Cooking with Roy

Easy Game Day Taco Soup

2010-02-07T10:00:00.005-06:00

Who says you can't enjoy eating healthy foods while watching the Big Game? Nothing beats a nice hot bowl of soup on a figid, snow-bound Super Bowl Sunday! Or any winter day.

Here's an easy game day treat all your guests are sure to enjoy.

1 lb. cooked ground beef

1 lb. velveeta cut into chunks so it will melt.

1 packet of taco seasoning

1 can of each of the following:

corn (entire can, do not drain)

kidney beans (drained and rinsed)

rotel (entire can, do not drain)

stewed tomatoes (entire can, do not drain)

add another can of dark red kidney beans for even more fiber and healthy vitamins!

Combine it all in a crock pot and let it cook for several hours.

Stir often to blend flavor and keep the cheese from burning.

Enjoy poured over some brocoli or with your favorite tortilla chips!

Go Saints!!

Keep eating healthy!

The Time Honored Christmas Tradition

2009-12-23T19:35:00.006-06:00

All the good food and delicious Christmas treats help make December a treasure to remember. Every Christmas candy lovers all over the world share chocolates with friends and loved ones. When we were growing up we had an uncle who enjoyed 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 just 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 give your loved ones a delicious treat this Christmas try your hand at making some of this delicious - Double Fudge:

Here is all you need:

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.

Now for the 2nd layer of this tasty treat. Mix the following in your blender or food processor:

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 the first layer of fudge already in the 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!

Christmas just wouldn't be the same without chocolates!

Merry Christmas!

Chocolate Heaven!

2009-11-29T21:03:00.003-06:00

As the nights get chillier and we spend more time in the warmth and comfort of home - why not enjoy a nice warm cup of cafe mocha with someone you love! These are so easy to make - and they will keep your tummy warm on these cool Autumn evenings!

Here is all you'll need:

1/3 cup nonfat, dry milk
1 cup water
1 cup brewed coffee
4 Tablespoons hot chocolate mix
non-fat whipped topping (optional)
cinnamon (optional)

1. Heat reconstituted non-fat dried milk in saucepan until warm; do not boil.

2. Add coffee and hot chocolate mix. Stir well and heat to desired temperature.

3. Divide coffee mixture between two mugs. Top with non-fat whipped topping and cinnamon, if desired.

Note: You can substitute 1 cup skim milk for the reconstituted non-fat dried milk

So toss another log on the fire and cuddle up with your favorite someone and enjoy a heart warming cup of cafe mocha sometime soon! And why not enjoy a small serving of rich, dark chocolate to top off your day?

Warm Your Tummy with some Wholesome Pumpkin Bread!

2009-11-26T09:58:00.005-06:00

Do you have any cans of pumpkin left over? Try some delicious - and wholesome - pumpkin bread this weekend! Pumpkin is full of good vitamins and healthy antioxidants and the pumpkin and whole wheat in this recipe will give you some healthy fiber!

Here is all you need:

1 can (15 ounce) pumpkin
1 & 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup yogurt, plain lowfat
1/4 cup local honey (if you have some)
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon of allspice
1 cup chopped cranberries

Let's get Baking:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat together pumpkin, brown sugar, oil, honey, and yogurt.

2. In another bowl, combine the flours, baking powder, soda, cinnamon, allspice, and salt; add to pumpkin mixture, stirring until just moistened.

3. Stir in chopped cranberries.

4. Pour into 2 greased 9x5x3 inch loaf pans and bake for 1 hour.

5. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes; remove from pan and let cool.

Now share a loaf with one of your favorite family members or friends. They're sure to thank you!

Eating Healthy Foods is fun and easy during this special time of year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Save Your Oven - Use the Barbecue

2009-11-22T08:13:00.003-06:00

One easy way to keep the oven freed up for other tasty treats ( like the Turkey ) is to utilize your microwave and your barbecue grill for some of those Thanksgiving dishes! The recipe below is great year round and so easy to prepare! Enjoy some of your favorite vegetables - warmed together on the good old barbecue!

Here some easy ingredient:

4 large sweet potatoes ( chopped )
2 turnips ( chopped )
1 large onion diced
3 or 4 large carrots ( chopped )
4 tablespoon olive oil
a dash of cinnamon
salt and pepper to taste

In a big piece of heavy duty foil ( try doubling it up for even greater strength ) toss in your chopped vegetables. Add a few tablespoons of water and sprinkle a few tablespoons of olive oil on top. Add four or six thick slices of butter if you like. And top off with your favorite spices.

Fold up the foil and put it on the hot grill for 45 minutes! You might want to add some charcoal to keep that fire good and hot! Now go enjoy some beautiful Autumn scenery or catch some Thanksgiving Day football while your veggies are slowly warming their way into a delicious side dish!

While you're out enjoying the mild November weather this Thanksgiving - fire up the grill and keep that precious oven space for other dishes!

Keep eating healthy foods and Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Chili for the Big Game

2009-11-06T20:35:00.004-06:00

Enjoy some classic Autumn fun this weekend watching your favorite teams while munching out on some Tasty chili!

This stuff is so easy to make. Stock up on some of these ingredients so you won't have to make last minute runs to the market.

Here is all you need.

One can ( 20 ounce ) of Campbells RoadHouse Chili.
One can ( 20 ounce ) of Campbells FireHouse Chili.

One can of Bush's HOT Chili beans
one can of Bush's mild chili beans
One can of Dark Red Kidney beans drained and rinsed.

Three cans of Rotel original peppers and Chopped tomatoes
one Green Bell Pepper - chopped
one Red Bell Pepper - chopped
A couple pinches of chili powder if you have any.
A few ounces of your favorite beer ( optional )

If you like more meat in your chili try one or both of these:

Optional - One package ( 5 or 6 ) of your favorite Hot links. Chopped
Optional - One 16 ounce Sirloin ( or your favorite steak ) cooked rare and sliced thin.

Pour everything in your largest Crock pot and cook on low for a few hours.

Or cook it on the stove-top in a big Stainless Steel Pot. Pour in a few ounces of extra virgin olive oil , followed by the chopped tomatoes and then the rest of the ingredients. Heat on medium low for a couple hours!

Enjoy the game and all your favorite Fall fun! Keep eating healthy!

Apple , Peach Crisp

2009-10-24T16:50:00.004-05:00

Who says eating healthy foods has to be boring? Apples are so plentiful this time of year and everyone agrees apples are one of natures superfoods! Try this delicious apple peach crisp with your next healthy meal!

Here is all you need:

1 20 ounce can sliced peaches, drained
3 or 4 Jonathon or your favorite tart Apples, peeled, sliced
Vanilla 1/2 teaspoon
Ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon
Flour 3/4 cup + 3 tablespoons
Brown sugar, packed 1/4 cup
3 tablespoons butter

So easy to make:

1. Preheat oven to 350˚ F. Lightly grease 9- by
9- by 2-inch casserole dish.
2. Combine peaches, apples, vanilla, and cinnamon
in a bowl. Toss well and spread evenly in
greased casserole dish.
3. Combine flour and sugar in small bowl. Cut in
margarine with two knives until the mixture
resembles coarse meal.
4. Sprinkle flour mixture evenly over fruit.
5. Bake for about 20 minutes until lightly browned and bubbly!

Enjoy with your family and loved ones and keep eating healthy!

Red River Salsa Dip

2009-10-13T04:54:00.004-05:00

This weekend about a million avid football fans will settle into their living rooms and local watering holes to watch that annual Red River Shootout. Texas and Oklahoma will meet again to decide who gets bragging rights for the coming year.

Whatever game you end up watching - try this easy, heart healthy dip to help you enjoy the big game this weekend!

Just a few Simple and healthy ingredients:

1 can (15 ounce) dark red beans ( Rinse well )
1 can (15 ounce) black beans ( Rinse well )
1 can (11 ounce) corn ( rinse the corn too )
1 can Rotel chopped tomatoes ( or substitute a store brand and save! )
2 cups salsa ( We like Picante Medium - or try your favorite store brand )
1 chopped green pepper
1 chopped red pepper

Combine beans, corn, peppers, and salsa in a big bowl.

Mix and enjoy!

Grab a bag of baked or low-salt tortilla chips and enjoy eating healthy with this heart healthy dip!

Eating Healthy - Easy as ABC

2009-09-06T10:41:00.004-05:00

Our bodies need a variety of vitamins and minerals to stay healthy! Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that may help protect you from chronic diseases. Compared with people who consume a diet with only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts as part of a healthful diet are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke and perhaps other cardiovascular diseases, and even certain cancers.

Getting your proper level of vitamins is easier when you enjoy eating healthy foods! Here are just of few of the vitamins your body needs to stay healthy:

Vitamin A helps keep your skin healthy! It will also help keep your eyes healthy and able to adjust to dim light.

Its easy to get enough vitamin A eating dark green and deep yellow vegetables (such as broccoli, collards and other green leafy vegetables, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and winter squash). Whole milk also has some vitamin A!

The B Vitamins: Thiamin ( Vitamin B1) helps body cells obtain energy from food and keep your nerves healthy. It also promotes a healthy appetite and digestion.
Food sources include: meat, poultry, fish, dried beans and peas.

Riboflavin (B2) Helps keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear. Vitamin B2 is most easily found in milk, liver, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and green leafy vegetables.

Niacin (B3) Maintains health of your skin, tongue, digestive tract, and nervous system. You get vitamin B3 from liver, meat, poultry, and fish, peanuts and peanut butter, dried beans and dried peas, and enriched and whole-grain breads and cereals

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) Helps form cementing substances such as collagen that hold body cells together - strengthening your blood vessels and hastening healing of wounds and bones. Vitamin C also increases your resistance to infections. It helps your body absorb iron.

We get vitamin C from the following food sources:
cantaloupe, grapefruit, grapefruit juice, honeydew melon, kiwi fruit, mandarin orange sections, mango, orange juice, papaya, strawberries, tangerines, asparagus, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, sweet green and red peppers, and sweet potatoes.

Eating Healthy Foods is as easy as ABC. Get enough of the vitamins your body needs when you enjoy eating a variety of healthy foods!

Eating Healthy Fats and Losing Weight!

2009-08-09T06:55:00.004-05:00

Many of us fail to get enough healthy fats in our daily diet. Not the kid you'll find in the sack of fat you pick up at the drive-thru window. Healthy fats - like omega-3 fats are seriously lacking in the average diet.

University researchers reveal a moderate fat diet - with 30 percent of calories coming from healthy fats - can actually help you lose weight! Eat more healthy fats and drop those extra pounds for good! Heart healthy fats like those found in salmon, walnuts, and olive oil help you feel full longer. The trick is to eat the right kind of fat to both satisfy your appetite and boost weight loss.

To lose weight and get lean, you need to eat the right kind of fat. Avoid saturated and trans fats (which are found in red meat, full-fat dairy products, and many packaged foods). Instead, choose monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Read the food labels. If you see the words "partially hydrogenated" in the food nutrition label - put it back on the shelf!

Opt instead for foods with healthy fats. Use extra virgin olive oil ( a teaspoon or so will be plenty ) in your vinegar and oil dressing! Add some chopped walnuts on your salad for an extra bit of omega-3 fats! Add a quarter or half of an avocado to your salad. There are plenty of ways to sneak healthy fats into your daily healthy eating choices!

Fat has about 10 calories per gram. So, fat is a more concentrated energy source than protein or carbohydrates. Be careful and watch your total calories if you want to eat more healthy fats and lose weight!

SuperFoods for Feeding Your Brain

2009-07-04T10:12:00.005-05:00

The old maxim - "You are what you eat," may be more truth than fiction! Scientific research on certain so-called "brain foods" reveals some chemicals in the foods we enjoy go right to work in our brains! Some compounds are known to produce a beneficial effect on our brain activity!

Chocolate can lift your mood! And cocoa - the good stuff in chocolate - can improve blood vessel function, boosting circulation throughout the body and blood flow to the brain. The good stuff in cocoa may even help reduce the formation of damaging clots, which can lead to heart disease or even stroke.

Walnuts are well known to feed your brain. The United States Food and Drug Administration agrees that eating just 1.5 ounces per day of walnuts as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. Walnuts also help maintain elasticity in your arteries. Healthy arteries enable your heart to function more efficiently!

And no healthy brain-food story would be complete without some mention of cold water fish. Salmon - that wonderful and delicious source of healthy omega-3 fats - feeds your brain and nerve cells! Try some grilled salmon or tasty salmon patties at your next barbecue.

Flaxseeds are another healthy source of omega-3 fats. Flaxseed meal and flour also offers a good supply of fiber that can help lower your cholesterol. Sprinkle some ground flaxseeds in with your morning yogurt or add to a healthy breakfast shake!

The purple skin of eggplants contains a flavonoid compound that may help protect brain cells from free-radical damage. Other phytonutrients found in eggplants can help lower your cholesterol and keep your blood vessels healthy!

Give your brain - and your body - the healthy nutrients they need to perform at their maximum! Keep eating healthy foods and have a healthy, Happy 4th of July!

Summer is time for Eating Healthy

2009-06-14T08:35:00.004-05:00

Eating healthy foods is easy in the good old Summer time! Summer brings out a colorful and delicious bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables to bless our palates! Enjoy your Summer with a healthy abundance of fresh vegetables and fruits!

The Southwest and Mexico are an excellent source of wonderful meals! This family favorite comes to us from our cousins out in southern California! These tasty veggie wraps offer up a full day's supply of vitamin C and over half of the fiber most of us need! The avocado delivers some healthy fat! These veggie wraps will fill you up!

Try this easy and inexpensive treat for your next gathering of friends and family -

Here's all you'll need -

2 seeded and chopped green or red bell peppers
1 peeled and sliced onion
1 can (15 ounce) drained and rinsed black beans, 50% less salt
2 chopped mangos
1 lime, juiced
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 peeled and diced avocado
4 - 10 inch flour tortillas, fat free

In your favorite stainless saute pan, sauté bell peppers and onion for 5 minutes over medium heat. Add beans, stir well. Reduce heat to low and simmer about 5 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine mangos, lime juice, cilantro, and avocado. Reserve 1/2 mixture for topping.

3. Fill warmed tortillas with 1/4 bean mixture and 1/4 mango mixture.

4. Fold ends of the tortillas over. Roll up to make wraps. Top veggie bean wraps with remaining mango mixture.

Dieting is Easier When You Love the Food. Delicious meals shipped to your door. It's a proven strategy that works!

