MrCookware

Summer Salads

2010-08-21T07:19:00.000-05:00

Summer means Salads for many a veggie-lover! Who doesn't enjoy a colorful and healthy mix of fresh vegetables or fruits during these warm summer months?

Here in the United States salad making has become as easy as cutting open a few bags of pre-cut veggies and tossing them together in a nice large serving bowl. When you're on the run or pressed for time its hard to pass up the convenience of packaged, pre-processed veggies or fruits.

When you get home after a long day at work sometimes you may not be in the mood to wash and cut all those tasty salad ingredients.

Be careful. Even if that handy package of spinach or salad greens claims to be pre-washed and ready to eat, you might want to take the extra few minutes to thoroughly rinse your veggies.

In our little town some of the local food stores offer a few brands of these pre-washed salad fixings. I'm as guilty as the next person about skipping the rinse and just tossing those tasty greens in the bowl.

And then i stumbled upon the following government Food and Drug Administration warning:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- August 10, 2010 Salinas, California – Fresh Express is voluntarily recalling 2,825 cases of Veggie Lovers Salad with a Product Code of I208 and Use-by Date of August 10, 2010 out of an abundance of caution due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes. No other Fresh Express salads are included in the recall. No illnesses have been reported in association with the recall.
Only the Veggie Lovers salad products with a Product Code of I208 and a Use-by Date of August 10 are included in the recall. Retailers and Consumers who have any remaining product should not consume it, but rather discard it. Retailers and Consumers with questions may call the Fresh Express Consumer Response Center at (800) 242-5472, Monday – Friday, 5 a.m. – 8 p.m., Pacific Time. Consumers can find the Product Code and Use-by Date in the upper right-hand corner of the package.
This precautionary recall is being conducted to reach retailers as well as consumers. Consumers should check their refrigerators for Fresh Express Veggie Lovers salad with a Product Code of I208 and a Use-by Dates of August 10, 2010. If they have the product, they should immediately discard it. Retailers should check their inventories and store shelves to confirm that none of the product is mistakenly present or available for purchase by consumers or in warehouse inventories. Fresh Express customer service representatives are already contacting retailers and are in the process of confirming that the recalled product is not in the stream of commerce. Although limited in number, the cases were distributed by Fresh Express to 13 states with the potential for redistribution by customers to an additional 14 states (see listing).

States Distributed	Possible Redistribution States
MO, MI, OH, IL, WI, IN, MD, MA, NY, KS, KY, PA, NJ	AR, TN, WV, IA, MN, DC, VA, VT, NH, NE, RI, PA, CT, MS

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause foodborne illness in a person who eats a food item contaminated with it. Symptoms of infection may include fever, muscle aches, gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. If it spreads to the nervous system symptoms may include headache, stiff neck or confusion. The illness primarily impacts pregnant women and adults with weakened immune systems. Most healthy adults and children rarely become seriously ill.

The precautionary recall notification is being issued due to an isolated instance in which one package of Fresh Express Veggie Lovers Salad yielded a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes in a random sample test collected and conducted by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

This is old news by now. Hopefully all those packages of salad mix mentioned in the above warning message are long gone.

Don't let this happen to you. Buy whole fresh vegetables whenever possible. And if you're like us and enjoy the time saving convenience of these packaged veggie mixes, Always take the extra minute or two to wash your veggies!

Keep eating healthy!

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-25T14:29:00.000-06:00

"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 2:11-12

In praying and praising, in giving and receiving,
In eating and drinking, in singing and making merry,
In parents' gladness and in children's mirth,
In dear memories of those who have departed,

In good comradeship with those who are here,
In kind wishes for those who are far away,
In patient waiting, sweet contentment, generous cheer,
God bless us every one, with the blessing of Jesus.

By remembering our kinship with all men,
By well-wishing, friendly speaking and kindly doing,
By cheering the downcast and adding sunshine to daylight,
By welcoming strangers (poor shepherds or wise men),
By keeping the music of the angels' song in this home,
God help us every one to share the blessing of Jesus:

In whose name we keep Christmas:
And in whose words we pray together.

Tasty Three Bean Soup

2009-12-23T11:14:00.000-06:00

Winter is a great time for some warm and nutritious soup. Save your money and your waistline making some healthy and tasty soup for your family on one of these cold Winter days! Make a bunch and set some aside in your freezer for an easy lunch later in the week!

Here is a delicious (and good for you) 3 bean soup:

Here is all you need:
2 cans (15 oz) diced tomatoes
3 cups water
1 tsp chili powder
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained
1 can (15 oz) black eyed peas, drained
1 can (15 oz) garbanzo beans, drained
1 cup of lentils, rinsed well
1 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (15 oz) carrots, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1-1/2 tsp chopped garlic
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil

Combine all the ingredients in a big stainless steel stock pot.

Bring to a boil and then simmer for 25 or 30 minutes.

