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Delicious Football-Themed Desserts for Game Day

October 22, 2015 by

Whether you’re hosting your own football viewing party or attending a game day potluck at a friend’s house, there are a number of football-themed desserts that your fellow fans will love. Here are three great recipes that will sweeten up the big game.

Pumpkin Football Cakes [bhg.com]
The pumpkin flavor makes these whoopie pie-style cakes perfect for the fall season, and their football shape makes them feel truly festive. This simple recipe even shows you how to make your own buttercream frosting for the football’s stitches.

Pull Apart Touchdown Cupcakes [foodnetwork.com]
Create a miniature replica of the football field using delicious cupcakes with this fun and creative DIY recipe. Bright green icing with white details create the field itself, while cookie sticks, gummy candies, and marshmallows add the teams and the finishing touches.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Footballs [domesticfits.com]
While you might think of chocolate covered strawberries as an elegant dessert, this cute and quirky recipe brings them down to earth just in time for the big game. By simply melting white chocolate, you can use it to transform the strawberries into realistic footballs that your guests will adore. Because this recipe doesn’t require any baking, this is one that the kids can even help make!

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These Pointers Will Help You Have a Healthier Halloween

October 8, 2015 by

Halloween may not be the healthiest holiday, but it is possible to enjoy trick or treating without crashing on sugar or feeling nervous about passing cars. When it comes to having a healthier Halloween, it’s all about staying aware. Here are a few helpful tips that will make your celebrations a bit better for both you and your little goblins.

  1. Feed your kids a nutritious meal before trick or treating. It’s very tempting for children to taste test the candy from every house along your route, but if they’re full before setting out they may be less likely to binge on candy.
  2. Take a smaller bag. While in years past it was commonplace for kids to compete over who got the most candy while trick or treating, this seems very counterproductive to the healthy eating habits that you teach the rest of the year. Instead, give each child a modest sized bag and turn the focus to the costumed fun that you’re having rather than the mad dash for candy.
  3. Stay safe while trick or treating. Always carry a flashlight while going from door to door, and be sure to never let your little ones go alone.
  4. Indulge in moderation. Don’t feel guilty about letting your kids enjoy their Halloween candy, just be sure to limit their intake to a reasonable amount.

Healthy Halloween Habits [Kids Health]
How to Have a Heart-Healthy Halloween [American Heart Association]
Halloween Health and Safety Tips [CDC]

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Delicious Recipes to Help You Make the Most Out of Apple Season

September 17, 2015 by

You may find yourself with a surplus of apples after your weekend visit to the orchard, but it’s certainly not a bad problem to have. Apple recipes are on everyone’s minds come fall, and these three recipes offer some creative suggestions for how to make the most of those extra Granny Smiths and Pink Ladies.

Classic Applesauce [marthastewart.com]
Although the name suggests otherwise, this versatile applesauce is anything but classic. Instead of just the usual McIntosh apples, the recipe calls for an eclectic mix of McIntosh, Gala, Braeburn, and just about any other type of apples that you have on hand. Cinnamon offers a hefty dose of spice, and the thick consistency will fill your stomach on a chilly fall day.

Honey Apple Cake [southernliving.com]
There are few flavors meant for each other more than honey and apples, and this dense cake takes that combination to the next level. Bake this incredibly moist Bundt on a cold fall evening and enjoy it with your coffee the next morning.

Apple Crisp [allrecipes.com]
If you’re in charge of providing dessert for a holiday gathering or party, this apple crisp recipe will surely be a hit. It’s easy to make, completely versatile and will make your house smell divine while baking.

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How to Tell the Difference Between a Cold and the Flu

March 5, 2015 by

Getting a little cold is fairly commonplace during the colder winter months, and it doesn’t usually require much treatment other than rest and chicken noodle soup. The flu, however, is a more serious issue, and although this virus usually requires antibiotics to kick, it can be quite difficult to tell the two apart. Here are a few smart ways to tell if you have a cold or the flu—and maybe even help you to catch it early on. (Remember to seek the professional advice of your physician!)

  1. A cold usually comes with a sore throat, runny nose, and sometimes even a cough in the fourth or fifth days. These symptoms are usually fairly mild and cause more discomfort than pain and misery. If it is a cold, these symptoms will last for about a week.
  2. The flu, on the other hand, comes with similar but more severe symptoms very early on. Your throat will be sore, your head and other muscles will ache, and you’ll likely have congestion and a cough. These symptoms could last for one week or longer, but they can turn into pneumonia if left untreated.
  3. While an everyday cold doesn’t usually come with a fever, the flu often does. If your temperature reaches 100 degrees or higher, you're likely looking at a case of the flu.

Is It a Cold or The Flu? [NIAID]
Cold, Flu, & Cough Health Center [Web MD]
The Common Cold vs. The Flu… What You Need To Know [Health.com]

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Have a Surplus of Mint on Your Hands? Try These 3 Recipes!

June 5, 2014 by

Even gardeners lacking any sort of green thumb can grow mint. This herb is loved (and loathed!) for its tendency to take over an entire garden, offering a veritable bounty of green leaves all summer long. Whether you're dealing with a surplus of mint from your own windowsill garden or you were gifted a mint bundle from an exasperated coworker, these three recipes will put the herb to good use.

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream [The Kitchn]
Mint leaves are crushed, then steeped in a cream and sugar mixture for an hour, imbuing the ice cream with a fragrant, herbal taste. Chunks of dark chocolate are added into the mix at the end.

Warm Rice Salad with Peas and Mint [Huffpost Taste]
Regular rice is elevated in this summery side salad. Cooked rice is flavored with garlic and shallots, then brightened with the contrasting flavors of lemon juice, mint, and fresh peas.

Basil Mint Parsley Raw "Pesto" Sauce Recipe [Gluten-Free Goddess]
Cheese and nuts are omitted in this recipe for raw pesto sauce, which relies solely on basil, mint, parsley, garlic, olive oil, and salt to create a refreshing sauce for pasta, salmon, grilled corn — whatever you desire!

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