Cutting Calories with a Healthy Lentil Stew!

2009-05-30T07:11:00.003-05:00

Lentils are inexpensive, nutritious, and very easy to prepare! Here's an easy lentils stew sure to satisfy your taste buds:

3 cups of lentils
2 cups of chopped potatoes
2 or 3 large carrots chopped
3 chopped tomatoes
1 hot pepper
1 small onion chopped
2 gloves garlic chopped
1 can (16 ounce) of tomato sauce
1 tsp cumin
1/2 cup of your favorite wine ( optional )
1/4 cup red vinegar
olive oil
1/2 cup chopped fresh spinach leaves
1 can low-salt baby peas
salt ( use sparingly - or to your taste! )
ground pepper

Soak and cook lentils till soft. Drain and rinse, set aside.

Sautee onions, garlic, hot pepper, and cumin in olive oil. Add in the wine if you like.

Add potatoes and carrots, cover with water, bring to boil.

Add tomatoes and peas and cook till potatoes are soft.

Add lentils and tomato sauce.

Salt and pepper to taste. Add more water if it's too thick, or a little red vinegar if it's too sweet.

Add more cumin or hot sauce if you like it really spicy.

Add in the chopped fresh spinach leaves and remove from the heat.

Enjoy with family and friends! They'll soon be asking for seconds!

Cutting calories is easy when you enjoy eating healthy foods!

Dieting is Easier When You Love the Food. Delicious meals shipped to your door. It's a proven strategy that works!

Picnic time

2009-05-23T12:11:00.004-05:00

Summer means picnics and what family gathering would be complete without a nice bowl of cool potato salad! Here is an easy country potato salad sure to please your guests this Memorial Day weekend:

Here's All you need:

3 medium baking potatoes

1 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup minced onion

1 cup frozen peas

1 Tablespoon prepared mustard

1/2 cup mayonnaise, lowfat

1/2 cup yogurt, nonfat plain

fresh cracked black pepper to taste

lettuce and tomato

So easy to make:

Wash the potatoes, leave skin on and cut in bite-size chunks.

Place in pan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, lower to simmer and cook uncovered until potatoes are tender, about 20 mintes.

Drain in colander and sprinkle lightly with cold water.

In the mean time, put the rest of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Drain potatoes well and add to the bowl.

Mix well and refrigerate until ready to use.

Garnish with fresh lettuce and sliced tomatoes.

Happy Summer. Keep eating Healthy!

The Skinny on Fat

2009-05-17T20:15:00.006-05:00

There are several types of fat:

Saturated fat. This fat is usually solid at room and refrigerator temperatures. It is found in greatest amounts in foods from animals, such as fatty cuts of meat, poultry with the skin, whole-milk dairy products, lard, and some vegetable oils, including coconut and palm oils. Saturated fat increases cholesterol in the blood more than anything else in the diet. Keep your intake of saturated fat low.

Unsaturated fat. This fat is usually liquid at room and refrigerator temperatures. Unsaturated fats occur in vegetable oils, most nuts, olives, avocados, and fatty fish, such as salmon.

There are 2 types of unsaturated fat—monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. When used instead of saturated fat, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats help lower your blood cholesterol levels. Monounsaturated fat is found in greatest amounts in foods from plants, including olive, canola, sunflower, and peanut oils. Polyunsaturated fat is found in greatest amounts in foods from plants, including safflower, sunflower, corn, soybean, and cottonseed oils, and many kinds of nuts. A type of polyunsaturated fat is called omega-3 fatty acids. These are the "good" fats. Good sources of these healthy omega-3 fatty acids are some fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel.

Enjoy wild caught, cold water salmon or other heart healthy fish several times a week! Or - if you just plain don't like fish - take a salmon oil or omega-3 supplement!

And lastly - the bad stuff - Trans fatty acids. If you want to lose weight or live longer - avoid these trans fats. Foods high in trans fatty acids tend to raise blood cholesterol. These foods include those high in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, such as many hard margarines and shortenings. Foods with a high amount of these ingredients include some commercially fried foods and some bakery goods. ( Yes, fellow donut lovers - that includes us! )

You can enjoy some fats in a healthy eating plan. Keep eating healthy foods and enjoy some of your favorite foods which serve up fat. Just try to stick to the healthy fats - the omega-3 fats. Use more Olive oil. Enjoy a handful of walnuts now and then. Eat more heart-healthy fish. Remember the quickest way to lose weight is keep eating healthy foods and get plenty of exercise!

Get the Vitamins and Minerals Your Body Needs!

2009-05-01T05:20:00.003-05:00

We all need adequate vitamins and minerals. Eating a wide variety of foods from all the food groups will help you get the vitamins and minerals you need. If you eat less than 1,200 calories per day, you may benefit from taking a daily vitamin and mineral supplement.

Adequate protein. The average woman 25 years of age and older should get 50 grams of protein each day, and the average man 25 years of age and older should get 63 grams of protein each day. Adequate protein is important because it prevents muscle tissue from breaking down and repairs all body tissues such as skin and teeth.

To get adequate protein in your diet, make sure you eat 2-3 servings of meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, or nuts every day. Toss a handful of walnuts in your bag/ Or how about a smoothie with NEW VANILLA CHAI OPTIMUM NUTRITION PROTEIN! Exclusive Flavor. Only at Bodybuilding.com!

A few ideas to help you and your family eat better:

* Enjoy a healthy breakfast every day. Try a whole-grain cereal like raisin bran with low-fat milk, or whole-wheat toast spread with jam. If you have the time - cook up a healthy egg-white omelet! Toss in some spinach and onions and green peppers! Enjoy a fruit smoothie.

* Teach your children that healthy foods taste good. Prepare a healthy meal together. Make a salad together. macaroni and cheese with fat-free milk and low-fat cheese. Try a peanut butter (spread thin) and jam or preserves sandwich instead of a burger and fries.

* Choose fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese instead of full-fat dairy products.

* Choose whole-grain foods like whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, brown rice, or whole-wheat pasta more often than refined-grain foods. Skip the white bread, white rice, and white pasta.

* Snack on fruits and vegetables. Keep a bowl of fruit on the table, bags of mini carrots in the refrigerator, and boxes of raisins in the cupboard.

* Avoid having sweets like cookies, candy, or soda in the house. Skip the potato chips and hot dogs. Keep a bowl of fresh fruit around and encourage healthier foods.

You don't have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen or a lot of money to eat well.

* Buy foods that are easy to prepare, like pasta and tomato sauce, rice and beans, or canned tuna packed in water.

* Plan ahead and cook enough food to have leftovers. Casseroles, meat loaf, and whole cooked chicken can feed your family for several days. (Be sure to freeze or refrigerate leftovers right away to keep them safe to eat.)

* Buy fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season. Buy only as much as you will use, so they will not go bad.

* Buy frozen or canned vegetables (no salt added) and canned fruit packed in juice. They are just as good for you as fresh produce, and will not go bad.

* Try canned beans like kidney, butter, pinto, or black beans. They are loaded with protein, cost less than meat, and make quick and easy additions to your meals.

* If your local store does not have the foods you want, or the prices are too high, go to another store or your local farmers market. Share a ride or the cost of a taxi with friends.

* Enjoy eating healthy with your friends by having days of cooking and sharing healthy meals together. Cut the cost of the meals by buying the ingredients together.

A Thick, Juicy Steak!

2009-03-22T17:13:00.004-05:00

During the Colder, Winter Months Louie could many a night be seen brushing snow off the top of his trusty old barbecue grill and starting the fire. Louie was the consummate barbecue chef! He taught me everything - well, as much as my simple brain was capable of absorbing!

I don't think Louie ever over-cooked a piece of beef. It was almost as though he had a sixth sense telling him just the right moment to remove a cut of beef from the grill. Or any other meat for that matter.

During those early years - fresh out of college - we ate good. Fresh veggies steamed. Tossed salads. And barbecued meats.

Steak was plentiful and cheap in those days. We had a great little butcher shop just five minutes away where we'd pick up bacon wrapped filets on sale for just a couple bucks!

Now that Spring is officially here, it's a great time to dust off the barbecue - or brush off any snow and fire up your grill. Toss a thick, juicy steak on for your favorite guests and loved ones!

Here is an excerpt from an old, early 20th century book on cooking -

"The chief secret in preparing the family steak lies in selection. Choose a thick cut from the sirloin of a mature, well fatted, grass fed angus, avoiding any having dark yellow fat. Detach a portion of the narrow end and trim off any adhering inner skin. Place the steak upon a hot grill, and quickly turn it. Do this frequently and rapidly until it is thoroughly seared, without burning. It may now be cooked to any degree without releasing the juices. Serve upon a hot platter. Pour over a scant dressing of melted butter. Season. Whosoever partakes will never become a vegetarian."

"In broiling all meats, you must remember that the surface should not be cut or broken any more than is absolutely necessary; that the meat should be exposed to a clear, quick fire, close enough to sear the surface without burning, in order to confine all its juices; if it is approached slowly to a poor fire, or seasoned before it is cooked, it will be comparatively dry and tasteless, as both of these processes are useful only to extract and waste those precious juices which contain nearly all the nourishing properties of the meat."

Eating Healthy Foods - The Quickest way to Lose Weight

2009-03-19T11:46:00.003-05:00

A healthy eating plan is one that gives your body the nutrients it needs every day while staying within your daily calorie level. This eating plan will also lower your risk for heart disease and other conditions such as high blood pressure or high
blood cholesterol levels.

Foods that can be eaten more often include those that are lower in calories, total fat, saturated and trans fat, cholesterol, and sodium (salt). Examples of these foods include fat-free and low-fat dairy products; lean meat, fish, and poultry; high-fiber foods such as whole grains, breads, and cereals; fruits; and vegetables. Canola or olive oils and soft margarines made from these oils are heart healthy and can be used in moderate amounts. Unsalted nuts are a great source of good fats and minerals. Nuts can be part of a healthy diet as long as you watch the amount.

Foods higher in fats are typically higher in calories. Foods that should be limited include those with higher amounts of saturated and trans fats and cholesterol. These particular fats raise blood cholesterol levels, which increases the risk for heart disease.

Saturated fat is found mainly in fresh and processed meats; high-fat dairy products (like cheese, whole milk, cream, butter, and ice cream), lard, and in the
coconut and palm oils found in many processed foods. Trans fat is found in foods with partially hydrogenated oils such as many hard margarines and shortening, commercially fried foods, and some bakery goods.

Cholesterol is found in eggs, organ meats, and dairy fats. It’s also important to limit foods and beverages with added sugars such as many desserts, canned fruit packed in syrup, fruit drinks, and sweetened beverages (nondiet drinks). Foods and beverages with added sugars will add calories to your diet without giving you needed nutrients.

If weight loss is on your agenda for this year - the quickest way to lose weight is combining lots of exercise with healthy eating. Cut your calories and keep eating healthy foods!

Save your Money - Eating Healthy at Home!

2009-03-11T21:03:00.001-05:00

Save your money - and your health. Enjoy eating healthy foods at home with your family and friends! Here are some easy ways that you and your family can eat better:

* Eat breakfast every day. Try a whole-grain cereal like raisin bran with fat-free or low-fat milk, or whole-wheat toast spread with jam. Enjoy some fruit with your breakfast too.
* Teach kids that healthy foods taste good. Make macaroni and cheese with fat-free milk and low-fat cheese. Try a peanut butter (spread thin) and jam or preserves sandwich instead of a burger and fries.
* Choose fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese instead of full-fat dairy products.
* Choose whole-grain foods like whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, brown rice, or whole-wheat pasta more often than refined-grain foods, like white bread, white rice, and white pasta.
* Snack on fruits and vegetables. Keep a bowl of fruit on the table, bags of mini carrots in the refrigerator, and boxes of raisins in the cupboard.
* Do not keep a lot of sweets like cookies, candy, or soda in the house. Too many sweets can crowd out healthier foods.

You do not have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen or a lot of money to eat well.

* Buy foods that are easy to prepare, like pasta and tomato sauce, rice and beans, or canned tuna packed in water.
* Plan ahead and cook enough food to have leftovers. Casseroles, meat loaf, and whole cooked chicken can feed your family for several days. (Be sure to freeze or refrigerate leftovers right away to keep them safe to eat.)
* Buy fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season. Buy only as much as you will use, so they will not go bad.
* Buy frozen or canned vegetables (no salt added) and canned fruit packed in juice. They are just as good for you as fresh produce, and will not go bad.
* Try canned beans like kidney, butter, pinto, or black beans. They are loaded with protein, cost less than meat, and make quick and easy additions to your meals.
* If your local store does not have the foods you want, or the prices are too high, go to another store or your local farmers market. Share a ride or the cost of a taxi with friends.
* Involve your friends by having days of cooking and sharing healthy meals together. Cut the cost of the meals by buying the ingredients together.

TIP: Keep a food diary. Writing down what you eat, when you eat, and how you feel when you eat can help you understand your eating habits. You may be able to see ways to make your eating habits healthier. You can also use your diary to plan weekly menus, make shopping lists, and keep track of recipes you would like to try.

Dieting is Easier When You Love the Food. Delicious meals shipped to your door. It's a proven strategy that works!

A Taste of Heaven Straight From Your Oven

2009-03-10T05:54:00.003-05:00

Apples must be one of God's greatest blessings - right after children and wives! They are good for you and they taste delicious! While the weather is still chilly in many parts of North America why not enjoy something warm and healthy? Winter is a great time for baking.

Enjoy these baked apples and sweet potatoes at your next family gathering!

Here is all you need:

5 sweet potatoes
4 or 5 apples
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/4 cup hot water
4 Tablespoons honey

So easy to make:

1. Boil 5 sweet potatoes in water until they are almost tender.

2. After the sweet potatoes cool, peel and slice them.

3. Peel the apples. Remove the cores, and slice the apples.

4. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

5. Grease the casserole dish with butter.

6. Put a layer of sweet potatoes on the bottom of the dish.

7. Add a layer of apple slices.

8. Add some cinnamon, sugar, salt, and tiny pieces of butter to the apple layer.

9. Repeat steps 6, 7, and 8 to make more layers of sweet potatoes, apples, and sugar/salt.

10. On the top layer of apples, sprinkle the rest of the brown sugar and margarine pieces.

11. Sprinkle the top layer with nutmeg.

12. Mix the hot water and honey together. Pour the mix over the top layer.

13. Bake for about 30 minutes.

Enjoy this savory delight warm with your family and friends! Keep eating healthy!

