Goodfoodfreak

07/24/2026

I think it’s time I tell you the story behind my healthy eating journey.

For a long time, you’ve seen me share recipes, Mediterranean, Turkish food, vegetables, protein, and the things I love to cook and eat and mostly healthy.

But there is a bigger story behind all of this.

Last year, my bloodwork was a wake-up call. My A1C was 6.5, my triglycerides were 226, and I knew I needed to make some serious changes.

With my doctor’s guidance, I started Mounjaro. But I quickly realized that medication was only one piece of the puzzle.

I wanted to do more.

I changed the way I ate. I became much more intentional about protein and nutrition. And then I started strength training.

At 57, I am now working on something I never thought I would be so passionate about: building muscle and becoming stronger.

My goal isn’t simply to see a smaller number on the scale.

I want to preserve my muscle.
I want to build strength.
I want to improve my health.
I want to age strong.

My A1C has since come down to 5.6, and my triglycerides have improved as well. I’ve also lost a significant amount of body fat while working to maintain my muscle.

This isn’t a “before and after.”

This is an ongoing journey.

And I haven’t shared much of this part of my life here because, honestly, I wasn’t sure I wanted to.

But I think it’s time.

Because maybe there is another woman in her 50s or 60s who is looking at her own bloodwork, her own body, or her own health and thinking, “Is it too late for me?”

I want you to know what I’m learning:

It’s never too late to start.

This is my journey toward becoming healthier, stronger, and more confident in the body I have today.

And I’m just getting started. 💪❤️

Thank you Rise Personal Training being part of my journey.
Also I am not paying for overpriced ginger-turmeric shots anymore, I have organic ginger & turmeric to make my own shots 😉 Melissa's Produce

MediterraneanLifestyle | Mediterranean Diet

07/24/2026

🚨 STOP SCROLLING—YOU NEED TO TRY THIS! 🌶️🧄

Fried red peppers + garlicky yogurt = one of the BEST summer combinations! 😍

The peppers get naturally sweet and slightly caramelized, then they’re piled over cool, creamy, garlicky yogurt. 🤤

This Turkish-style dish is SO simple, but the flavor is incredible. It’s perfect next to grilled seafood or meat, beautiful on a breakfast table, or my favorite way… stuffed into a crusty sandwich! 🥖🔥

One bite and you’ll understand why I call this the taste of summer. ☀️🌶️

Would you eat this with grilled meat, seafood, or in a sandwich? 👇

07/22/2026

🌶️🔥 HOW MANY HATCH PRODUCTS CAN YOU COUNT? 🔥🌶️

Okay, confession… there are even more Hatch goodies than what you see in this box! 😍 And yes, the last two products are not Hatch—they’re new vegan soy products from www.melissas.com. 🌱

Here are my Hatch must-haves 👇

🌶️ Hatch Salsa & Hot Sauce
🌶️ Red & Green Hatch Pepper Powders
🌶️ Hatch Pepper Seasoning — this one is SOMETHING ELSE! 🤤🔥

And let’s talk about the snack boxes! 😋
Clean, simple snacks made with nuts and seeds… but with LOTS of kick! 🌶️🔥 Perfect for when you want something crunchy, savory, and a little spicy.

Meanwhile, my husband has been experimenting with the Soyrizo. His latest creation? Pan-frying it and mixing it into scrambled eggs. 🍳❤️‍🔥 And yes… he LOVES it!

Now I want to know 👇
Have you tried anything from this box? Which one is YOUR favorite? 🌶️🔥

Tell me in the comments! ⬇️

07/22/2026

🧅🔥NO TURKISH BBQ IS COMPLETE WITHOUT THIS!