Try this tummy warming soup with some fresh out of the oven corn bread! Or grab some whole wheat bread and make some grilled cheese sandwiches to serve on the side!

Keep Eating Healthy and enjoy these cold Winter days!

Happy Holidays!

ThanksGiving Muffins

2009-11-25T05:11:00.000-06:00

Cranberries are a traditional Thanksgiving favorite. The pleasing aroma of cranberries will be widespread this Thanksgiving! Try these incredible Cranberry and Pumpkin muffins for a heart snack all weekend! Not only are these tasty treats chock full of healthy vitamins and antioxidants, they're really easy to make! Share some of these low-fat treats with your Holiday guests this year!

Here is all you need:

2 cups flour - use whole wheat if you have it
1 cup brown sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon allspice
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 eggs
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
2 cups fresh or frozen chopped cranberries

And easy to prepare:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Sift together dry ingredients (flour through allspice) and set aside.

3. Beat oil, eggs, and pumpkin together until well blended.

4. Mix the pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients all at once. Stir until moistened.

5. Add in chopped cranberries.

6. Spoon into paper lined muffin cups.

7. Bake at 400 degrees for 22 minutes.

Eating healthy foods is so easy this time of year. Enjoy your Thanksgiving Holiday with some easy and nutritious muffins!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Carol's Sweet Potatoes

2009-11-23T05:34:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving time brings out the best of our family traditions and favorite foods! And what would Thanksgiving be like without a hearty serving or two of sweet potatoes? Not only are they packed full of healthy nutrients, they warm your tummy and tickle your tongue with all that sweetness!

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

Here is all 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 potatoes left -
add another layer and top off with brown sugar 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 Thanksgiving feast. These are a wonderful addition to any meal! Make some extra and share some with your family and friends!

Keep eating healthy and Happy Thanksgiving!

For Chocolate Lovers

2009-11-20T07:02:00.000-06:00

"Before chocolate was known in Europe, good old wine was called the milk of old men; but this title is now applied with greater reason to chocolate, since its use has become so common that it has been perceived that chocolate is, with respect to them, what milk is to infants. In reality, if one examines the nature of chocolate a little, with respect to the constitution of aged persons, it seems as though the one was made on purpose to remedy the defects of the other, and that it is truly the panacea of old age."

More on Chocolate

Share the Joy

2009-10-06T04:28:00.000-05:00

Do you love cooking? Do you get a real sense of joy and satisfaction while creating your very own culinary wonders?

Preparing and eating healthy foods is one of life's simplest pleasures. Whether your meal takes two hours to 15 minutes to prepare - it's all yours. The resulting taste sensations came from your efforts.

They say the best way to teach someone is to lead by example. Why not pass on the joy of cooking to someone you love. If you're still raising little ones - let them join in the fun. Maybe they'll enjoy some wonderful lessons learned with you rather than from a TV.

Show them the simple steps to preparing a healthy meal. Lead them on the journey to eating healthy foods. You can save a bunch of money preparing your own meals and the time together with your loved ones is priceless!

Halloween is just around the corner. How about making some tasty chocolate treats for your friends and family to enjoy?

The Holidays are fast approaching - give someone you love a lasting gift. Treat them to a piece of gourmet stainless steel cookware.

This Autumn, why not share the simple joy of creating culinary wonders with someone you love?
"he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast" Proverbs 15:15

Eating Healthy Foods - Italian Baked Salmon!

2009-09-26T18:01:00.000-05:00

Salmon is a delicious, low calorie food. Salmon offers a healthy serving of protein and omega-3 fat. Essential fatty acids are good for your health. Many fish contain a type of essential fatty acid called the omega-3 fatty acids. Wild-caught cold water fish, like salmon, have loads of these heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon also offers a healthy dose of selenium, niacin and vitamins B12 and B6!

Enjoy this heart healthy salmon dish flavored with a Mediterranean-style tomato, onion, and garlic sauce!

Here is all you need:

2 tsp olive oil
1 large onion, sliced
1 can (16 oz) whole tomatoes, drained (set the juice aside for later) and coarsely chopped
1 bay leaf
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Cup your favorite dry white wine
1/2 C of the tomato juice from canned tomatoes above
1/4 C lemon juice
1/4 C orange juice
1 Tbsp fresh grated orange peel
1 tsp fennel seeds, crushed
1/2 tsp dried oregano, crushed
1/2 tsp dried thyme, crushed
1/2 tsp dried basil, crushed
1 tsp black pepper ( more or less as you like )
1 lb salmon fillets (cold water, wild caught - never use farm raised fish)

1. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet. Add onion, and saute over moderate heat 5 minutes or until soft.
2. Add all the remaining ingredients except fish.
3. Stir well and simmer 30 minutes, uncovered.
4. Arrange fish in 10x6-inch baking dish; cover with sauce.
5. Bake, uncovered, at 375º F about 15 minutes or until fish flakes easily.

