I subscribe to In Defense of Food author Michael Pollan's mantra: “Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” I pretty much eat small portions of meat and lots of plants. I am an omnivore on a special diet, and I'm out to do it the best, most healthful, way possible. As food detectives, those with special diets must take special consideration when choosing what we put into our bodies. Nowhere do I find more of an emotional dilemma than when selecting protein from meats. Cooking for those with special diets often means using the most basic ingredients: Fruit, vegetables, beans, rice, grains and, …

With the winter break behind us, I am happy that my family is back in Berkley and enjoying all the amenities of home. At the top of my welcome-home list: a trip to the market. Although everyone said Walt Disney World was a great place for special diets (and it was), there truly is no place like home for finding, cooking and eating a healthful meal. Tinkerbell may wave her wand and make magic happen in Florida, but I can’t say our dining experience was the fairy tale I’m used to. It was a break from our typical lives. But in the end, home – and specifically, my kitchen – beckoned. As I cooked …