February 25, 2009 by Taylor
Top Five Differences between French and American Women:
· French women think about good things to eat, while American women obsess about what bad things not to eat.
· French women make a ritual out of every meal while American women eat in front of the TV or while reading.
· French women value flavorful food over a lot of food and are satisfied with eating less, while American women are accustomed to eating bigger portions of bland food.
· American women believe in “no pain, no gain” and torture themselves at the gym, while French women relax and enjoy life more; they walk to the market, have a glass of wine or champagne with dinner and savor all the little things.
· French women don’t weigh themselves, don’t snack all the time and don’t deprive themselves of bread, while American women do.
Tags: books | Comments (1)
by susan
If you’re like us, waking up each morning to toast, a bowl of cereal, or a store bought granola bar is getting pretty old. We have been testing some healthy new recipes to get us going in the morning. These recipes will give you energy without the stop at Starbucks.
1. Protein Strawberry Smoothie - Great way to keep the bones strong!
2. Fruity Breakfast Bars - My husband is addicted to these. They are easier to make than brownies (from a box).
3. Charlie’s Favorite Banana Bread - this is requested every week in my house. It’s better than a pop-tart.
4. Whole-Wheat Blueberry Muffins - anything with whole-wheat flour and blueberries has got to be good for you and your brain!
5. Berry Blast Smoothie - this can be made with ingredients right from your fridge.
Tags: breakfast, Recipes | Comments (0)
by Taylor
fyi -
- Cappuccino: 80 calories
- Café Latte: 130 calories
- Any flavor Skinny Latte: 130 Calories
- Caramel Macchiato: 190 calories
- Caramel Dolce Latte: 210
*The above drinks contain calories for a Grande, made with skim milk and no whipped cream
Tags: coffee, starbucks | Comments (0)
February 18, 2009 by Taylor
Pizza: Buy whole wheat pizza dough from Trader Joe’s or another specialty food store. Also, some grocery stores sell pre-made pizza crust, which is ready to be topped.
- Topping Suggestions: artichoke, sundried tomatoes, olives (all from glass jars found near condiments in the grocery store)
- Sautéed spinach and mushrooms or any leftover veggies that you can chop and toss on top.
Pasta: The best thing about eating whole wheat pasta is that it’s just as comforting to eat and easy to make as regular pasta, but it’s much more filling so you’ll feel full faster.
Bread: Use whole wheat bread to make garlic bread. Spread slices on a cookie sheet, drizzle with olive oil and top with garlic powder and minced garlic. Add grated parmesan cheese for extra flavor. Bake at 350 degrees until desired crispness.
Tags: Italian, whole-wheat | Comments (0)
February 16, 2009 by Taylor
Buying healthy cereal that your kids will enjoy is tough. It’s you against the commercials! Don’t let your kids convince you that “Trix are for kids.” Just remember this: the less sugar and the more fiber, the better. Cereals containing less than 4 grams of sugar per serving and more than 4 grams of fiber are ideal.
Adding blueberries and chopped strawberries will add a burst of color, along with antioxidants and natural sweetness. Also, try mixing different cereals together for variety. Here’s our top 5:
- Cheerios
- Kix
- Honey Nut Cheerios
- Life
- Oatmeal- sprinkle it with brown sugar
Tags: cereal, kids | Comments (0)
by Taylor
Second Food Trend of 2009: Cooking with Maple Syrup. Maple Syrup gets a bad rep from its association with calorie-laden waffles, pancakes and French toast. But this sticky sweetener shouldn’t be overlooked when it comes to dinner options. Make sure to use real maple syrup as opposed to maple-flavored syrups, in which the primary ingredient is high-fructose corn syrup. Your kids will love having a dinner that incorporates flavors found in their favorite meal- dessert. So treat your family to something sweet.
Maple Chipotle Glazed Pork Chops on Gouda Grits
Maple Mustard Pork Tenderloin with Caramelized Apples
Maple Glazed Salmon
Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Tags: easy dinner recipes, maple syrup | Comments (0)
February 11, 2009 by michelle
Spice up a gift for your sweetie this year. “For Love of Chocolate” in Richmond, VA shared their top 5 romantic Valentine’s chocolates with us. The list might surprise you!
1. Traditional Heart Box of Chocolates
2. Hot and Spicy Bars such as the Red Fire Bar - A combination of chocolate and Mexican chillies. Start each bite with the sweet taste of cacao with finish each bite with the warm spice from the chillies.
3. Exotic and Savory Chocolate Bars such as Mo’s Bacon Bar - Everything tastes better with bacon, even chocolate. Envision the taste of chocolate chip pancakes, syrup and smoked bacon.
4. Chocolate Body Paint and Body Powder
5. Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Tags: chocolates, Valentine's | Comments (0)
February 4, 2009 by michelle
Making homemade valentines with your kids can be fun. We scoured the internet and we found five simple and clever cards. Our favorites came from the Family Fun website.
1. LOLLIPOP MOUSE - A parade of these valentines comes equipped to treat a whole group of classmates — just pull a tail, and you’ll have a sweet lollipop in hand.
2. LOLLIPOP FLOWERS - There is something irresistibly simple and lovely about this card, and your sweetheart is sure to be a sucker for the candy treat it hides.
3. THE WRITE CARD - Make pencil-pierced Valentines that are perfect for handing out to classmates.
4. GNOME-SWEET-GNOME VALENTINE - These cuties are a cinch to mass-produce, and each gnome sweetens the deal with a chocolate kiss under its colorful hat.
5. YOU MAKE MY HEART GLOW - Want to brighten someone’s day? Use glow sticks as the arrow!
Tags: crafts, kids, valnetine's day cards | Comments (1)
by michelle
Are you looking for a fun cocktail this Valentine’s Day? Try one of these simple and tasty concoctions. Thanks for sharing, Kim!
KISS ME YOU FOOL
- 3 oz chocolate vodka
- 1 oz black raspberry liqueur
Shake with ice and garnish with raspberries.
CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRY
- 1 oz chocolate vodka
- 1 oz cherry vodka
- 1 oz white creme de cacao
Shake with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a cherry.
Tags: Valentine's Day Cocktails | Comments (1)
February 3, 2009 by Taylor
First Food Trend of 2009 - Comfort Foods. The food that is always a crowd-pleaser! Especially during winter months, these warm, familiar and simple dishes are sure to warm your heart and put a smile on your loved ones’ faces. The best thing about comfort food is that it’s easy to prepare, inexpensive and uncomplicated so even amateur cooks will have amazing results. Here’s a few of our favorite comfort foods:
2. Challah French Toast
3. Chunky Red Chicken Chili
4. Upside Down Pizza
5. Lasagna Soup
What’s your favorite comfort food?
Tags: comfort foods, dinner recipes | Comments (0)