Enjoy with your family or loved ones! Or set some aside in the freezer for an easy lunch anytime! Salmon is full of healthy omega-3 fats - the good stuff - good for your heart and your brain!

Want to enjoy more healthy salmon in your diet? Try these easy and nutritious salmon patties! They're easy to make and delicious anytime!

Enjoy this Autumn eating healthy foods with the people you love the most!

Eat Well and Save Money

2009-07-20T05:33:00.000-05:00

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

Cook enough to last. Casseroles, meat loaf, and whole cooked chicken may last for several days. (Be sure to freeze or refrigerate leftovers right away to keep them safe to eat).

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

If your local store does not have the foods you want or their prices are too high, go to another store. Start a weekly shopping carpool, share the cost of a taxi with friends, or ask a relative or neighbor for a ride.

Many people think that bigger is better. We are so used to value-sized portions—especially in restaurants—that it can be easy to eat more than our bodies need. Eating smaller portions will help you cut down on calories and fat (and just might save you some money too). Here is a 1,600-calorie per day sample menu with sensible portion sizes:

Breakfast
1/2 cup oatmeal
1 English muffin with 1 tablespoon low-fat cream cheese
1 cup low-fat milk
3/4 cup orange juice

Lunch
2 ounces baked chicken without skin (a little smaller than a deck of cards)
Lettuce, tomato, and cucumber salad with 2 teaspoons oil and vinegar dressing
1/2 cup rice seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon tub or liquid margarine
1 small whole-wheat roll with 1 teaspoon margarine

Dinner
3 ounces lean roast beef (about the size of a deck of cards) with 1 tablespoon beef gravy
1/2 cup turnip greens seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon margarine
1 small baked sweet potato with 1/2 teaspoon margarine
1 slice cornbread
1/4 honeydew melon

Snack
2 1/2 cups low-fat microwave popcorn

Cutting calories and eating healthy foods can save your waistline and cost less too!

Red White and Blue Muffins

2009-06-29T05:10:00.000-05:00

Fresh fruit and berries are abundant during these warm Summer months. Or - you can usually find an assortment of healthy berries in the frozen food isle of your local store. The vitamins and antioxidants berries provide are good for your health. And they can add a wonderful flavor to any meal or snack.

Try these delightful blueberry muffins at your Fourth of July celebration or for a delicious treat anytime!

Here's all you'll need:

1 1/4 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup buttermilk, low-fat
2 Tablespoons melted margarine
1 slightly beaten egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup blueberries and coarsely chopped strawberries (or you can substitute your favorite fresh or frozen fruit or berries!)

Let's get cookin:

Use butter or PAM to grease your muffin tin.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda. Stir well until all ingredients are blended.

In another bowl, combine buttermilk, margarine, egg, and vanilla. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients - the flour and sugar mix from the prior step.

Using a large spoon, gently stir ingredients just until moist (don't over mix). Add the blueberries and chopped strawberries.

Stir gently (avoid over-mixing).

Spoon batter evenly into 9 muffin cups.

Bake at 400 for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Enjoy these nutritious little wonders with your friends and family this 4th of July or anytime! Enjoy eating healthy foods this Summer and year round!

Happy 4th!

Salmon - The Best Source of Omega-3 Fat

2009-06-15T19:51:00.000-05:00

Cold Water wild caught salmon is one of nature's richest treats! We strongly suggest avoiding any farm raised fish. Fresh caught Pacific salmon is one of the healthiest choices you can make. Health and nutrition experts recommend eating fish two or three times a week. The Omega-3 fats in salmon are great for your heart and your brain!

Try this simple and nutritious baked salmon and you can taste for yourself the rich flavor salmon has to offer!

Here is all you'll need:

1 pound salmon fresh or frozen

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoons onion powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1/8 teaspoon dried oregano

1/8 teaspoon dried thyme

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

2 1/2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

If using frozen fish, thaw in refrigerator according to package directions.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Separate (or cut) fish into 4 pieces. Place fish in a 9x13x2 inch baking pan.

Combine paprika, garlic and onion powder, pepper, oregano, and thyme in a small bowl.

Sprinkle herb mixture (step 4 mixture) and lemon juice evenly over the fish. Then drizzle olive oil on top.

Bake until fish flakes easily with a fork, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Or try these easy to make salmon patties for a healthy meal anytime!

Eating healthy foods is easy when you enjoy some of natures super-foods! If you want to lose weight this year - Dieting is Easier When You Love the Food. Delicious meals shipped to your door. It's a proven strategy that works!

Enjoy an Easy Summer Salad

2009-05-23T06:53:00.000-05:00

Eating healthy foods is so easy while you enjoy some outdoor Summer fun! Try this easy to make Caribbean bean salad while you enjoy time with friends and family this weekend!

