Food People, Parent Picks: Jesse's Favorite Things
Freezer shortcuts, allergen-friendly favorites, and the kitchen tools she swears by.
Food People, Parent Picks: we ask our favorite chefs, food writers, and industry insiders who we interview in our Order Up! Series to share the products, books, and bites they can’t live without.
Find copies of Jesse’s cookbooks right here: Healthy Fresh Salads — Healthy Dairy-Free Desserts — Healthy Homemade Soups & Sandwiches — Healthy Holistic Pregnancy
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If you caught Jesse Lane Lee’s Order Up! interview earlier this week, you already know why we love her: she makes healthy eating feel doable for real families, especially in January when the pressure to “get it right” can feel like a lot. Jesse is a holistic nutritionist, the founder of Jesse Lane Wellness, cookbook author, and mom who’s built her entire approach around simple swaps, low-stress routines, and food that supports kids and parents without perfectionism.
In this week’s rapid-fire Parent Picks, Jesse shares the freezer staples she relies on for 15-minute dinners, the one tiny blender she uses every single day, her go-to allergen-friendly snacks, and the slow-cooker ritual her kids are obsessed with right now. She even reveals the kitchen splurge she finally gave into—and whether it lived up to the hype.
Is there a cookbook you recommend for families trying to eat healthier?
I don’t lean on just one. I create a lot of my own recipes because I know what my kids will actually eat, but I love Joy McCarthy’s “Joyous Health” cookbooks [Bookshop, Amazon], the Oh She Glows cookbooks [Bookshop, Amazon] (plant-based, though my kids aren’t always into plant-based proteins), and I use recipes from Well Plated all the time.
What are three pantry or fridge staples you always keep stocked because they’re healthy and easy to throw into quick meals?
I love this question, and I even teach a whole module on freezer and pantry staples because I’m obsessed. My top three: pre-cooked frozen shrimp (nutrient-dense, high-protein, my kids love it, and it heats in seconds), frozen peas (fast, simple, and always on hand), and quinoa (one of my favorite high-protein, high-fiber “grains”). I can throw shrimp, quinoa, and peas in a pan with a splash of tamari, crack in an egg, and have quinoa fried rice on the table in about 15 minutes.
Is there a kitchen gadget or small appliance you recommend because it truly makes cooking easier?
My Magic Bullet — I use it daily. I’m not a fan of store-bought dressings because they’re full of sugar and not-great oils, and it’s so easy to make your own sauces. I also love my little frother and use it in my matcha every morning.
What’s a kitchen splurge that was actually worth it?
Two things: My Almond Cow — it makes homemade nut milk so easy. It’s pricey but totally worth it.
And I just upgraded to the Our Place ceramic pans. They were a small fortune, but I love them so far — non-toxic, non-stick, and no Teflon.
Also, my 10-year-old Vitamix is still going strong. That thing is worth every penny.
If you could recommend one allergen-friendly snack for families navigating food sensitivities, what would it be?
My kids love seaweed snacks just check the label since some use sesame oil, and watch the sodium. Another favorite is Mary’s Crackers. They’re gluten-free and free from most allergens, though they do contain sesame.
Do you have a favorite spice or condiment that instantly elevates vegetables or simple meals?
I use tamari a lot, and I love coconut oil. But my MVPs are nutritional yeast — I put it on everything — and a drizzle of sesame oil when I want something to feel special. And of course, Everything But the Bagel seasoning. I mix it with hemp and chia seeds for a protein boost, and to cut the saltiness.
You mentioned creating your own recipes for your family. What’s one favorite they ask for on repeat?
We’re deep into congee season right now, and my kids love it. I make it in the slow cooker with bone broth, chicken breasts, and a small amount of rice, and let it go all day. It becomes this cozy rice porridge; I shred the chicken in for protein and top mine with vegetables. The kids usually get their veggies on the side so nothing touches.
They also love salmon. I do a quick tamari-sesame marinade, grill it in the summer, or bake it in the winter. I have a sheet-pan salmon with sugar snap peas and broccoli on my website that’s a big hit because they’ll eat everything on the pan.
For super-busy parents, what’s your go-to formula for easy weeknight meals?
I love a slow cooker, especially in the winter, it’s my favorite. But my number-one is a sheet pan meal. I have so many sheet-pan recipes because I can throw dinner in the oven, squeeze in a quick workout, and come back to a finished meal.
Do you have a favorite indulgent treat?
Always. I keep dark chocolate in my drawer — I have dark chocolate every day. A 70%+ bar is basically a health food :) it has magnesium, antioxidants, all the good stuff. And today I also have oatmeal eggnog cookies on my desk. I made them with oats and balanced ingredients, so… indulgent? Maybe. Delicious? Absolutely.