A Brave New World

 As much as we need our gall bladders , we actually don't need them. Humans , surprisingly can live without them.There will changes to diet but life can continue on without thus tiny organ.

I'm about to find out how much I can live without this yellowish green little pear on Wednesday when I have it removed. A lot has changed since my grandfather's day when he had his (just two months before I was born). Gallbladder removal  usually required a week long hospital stay after a five inch incision was made in the upper right abdomen. Not anymore. The operation is now known as a "procedure" and treated much the same way as a tooth extraction (this is where I shake my head)It's laparoscopic and will only take an hour and a half.. A small video camera is in placed  in one of the four incisions in the upper right quadrant .Special, small surgical instruments are also inserted to sever the bile ducts. These are reattached to one leading into the upper intestine. You usually (and I'm hoping to go home) leave after four or five hours in the recovery unit unless something happens such as an infection. Then it's four days of hospital food.I'm hoping for the best, preparing for the worst. I'll be off for a week or two .

When I come back it's discovering and writing about a whole new world. Digestion is tricky at best without a gall bladder.I will have to eat smaller meals more often. Think grazing.This I don't mind.because I do this anyway.  My body won't  be able to process Fried foods such as potato chips and fries are definitely off the table. fried meats like chicken are also a lifelong ban (although I could sneak in a drumstick every now and then).Foods should be baked, steamed or broiled. There should be more fruits and veggies on my plate which is a plus. One,'I'm a big believer of using fresh fruits and veggies whenever the season and, two I do love them. I will have to put a kabosh on cookies and snack cakes (although like the chicken leg,I could sneak in one or two every now and then),Caffeine, whether in soda, coffee or tea is also not allowed. Caffeine increases the amount of stomach acid which in turn makes the stomach empty faster. There could be more gas, sharp pains and bloating. The same is said of chocolate which will be limited to once in a blue moon. My diet will be different but healthier.

This little pear has caused me trouble over the years but I will miss her. This new world is going to be scary and frustrating. As with any new venture.I will do the best I can.

The Power Of Summer Produce

Summer came and the rules became lax regarding the lockdown.After months of fortifying ourselves on good home cooked food, we went wild when restrictions were lifted. We're going back to our old habits of eating junk and overly processed food. Yet that's not good. We still have Covid-19. We still need to eat healthy to be healthy and reduce our risks.

One of the best ways to eat healthy is to take advantage of summer's bounty. This is tomato season and these gems can provide us with Vitamins C and K and a good dose of needed potassium. They're also versatile.Roasted tomatoes are delicious on flatbread  drizzled with another good for you ingredient  olive oil. They can be a great extra in all kinds of sandwiches and great on their own in a tomato sandwich.Make salsa cruda with them,a pasta sauce that is cooked  when it's mixed with freshly boiled pasta.  Another great summer dish featuring fresh produce is the French Provencale ratatouille. This is a delicious mix of tomatoes, eggplant , peppers and onion sauteed in olive oil and garlic. Different herbs such as basil and thyme are added for extra flavor. Cucumbers are another summertime fave that are also a must eat. They can keep you hydrated due to their high water content as well as lowering blood sugar and weight. Think about slicing them and serving them with a mix of Greek yogurt, chopped dill and olive oil as a side salad. You can also turn them into all sorts of variations on dill pickles.

Keep in mind to eat the fruits of the season too. Blueberries are big right now. Have a bowl of them for breakfast or dessert for a sweet treat. They are also the source of the most powerful antioxidants in the plant world. Again, they high in vitamins C and K as well as manganese, the last good for improving bone health and lowering blood sugar. Don't miss out on strawberries either. They too are loaded in nutrients, especially folates. They aid in heart health as well. If you're craving a chocolate treat then think about chilled strawberries dipped in dark chocolate for a decadent snack or dessert. They're also good sliced and blended into a smoothie with  bananas. Don't forget any berry is good added to a salad. Blackberries are also in abundance right now. These ebony gems are rife in Vitamin A and good for brain functioning. A lovely dessert is a cup of them drizzled with raw honey. They're also tasty in Greek yogurt that's been sweetened with maple syrup or  honey. Peaches are a summertime favorite too. They're great for preventing certain kinds of cancer as well as aiding the skin and digestion. Just slice one up for a healthy snack.

Take advantage of the bounty of the season. Eat right and healthfully for better immunity.  It's easy to do with  so many tasty fruits and veggies out there now.

