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Sharing my flexible tips to transform pasta with a bland bottle of marinara sauce into a veggie-full, chunky, homemade-tasting meal!

My Most Popular Comfort Food Recipes

By Nealy Fischer . January 11, 2021

Well folks, we made it through the first days of 2021. BARELY. Nothing about this past year has been comfortable except for one thing:…

banana walnut granola bars

Banana Walnut Granola Bars

By Nealy Fischer . January 8, 2021

One of my most popular recipes of all time is this gluten-free banana bread but I’m always looking for new ways to use up…

Spaghetti Squash Pizza the entire family will love!

By Nealy Fischer . January 4, 2021

When was the last time your kids asked for spaghetti squash? Probably never! But, pizza? Yeah, all kids love pizza! Next time your hungry…

Best Bloopers From 2020

By Nealy Fischer . December 30, 2020

We had so much fun over here at team Flexible Chef finding some of the best bloopers from 2020! We captured some funny and…

surviving+thriving

Alone But Not Lonely: Surviving and Thriving the Holidays

By Nealy Fischer . December 29, 2020

Even by yourself, surviving and thriving through the end of the year can still be an option. With many stay-at-home orders and lockdowns in…

12 Life Lessons from Africa to take into 2021

By Nealy Fischer . December 22, 2020

During a time when escaping to another continent isn’t possible, I decided to bring the eye-opening moments I experienced on my previous adventures to…

banana+bread

Banana Bread – Everyone’s Favorite Quarantine Recipe

By Nealy Fischer . December 14, 2020

If the Chinese Zodiac had food themes, this was definitely ‘Year of the Banana Bread’. (By the way, 2021 is the year of the…

My Favorite Gluten-Free Desserts

By Nealy Fischer . December 9, 2020

It’s TFC HOLIDAY DESSERT WEEK! I’m going to celebrate all week long. Oh yeah, I’m celebrating the end of 2020, with the hope that…

A healthy meal is only a second away if you have salad dressing within arm’s reach. Watch as I show you how to make your own salad dressings!

How To Make Homemade Salad Dressings

By Nealy Fischer . November 30, 2020

Let’s be honest, we all can overindulge in our food choices at times, especially during the holidays. It can be tempting to continue practicing…

Fall Pumpkin Cocktail Recipe

By Nealy Fischer . November 23, 2020

With fall comes the love for everyone’s seasonal favorite, pumpkin! Everywhere you turn there is a new pumpkin-flavored version of just about everything. So…

home and family broccoli rice recipe

Buttery Broccoli Rice Pilaf

By Nealy Fischer . November 16, 2020

Move over cauliflower rice, your cousin broccoli is in town. We have all seen cauliflower rice explode in popularity as a grain-free alternative to…

Recipes For A Flexible Thanksgiving

By Nealy Fischer . November 9, 2020

Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays at home but this year we are celebrating it differently, flexible style! Whether you’re cooking just for…

Nealy Fischer

Nealy is the founder and director of The Flexible Chef. She inspires people to eat and to live well, and ultimately to crave a healthy lifestyle. Nealy has been a leader in the wellness industry for two decades and has founded projects including luxury yoga retreats, cooking programs, and women’s empowerment courses around the world.

