In an effort to make it not feel like I'm going back to school in a month I made some key lime pies. The crisp graham cracker crust with a tart, tangy, yet sweet lime layer with lots of freshly whipped cream just screams summer. Eyeing some small glasses, I thought it would be fun to make mini versions of the pie! 

My favorite flavor at the local frozen yogurt shop is key lime pie. So when I was trying to come up with ways to make the decadent dessert a little lighter, I thought to add some yogurt! I was a little skeptical at first, thinking it would no longer taste like a dessert, but no! The tangy yogurt paired perfectly with the tart lime. Give these a try yourself!

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Ingredients: 
Lime layer:
-Juice of 2-2 1/2 limes
-Zest of 1 lime
-3/4 cup plain yogurt
-300 ml (10 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk 

Graham Cracker Crust:
-3 oz. graham crackers
-2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
-2 teaspoons sugar

Topping:
-3/4 cup cold heavy cream
-1 tablespoon granulated sugar
-Lime zest or crushed graham crackers, optional

Directions:
For the crust: place the graham crackers in a food processor and process until the crackers are fine crumbs. If you don't own a food processor, simply place the crackers into a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin-then add into a bowl to combine with the remaining ingredients. Pour in the melted butter and the sugar and pulse to combine. Add a few tablespoons of the mixture into each of 4 small plastic glasses. Press into the cup with the back of a spoon. Set aside.
For the lime layer: Combine the yogurt and sweetened condensed milk in a large bowl. Add in the lime zest and juice, stir to combine. Fill each cup 3/4 of the way with the mixture, set aside. 
For the whipped cream: Place the cream into a large bowl, whip on medium speed until soft peaks are formed. Add the sugar, whip to combine. Place a dollop of whipped cream onto each cup. Place in the fridge for an hour before serving. Top each with crushed graham crackers or lime zest, if desired. Enjoy! 

-Jordan Weber
Instagram: @teencooking
Twitter: @teenchefjordan
Facebook: Facebook.com/teenscancook
YouTube: Youtube.com/c/TeenCooking 
Contact: jordankalif@gmail.com

I was recently honored to get the opportunity to interview Nancy Sidnam, the founder of the Wellie Project. TWP has such an inspirational message that I am excited to share. Check out my interview with Nancy here: 
http://www.thewellieproject.com/2015/07/21/interview-with-teen-chef-jordan-weber/

Congratulations Nancy on recently becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist! I understand this hasn't always been your career, how did you decide on this profession? 

My first job after college was actually in the advertising industry. It was a great learning experience, but I wanted to find a career that was a better fit for my personality, goals, and values. My “aha” moment happened while watching the first season of British chef Jamie Oliver’s television show “Food Revolution” in 2010. Jamie made cooking and healthy eating look fun, and it was clear that he was positively impacting so many people. I was definitely inspired, and, after doing a little research, I learned that I could combine my own passion for food and cooking with my desire to help others into a career as a registered dietitian!

What is the Wellie Project?

The Wellie Project is three things: it’s a movement that is empowering girls to take charge of their health; it’s a lifestyle that encourages them to find the wellness habits and practices that work best for them; and it’s a community where girls can connect and share their stories with each other. Our goal is to provide as much information and inspiration as possible to help everyone become their best self, no matter what point they are starting from. 

What inspired you to start the Wellie Project? 


It originally started as a personal wellness blog called “Diary of a Wellie” that I had for a couple of years during graduate school. I love writing, photography, inspiring people and sharing content that I find interesting, and the blog gave me a way to do that with my friends and family. But I wanted to do more than just document my journey; I wanted to create a place where I could also help others start their own journey by sharing what I’ve learned and what I continue to learn every day. 

During my time as a grad student, I was babysitting for an amazing family with two girls, and that’s when the pieces really started coming together. As I watched them and their friends grow from kids to teenagers, I noticed that they were dealing with many of the same themes I was, like health, relationships, stress, balance, happiness, etc. We spent a lot of time talking about these things, and in a way we were all navigating life together – I just had a few more years of experience under my belt, as well as more tools for dealing with it all. Naturally it didn’t take long before I realized that they were the ones I most wanted to share my message with. They were smart, savvy, and had access to the same technology that I did, so there was no reason why they needed to wait until they were older to start embracing wellness. My goal became to create The Wellie Project as a resource for them, and from there the idea has just kept growing!

Why do you believe it is important for young people to live healthy lifestyles? 

Because it makes life so much better! When you practice healthy living, you are more in tune with your body and mind. You have a greater ability to recognize when something is off, and you know how to get yourself back on track to feeling your best. It also becomes easier to deal with life’s ups and downs because you have something to lean on that will guide you through it. 

What characteristics make up a "Wellie Life"? 

A wellie life is based on the following principles:

1. Eat for nourishment
2. Move your body
3. Sleep well
4. Deal with stress
5. Build healthy relationships
6. Explore your passions
7. Find balance
8. Embrace mindfulness
9. Express gratitude
10. Practice self-compassion
11. Nurture your spirituality
12. Radiate love

These principles can mean different things to different people, and they may not apply in the same ways to everyone. Their meanings can also evolve or change throughout life, and that’s totally OK too! Ultimately, they are here to remind you of what’s important when you need a little guidance. I know I come back to them whenever I’m feeling out of whack, and they help me figure out how to feel better.

What advice would you give to young people that are currently struggling to lead a healthy lifestyle?

