Springggy sweets :)

The birds are chirpin and the bees are buzzin. It's about that time of year again, time to open up the pool and pull out the rafts and the noodles :) Here is a springtime dessert that is a sure crowd pleaser.

Lemon Mousse

Ingredients

• 3 extra-large whole eggs
• 3 extra-large eggs, separated
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (4 lemons)
• Kosher salt
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup good bottled lemon curd, at room temperature
• Sweetened Whipped Cream, recipe follows
• Sliced lemon, for garnish

Directions

In a large heat-proof bowl, whisk together the 3 whole eggs, 3 egg yolks, 1 cup sugar, the lemon zest, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, for about 10 to 12 minutes until the mixture is thick like pudding. (I change to a whisk when the mixture starts to get thick.) Take off the heat and set aside for 15 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours, until completely chilled.

Place half the *egg whites and a pinch of salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on high speed. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and continue to beat until the whites are stiff and shiny. Carefully fold the beaten whites into the cold lemon mixture with a rubber spatula. Place the cream in the same bowl of the electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (no need to clean the bowl) and beat on high speed until the cream forms stiff peaks. Carefully fold the whipped cream into the lemon mixture. Fold in the lemon curd, and pour into a 7-inch-diameter, 3-inch-deep souffle dish. Decorate with sweetened whipped cream and lemon slices that have been cut into quarters. Chill and serve cold.
*RAW EGG WARNING
Food Network Kitchens suggest caution in consuming raw and lightly-cooked eggs
Due to the slight risk of Salmonella or other food-borne illness. To reduce this risk, we recommend you use only fresh, properly-refrigerated, clean, grade A or AA eggs with intact shells, and avoid contact between the yolks or whites and the shell.

Sweetened Whipped Cream:

• 1 cup cold heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Place the cream, sugar, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip on medium and then high speed until the cream just forms still peaks. Spoon the whipped cream into a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip.

Cheer up ya mamma

Chocolate Waffles

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup chocolate syrup, plus more for topping
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Cooking spray
• Confectioners' sugar and/or berries, for topping (optional)

Directions

Melt the butter and shortening in a small saucepan, stirring to combine; remove from the heat and set aside. Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a large bowl.

Whisk the eggs, milk, chocolate syrup and vanilla in a large liquid measuring cup or a separate bowl. Whisk the egg mixture into the flour mixture until combined. (The batter will be slightly lumpy.) Whisk in the butter mixture until combined.

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Preheat a waffle iron and spray with cooking spray. Ladle some of the batter into the waffle iron to within an inch of the edge (1/3 to 1/2 cup batter, depending on your waffle iron); cook until crisp. Transfer the waffle to a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven. Repeat with the remaining batter.

Divide the waffles among plates. Dust with confectioners'sugar and top with berries and/or chocolate syrup.

top ten most hated foods in US

1. BRUSSELS SPROUTS

It's easy to hate these mini-cabbages without even trying them. They're the knee-jerk low-water mark for kids. The bitter taste, odd texture, and vague aroma of feet are enough to scare anyone off. However, the same qualities are attributed to fine cheeses.

Health benefits
Very high in fiber and protein, it can be a filling but low-calorie side dish. Scientists also believe the vegetable may protect against cancer because it's rich in indole—a phytochemical—and vitamin C.
Learn to like it
Buy fresh Brussels sprouts that are still on the stalk. These will taste much better than the frozen. Slice each one down the middle and cook them in extra-virgin olive oil with freshly chopped garlic on the stove. Salt and pepper to your taste. To "gourmet-it-up," add walnuts, shallots, grated cheese, and bacon in moderation.

2. BROCCOLI

These "mini-trees" pack a healthy dose of vitamin K that you typically find in leafy green vegetables. No wonder children view florets with contempt; they represent the antithesis of Snickers bars. However, broccoli can be a man's best friend. Simple to prepare, it's a filling side-dish or quick raw snack.

