The dog days of summer are officially over and I'm not missing the heat at all. I will, however, be missing all of the fresh local produce at our farmers market on Sundays. It's such a great experience to go buy locally grown and produced products from small farms and purveyers of goods and it's become a staple of our spring and summer. Aside from the excellent prices, quality, and sustainable methods, it's great to meet the actual people that are producing your food and who take pride in bringing you their best. To read further about our love of buying local, check out our recent blog post.

It's starting to get cold outside and that means one thing - rich, hearty soup season. There are few things better than sliding your chair up to a warm bowl of great soup when it's cold outside. I like all types of soups and creamy soups are some of my favorites. Chowders, broccoli cheese, potato, and cream of just about anything are always top of my list. These soups are certainly tasty but they're also incredibly fattening. Usually cream soups contain - you guessed it - heavy cream along with butter, cheese, bacon, and other thickeners such as flour and corn starch.

I'm always trying to find new ways to work healthy vegetables in my diet and recently I've grown to love brussel sprouts. When prepared right they have a complex flavor and are very hearty and filling. In fact, I've found myself choosing this high protein and low carb vegetable over potatoes, which are carb heavy and loaded with calories.

It can be easy to forget about the humble eggplant. You probably walk by it in the produce section and marvel at its shiny black-purple skin and large size. The next thing that pops into your mind is, "What the heck can I do with that?", and you move onto other vegetables.

A low carb diet can be challenging when it comes to the amount of time it takes to prepare food. I'm currently trying to nudge low carb and good planning is definitely something required when you need to eat mostly non-processed foods. Fresh vegetables, non-processed meats and cheeses, and low carb condiments are required which can take alot of time without a strategy. I've learned that cooking in bulk is a great way to save time. If I'm grilling chicken, I grill a few pounds of it for the week. As soon as I bring home broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, etc., I cut them up into bite size and store them in ziptop bags for easy snacking or meal options. I also try to prepare low carb condiments and dips for the week.

What the heck are zoodles? Why, zucchini noodles of course! Zoodles are a great way to replace pasta noodles if you're trying to cut carbs, are gluten intolerent, or just want to include more healthy vegetables in your diet. Zucchini has already made a very tasty replacement for pasta in our Low Carb Zucchini Lasagna recipe and we also talked about all the health benefits of eating more of this versatile vegetable.

I think most of us can agree on one thing - pizza is delicious. It's the perfect marriage of crispy crust, tangy tomato sauce, and creamy melted cheese. Often times it can be topped with other tasty toppings that add to this trifecta of flavor, however why is pizza often targeted as an unhealthy food that is the downfall of every diet? Why is it any different than a sandwich that has bread, cheese, meat and veggies?

If you're using Nudge, you know the value of loading up on healthy vegetables and grains throughout the day. As we've mentioned before, one of the key ways to make sure you're eating healthy throughout the day is to have a healthy dish that when taken to your workplace is so fresh and delicious, you won't be tempted to hit the vending machines or head out for fast food. It needs to travel well, not spoil easily, and be full of nutrients and energy to keep you alert and focused until the next meal.

Whether you're trying to eat more vegetables, cut down on carbs for a weight loss regimen or have a gluten allergy, one thing is for sure - we all crave a good home cooked meal from time to time. By home cooked, I mean something that is made from scratch, hearty, and has all the flavors you remember growing up. Most times when we think of such a dish we think of pot roast and potatoes, roast chicken and vegetables, meat loaf, and of course, casseroles. Casseroles are the embodiment of home. A one pot meal loaded with all kinds of delicious (and most often unhealthy) ingredients that inspires your taste buds and satisfies the soul.

Unfortunately, Americans are not consuming enough fruits and vegetables. As reported in USA Today, children and adults eat an average of slightly more than a cup of vegetables a day and a little more than a half a cup of fruit.