Save Money and Your Health Eating Healthy Foods

2009-03-08T15:31:00.004-05:00

When it comes to losing weight, there's no shortage of fancy diets promising fast, miraculous results. All too often these diets can be unhealthy, and fail to help you achieve lasting weight loss. Save your money! Make a few simple and very effective lifestyle changes and you'll soon start seeing incredible results!

The key to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight isn't about short-term dietary changes. It's about a lifestyle that includes healthy eating, regular physical activity, and balancing the number of calories you consume with the number of calories your body uses.

Staying in control of your weight contributes to good health now and as you grow older. Evidence shows that people who lose weight gradually and steadily (about 1 to 2 pounds per week) are more successful at keeping weight off. Healthy weight loss isn't just about a "diet" or "program". It's about an ongoing lifestyle that includes long-term changes in daily eating and exercise habits.

To lose weight, you must use up more calories than you take in. Since one pound equals 3,500 calories, you need to reduce your caloric intake by 500—1000 calories per day to lose about 1 to 2 pounds per week.1

Once you've achieved a healthy weight, by relying on healthful eating and physical activity most days of the week (about 60—90 minutes, moderate intensity), you are more likely to be successful at keeping the weight off over the long term.

Losing weight is not easy, and it takes commitment. But if you're ready to get started, today is the perfect day to start eating healthy foods and get on the road to weight loss and better health.

A few ideas to help you replace unhealthy habits:

* Eat more slowly. If you eat too quickly, you may "clean your plate" instead of paying attention to whether your hunger is satisfied.
* Eat only when you're truly hungry instead of when you are tired, anxious, or feeling an emotion besides hunger. If you find yourself eating when you are experiencing an emotion besides hunger, such as boredom or anxiety, try to find a non-eating activity to do instead. You may find a quick walk or phone call with a friend helps you feel better.
* Plan meals ahead of time to ensure that you eat a healthy well-balanced meal.

Lose Weight Eating Healthy Foods

2009-03-05T05:32:00.004-06:00

Fruits and vegetables are a vital part of any well-balanced, healthy eating program. There are many healthy, natural ways to lose weight. Eating more fruits and vegetables along with whole grains and lean meats, nuts, and beans is a safe and healthy part of any healthy weight loss effort. Many health experts agree - the quickest way to lose weight is eating healthy foods and getting plenty of exercise.

Helping control your weight is not the only benefit of eating more fruits and vegetables. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of some types of cancer and other chronic diseases. Fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, and antioxidants that are important for good health.

If quick, healthy weight loss is on your list of goals - you can start eating healthy foods, exercising more and lose that weight fast! And keep it off! Weight loss is often as simple as basic math. You want to eat less calories and burn more calories than you consume!

Eating healthy enables you to easily cut the calories number! Most fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories. Create lower-calorie versions of some of your favorite dishes by substituting low-calorie fruits and vegetables in place of higher-calorie ingredients. The water and fiber in fruits and vegetables will add volume to your dishes, so you can eat the same amount of food with fewer calories.

A few ideas for cutting calories and still eating healthy:

Substitute some spinach, onions, or green peppers for one of the eggs or half of the cheese in your morning omelet. The vegetables will add volume and flavor to the dish with fewer calories than the egg or cheese.

At Dinner time add in 1 cup of chopped vegetables such as broccoli, tomatoes, carrots, onions, or peppers, and leave out 1 cup of the rice or pasta in your favorite dish. Replace some of the meat, cheese, or white pasta, with peas, spinach, steamed broccoli, or another favorite vegetable. This will reduce the total number of calories in your meal. The vegetables will be just as satisfying and since they have fewer calories, won't add to your waistline!

There are plenty of healthy, natural ways to lose weight and keep it off! The quickest way to lose weight is eating healthy foods and burning more calories with daily exercise!

Enjoy Eating Healthy Foods

2009-02-25T05:36:00.004-06:00

You don't have to spend countless hours in the kitchen or a lot of money to eat well.

Buy foods that are easy to prepare, like pasta and tomato sauce, rice and beans, or canned salmon. ( Remember to stick with cold water, wild salmon! )

Plan ahead and cook enough food to have leftovers. Casseroles, meat loaf, and whole cooked chicken can feed your family for several days. (Be sure to freeze or refrigerate leftovers right away to keep them safe to eat.)

Buy fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season. Buy only as much as you will use, so they will not go bad.

Buy frozen or canned vegetables (no salt added) and canned fruit packed in juice. They are just as good for you as fresh produce, and will not go bad.

Try canned beans like kidney, butter, pinto, or black beans. They are loaded with protein, cost less than meat, and make quick and easy additions to your meals.

If your local store does not have the foods you want, or the prices are too high, try another store or your local farmers market when the weather permits. Share a ride or the cost of a taxi with a friend.

Enjoy eating healthy foods with friends. Arrange time for cooking and sharing healthy meals together. Cut the cost of the meals by buying in bulk together.

Many successful and healthy fitness lovers keep a food diary. Writing down what you eat, when you eat, and how you feel when you eat can help you understand your eating habits. You may be able to see ways to make your eating habits healthier. You can also use your diary to plan weekly menus, make shopping lists, and keep track of recipes you would like to try.

Dinner and A Poem for Your Love(s)

2009-02-14T13:10:00.005-06:00

An excellent meal for your favorite Valentine(s):

Here's all you need:

2 8 ounces cuts of your favorite steak
1 garlic clove ( minced )
8 Tablespoons lemon juice
4 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 big bag of mixed vegetables ( frozen ) or
2 smaller bags of different veggies ( frozen )
1 small bag of pre-washed baby spinach.

First get your steak ready -

Cut the steak into thin strips about 1/2 inch wide.

2. In a medium glass mixing bowl, combine garlic, lemon juice, 2 Tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper.

3. Add beef strips and stir to coat with the oil mixture (marinade sauce). Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 2 hours.

4. In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 Tablespoons of the oil for 1-2 minutes until hot.

5. Drain marinade from beef. Put beef in skillet, stir and cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until meat is thoroughly browned.

Then, while your beef is cooking - steam some of your favorite vegetables and drizzle a tablespoon of lemon juice over your steamed vegetables.

Serve the steak and steamed vegetables on a bed of rinsed baby spinach.

After Dinner serve up some delicious chocolates!

Then after a sumptuous Valentine Dinner - share this wonderful old poem with your favorite loved one(s):

Go, Cupid, and my sweetheart tell
I love her well.
Yes, though she tramples on my heart
And rends that bleeding thing apart;
And though she rolls a scornful eye
On doting me when I go by;
And though she scouts at everything
As tribute unto her I bring—
Apple, banana, caramel—
Haste, Cupid, to my love and tell,
In spite of all, I love her well!

And further say I have a sled
Cushioned in blue and painted red!
The groceryman has promised I
Can "hitch" whenever he goes by—
Go, tell her that, and, furthermore,
Apprise my sweetheart that a score
Of other little girls implore
The boon of riding on that sled
Painted and hitched, as aforesaid;—
And tell her, Cupid, only she
Shall ride upon that sled with me!
Tell her this all, and further tell
I love her well.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Make your Lover Some Hot Chocolate!

2009-02-10T04:53:00.005-06:00

The following was written over a hundred years ago:
"After a good, complete, and copious breakfast, if we take, in addition, a cup of well-made chocolate, digestion will be perfectly accomplished in three hours, and we may dine whenever we like. Out of zeal for science, and by dint of eloquence, I have induced many ladies to try this experiment. They all declared, in the beginning, that it would kill them; but they have all thrived on it"

And here is how to make that cup of well-made chocolate -

Use four ounces of Baker's Chocolate,
one quart of milk,
three tablespoonfuls of hot water,
1 teaspoon of vanilla
and 4 tablespoons of sugar

Cut the chocolate in fine bits. Put the milk on the stove in the
double-boiler, and when it has been heated to the boiling point, put the
chocolate, sugar and water in a small iron or granite-ware pan, and stir
over a hot fire until smooth and glossy. Stir this mixture into the hot
milk, and beat well with a whisk.

Serve at once!

For a little extra flair - put a tablespoonful of whipped cream in each cup and before filling up with your hot chocolate.

This plain chocolate may be used instead of the vanilla, but in that case
use a teaspoonful of vanilla extract and three generous tablespoonfuls
of sugar instead of one.

More about the benefits of chocolate!

A Valentines Day Chocolate Fudge!

2009-02-08T19:46:00.003-06:00

Share a chocolate treat with your favorite valentine(s) and watch as they light up with the joy of tasting a true classic!

Here's how:

Melt one-quarter cup of butter.

Mix together in a separate dish one cup of white sugar, one cup of brown sugar, one-quarter cup of molasses and one-half cup of cream. Add this to the butter, and after it has been brought to a boil continue boiling for two and one-half minutes, stirring rapidly.

Then add two squares of Baker's Premium No. 1 Chocolate, scraped fine. Boil this five minutes, stirring it first rapidly, and then more slowly towards the end.

After it has been taken from the fire, add one and one-half teaspoonfuls of vanilla.

Then stir constantly until the mass thickens.

Pour into buttered pan and set in a cool place.

Share some chocolate with those you love on Valentines Day!

Here is another easy and delicious idea for Chocolate.

Lentils - A Super-Food

2009-02-05T05:23:00.003-06:00

Lentils offer a whole bunch of healthy benefits and are so easy to cook. One cup of lentils provides about a third of your daily fiber needs and a healthy mix of vitamins and minerals. Good for the heart - Lentils serve up excellent doses of folate and magnesium. Lentils are inexpensive and easy to include in just about any soup or crock-pot recipe!

Here is an excellent dish - sure to warm you up on a chilly Winter night!

Here's all you need:

1/2 lb. of lentils - rinsed and cooked ( Boil for 10 minutes and let simmer for another 10 or 15 minutes )

1 lb. of potatoes - rinsed well and sliced

1 lb. of tomatoes

1 Large red or purple onion

1 heaping teaspoonful of your favorite herbs ( we like cumin, mint and thyme

3 hard-boiled eggs

1-1/2 oz. of butter

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

pepper and salt to taste.

Peel, wash, and dice the potatoes and onion,

and fry them in 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil until nearly soft.

slice the tomatoes ( Or use a small can of chopped tomatoes )

mix the fried vegetables, lentils, tomatoes, herbs, and seasoning well together.

Turn the mixture into a pie-dish, and pour over as much water or vegetable stock as may be required for gravy.

Quarter the hard-boiled eggs and place them on the top.

Cover with a short crust, and bake at 300 for 1-1/2 hours.

Enjoy this delicious dish at your next family meal. If you enjoy staying healthy or maybe even want to lose a few pounds this year - keep eating healthy foods this winter!

Give her Chocolate!

2009-02-03T05:31:00.003-06:00

Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, and if you hesitate to shell out for a diamond this Valentines Day - Give Her Chocolate!

Chocolate is a substance "very temperate, very nourishing, and of easy digestion; very proper to repair the exhausted spirits and decayed strength; and very suitable to preserve the health and prolong lives"

You can buy months-old chocolates at any discount chain - or really impress your lover with some chocolates you pour a piece of yourself into.

Here is an easy recipe for chocolate creams:

Beat the whites of two eggs to a stiff froth.

Gradually beat into this two cupfuls of confectioners' sugar. If the eggs are large, it may take a little more sugar.

Flavor with half a teaspoonful of vanilla, and work well.

Now roll into little balls, and drop on a slightly buttered platter.

Let the balls stand for an hour or more.

Shave five ounces of Baker's Chocolate and put into a small bowl.

Place on the fire in a saucepan containing boiling water.

( Use a double boiler if you have one to melt the chocolate. )

When the chocolate is melted, take the saucepan to the table, and drop the creams
into the chocolate one at a time, taking them out with a fork and dropping them gently on the buttered dish.

It will take half an hour or more to harden the chocolate.

Enjoy some homemade chocolates this Valentines Day with your special loved one. Or share some with some of your favorite loved ones! Chocolate truly is a superfood - a gift from the Heavens!

Heart Healthy and Delicious Dipping

2009-01-30T05:21:00.004-06:00

Here's an easy, inexpensive dip to help you enjoy the big game this weekend!

Just a few Simple and healthy ingredients:

1 can (15 ounce) dark red beans ( Rinse well )
1 can (15 ounce) black beans ( Rinse well )
1 can (11 ounce) corn ( rinse the corn too )
2 cups salsa ( We like Picante Medium - or try your favorite store brand )
1 chopped green pepper
1 chopped red pepper

Combine beans, corn, peppers, and salsa in a big bowl.

Mix and enjoy!

Grab a bag of baked or low-salt tortilla chips and enjoy with this heart healthy dip!

Read on for more ways to enjoy eating healthy!

And enjoy the Big Game!

Great Game time snacks

2009-01-24T22:21:00.004-06:00

Try these healthy quesadillas while you enjoy the big game or anytime!

Here's all you need:
8 ounces cream cheese, fat-free
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
8 whole grain tortillas
1 cups chopped sweet red pepper
1 cup shredded low-fat cheese ( Try sharp Cheddar! )
2 cup fresh spinach leaves

So easy to make:

In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese and garlic powder.

Spread about 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture on each tortilla.

Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons bell pepper and 2 tablespoons cheese on one half of each tortilla.

Add a small bunch of spinach

Fold tortillas in half.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Put 2 folded tortillas in skillet and heat for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Remove quesadillas from skillet, place on platter and cover with foil to keep warm while cooking the remainder.

Cut each quesadilla into 4 wedges.

Serve warm.

Enjoy these delicious quesadillas with your friends and family! A great snack while you enjoy the game or your favorite indoor fun! Keep eating healthy and stay warm this winter!

Warm Black Beans on a Cold Winter's Night!

2009-01-11T08:08:00.009-06:00

These cold winter nights are the perfect time to enjoy cooking anything to warm up our chilly bodies! Enjoy the time indoors whipping up something good to eat - and good for you! Healthy eating costs less and tastes better! Try this easy beans and sweet potatoes recipe for a nutritious addition to your next meal.

Easy to make - this healthy side offers almost one third of your daily requirement of fiber and Vitamin C and a full day's supply of Vitamin A!