Health benefits
Vitamins C, K, and A are all represented in spades in broccoli. As well as being high in fiber, it has multiple anti-cancer nutrients such as diindolylmethane and selenium. The diindolylmethane is also known to fight other viruses and bacteria. In studies, men who eat a lot of broccoli generally reduce their risk of aggressive prostate cancer and heart disease.
Learn to like it
There's no need to avoid broccoli on the appetizer tray, just dip it in hummus or add a dab of ranch dressing. You can also crumble some florets on your salad; they will make it more filling. Steam or bake them with olive oil for a quick side dish. If you decide to go more extreme, cover a casserole dish with florets. Pour three tablespoons of melted butter over it and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top and bake for 10 - 15 minutes.

3. FISH

Children find everything wrong with seafood: fishy smell and taste, texture, bone paranoia, etc. However, as an adult, not enjoying the sea's bounty limits you from multiple ethnic cuisines. Not only that, it is the perfect protein source to help you lose weight and cut down on meat with saturated fat.

Health benefits
The American Heart Association recommends men eat fish twice a week to get enough omega-3, the fatty acids that reduce the risk of heart disease and the most common type of stroke. Some research even suggests omega-3s increase brain and visual functions and fight everything from asthma to depression. Eating fish instead of other meats can also reduce your cholesterol.
Learn to like it
Not all fish has that fishy-taste. Try halibut, tilapia, mahi-mahi, or throw a tuna steak on the grill instead of a burger. Stuffed flounder will taste like whatever you stuff it with. You can even start with something as small as a couple anchovies in your Caesar's salad. And there's the whole world of shellfish and mollusks too. Buy some tempura batter mix and it's easy to make lightly breaded fish that go great with potatoes or in tacos.

4. TURNIPS

Whoever ever figured out that turnips could be eaten must have been really hungry. They don't look the least bit appetizing. A bulbous purple root, most men wouldn't pick one up in the grocery store and think, "Let's have a go at this." You wouldn't even know where to start.

Health benefits
Turnips are a strong source of vitamin C, fiber, folic acid, manganese, pantothenic acid, and copper; plus they contain thiamine, potassium, niacin, and magnesium. They're starchy like potatoes, but with one-third the calories.
Learn to like it
Substitute turnips where you usually make potatoes. Not only will this diversify your at-home menu, it will cut down on caloric intake. You can bake, mash, and cut them into French fries. They can also be served raw on a veggie tray.

5. BEETS


Many men pass over beets on the salad bar without ever trying them. It can be hard to know what to make of them. They look like slices of canned cranberry jelly. However, their sweet taste jazzes up a salad. Canned beets even make a cheap, quick, healthy snack by themselves.

Health benefits
High in carbohydrates, they're a quick energy source without the crash you get from processed carbs. Beets are good source of magnesium, calcium, iron, and niacin, as well as vitamins A and C. Studies also show they reduce the risk of colon cancer.
Learn to like them
Throwing a couple on a salad is an easy way to get used to the odd-looking vegetable. When you're ready to dive in, make a beet salad. There are a variety of recipes that are tasty and will impress a female dinner guest. A great southern favorite is roasted beet salad with bacon.

top ten most eaten foods in the US

Numerous studies have been done on the most common foods eaten in the U.S. Some focus on prepared foods and meals and cite fast foods such as hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, and fried chicken as a few of the most consumed foods in America. Since prepared food consumption is difficult to track, the USDA has also studied the most commonly purchased foods in America, implying that those foods are also the most often consumed.

Milk

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Americans purchased and consumed an average of almost 30 gallons of milk yearly from 1950 to 2000. The USDA also cited significant sales of nonfat dry milk, condensed milk and evaporated milk. Along with drinking plain milk as a beverage, one of the reasons milk is such a common purchase is its natural pairing with cereal, a daily breakfast for many Americans.

