(You have the chance to win her cookbook at the end of this post!)
As I chatted with Ellie, I was able to watch her live on video which was super cool! You may see the video of Ellie chatting with me below.
Isn’t she so warm and kind? I was a little star struck!
I was told I had 15 minutes to talk with Ellie about healthy eating and jotted down a bunch of the questions you guys submitted for me to ask her. You may see the questions I asked in the video below, along with a summary of her answers since I know that videos sometimes don’t show up the best, depending on your internet connection.
- What are your tips for great skin?
Ellie says that so many things go into having good skin, including sleeping and eating well. She says that the research is really strong saying that foods that are rich in antioxidants and healthy fats are great for your skin. She also tries to stay out of the sun.
- What are your thoughts on high-protein diets? Is getting enough protein a concern of yours?
Ellie said that protein is important, but emphasized that there are a lot of great non-meat sources for protein, including grains, nuts, dairy and beans. Ellie said that one cup of milk has as much protein as an egg, adding that people may be eating more protein-rich foods than they realize. She encourages people to look at all the ways to get protein into your diet, including those from non-meat sources.
- What is your go-to easy meal to prepare on a hot summer day?
Ellie said she loves putting out a spread of salads and different nibbles, including a bulgur salad, sliced tomato drizzled with olive oil, shrimp cocktail or anything cold or room-temperature.
She also mentioned a recipe for a pita pizza made in the toaster oven that sounded fantastic!
Start with a whole wheat pita and tear it in half, spreading the two halves with ricotta cheese. Add sliced grapes on top and place the pita pizzas in the toaster oven until the edges of the pita get a little crispy. Then drizzle honey and lemon juice over the cheese and grapes, adding a sprinkle of fresh basil at the very end.
- What does your workout regimen look like?
Ellie said she has a “minimum” in her head of doing something active three days a week and loves to take her workouts outside. She lifts weights, does yoga at least once a week, runs, and loves spinning as well as biking, walking and hiking outside.
- Do you have any tips for healthy eating while dining at a restaurant?
Ellie recommends picking a restaurant that specializes in preparing food with local produce or has a chef that leans toward healthy cooking. She often checks the menu of a restaurant she’s planning to visit online before she goes, so has an idea about what to order ahead of time. Ellie also tries not to dig into the bread basket right away, but says that if she really wants the bread, she waits to eat it until after her entrée is delivered.
- What is your favorite indulgent dish?
Ellie said she is more of a savory person than a sweet person and loves warm, crusty bread and butter. She also loves French fries!
- If you could offer one piece of advice to someone who is just beginning their healthy living journey, what would it be?
Ellie said, “Don’t worry about being perfect.” She encourages people to stay as close to the healthy track as possible, but says not to get down on yourself if you slip up.
***
My interview with Ellie was set up by the California Table Grapes Commission and they wanted me to pass along the word about the opportunity for one of you to win $5,000 simply by submitting your idea for a healthy snack made with grapes! No photo is necessary to enter the contest – just your healthy grape snack idea, which you may submit via the Grapes from California Facebook page.
And now for the giveaway!
Comfort Food Fix and Green Black Red Giveaway
One PBF reader will win the following two cookbooks:
- Comfort Food Fix, Ellie Krieger’s beautiful cookbook featuring 150 delicious comfort food recipes that are lower in calories and fat
- Green Black Red, California Table Grapes’ cookbook, featuring recipes ranging from fresh salads to rich desserts
To enter this giveaway, simply comment below, telling me why you’d like to win either one of these beautiful cookbooks.
I’ll randomly select a winner tomorrow.
Good luck!
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Comfort Food Fix! I LOVE making healthy food for my family and am always looking for new recipes or ways to make an old favorite more healthy.
Just started a healthy lifestyle change – and this would be really helpful!
I would love to gift these books to my mom, who loves recipes with a healthy twist!
I love cooking healthy and love Ellie…would love to have a cookbook by her!!
I love cooking healthy recipes and sharing them with my friends, family and coworkers! The recipes in these two books would be a great addition!
I always am looking for new healthy recipes and am trying to live a more healthy lifestyle. However my boyfriend is a very picky eater so I need good options to work with and I think having a recipe book on hand would be perfect!
I have loved Ellie for years and would love her cookbooks.
I love trying new cookbooks!
It’s always good to know comfort food recipes that are actually healthy for you! I have super healthy dishes and comfort food go-tos and it would be great to have something yummy in between!! 🙂
awww I have always always loved her and her sweet, genuine personality! I love what she said about protein and think it’s a rather good point.
