I rarely go out to eat. And, I cook most things from scratch – primarily because I have so many allergies. But, one thing I try to do in all my recipes is to add more good stuff.

For example, instead of sugar in tomato-based pasta sauce, add puréed carrots.

My Sloppy Joe's recipe starts with 93% lean beef or turkey and uses NO SUGAR. The sweetness comes from carrots, Vidalia onion, and Balsamic reduction.

And, I put spinach in everything I can – TBF, that's because I am anemic and do not properly store iron; but, I also love spinach.

When I make greens (kale or spinach), I NEVER use fatback or streak-o-lean as is traditional in the American South. I add a bit of vegetable or chicken soup base instead of fat-pork. Word of warning: if you use soup base, do NOT add salt.