(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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I would love either of these cookbooks because I am constantly looking for healthy recipes now that I have started my weight loss plan- your website helps too!
I’d love to win either of these because I just moved into my own apartment and am gathering meal and snack ideas!
I love Ellie Krieger! I bought one if her books called ”Small changes,big results” and I am a big fan of hers! I used to watch all of her shows on food network. She can make any bad for you comfort food, healthy and light, so you don’t feel guilty eating it. I really like her recipes and her take on how to live healthy and happy. It is true that all the small changes add up to big results. 🙂
I would love to win these cookbooks because I love finding new healthy recipes to try!
I’m always looking for new way to make healthy version of comfort food, and there is nothing better than grapes in the summer so I would love to see what they have to offer in their cookbook!
I’d like to win cause I love Ellie Krieger, always watch her show and would love her cookbook 🙂
Her recipes are always so good. I would love to have her cookbook and try out more recipes with grapes!
If you haven’t checked it out yet, her chile recipe in “Comfort Food Fix” is to die for. She uses both cocoa powder and cinnamon in it. Such an interesting but delicious combo for a chile!
Hey Julie.. I would absolutely love to win either of those cookbooks. They both seem like they would have great recipes and I love, love Ellie. These definetly would come in handy bc my Fiancee does not share my desire to eat healthy so I have to cook two dinners and more often then not, I end up eating something simple and boring bc I’ve just cooked him a four course meal lol
I feel like these cookbooks would definetly provide me with some new recipes that we would both enjoy! (esp. ComfortFoodFix).
OooOo the things we do for Love!!
i am always looking for new ideas for healthy cooking! i would love either one to spark my creative cooking juices 🙂
I LOVE ellie and love that her recipes are healthy so i would love these books!
I’m obsessed with cookbooks! And these look so unique and different! I love eating healthy and am always looking for new, fun recipes. That pizza recipe look phenomenal!
I love comfort food and a healthy cookbook for preparing it would a great addition to my cookbook collection! 🙂
I’d love to win either of these cookbooks! I really love food, especially cheesy, rich food that aren’t good for me. I tend to go out to restaurants when I want to indulge and I think if I were able to cook low cal versions at home, I could keep my “cheat” meals much healthier.
Hi Julie,
Great post! I would love to win one of these cookbooks in order to step out of my “food comfort zone” and shake up my daily eats! 🙂
Since I am newly married, with a husband from the south, I think the “Comfort Food Fix” is right up our alley. It would satisfy my need for healthier cooking and my husband’s love for lasagna, meatloaf and mac&cheese! 🙂
Would love to be able to try new (healthy!) takes on comfort foods
I’m always on the lookout for healthy recipes. As a new mom, working out has taken a bit of a backseat lately, so eating healthy is very important to me!
I love her! She has such a balanced approach to healthy living! I would love to check out her recipes.
I’ve given Ellie Krieger’s books to friends but don’t have one myself. I’d love to own one of her books!
Ellie is so smart about eating great, healthy foods. I would love to see what recipes and information she has in her cookbooks.
Love cookbooks and love new ideas!!
I would love to win Ellie’s cook book! I’m always looking for new healthy recipes but more importantly ways to revamp the no-so-healthy foods I ate as a kid…aka comfort foods 🙂
You can never have enough healthy cookbooks!!!
My husband and I are in a cooking rut. I’d love a new cookbook to get our creative juices flowing again.
I’d love to win Elli’s Comfort Food cookbook because come on, let’s be honest, who doesn’t LOVE to indulge in comfort food every now and again. And being to “indulge” without killing a healthy routine? Even BETTER!
I love cookbooks and am always looking for inspiration for healthy meals!
I would LOVE to win one of these cookbooks! After relocating across the country from Wisconsin to New Mexico, and a 4 month separation from my husband, we are looking to get our “healthy food groove” back on! New recipes with a new environment might be the ticket!
Would love the new cookbooks as I am really starting to cook more often.
I love Ellie Kriger. I’ve been making her healthy sloppy joe recipe for years. It’s one of mine and my husband’s favorite recipes.
I love Ellie Krieger and need some new cookbooks. I have a new apartment and it would be a great addition!
Love Ellie! I’m always on the lookout for healthy cookbooks.
I’m constantly looking for new healthy recipes. I love the idea of taking comfort meals and making them healthier.
Always looking for new, healthy recipes to try.
I would love the comfort food made over cookbook. Im always craving southern comfort food but never make it because of the nutrition. Though the other book would be amazing inspiration during this summer season 🙂
I’d love to win the comfort food cookbook since I’m always looking for ways to make healthier versions of my favorite foods!
I would love to win Ellie’s cookbook as I’m always trying to research/experiement with healthier ways to make some of my families favorite meals. Also, the grape one just seems like a fun addtition to my cookbook collection as I’ve never thought of using grapes for cooking before.
I am ALWAYS always looking for new healthy cookbooks. It makes my life so much easier when I know the recipe it healthy and good for me.
with summer upon us, i’m looking for some new recipes using all the fresh produce out now!
I would want either cook book because I love experimenting with healthy recipes!!
Ellie’s healthy cookbook looks fantastic. I am always looking for flavorful and healthy takes on dishes that are typically unhealthy.
It’s sometimes hard to find good comfort food recipes. Would love some new ones.
I would love to win those cook books because I eat healthy but it has really been a battle to get my husband to eat healthy. He is so picky and hardly ever eats anything healthy. It would be great to have to some new ideas!
I am trying to incorporate more healthy meals into my diet and often don’t know where to begin. Having these cookbooks would help a lot!
I’d love to win these! I watched Ellie when she first aired on Food network, and I’m sad they stopped taping new episodes–loved her recipes and would totally use her cookbook!
When my college career was over with and I entered the real world, I realized that beside gaining a wonderful education, I had also gained almost 30 wonderfully unwanted pounds. The foodnetwork had always been a weakness of mine, I was attracted to their incredibly yummy food which was more often than not unhealthy for you. I later found Ellie Krieger’s tv show and was hooked. Shes facinating and since then I have been attempting to change life towards a healthy eating and active life style. Finding healthy cookbooks which actually make you want to eat the food is harder than you might think. I would love to win Ellie’s new book and continue on my path.
I would love to try recipes out of her book. I’ve made several of her recipes from the food network website.
She’s great!
I would love to win either one of those cookbooks! I have been trying to really eat healthy and learn new recipes since january! And i LOVE cooking and trying new healthy recipes out!!!
I love cooking and need new healthy recipe ideas to keep on track!
I love cooking and eating healthy! These books look like they would have some great healthy meal ideas!