up projects at work, not to mention trying to capture a sliver…

60 Best Holiday Cookie Recipes

December 14th, 2017 | Posted in Dessert, Holiday | No comments yet

The holidays are almost here! Which means your kitchen needs to be fully stocked with cookies STAT. Take your pick from these 60 best holiday cookie recipes from fellow dietitians!Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies via The Foodie Dietitian

Frosted Flourless Thumbprint Cookies via Hungry Hobby

Apricot Pecan Twists via Live Best

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies via Sinful Nutrition

Flourless Nut Butter Cookies via Shannon A. Garcia of KISS in the Kitchen

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies via Cara Harbstreet of Street Smart NutritionTahini Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies via Katie Cavuto, RD

Chocolate Chip PMS Cookies via Hungry Hobby

Trail Mix Cookies via Triad to Wellness

Flourless Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookies via Marisa Moore

Chocolate Cherry Oatmeal Cookies via Nutritionist Reviews

Cranberry Bliss Cookies via Lively TableChocolate Peppermint Slice n’ Bake Shortbread Cookies via Craving Something Healthy

Matcha Shortbread Cookies via Dana White Nutrition

Menorah Chanukah Cookies via…

Gingerbread Bread Pudding with Eggnog Sauce

December 8th, 2017 | Posted in Dessert, Holiday, Recipes | 32 comments

A holiday dessert worth cheering for! This gingerbread bread pudding is packed with whole grain goodness, sweet raisins and gingerbread spices, and topped off with a warm eggnog sauce.It’s the holiday season and whoop de doop….

I don’t know about you but it doesn’t really feel like the holidays to me right now. Sure, we decorated our tree and started doing some Christmas shopping but it doesn’t help that it was 50 degrees this week in Boston. It also doesn’t help when you’re not sure your 94 year old grandpa is going to make it to Christmas this year :(. Life doesn’t stop for the holidays. Suffering doesn’t stop for the holidays. So give yourself a dose of compassion if you’re not feeling the cheer cheer cheeriest this time of year when everyone is telling you you should. Know that you’re not alone. Last Sunday, we went to church and the priest…

Day Trip to Salzburg from Munich

December 4th, 2017 | Posted in Travels | 2 comments

Traveling to Salzburg for the day and not sure what to see and where to eat? I gotcha covered as I walk you through my day trip to Salzburg from Munich.Hi friends,

This post wraps up my trips to Europe this summer. It feels weird that I’m still writing about these now that summer has been long gone for what feels like forever as we enter the holiday season. But hey, lots of people jet off to cute, quaint European cities like Salzburg for the holidays so hopefully this guide will help some fellow travelers this season.

Full disclaimer – I had no idea Salzburg was so freaking close to Munich. Munich was always in the books but once I got there and started researching what to do I realized that Salzburg was an easy day trip from Munich (only 2 hour train ride). I was like well I’ve already…

Gingerbread Pancakes

November 29th, 2017 | Posted in Breakfast, Holiday, Recipes | 40 comments

These healthy gingerbread pancakes are a delicious addition to a holiday brunch and perfect for a lazy weekend winter morning. Fluffy buttermilk pancakes made with whole-wheat flour and packed with warming spices like ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon.When I think of fall flavor, I think of pumpkin and apple. When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of thyme and rosemary. And when I think of the holidays, all I can think about is GINGERBREAD.

Like these gingerbread pancakes — watch this quick 60-second video on how to make them!

I probably will turn into a gingerbread cookie at the rate I will be consuming all the gingerfied things from now until the end of December. But I just can’t get enough of those delicious warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves and ginger this time of year.

And so I…