If you are tired of salty snacks, candy bars and baby carrots, then say 'hello' to the crunchy and sweet apple. Not that baby carrots are an unhealthy choice, because they're not. But, there is perhaps nothing more versatile and nutritious than the apple. Think about it -- with all the fruits in the grocery store to choose, which gets your attention? Which ends up in your grocery cart every week, or nearly so? Which satisfies all the kids in your household? Which is affordable, especially when purchased in the 3-pound bag? There are many ways to enjoy apples after washing them … [Read more...] about Had it with Junky Snacks? Try Apples!

Holidays are times for family, friends and great food! For some reason, there is a misconception that delicious holiday food cannot also be healthful food. Here are a few ideas to help you fill your shopping basket with plenty of holiday cheer...and good nutrition, too! Fruits & Vegetables: Red, green, yellow and purple Bell peppers make a beautiful holiday appetizer tray. For dip, hummus tops my list. Or, buy light cream cheese and stir in minced garlic and fresh herbs along with a dash of hot sauce, salt and pepper. Kids love dipping the sweet-flavored pepper strips into … [Read more...] about A Shopping Basket of Holiday Cheer

Making a nutritious eating plan and sticking to it is not easy in December. One way to have sweet success, though, is to take advantage of the new season of scrumptious, citrus fruits. There are choices galore along with a healthy dose of vitamin C and fiber in every bite. Calories and carbs are moderate, too. For example, in one medium orange there are 60 calories, 15 grams carbohydrates and 3 grams fiber. That's what I call a great seasonal choice! Citrus Fruits Fit Every Meal Here's how to add citrus fruits and flavors into your everyday meals and snacks: Breakfast Eat an … [Read more...] about Citrus Fruit = Great Seasonal Choice

Holiday season is here with wonderful flavors we look forward to all year long. The dilemma is how to enjoy holiday foods and beverages without going over the top on sugar, salt, fat and calories. Now, that's not easy! My best advice is to keep it simple -- even at holiday time. Here are some winners for flavor and nutrition that would fit your holiday table as well as they fit mine. Please feel free to share your menu for a simple holiday feast in a comment! A Simple & Tasty Feast for the Holidays Center of the plate: Roast turkey with pan juice - toss out the skin and the … [Read more...] about Holiday Choices

  If you are a reluctant veggie eater then please listen up! A simple cooking method called, oven roasting, is here to change your mind. For me, it was about 6 years ago that I first tasted homemade, roasted vegetables, and I will forever be grateful that I did.What I like about them is colors, flavors, sweetness, ease and variety. What I dislike is,well...nothing. Here's how: Turn on the oven to 425 degrees.Wash and cut up some veggies such as butternut squash, red skinned potatoes, onions, sweet peppers of all colors, zucchini, sweet potatoes and broccoli into bite-size chunks. I … [Read more...] about Roasting Veggies this Fall

There is nothing that says 'fall' more than pumpkins. Not only are they beautiful, but they come in very handy for healthy and tasty eats in the home kitchen. I carve a smiling jack-o-lantern  each year for Halloween and then, a few weeks later, add it to my compost bin. The pumpkin that I cook with is simple, canned, solid pack pumpkin. It is easy-to-find at the grocery store, affordable and made from one, natural ingredient: pumpkin. Almost everything tastes better with pumpkin added to it or made from it like pumpkin soup,  pumpkin muffins and pumpkin pie. Two of my  favorites are … [Read more...] about Pumpkin in the Kitchen