Here's all you need:

4 cups chopped romaine lettuce

1/4 cup red onion sliced or diced

1 cup canned, drained and rinsed, black beans

1 peeled and diced orange

1 diced tomato

1 Tablespoon olive oil

3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon dried oregano

Once you've gathered all your ingredients - simply toss everything together in a large salad bowl. Add in some black pepper to taste.

2. Serve immediately or cool in your refrigerator for an hour before your gathering!

Who said eating healthy foods has to be boring? Taste some Caribbean fun with this delightful and nutritious salad!

Keep eating healthy foods

And Have a Happy Summer!

Eating More Fiber is Good For Your Heart

2009-05-18T05:00:00.000-05:00

You've probably heard that it's good to eat plenty of fiber. But what is fiber, and why is it important for your heart?

Fiber comes from plants. Since your body can't really digest fiber or absorb it into your bloodstream, it's not nourished by it. That means, technically speaking, fiber isn't a "nutrient." But it's vital for good health.

First, fiber can help reduce your risk of heart disease. Second, it's also good for the digestive tract and overall health. And, as a bonus, eating lots of fiber helps you feel full on fewer calories, which makes it ideal if you're trying to lose weight.

There are two main types of fiber—soluble (also called "viscous") and insoluble. While both have health benefits, only soluble fiber reduces the risk of heart disease.

The difference between the types is how they go through the digestive track. Soluble fiber mixes with liquid and binds to fatty substances to help remove them from the body. Soluble fiber thus helps to lower cholesterol levels—thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. Good sources of soluble fiber are whole oats, barley, fruits, vegetables, and legumes (which include beans, peas, and lentils).

Insoluble fiber goes through the digestive tract largely undissolved. Also called "roughage," insoluble fiber helps the colon function properly. Good sources of insoluble fiber are whole-grain foods (such as wheat and corn bran), fruits (such as apples and pears with the skins), vegetables (such as green beans, cauliflower, and potatoes with the skins), and legumes.

As you can see, many foods have both soluble and insoluble fiber. As a rule, fruits have more soluble fiber and vegetables more insoluble fiber.

Nutrition experts suggest you try to eat 25–30 grams of total fiber each day. That should include at least 5–10 grams daily of soluble fiber.

Here's a more complete list of good sources of soluble fiber:

* Whole grain cereals and seeds—barley; oatmeal; oatbran; and psyllium seeds (ground)
* Fruits—apples (with the skin); bananas; blackberries; citrus (such as oranges and grapefruits); nectarines; peaches; pears; plums; and prunes
* Legumes—black, kidney, lima, navy, northern, and pinto beans; yellow, green, and orange lentils; and chickpeas and black-eyed peas
* Vegetables—broccoli; brussels sprouts; and carrots

Try this easy Gazpacho for a tasty warm weather treat:

Gazpacho

This chilled, fiber rich tomato soup is a classic—and chock full of healthy garden-fresh vegetables.

* 3 medium tomatoes, peeled, chopped
* 1/2 C cucumber, seeded, chopped
* 1/2 C green pepper, chopped
* 2 green onions, sliced
*
* 2 C low-sodium vegetable juice cocktail
* 1 Tbsp lemon juice
* 1/2 tsp basil, dried
* 1/4 tsp hot pepper sauce
* 1 clove garlic, minced

1. In large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients.
2. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for several hours.

Keep Eating Healthy Foods and have a wonderful Summer!

Simple Tastes - Baked Beans

2009-03-25T04:45:00.000-05:00

"Cheerful cooks make every dish a feast." --MASSINGER.

Sometimes simple is best. Saving your money is easier when you prepare simple, easy to make foods at home. Eating healthy foods is easy and fun when you make them yourself!

The nutritional value of beans is time honored. And these baked beans taste delicious! Try some this weekend! ( Who has time to bake during the week? )

Pick over and wash well one quart of small white beans;
soak over night.

In the morning, pour off the water and cover with cold water.

After boiling one-half hour, drain them, and cover again with cold
water.

Boil the beans again, until cooked, but not broken.

Put them in a baking dish.

In the center of the baking dish place one pound salt pork (which has been parboiled and well gashed),

add: one tablespoonful of molasses,
one dash of cayenne pepper,
black pepper to taste.

Ordinarily the pork should salt the beans.

Cover with part of the liquor in which the pork has been parboiled, and bake three hours. Enjoy that wonderful aroma as these hearty and delicious baked beans are soaking up the flavors of the pork and molasses!

Who says eating healthy foods has to cost a bundle?

Chocolate Week

2009-03-17T20:20:00.000-05:00

Celebrate Chocolate Week with some of your favorite chocolate treats! Enjoy some rich dark chocolate and enjoy the healthy antioxidants delivered by nature's sweet gift!

Time and experience have shown that chocolate, when carefully prepared, is an article of food as wholesome as it is agreeable! Chocolate is nourishing, easy to digest, and does not possess those qualities injurious to beauty as some might have you believe.