Cooking Lessons

With parents acting as teacher these days, it's a good time to teach the little ones about the aspects of cooking. Being in the kitchen can show the little ones everything from match to foreign languages to history. 

One of the best lessons comes with baking.It's an exact science that requires measuring. Even the little ones can be shown the difference between a tablespoon and a teaspoon. They can learn how to measure out flour and sugar along with learning how to calculate how much milk, water or oil goes into a recipe. Baking teaches them that adding too much or too little of an ingredient can alter a baked good's flavor and texture. Cookie dough can  show them how divvy it up to and how much to use to get the recommended two dozen. This can also apply to cooking although most recipes are looser with exact amounts.  Fruits and veggies can also be helpful in teaching kindergartners up to second graders addition and subtraction. The same can be said of cookies and candies, but the other choice is healthier. Also you can create flashcards based on measurement charts. It's a great way of teaching them how to double up or decrease a recipe.

Cooking teaches us about languages too. Start with something they know like pizza which is Italian for pie, Work your way to the different pastas which are usually named for the objects they resemble. For example orrechiete is shaped like little ears. From there you can learn about the face knowing that the big drinking straw pasta bucatini is from mouth or boca and that the flat spaghetti linguine comes from the word for tongue - lingua. If your tweens and high schoolers are into French , then let them create some recettes francaise.It's easy to make homemade pomme frites or French fries in the air fryer along with those delicious croque monsieur. Get creative  with this ham sandwich that also has Gruyere cheese as a layer. Add a creamy bechamel sauce or turn it into a Mornay with the addition of shredded Gruyere. This can also be applied to other cuisines like Chinese, Thai and Indian. History  can also be used in the kitchen. Delve into the back stories of such dinner favorites as pot pie or roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Explore the meanings of such classic American foods like cookies and grits  - where did they're names come from and how long they've been around.

The kitchen is a great classroom. Kids can learn math , languages and history just from one cooking lesson. Create cooking classes today for lifelong knowledge.

Stockpiling Your Kitchen

There's all sorts of strange stories out there concerning the Corona virus. One odd one is about stockpiling various food stuffs in case there are shortages. That's the strange part - what shortages, especially here in the States. Is this some kind of media made panic or should we be worried? Then there's the other question, if this is true - what do we stockpile?

There's some small buzz in grocery stores in the New York City area. I heard today that water and salt are being grabbed off the shelves at local Wal-marts in the Northern New Jersey area. Storing water is kind of strange. It's not as if our supply or local reservoirs are being threatened with bio-warfare or they're compromised. The salt makes sense, People are being told to gargle, presumably by their healthcare providers. Doing such will kill some of the virus bacteria and it will also bring the bacteria to the surface of gums, tongue and teeth. It's then should be washed out with a strong mouth wash.As far as other foods, milk and eggs are also at the top of the list. It's sort of similar to what people buy before a big blizzard with the exception of bread.The United Kingdom has a bad case of stockpile fever. Brits are clearing the shelves of their local supermarkets, fighting over pasta, rice and long life milk according to the BBC.It is obviously worse in Hong Kong where life - and trade has ground to a halt.

It hopefully isn't that bad here. We may have problems with hand sanitizer and liquid hand soap. Again, that' s understandable. Yet if we do have shortages, what do we buy to survive? The best bet is all canned foods such as canned veggies and fruits. These are versatile to use in a variety of different dishes, from omelets to stews. Despite what you've heard from some natural food advocates canned  produce can be just as nutritious and vitamin packed as their fresh versions. However, try to eat as much of the fresh stuff while you can. If you do feel a bit panicky about shortages, then freeze fresh fruit and veggies.Don't worry about it losing its' nutritional value. Fruits and veggies start breaking down after a whole year in the freezer.  Your grapes and broccoli are still OK for a week in the deep freeze. Meats are another foodstuff that can be frozen for a year or two. Cereals last six to eight months while oatmeal lasts a year and a half if you want to stockpile on them. If you're in a warm weather zone, then consider starting a veggie garden. You'll always have fresh produce which helps in fighting any illness. Also buy and plant melon seeds and berry plants.

Should we listen to the crazy rumors and start stockpiling? That's up to you. If you feel better then get a few extra cans now and then. Just don't go wild and and into a frenzy of over buying.