Here's all you'll need:

2 or 3 sweet potatoes
2 Tablespoons extra virgin Olive oil
1 small chopped onion
1 Tablespoon minced garlic or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup water
2 16 ounce cans black beans ( rinsed well and drained )
1/2 teaspoon oregano

Easy to make:

Rinse and scrub the sweet potaotes.

Cut the sweet potatoes into 1/4 or 1/2 inch cubes. ( Or 1/4 inch slices )

Peel and chop the onion.

Heat the oil in a large pan.

Add the onion, garlic powder, and sweet potatoes.

Cook for 6 minutes on medium heat.

Add vinegar and water. Cook on low-medium heat until the sweet potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.

Add the black beans and oregano. Cook until the beans are heated through.

Enjoy this tasty and nutritious dish with your next meal. It's sure to warm you up on cold Winter's night! Make a double batch and store the leftovers in the freezer for later! Stay warm and keep eating healthy!

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For a lifetime of cooking pleasure and easy cleanup - invest in top quality gourmet cookware made in the USA.

Encourage Healthy Eating Habits

2009-01-08T11:35:00.002-06:00

Packing a healthy school lunch can be a fun and money-saving family activity. Involving kids in the decision process helps them learn to make healthy eating choices and also feel more enthusiastic about their lunch options. Children are more likely to eat meals they help prepare. Since weekday mornings can be a crazy time crunch, pack lunches the night before. Have your child choose a few healthy items, such as pretzel sticks, popcorn, snap peas, fresh strawberries or pudding.

Parents and caregivers play a key role in helping children learn the fundamentals of healthy living—eating well and staying active—whatever pressures they face outside home.

Child nutrition specialist Dr. Daniel Raiten at the National Institute of Health says that one of the most important strategies for parents to help kids stay healthy is to foster good eating habits at home. Raiten talks often to kids in schools and finds that few understand what a healthy “diet” means.

“Most think that diet is a verb— what you do to lose weight,” Raiten says. “I tell them that diet is the mix of foods that gets into their body, and healthy nutrition is the end result of eating good food in a healthy diet.”

Try to help children see healthful eating as a natural and fun part of every day. “My own kids help me cook,” Raiten adds, “and we sit down and eat our meals together every night.”

Another way to encourage healthy eating is to sample a variety of fruits and vegetables from the grocery store or local farmers market. Chances are that even “expensive” produce is still cheaper than most processed foods on supermarket and convenience store shelves.

Teach your kids how to be smart shoppers. Enlist them as food detectives at the grocery store. Set some standards for healthy foods and show them how to read Nutrition Facts labels, which list the nutrition content of pre-packaged foods. Then let them choose a few items that make the grade. Make eating healthy a family affair!

Make Eating Healthy a Habit!

2009-01-06T05:33:00.003-06:00

Healthy eating habits offer life-long benefits. It's never too late to start eating more healthy foods. Try these tips to help you and your family enjoy the many benefits of eating healthy.

* Always drink a glass of water before a meal.
* Share a dessert, or choose fruit instead.
* Serve food portions no larger than your fist.
* Use smaller plates.
* Avoid eating late at night.
* Skip the buffet.
* Grill, steam, or bake instead of frying.
* Share an entree with a family member or friend.
* Always eat before grocery shopping.
* Choose a checkout line without a candy display.
* Make a grocery list before you shop and try to stick to it!
* Serve water or low-fat milk at meals instead of soda or sugary drinks.
* Flavor foods with herbs, spices, and low-fat seasonings.
* Keep a regular eating schedule. Eat together as a family most days of the week.
* Eat before you get too hungry.
* Ensure your family eats breakfast everyday.
* Stop eating when you are full.
* Provide plenty of fruits and vegetables for snacks.
* Provide sliced apples or bananas for your family to top their favorite cereal.
* Serve several whole grain foods daily.
* If entrees are large, choose an appetizer or side dish.
* Ask for salad dressing "on the side."
* Don't serve seconds.
* Try a green salad instead of fries.
* Eat sweet foods in small amounts. Don't keep sweet foods at home so they're not as readily available.
* Cut back on added fats or oils in cooking or spreads.
* Cut high-calorie foods like cheese and chocolate into small pieces and only eat a few pieces. Share among family members for a small treat.
* Use fat-free or low-fat sour cream, mayo, sauces, dressings and condiments.
* Replace sugar-sweetened drinks in your home with water; add a twist of lemon or lime.
* Every time you eat a meal, sit down and chew slowly. Remind everyone to enjoy every bite.
* Pay attention to flavors and textures when you eat.
* Try serving a new fruit or vegetable (ever had jicama, fava beans, plantain, bok choy, star fruit, or papaya?).
* Instead of eating out, bring a healthy, low-calorie lunch to work and pack a healthy "brown bag" for your children.
* Ask your sweetie to bring you fruit or flowers instead of chocolate.

Eating healthy will help you feel better and look better. If you want to lose some weight this year, the quickest way to lose weight is with healthy eating and plenty of exercise.

Warm your tummy with this Heart Healthy side

2009-01-04T17:30:00.004-06:00

Winter is the perfect time of year to enjoy warm and healthy foods! You can eat healthy without breaking your bank! Enjoy a variety of vegetables and fruits this winter and enjoy the many benefits of healthy eating!

Get about a third of your daily protein and fiber needs with this heart-healthy side of black beans! Try it with some wild or brown rice!

Here is all you'll need:

2 cans (15 ounce) black beans
1 medium onion
2 garlic cloves
4 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh or dried oregano

Lets get Cooking:

Carefully drain the juice from one can of black beans. Pour the drained black beans into a bowl. Use a potato masher to mash the beans until they are no longer whole. Set the mashed beans aside.

Chop the onion in to small ( 1/2-inch or smaller ) pieces.
Set it aside.

Peel the garlic cloves and mince them finely.
Set the garlic aside.

In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium high heat.

Add the onions and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes.

Stir in the garlic and cumin and cook for 30 seconds more.

Stir in the mashed black beans and the second can of black beans, including the juice.

When the beans begin to boil, reduce the heat to low, stir in the salt and oregano and simmer for about 10 minutes, uncovered.

Eating healthy is so easy on your pocketbook and good for you! You don't have to be a gourmet chef to enjoy great tasting meals. Get out some of your favorite gourmet cookware and start saving your money enjoying the many benefits of preparing healthy foods at home!

Eating Healthy for less

2009-01-02T11:30:00.003-06:00

Eating healthy foods doesn't have to cost a small fortune. Enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. You'll save money and eat better!

Try these tasty New potatoes with taco seasoning - they're sure to warm your tummy without taking a big bite out of your budget!

Here's all you need:

8 medium red new potatoes
6 Tablespoons olive-oil
1 package taco seasoning
5 Tablespoons corn meal

Let's get ready to Cook:

Wash and scrub potatoes well. Cut the potatoes into small pieces. ( 1/2 inch pieces

Place potatoes in large mixing bowl, toss with the olive oil until potatoes are well coated.

Sprinkle the seasonings and corn meal over potatoes, toss again until coated.

Arrange the potatoes on a nonstick baking sheet and bake at 400 for approximately 30 minutes until potatoes are golden brown.

Happy New Year! Keep eating healthy foods!

Chocolate Holiday Biscuits

2008-12-26T21:08:00.003-06:00

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!

Warm Christmas Eve Wishes and Treats!

2008-12-24T05:17:00.004-06:00

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!

The Christmas Chocolates

2008-12-21T09:06:00.004-06:00

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!

Healthy Habits over the Holidays!

2008-12-19T11:38:00.005-06:00

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!

Southern Hospitality

2008-12-14T14:35:00.005-06:00

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!

Warm your Tummy on a Cold Winter Night

2008-12-11T19:26:00.004-06:00

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!

Holiday Treats

2008-12-06T14:07:00.003-06:00

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!

Holiday Party Time! Eat Healthy and Lose Weight!

2008-12-04T11:34:00.005-06:00

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!

The Joy of

2008-11-28T11:37:00.002-06:00

Right now, someone is probably making a nice big sandwich piled high with delicious turkey leftover from yesterday's big feast! Bread slathered with mayo and maybe a little lettuce. But mostly turkey! They - whoever "they" are - say that turkey is actually good for you! Good source of protein or something - without a bunch of fat! Please pass the mayo....

I'm more into beef. Roast beef. Any beef. I love rib eyes and filets and TBones! And ribs and links and a great big, juicy hamburger now and then. Who knew that eating such delights would further global warming and the ruin of our environment.

A recent study, undoubtedly funded by government grants, reports that methane gas emitted by cattle is causing harm to our environment. The folks who offer these findings suggest that reducing the number of cattle raised for beef consumption will result in less harm to the ozone layer.

In my quest towards eating healthy I guess eating less of those tasty meats I so enjoy will eventually help improve our Earth's fragile environment!

So why not make lunch today with some good old fashion peanut butter - undoubtedly derived from pesticide-laden peanuts grown in ultra fertilized soil shedding nitrogen into our streams and rivers. Or I could roll the dice and buy some organic spinach and hope it lacks any strains of salmonella. Or bite into a tasty apple chock full of pesticide residue.

Or, Maybe I'll just fast today!

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

2008-11-25T05:52:00.004-06:00

Sweet potatoes are abundant this time of year. Most stores are even cutting their price some for the Thanksgiving Holiday in the states. An excellent source of vitamin A and rich in healthy fiber, sweet potatoes make healthy eating easy!

Try some healthy roasted sweet potatoes at your next family meal:

Here's all you need -

4 or 5 sweet potatoes
2 chopped carrots
1 red onion - chopped
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese
Season with your favorite spices

Now, let's get cooking:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Cut sweet potatoes into large chunks.

3. Place in a medium bowl and pour oil over top. Add seasonings or Parmesan and mix well.

4. Spread an even layer on a baking sheet.

5. Bake for 1 hour.

For another tasty sweet potatoes dish - try these yummy sweet potatoes. Keep eating healthy and enjoy this wonderful time of year! To your Health and Wellness!

Eating More Healthy Fiber

2008-11-18T11:43:00.001-06:00

Here's an easy way to get almost 1/3 of your daily fiber in one easy and tasty salad:

What you'll need:

4 cups fresh spinach
4 cups Romaine lettuce
2 cups chopped green pepper (or use red, yellow, or orange)
2 cups cherry tomatoes
1 cup chopped broccoli
1 cup chopped cauliflower
1 cup sliced yellow squash
2 cups sliced cucumber
2 cups chopped carrots
1 cup sliced zucchini

Simply wash and chop. Then combine all the ingredients in a big salad bowl and serve with your favorite low-cal, low-fat dressing!

Read on for more about healthy fiber.

What to buy for your favorite cook ( or parents )

2008-11-10T11:47:00.002-06:00

What do you get your parents who seem to have everything? Maybe this year we’ll get gifts they will actually use. Mom and Dad both love to cook. Their delightful culinary creations have warmed our tummies for years. The pleasing aroma upon entering Mom’s kitchen is always a treat.

Her spaghetti sauce is one of my favorites. The unmistakable aroma of Mom’s marinara simmering on the stove top signaled a delicious evening meal was in the works! She’d start her preparations early in the afternoon. Washing tomatoes and herbs. Making sure her large sauce pan and large stock pot were spotless. Move loved making spaghetti and it showed! We loved coming home from school to that pleasing aroma.

Growing up in a large, middle class family we weren’t even aware that spaghetti sauce came in a jar or can. It wasn’t until college that I discovered you could shell out a couple bucks and get a jar of pre-made sauce. I’m all for convenience and easy. And still nothing comes close to Mom’s homemade spaghetti sauce.

Dad’s pizza night was always a treat! He loved making Pizza and we loved eating it! Growing up we didn’t know the ease and convenience of pizza delivery! Luckily we have a Dad who loves pizza and knows how to make an incredibly delicious pizza pie!

Maybe this Christmas I’ll get Mom another piece of copper-core cookware. She might enjoy a new Chef’s pan or maybe even another saucier. Luckily we can still buy gourmet stainless steel cookware made right here in the USA!

Maybe I’ll get her to cook some spaghetti over the holidays!

Easy mashed sweet potatoes

2008-11-08T21:21:00.003-06:00

Add a little fiber and a healthy full day's supply of vitamin A with this delicious and easy to make Sweet potato dish.

Here's all you'll need:
2 large sweet potatoes
2 Tablespoons yogurt, nonfat
1 Tablespoon maple syrup ( try real, Vermont Maple syrup! )
1 Tablespoon honey
a pinch or two of cinnamon

Now, all you need to do:
1. Prick potato skins with a fork. Microwave on high for 3 to 4 minute until soft and easily pierced with a knife.

2. Scoop out the soft, inner potato pulp into a bowl. Mash the potatoes and stir in the yogurt, maple syrup, and honey. Transfer to a microwave safe serving bowl and microwave for 1 to 2 minutes to heat through. sprinkle with cinnamon!

Autumn is a great time of year to enjoy the fruits of harvest. Sweet potatoes are abundant and inexpensive this time of year. Enjoy this delicious treat and get 10% of your daily fiber!

More healthy eating tips.

Here's another sweet potato recipe sure to please your family and guests this Thanksgiving!

Tasty Quesadillas - Eating Healthy and Tastes Great

2008-11-04T05:13:00.005-06:00

Try this easy to make, healthy snack anytime. You get a good amount of vitamin A and C plus about 20% of your daily calcium!

Here's what you'll need:

8 ounces fat free cream cheese
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
8 small whole wheat tortillas
1 cups chopped sweet red pepper ( or green )
1 cup of your favorite low-fat cheese - shredded.
2 cup fresh spinach leaves ( try to use organic - if available )

Preparation time:

1. In a small bowl, mix the garlic powder in with the fat-free cream cheese.

2. Spread about 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture on each tortilla.

3. Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons bell pepper and 2 tablespoons of the shredded cheese on one half of each tortilla.

4. Add spinach: 1/4 cup.

5. Fold tortillas in half.

6. Pour a little olive oil into a large skillet.

7. Turn to medium heat until hot.

8. Put 2 folded tortillas in skillet and heat for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

9. Remove quesadillas from skillet, place on platter and cover with foil to keep warm while cooking the remainder.

10. Cut each quesadilla into 2 or 4 wedges.

Serve warm! Yum! These are great tasting and good for you! Who said eating healthy is boring?

Halloween Healthy Eating Treats!