Some complain of being unable to digest chocolate; while others, on the contrary, pretend that it has not sufficient nourishment, and that the effect disappears too soon. It is probable that the former have only themselves to blame, and that the chocolate which they use is of bad quality or badly made; for good and well-made chocolate must suit every stomach which retains the slightest digestive power.

The best flavor to add to chocolate is vanilla; next to that, cinnamon. Beyond these two things one should use great caution, as it is very easy to spoil the fine natural flavor of the bean. Chocolate absorbs odors readily; therefore it should be kept in a pure, sweet atmosphere. As about eleven per cent. of the chocolate bean is starch, chocolate and cocoa are of a much finer flavor if boiled for a few minutes. Long boiling, however, ruins their flavor and texture.

Get the All-Clad Porcelain Double Boiler for all your best chocolate recipes.

Salmon is Heart Healthy and Tastes Great!

2009-02-16T09:13:00.000-06:00

For centuries people have enjoyed eating salmon and other fresh, ocean-caught fish! The benefits of eating fish a few times each week are tremendous! Nutrition and Health experts are increasingly suggesting that we eat more fish. Cold water, wild caught fish seem to offer the best mix of healthy fats, ( omega-3 fats ) and vitamins and minerals.

Try this easy and delicious baked salmon -

Here is all you need:

1 pound salmon or any cold-water fish, fresh or frozen
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
4 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

If using frozen fish, thaw in refrigerator according to package directions.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut fish into 4 pieces and place them in a 9x13x2 inch baking pan.

Combine paprika, garlic and onion powder, pepper, oregano, and thyme in a small bowl.

Sprinkle herbs and lemon juice evenly over the fish. Then drizzle olive oil on top.

Bake until fish flakes easily with a fork - about 25 minutes.

Enjoy with your favorite rice and some steamed vegetables!

Add some wild caught fish to your diet and enjoy the tastes and health benefits of cold water fish! ( We try to avoid farm-raised fish as they often contain unhealthy levels of harmful chemicals. ) There are plenty of ocean caught fish to savor and enjoy! Try this heart-healthy, inexpensive and nutritious recipe for salmon patties!

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

Warm Your Body on Cold Winter Night

2009-02-04T21:17:00.000-06:00

What a perfect time to enjoy a nice warm cup of your favorite tea or java - On a cold Winter's night! What a warm feeling one can enjoy curled up in thick, warm blanket with a good book and something warm to enlighten your taste buds!

Try this tummy warming Hot Chocolate the next time you want to curl up under your favorite warm blanket:

Cut four ounces of chocolate in fine bits. Put a pint of milk on the stove in the double-boiler, and when it has been heated to the boiling point, put the chocolate, 3 tablespoons of sugar and three or four tablespoons of water in a small pan, and stir over a hot fire until smooth and glossy.

Stir this chocolate mixture into the hot milk, and beat well with a whisk.

Serve at once, and if you like - add a heaping tablespoonful of whipped cream in each cup and then filling up with the hot chocolate.

Read on for some of the benefits of Chocolate.

And enjoy a nice, warm cup of Hot Chocolate this Winter!

Heart Healthy Game Day Snacks

2009-02-01T09:36:00.000-06:00

Enjoy the big game today - or any weekend with some easy and affordable snacks sure to tickle your taste buds! Stop by the produce section and pick up some fresh and healthy vegetables.
Here's just a few ideas:
tomatoes - we love grape or cherry tomatoes
a cucumber or two
green, red, or yellow peppers
baby carrots
broccoli
cauliflower
celery
apples

here's an easy, inexpensive dip you can put together in 2 minutes:

1 cup sour cream, nonfat
1 cup yogurt, nonfat plain
2 Tablespoons dried dill

Just combine the sour cream, yogurt, and dill in a bowl and stir together! Keep this chilled - it tastes better and will last for the whole game!

Eating healthy foods is easy and affordable. Start saving your money eating healthy at home!

Easy Bean n Avocado wraps

2009-01-23T05:50:00.000-06:00

Avocados offer us a healthy dose of Omega 3 fats - the good, heart healthy fats! Whether you like guacamole or eating them plain - nutrition experts agree - the avocado is a great addition to any healthy eating plan!

Try this easy and nutritious avocado n bean wrap this weekend or or share with friends while you enjoy your favorite game!

Here's all you need:

2 chopped green or red bell peppers ( save money - use the green )
1 peeled and sliced onion ( we like the red or purple onions )
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 whole grain tortillas, fat free

and easy to prepare:

1. Sauté bell peppers and onion for 5 minutes over medium heat. Add beans, stir well. Reduce heat to low and simmer about 5 minutes.

2. 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.

Who said eating healthy has to be boring? Enjoy this delicious treat anytime and get a great supply of vitamin C and some heart-healthy omega 3 fats!

Enjoy a variety of vegetables and fruits in your daily diet and keep eating healthy!