Cereal

Marion Nestle of What to Eat places ready-to-eat cereal as one of the top-five most consumed foods in the U.S. The term "ready-to-eat" can encompass all dry cereals and may also include prepared, packaged cereals such as quick oats, instant oatmeal and others. The frequency of cereal purchases in the U.S. helps explain the presence of two beverages on the top-five list, milk and bottled water, which are most often served with and used to make ready-to-eat cereal.

Bottled Water

All Business cited yearly purchases of bottled water at 22.5 gallons per American in 2006, almost double the amount of 10 years previous. Part of the explanation for high bottled-water sales may be that the beverage is the drink of choice for business meetings, lecture halls and large-group gatherings. Large amounts of bottled water are also used for outdoor activities, restaurant preparations and cooking.

Soft Drinks

Americans drank nearly 50 gallons of carbonated soft drinks per person in 2006, nearly double the amount for water or milk. Due to the large amounts of sugar in many soft drinks, a Harvard School of Public Health study was able to link consumption of sugary soft drinks with a heightened risk of childhood obesity.

Bread

Bread is one of the most common forms of grain eaten in America and is served at every meal of the day in many facilities. The most common sandwich breads eaten in the U.S. are white and wheat, and most Americans buy pre-made breads from their local grocery stores rather than choosing bakery bread or making their own loaves.

Crazy Cakes

If you haven't dreamed of having a picture perfect wedding cake, then well maybe your just not as obsessed with food and cakes as i am! But here is some cakes that might not be perfect for a wedding but who cares because they look great:)

Crazy food challenges

ARIZONA

1. Chompie's
Location: Four locations in Arizona
Food Challenge: The Ultimate Slider Challenge is yet another to be attempted and bested by "Man v. Food" host Adam Richman. Like that madman, you'll come face-to-face with 12 Jewish Sliders (beef brisket, potato pancakes and Jack cheese on a roll) and onion strings tipping the scale at 5 pounds. Finish alone in 30 minutes or less and the $39.95 meal is free, along with a T-shirt and eternal glory on the Wall of Fame.


ARKANSAS

2. Pig N' Chik
Location: Sherwood, Arkansas
Food Challenge: Attempt to finish the Sarge Burger in 30 minutes or less, a feat accomplished by one lone soul to date. This burger contains 4 pounds of beef, a 1-pound bun and plenty of fixings. Finish in less than 30 minutes and it's free!



CALIFORNIA

3. Sushi Delight
Location: Lomita, California
Food Challenge: There has never been a more delicious way to commit hari-kari. The Godzilla Roll is 4 pounds of spicy tuna, lobster, imitation crab and 15 other ingredients, all wrapped in seaweed and covered in three sauces. Finish by your lonesome in an hour and get the $34.95 roll for free, as well as an "I Tamed the Beast" T-shirt and your pic on the Wall of Fame. Fail, and your mug is relegated to the Wall of Shame.

4. Red Devil’s Pizza
Location: Granada Hills, California
Food Challenge: Finish a 28-inch pizza between two people within a half hour. Winners receive a gift certificate for two additional 28-inch, 4-topping pizzas and Red Devil Pizza merchandise. After every 20 winners, there is a drawing for a $500 prize. (You must be at least 16 years old to enter this contest.)


5. LW Pizza
Location: Long Beach, California
Food Challenge:LW Pizza dares you to eat an entire 28-inch pepperoni pizza in less than one hour. It's a no-no to use the bathroom or throw up during this hour-long challenge. Finish to receive $100 cash, a $100 LW Pizza Gift Card and your money back for the challenge pizza.

Top ten worst fast food items

10. Burger King’s Triple Whopper with Cheese

Burger King’s gigantic burger has 1250 calories, although we assume that anyone willing to eat that much beef probably isn’t too concerned by the technicalities.
How is That Even Possible?
Three layers of beef add up pretty quickly, and despite the best effort of the vegetables to make this thing look healthy it’s pretty clear from a glance that it will wreak havoc on your body. But hey, at least there’s some lettuce, right?

