Hello, and welcome to Chickpea Chatter!  We are so glad that you dropped by and hope that you find our daily blogging an inspiration to have more fun in the kitchen and to lead an active life.  We will share our recipes, new products, cooking tips, interesting food, nutrition and exercise news, recent good reads, and anything else that we discover.

We’re happy to have you on board.  Let’s enjoy the ride together!!

Rita, the matriarch and registered dietitian

Age: Empty Nester,  Location: Charlottesville, VA

I believe in the importance of family meals – or famiglia pasti, as my Nana would have said – when it comes to raising a happy, healthy family.  Time in the kitchen and around the dinner table is time spent together – cooking, eating, talking, learning and sharing.  I’m excited that Chickpea Chatter will let me share family meal ideas with you… and I get to do this with my two wonderful daughters!  Now grown and on their own, we still love re-connecting through food or a good long walk.

On another note, I have been a Registered Dietitian for over 35 years, which has provided me a wonderful opportunity to help others learn about eating well for disease prevention, medical nutrition therapy and healthy living.  I look forward to spending time with you through our blog.

A side note worth mentioning: My Italian heritage (my mom) means that pasta is such a favorite that I could eat it for breakfast. My Maine farming heritage (my dad) means that any dish made with potatoes sounds pretty yummy.

Abby, the older (and wiser? haha!) sister and new mom

Age: in my 30s (but just barely!),  Location: Nashville, TN

I am my mother’s daughter, in many ways, so it’s not surprising that I’ve always had an interest in healthy living.  So while I must admit that sometimes cooking at the end of a long day feels like a chore, I’ve found a deep appreciation for this quality time with my husband and wouldn’t trade it for anything.  And now that we’re starting our own family, I find myself thinking more about the importance of integrating healthy habits into our daily lives.  This includes sharing our passion for food and cooking, but also staying active.  When I was pregnant, I tried to be a “gym person,” although my preference for exercise has always been to just keep moving — walking the dogs, gardening, chores around the house, hikes on the weekend, etc.

Confession Corner:  I love trying new recipes, but I’m terrible about following directions and I consider measurements to be more of a guideline than a rule.  I have an aversion to mushrooms and avocados (it’s a texture thing), but I’m learning to like bananas.  My weaknesses are chocolate, anything cheesy and super ripe mango.

Court, the younger (and cuter! take that!) sister and super athlete

Age: 20-something, Location: Wilmington, DE

I dare say we’ve saved the best for last! That’d be me, the youngest of the Chickpeas.  I’m a country girl at heart trying to make it in the big city.  I wish I could say I have life figured out, but just like every other young adult I’m struggling to find my place and purpose in the world.  I’m going through what they like to call a “transitional phase.”  My solution: keeping myself constantly on the go – no sight of moss growing on these tootsies.

I love to be creative and adventurous while maintaining a sense of humor in everyday life.  Amongst work, loved ones, random hobbies and marathon training (eek!), healthy cooking has always kept me grounded.  I developed a passion for whisks and rolling pins at a wee age, learning from the best – my mother!

A shocking detail about myself that never fails to floor my sister, I really don’t care for the icky brown stuff they call chocolate. (Gasp!)  It’s true.  I’m more of a hot dog, cheese and watermelon type of girl.