The Culinary Plagiarist

This summer has been one of great experimentation in the kitchen. I've spent countless hours on the internet trolling the myriad of cooking sites looking for healthy recipes I can try. I've tried foods I've never had before and cooked things I've never cooked before. With very few exceptions, every recipe I've tried has been a winner. Typically, those experiments have led to a joyful Facebook status or an email shot to other friends trying to find healthy recipes. A couple friends have even suggested that I blog more about the recipes I've been whipping up.

Therein lies my ethical dilemma. As much as I wish I had, I am not inventing these recipes. I'm looking at sites like Delish, Hungry Girl, and Skinny Taste. I've also become quite fond of the recipes found at Slim Fast. Is it really all that special that I'm cooking these amazing meals if the real credit belongs to the experts who created these sites? Even if I give credit where credit is due, I still feel like I'd be cheating.

Instead, I will recommend those looking for some healthy, tasty meals, to hit any of the sites I've listed here -- or just start googling recipes. I found some great recipes using quinoa just by visiting Google. When I wanted to try my hand at making guacamole for the first time, I ended up with a ton of different variations on the recipe and was able to create a sort of hybrid recipe that worked with the ingredients I had lying around the fridge. The point is that you don't have to be a slave to the same old routine, nor do you need to keep throwing your money at Ronald McDonald to fill you full of grease and fat. You can revolutionize your diet without leaving your desk, and maybe you'll be about 15 pounds lighter after six weeks, too.