9. Qdoba Mexican Grill’s Beef Taco Salad

At 1280 calories, this is the perfect example of how fast food salads can be just as terrible for you as anything else on the menu.
How is That Even Possible?
Throwing in a bunch of lettuce and calling it a salad doesn’t do any good if the other ingredients are a heaping pile of beef, a bunch of shredded cheese and a huge taco shell. It’s not even trying to look like a real salad, which means you can’t act smug towards people who order the burritos instead. Isn’t that the only reason we eat salads in the first place?

8. Dairy Queen’s Six Piece Chicken Strip Basket

Dairy Queen’s basket of chicken strips contains 1410 calories. We thought chicken was supposed to be good for you, but apparently that gets negated by frying it in batter and serving it with a bunch of fries. Who would have thought?
How is That Even Possible?
Six pieces of chicken is a lot, far more than anyone should eat in a single sitting. We couldn’t even find a picture of the six piece basket, which explains why you only see four pieces above; it’s as if Dairy Queen itself is ashamed to admit that this item exists. Add in a pile of fries, sauce, and, inexplicably, a couple of slices of toast, and we’re actually more surprised that this basket isn’t higher up on the list.

7. Hardee’s Monster Thickburger

Anything with thick in the name can’t be good; this baby has 1420 calories. That makes “Monster burger” a pretty literal name, although we think “Abomination burger” might work even better.
How is That Even Possible?
Just look at it, it’s a nightmare. Two 1/3 pound beef patties, four strips of bacon, three cheese slices, and a couple of dollops of mayo: it’s a heart attack waiting to happen. They’re not even trying to pretend it’s healthy by adding a leaf of lettuce or something either, it just straight up says “I’m terrible for you, and yet so delicious, and we both know you have no willpower. Now buy me with some extra-large fries and a coke, tubby.”

6. Domino’s Three Cheese Mac-N-Cheese Breadbowl Pasta

This awkwardly named “pasta” from Domino’s has 1460 calories. For that impact we have to hope it tastes a lot better than it looks.
How is That Even Possible?
It’s pretty obvious what went wrong here; this isn’t so much pasta as it is a big slug of melted cheese that’s been poured into a loaf of bread. Look, bowls shouldn’t be edible. Bread was doing a fine job as a staple food, it doesn’t deserve to be shanghaied into a secondary role. And while we won’t deny that cheese is delicious, it probably shouldn’t be the focus of your meal, assuming you want to eat more than one a day without packing on the pounds.

5. Five Guys Burgers and Fries’ Large French Fries

They may look like your typical French fries, but that heap of potato, batter and salt somehow manages to contain 1464 calories, making this the unhealthiest item on their menu.
How is That Even Possible?
We’re pretty sure it’s just sheer volume, although even with that in consideration it’s hard to explain how so many calories were packed into these bad boys. Obviously no French fries are healthy, but you’d be hard pressed to find another brand that comes anywhere near the calorie count of these. Five Guys must have some sort of horrible secret that, frankly, we don’t want to learn.

4. Ruby Tuesday’s Boston Blue Burger

This burger has 1466 calories, which is quite impressive considering it lacks the cheese, bacon and extra beef of its rivals.
How is That Even Possible?
It looks pretty disgusting, but we’re not entirely sure how it manages to be unhealthier than the Monster Thickburger disaster that Hardee’s offers (above). Is it the blue cheese dressing? That stuff is kind of nasty. There are also onion rings and barbeque sauce, but those don’t seem like they would screw things up that badly. Maybe it has something to do with being connected to Boston.

3. Carl’s Jr.’s Double Six Dollar Burger

Another beef, bacon and cheese monstrosity, this Carl’s Jr. burger is the unhealthiest in America, providing 1520 calories and a disturbing 2760mg of sodium (healthy adults aren’t supposed to exceed 2300mg a day according to mayoclinic.com).
How is That Even Possible?
Well, it’s basically the same as the Hardee’s burger, except with onion rings added in. Shockingly, that doesn’t provide any sort of health benefit, and so it’s no mystery as to how this thing is so terrible for you. Sadly, we suspect it’s only a matter of time before a different restaurant adds an extra layer of beef and bacon in an attempt to dethrone this unholy creation.