I think it’s so important to spend time thinking about the big picture of health and defining what it means to you. Become clear on your intentions and give your journey a purpose. What do you want your ideal life to look like? How do you want to feel? How will leading a healthy lifestyle help you get there? Why is this important to you? Write it out, create a vision board, tell someone you trust, or express it any other way you want. This is the first step in bringing that vision to life. 

Rather than fighting to “figure it all out” right away and getting frustrated if nothing is working, think about this as a journey of discovery. Now is the best time to open yourself up to new experiences and ideas so you can start learning what feels right for you. And even if you try 10 new things and none of them work out, that’s still progress! Sooner or later you’ll find things that do work, and piece-by-piece you’ll begin to build a solid foundation of health practices that you can be proud of.

What are your hopes for the future regarding the Wellie Project? 

I want it to become the ultimate go-to place for girls who are ready to take charge of their health, where they can find all of the information, support and inspiration they need. As it continues to grow online, I hope to someday start offering in-person experiences and events, teach workshops, create local chapters that girls can join, and so much more! 


Thank you Nancy! Make sure to check out The Wellie Project on Instagram, @thewellieproject, and on thewelliproject.com! 

I got you with that title, didn't I? Cauliflower fried rice with no rice? How is that possible.....
With a trusty piece of kitchen equipment, a food processor. 
Whiz that cauliflower around in the processor for a few seconds, and tah-dah! You have rice! I first made cauliflower rice after watching an episode of one of Jamie Oliver's shows. He made curry over cauliflower rice, and I was shocked how amazing the rice turned out...it absorbed the sauce of the curry wonderfully. Add in some soy sauce, sesame oil, veggies (plus the leaves from the cauliflower) and you have the ultimate fried rice! Watch it all come together on camera here: 

Here's the link! Make sure to subscribe :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XP8aY12jEw

Ingredients: 
-1 medium cauliflower cut into rough florets
-Leaves from the cauliflower, chopped (Don't use the tough outer leaves...use the softer inner leaves)
-3 scallions, chopped
-3 small carrots, chopped (or 2 large)
-1/3 cup corn
-1/3 cup peas
-2 eggs, beaten with a little salt
-3 cloves garlic, minced
-1 1/2 teaspoons minced ginger
-2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
-2 tablespoons soy sauce

Directions:
1. In a wok over medium heat, pour in one tablespoon of the sesame oil. Add in the eggs and scramble. Transfer to a plate and set aside. Wipe out the wok. 
2. Add in the second tablespoon of sesame oil to the skillet. Add the carrot, and cook for 3 minutes, until almost tender. Add in the garlic, ginger, and scallion, and frozen corn and peas if using, and cook for 3 more minutes. 
3. Meanwhile, place the cauliflower florets in a food processor and pulse for a few seconds; you want the cauliflower to be in very small pieces but still have some texture to it. This is your "rice". 
4. Add the rice into the wok with the vegetables and cook until it develops a light brown color, about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. About 5 minutes in,  add the cauliflower leaves. Stir to combine. 
5. Add in the soy sauce and cooked peas and corn if using, stir to combine. Enjoy! :)

-Jordan Weber
Instagram: @teencooking
Twitter: @teenchefjordan
Facebook: Facebook.com/teenscancook
YouTube: YouTube.com/c/TeenCooking
Contact: jordankalif@gmail.com

Frittatas are truly one of the easiest things you can make. With just a few minutes and a handful of pantry ingredients you can have a meal perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner! The best thing about frittatas is that you can totally improvise with them. Use your favorite ingredients! My favorite combination is andouille sausage, kale, and red bell pepper. Here's the recipe (and video!) 

Ingredients:
-8 eggs, beaten
-1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or more)
-1 red bell pepper, chopped
-4 cups kale, chopped
- 6 oz. sausage, crumbled or sliced (I used fully cooked andouille sausage)
-1/3 cup milk
-1 jalapeno, optional
-Olive Oil
-Salt and Pepper

Directions: 
1. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, cheese, milk, and salt and pepper. 
2. Heat a large, 10 inch ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Drizzle in a tablespoon of olive oil. If using raw sausage, add in at this point, cook until brown, then add in the red bell pepper and jalapeño and cook until tender. If not, go ahead and add the red bell pepper and jalapeño. Cook until almost tender, about 7 minutes. Add in the kale and cook until wilted. Stir in the sausage if using already cooked sausage. 
3. Add in the egg mixture, stir gently with a rubber spatula. Cook over medium heat until the eggs set on the side and on the bottom. Put the frittata in the oven for about 10 minutes, until the eggs are fully cooked. Let cool, remove from pan. Cut into wedges. 

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Ingredients:
-About 1/2 cup strawberries, hulled, and halved
-1 cup water plus 1/4 cup 
-1 1/2 tablespoons sugar (I added one tablespoon)
-Juice of 1 1/2 lemons

Place the strawberries and 1/4 cup water in a blender. Blend until combined and pour into a glass. Rinse out the blender, and add in the remaining ingredients. Blend until combined, and blend in the strawberry puree. Pour into a glass, over ice if you prefer. Enjoy! :) 

Ingredients:
-About 1/2 cup strawberries, hulled, and halved
-1 cup water plus 1/4 cup 
-1 1/2 tablespoons sugar (I added one tablespoon)
-Juice of 1 1/2 lemons

Place the strawberries and 1/4 cup water in a blender. Blend until combined and pour into a glass. Rinse out the blender, and add in the remaining ingredients. Blend until combined, and blend in the strawberry puree. Pour into a glass, over ice if you prefer. Enjoy! :)