Celebrating Coleridge

Today is Samuel Taylor Coleridge's birthday and mine, I've always felt that the first, one of the greatest poets in the English language should be celebrated . This writer - not too much.

Birthdays now are hollow to me. No matter how much I celebrate, with all the dinners out and cake in , it's not the same without my Mom. I miss those days when she would make my favorite  - risotto Milanese , the creamy Milanese dish of arborio rice, mushrooms and, of course, saffron. Nothing will ever come as close as her delicious pot of sunny yellow rice. Imagine molten sunshine and that's what the dish looked like. One day I will make it. My cooking and baking is getting to be as good as hers - I am trying - not to brag. It's a tough legacy to handle and surpass.Yet  I am trying, Some of it is coming out good and I can imagine her saying "What a good cooker" a phrase  she took her her aunt, my great aunt who knew a  thing or two about Piedmontese cooking and was an excellent cook herself.  However back to Coleridge who , unlike his latter Romantic counterparts, Byron, Shelley, and Keats never went to Italy. They probably dined on risotto, Mr Coleridge may have had only a rice pudding. the closest he'd ever get to anything with rice.

 He did come from Devon which had excellent dairy and beef along with lamb and mutton.Maybe soon I'll celebrate STC with a proper cream tea. There's clotted cream to be had, this I can easily get from either Amazon or Myers of Keswick in New York's West Village. It's a thick cream created by heating full cream cow's milk over a hot water and steam bath. The result is a lovely, thick, yogurt , (its' origins may have come from yogurt, the Phoenicians ate during their trips to ancient Britain. They traded goods for tin mined from Cornish mines).It's mild tasting and delicious on hot English muffins and then topped with any jam or jelly. A variation of it is "Thunder and Lightening" , bread topped with it and a layer of honey. I'd go with the jam, preferably blackberry or the cherry one I bought from Cherry Republic, in Traverse City Michigan. That to me is the perfect way to celebrate this famed Devon author.

Another birthday for Coleridge and myself. I've celebrated him for years, with cream teas and clotted cream. It's time to bring out the last again and slather it on a hot , toasty English muffin.

Your Green Kitchen

Today is Earth Day, a day when we wonder how to reduce our carbon footprints and heal our planet. One way is "greening our kitchen'  making this energy sapping room into an environmentally sterling area.If you think it's hard, think again.It's simple to go green.

One of the easiest way is recycling kitchen waste. This is a good time to start a compost heap since planting season is only a week or two away. You can buy compost bins or buy them at any big box home improvement store and even Walmart. Keep the compost far away from the house  because t does give off  a funky kind of stink. To create what's known as a green compost, start with veggies and fruit. Use any leaves such as what you find on the top of strawberries along with banana peels and grape stems. These break down quickly and won't attract rats and raccoons the way baked goods and meats do (I wouldn't even put in cleaned bones because that still would attract critters. Egg shells can be added. They add much needed calcium and mineral to the blend. You can also us the shells in the soil around peppers and tomatoes. too.Coffee grinds also should go into your heap. They are loaded with nitrogen which helps the dirt. Also toss in the filters if they're biodegradable and made from natural fibers.

Another way to make your kitchen greener is by buying Energy Star appliances. Consider an Energy Star fridge if you're shopping for a new one. Make sure you get a traditional freezer top one. Fridges with freezers on the top won't suck up that much energy. Also size matters. One that is energy efficient should be between sixteen and twenty cubic feet. What about the old fridge? You could get rid of it or use it for storage in the basement or the garage. Your choice of stove also can affect the environment.Gas stoves consume less energy than electric ones.There are three types of gas burners: conventional burners with standing pilots,conventional ones with electric ignition which is the most common, and sealed burners where the burner is fused to the stove top.Another aspect to consider is the self cleaning oven. This sort is saves energy more the non-cleaning ones.What about microwaves and toaster ovens. Both  are vital to  a home chef.A microwave , surprisingly , is more energy efficient. However it doesn't toast or crisp up such leftovers as pizza and french fries. The best bet is buy both and use them sparingly.

It's easy to green your kitchen. Recycle the scraps and leftovers. Buy energy efficient appliances. You may think it's not so big a dent in healing the earth but it is. Keep on doing it for a somewhat better tomorrow.

Can Food Unite Us?

Today is Martin Luther King Day, a day for unity and inclusiveness. Unfortunately we don't have that thanks to a racist and divisive administration. That task now falls to us. How do we unite? Over a good meal or even just a coffee.

