Just Desserts

If you're a sweet toothed foodie like I am, then you have to have dessert. Lunch or dinner just isn't the same without ending it with something sugary. The problem is what to finish off a meal with? Do you go fro something healthy ? Or something sinful and decadent?

I wanted something of the last. I just bought Jello's latest mousse cups. These looked yummy in the store and proved to be just that. I love mousse better than pudding (which to me is too dense and gummy) and Jello's latest offering is just as light and as flavorful as any homemade kind. It's actually perfect for those nights when I 'm coming home late from teaching and want a quick meal something after.Another quickie dessert is just ice cream with syrup. I recently bought the soy based Pure Decadence in Chocolate Obsession. Ii usually get their Pomegranate Chip, but alas, the store sold out of it. Sometimes just a scoop of ice cream with syrup is enough dessert. Ices are good too. They're low calorie, and always refreshing.During the summer I was polishing off my Taco Bell meals with their deliciously icy Frutistas.

Fruit makes a healthier, more nutritious ending to a meal, especially if it's dinner. Now that's it's fall I can once again go back to my beloved apples dipped in caramel. This is a great meal topper and fun to share. Marzetti has an excellent caramel dipping sauce that also goes well on pound cake and ice cream. I prefer apples . This is also the season for pears and there's nothing like a healthy dessert of just a pear. Baked apples are a good meal ender and they're easy to make in the microwave. My version has caramel and chopped walnuts along with butter in the apple core. It's kind of like an inside out caramel apple. I have updated my grandmother's baked apple recipe which calls for red wine, sugar and butter. This is a quick and fancy dessert , perfect
for company.

Desserts can be fun or healthy or both. It depends on you. Sometimes just a bowl of ice cream with syrup and fruit will suffice. Sometimes dessert is just a bit fancier with whipped cream or elaborately created. In the end it's up to you , the foodie, to decide how to end your meals.

Eat Healthy For Flu Season

You've probably either received your flu shot or are looking to get one in the upcoming weeks. As always this is a good preventive step to a healthier fall and winter. However what you eat is also important in your battle against germs.

Try to incorporate a lot of Vitamin C in your diet right now. This will help you battle colds and strengthen your immune system. What to eat to get it? Plenty of citrus such as sweet oranges and tangerine. Other fruits such as pineapple also have it.Some veggies are also loaded in it as well. Eat plenty of artichokes, avocados, corn , pepper and kale to get it. Another important vitamin is A which helps promote healthy skin and hair and more importantly mucous membranes. Eat plenty of peaches, tomatoes watermelon squash and spinach to help maintain a high level.

If you're not a big fruit and veg eater Like some of my friends)force yourself to incorporate at least one a day to stave off colds and flu. Have tomatoes and spinach in your salad. Try making a healthy ratatouille on weekends or a completely meatless week day dinner. Instead of snacking on chips , try apple or pear slices or dried slated peas. Nut such as peanuts and almonds are loaded with important vitamins as well. Have a snack of peanut or almond butter on crackers or a slice of whole wheat bread. fruit juices are also good. You Can make your own for a much healthier version or buy the organic kind. Try to stay away from soft drinks and heavily creamed or sugared coffees and teas.

Get your body armed for any invasions by militant germs. Eat healthy now and enjoy a winter without sniffles or sneezes.