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Recent Posts

  • My Most Popular Comfort Food Recipes
  • Banana Walnut Granola Bars
  • Spaghetti Squash Pizza the entire family will love!
  • Best Bloopers From 2020
  • Alone But Not Lonely: Surviving and Thriving the Holidays
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theflexiblechef
HELLO GORGEOUS! I shared these thoughts in my news HELLO GORGEOUS! I shared these thoughts in my newsletter this week (PS DM me if you wanna be added-I share updates on life, exclusive offers and more)... HAPPY 2021! If you’re waiting on the world to change overnight, you might find yourself disappointed today. The only real change that you can master overnight is to change yourself. All across social media, I’m seeing people excited for the end of a wild 2020. I worry that we have such expectations from the new year and yet, the reality is that nothing in the world will be different quite yet. Depressing? I actually find this fact full of hope and optimism. Because this year, more than ever, we are desperate for change. Many of us have hit rock bottom. The good news is that while the world won’t likely change, you can. The hungrier you are for change, the greater your potential for awakening and growth. Want to lose 20 pounds? Cut out sugar for 30 days and walk an hour a day. Want to be a better friend this year? Call more often. Want to be less anxious or angry? Seek help. Want to learn new skills? Order new books; sign up for an online course. My point is, your 2021 can be as different as you choose for it to be. Don’t wait on the world to change. Be the change. You’re the best. 2021, even in lockdown, can be your best year yet.
Well hello 2021! 🍷 How are you ringing in the N Well hello 2021! 🍷 How are you ringing in the New Year? I’m making mojitos and salads and the boys are grilling steaks in the snow. We might even get dressed. Sending you all ❤️!
This pic definitely doesn’t highlight my best ph This pic definitely doesn’t highlight my best photography skills but I had to snap it fast (before it got devoured) and share this mexican-ish cauli rice with you. I will get you the full recipe but here’s kinda what I did. Obsessed. Served as a side with steak but then had for breakfast with a sunny side egg the next day. 1 whole onion Olive oil 4 cloves garlic Cumin+chili powder+paprika 4 oz (ish) tomato paste Riced cauliflower, a few cups Fresh cilantro, to garnish Fresh lime, to garnish Sautee onion in oil. Add garlic and slices and paste. Mix in cauliflower. Season with cilantro and lime. Crazy good!
Lonely but not alone: I just wrote a blog piece a Lonely but not alone: I just wrote a blog piece about thriving this holiday season and the nuanced difference between being alone and feeling lonely. So many around the world find themselves more alone than ever. Read up for my simple tips for being content, letting go of expectations, indulging differently and more. LINK IN BIO!
I’m obsessed. Made these the other night with I’m obsessed. Made these the other night with some leftover takeout sushi sauces! I sort of just added a bit of each of below. Garlic, a few cloves Sriracha, a splash! Ponzu Spicy Mayo (a squirt!) Soy sauce Olive oil, drizzle! Always roast Brussels on the highest temp possible to get them crispy and not mushy. I added some sliced mushrooms to these!
Final countdown to NYE has begun! 🎉⁠ ⁠ The Final countdown to NYE has begun! 🎉⁠ ⁠ The truth is, the new year is just an arbitrary way we mark the end of one thing and the beginning of another. There’s no secret formula for anything improving in 2021 unless you choose for it to be so.⁠ ⁠ I find resolutions useful only to the extent that you use them as a tool for transformation. ⁠ ⁠ What habits are you kicking in the new year? What habits have you adopted that you wanna replace with better ones? ⁠ ⁠ The way I like to begin thinking about this is asking myself: what do I deeply desire and what daily habits do I need to adopt to get there?