Friday, December 26, 2008

Chocolate Holiday Biscuits


How about some simple delicious chocolate biscuits to share with your Holiday guests? These rich and tasty treats will have your guests begging for more! You may want to double this recipe and make a couple batches! Happy Holidays!

Cover three large baking pans with paper that has been well oiled with
washed butter.

Over these dredge powdered sugar.

Melt in a cup one ounce of Baker Chocolate.

Separate the whites and yolks of four eggs. Add to the yolks a generous half cupful of powdered sugar, and beat until light and firm.

Add the melted chocolate, and beat a few minutes longer. Beat the whites of the eggs to a stiff, dry froth.

Measure out three-fourths of a cupful of sifted flour, and stir it and
the whites into the yolks.

The whites and flour must be cut in as lightly as possible, and with very little stirring.

Drop the mixture in teaspoonfuls on the buttered paper.

Sprinkle powdered sugar over the cakes, and bake in a slow oven for about fifteen minutes.

The mixture can be shaped like lady fingers, if preferred.

Enjoy these wonderful Holiday treats with some of your favorite coffee! Or how about with a nice hot cup of your favorite green tea. Might as well have something healthy!

Keep eating healthy foods and Have a Happy New Year!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Warm Christmas Eve Wishes and Treats!


Celebrate this Christmas Eve with your loved ones and a warm cup of cocoa. Christmas is a great time to enjoy the wonderful taste and aroma of chocolate!

Here is an easy Cocoa mix you can share with your family and friends. Double the ingredients and make even more! Enjoy!

CRACKED COCOA

To one-third a cup of Baker's Cracked Cocoa (sometimes called "Cocoa Nibs") use three cups of cold water. If you can't find Baker's , just use your favorite brand of chocolate ( shaved into thin slices. ) Or - try chocolate chips!

Enjoy the warm aroma as you cook slowly at least one hour--the longer the better.

Then strain the liquid and add one cup (or more if desired) of milk, and serve very hot. Do not allow the mixture to boil after milk has been added.

Enjoy a warm cup of cocoa with your family and friends!

Merry Christmas!

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:8-14

Read on for more about tasty chocolate!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

The Christmas Chocolates


Christmas is such a special time of year! All the good food and wonderful Holiday treats make December a treasure to remember. Growing up we had an uncle who loved sharing a big box of Russell Stover chocolates with our family each Christmas. I'd never seen so many different chocolate delights to choose from!

I've never quite mastered the fine art of making candy with chocolate as well as the fine folks in Abilene Kansas where Russell Stovers has made their chocolates for decades! They have a real talent. And we mustn't forget the good folks in Hershey, PA who have been making chocolate since - probably shortly after the pilgrims enjoyed their first Thanksgiving!

People all over this wonderful world love chocolate! And health pundits seem to think a little chocolate is really good for you! So have some of your favorite Holiday treats this Christmas and enjoy the sweet and rich taste of chocolate that people everywhere have enjoyed for centuries!

If you want to impress your family, friends, or coworkers this week try your hand at making some of this delicious - Double Fudge:

2 cups of granulated sugar,
2 squares of Baker's Chocolate,
1/2 a cup of cream,
1 tablespoonful of butter.

Boil seven minutes; then beat and spread in buttered tin to cool.

2 cups of brown sugar,
1/2 a cup of cream,
1 teaspoonful of vanilla extract,
1 cup of chopped walnuts, chopped fine,
1/3 of a stick of butter.

Boil ten minutes; then beat and pour on top of fudge already in pan.
When cool, cut in squares.

Wrap in a colorful plastic or foil package and add a red or green bow! Your family and loved ones are sure to enjoy this rich and tasty double fudge!

Merry Christmas!

We can go back to eating healthy next week!

Friday, December 19, 2008

Healthy Habits over the Holidays!


Christmas is less than a week away. 2009 will be here before we know it.

This year will all too soon be just a series of memories etched in our brains. What a wonderful time to reflect on the lessons we've learned over the past twelve months. Today is the the perfect day to start - or continue - developing healthy habits. Eating healthy and exercise will benefit you for many years to come.

Make today your best day ever - get a little exercise. Or a lot! Try to eat a variety of veggies and fruits today! Pass on the Fat food. Make today healthy choices day! Winter is a perfect time to enjoy a healthy variety of steamed vegetables. Toss some fruit into your morning bowl of hot oatmeal!

For some of us, winter just wouldn't be the same without warm soups and stews. Add some healthy superfoods to your next soup or stew. Be sure to toss some fresh or frozen veggies in too! With vegetables, you and your family are getting delicious food and, nutritionally, you are getting many of the nutrients needed for good health vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Try an easy turkey stew or some warm and delicious chili!

