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These Chili Recipes Help Warm Chilly Evenings

September 15, 2016 by

All it takes is a homemade dinner of something warm and comforting to get you into that cozy fall feeling. Here are a few chili recipes that you’ll love to make on those chilly autumn evenings.

Pumpkin Chili [oliviascuisine.com]
While you’re likely used to seeing pumpkin in every cookie, coffee, and pie as soon as summer is over, this recipe for pumpkin chili will show you a new and exciting way to use everyone’s favorite fall gourd. It can be made on the stovetop or in the slow-cooker if you’re pressed for time, and it becomes even more festive if you serve it inside of a small, hollowed pumpkin.

Slow-Cooker Chocolate Chili With Three Beans [bhg.com]
If chocolate in chili seems too good to be true (and maybe a little bit strange), you’ll become a believer once you taste this unique recipe. Best of all, you can make it in the slow-cooker, so you’ll come home from a long day at work to a warm, home-cooked meal.

Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili [allrecipes.com]
A healthy turkey chili cuts down on fat and calories compared to the traditional beef version, and this one is also very easy to make. Just toss all of the legumes, veggies, and spices into the slow-cooker and you’ll have a hearty and nutritious meal in just over four hours.

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Did You Know You Can Cook These Recipes in the Microwave?

September 3, 2015 by

If you think that the microwave is only good for re-heating leftovers and preparing microwave dinners, think again. This common kitchen appliance is actually a great tool for preparing scratch-made dinners, desserts, and even breakfast dishes! These three recipes will show you how it's done.

The Moistest Chocolate Mug Cake [tablefortwoblog.com]
By combining a few simple baking ingredients in your morning coffee mug, you can create a one-serving dessert that’s perfect when you’re craving a sweet treat. Best of all, this simple cake takes just two minutes to make in the microwave.

1-Minute Microwave Quiche [fullthymestudent.com]
Quiche certainly isn’t the easiest breakfast to make, but with this simplified recipe it becomes a whole lot easier. Simply blend eggs with fresh veggies, herbs, and bread and cook it all in a mug — in just one minute, no less.

Lemon Shrimp with Rice [marthastewart.com]
Ingredients like Sauvignon Blanc wine, chopped, fresh herbs, and fresh shrimp combine to make a meal with more gourmet flair than your usual microwave dinner. Prepare the other ingredients while the rice cooks, and then pop the whole thing in the microwave for an additional two minutes before serving.

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Please Picky Eaters With These Healthy Fast Food-Inspired Recipes

July 23, 2015 by

You love the burger and fries at your favorite fast food restaurant, but you also know that too much grab-and-go food can take a toll on your health—and your waistline! If you’re dealing with a brood of picky eaters, these recipes will satisfy those fast food cravings, without all of the saturated fat.

Oven-Fried Chicken Tenders with Five Spice Barbecue Sauce [Good Housekeeping]
While regular fast food chicken tenders are deep fried and served with sugary sauces, this oven-baked alternative is just as tasty, but a whole lot healthier. Use Panko bread crumbs, sesame seeds, and a Chinese five-spice powder to create a crispy, Asian-inspired breading for the chicken, and then serve them with your own homemade barbecue sauce that’s free of unnecessary fat and calories.

Healthy Chocolate Banana Shake [abeautifulmess.com]
A thick, creamy milkshake from the local drive-through is a truly delicious indulgence, but it certainly isn’t the best thing for your waistline. This fruit-filled alternative is made with a whole banana, but it still packs that chocolatey punch that you love about traditional shakes.

Spicy Barbecue Chickpea Burgers [ohsheglows.com]
Hearty, protein-rich chickpeas hold this burger together, but the spicy barbecue sauce gives it a boost of flavor that's so good, you won’t even miss the meat.

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You Might Be Surprised That These Common Foods Are High in Sugar

March 19, 2015 by

Some foods are obviously high in sugar, such as cakes, sodas, and ice cream. But did you know that there are sneaky high-sugar foods that may be sabotaging your diet without you even knowing it? Here are a few foods that are surprisingly high in sugar.