If you’re grilling meat, you NEED this onion salad! 🇹🇷

We Turkish people simply cannot imagine BBQ without thinly sliced onions, fresh parsley, lemon, and lots of fragrant sumac. It’s incredibly simple, but somehow makes grilled meat taste even better! 😋

For this salad, I used sweet, tender HATCH onions from the Hatch, New Mexico region, from www.melissas.com. Hatch is famous for its amazing peppers, but these sweet onions are pretty special, too! 🧅🌶️

✨ ONION SALAD ✨

🧅 1 sweet Hatch onion
🧂 A sprinkle of salt
🌿 A handful of chopped parsley
🍋 Juice of ½ lemon
❤️ A generous amount of sumac

THE SECRET: Thinly slice the onions, sprinkle with salt, and gently massage them with your hands until they soften. Add parsley, lemon juice, and plenty of sumac. Toss—and you’re done!

That’s it! No fancy ingredients. Just a few simple things that create the perfect side for grilled meat. 🇹🇷🔥

Have you ever tried Turkish onion salad? Tell me in the comments! 👇

Melissa's Produce

07/13/2026

✨ An unforgettable evening at the Hollywood on the Coast Food & Wine Festival ✨

On June 13th, I had the pleasure of attending this extraordinary culinary experience at the beautiful Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, benefiting Variety – The Children’s Charity of Southern California and the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation.

The evening brought together some of the finest chefs, restaurants, and beverage artisans, creating a celebration of creativity, passion, and unforgettable flavors. From beautifully crafted tasting menus to incredible culinary presentations, every experience reflected the dedication and artistry behind great food.

As someone who embraces a balanced and mindful approach to nutrition, I truly believe that a healthy lifestyle is not about restriction — it is about appreciation, balance, and making thoughtful choices. While I prioritize protein-rich, wholesome meals in my daily life, I also love celebrating exceptional cuisine and enjoying special moments like this with curiosity and gratitude.

It was inspiring to taste the creativity of talented chefs, discover new flavors, and celebrate the people who bring our food culture to life.

A special thank you to the wonderful MC and more Kimlai Yingling for guiding the evening with so much energy and elegance, and to everyone who contributed to making this event such a memorable celebration.

Food connects us, inspires us, and creates beautiful memories. 🍷✨🍽️

www.melissas.com Delta Air Lines


BalancedLifestyle | GoodFoodGoodLife |FoodieExperience

04/23/2026

MENEMEN — simple, satisfying, and full of flavor 🍅🍳

This tomato-based classic is known as menemen in Turkish cuisine — one of my favorite high-protein, Mediterranean-style breakfasts. Perfect for supporting strength training, balanced blood sugar (A1C), and fat loss.

⬇️⬇️
Ingredients
2 small tomatoes
2 eggs
1 tbsp chopped onion
1 spicy jalapeño (plus a few serrano slices for extra kick 🌶️)
1 tsp olive oil

▶️ Sauté onion and peppers in olive oil for a few minutes
▶️ Add chopped tomatoes, salt to taste, and cook until softened
▶️ Crack the eggs, mix, pour into the pan, mix gently , cover, and cook until the whites are set or like in the picture, fry one egg separately if you prefer.

Enjoyed with freshly brewed tea and a slice of whole wheat sprouted bread (higher in protein and more blood sugar–friendly than most breads) — because you need something to soak up all that delicious sauce.

I’m not dieting — I’m building a sustainable way of eating that supports strength, balanced blood sugar, and long-term health.

MACROS:
Calories: ~210 kcal
Protein: ~13 g
Carbs: ~10 g
Fat: ~14 g
Fiber: ~2–3 g

04/21/2026

Roasted Carrots with Chickpeas 🥕✨

Made with organic, multicolored baby carrots — simple, clean, and full of flavor. As part of my strength training routine, I focus on building meals that support muscle, balance blood sugar, and keep me energized.

Quick rinse, drizzle with olive oil, and roast at 400°F for about 20 minutes. Finish with fresh lemon juice, generous sumac, chopped arugula, and a sprinkle of peanuts. Add chickpeas for plant-based protein and extra satiety.

A fiber-rich, nutrient-dense side dish that’s as good for your health as it is for your table. 💚

organic multicolor carrots🥕
🥕

04/06/2026

Garlic Lemon Cauliflower Rice 🌱
Sarımsaklı Limonlu Karnabahar Pilavı 💚
—
I love a good garlic lemon rice… and this cauliflower version? Just as satisfying, lighter, and full of flavor ✨
Low-carb, calorie-conscious, and perfect to support weight loss & strength training goals 💪

You can easily make cauliflower rice at home (food processor works great) or grab it ready-made—super convenient and just as good.

