I took a vacation to enjoy Mediterranean cuisine and culture! Every once in a long while, my husband and I take a fancy vacation during Spring Break. He's a college professor and since I work for myself, we can make it happen. A few weeks ago, we had the amazing good fortune to visit northwest Spain and north Portugal. In Spain, we stayed in a lovely and very historical city called Salamanca. In Portugal, we spent a long weekend in beautiful Porto. The Foods of Spain and Portugal are Mediterranean Cuisines You may already realize that Mediterranean style nutrition is my thing and so I … [Read more...] about 5 Nutrition Lessons I Learned in Spain and Portugal
A Loaded Baked Potato & Other Nutritious Substitutions
I grew up eating a lot of baked potatoes. It was one of my mother's go-to dinner starches that was easy to make for our family of 5. Nothing fancy, just a little butter and once-in-a-while, a bit of sour cream. Then, about 10 years ago, baked potatoes and baked potato skins rocketed themselves onto every restaurant menu. The big difference is that modern baked potatoes and skins are all about the decadent toppings, right? There's butter, sour cream, and lots of melted cheese. And, don't forget the bacon. A Modern, Loaded & Nutritious Baked Potato Yes, it's easy to put together a … [Read more...] about A Loaded Baked Potato & Other Nutritious Substitutions
Citrus Flavors Make Home Cooked Meals Tastier!
Citrus Tops the List! There are some truly fresh flavors that cost little and go a long way to perk up home cooked meals. In my kitchen, citrus fruits such as grapefruit, oranges, lemons and limes top the list. Citrus & Good Nutrition! You might know that one big nutritional feature of citrus fruits is its vitamin C. What you might not know is that citrus fruits are an excellent source of fiber, potassium and they are low in calories. One orange, for example, has about 80 calories, 4 grams of fiber, and 150% of the daily recommended intake for vitamin C. The same orange also has … [Read more...] about Citrus Flavors Make Home Cooked Meals Tastier!
Need an Easy, Fall Dinner? Chili Works!
Colorful Peppers Add Flavor I have become a believer in colorful peppers this summer-into-fall. Not only are they a feast for the eyes, but they also add a sweet, rich flavor to your kitchen recipes. In the last month, I've chopped up colorful peppers for cold salads, cooked them in a stew, sauteed them for a side item, and made them into black bean chili. Beautiful, versatile, nutritious, delicious is what you can discover with peppers! Making Fall Chili with Peppers Making chili starts with a favorite recipe and there are plenty of them in cookbooks, online and in your family … [Read more...] about Need an Easy, Fall Dinner? Chili Works!
It’s Pumpkin Time!
Fall, Pumpkins & Kids! There's nothing more fun than carving a beautiful, orange pumpkin into a fun jack-o-lantern. Kids love the funny faces while watchful parents guard the sharp knife. Everyone enjoys pumpkin season ~ picking one out ~carving it ~ cooking with it in the kitchen! Pumpkins Offer Great Nutrition! If you're looking for a vegetable that's low in calories and high in health-promoting antioxidants like vitamin A, then pumpkin is the answer. Pumpkins are a hard, Fall squash that offers powerful nutrition with tasty flavor. In seasons of the year when fresh pumpkins are … [Read more...] about It’s Pumpkin Time!
Looking for a Versatile Fall Fruit? Try Apples!
Apples Score High Nutrition Marks You can't beat the apple for crunch, rich flavor and 'sweet' nutrition. Eat apples often and learn how to choose and store them to preserve their top-notch nutrition. During the Fall, you will experience the very freshest flavors if you buy locally grown apples and try a new variety for fun! Apples Satisfy All Age Groups No matter what your age, apples satisfy. Kids love them sliced, diced and whole - as long as their front teeth are in tact. Adolescents and teens enjoy them plain and with a caramel dip. Adults and seniors learn to choose a sweet or … [Read more...] about Looking for a Versatile Fall Fruit? Try Apples!