5 Cool Smoothies for a Hot Day

Homemade smoothies are a great choice for the summer months. Make sure yours include some that have a healthy dose of protein to fuel the muscles for all of those summer activities, such as swimming, hiking and more. Here is a selection of smoothies that can be refreshing, filling and pack a healthy punch to your day. Shop for organic berries and ingredients when possible. Enjoy! Banana Strawberry Protein Smoothie 1 scoop vanilla whey protein 8 ounces of milk 1/2 cup frozen organic strawberries 1 ripe banana 3-4 ice cubes Place all ingredients in a blender and pulse until blended. … Continue reading →

My CSA Haul and What I’m Cooking

We got another great batch of produce from Farmer Joe (yes that is his name) and his family in our share this week. We have a half share, meaning that we pick up our fresh organic produce every other week. Each pick up can last us up to two weeks, although it usually takes us about 8 or 9 days to get through everything because of all of the greens that we are getting right now. Here is what we got: A quart of strawberries, plus a second quart I purchased at the farm. My four-year-old adamantly told me several … Continue reading →

Yummy Mushrooms

I’m a big fan of mushrooms and try to forget the fact they really are fungi and think of them as vegetables. Unlike the Romans who believed mushrooms were a gift from God only to be used on special occasions, I use mushrooms a lot. When they are cheap I buy them in large quantities. I tend to put them in just about every casserole or crock pot meal I make as well as using them in pies, enchiladas, salads, quiche, and just about anything else I’m making or simply on their own. A trick my son-in-law taught me is … Continue reading →

Little Touches Make The Difference

When it comes to vegetables, carrots are another huge favorite. When I was pregnant I ate so many carrots I felt like Bugs Bunny. Carrots are good for your eyesight because they contain so much beta carotene which translates into Vitamin A. My children and I should never have anything wrong with our eyesight. It was certainly a better craving than many others I’ve heard of and less fattening than the other craving of custard tarts, which I also had. This was all before my gluten free diagnosis. Perhaps though, you are bored with just steamed carrots. A good suggestion … Continue reading →

3 Favorites Get The Thumbs Up

Recently on the radio,I heard a food expert talking about the benefits of certain foods- in particular certain vegetables. Now I’ve always been a rap for my veggies. I was always a child that happily ate my vegetables, with the exception of peas. But that’s another story. It’s always good to know that what you like is actually good for you and can help keep you healthy. Two of the vegetables he mentioned I use a lot, broccoli and lentils. I steam broccoli as a side dish to whatever meat or fish we’re having. Many of you will know I … Continue reading →

Tasty Nut Loaf

If you want to protect your heart, experts recommend including a small amount of nuts in your diet. Those who eat nuts on a regular basis are less likely to suffer from heart problems. Nuts are also a good source of protein and rich in fiber. These are all good reasons not to ignore nuts. But rather than just keeping nuts for snacks, where it is very easy to overindulge on them, here’s a main meal suggestion. Instead of the traditional meatloaf, why not try this tasty nut loaf for something a bit different? Yes, it is gluten free. HINT … Continue reading →

Make Mine Fruit

Fruit and vegetables experts agree, are good for you. They can cut the risk of some cancers, help in regards to heart disease and provide all sorts of benefits yet, they are sadly underrated by many people, which I find hard to understand. Fruit and vegetables are among my favorite foods. When it come to fruit, I’m a big wrap for apples, especially Jonathans because they have that tarter taste. But they don’t keep as well as some other apples, and have limited shelf life, which is why orchards have stopped growing them as much. Cameos and Sundowners, and Granny … Continue reading →

Sweetly Good For You

Cranberries have become my husband’s and my new favorite fruit. The best thing is that they’re not only tasty but they’re good for you as well. Cranberries have long been known to be good for urinary tract infections but they also contain vitamin C and antioxidants. If that’s not enough, experts have discovered they can have an anti inflammatory effect and are good for fighting infection and can help with cholesterol problems. They are also good for your heart and can help prevent kidney stones. Sound like a wonder food, don’t they? They are. I’ve found them a helpful way … Continue reading →

Healthy Casseroles

I love the convenience of casseroles, but I can do without the calories that come from the dairy products used to make the one-dish meals so rich and creamy. My fellow blogger, Angela agrees and challenged me to find some casserole recipes that were light on fattening dairy products. I found two recipes that I tried over the weekend. One is a Light Tuna Casserole created by the folks at Bon Appetit magazine. The other is a Dairy-Free Chicken and Rice Casserole from a church cookbook. Both were easy to make and surprisingly tasty, despite being light on dairy products. … Continue reading →

Light Done Right For the New Year

For many, the New Year brings with it a litany of resolutions, chief among them—-weight loss. If you are looking to shed a few pounds in 2010 by revamping your eating habits, then make room on your table for the following dishes. They are low fat and simple to make, but more importantly, they are so incredibly delicious you’ll have a hard time believing that they’re good for you. MUSTARD CRUSTED PORK Ingredients: 3 tablespoons dry Coleman’s English Mustard 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon garlic salt 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 3 pounds pork loin roast 1 large onion, … Continue reading →