2. Nathan’s Famous Fish and Chips

Fish and chips is a classic meal, but out of the many kinds available this is by far the worst, containing 1537 calories. We can’t deny that it looks delicious, but we’re not ready to put our lives on the line for a tasty supper.
How is That Even Possible?
We’re not sure how you screw up fish this badly, because even with all that thick batter you’d think there are much worse foods out there. Of course, the huge fries can’t help, nor can the… whatever those things above the fish are. Balls of pure, greasy batter? Based on the calorie count, we’re not sure what else they could be. Hey, at least there’s coleslaw.

1. Quiznos Large Tuna Melt

Quiznos innocent looking tuna sandwich manages to hold a staggering 1760 calories, 93 grams of fat and 2120 milligrams of sodium. Add in the optional dressing and you’re looking at an extra 370 calories and 40 grams of fat, which is close to or over the daily recommended calorie count for most people

Guy Fieri

 A colorful culinary personality, Guy Fieri was born on January 22, 1968. He opened up his first food business at the age of 10, operating his own pretzel cart. After college, he worked as a restaurant manager, then started his own restaurant with a partner in 1996. In 2006, Fieri began his TV career after winning Next Food Network Star. Today, he hosts several food-themed shows.

"My parents were into macrobiotic cooking—vegetarian, nondairy, whole grains, no red meat. I started cooking when I was 10 because I just couldn't eat that stuff."

– Guy Fier

Growing up in Ferndale, California, Guy Fieri developed a passion for food and entrepreneurship early on. He and his father built a special pretzel cart when he was 10 years old. Fieri eventually earned enough money from selling pretzels to fund the adventure of a lifetime; at the age of 16, Fieri spent a year studying in France, which furthered his culinary education.
While attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Fieri worked several different restaurant jobs. He even served as a flambé captain for a time. After earning his degree in hospitality management, Fieri continued working in restaurants. He put his degree to work at a Stouffer's restaurant, and later became a district manager for Louise's Trattoria.

Energy Drinks

Everyone needs a little boost of energy every once in a while, most people turn to energy pills and energy drink. Although, most people don't understand the harmful effects of these energetic drinks.

Here are the side effects of energy drinks that you need to know about:

• The high amount of caffeine in many energy drinks can overstimulate your heart and nervous system and increase your blood pressure.
• The high amount of caffeine in many energy drinks can cause dehydration.
• The high amount of sugar in many energy drinks can cause your energy to spike and then crash.
• The high amount of sugar in many energy drinks can lead to excess calories and weight gain.
• Some of the herbs in energy drinks may not interact well with certain medications.

Summer lovinnn

Banana Split Cake:)

 

Ingredients

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup butter, melted, plus 1/4 cup butter
• 4 to 5 medium bananas, sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
• 1-1/2 quarts strawberry ice cream, softened
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (8-ounce) container nondairy whipped topping

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Instructions

1. In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and the melted butter. Set aside 1/2 cup of the mixture, then press the remainder into the bottom of a 9- by 13-inch pan.
2. Place the bananas in a single layer over the crust. Spread the softened ice cream on top and smooth. Sprinkle the nuts on the ice cream, then cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, about 1 hour.
3. In a large saucepan, melt the chocolate chips and the remaining 1/4 cup butter and stir until smooth. Add the confectioners' sugar and evaporated milk. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until slightly thickened and smooth, about 8 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Cool the mixture, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour the mixture over the ice cream and freeze until firm, about 45 minutes.
4. Spread the whipped topping over the chocolate layer and sprinkle with the reserved crumbs. Freeze for at least 3-1/2 hours. Remove the dish from the freezer 10 to 20 minutes before slicing. Serves 18.
   