⁠ ⁠ Over time, habits become so ingrained in the way you live, your no longer have to think about them. My son Liam is trying to remember to brush his teeth every morning. At the beginning, he forgets. He sets an alarm (and relies on me to remind him!). But over time, it will be something he does sleepwalking. Same is true, for instance, for swapping morning cereal for eggs (i dunno, just an example!). At first you have to train your body off of sugar in the am. But over time, you won't crave it anymore and eggs (or whatever you choose to start your day off) will become as habitual as brushing your teeth. ⁠ ⁠ Is it just me or do you feel different this year? Compelled by something powerful to change and grow? ⁠ ⁠ ❤️Writing your thoughts down often makes you accountable (to YOURSELF). Whatd'ya think?⁠ ⁠
The holidays are sure looking different this year! The holidays are sure looking different this year! We are out in park city missing all the apre ski, drinks on the mountain and friends. But there’s something snuggly and cozy about being home, dining in without the fuss and just enjoying home cooked meals and each other’s company. Hope you can find your own silver lining and enjoy this years festivities in a new way. Wishing you all who celebrate a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful long weekend!
HEYYYY you! With all the pre-holiday baking and ne HEYYYY you! With all the pre-holiday baking and new stay-at-home orders around the world, it can be tough to stop yourself from munching. ⁠ ⁠ If you swap deprivation for moderation (and mindfulness) it's a game-changer. I always like to be prepared with cut-up veggies in the fridge so when I feel like snacking I reach for celery and not chocolate!⁠ ⁠ ⁠Link in bio for tips on how to avoid the pitfalls of pre-meal snacking.⁠ ⁠
Anyone else craving comfort food? My ravenous skie Anyone else craving comfort food? My ravenous skiers come home for lunch everyday (avoiding indoor dining crowds this year...). Anyone else back to finding themselves making lunch again? Here a few warm and cozy lunch ideas to feed a crowd. If all else fails, dinner leftovers always work! ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⛷Slow cooker beef stew ⁠⠀ ⛷Slow cooker chicken soup with noodles⁠⠀ ⛷Salad bar+ meat+chicken+any protein⁠⠀ ⛷Make your own sandwich bar (we did with pastrami!)⁠⠀ ⛷Shakshuka and toast!⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Huge shoutout to the talented @prettydeliciouslife for capturing and recreating my beef stew recipe above.⁠⠀
It’s been a minute since we’ve been anywhere e It’s been a minute since we’ve been anywhere exciting like a Safari (although my house feels like a zoo lately, does that count?). We traveled to Tanzania and Zambia on a family Safari last December- one year ago today! Prior to our trip, everyone I spoke to warned me excitedly that the experience would be life-changing. While I was open to and eager for another adventure, how much shifting could this trip bring? Little did I know I would later be struck with an emotional cleansing and a brand-new perspective on life. Three weeks in these magical places and I was reborn. I’ve shared some insights I journaled about when I was absorbed with the wonder of it all in the bush and spent time reflecting how these lessons can be useful at this time this year. I’ve found great comfort in recalling inspiring moments to help shed hope and light on our current times. Blog post link in BIO! Can’t wait to hear what u think!
DID TIME SLOW DOWN FOR YOU THIS YEAR? 🕰 ⁠ ⁠ DID TIME SLOW DOWN FOR YOU THIS YEAR? 🕰 ⁠ ⁠ One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is reminiscing on the amazing memories we have created over the years. 😊 It always brings me back to this feeling of wishing time would just slow down. Where does it go? It feels like yesterday that all my babies were just babies. 🤰🏼 ⁠Anyone else? ⁠ ⁠ If you feel like time is flying by, remember that this is the season to SLOW DOWN. 🐌 Add in more mindfulness practices, journaling, conversations with loved ones, take intentional social media break days. In reality, whatever is most important to you is where you should spend the majority of your time! 💙 That helps make it feel slightly less like Earth is spinning at 1,000 miles per hour (which it actually is btw 👩🏼‍🚀) ⁠ ⁠ Savor every moment of beauty in these crazy circumstances we are all in. ⁠ ⁠