  1. Fat-free yogurts. Sure, fat-free yogurts don’t contain fat, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re low in sugar, too! In fact, the majority of low-fat and fat-free yogurts overcompensate by adding quite a bit of sugar to sweeten up the taste. Be sure to check the label on your favorite sweet side, because some 0% yogurts can contain as many as 20 grams of sugar.
  2. Marinara sauce. Marinara sauce is often viewed as a healthy alternative to creamy Alfredo sauces, but this savory pasta topping can be packed full of sugars. Beware of store bought cans and jars especially, as they’re the most common culprits.
  3. Bread. Even supposedly healthy breads, like whole grain and wheat, can contain about three grams of sugar per slice. Processed breads are usually much higher in sugars than freshly baked options, so opt for a loaf from the bakery or a sprouted wheat bread from the health food store.

6 Surprising Sources of Sugar [Eating Well]
6 Hidden Sugar Mines in Your Diet [Next Avenue]
Sugar: Five Foods Surprisingly High in Sugar [BBC]

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Think Beyond the Salsa With These Cilantro-Centric Recipes

January 22, 2015 by

When you think of salsa, you likely think of the zesty flavor added by cilantro. Cilantro is also a great addition to many other dishes, however, even those outside of Mexican cuisine. These three recipes will have you rethinking the way you view cilantro in the most delicious ways possible!

Asian Noodle Salad with Chicken and Cilantro [Martha Stewart]
Instead of the usual Southwestern cuisines, try cilantro in an Asian-cuisine-inspired dish for a change. This noodle salad requires no cooking at all to create a fresh, interesting meal with a traditional Vietnamese sauce. Top it with cucumber and cilantro for a bit of added flavor.

Miso-Maple Sweet Potato Tacos with Coconut-Cilantro Sauce [The Kitchn]
There are so many delicious flavors in this taco dish, your taste buds will hardly know where to begin. Tender sweet potatoes covered in a miso and maple syrup glaze take the place of the usual taco meat, and avocado, cilantro, and toasted pepitas make a tasty garnish. The cilantro comes in at the end, when it’s blended with coconut to create a uniquely flavorful sauce for topping.

Zesty Quinoa Salad [AllRecipes]
If you want to eat healthily without sacrificing taste, you’ll absolutely love this quinoa salad. Fresh vegetables and black beans make it bright and nutritious, while cilantro and black pepper add major flavor.

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Learn to Make Lasagna 3 Different Ways

April 17, 2014 by

Lasagna isn’t the easiest dish to prepare, but like most dinners, having a great recipe can make all the difference. These flavorful, cheesy lasagna recipes will appeal to all tastes and ages, and if you follow the steps, they’ll surely become favorites in your recipe book.

Best Lasagna Ever [Pioneer Woman]
This recipe is great for the home chef who doesn’t want to hunt down sophisticated ingredients at fancy grocers. Most of the ingredients are likely already right in your own refrigerator. Using simple ground beef, your morning breakfast sausage, cottage cheese and sliced mozzarella, you can create a decadent lasagna in under an hour.

Simply Recipes Lasagna [Simply Recipes]
This traditional lasagna recipe offers a bit of sweetness for a surprising boost of flavor. It uses the usual Italian seasonings and tomato sauces to appeal to lasagna lovers, but it also incorporates extra cheeses that just about anyone will appreciate.

The World’s Best Lasagna [Allrecipes]
If you want to make lasagna for a large group, this is the recipe to do it with. This meat and cheese-filled pasta dish takes a bit more time and effort than your usual lasagna, but it’s well worth the wait on special occasions such as dinner parties or holidays.

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4 Creative Waffle Recipes to Make at Home

April 3, 2014 by

Whether you prefer sweet or savory tastes, waffles are a versatile dish that can be prepared a number of different ways. Check out these creative waffle recipes before you break out the waffle iron at your next brunch or breakfast at home.

Cornmeal Bacon Waffles with Cheese Sauce
If you’re the type of person who steers clear of sweet breakfast dishes, these cornmeal waffles will delight your taste buds. Topped with crispy bacon and drizzled with homemade cheese sauce, this savory dish is great for a midday brunch.

Pumpkin Waffles with Apple Cider Syrup
Just about everyone loves pumpkin flavor around fall and winter seasons, and these pancakes have the warm and spicy taste that you love on cold mornings.