2008-10-28T11:44:00.004-05:00

These last few days before Halloween are filled with excitement and opportunities for lots of good fun. We enjoy our after Supper walk even more this time of year! Breathing in the cool, crisp Autumn air. The colorful displays of Halloween decorations adorning our streets is a welcome sight. Ghosts and goblins hanging from trees. Pumpkins and mums grace countless front porches. Front yards turned into make-shift graveyards.

Autumn colors are in full swing across many parts of North America this week. Rich shades of crimson and burnt oranges, Fading greens turning into bright yellows. Trees ablaze with reds of every shade.

Later this week school hallways, shopping malls and streets will be brimming with excited trick-or-treaters. All wearing this year’s spooky costumes! They'll be carrying those colorful plastic jack-o-lanterns to hold all their treats. School teachers and legions of volunteers are busy preparing for Halloween parties!

Haunted Houses, Spooky Mansions, Corn mazes and Pumpkin patches offer Autumn fun for kids of all ages! Fall is such a fun-filled and beautiful time of year.

Autumn is the perfect season to savor the fruits of another plentiful harvest. Healthy eating is fun and easy during this wonderful time of the year. Apples of every variety fill store shelves. Squash, Peppers, tomatoes, and fresh vegetables galore. Pumpkins are very inexpensive this month and quite nutritious too. Try some roasted pumpkin seeds after you carve up that Jack-o-Lantern! Or, try this easy pumpkin bread!

So enjoy this special time of year eating healthy foods! Try your hand at an easy and tasty chili. Or how about a delicious pumpkin recipe? Whatever your favorite Halloween tradition, here's hoping you and your family will have a safe, healthy, and Happy Halloween!

Halloween Chili and Brats

2008-10-26T10:50:00.006-05:00

As these last few days before Halloween speed by we may soon get our first frost of the season. Many in the northern states have already waken up to frost or even snow covered yards.

Autumn is a perfect time to enjoy a healthy, warm bowl of chili! Eating healthy is so easy during these cooler Autumn days! Make some extra and enjoy the leftovers all week long! Or whenever you want a quick bowl of great tasting warm chili!

For an easy meal you can prepare in minutes, try this:

In a two or three quart sauce pan, add a few tablespoons of olive oil and turn the burner up to medium.

Swirl the olive oil around the bottom of the pan. ( This keeps the food from sticking and makes clean up a snap! )

Add a couple cloves of pressed or chopped garlic.

Pour in one 16 oz can of chili beans ( Try the Hot ones - they are sure to warm you up! )

Add one little can of Rotel tomatoes. ( diced tomatoes with chopped green peppers )

Add one can of your favorite canned chili. (We use the inexpensive store brand)

Optional - add a hot link.

Cover and heat on a medium or low setting - depending on how soon you want to eat!

Let it cook for at least 10 or 15 minutes. When you start to see bubbles at the top it should be ready to enjoy! ( Or, if you're really in a hurry, toss it in the microwave for 4 minutes. )

Enjoy with cornbread or spoon over grilled brats. YUM!

For a nice Saturday or Sunday meal to enjoy while watch the game try this tasty Three Bean Healthy Chili!

Keep eating healthy and enjoy this wonderful time of year!

Happy Halloween!

Tasty Ham n Beans

2008-10-19T11:22:00.003-05:00

Autumn is a great time of year to enjoy a tummy warming bowl of your favorite soup. Around our house we enjoy a simple and easy to make, pot of ham and beans. While pork is not exactly the most nutritious meat around - it can sure help make those. beans taste great!

What you'll need

a (small) bag of navy beans.
a couple ham hocks.
a pound of cubed ham
a small bag of baby carrots
a small bunch of celery
an onion.
1 small can of bean and bacon soup.

Pick through beans to remove bad beans. Rinse beans thoroughly.

Soak the beans overnight

then in the morning:

In a 5-quart pot, mix beans, water, onion, celery and bay leaves. Bring to boil, then reduce heat.

Put the can of bean and bacon soup in a large crock pot. Add the beans, ham hocks, cubed ham, celery, and carrots. Add water. Cook on low for at least four hours.

Add 1/2 cup maple syrup.

Enjoy!

Eating Healthy Super Foods and More Fiber

2008-10-13T11:58:00.006-05:00

Just read the average American is not getting nearly enough fiber in their daily diet. Small wonder. It is so easy to stop by a fast food eatery and grab a bunch of fat - neatly disguised as tasty food. And those donuts I so thoroughly enjoyed this morning were hardly what even the most generous nutritionist might call healthy!

Luckily we can easily add healthy fiber to our daily healthy eating habits without too much trouble!

Keep a bowl of apples handy and toss one into your bag before you head out for work or school. Keep some celery ( preferably organic - if you can find some ) in your refrigerator! Add some dried cranberries to your next salad. And a half cup of black beans. The options are nearly endless.

Try this healthy, easy to make salad with your next meal:

what you'll need:
1 bag of washed baby spinach (about 10 cups)
2 medium sliced apples ( we like Jonathon apples in the Fall. )
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1 can of dark red kidney beans - or black beans.
3/4 cup vinaigrette dressing

Mix everything in a big salad serving bowl and enjoy!

Try to include a variety of colors in your daily selection of vegetables and fruits. Dark colors - like those found in Concord Grapes, blueberries and cranberries - seem to offer more antioxidants.

Eating healthy superfoods and adding more fiber to your diet will have you feeling better in no time! Health professionals agree - the quickest way to lose weight and keep it off is a daily habit of exercise and eating healthy!

Eating Healthy Fats

2008-10-07T11:33:00.002-05:00

A little fat goes a long way! All sources of fat contain 9 calories per gram, making fat the most concentrated source of calories. By comparison, carbohydrates and protein have only 4 calories per gram.

Fat is a major source of energy for the body and aids in the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K, and carotenoids. Both animal- and plant-derived food products contain fat, and when eaten in moderation, fat is important for proper growth, development, and maintenance of good health.

As a food ingredient, fat provides taste, consistency, and stability and helps you feel full. In addition, parents should be aware that fats are an especially important source of calories and nutrients for infants and toddlers (up to 2 years of age), who have the highest energy needs per unit of body weight of any age group.

While unsaturated fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) are beneficial when consumed in moderation, saturated and trans fats are not. Saturated fat and trans fat raise LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. Dietary cholesterol also raises LDL cholesterol and may contribute to heart disease even without raising LDL. Therefore, it is a good idea to opt for foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol.

The good news is - You can still enjoy a healthy diet without all those harmful fats!

Foods rich in omega-3 fats include salmon, sardines, tuna and other cold water fish. Avoid farm raised fish - they are usually exposed to too many chemicals. Walnuts and flaxseeds also have omega 3 fats. Some nutrition experts suggest that Walnuts are good for the brain! Soybeans and winter squash are also good for you.

And, of course - Extra Virgin Olive Oil is simply the best oil to cook with! Avoid peanut, and vegetable oils.

The quickest way to lose weight is so easy. Combine the habit of eating healthy foods with plenty of exercise. Start getting in shape fast and watch your health improve!

Green Bean Potato Salad - Eating Healthy for less!

2008-09-27T09:37:00.005-05:00

Today's recipe is easy to prepare, inexpensive and easy on the waist-line. Perfect for an early autumn get-together!

Green Bean Potato Salad

Try this healthy alternative to traditional potato salad. This easy to make, tasty side-dish can be prepared in 20 minutes. Save some prep time by using frozen green beans.

Here is what you'll need:

1 lb (3 1/2 cups) fresh green beans rinsed and clipped
2 lbs (2 1/2 cups) red potatoes
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 1/2 Tbsp fresh dill
4 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 1/2 cup diced red or green bell pepper
1 chopped red onion

• Steam the green beans for 5 or 6 minutes.

• Cut the new potatoes into bite-size pieces.
Cook in boiling water until tender.

• Prepare dressing by mixing dill, vinegar, oil, and mustard.

• Add onion and pepper to cooled beans and potatoes; top with dressing.

(Makes about 8 servings.)

*Nutrition info per serving: A full day's supply of vitamin C and only 5 grams of fat make this a healthy and light side-dish! Here is the full story -

Calories: 160;
Fat 5g;
Sodium 35mg;
Carb 26g;
Fiber 4g;
Protein 4g;
Vit A 20%;
Vit C 110%;
Calcium 4%;
Iron 8%

Read more on healthy eating.

Teaching our children healthy eating habits

2008-09-20T18:40:00.004-05:00

Here's a fun and easy to make veggies and dip treat. Try this as an after school snack project or a healthy treat anytime.

2 carrots, peeled
3 cups broccoli florets
4 cherry tomatoes
3 Tbsp parsley leaves

Dipping Sauce:

1/4 cup plain non-fat yogurt
1/4 cup low-fat sour cream
2 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons spicy brown mustard

1. To prepare dipping sauce, combine yogurt, sour cream, honey, and mustard in a small bowl.

2. Hold carrots against cutting board and trim off ends. Cut each carrot in half, crosswise, then lengthwise to make four pieces. Arrange each plate by putting two carrot pieces side-by-side in the center. Arrange broccoli around the carrots forming
a cluster. Arrange the tomatoes at the top of the plate.

3. Spoon dip around the base of carrots and sprinkle with parsley.

Let the kids design their own plates and shapes. Help them learn that eating veggies is fun. Healthy eating is fun at any age! Teaching our children at any early age that eating healthy foods is fun and good for you!

Getting enough fiber

2008-08-31T15:13:00.004-05:00

Eating a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables each day will kick-start your path to a healthy, trimmer body! Add in some daily exercise and you can join the millions of happy, healthy people who have successfully lost weight - and kept it off! Fiber is a key ingredient in any healthy eating plan!

Because insoluble fiber passes through our body practically intact, it leaves few calories. And since the digestive tract can handle only so much bulk at a time, fiber-rich foods are more filling than other foods - so we tend to eat less. Insoluble fiber can also inhibits the absorption of calorie-dense dietary fat. So, reaching for an apple instead of a bag of chips is a smart choice for someone trying to lose weight.

Clinical studies show that a heart-healthy diet (low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and high in fruits, vegetables and grain products that contain soluble fiber) can lower blood cholesterol. In these studies, cholesterol levels dropped up to 2 percent for every gram of soluble fiber eaten per day!

As it passes through our body, soluble fiber binds to dietary cholesterol, helping the body to eliminate it. This reduces blood cholesterol levels, which, in turn, reduces cholesterol deposits on arterial walls that eventually choke off the vessel. There also is some evidence that soluble fiber can slow down the production of cholesterol, and alter low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles to make them larger and less dense. Scientists suspect that small, dense LDL particles are a danger to our health. Fiber reduces the danger!

Recent findings from two long-term studies of men suggest that high fiber intake can significantly lower the risk of heart attack. Men who ate around 35 grams of fiber-rich foods suffered one-third fewer heart attacks than those who had the lowest fiber intake.

Several scientific studies have found that diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fiber are associated with a reduced risk of certain cancers, diabetes, digestive disorders, and heart disease.

If you are like me and wanting to shed a few pounds - the quickest way to lose weight is eating healthy and getting plenty of exercise! Add more healthy fruits and vegetables to your daily diet - you'll benefit from the added fiber and a healthy array of vitamins and antioxidants! Keep eating healthy and get plenty of exercise!

A Taste of New Orleans

2008-08-23T19:40:00.003-05:00

The line went on and on - anxious and hungry people willing to wait for what seemed like an eternity - just to get a plate of the special "cajun-food". It was jazz night by the river and hundreds had shown up a little early to get a taste of this annual treat.

For those of us who have yet to experience some of the wonderful foods you can only seem to find in New Orleans this was our chance! I had heard about this - cajun - food and still, had no idea what to expect.

So we waited patiently - savoring the pleasant aroma which grew stronger as we neared the serving tent. I couldn't even pronounce the name of part of our meal - and here I was along with hundreds of others ready to shell out my $7.50 for a plate full of this regional treasure.

Well, it turns out that part of the tasty culinary delight is a very simple - and nutritious - dish. And so easy to make that even an amateur like me could manage! If you want a taste of New Orleans that is really easy and inexpensive to prepare you're sure to enjoy this recipe for red beans and rice!

Natural Rapid Weight Loss

2008-08-19T08:44:00.004-05:00

Natural, rapid weight loss is a goal we can reach! Combining healthy eating with lots of exercise and healthy, physical activity is the quickest way to lose weight. And keep it off! Getting rid of belly fat is a simple matter of burning more calories and exercising. Targeted exercise - like lower ab strengthening and plenty of cardio will get just about anyone on the road to a slimmer waistline!

We are so lucky to have an abundance of healthy, natural foods available this time of year. Even the pickiest dieter enjoy the many healthy food choices available. Try some fresh, garden grown peppers and tomatoes in a salad today! Pick up some locally grown fruits and vegetables at a nearby farmers market the next chance you get!

And don't forget to exercise. Burn off some of those calories - and burn off those fat cells lingering around your mid-section. Try a new sport this week. Or turn a room in your house into your very own fitness center. Who can afford to drive to that expensive health club? Buy some quality low-impact exercise equipment and burn more calories right in the comfort of your own home!

We are so fortunate to have so many natural and healthy ways to lose weight. Natural, rapid weight loss is a goal we can attain! Enjoy the rest of this Summer eating healthy and getting in all the exercise and fun you can! You can eat healthy, exercise and lose weight fast!

Remember - the quickest way to lose weight is with healthy eating and plenty of exercise!

Eating Healthy - enjoy a tasty Summer favorite!

2008-08-08T09:26:00.005-05:00

Summer is my favorite time of year ( at least until Autumn gets here .... and then ). There is so much good, healthy, fresh food available. Stop by a local farmer's market and pick up some fresh produce this weekend! Enjoy some of this year's harvest with your family and friends.

Here is a tasty Summer favorite sure to please your pickiest eaters -

A Tasty Summer Treat

Ingredients:

2 pounds of new potatoes ( we like the smaller ones best )

2 ½ teaspoons of your favorite course grain mustard

1 ½ teaspoons of lemon juice ( fresh squeezed if you have a lemon

Add a teaspoon or light sprinkle of lime juice if you have it

4 Tablespoons of extra virgin Olive Oil

2 tablespoons of chopped fresh dill

Or 4 tablespoons of chopped dill pickles.

( substitute pickle relish if you like )

Prep:

Bring the potatoes to a boil and then simmer for about 15 minutes.