YES, PLEASE CHEESECAKE ✋🏼⁠ ⁠ 🙋🏼‍♀️ Remember friends - Moderation Not Deprivation!! ⁠ ⁠ The challenge of gluten-free baking is to tweak the rich and classic delicacies of desserts like cheesecake and make them a little healthier. I’ve virtually eliminated dairy, gluten, processed foods and almost all grains from my testing kitchen, but my kids begged me for the real dairy rich version my mom makes. With a crumbly, buttery crust and just a hint of cinnamon, your first bite, is more like a creamy cheesecake party topped with a tart and sweet raspberry topping.⁠ ⁠ 🌟 Cheesecake Tip : If your cheesecake is sufficiently cooked then there should be no areas of liquid or wet spots in the center of it when you remove it from the oven but remember it will continue to cook as it cools so it may still be soft to the touch⁠ Make sure that the cheesecake is completely cold before you attempt to remove the tin otherwise you might find that your cheesecake collapses or sags.⁠ ⁠
HUG IN A BOWL 🤗🥣⁠ ⁠ So many hugs I misse HUG IN A BOWL 🤗🥣⁠ ⁠ So many hugs I missed out on this year!! Other than chatting on zoom 👩🏼‍💻 one of my favorite ways to send love this year is through sharing my best recipes. ⁠ ⁠ 📝 IMPORTANT NOTE in TFC Comfort Food Week : ⁠ Comfort food DOES NOT have to be bad for you! Comfort food can be a healthy meal cooked with ❤️ or eaten with thankfulness after a stressful day. ⁠ ⁠ This cabbage soup from my cookbook is definitely a combo of comfort ➕ health with lots of fiber & gut-friendly ingredients. ⁠ ⁠ Hope you try it!! Cookbook Link is in bio 🔗⁠ ⁠
Its officially the last night of Chanukah! Hey, th Its officially the last night of Chanukah! Hey, the good news is that if you haven't yet made latkes- these are so flipping good you don't have to wait another whole year to indulge. This has been one of the more popular recipes from my cookbook and we make them all year round! ⁠ ⁠ I have a version of these on the blog too. Lately I omit the flour completely to keep them carb-free but make them however you fancy! Try them with carrots or parsnips too for a fun twist. I've also been dreaming about folding in some parmesan or....brisket!⁠ ⁠ Link in bio!
LIFE CARTOGRAPHY 🗺⁠ ⁠ Here's an interesting LIFE CARTOGRAPHY 🗺⁠ ⁠ Here's an interesting thought 🙇🏼‍♀️ Take up being a "cartographer" - a person who makes maps. Thinking about "mapping out your week" or "mapping out your 2021 goals" as more of a Journey 🎒 an Adventure ✈️ rather than a checklist of tasks. Is your life a treasure hunt? 💎⁠ ⁠ You've heard of *or maybe even tried* vision boards and creative visual lifestyle planning. I wonder what it would look like, to mentally think of : ⁠ 1️⃣ your week⁠ 2️⃣ your month⁠ 3️⃣ your year ⁠ ⁠ As if it were a dotted line along a beautiful and interesting pathway that is YOUR LIFE. We only live once, make sure that you maintain your curiosity, creativity, energetic spirit. Make sure that along that path of your week you pass by a friend, you happen upon a perfect bench at which you stop and meditate, you come upon a hill that is a 45-minute cardio workout - but at the top, there is a reward. ⁠ ⁠
Glazing over this year with salted caramel sauce. Glazing over this year with salted caramel sauce. This week, as we celebrate Chanukah, I am baking up a doughnut storm. 🌧🍩 ⁠ ⁠ I already told you guys that fried food is a tradition this holiday season! But did you know doughnuts are too!? ⁠ ⁠ One of the first things I wanted to figure out how to make after going gluten-free 15 years ago was gluten-free donuts! I've tried different recipes over the years, and one of my favorites is this recipe from @myrelationshipwithfood⁠ ⁠ Yes, you can buy GF doughnuts not only in doughnut shops but in grocery stores now! 😲 But, still fun to make on your own! ➕ My kids love helping with these!⁠ ⁠ 🔗 LINK IN BIO! ⁠ ⁠ So long, 2🍩2🍩 we DONUT miss you! 👋 Sorry, practicing for New Years! ⁠ ⁠ #chanukah⁠ ⁠
