Creating a Healthier Kitchen Thomas Jefferson once said, "The olive tree is surely the richest gift of Heaven..." I couldn't agree with him more. There are some very basic foods that can help you create a healthier kitchen, one of which is olive oil. Its superior flavor and health benefits make olive oil a vital part of my every day kitchen and, perhaps, it belongs in your healthy kitchen, too. The Flavor of Olive Oil The process of making virgin olive oil is fascinating. The flavor of olive oil invigorates cooked veggies when you add a drizzle just before serving . The flavor of … [Read more...] about Need a Healthier Kitchen? Start with Olive Oil.
Need new inspiration for a healthier lifestyle? Grow a spring garden!
Why Grow a Spring Garden? There are quite a few good reasons to grow an early spring garden, among them fresh air, exercise and pride. But, perhaps an even more important reason is the inspiration a garden of edibles will provide to fuel your healthier lifestyle. Plant Simple Greens, Garlic and Herbs If you have a small area of soil in your yard, or a couple of planters, then you can grow simple, inspiring, spring crops. Here in NC, it felt like spring today and I couldn't stop myself from getting out my gardening gloves and a small shovel to enjoy it. After clearing leaves and … [Read more...] about Need new inspiration for a healthier lifestyle? Grow a spring garden!
Confused about pantry staples? Start with these.
It's no secret that a well-stocked kitchen pantry makes simple and nutritious meal planning easier. The hard part, though, is figuring out what exactly to keep on hand for everyday needs. A Simple Pantry of Staples for Everyday, Nutritious Cooking Dry pantry: canned tomatoes, canned beans, pasta, high fiber cereal, brown rice, canned fruit (in juice), dried fruit, peanut (or soy nut) butter, olive oil, vinegar, canned tuna and/or salmon. Kitchen counter bowl: garlic, onion, tomato, lemon or lime, bananas, whole grain bread. Refrigerator: eggs, butter, lowfat 1% or nonfat (skim) … [Read more...] about Confused about pantry staples? Start with these.
New Year’s Resolutions – Dried fruit is an easy one!
Late January Resolutions On January 1, New Year's Resolutions are easy to make and easy to keep. As the month moves on, it's not always the case. If you're looking for a way to keep the momentum going for a healthier lifestyle, then get to know dried fruit. Not only is it highly nutritious, but it tastes great and is affordable. Dried Fruit is Versatile and Flavorful How do you enjoy dried fruit? What are your favorites? I like raisins and dried cranberries (aka craisins) on cooked oatmeal for breakfast, mixed up with walnuts as a munching snack and added to muffin batter before … [Read more...] about New Year’s Resolutions – Dried fruit is an easy one!
Need a cheap, tasty, nutritious fruit for winter? Read on…
Oranges, tangelos, grapefruit, Clementines, tangerines, navels...the list goes on and on. Learn your favorites by tasting everything and also learn how to select & store citrus. Then, never be without them this winter. Why? Here's why... Cheap, plentiful, flavorful are 3 top reasons to go for citrus fruits this winter. The 4th reason is vitamin C, (aka ascorbic acid) for which citrus is a nutritional hero. Vitamin C can help you recover quicker from a cold or the flu, strengthen your immune system, help reduce inflammation, contribute to healthy weight loss and keep your skin looking … [Read more...] about Need a cheap, tasty, nutritious fruit for winter? Read on…
Feeling frazzled this month? Keep meals simple to survive!
If December makes you feel frazzled then you're not alone. Somehow it creeps up on us every year and we just never learn to start holiday preparations earlier. Maybe if Thanksgiving was in October, it would help jog the memory...maybe not. Well, December is here and so its time to tap into all survival techniques until New Year's Day has come and gone. Keeping meals really simple in December is a great way to feel less frazzled and to put an emphasis on good nutrition all at once. Try the meals and shopping list below as your starter survival plan. And, please comment with other options … [Read more...] about Feeling frazzled this month? Keep meals simple to survive!