Tinkering with Recipes! I love to tinker with recipes, or recipe mixes, that I make. By that, I mean I like to add something or substitute something to kick up the good nutrition a notch. A few days ago I made a chili con carne recipe and substituted 1/2 of the lean ground beef with ground turkey breast, for example. Yesterday, I made sliced cucumbers in a sweet vinaigrette dressing with onions and then I added a big handful of fresh chopped parsley. This morning, I added about 1/2 cup canned pumpkin to sweet potato pancake mix (in the photo at the left) -- and a few semi-sweet, mini … [Read more...] about Pump-Up the Good Nutrition in Your Recipes!
Pizza Works as a Tasty, Healthy Meal!
Pizza Ingredients to Love! What goes on top of your pizza crust? On mine, at the left, are these: Layer 1: homemade basil pesto, spread on thinly Layer 2: canned tuna, flaked apart with a fork Layer 3: canned, quartered artichoke hearts, drained of water Layer 4: fresh tomato wedges Layer 5: Parmesan cheese, roughly grated, sprinkled on thinly Pizza Meal-Makers to Add! While you could rightly argue that all the nutritious food groups are sitting on this pizza, I still feel better and fill up better with a couple of side items at my homemade pizza meal. Normally, I go … [Read more...] about Pizza Works as a Tasty, Healthy Meal!
Good Nutrition is All About Balance!
Think Choices! Do you grab an apple or a cookie late in the afternoon? Do your kids choose a cola drink or low fat milk, when given the choice? Is a boiled egg part of your family's breakfast in addition to sweetened cereal? Good nutrition balance means opting for really healthy food choices along with those that are not quite so healthy. Read on for everyday examples. Think Balance! Breakfast Balance: Boiled egg + apple + donut + 1% milk or coffee Lunch Balance: Cheeseburger + tossed salad, light dressing + orange + water Dinner Balance: Baked skinless chicken + whole grain … [Read more...] about Good Nutrition is All About Balance!
Mediterranean Meals are Healthy and Satisfying!
Mediterranean Meals Begin with Mediterranean Ingredients I often recommend meals made from Mediterranean ingredients. Why? They are full of flavor, full of nutrition and easy to learn to cook. Also, they use familiar ingredients that you can find quickly and inexpensively at an American supermarket. For a start, look at the ingredients in my photo at the left. More Mediterranean Ingredients To learn more ingredients that are used in the Mediterranean area of the world, think of the flavors of Greece, Turkey, Italy, Spain, France, North Africa and what grows locally there. The list … [Read more...] about Mediterranean Meals are Healthy and Satisfying!
Oatmeal Month Means Great Meal & Snack Options
Oatmeal is a Smart Waker-Upper! Starting the day with a steaming hot bowl of oatmeal is an awesome nutrition decision and easy on the food budget. If you think oatmeal is boring, though, think again. Your toppings can turn boring into wow! Toppings Add a 'Wow' Factor! If you have a favorite topping then chances are it will work on top of oatmeal. I like bananas, raisins and walnuts. By using all 3, I add a healthy dose of potassium, iron and omega-3 fat to my bowl. In the summer I prefer fresh blueberries which are awesome. Other more exotic oatmeal toppings work, too. Or, create a … [Read more...] about Oatmeal Month Means Great Meal & Snack Options
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!