Chicken and Waffles
Bring the flavor of the South to your breakfast table no matter where you live on the Mason-Dixon line with this traditional Southern dish. The savory taste of fried chicken contrasts the sweet waffles for a unique flavor that’s deliciously decadent.

Whole Grain Waffles
Made with hearty whole-grain instead of regular white flour, these waffles are a nutritious breakfast treat. Top them with a drizzle of honey, fresh fruit, or simple agave syrup for a healthy alternative to sugary maple syrup.

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Healthy Poultry Recipes to Keep Your Diet on Track

March 20, 2014 by

Poultry is such a versatile meat, you could eat it every day of the week and never have the same dish twice. If you’re looking for new and exciting ways to prepare chicken or turkey, here are some delightful recipes from the NIH:

"Fried" Rice and Chicken
Okay, so fried rice isn’t the healthiest food in the world. But in this recipe, it takes on a much healthier role with the addition of brown rice, light soy sauce, and a few assorted vegetables. By using boneless, skinless chicken breast and a low-calorie Hawaiian sauce, this dish becomes a healthy replacement for your favorite takeout food.

Crunchy Chicken Fingers With Tangy Dipping Sauce
A healthier take on the beloved children’s food, this chicken fingers recipe uses whole-wheat flour and corn cereal to achieve the same delicious crunch as the more fattening original. Make a tangy dipping sauce out of ketchup, orange juice, and a few other zesty ingredients for a light lunch that even the kids will love.

Make-Your-Own Turkey Burger
Turkey burgers are becoming increasingly popular alternatives to high-fat beef burgers, and it’s just as easy to make your own at home. This simple recipe uses 99% lean ground turkey and a few common spices to create a juicy burger with a whole 33 grams of protein.

For more healthy chicken, turkey and other poultry recipes, visit the NIH website here.

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5 Brunch Recipes to Try This Weekend

February 6, 2014 by

If you’re planning a mid-day brunch for friends or family this weekend, these creative recipes might give you a bit of inspiration. Just add some fresh-squeezed orange juice, a pot of hot coffee and maybe a basket of pastries to complete the perfect brunch menu.

Chicken Breakfast Burritos
Full of protein and deliciously savory flavor, these breakfast burritos use chicken instead of the traditional sausage for a truly unique taste. Simply add hash browns, eggs, and melted cheese for a hearty center of any Southwestern-inspired brunch.

Breakfast Casserole
If you need to feed a whole lot of people in one meal, a casserole is an easy and versatile option. For this breakfast casserole, simply add your favorite ingredients and pop it in the oven.

Berry Breakfast Pizzas
Even the youngest brunch guests will simply adore this sweet, fun take on breakfast pizza.

Orange Popovers
Everyone loves a good pastry at brunch, and these simple popovers are a much easier way to make these sometimes-tricky baked goods.

Bacon, Tomato and Cheddar Breakfast Bake
Make a large batch of these breakfast classics all in one glass dish to make serving brunch convenient and relaxing.

Public Domain/Public Domain
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How To Cook With Pumpkins

January 23, 2013 by

Not many people think of pumpkins as food — they use them for Jack-o-Lanterns at Halloween and table decorations on Thanksgiving. But this versatile squash is actually a wonder in the kitchen, and it also packed with nutrients! Here are some recipe ideas.

–        Pureed pumpkin makes a great substitute for zucchini or carrots in breads and muffins. its hearty sweetness adds a lot to the flavor and a wonderful color. It's best to use a cheese grater to roughly grate the flesh before you mix it into the batter.

–        Pumpkin seeds are actually very high in vital nutrients and make a delicious and healthy snack. Known as “pepitas” when roasted, it’s very easy to make them yourself. Separate the seeds from the pulp, wash them, and dry them well. Then season the seeds with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast them at 400 degrees until they become fragrant and shine.

–        Pumpkin also works really well as a base for Mexican soups and sauces. Roast and puree the meat before seasoning it with garlic, jalapeno, salt, and pepper. It’s wonderful over enchiladas or served with spicy chorizo sausage.

–        If you're a coffee fan, you've likely tried a seasonal pumpkin spice lattes. To make this treat at home, use two teaspoons of pumpkin puree, lightly sweetened, along with vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spice. Add this mixture to any hot beverage for a warm, comforting autumn flavor.

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