Beat the Winter Blues and Lose Weight - Eating Healthy

2009-01-16T11:46:00.000-06:00

Eating healthy during these colder months helps lift your spirits! For dinner, enjoy a some nice heart-healthy salmon. Add a side of spinach to increase folate levels and help beat depression. Try healthy snacks in between meals when you become irritable or feeling a little blue.

Here is an easy salmon dish sure to tickle your tastebuds and give you some heart healthy omega-3 fats - the good kind of fat!

Taste the Mediterranean in this tangy tomato, onion, and garlic sauce.

* 1 lb salmon fillets
* 2 tsp olive oil
* 1 large onion, sliced
* 1 can (16 oz) diced tomatoes, drained (set the juice to the side)
* 1/2 C tomato juice (reserved from canned tomatoes)
* 1 bay leaf
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1 C dry white wine
* 1/4 C lemon juice
* 1/4 C orange juice
* 1 Tbsp fresh orange peel, grated
* 1 tsp fennel seeds, crushed
* 1/2 tsp dried oregano, crushed
* 1/2 tsp dried thyme, crushed
* 1/2 tsp dried basil, crushed
* to taste black pepper

1. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet. Add onion and sauté over moderate heat for 5 minutes or until soft.
2. Add all remaining ingredients except fish. Stir well and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
3. Arrange fish in 10- by 6-inch baking dish. Cover with sauce. Bake uncovered at 375 ºF for about 15 minutes or until fish flakes easily.

Stay warm and keep eating healthy! The quickest way to lose weight - and lift your spirits - is with healthy eating and plenty of exercise!

The Good Stuff

2008-12-27T11:23:00.000-06:00

Salmon offers a heart healthy dose of omega-3 fat - the good kind of fat everybody needs! Here is an easy and delicious little salmon dish anyone can prepare!

Here's all you need:

One small can salmon ( wild-caught - avoid farm raised fish )
four eggs beaten light
four tablespoons melted butter (not hot)
one half cup fine bread crumbs

Season the salmon with salt, pepper, and parsley.

Chop the fish fine, then rub in butter till smooth.

Beat crumbs into egg and season before putting with fish.

Butter your baking dish and bake for one hour!

Keep eating healthy foods and enjoy these last few days of 2008!

The Christmas Chocolates

2008-12-21T16:27:00.000-06:00

"The people who make constant use of chocolate are the ones who enjoy the most steady health, and are the least subject to a multitude of little ailments which destroy the comfort of life" an excerpt from an early 20th century dietitian.

Christmas means lots of tasty treats. Rich, delicious sweets. Chocolate everything! Here is an easy to make chocolate and maple walnut delicacy sure to leave a smile on your lips!

White of 1 egg,
3 tablespoonfuls of maple syrup ( use real maple syrup! ),
1 tablespoonful of water,
sifted confectioner's sugar,
1 teaspoonful of vanilla extract,
2 or more squares of Baker's Chocolate,
walnuts halves.

Beat the egg white slightly.
Melt the chocolate over hot water in a double boiler.
add the syrup, water, sugar as needed,
the melted chocolate, and the vanilla
add a little more water if necessary.

Work with a silver plated knife and knead until thoroughly mixed.

Then break off small pieces of uniform size and roll them into balls, in the hollow of the hand, flatten the balls a little, set the half of an English walnut upon each, pressing the nut into the candy and thus flattening it still more.

The maple gives the chocolate a particularly nice flavor!

Share with family and friends for best results! Or, if you're feeling especially giving try giving some to your boss or a favorite customer! They'll love the personal touch and beg you for your secret recipe!

More about chocolate and some tasty fudge here.

Merry Christmas!

Delicious Christmas Treats

2008-12-19T05:49:00.000-06:00

Enjoy these delicious applesauce cookies with a warm cup of coffee this Christmas!

Here's all you'll need:

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 egg
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 1/2 cup applesauce, unsweetened
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts nuts

So easy to make:

Whip sugar, butter and egg.

In a separate bowl, combine baking soda, flour, salt, and cinnamon. Mix well.

Stir flour mixture into butter and egg mixture just until moist.

Add in the applesauce, dried cranberries, and chopped walnuts.

Drop dough by heaping teaspoon several inches apart on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.

Sprinkle a little brown sugar on top just after you remove them from the oven!

Share these delicious Holiday treats with your family, friends and co-workers this Holiday season!

And don't forget to keep eating healthy too!

Merry Christmas!

What do you get your Mom who has everything?

2008-12-13T06:39:00.000-06:00

What do you get your parents who seem to have everything? Maybe this year we’ll get our folks something 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. Thank goodness we can still buy gourmet stainless steel cookware made right here in the USA!

Maybe I'll convince her to make spaghetti!

Merry Christmas!

Delicious Coffee Cake!

2008-12-06T14:32:00.000-06:00

What would the Holidays be without a delicious coffee cake? Why wait for Christmas to enjoy this tasty treat? Try this easy and nutritious coffee cake at your next brunch or anytime!