⬇️

Ingredients:
• 1 small head cauliflower (riced)
• 3 large garlic cloves, finely grated (divide into 3 parts)
• 2 tbsp lemon juice + zest of 1 lemon
• ½ cup finely chopped cilantro
• 1 tbsp olive oil

▶️
Melt the butter, add 1 part garlic and sauté lightly. Add cauliflower rice, another part garlic, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Cook on low until tender.
Finish with the last garlic, remaining lemon juice, lemon zest, and cilantro. Gently fluff with a fork and serve with extra lemon slices 🍋

💥 Adding garlic in stages builds layers of flavor—don’t skip this step!

—

🇹🇷
Limonlu sarımsaklı pilavı çok seviyorum..bu karnabahar versiyonu da en az onun kadar lezzetli ve çok daha hafif ✨
Düşük karbonhidratlı ve kalorili olduğu icin kilo kontrolü ile ağırlık antrenmanına çok uygun 💪

Karnabaharı evde rondodan geçirerek “pirinç” haline getirebilirsiniz.

⬇️

Malzemeler:
• 1 küçük karnabahar (pirinç formunda)
• 3 büyük diş sarımsak (ince rendelenmiş, 3’e bölünmüş)
• 2 yk limon suyu + 1 limon kabuğu rendesi
• ½ bardak ince kıyılmış kişniş
• 1 yk zeytin yağı

▶️
Tereyağını erit, 1 parça sarımsağı ekleyip hafifçe çevir. Karnabahar, 1 parça sarımsak, 1 yk limon suyu ve az tuz ekleyip kısık ateşte pişir.
Son olarak kalan sarımsak, limon suyu, kabuk rendesi ve kişnişi ekleyip karıştır. Çatalla havalandırarak servis et 🍋

💥 Sarımsağı aşamalı eklemek lezzeti derinleştirir—bu detayı atlama!

04/04/2026

Air Fryer Chicken Drumettes 💪🔥
High protein • strength training friendly • weight loss mindful

Simple meals are all I need right now—especially when I want something quick, satisfying, and protein-packed after training. Instead of whole wings, I am using drumettes because of higher lean meat.

These crispy chicken drumettes hit all the marks: juicy inside, perfectly crisp outside, and no excess oil.
📌Always portion control.

✔️ Bring chicken to room temp (30 min)
✔️ Pat dry very well (this is key for crispiness)
✔️ Toss with: 1 tsp olive oil, salt, red pepper flakes, chili powder, cumin

🔥 Air fryer: 380°F (preheated)
⏱ 24 min total
→ Turn every 10 min

Result: crispy, flavorful, high-protein goodness without heaviness.

For the sauce:
🥣 1/2 cup plain yogurt + your favorite hot sauce
➡️ I swap yogurt for mayo whenever I can—lighter, higher protein, and gut-friendly.

Perfect for:
🏋️‍♀️ Strength training days
⚖️ Fat loss phase
🥗 Balanced, real-food eating

⸻

🇹🇷
Airfryer Tavuk Kanatları 💪🔥

Kolay, hızlı ve protein açısından zengin bir tarif.
Benim antremanlarim sonrası için ideal ve tüm kanat yerine daha etli ve protein değeri yüksek olan kısımlarını kullanıyorum sadece.

✔️ Tavukları 30 dk dışarıda beklet
✔️ İyice kurula (çıtır olması için çok önemli)
✔️ 1 tatlı kaşığı yağ, tuz, pul biber, kimyon, az kekik

🔥 Airfryer: 180°C
⏱ 24 dk (10.dk’da çevir)

Sonuç: dışı çıtır, içi sulu—fazla yağ yok, tam dengeli.

🥣 Sos: yoğurt + acı sos
➡️ Mayonez yerine yoğurt: daha hafif, daha proteinli

03/20/2026