   

 

 

broccoli salad:)

Fresh Broccoli Salad

Ingredients

• 2 heads fresh broccoli
• 1 red onion
• 1/2 pound bacon
• 3/4 cup raisins
• 3/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

Directions

1. Place bacon in a deep skillet and cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Cool and crumble.
2. Cut the broccoli into bite-size pieces and cut the onion into thin bite-size slices. Combine with the bacon, raisins, your favorite nuts and mix well.
3. To prepare the dressing, mix the mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar together until smooth. Stir into the salad, let chill and serve.

Summer Salad

Peach Chicken Salad             

Ingredients

• 3 medium fresh peaches, peeled and cubed
• 2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
• 1 medium cucumber, seeded and chopped
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
• MINT VINAIGRETTE:
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup minced fresh mint
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 4 lettuce leaves

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the peaches, chicken, cucumber and onion; set aside. In a blender, combine the vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, mint, salt and pepper; cover and process until smooth. Drizzle over chicken mixture; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Use a slotted spoon to serve on lettuce-lined plates.

Did ya know?

The wonderful world of food has many hidden mysteries and unknown facts among it. Here is some food facts that i bet you haven't heard of before... hope ya likeeee.

• Did you know unless food is mixed with saliva you can't taste it
• Did you know no two corn flakes look the same
• Did you know lemons contain more sugar than strawberries
• Did you know rabbits like licorice
• Did you know reindeer like bananas
• Did you know Switzerland eats the most chocolate equating to 10 kilos per person per year
• Did you know macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs
• Did you know there is no such thing as a naturally blue food
• Did you know honey is the only natural food which never goes off
• Did you know M&M's chocolate stands for the initials for its inventors Mars and Murrie
• Did you know that you burn more calories eating celery than it contains (the more you eat the thinner you become)
• Did you know Coca-Cola originally contained cocaine
• Did you know the fortune cookie was invented in San Francisco
• Did you know the first Burger King was opened in Florida Miami in 1954
• Did you know the croissant was invented in Austria
• Did you know In eastern Africa you can buy beer brewed from bananas
• Did you know a strawberry is the only fruit which seeds grow on the outside
• Did you know pop corn was invented by the Aztec Indians
• Did you know french fries are originally from Belgium
• Did you know apples are more effective at waking you up in the morning than coffee

Rachael Ray

Rachael Ray (born August 25, 1968, in Cape Cod, Massachusetts) held several jobs in the food industry before her signature "30 Minute Meals" classes were picked up by a local television newscast. She went on to host several Food Network shows, author tons of cookbooks, launch her own magazine, and start a nationally syndicated talk show, Rachael Ray, for which she won a Daytime Emmy Award.

 

Celebrity chef. Born Rachael Domenica Ray on August 25, 1968 in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Raised in Lake George, New York, Ray grew up surrounded by family in the restaurant business. She herself held several jobs in the food industry, including opening Agata & Valentina specialty food market in New York City. It was while working in a gourmet food shop in Schenectady, New York, that Ray developed her signature "30 Minute Meals" classes, which were soon picked up by a local television newscast.

Ray launched a food and lifestyle magazine, Every Day With Rachael Ray, in 2005 and premiered a self-titled television talk show in collaboration with Oprah in 2006. That year, 30 Minute Meals received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Service Show. She has continued to receive kudos for her work. In 2008, Rachael Ray won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Entertainment. The syndicated program is expected to run at least through 2010.

In addition to all her books, programs, and products, Ray has devoted some of her time to charity. She has established Yum-O!, a nonprofit organization, to educate young people and their families about the importance of good nutrition and to help feed American children in need.

 

Power foods

Blueberries are an amazing little punch of vitamins and minerals along with a huge amount of nutrition. Adding these little buggers to any dish can add a little hint of color and added nutrition.

 

Blueberry is very low in calories. 100 g fresh berries provide only 57 calories. However, the berries contain health benefiting soluble dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins, and pigment anti-oxidants that contribute immensely for optimum health and wellness.

In addition, research studies suggest that chlorogenic acid in these berries help lower blood sugar levels and control blood glucose levels in type-II diabetes mellitus condition.