Cut into bite size pieces.

Mix all the other ingredients in a big bowl and add the potatoes!

Stir until well mixed.

Cover and Put in the ice box for a couple hours.

Enjoy this delicious potato salad with your favorite grilled chicken or lean beef! Have fun this Summer with your favorite people and enjoy some of the many healthy eating options available!

A cool Summer treat!

2008-08-05T05:25:00.005-05:00

Healthy eating just comes natural during the Summer. Summer is the perfect time of year to enjoy easy to make refreshing treats. So enjoy something healthy and easy today.
If you're like me and want to lose a few pounds this Summer = There are so many natural and healthy ways to lose weight during these warm Summer months! Enjoy lighter fares and be sure to include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your Summer menus. Keep a bowl of fruit around that everyone can enjoy. Mix up some berries and lowfat yogurt into a wonderful and refreshing shake!

Here's a quick and easy treat your whole family can enjoy!

What you'll need:

3 bananas
24 ounces yogurt, nonfat strawberry
10 ounces strawberries, frozen - thawed and undrained
8 ounces undrained, canned crushed pineapple

Lets mix it up -

1. Line 18 muffin-tin cups with paper baking cups.

2. Dice or mash bananas and place in a large mixing bowl.

3. Stir in remaining ingredients.

4. Spoon into muffin-tin cups and freeze at least 3 hours or until firm. Remove frozen cups and store in a plastic bag in freezer.

5. Before serving, remove paper cups and let stand 10 minutes.

Healthy eating is fun and costs far less than eating out! Enjoy a quick and easy home-made treat with your family today!

Check those labels and keep eating healthy!

2008-07-18T05:09:00.005-05:00

I'm a terrible shopper. If the boys want it I usually just toss it in the cart. We more often than not end up bring home one bag of healthy vegetables. Maybe another with some beans, and pasta. And a couple bags of snack foods that they choose. You - know, the tastes great stuff that offers few nutritional benefits!

We can all eat healthier if I would spend just a few extra minutes checking the labels for nutritional content.

Check servings and calories. Look at the serving size and how many servings the package contains. If you consume one serving, the label clearly outlines the nutrients you get. If you double the servings you eat, you double the calories and nutrients, including the Percent Daily Value (% DV).

Make your calories count. Look at the calories on the label and note where the calories are coming from (fat, protein, or carbohydrate). Compare them with the other nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, to decide whether the food is worth eating.

Don't sugar-coat it. Since sugars contribute calories with few, if any, nutrients, look for foods and beverages low in added sugars. Read the ingredient list and make sure that added sugars are not one of the first few ingredients. Some names for added sugars (caloric sweeteners) include sucrose, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, maple syrup, and fructose.

Know your fats. Look for foods low in saturated fats, trans fats ( hydrogenated), and cholesterol to help reduce the risk of heart disease (5% DV or less is low, 20% DV or more is high). Most of the fats you eat should be polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Keep total fat intake between 20% to 35% of calories. Avoid those potentially dangerous trans fats if you can.

Reduce sodium (salt), increase potassium. Research shows that eating less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium (about 1 teaspoon of salt) per day might reduce the risk of high blood pressure. Most of the sodium people eat comes from processed foods, not from the salt shaker. Also, look for foods high in potassium (tomatoes, bananas, potatoes, and orange juice) which counteracts some of sodium's effects on blood pressure.

Check those food labels and keep eating healthy! Healthy eating doesn't have to be boring. Make it fun for you and the little ones and enjoy better health for years to come!

Eating Healthy and loving it!

2008-06-18T21:24:00.003-05:00

Try a healthy Banana and Strawberry Yogurt Shake

Ingredients:
1-1/2 cup fat free milk
4 small bananas, peeled
1 cup strawberries
1 cup low fat plain yogurt
1 cup no-fat vanilla ice cream
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 cup crushed ice cubes

Directions:
Combine all ingredients except ice in blender or food processor; process until thick and creamy. With motor running, add ice; process until smooth. Pour into tall glasses to serve.

Nutritious and good for you - this healthy shake will leave your taste buds smiling for hours! Eating Healthy doesn't have to be boring! Toss some of your favorite fruits in the blender and enjoy a tasty Summer treat!

Eating Healthy is easy in the Good Old Summer Time!

2008-06-17T05:55:00.004-05:00

Families that have fruits and vegetables around eat more of them. So, keep fruits and vegetables visible. Put a bowl of fruit on the table and keep cut-up carrot and celery sticks in a clear container in the refrigerator. Why heat up the kitchen - and the house steaming veggies when there are so many fresh and easy to enjoy choices available this time of year?

Try a chef's salad for lunch, a fruit salad for dessert, or mixed greens along with your dinner. Many vegetables taste great in salads-try something different, like baby spinach, garbanzo beans, cauliflower, or red cabbage.

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 raspberries.

Many fruits and vegetables taste great with a dip or dressing. Try low-fat yogurt or pudding as a dip for fruits like melons. Try low-fat salad dressing with raw broccoli, red and green peppers, or cauliflower.

Or enjoy a fruit smoothie by blending low-fat milk or yogurt with fresh or frozen fruit. Try strawberries, bananas, peaches, and other fruits. They taste great and they're good for you!

Start eating healthy and get plenty of exercise and you'll be on the road to one of many natural and healthy ways to lose weight fast.

The Joys of Summer

2008-06-13T05:43:00.003-05:00

The Joys of Summer are almost endless. Lazy days soaking up sunshine by the pool or lake. Easy meals with lots of healthy fruits and vegetables. Back Yard barbecues and the opportunity to enjoy family and friends. Plenty of nutritious in-season vegetables from the local farmers market. Eating healthy is a breeze during the Summer.

Some foods are just plain better for you when you eat them fresh - or uncooked. Add a little broccoli and cauliflower to your next salad and enjoy the many healthy benefits of cruciferous vegetables. Some scientists are touting the cancer fighting benefits of broccoli and cauliflower when eaten uncooked. And everyone benefits from the fiber inherent in these wonderful additions to any salad.

For more fiber and some protein add some red beans to your favorite salad. Beans are good for you and a great addition to your daily diet!

Healthy eating is easy in the good old Summer time! Enjoy a tasty, healthy salad at your next barbecue!

Natural and Healthy Ways to Lose Weight Fast

2008-06-03T21:01:00.006-05:00

Summer is salad time! Lots of fresh vegetables and fruits are readily available this time of year. Enjoy a healthy and nutritious salad as part of any meal. Keeping a variety of fresh fruit and veggies around make Summer eating both tasty and good for you!

Try adding some cooked beans to your salad for a tasty, nutrient rich way to spice up any salad. Cooked, dry beans and peas are good sources of dietary fiber and protein, and are low in fat and cholesterol-free. In addition, they provide magnesium, iron, zinc, and folate. Many of us just plain don't get enough of these important nutrients.

We hear a lot about "dietary fiber" these days-and for good reason. Research suggests that it is important for proper bowel function by keeping us "regular." But what exactly is dietary fiber? It is the part of plants that the human digestive tract cannot break down. As a result, dietary fiber keeps waste moving through our intestines.

Most of us don't eat enough dietary fiber, and health experts suggest we eat more. Dry beans and peas are excellent sources of fiber. Add some fresh spinach to your next salad for more beneficial vitamins and fiber!

There are so many natural and healthy ways to lose weight fast - and healthy eating is a critical piece of any weight loss goal.

Start your day with a healthy breakfast!

2008-05-26T18:44:00.004-05:00

"The first wealth is health."--_Emerson._

Start your day off right - with a healthy breakfast. If you find yourself with luxury of time to cook some morning try this nutritious breakfast idea:

Allow 1 large egg, 1 small tomato, 1/4 oz. butter per person. Scald, peel, and slice tomatoes, and fry till quite cooked in the butter. Add seasoning to taste--salt, pepper, little grated onion, pinch of herbs. Scramble and serve heaped on a bed of spinach. Spinach is considered by many to be a 'SuperFood'.

How to prepare the spinach:
Soak in cold water and rinse very well to remove all grit. Trim away any
stalks. Shake the water well off, and put in dry saucepan with lid on, to cook for about 10 minutes. Drain, chop finely, and return to saucepan with some butter, salt and pepper, to get quite hot. Dish neatly in a flat, round, or oval shape, with scrambled eggs on top, and croutons or whole wheat toast.

Eating a healthy breakfast is a great way to start any day!

"A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things."

The Quickest Way to Lose Weight is Eating Healthy and Exercise!

2008-05-24T08:15:00.004-05:00

Enjoy your Summer with family and friends - eating healthy foods and playing outside. Play your favorite sports. Go for a walk. Or a nice run. Take your little ones to the pool and refresh your body!

The quickest way to lose weight is to renew your strength! Exercise and lose weight fast! Eat a sensible, healthy diet! Enjoy this wonderful time of year!

Follow a calorie-reduced, but balanced diet that provides for as little as one or two pounds of weight loss a week. Be sure to include at least five servings a day of fruits and vegetables, along with whole grains, lean meat and low fat dairy products. It may not produce headlines, but it sure can reduce waistlines. It's not "miracle" science — just common sense. Most important, it's prudent and healthy.

Concentrate on eating a nutritious, balanced diet every day. This provides plenty of energy to grow and exercise and play! Enjoy the bounty of healthy fruits and vegetables available this time of year. Enjoy outdoor cooking with family and friends!

Its much easier to burn calories and sweat off those extra pounds when you feed your body a healthy mix of natural foods. Give your body the healthy nutrients it needs so you can play more and have more fun this Summer! The quickest way to lose weight is with plenty of exercise and a healthy, nutritious diet!

Healthy Eating

2008-05-22T04:43:00.004-05:00

With so many healthy choices this time of year, eating healthy is easy! Enjoy these warmer months with a healthy variety of tasty foods! Here are some suggestions to help you eat healthier:

* Make half your grains whole. Substitute whole-grain products for refined products, such as whole-wheat bread instead of white bread or brown rice instead of white rice. Remember, don't add, substitute.
* Buy fresh vegetables in season; they're likely to be cheaper and be at their peak flavor. Select vegetables with more potassium often, such as sweet potatoes, white beans, tomato products, beet greens, soybeans, lima beans, winter squash, spinach, lentils, kidney beans, and split peas. Buy precut veggies (or precut them yourself) so they're always available in the refrigerator (e.g., baby carrots).
* Keep plenty of fresh fruit around. Keep a bowl of washed, whole fruit in the kitchen, ready to eat. Buy fresh fruit in season. Dried fruit is a good alternative for out-of-season or hard to find fruit.
* Don't forget about calcium. Include low-fat or fat-free milk as a beverage at meals. If you drink cappuccinos or lattes, ask for them with fat-free (skim) milk. Substitute low-fat or fat free yogurt for cream and sour cream in soups and sauces.
* Go lean on protein. Trim away all visible fat from meats and poultry before cooking. Broil, grill, roast, poach, or boil meat, poultry, or fish instead of frying. Drain off any fat that appears during cooking. Skip or limit the breading on meat, poultry, or fish. Prepare dried beans and peas without added fats.
* Choose wisely - food and drinks that are low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.

Keep eating healthy and you're on your way to a much healthier lifestyle!

Eating healthy and staying slim

2008-05-14T21:22:00.004-05:00

I love snacks. It is SO easy to go a little overboard ( OKAY, .... Way overboard )
when munching on that bag of mixed nuts or pretzels. Snacks are great and there are tons of healthy options for us all to enjoy. Keeping our portions limited to a small, reasonable size is the key to healthy snacking! Here's some tips:

The next time you reach for your favorite snack food, check the package and measure out a single serving. You may be surprised to find out you've been consuming not one, but several servings at a time. Learn what controlled servings of your favorite foods look like - and keep measuring until you can really tell how much is too much. Here are some typical serving sizes:

* Dairy products: one cup of lowfat or nonfat milk or yogurt
* Lean meat, poultry, or fish: 2-3 ounces
* Raw, leafy vegetables: 1 cup
* Other cooked or chopped vegetables: ½ cup
* Fresh fruit: 1 medium orange, banana, or apple
* Canned fruit: ½ cup of chopped, cooked, or canned fruit (in natural juice)
* Fruit juice: 3/4 cup
* Bread: 1 regular slice
* Dry cereal: 1 ounce
* Cooked cereal, pasta, or rice: ½ cup
* Peanut, or other nut butter: 2 tablespoons

Following are some tips to give your willpower a helping hand:

* Order smaller portions in restaurants. Many people who have no problem eating healthy portions at home overeat in restaurants because the portions are so large. But many restaurants serve half portions, or lunch-size portions at dinner. Don't be embarrassed to ask. You'll save calories and cash.
* Don't upsize anything, especially fast food. Fast food portions have more than doubled over the last twenty-five years. Don't be tempted by a "bargain." Avoid package deals; instead, order a sandwich - broiled chicken is good; hold the mayo - and a side salad.
* Order kids meals, where you can. Some restaurants will let you order them if you tell them you're dieting, and you can always order them in fast food restaurants. Kids meal portions are what used to be grown up portions (before the mega craze began).
* Buy small or single-serving quantities when possible. Don't buy the extra large bag of pretzels; buy the single serving size, one bag at a time.
* Avoid all-you-can-eat situations. Buffets and those "unlimited pasta on Tuesdays" meals make it difficult, if not impossible, to practice portion control.
* Quick reference: 3 ounces of meat is the size of a deck of cards; 1 ounce of meat is the size of a matchbook; 1 cup of potatoes, rice or pasta is the size of a tennis ball.

Eating Healthy on the weekend

2008-05-03T07:35:00.004-05:00

Thank the Good Lord its finally here! Time to get after it and knock off some of those tasks on that much dreaded, never ending to-do list. Running to the grocery, the lumber yard, the hardware store. Heading out to the nursery for those flowers we hope will pretty up the yard.

And then there is the best part of every weekend - spending more time with the ones we love! Time for getting outdoors - hopefully - and enjoying this beautiful time of year. Time to dust off the old barbecue and fire up some steaks. Or toss a bunch of veggies and a skinless turkey breast or two into a stock pot and let it cook slowly while we enjoy the day.

The weekend is the perfect time for eating healthy with our loved ones. Enjoying a healthy meal with those we love the most. Or even that certain someone you've been wanting to get to know a little better!

