Butternut Squash is a Nutrition Hero In case you're wondering, butternut and all fall-winter squash are 'up there' on the nutritious vegetables chart. Here is a quick peek at the nutrition facts for those of you who want to see the numbers. Really good news is that these super hard squash are not only healthy to eat, but they are also delicious and versatile in your kitchen. Butternut Squash in 5 Tasty Ways #1 Roasted Halves. My picture at the left shows how to go from cut to cooked. First - very carefully - I cut 3 squash in half and removed the seeds. Then I spritzed the … [Read more...] about Butternut Squash in 5 Tasty Ways
How to Cook a Healthy Summer Meal on the Grill
First, Get Organized Make a menu such as the one pictured at the left: Grilled Mustard-Maple-Ginger Chicken Thighs Grilled Mixed Vegetables Chilled Watermelon Second, Prep the Food Try boneless and skinless chicken thighs for more flavor and less mess. Carefully cut the fat off chicken thighs and marinate them for an hour or so in a mustard+maple syrup+ginger marinade. Always marinate chicken in the fridge. While the chicken is marinating, wash and cut up potatoes, Bell peppers and onions into bite-size pieces and then mix them up in a bowl. Lay the mixed … [Read more...] about How to Cook a Healthy Summer Meal on the Grill
A Healthy Eggplant Recipe called Yakne!
Eggplant and Summer One of my favorite colors is purple. So, maybe that's why I was first curious about eggplant. The color is so beautiful and since we eat with our eyes, I hope eggplant will get your attention, too. When the sun gets really warm in July and August, there is a large supply of eggplant to buy at the grocery store or Farmer's Market. Or, pick it from your own vegetable garden if you are a grower yourself. Whatever, don't miss eggplant as a versatile and very Mediterranean vegetable that tastes great. Here's an eggplant recipe with an Italian twist and here's another eggplant … [Read more...] about A Healthy Eggplant Recipe called Yakne!
Chocolate and Banana Cupcake Recipe
A Dessert that's Perfect for Everyone When I first made and tasted this recipe, I thought it was chocolate-y, moist and not too sweet. For me it was a perfect dessert, but I needed other opinions to help me decide if it was a 'keeper' recipe - or not. So, I asked my grown-up son to try it. After going back for a second one, he commented that it was a perfect muffin for him. Great. Next, I shared a plate of cupcakes with my book co-author, Andrea, so that her family of 5 could do a tasting. All agreed that it was a great dessert. Yay. Then, my good friend, Tomomi, made a batch and asked her … [Read more...] about Chocolate and Banana Cupcake Recipe
How to Grow and Use Fresh Mint
Fresh Mint is an Easy Herb to Grow I grew up in a family of gardeners. My mom mostly enjoyed growing flowers and my dad liked growing vegetables. So, at least in the summer, we had a colorful yard and we also ate a bunch of homegrown vegetables for dinner. Fresh herbs were not a part of the mix for some reason, so I changed that when I got my first job and moved into a very small house of my own. I immediately planted some herbs in a small, sunny garden out back. Partly I grew herbs because they were easy to grow and partly I did it because I was getting very interested in cooking and … [Read more...] about How to Grow and Use Fresh Mint
Quick Snacks
Quick Snacks are Easy Just about everyone I know likes a quick snack sometime during the day or evening. We like quick and we like easy in our busy lives. Grab and go can be nutritious and delicious, in case you are wondering, and here's how... Start with a Fruit or Vegetable When you grab a fruit or vegetable as part or all of your quick snack, amazing things happen. You enjoy the crunch, you adore the sweet flavor, and you guarantee your body is receiving good nutrition. Fruits and vegetables are super-heroes for all their vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and high quality … [Read more...] about Quick Snacks