Fresh berries contain small amount of vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin E. Altogether these vitamins make potent lipid soluble anti-oxidants, help limit free radical mediated injury to body.

The berries also contain small amount of B-complex group of vitamins such as niacin, pyridoxine, folates and pantothenic acid. It contains very good amounts of vitamin B-6, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and folic acid. These vitamins are acting as co-factors help body metabolize carbohydrates, protein, and fats.

Food Art:)

Not only is food yummy to eat, but given the right artists and the right amount of creativity, you can food into a tasty masterpiece. Check these out!

Cuppiecakes:)

Wanna learn how to make a super adorable Easter cupcake... I think you do :D Enjoy!

Easter Candayyyy!

So yes i know, I have been ranting about eating healthy and losing weight and all that jazz, but its the most wonderful time of the year. No, not Christmas... Easter.  Where all the chocoholics come together and have a serious relapse.  Here's some of my all time favorite ooey gooey yummy scrumdittlyumscious Easter Candy:)

Power Foods

Consumers have new reasons to enjoy almonds as researchers have recently announced that nuts not only taste good, but they're also good for you.

Almonds are one of the most nutritious of all nuts. As more and more consumers become dedicated to healthy life-styles, experts have found that adding natural foods, such as almonds, to your diet may be the prescription for physical wellness in the 21st century

Cancer Prevention - Almonds are low in saturated fat and contain many other protective nutrients - calcium and magnesium - for strong bones, vitamin E and compounds called phytochemicals, which may help protect against cardiovascular disease and even cancer.

 

Phytochemical Powerhouse - Leading nutrition scientists presented their research findings in a symposium entitled "Nuts in a Healthful Diet", as a part of the 1998 Experimental Biology annual meeting. Dr. Gary Beecher, of the USDA-ARS, has analyzed the phytochemical content of almonds and states, "I have never seen this diversity of phytochemicals in a single food source." 

 

Reduce Heart Attack Risk - A Loma Linda School of Public Health study showed those who consumed nuts five times a week had a 50% reduction in risk of heart attack. 

 

Lower Cholesterol - In one clinical study, Dr. Gene Spiller, Director of the Health Research and Studies Center, Inc., showed that almonds added to the diet had a favorable effect on blood cholesterol levels and that none of the study groups experienced weight gain in the study. 

Dinner out of leftovers

Easter is approaching and after two weeks of leftovers, you get sick of eating ham sandwiches and lumpy mashed potatoes. There are so many ways to jazz up your Easter leftovers so that your family will be coming back for more.  

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Directions

• Divide ham among eight muffin cups coated with cooking spray; top with cheese. In a large bowl, beat eggs and whites. Beat in the chives, milk, salt and pepper. Pour over cheese, filling each muffin cup three-fourths full.
• Bake at 375° for 22-25 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Carefully run a knife around edges to loosen; remove from pan. Serve warm. Yield: 8 frittatas.

 Chicken Cordon Bleu Bake Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 packages (6 ounces each) reduced-sodium stuffing mix
• 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
• 1 cup milk
• 8 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 3/4 pound sliced deli ham, cut into 1-inch strips
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese
• 3 cups (12 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

• Prepare stuffing mixes according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine soup and milk; set aside.
• Divide chicken between two greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dishes. Sprinkle with pepper. Layer with ham, Swiss cheese, 1 cup cheddar cheese, soup mixture and stuffing. Sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese.
• Cover and freeze one casserole for up to 3 months. Cover and bake the remaining casserole at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.
• To use frozen casserole: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until heated through and cheese is melted. Yield: 2 casseroles (6 servings each).

Ingredients

• 1/4 pound cubed fully cooked ham
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded fat-free cheddar cheese
• 6 eggs
• 4 egg whites
• 3 tablespoons minced chives
• 2 tablespoons fat-free milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

 

Mini Ham 'n' Cheese Frittatas Recipe

mix and match

French fries and ketchup, oreo's and milk, and chocolate and peanut butter, all classic food combinations, but it's 2012, and time for something new and a little crazy. Don't be afraid to mix up different flavors together and you might be surprised in what you find.