Try berries, half a grapefruit, or dried apricots for dessert or snack. Add kidney beans or black-eyed peas to your next soup, stew, or salad. Toss some baby spinach, fresh broccoli, shredded carrots and cucumber together for a quick and easy salad.

For a crunchy snack, try baby carrots or a crispy apple. For smooth and sweet, have a banana. Need a flavor jolt? Munch on dried apricots. Treat yourself to the luxury of fresh cranberries. Toss some into your next salad!

Healthy eating helps you stay slim through these winter months!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Southern Hospitality

Enjoy some real Southern cooking with these delicious baked sweet potatoes.

What you'll need:
6 or 8 good sized sweet potatoes
1 cup brown sugar
2 sticks real butter ( 1/2 pound )
1/2 cup whole wheat flour ( or all purpose, white flour )
1 cup water

Preparation:
Slice your sweet potatoes.
Then Boil them for 15 - 20 minutes
Butter the bottom of 3 quart casserole
Add a layer of sliced sweet potatoes
sprinkle on a layer of brown sugar and flour
add some sliced butter
add another layer or sweet potatoes
and another sprinkling of flour and brown sugar
add more thinly sliced butter

If you have any pototoes left -
add another layer and top off with brown suger and butter.

pour water over the top.

Bake at 350 for 30 to 40 minutes.

Serve up some real Southern hospitality and enjoy a big serving of these delicious sweet potatoes with your favorite meat or beans dish! Start saving money - eating healthy foods and sharing with your family and friends!

Here is another incredibly yummy sweet potatoes dish!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Warm your Tummy on a Cold Winter Night


Add some healthy fiber to your day with an easy split pea soup!

Here's all you need:

1 large onion
3 Tablespoons margarine or butter
1 1/2 cup split peas, dry
6 cups water
1 teaspoon salt

Now, Let's get cookin -

1. Chop onion. Cook in margarine in a large pan until tender.

2. Wash and drain split peas.

3. Add water, split peas, 1 pound chopped ham, and salt to onion. Bring to boiling.

4. Lower heat and cover pan. Simmer for a couple hours, until thickened.

Healthy eating usually costs less than eating out and you get a whole lot better food! Keep Eating Healthy and enjoy this delicious split pea soup on cold Winter's night! And , for dessert how about some incredible Maple-Apple Bars! Start saving your money and enjoy the simple pleasure of eating healthy foods that you prepare with your family and loved ones!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Holiday Treats


How about some easy and nutritious Chocolate Mousse for your next Holiday gathering? You'll need to make it a couple hours before your guests arrive.

Here's all you'll need:

1 small box instant chocolate pudding mix
1 1/4 cup cold soy milk
1 package (10.5 ounce) silken tofu

How to make this tasty treat:

1. Blend the chocolate pudding mix and the soy milk on medium speed for about 15 seconds until the mixture is very smooth.

2. Add the silken tofu and blend again. Scrape the the sides to be sure it’s all mixed in. Blend and scrape until well mixed and very smooth.

3. Pour mixture into 4 small serving dishes.

4. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.

Who says eating healthy has to be boring? Enjoy your Holiday gatherings with lots of good healthy treats! And keep making healthy eating choices!

Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Holiday Party Time! Eat Healthy and Lose Weight!

Let the Holiday parties begin. These last few weeks before Christmas are filled with fun Holiday gatherings. And these Holiday parties are usually filled with great foods to enjoy! Here are a few tips to help keep your Christmas parties a little healthier:

Start with a lean choice:

The leanest beef cuts include round steaks and roasts (round eye, top round, bottom round, round tip), top loin, top sirloin, and chuck shoulder and arm roasts. If you're serving beef - try to stay with one of these leaner choices. Your waistline will thank you!

The leanest pork choices include pork loin, tenderloin, center loin, and ham. Trim the fat and keep your weight in check!

Choose extra lean ground beef. The label should say at least “90% lean”. You may be able to find ground beef that is 93% or 95% lean.

Buy skinless chicken parts, or take off the skin before cooking.

Choose lean turkey, roast beef, ham, or low-fat luncheon meats for sandwiches instead of luncheon meats with more fat, such as regular bologna or salami.

Enjoy the Holidays with your friends and loved ones. And, if you want to keep your slim waist - or even lose a few pounds before the New Year rolls around - watch what you eat! Remember - the quickest way to lose weight is eating healthy and getting plenty of exercise!