The turkey may be the star of the Thanksgiving buffet, but often the side dishes are truly what make the meal unforgettable. If you are tired of serving up the same ol’ calorie-packed sides on Turkey Day, consider the following healthier options: ITALIAN CHOP CHOP SALAD Ingredients: 1 large head romaine lettuce 1/4 pound sliced pepperoni, chopped 1/3 cup drained roasted red pepper, sliced 1/3 cup chopped red onion 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, drained and rough chopped 1/4 cup chopped pepperoncini peppers 1/4 cup sliced black olives 6 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1 clove minced fresh … Continue reading →

If you are worried that your family members are not getting enough dairy in their diet, then these simple recipes will help set your mind at ease. Both feature nutritious and delicious cheese. What’s more, they couldn’t be easier to prepare. The next time you are looking for a way to fortify lunch or dinner with all-American cheese, try these tasty treats: BAKED HAM AND CHEESE Ingredients: 2 frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 1/2 pound deli ham, thinly sliced 8 slices Swiss cheese 1 egg 2 tablespoons water 1 tablespoon poppy seeds Directions: … Continue reading →

Today is Earth Day; time to celebrate all things green and recyclable. What better way to honor the planet than to create some delicious dishes that showcase Mother Nature at her best? The following simple recipes are ideal to make with kids: EDIBLE EARTH DAY WORM GARDEN Ingredients: 1 (16-ounce) bag Oreos or other chocolate sandwich cookies 2 cups cold milk 1 (4-ounce) package chocolate instant pudding 1 (8-ounce) container Cool Whip 1/2 pound gummy worms Clean glass flowerpot or vase Plastic wrap Plastic flower Directions: Place the cookies in the food processor and pulse. Pour cold milk and pudding … Continue reading →

I am very picky about my mayonnaise. I don’t like substitutes unless they are very tasty. And to me, it is unfortunate that the thing that makes mayonnaise so tasty is that it has oodles of bad-for-you fat in it. Taking out the fat makes it less tasty. So when I first heard about making your own cheese out of yogurt and using that as an alternative to both cream cheese and mayonnaise. . .I was skeptical. It does taste different–but not bad. It has a lot fewer calories than even low-fat versions of cream cheese and mayonnaise and honestly, … Continue reading →

Yesterday we talked about the soybean/canola hybrid Enova, extra virgin olive oil and canola oil. It is a little bit more expensive to buy these oils, however, your heart and body will thank you for it. Many of these oils are packed with omega fatty acids as well aiding in boosting good for you cholesterol and even weight loss. (Well, everything in moderation–right?) Here are 3 more healthy cooking oils that you need to consider adding to your diet. Grapeseed Oil It is described as having a clean and almost nutty taste. Grapseed oil definitely has more sizzle for your … Continue reading →

Did you know that wild rice isn’t actually rice? It is a marsh grass that, when cooked, is used like rice. It grows naturally in the Great Lakes Region of the United States, and foraged wild rice is harvested directly from rivers and streams. Wild rice is one of a few “perfect” foods. It is a whole grain that is high in fiber and protein while low in calories and fat: an excellent combination for weight loss. In fact, eating wild rice was one of the major contributors to my losing 40 pounds after the birth of my second child. … Continue reading →

Yesterday I was at my local supermarket, King Soopers, getting fresh fruit when I saw that avocados were on sale for 77 cents each. The normal sale for avocados there is between $1 and $1.50 per avocado. So when I saw this excellent price (and that the avocados weren’t eeny weeny itty bitty) I put 3 of them in my cart. I understand why King Soopers put avocados at such a great sale price. The store needs to move all the ripe avocados out now or else the avocados will all need to be thrown out in a day or … Continue reading →