Tag Archives: healthy
Eight Healthy Recipes for Your Summer Cookout
With Memorial Day approaching, we’re all looking forward to getting outside with family and friends to enjoy barbecues. Although hamburgers, hot dogs, and potato salad are staples at these affairs, it’s important to keep an eye on the things you’re eating and make healthy choices when possible.
In general, try to stick to lean meats like poultry or fish, or substitute meat with colorful vegetables. For flavoring, use acid-based marinades like lemon or vinaigrettes instead of thick, sugary sauces.
There are many recipes out there that offer nutrient-dense versions of our favorite summer foods. Dana-Farber nutritionist Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD, has narrowed down …
Smoothies
Is it just me, or have smoothies become HUGE lately? I see people posting pictures of them on blogs and Instagram everyday, getting more creative with each one. Green smoothies have gotten really popular, with people adding green vegetables like kale into a traditionally fruit-based drink. Ingredients like egg yolks and coconut oil also add a lot of nutritional value to smoothies. The fun part about making them is that you can add pretty much any ingredient you feel like! You can stick to one type of fruit, or add in eight. Different varieties of yogurt and milk make good …
Kicking Cancer in the Kitchen: Quinoa with Pears and Maple Vinaigrette
Last week I shared a recipe from the book Kicking Cancer in the Kitchen. I was so happy with the sweet potato fries I thought I’d give some other recipes a try, like this tasty quinoa salad.
Quinoa is a mainstay of my diet because of its protein content. As the book describes, it’s also a great source of calcium, fiber and B vitamins. In addition to being great for you, this salad is the perfect fall meal. It’s subtly sweet and is great on its own, over a bed of baby greens, or with another recipe from the book, Gingerly …
Cookbook review: Kicking Cancer in the Kitchen
I was excited to receive the cookbook Kicking Cancer in the Kitchen last week, and since I think it’s a great resource, I thought I’d give it a little review here.
The authors, Annette Ramke and Kendall Scott are both cancer survivors. Not only do they suggest healthy, wholesome recipes; they share their personal stories and experiences, from finding out they had cancer to what made them feel better during treatment. They’ve found from personal experience that eating a healthful diet is rejuvenating and helps support your body during treatment. It’s half cookbook, half friendly resource.
One of my favorite features is …
Restaurant Review: Sweetgreen
My friends work in the Back Bay/Copley area in Boston and have been raving about their new favorite lunch spot there, Sweetgreen, right across from the Boston Public Library. Sweetgreen serves fresh, made-to-order salads and wraps, using local and organic ingredients. What can be so great about a simple salad? I had to see and try it for myself.
During peak lunch hour, the lines are usually out the door, and one can expect to wait up to 20 minutes in line! Fortunately, I visited during an off-time and didn’t have to wait in line at all.
The menu is simple and …
Buffalo chicken salad
We can never have enough buffalo chicken in my house. We can’t order a pizza if it’s not buffalo chicken. We make wing burgers and buffalo chicken quesadillas and, my personal favorite, buffalo chicken salad. This dish is a healthy(ish) way to indulge in your buffalo chicken craving and an easy week-night meal.
Buffalo Chicken Salad
For two
1 large chicken breast
1/3 cup Frank’s Red Hot buffalo sauce
1 romaine heart
3 stalks celery
1 red bell pepper
1 large carrot
5 radishes
2 small tomatoes
1/3 cup bleu cheese dressing
Preheat oven to 375F. Slice chicken breast in half, rub with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 15 …
Sweet potato and white bean burgers
Sweet potatoes and beans are two of the healthiest foods out there, and this recipe combines them into one delicious combination. Even my boyfriend who usually prefers burgers of the meaty variety loved these.
Sweet potato and white bean burgers
Adapted from lunchboxbunch.com
1 large sweet potato
2 cans cannellini beans
2 Tbsp tahini
2 Tbsp maple syrup
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper
Poke sweet potato all over with a fork. Rub with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on a microwaveable plate and cook for 5 minutes, turn over …
Four smoothie recipes to try
I’ve been drinking a smoothie for second breakfast (I hate the word “snack”) for a few months now. It’s always good to get some fruits in before lunch: I think it sets the tone for the rest of the day to eat healthy.
Here are four recipes in my regular rotation:
Tropical avocado smoothie
1 avocado
Juice of 1 small orange
3/4 cup frozen mango
3/4 cup vanilla almond milk
The avocado gives the smoothie a thick, creamy texture. If you need to add a little extra liquid, add a little more orange juice or a few ice cubes.
Cherry almond
1 cup cherries
1 cup almond milk
2-3 Tbsp almond …
Nuts Galore
hazelnuts from wikipedia.org
Whether it be walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts or peanuts, crushed nuts are a great addition to so many snacks and meals. Sprinkling nuts on salads gives it that extra crunch. And baking with nuts is another whole story.
One set back is that nuts tend to be a little expensive. But with the Williams Sonoma Nut Chopper you can now buy nuts in bulk and grind them down until they’re at your preferred size.
Just fill the top compartment, choose the setting size and turn the handle. The crushed nuts will collect in the bottom container.
nut chopper from williams-sonoma
The Nut Chopper …
2013 Trends: Snacks and Desserts
Every new year, lists of new food trends seem to come from all angles, and sometimes it’s hard to keep up.
So, here is a list of 6 trends expected to be big in 2013:
Popcorn:
Already a popular snack, popcorn has been named the snack of the year, and is being revamped in new ways. Chocolate covered popcorn and caramel corn are still treats, but expect more fancy stuff this year – like Campari-Infused Popcorn, Bacon Caramel Popcorn or Popcorn Crème Brulee. Try making a popcorn cake at home, or even substituting white chocolate with dark for an even sweeter treat.
Mini desserts:
Mini …
