I started the Ugly Duckling Bakery blog in 2021 to share the recipes that I make for my family, ranging from 30 minute weeknight meals to more complicated weekend cooking, baking projects made from scratch, and classic cocktail variations. I realized recently that I identify personally with heirloom tomatoes - my goal isn’t to create recipes that are the equivalent of artificially ripened but tasteless tomatoes we get year-round. We’ll get along if you’d rather eat a tomato that is bursting with summertime flavor but perhaps looks misshapen and imperfect. My tiramisu cake doesn’t look like it came from a commercial bakery, but no one complains about how it tastes.
Warning: Excessive Consumption May Have a Laxative Effect
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Happy Friday, Reader In the nearly 30 years I’ve been a doctor, I’ve had countless patients ask me, “What’s the best diet?” And I’m pretty sure my answer has been the same for all 30 of those years: The best diet is the one you can stick with. For me, that’s often meant keeping a food diary. Partly because it taught me portion sizes. And partly because I don’t snack if I have to log it (i.e. laziness as my weight-loss strategy). But recently I’ve (ahem) joined the ranks of post-menopausal women. My hair is going gray, my running has slowed, and I’m clearly losing muscle mass. So, like half the world it seems, I’m trying to be more intentional about protein. We eat a pretty balanced diet in my house, and the last time I thought specifically about protein was when I was a vegetarian training for an Ironman triathlon. So I started my 2026 search from my 2004 training plan: protein powder in a smoothie with banana, peanut butter, and yogurt. Nope. Next step: Google. With 20 grams of protein, people love Barebells because they taste like candy bars. And they do. But they also come with this helpful warning: That would be the sugar substitutes. A candy bar with consequences. I’ve tried a few others - the ones with the highest amount of protein have the risk of diarrhea. The one I thought tasted best - a Kind protein bar - checks in with 12 grams. Not bad. Not great. So now I’m thinking I'll experiment making my own just to have something to pack in my swim bag. And I'd love to know if you have a favorite protein bar - either homemade or store-bought. In the meantime, if you’re also trying to sneak in a little more protein, here are a few meals that get close to that 1 gram per 10 calories sweet spot:
Pin this mole-inspired chili recipe for later! Not into this?I get it. Maybe you'll find inspiration in some of the things I made this week?
That's it for me. I hope you find something here that makes your life a little bit more delicious! 💜 Joanne p.s. Please leave a rating and comment on the blog post when you make my recipes. I'll be your best friend forever if you do! |
Ugly Duckling Bakery
I started the Ugly Duckling Bakery blog in 2021 to share the recipes that I make for my family, ranging from 30 minute weeknight meals to more complicated weekend cooking, baking projects made from scratch, and classic cocktail variations. I realized recently that I identify personally with heirloom tomatoes - my goal isn’t to create recipes that are the equivalent of artificially ripened but tasteless tomatoes we get year-round. We’ll get along if you’d rather eat a tomato that is bursting with summertime flavor but perhaps looks misshapen and imperfect. My tiramisu cake doesn’t look like it came from a commercial bakery, but no one complains about how it tastes.
Hello Reader Happy Friday I know not all of you are into cocktails. But have you ever wished you could make a great cocktail? Maybe you have a cocktail book or two but they're filled with bottles you don't have. And the last thing any of us need is another liquor bottle we don't drink. Since I started the Ugly Duckling Bakery blog, I've been realizing that I really want to write a cookbook or two. At some point. And I've been thinking about starting with cocktails. One thing I like about...
Hello Reader Happy Friday. Shana Tova for those of you celebrating the new year. And a big welcome if you are new here. It's been a pretty boring week in my world, which is nice, given how much is going on elsewhere. I hope you too are somewhere safe and with a roof over your head, running water, and electricity. If you are, and if you're looking for ways to help out victims of Hurricane Helene, I'd suggest World Central Kitchen, who's been providing food and water to residents and first...
Hi, Reader Happy Friday! If there's one thing that I would bet on, it's that most of you like pizza in some form. Pizza is a perfect dinner canvas because it can be classic comfort food or adaptable to the most adventurous tastes. Below are ways I do pizza night in my house. We have an Ooni pizza oven (I am not an affiliate) and it's an amazing tool once you get past the learning curve. Happy to answer questions if you have one or are contemplating. If you don't, I get the best crust in my...