Chanukah is a holiday to celebrate the miracle of Chanukah is a holiday to celebrate the miracle of triumph against overwhelming odds 🕎 If this isn't the year to celebrate the holiday with all the traditions, I don't know when is! 🙏⁠ ⁠ Did you know eating FRIED FOOD during Chanukah is symbolic?! 🍩 Classic jelly donuts & 🥔 latkes symbolize the oil used to light the menorah. The one-day's worth of oil that lasted 8. Maybe 2020's "oil" would be the one month's worth of hope that had to last 8 + months. ⁠ ⁠ We have a few of our own traditions at our home - from the gifts to the quality time. Doing my best to keep them and be flexible with the ones we have to adapt to the times. ⁠ ⁠ Thinking back on the resilience, morality, ingenuity, and hope that characterized family members in generations before me. Here's to your history and the story that makes you, YOU, my friends! ⁠ ⁠
There are ONLY 3 FRIDAYS LEFT in 2020! ⁠😲 ⁠ There are ONLY 3 FRIDAYS LEFT in 2020! ⁠😲 ⁠ Does that make you excited? Or feel like time flies? ⁠ ⁠ I wanted to share ⁠a few tips on what to do if you "over-indulge" during the holidays. ⁠ ⁠ We’ve all had those nights. (Maybe more often this past year).. The ones where we eat way more than we should have, down an extra drink 🍸 (or two), and enjoy ourselves a little more than we planned. That’s OKAY! 👍 — you deserved it. But, what you do the next morning to bounce back is essential 👏🏻. ⁠ ⁠ From my favorite yoga sequence, to my go-to breakfast, mental exercise for letting go of the guilt, and more - here is my advice to help you get back on track ASAP, ⏰ so your one night of yummy indulgences doesn’t turn into two, or three, or more! ⁠ ⁠ #friday #lifebalance #TheFlexibleChef⁠ ⁠ ⁠
Today's Flexible Tip: Add moisture 💦 ⁠ ⁠ 🌟 Create that thick, denser baked good (versus a light and fluffy treat) by adding mashed banana, pumpkin purée, applesauce, or cooked carrot purée.⁠🌟⁠ ⁠ Baking is the official foodie trend of 2020, and I know you've got some breakfast / dessert / snack recipes you're saving for Christmas already! 🍪 If you don't follow instructions exactly, your oven-lovin' passion project might come out looking a lot different than the beautiful Pinterest and IG photos you were craving... but - WE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE ALL THE INGREDIENTS or the TIME! So it's important to learn and understand the chemistry that happens in the baking process. Did you know that the more moisture you add the denser it turns out? So cool! ⁠ ⁠ If you don't know me yet, I am always looking for more flexible options and include them in all of my recipes. ⁠ ⁠ 🔗 For healthy ingredient substitutes, check out my blog! Link in bio! ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #flexibletip #fakeittillyoubakeit #theflexiblechef #foodyouwant
Happy almost Chanukah! 🍩⁠ ⁠Other than donut Happy almost Chanukah! 🍩⁠ ⁠Other than donuts and latkes, we are looking forward to the coziness of PJ's and muffins and presents! ⁠😊⁠ ⁠ 📱 Watch my stories today for all of my Chanukah recipes & family traditions! Hope you screen shot some and try!! ⁠ ⁠ Don't wait till the New Year, however, to healthify your life. I make these GF and grain free blueberry muffins that take the bulge out of the bite so both your waistline and your palette is satisfied! ⁠ ⁠ 👩🏼‍🍳 INGREDIENTS ⬇️⁠ Dry Ingredients⁠ 1 1/2 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour⁠ 1/2 cup almond flour⁠ 2 teaspoons baking soda⁠ 1 teaspoon cinnamon⁠ 1 teaspoon xanthan gum, if not already included in GF flour⁠ 1/2 teaspoon salt⁠ ⁠ Wet Ingredients⁠ 2 eggs⁠ 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar⁠ 1/2 cup coconut oil⁠ 2 teaspoons vanilla extract⁠ 1/2 cup thinly grated zucchini⁠ 1/3 cup mashed banana, (approx 1 banana)⁠ 3/4 cup blueberries⁠ ⁠ 👩🏼‍💻 Instructions in blog! ⁠
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