I’d like to win this cookbook because I like how simple most of her recipes look.
I’m a big fan…I have one of her cookbooks and I have loved every recipe that I’ve tried!
I would love to win one of these books because I am always looking for new ways to prepare quick and healthy meals!
I would like to win these cookbooks because I’ve been on my health journey for about a year now and it’s really hard, especially being as picky as I am, to stay on track! I’d like to see new ideas and recipes!
I would love to win these cookbooks…dinners are getting a little boring at home, I could use her healthy ideas to spice things up!
My husband is always craving comfort food so I’m constantly looking for ways to make it healthy, and I LOVE Ellie, so I really hope I win one of the books!!!
Always looking for healthy comfort foods!
Those grape pita pizzas look awesome, would love to learn more recipes like that !
I’m living on my own for the first time this summer, and would love her cookbooks help me get cooking, with my health in mind!
I have one of her cookbooks already and love it…would love to have more of her recipes!
I’ve been making so many recipes with bananas in them lately.. I didn’t realize there might be just as many that use grapes (another one of my favorite fruits)!
I need some new fresh ideas!
That Pita pizza recipe sounds delicious! I must try that soon! I would love to see some more of her recipes!
I love Elie Krieger recipes – so good and good for you! I’ve been wanting to read Comfort Food Fix!
I love cooking healthy and would love to try some of Ellie’s recipes!!
I’d love to win either cookbook because I am always looking for new ways to eat healthfully. It’s nice to spice it up once in a while!
I would love to win both cookbooks. My dad collects cookbooks and I would love to give them to him as a surprise gift. He loves to cook and make up new recipes in the kitchen, I’m certain these cookbooks would help to offer new ideas and inspire him to make new dishes!
I used to watch Ellie on food network all the time. Would love to see what she has to offer in a cookbook (or two!)
I would love to see the recipes in Ellie’s cookbook, sounds great!
Ellie is my go-to girl for healthy recipes. I haven’t ever gotten her books but I am always checking her out online.
I love trying out new healthy recipes!
I’d like to win the healthy cookbook for more healthy recipe ideas!
I’d love to win one of these books because I love winning stuff! Especially stuff that has to do with cooking!
I’d love to win since I’m always looking to make things healthier and this would be perfect!
her style of cooking seems right up my alley; i am still fairly new to cooking but i am trying to make more of an effort to get fresh, healthy ingredients and whip up yummy stuff for my boyfriend and i!
I love Ellie! She is so gorgeous, has great recipes, and is a great role model! I would use her cookbook to make healthy meals next year in my college apartment
i would love to read ellie’s cookbook. she has such a great BALANCED approach to food and healthy living that is refreshing. not all protein, veggies, but nothing is completely banned
I’d love the Comfort Food Fix book because I am a biggg fan of “comfort food” but haven’t had much recently as I’ve focused on eating healthier and I miss it!
Ellie’s cooking style is so encouraging! I love her relaxed and “take life as it comes” attitude. She is truly an inspiration 🙂
i have been doing some hard core stress eating this week and it needs to stop. Some healthy recipes would definitely help! I would love to win.
What a great interview you are so lucky. I love Ellie Krieger, she has such a wonderful balance in her cooking and her personality is so sweet.
I could use some inspiration in my kitchen, the cookbook would be amazing!
I love cookbooks and watched her show back when I had cable 🙂
love this blog! such great information, and such great give-a-ways!
I’d like to win the book, because I’ve used her books previously, and her recipes are great! Love her TV show, too.
I would love to win either of these books. I’ve always loved Ellie’s shows on Food Network. I learned to cook watching the channel, but unfortunately I watched most of the “not so healthy shows” and my weight currently reflects that. Recently I’ve been looking up her recipes and trying to make more of my favorite fatty foods, into healthier options. These books would help my cause greatly 🙂
… because i need some new inspiration!
I’d love these books because I’m always searching for new healthy recipes to make!
I NEED comfort food fix because I love comfort food, especially southern stuff, but the grease kills my GI system!
My boyfriend and I are always looking for healthy and delicious recipes to try, so I would love to win one of these cookbooks!
I would love to win one of these books! I love Ellie’s healthy food makeover recipes. Plus I need more need more grape recipe ideas. (Love grapes with Brie cheese!)
I would love the comfort food recipe book! I am always looking for healthy makeovers to our favorite meals.