So, head to the grocery and pick up some fresh veggies, plenty of fruit. Maybe some pasta if you like. Keep it healthy whatever you choose. And enjoy some great time this spring with your family and friends. Keep it simple if you like. put out some easy to prepare snacks - and enjoy a variety of healthy foods.

The strawberries are plentiful this time of year. Grapes are still fairly reasonable and in decent supply. Cut up some broccoli and celery maybe. Wash a bag of baby carrots and toss them in a bowl. Put out some walnuts or your favorite nuts. Or how about taking a break for a healthy shake or smoothie? Toss in some bananas and strawberries and you'll have a tasty, and healthy treat.

Enjoy your weekend eating healthy with those you love the most!

Best of the Kitchen: Wusthof knives

2008-02-26T19:16:00.003-06:00

You ever notice how all those famous chefs and cooks on the cooking channel always seem to have the perfect kitchen? All Clad Copper core cookware. Wusthof knives for every cutting job you might imagine. Always the perfect knife for the chore at hand. Always shiny clean and spotless.

Whatever tool they happen to need is readily available. They never have to go rumaging through the silverware drawer to find that perfectly sharpened Wusthof Chef's knife? Or a little glass bowl to put the chopped onions in until just the right time in the cooking process?

Do you ever wish your kitchen could look like that? I'd settle for finding a clean bowl to put some chopped carrots and green peppers in. Washing dishes has never been my favorite pasttime. Not even in the top 10.

However, there is one thing I always try to keep as clean as possible - my Wusthof knives. If I take good care of them they will serve me for decades to come! I may not look as good as ( pick your favorite cook on the cooking channel ) or have all the flair and natural appeal as some of our more famous TV chefs.

But that doesn't keep me from enjoying cooking with the same quality gourmet cookware they use every day.

Easy, nutritious lentils

2008-02-25T05:03:00.002-06:00

Lentils have been described as "the perfect food". There is no arguing - they offer a nutritional boost to any meal. Try this easy, lowfat recipe for an easy and nutritious sidedish.

Honey Baked Lentils:

What you'll need:

1 pound (2 1/3 cups) uncooked lentils

1 small bay leaf (optional)

5 cups water

1/2 cup chopped onions

1 cup water

1/3 cup honey

Lets get cookin:

Combine rinsed lentils, bay leaf, and 5 cups water in a large stainless steel saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cover tightly and reduce heat. Simmer for about 30 minutes. Do not drain. After cooking, discard bay leaf.

Chop onion. Combine onions, and 1 cup water. Add to lentils and mix.

Pour honey over lentil mixture. Cover tightly and bake it for one hour at 350 degrees.

For more about the best oven-safe stainless steel cookware please see
Best Stainless Steel Cookware Quality Gourmet Cookware

Best Stainless Steel Cookware Quality Gourmet Cookware

2008-02-23T13:27:00.003-06:00

Many top Chefs and cooking enthusiasts agree - The All Clad Copper Core line is the best stainless steel cookware available anywhere. If you are looking for sturdy and beautiful gourmet cookware look no further. The good folks at All Clad make the most durable and efficient line of stainless steel cookware.

All-Clad bonded copper core stainless steel cookware is hand made in the USA. These Pennsylvania craftsmen honor stringent environmental standards. Nearly every last bit of unused material is recovered and recycled - right down to the metal dust generated during the sanding process. They buy steel made in the USA to their exacting standards. This sturdy and beautiful cookware is made to last a lifetime.

The Copper Core line is oven safe to 550 degrees.
The copper core cooks with even heat distribution. Many cooks find they never need to turn up their burners on high.
Ergonomic handles are easy to hold and stay cool on the stove top.
Built solid and sturdy - heavier than most of the cookware you see in the stores today.
Acidic foods won't ruin or tarnish the cooking surface.
Warm up your pan with a tablespoon of olive oil before preparing any of those sticky foods and you'll find cleanup is a snap.
This cookware even looks elegant! In order to maintain the shiny luster the folks at All Clad recommend you hand clean these fine chefs tools.
They are so confident in the quality of this gourmet cookware they offer a lifetime guarantee!

If you love to cook you will love owning the All Clad Copper Core line. All Clad offers simply the

Best Stainless Steel Cookware Quality Gourmet Cookware

Sweet Potatoes!

2008-01-18T05:51:00.000-06:00

Eating healthy foods will help us live longer and feel better. Healthy eating has been proven to lead to a longer and more satisfying life. You don't have to lose flavor to gain health. Heart healthy cooking simply means making dishes that are low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and moderate in total fat.

Here's one healthy choice to add to your diet.

What you'll need:

1 cup sweet potato, cooked, mashed

2 small bananas , mashed

1 cup evaporated skim milk

2 Tbsp packed brown sugar

2 egg yolks (or 1/3 cup egg substitute), beaten

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup of raisins

1 tblsp of sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

Let's get cookin:

1. In a medium bowl, mix sweet potato and banana.
Add milk, blending well.
2. Add brown sugar, egg yolks, and salt, mixing thoroughly.
3. Spray 1-quart casserole with nonstick cooking spray.
Transfer sweet potato mixture to casserole dish.
4. Combine raisins, sugar, and cinnamon. Sprinkle over top of sweet potato mixture.
5. Bake in preheated 325º F oven for 40-45 minutes, or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.

Enjoy this delicious and nutritious dessert with friends and loved ones!

Free All-Clad Kitchen Essential Set with $250 All-Clad purchase + Free Shipping..

A Dad's joy

2008-01-12T22:41:00.000-06:00

"Can I help, Daddy?" he asked with a hint of excitement in his young voice. I love this part of being a Dad. He still has not outgrown the desire to spend some time with his old Dad.

"Sure pal" was my immediate reply. He wanted eggs on that chilly winter morning. I mixed up the easy omelet mix. Just add water. No time for cutting up the onions and green peppers today, I thought. I like easy. Especially on these winter mornings where time seems to go way too fast. Before we know it we have to hit the door for another day at school.

I put a couple of tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil in my 12" fry pan carefully chosen from our best stainless steel cookware. After half a minute or so the pan was ready. He helped me pour the eggs into the nicely warmed pan. I added a slice of cheese and a couple slices of ham. And in just a matter of minutes my little schoolboy was eating a warm and nutritious breakfast.

Going Green

2008-01-05T15:11:00.000-06:00

Eating whole, unprocessed foods is one of the best ways to enjoy the most benefits from nature's food bounty. Canned carrots lose about 20% of their antioxidant value. Wouldn't you rather spend a minute or two rinsing and cutting the carrots in order to enjoy the maximum benefit?
Try a homemade salad with a mix of your favorite vegetables. See how many colors you can blend in your salad creation. Here's one idea for a variety of healthy choices.

Here's what you'll need:

4 cups fresh spinach
4 cups Romaine lettuce
2 cups chopped green pepper (or use red, yellow, or orange)
2 cups cherry tomatoes
1 cup chopped fresh broccoli
1 cup chopped cauliflower
1 sliced red onion
2 cups sliced cucumber
2 cups chopped carrots
1 cup sliced zucchini

Simply wash all the veggies, mix in a large salad bowl and enjoy with your favorite dressing. If you're like me and trying to watch those calories have your low fat or nonfat dressing on the side.
For even more flavor and some healthy fats - add some chopped walnuts or whole pumpkin seeds. Eating healthy is so much easier when we include whole foods in our daily diet.

So get out your best stainless steel cookware and prepare a wholesome and healthy meal for your loved ones. And don't forget the salad!

Easy, breezy and healthy too

2008-01-04T20:15:00.000-06:00

Try this easy and healthy dish for a nice warm weekend lunch or supper anytime.
Add a nice tossed salad with lots of spinach, your favorite lettuce, some shredded carrots and diced tomatoes! And don't forget your favorite wine!

Share with a loved one!

Here is what you'll need:

4 medium potatoes - sliced into 1/4 in slices
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts - cut into 3/4 inch cubes
4 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive oil
1 cup salsa (optional)
1 can (15 ounce) drained whole kernel corn

In a 4 quart sauce pan from your best stainless steel cookware, cook the potatoes on med-high for 12 to 15 minutes. They should now be nice and tender.

In a large skillet, brown chicken in oil on med-high for 5 minutes.

Add potatotes; cook until potatoes are lightly browned.

Add salsa and corn. Cook until heated through.

Enjoy with someone you love!

The sweets we love to eat

2008-01-03T15:02:00.000-06:00

I love donuts. And muffins, and pancakes with lots of syrup. Coke is my 2nd favorite beverage - I drink way too much Coke. I love breakfast cereals that have sugar on them - Frosted flakes and capn crunch are a great way to start just about any day!

Well, no dang wonder I'm so disgustingly overweight. I consume way too much sugar. Sugar calories are of no value at all. As Natalie the nutrition expert points out in the videos below.

Every cloud has a silver lining. Eating healthy can be as simple as small changes to eliminate most of the sugary foods.

Natalie - the nutrition expert at NutritionbyNatalie.com has published a couple of informative videos about the sugar we find in our everyday diets.

Here is Part 2 of Natalie's excellent video about sugar -

So, lets all get out our best stainless steel cookware and cook up something low in fat and without all those sugars we Americans seem to love so much.

Start 2008 off right - or at least better than I did!

2008-01-02T13:12:00.000-06:00

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

What is it about this time of year that causes us to think about setting goals? The newness of each New Year ( does that sound right? ) can give us a renewed sense of hope to set and achieve our goals. The most widely sought after goal I've been reading about seems to be the almost universal desire to lose weight.

Last night as I sat there watching the game in my easy chair and devouring various sugary snacks I thought of the simple rules for losing weight. We all know the rules. Losing weight is not rocket science. Eating healthy is not all that hard. A few simple changes to our diet can yield visible results in our quest to eat healthy , exercise, build muscle, and lose weight fast.

So watch Natalie - the nutrition expert as she shares some easy ways to reduce calories and prepare much healthier meals. Then get some of your best stainless steel cookware out and cook up a nutritious meal for you and your loved ones!

A delicious New Year's Eve

2007-12-31T11:14:00.000-06:00

This tasty favorite is great warm - fresh out of the oven. Make some for your guests tonite and enjoy a healthy start to 2008!

Here is what you'll need:

3 large bananas ( well-ripened work best
1 egg
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1/3 cup milk ( use lowfat if you can
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Put the peeled bananas in a mixing bowl. Mash the bananas.
3. Add the egg, oil, milk, sugar, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Mix well with the fork.
4. Slowly stir the flour into the banana mixture. Stir for 20 seconds until the flour is moistened.
5. Lightly grease the bread pan with a little oil.
6. Pour the batter into the bread pan.
7. Bake for 45 minutes until a toothpick inserted near the middle comes out clean.
8. Let the bread cool for a few minutes before taking it out of the pan.
Enjoy!
Eating healthy can help make this New Year your best year ever! So get your gourmet cookware ready for a night of delicious snacks and lots of family and friends to toast the new year!
Wishing you a Healthy and Happy New Year!

Easy and healthy Pizza

2007-12-30T19:47:00.000-06:00

New Years Eve is a perfect night for healthy and delicious snacks like this easy to make pizza.

Happy New Year!

Here's what you'll need:

12 whole wheat tortillas

olive oil or butter ( unsalted if you have some

1 16 ounce can of refried beans

1/3 cup chopped onion

2 ounces diced chili peppers

1 cup tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce works great too!

3 cups chopped vegetables, such as broccoli, mushrooms, spinach, and red bell pepper

1/2 cup cheese, shredded part-skim mozzarella

1/2 cup chopped, fresh cilantro

Now, let get out our favorite gourmet cookware and get cookin!

Brush one side of each of two tortillas with water. Press the wet sides of the tortillas together to form a thick crust for the pizza.

2. Lightly brush the outside of the tortillas with a small amount of olive oil or butter. Evenly brown both sides in a heated 12 inch frying pan. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas. Set aside.

3. Heat refried beans, onion, and half of the chili peppers together in a medium saucepan from your best stainless steel cookware, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.

4. Spread about 1/3 cup of the bean mixture on each tortilla pizza. Spread tomato sauce, then top with 1/2 cup of the chopped vegetables, 1 teaspoon chili peppers, and 1 Tablespoon cheese for each pizza.

5. Return to frying pan and heat until cheese melts. Top with cilantro, if desired.

Enjoy with family, friends, and loved ones anytime.

May all your New Years be Healthy and Happy!

Easy Chili for a cold Winter day

2007-12-29T18:08:00.000-06:00

The All-Clad Copper Core 5 1/2 Quart Dutch Oven is ideal for making this delicious chili. Or your favorite soup or stew. I like to make plenty of this tasty chili in case guests stop buy or even to put some in the freezer for later.

What you'll need:
2 cans of rotel tomatoes ( or one regular tomatoes and one chili fixins! )
2 cans of chili beans ( try one mild and one medium! )
two cans of inexpensive chili. ( I like Stag, or Hormel, or even a store brand )
1 small red onion diced
1 green pepper diced.
2 cloves of garlic diced
a package of 5 hotlinks - chopped ( your favorite. The links are optional

Let's get cooking

Pour a few tablespoons of Olive oil in your favorite stockpot or dutch oven from your best stainless steel cookware
Heat on medium for a few seconds. swirl the olive oil around the bottom of your pot.
Toss in the diced garlic.
Add the Rotel tomatoes, diced onion, and green pepper.
Then add in the chili beans.
And then the chopped up hot links if you like.
And lastly, add the canned chili.

On Medium heat bring to a boil. Turn the heat way down and simmer for a couple hours covered.

When you serve you might enjoy adding some shredded cheese.

This is a warm and delicious meal anytime. We love it on Saturday afternoons while watching basketball.

Losing Weight in 2008

2007-12-29T15:14:00.000-06:00

I used to look like Jerry Seinfeld. No, I mean Brad Pitt..... No I mean ( pick your favorite skinny famous person ). Then I got lazy...... slowly got out of the habit of daily exercise. The gym was becoming harder to get to. Not enough time for everything on my plate I rationalized to myself.

Then it happened. I found myself shopping for a new pair of shorts this summer. And the waist size I finally settled on is so large that I'm just plain too embarrassed to share it.

Time to set a goal for the coming months. Losing weight in '08 is a Big priority. I've listened to Zig's tapes about goals and read extensively. Many experts highly recommend writing goals down on paper. Specific, actionable goals. Like lose 20 pounds before summer.