Ingredients

For the vinaigrette:

• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
• 1/4 cup minced shallots (1 large)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 cup good olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 6 cups baby arugula, washed and spun dry
• 1/8th seedless watermelon, rind removed, and cut in 1-inch cubes
• 12 ounces good feta cheese, 1/2-inch diced
• 1 cup (4 ounces) whole fresh mint leaves, julienned

Directions

Whisk together the orange juice, lemon juice, shallots, honey, salt, and pepper. Slowly pour in the olive oil, whisking constantly, to form an emulsion. If not using within an hour, store the vinaigrette covered in the refrigerator.

Place the arugula, watermelon, feta, and mint in a large bowl. Drizzle with enough vinaigrette to coat the greens lightly and toss well. Taste for seasonings and serve immediately.

Red Beef Chili with Chocolate and Chili Peppers

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 pounds bottom round beef, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 (12 ounce) bottle dark beer
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped semi-sweet chocolate
• 1 large red onion, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1/2 poblano, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon seeded and chopped habanero
• 1 Thai bird chile, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
• 1 tablespoon chipotle pepper puree
• 1 tablespoon ancho chile powder
• 1 tablespoon pasilla chile powder
• 1 tablespoon cascabel chile powder
• 1 teaspoon New Mexican chile powder
• 5 cups homemade chicken stock, or canned low-sodium or water
• 1 (16-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained and pureed
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup, or more, to taste
• Toasted Cumin Crema, recipe follows

Directions

Heat 3 tablespoons of the oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Season the beef with salt and pepper, and saute until browned on all sides. Sprinkle with the cumin and stir well. Deglaze the pan with the beer and bring to a boil. Stir in the chocolate and cook until beer is almost completely reduced.

In a separate pot, add 1 tablespoon of the oil and add the onions to the pan and cook until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add the poblano, habanero, Thai bird, jand alapeno peppers and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the chipotle puree, ancho powder, pasilla powder, cascabel and New Mexican chile powders and cook an additional 2 minutes. Add the chicken stock and tomatoes and bring to a boil and boil for 15 to 20 minutes, or until all vegetables are tender. Puree with an immersion blender. Add the beef mixture back to the pan, reduce the heat to medium, cover the pan, and simmer for 1 hour, or until thick and beef is tender. Remove from the heat, add the maple syrup, and adjust seasonings.

dieting = bluhhh?

So I have been eating really healthy now for about three months, and I have been exercising and cutting out the junk food and yes, it does work. I've lost about fifteen pounds so far and it feels good to put those pants on without having a muffin top busting out the sides. I know that everyone that goes on a diet tries to eat the most healthiest, blandest food is an attempt to drop the pounds. Here's some advice on what works for me...

1. No soda! Soda is the single most difficult thing that hinders weight loss. Soda is jam packed with sugar and artificial flavorings and even though the bottle says diet, it does not mean healthy!

2. Think about what you can add to your diet, not what you can take away. Its recommended to have about 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables. Your less likely to overeat on healthy foods because the vitamins and minerals replace the fat in your diet.

3. Be careful about your midnight snacks. Don't sit in from of the television with a bag of chips or a cookies because then your gonna continue to eat until you decide to move away from the TV, which may not be for hours. Eat some low fat ice cream or a yogurt and wash it down with some hot tea instead.

4. Water, water,water. Water is a cure for just about anything. Drinking water throughout your day will indeed improve the way you look and feel.

5. Enjoy your favorite foods, in moderation. It's not a crime to eat a chocolate bar or enjoy a piece of cake every once in a good while, but don't over do it. Try to stick to the recommended serving sizes because we all know its hard to only eat 15 potato chips or a little sliver of the chocolate cake, but it is better to enjoy it even though it is small then too eat too much and feel really guilty afterwords.