Here is all you need:

1 egg
1/2 cup low or nonfat milk
1/2 cup yogurt, nonfat plain (or vanilla - if you prefer)
3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel (yellow only)
2 cups all-purpose flour ( make one cup Whole Wheat! )
2/3 cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup frozen blueberries

Now, for the topping you'll need:

For the topping:
1/2 Cup brown sugar
3 Tablespoons chopped walnuts
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

In a large bowl whisk together the egg, milk, yogurt, oil and lemon peel.

Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt onto the liquid ingredients. Using a fork, stir gently, just until ingredients are combined.

Gently add the blueberries. Pour the batter into an 8- or 9-inch baking pan coated with nonstick spray.

In a small bowl combine the topping ingredients. Sprinkle evenly over the cake batter.

Bake at 400 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes ( on the center rack ) or until the top is lightly browned. ( Or it passes the toothpick test - insert a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean - you're all set! )

Allow the cake to cool in the baking pan for 5 or 10 minutes. This delicious coffee cake tastes great served warm. Or, wrap and freeze some for a late-night treat later!

Blueberries are truly one of nature's superfoods! Enjoy this healthy coffee cake and keep eating healthy!

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T11:41:00.000-06:00

The pleasant aroma wafting from the kitchen was unmistakable. We only got to enjoy this sweet smell once a year - on Thanksgiving morning! I never have figured out what she does to that turkey before she puts it in the oven. But it sure filled our humble home with a most pleasing aroma!

A couple days before Thanksgiving Dad would stop by the discount bread store and pick up a bunch of half price bread. On the night before the big day we all got to stay up late making toast and ripping it into small pieces to be used in the stuffing. “That’s too big” Mom would admonish us when we got lazy and tried to toss in too large a piece. Our old two-slice toaster got a real workout that Wednesday night before Thanksgiving.

Long before you could walk into your local superstore and pick up practically any variety of pre-made pie, Moms everywhere made pies the day before Thanksgiving. Oven space was at a premium on Thanksgiving day itself ! Mom put “the bird” in the oven early so it would be ready to eat by Supper.

Then, early on Thanksgiving morning and after Mom had stuffed and started cooking the turkey she would turn on the TV and we’d watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade. I can’t imagine a Thanksgiving morning without catching a glimpse of the numerous high school bands , incredibly big balloons and the famous Radio City Hall Rockettes. Long before Santa brought up the rear of the parade we’d start enjoying that wonderful scent.

As the afternoon grew long Mom would prepare the cranberries and start washing and cutting the potatoes. She’d put out little bowls of pickles and olives – all would be long gone before the feast began! An hour or so before she pulled that magnificent bird from the oven she’d prepare some more stuffing. Mom’s homemade stuffing always turns out so good – it has long been my favorite part of the whole Thanksgiving meal!

Somehow, everything would come together just in time to hear her call to Dad – “It’s time to carve the Turkey”! While Dad carved the moist and aromatic turkey meat we’d take turns mashing the potatoes and stirring the gravy! That meant that pretty soon we’d all be gathering around the table for another wonderful Thanksgiving feast.
Hoping all your Thanksgiving memories are pleasant. Or that you’ll make some new ones this year!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Healthy Eating with easy Lentil Soup

2008-11-19T05:25:00.000-06:00

Lentils have been described as the perfect food. Inexpensive and nutritious, lentils are a great source of fiber and vitamin A. Lentils can help lower your cholesterol and offer a good source of protein too. Lentils really are a superfood!

Try this easy lentil soup in your slow cooker. Just toss everything in the crock-pot or slow-cooker before you leave in the morning. Come home after work to a nice warm bowl of delicious lentil soup!

Here's all you'll need

6 cups water
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or 2 Tablespoons dried parsley (optional)
2 teaspoons beef bouillon or 2 cubes beef bouillon
1 1/2 cups dry lentils
2 medium sliced carrots
1 medium chopped onion
2 sliced celery stalks

Just toss it in the crock-pot and cook on low for about ten hours. One serving contains about 200 calories and has over 60% of your daily fiber needs!

Read on for more about superfoods and eating-healthy!

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Enjoy Autumn's Splendor with some Sweet Potatoes!

2008-11-08T20:29:00.000-06:00

Try these tasty sweet potato patties any time for a quick and nutritious snack. At only 150 calories you can enjoy two and get 1/4 of your daily fiber and a generous supply of vitamin A!