How to do it - eating healthy is part of the plan. Limiting sugars and bad carbs. Limiting fat calories. Keeping total daily calories under 2,000. And - very important here - burning calories. Building muscle and burning fat. For more ideas about setting and reaching goals please check out Natalie, the nutritionist's excellent video -

Easy and tasty New Years Eve Treats

2007-12-28T11:24:00.000-06:00

Easy New Years Eve treat:

As we start preparing for the last day of 2007, I wish you all a safe and Happy New Year filled with opportunity and good health.

Try this easy to make, delicious snack on New Years Eve or anytime:

what you'll need -

8 ounces cream cheese, fat-free
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
8 small flour tortillas ( try whole wheat if you can find them )
1 cups chopped sweet red pepper
1 cup shredded low-fat cheese
2 cup fresh spinach leaves or 9 oz. frozen, thawed and squeezed dry

get out your best stainless steel cookware and get ready to cook -

In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese and garlic powder.

Spread about 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture on each tortilla.

Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons bell pepper and 2 tablespoons cheese on one half of each tortilla.

Add spinach: 1/4 cup if using fresh leaves OR 2 Tablespoons if using frozen. Fold tortillas in half.

Heat 2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a fry pan from your best stainless steel gourmet cookware over medium heat until hot.

Put 2 folded tortillas in your fry pan and heat for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Remove quesadillas from skillet, place on platter and cover with foil to keep warm while cooking the remainder.

Cut each quesadilla into 4 wedges. Serve warm.

Have a safe and Happy New Year!

Heartwarming soup on a cold winter day.

2007-12-26T19:49:00.000-06:00

A healthy and nutritious soup can add a little warmth to even the most frigid winter day. Many low fat soup recipes make it easy to get a head start on our goals for eating healthy during the coming year.
Try this tasty broccoli and potato soup and get a whole day's supply of vitamin C and 30% or your daily calcium.
What you'll need:
4 1/2 cups chopped broccoli
1 small chopped onion
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth, low sodium
1 cup evaporated milk, nonfat
1 cup mashed potatoes, instant prepared in water
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
time to cook:
Combine the 4 1/2 cups of chopped broccoli, the chopped onion, and the 4 cups of broth in a large sauce pan from your best stainless steel cookware .
Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes.
Add milk to soup. Slowly stir in potatoes.
Cook, stirring constantly, until bubbly and thickened.
Season with salt and pepper
Stir in a little more milk or water if soup starts to become too thick.
8. Ladle into serving bowls.
Sprinkle some shredded cheese over each serving if you like.
So enjoy these frigid winter temperatures with a nice warm bowl of this delicious soup. Put your gourmet cookware to good use this winter and enjoy some of your favorite soups.

The Joy of Giving

2007-12-25T19:15:00.000-06:00

I held onto my bag full of gifts with a new found sense of satisfaction and a great deal of joy. I knew I had found the most wonderful gift to give to our little sister. It was the largest gift in my little bag. And I had spent my last three dollars buying this little treasure I was so sure she would cherish forever. Buying that big gift for my little sister was the highlight of my day.

It was our annual Christmas shopping trip. Dad would take Mom and us kids downtown and drop us off while he went to work. Dad always worked Saturdays. And Saturday was the only day we could pull off this kind of family adventure. Sundays were for Church and family. I don't think we ever went shopping on Sundays back then.

Today I handed that same little Sister her annual box of chocolates and this year's treasure - a coffee mug from a bakery in the little town where she lives. I found it at a garage sale - just a few doors down, and miles away from the little town she so loves. That 50 cent coffee mug just seemed to call out to me. "Give me to little sis" I could almost hear it say.

Years from now she may not even remember that silly little coffee mug. And as far as that best gift ever I found for her decades ago - I am the one still enjoying that long forgotten little plastic telephone.

The best gifts don't have to cost a small fortune. Last year my son had as much fun playing with the boxes as he did those gifts they contained. Toys long forgotten or safely tucked away in the far reaches of an overcrowded toy box. The momentary pleasure I enjoyed while watching him unwrap his gifts was my favorite gift. A pleasure I hope will never be forgotten or taken for granted. The gift of love. Love of God, Family, and especially the Love of children. God's greatest gift to us!

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 2:10-14)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

2007-12-24T21:10:00.000-06:00

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

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 2:7-14

Eat Healthy on Christmas

2007-12-23T19:47:00.000-06:00

Eating healthy on Christmas? Have I gone mad? Or lost all sense of reality? Before you decide I'm a total quack - or dork ( I am ) maybe it IS possible to sneak in at least one healthy mini meal or make a quick and healthy smoothie to include with all the goodies everyone will most certainly be enjoying over the next couple days.

So watch this video - from Natalie, the nutrition expert - and then get out your best stainless steel cookware and cook up some Quinoa ( Keen-Wa ) and mix in some broccoli and peas. Then enjoy all the candies, and baked goods being shared during this wonderful time of the year. Merry Christmas!

Here is Natalie's excellent video:

Winter warmth

2007-12-22T08:49:00.000-06:00

The first day of Winter is an excellent time to enjoy a nice warm cup of your favorite soup. What a warm, comforting addition to a cold Winter day. Any day is a good time for a nice warm bowl of soup. This pumpkin and bean soup will warm your tummy and won't cost much to make:

What you'll need:

1 can white beans
1 small onion finely chopped
1 cup water
1 can (15 ounce) pumpkin
1 1/2 cups apple juice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, allspice, or ginger
1/2 teaspoon black pepper (more if you like)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1. Blend white beans, onion, and water with a potato masher or blender till smooth.

2. In large stock pot from your best stainless steel cookware, add the pumpkin, juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, and salt. Stir.

3. Add the blended bean mix to the pot.

4. Cook over low heat for 15-20 minutes, until warmed through.

This delicious, low-fat soup gives you a full day's supply of vitamin A and is a good source of iron and calcium as well.

Sweet Honey n Pumpkin

2007-12-21T19:00:00.000-06:00

Can you imagine a nice Christmas morning breakfast with all your favorite breakfast treats - cinnamon rolls, maybe a healthy omelet to give you some much needed protein?
Well here is an easy pumpkin bread that will surely sweeten your day.

What you'll need:

1/3 cup dry milk, nonfat
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup honey
1/2 cup orange juice
2 Tablespoons grated orange peel
2 eggs
1 cup mashed pumpkin

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease or spray with non-stick spray a 12 x 15 inch baking pan with sides.

2. In a small bowl, combine dry milk, flour, baking soda, and spices. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix oil, honey, juice, peel, eggs and pumpkin.

4. Gradually add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture, stirring until smooth.

5. Spread batter onto prepared baking pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown and cake springs back when lightly touched with your finger. Cool. Cut into squares.

Many Thanks to the nice folks at the Montana Extension Service for this delicious recipe. Hope it adds to your table on Christmas or any time of the year!

In your best stainless steel cookware mix some egg whites, milk, and cooked breakfast sausage for a tasty protein dish to complement your delicious pumpkin bread.

The best Christmas gifts

2007-12-20T19:54:00.000-06:00

Our first day in this small little house was filled with painting walls and cleaning floors. All the housework was brought to an abrupt halt when we heard the knock at our new front door. There stood a very nice lady holding a big 12" by 18" baking pan covered with tin foil. "Just wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood" she said as she gently offered her pan to me. "My name is Bee" she added.

Coming from a larger town - just a few minutes up the road - where I only knew the names of one or two neighbors I was a bit surprised by this great and generous gesture of kindness. Well, Bee has yet to let a Christmas slip by without bringing over some kind of Christmas goodies for our little family to enjoy.

This year - it was one of my favorite Christmas treats. A delicacy that for some unknown reason I only seem to ever get to enjoy during this wonderful time of the year. This year Bee brought over a plate full of her very own fudge! My son and I had barely shut the door before ripping the foil off the plate to see what kind of treat Bee had brought over this year! He dug in right away. And, of course, I couldn't let him eat alone!

Thank You, Dear Lord, for neighbors like Bee. And for fudge at Christmas!

Here is a great recipe for fudge if you feel like making some for your neighbors this Christmas season -

What you'll need:

1 3/4 cups sugar

3/4 cup Evaporated Milk

3 tablespoons butter (unsalted if you have it)

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups miniature marshmallows

1 3/4 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans ( totally optional )

Line an 8 inch baking pan with foil.

In your favorite saucepan from your best stainless steel cookware combine the sugar, milk, butter and salt. stir over medium heat until the mixture comes to a rolling boil. Continue stirring and let it boil for a few minutes ( 4 or 5 ). Remove from stove top and stir in the mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, walnuts or pecans ( if you like ) and the vanilla extract.

Pour into the foil-lined baking pan and refrigerate for a couple hours. remove from the refrigerator and take your delicious creation out of the pan and cut into little 1 inch squares. See if you can eat just one! Share with someone you love. Find some mistletoe and..... well... you know the rest.

Merry Christmas!

The Christmas morning treat

2007-12-19T13:56:00.000-06:00

Christmas morning brings a special treat in our house - Dad's biscuits and gravy. After cooking a ton of breakfast sausage he uses the grease and some ground up sausage to make his own delicious gravy. His home made biscuits are a real treat - especially with his mouth watering gravy heaped on top.
Forget the presents - just let me taste Dad's biscuits and gravy and I'm getting an early glimpse of Heaven on Christmas morning!
So, when you find yourself with forty-five minutes or so to prepare a really satisfying breakfast, dig out your best stainless steel cookware and mix up your favorite sausage gravy. You can use this delicious topping on top of your best biscuits or even on toast. I love it on hash browns - or fried potato wedges.
Why not cheat on your diet for one day ? Enjoy and celebrate the birth of Jesus with your family and loved ones and eat your favorite treats. Leave your worries behind at this special time of year. Self Discipline is good and it can take a day off every now and then - like Christmas morning! Eating Healthy doesn't mean we can't enjoy old family traditions.

The Cheap Sunday Supper

2007-12-17T17:03:00.000-06:00

Last night I made enough salad, pasta, Italian sausage, and marinara for my sons and I to enjoy two good meals. All for the reasonable cost of about $6.60. Supper for three for two nights - about $1.10 a meal. Decent, healthy meals for just over a dollar a piece.

Get out your best stainless steel cookware and on low heat warm up a couple teaspoons of olive oil with the cut up garlic. Add in three Italian Sausage links. Cover and let them cook on low heat for 20 minutes or so. Then turn the links over. Add in a jar of Ragu. We like the one with garlic and onions! I like to cut up half a green pepper in small, diced pieces to add to the Ragu and sausage mixture. Let this simmer in your gourmet cookware for another 20 or 30 minutes.

Finally, in a big stock pot, boil some of your favorite pasta for 10 to 12 minutes.
We like to get started on the salads while the pasta is cooking.

You know the rest - drain the pasta, and add in the Sauce with the Italian Sausage. What a delicious, and inexpensive meal.

Habits

2007-12-15T17:52:00.000-06:00

Habits tend to define us. Sooner or later the habits we keep will either bless us or prove to be detrimental. Can we eat junk food forever and stay healthy? Can we go without exercise and do the couch potato lifestyle without any consequences? Not for very long. Sooner or later we pay for the bad choices we make.

You can eat healthy foods that don't taste like some kind of bland tofu mambo jambo.
So get out your best stainless steel cookware and steam some broccoli or some peas or corn. Or mix your favorite veggies together and steam yourself a nutritious side dish for any meal. Or, make the veggies your whole meal! Eating six mini-meals can help in your quest to lose weight. Eating healthy is a good choice we can all make - and enjoy the resulting benefits.

The young lady in the video below has some excellent tips for habits we can all develop and improve our health in the process.

Eat a Healthy Breakfast

2007-12-14T07:55:00.000-06:00

This week seems to be breakfast week for me. I found this potentially useful video this morning about using yogurt as part of a healthy breakfast. Early in this clip the young lady explains that sugar can inhibit some of the benefits of yogurt. ( I love mixing sugar laden cereal with my plain old natural yogurt. ) She suggests adding honey or stevia instead.

So, maybe this morning I'll skip the store bought sugar topped wheat cereal and add in some wheat germ instead. Blueberries - or just about any berries make a tasty addition to plain old low fat or no-fat yogurt.

I also enjoyed her remarks about the benefits of Brazil nuts and blackberries. She shows that eating a healthy breakfast can be easy and taste good too!

The super smoothie!

2007-12-13T19:35:00.000-06:00

Last summer I broke down and bought a blender. We love milk shakes. Over the summer We got to know some of the kids who worked at our local Dairy Queen very well. That twenty five dollar blender probably paid for itself the first month we had it.

And the beauty of making your own shakes is the huge variety of healthy fruits and berries you can add in. The boys love strawberries in their shakes. I like bananas and blueberries too. We had some great shakes this summer. And still went to Dairy Queen way too much.

Just another option for eating healthy.

Check out this video for some great ideas for your next shake!

Eating Healthy off the grill - Scrape the snow off the grill and start cooking

2007-12-12T13:17:00.000-06:00

Any time is a good time to barbecue. My mentor and perhaps one of the greatest barbecue cooks in the USA taught me many a good technique for preparing a tasty and warm meal. Why let a little snow or ice on your grill get in your way?

We'd cook year round. Steaks, Hot Links were always a favorite. And a tasty creation called Pork Strips. I have no idea what part of the animal they come from. I just remember they were always delicious.

If you're into improving your health and all worried about what you eat try wrapping some fresh water wild salmon ( not farm raised ) in foil and throwing it on the barbecue. Add some lemon juice and maybe some fresh herbs if you have any growing in your indoor garden!

Lewie - my knowledgeable cooking instructor - was a master at tossing a variety of veggies inside a big piece of tin foil. He would add a bunch of margarine and pepper and a little salt. Those veggie combos he made always seemed to turn out very delicious.

Found the nice video below about some more healthy treats to enjoy with your barbecue - so warm up the grill, get out your best stainless steel cookware and cook up something healthy on these cold pre-winter nights.

bursting a bubble

2007-12-11T15:28:00.000-06:00

Just stumbled upon this video today. What a bummer. I love 8 out of 10 of these "worst" foods. Why does the good stuff have to be so bad for us?

Here is the video -

So here are some alternatives to these worst foods: Eating Healthy

Cooking Aspargus

2007-12-10T13:37:00.001-06:00

Delicious tip for this tasty veggie!