Do you cook and eat plant proteins? Lentils are a great choice, and versatile, too. . Lentils are new to some people so it’s time to take away the mystery of this delicious food. Lentils are a meatless alternative to meat, poultry, egg, or dairy protein. They are in the category of pulses which are plant foods that include dry beans, dry peas, and chickpeas. Pulses are grown and harvested for their edible, dry seeds and each 1/2 cup of cooked pulse gives us 8-9 grams protein and 8-9 grams fiber. They truly fit a modern lifestyle because they are inexpensive, quick and easy to prepare, and … [Read more...] about Lentils are a Tasty Plant Protein
The Gathering Season with Easy, Healthier, Homemade Recipes – Greek Potato Salad and Fresh Pear with Broccoli Slaw
If you need some new creative sides for the gathering season and the New Year, try these! Fall gathering season is a chance to create tasty and healthy meals for your favorite people - at home. It's not about cooking for days and days and then feeling exhausted. It's about cooking for fun and keeping it simple with delicious flavors. Getting friends and family to help out is always a good idea. And, don't overlook the younger generation because they are full of energy and desire to pitch in, too. Coming up with easy and healthy recipes is a joy of life for a nutrition … [Read more...] about The Gathering Season with Easy, Healthier, Homemade Recipes – Greek Potato Salad and Fresh Pear with Broccoli Slaw
6 Ways to Enjoy Eating Cranberries
Cranberries have that unforgettable tart flavor that can wake up the sleepiest taste buds. They are a beautiful color and packed with great nutrition, too. With holidays on the horizon, here are 6 new ideas for adding cranberries to your mix of healthy and totally-enjoyable foods: In Muffins: Add 1 cup of chopped up, raw cranberries to a recipe for 12 standard-sized muffins. Or, add 1/2 cup of chopped up, raw cranberries along with 1/2 cup of blueberries for 12 standard-sized muffins. In Whole Grain Pilaf: Add 1/2 cup of dried cranberries to a brown rice pilaf just before adding … [Read more...] about 6 Ways to Enjoy Eating Cranberries
Back-To-School with a Healthier Macaroni & Cheese Recipe
A Home Recipe to Love I cannot imagine feeding a busy family without macaroni and cheese. It's just one of those comfort foods that everyone seems to love and it goes with everything. With the kids going back-to-school, wouldn't it be nice to find a less-processed solution than boxed mac and cheese? I hope you'll try my recipe and then teach your kids to make it, too! For other tips on making recipes healthier, click here. Super Duper Easy Mac & Cheese - Makes 8 servings Ingredients: 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2-1/2 Cups Macaroni or Spiral Pasta, … [Read more...] about Back-To-School with a Healthier Macaroni & Cheese Recipe
Back-to-School with a Healthier and Cheaper Sandwich!
Are you tired of sandwiches? After the first week of kindergarten, my son came home and said to me, "Mom, I'm tired of sandwiches." Oh boy, I thought, what else can I use as the anchor to his healthy bag lunch? I pulled out all my most creative thoughts and came up with things like whole grain crackers with cheese, bread sticks with peanut butter and honey to dip, and a rolled sandwich on a tortilla. Are you tired of the same old sandwich? Unlike my son, I have always been more-or-less a sandwich lover. But I get tired of the same old sandwich. I vary it between tuna salad, hummus and … [Read more...] about Back-to-School with a Healthier and Cheaper Sandwich!
Go Green with Greens for Good Nutrition this Fall!
Eating Seasonally! When fall is in the air, like today, I cook leafy greens. It's not that I grew up eating a lot of greens because I didn't. The only green my sister, brother and I found on our dinner plate was spinach and I wasn't too excited about it back then. When I moved south of the Mason-Dixon Line, first to Virginia and later to North Carolina, I began appreciating the special foods of the Southeast - like greens. When I got hooked on Farmer's Markets, I began craving greens of all kinds! Kinds of Greens! I especially love Swiss Chard and you can see it in the photo at the … [Read more...] about Go Green with Greens for Good Nutrition this Fall!