Here's all you need:

3 sweet potatoes
1 cup crushed bread crumbs
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

How to prepare:

1. Wash the sweet potatoes.

2. Bake the sweet potatoes in a microwave until they are soft.

3. Remove the peels from the sweet potatoes.

4. Put the sweet potatoes in a medium bowl. Mash them with a fork.

5. Crush the bread crumbs on a cutting board with a rolling pin or jar.

6. Put the crushed bread crumbs in a small bowl.

7. Shape sweet potato into 6 small patties.

8. Roll each patty in the crushed crumbs.

9. Heat the oil in a frying pan on medium heat.

10. Brown each patty on both sides in the oil.

Eating healthy is easy and good for you - especially during these wonderful days of Autumn! For more healthy eating ideas - here is another delicious sweet potato recipe - good enough for any Thanksgiving table!

How to Spend More Time with Family and Friends

2008-11-04T04:56:00.000-06:00

With Thanksgiving and the Holidays right around the corner this might be the perfect time to start planning and make sure we have all the cookware and tools we need to make this Thanksgiving as hassle free as possible. Start your preparations now so you can enjoy more time with Family and friends when the big day arrives.

Is it time to rearrange or organize the spices? I know mine are in a state of near total disarray! And my pantry is, well, like a messy desk. It’s not too early to start stocking up on olive oil, sugar, flour, and butter and all those essentials we like to keep readily available. Watch the store ads – many will be offering bargain prices on many staples in these last few weeks leading up to the feast!

Have you tried a trip to the supermarket on the day before Thanksgiving? Many stores are a virtual madhouse on Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Several years ago I waited 20 minutes in line to buy some butter and milk! I hope I never again find myself in that predicament. Shop early and avoid the lines!

It’s not too early to start picking up those special, seasonal decorations. You know – those little things that help us create the perfect centerpiece! Pine cones, tiny little pumpkins, squash, and cut evergreen branches make an easy and decorative centerpiece!

Order that new roasting pan you’ve been dreaming of now! Are your most used sauce pans or stockpots looking like they’ve served their useful lives? If you’ve been thinking about new cookware, now is the perfect time to order for delivery before Thanksgiving.

We’ve been very happy with our All-Clad Copper Core Stainless Steel cookware. Made in America by craftsmen who have been making cookware for several decades, the All-Clad Copper Core line is the last set of cookware you’ll ever buy!

Sanitize all those cooking utensils you haven’t used in a while! Toss all those old spices and herbs that just don’t look or smell right. Stock up on those must-have spices now!

Start your preparations early and spend more time with your family and guests when you celebrate Thanksgiving!

Top of the Line - The Best Cookware

2008-10-31T11:00:00.000-05:00

As Halloween comes and goes, many of us find ourselves spending more time indoors. As the temperatures gradually cool and Winter like weather fast approaches, we have more time for cooking.

Why not cook with the best?

You can buy less expensive cookware. And, as that old, old saying goes - "You get what you pay for". If you make one investment for your kitchen before the Holidays - invest in the cookware you'll love using every day! Sturdy, long-lasting, and safe to use. No worries about what goes into this American-made quality cookware.

Professional chefs and fine cooks all over the world love their All-Clad Copper core cookware. Just pick one up and you'll feel the sturdy, lifetime quality in every piece.

All-Clad Copper-Core 7 Piece Cookware Set

This set includes the following items:10" Fry Pan2 qt. Sauce Pan with Lid 3 qt. Saute Pan with Lid 8 qt. Stock Pot with Lid.
Why you'll like this All-Clad set: Five bonded layers of stainless steel, aluminum and copper allow pieces to heat quickly and evenly so you can rely on consistent performance. Provides the efficiency of copper with the durability and easy maintenance of stainless steel. The pieces are safe for your oven up to 500 degrees F. The fry pan, sauce pan and saute pan handles stay cool. The handle length keeps your hands away from cooking surfaces. The stock pot's loop handles stay cool and make lifting easy. More Features:Permanent 18/10 Stainless Steel cooking surface will not react with food. Pure aluminum and copper inner core throughout for optimal heat conductivity. Finished off by an exterior stripe of exposed copper Lifetime warranty Fully-clad pots and pans manufactured in the USA! Handwash only, not dishwasher safe All-Clad 6000-7-SS

Autumn Treats

2008-10-27T20:33:00.000-05:00

The days leading up to Halloween are filled with fun. We always enjoy our evening walk this time of year taking in the crisp Autumn air. The wonderful variety of Halloween decorations adorning our streets is always a sight to behold. Ghosts hanging from trees. Pumpkins and mums gracing many a front porch. Lawns turned into make-shift graveyards. Goblins and ghouls on every block!

The 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 golden yellows. Trees ablaze with reds of every shade. Fields of milo painted in rustic brown.

Soon, our schools, shopping malls and streets will be filled with happy and excited little trick-or-treaters sporting this year’s array of scary costumes! Carrying little sacks or plastic jack-o-lanterns to hold their bounty of candy and popcorn balls! School teachers and legions of volunteer Moms are busily planning this year’s Halloween party!

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 bountiful 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!

So enjoy this special time of year eating healthy foods! Try your hand at an easy three bean chili. Or how about a delicious pumpkin recipe? Whatever your favorite recipe or entertainment we hope you will have a