Now , more than ever we have to sit down with neighbors, coworkers, and our kids" classmates and teachers. Churches, synagogues and mosques have to gather together as well. The best way is through a meal or even a bake sale. Schools should offer Saturday luncheons or dinners where parents and kids can get together and bring up topics from bullying to prejudice. The meals don't have to be elaborate. A pot luck menu can be arranged with everyone following religious dietary laws  as well as being sensitive to vegans and those prone to food allergies.Another great food idea is that the families bring their traditional dishes so others can expand their palates. Kids can experience dal or kimchi as well as understanding why going meatless is so important to vegetarian classmates.It's also a good time to bring out the fruits and veggies and have parents start a dialog about healthier school lunches.The same idea can be applied to places of worship.It's an important  idea to expand not only the palates  of older members but  also broaden their horizons. The more they know about a religion, the less they are to judge and pigeonhole.

This same idea can be applied to the town's police forces as well.Many throughout inner cities and even some suburban towns regard the police with suspicion. It's time to come together with a lunch or dinner at a community center or school. Again, this creates an open dialog for all sorts of subjects. It also gives kids a chance to see cops not as their enemy, but as people  just like them. Towns can definitely give this a try , especially during the warmer months.Many municipalities do have a Memorial Day or Fourth of July picnic where everyone gathers over hot dogs and soda. They should have this once or twice a month  from May to October. These would  unite a town. Again volunteers can make various foods from their backgrounds to create an all inclusive internationally driven get together.A forgotten group of our society is our elderly. Nursing homes would welcome the community to come and share a meal with their residents. It also is a boost for the young because they get a first hand look at people who have made history and lived during some of its' most memorable times.

Can a meal help unite us? Most assuredly yes. It's just a question of planning an all inclusive lunch or dinner where all are invited.

The Lettuce Dilemma

We now have a food crisis in the States, Thanks to the horrid drought season out in California, letuce is becoming not only scarce but expensive.This is also happening in Britain where even tomaotes are becoming rarer and rarer.There is definitely going to be a impact on how we shop and how we eat? What can be done?

The shortage has been going on for a couple of months now, since mid-February. Many home chefs have seen it with the expensive price tags on ordinary heads.A head of iceberg lettuce is a whopping  $6.00 while romaine fetches as high as $8.00. Prices have quadrupled since the bad growing season (which can easily be blamed on global warming) in California, which has gone from severe drought to severe flooding. The wild weather swings naturally would impact lettuce's growing season along with the growing seasons of   other crops such as cauliflower and broccoli.There is now talk of an upcoming peach shortage too, thanks to a cold snap that affected  peach orchards and newly  flowering trees.Luckily the Spring planting is just starting here in New Jersey and other Eastern Seaboard states. That means locally grown greens , veggies and fruits will be ready  - and better priced in the upcoming months.

What to do in the interim, though? You can still have salad but think other veggies kale is one of the few greens that is still affordable. Use it instead of iceberg or romaine .It makes an excellent Caesar salad. Add any chicken or shrimp to turn it into a main dish. Tomato are relatively cheap now, especially the vine ripes and grape varieties. Slice them up, add chopped cilantro and garlic along with olive oil and it's a nice starter or side to chicken or steak. Onions are also inexpensive . An onion salad is another idea  is grilling them and drenching them in a vinaigrette. You can even add crispy bacon to it for some color and crunch.Fresh peppers make an excellent salad base as well. Again  use them fresh or grilled for a technicolor greens dish. Use  red, green,and yellow ones along with corn niblets for a variety of fiesta salad.Peppers and tomatoes blend together well too. Try a bell pepper and grape tomato one. with a zingy dressing.

Yes, we're in the middle of lettuce crises. Don;t be bothered by it/ They 're plenty of sub ins that you can use until the local crops start springing up.

A Thoughtful Good Friday

Good Friday is a day of reflection about life and what one should do with it. It's also a day to think about improving other's lives and the surrounding world.

One way is, as always, donating to your local food pantry .This could mean buying cans of food and boxes of cereal, but they more obvious is apportioning your garden and growing extra fruit, vegetables and even herbs This way families, especially those with children will get the nutrition, vitamins and mineral they so desperately need for growing.  There is also nothing like the taste of fresh produce to improve any dish or dessert too.

  The way to improve your world is to try to buy local and shrink your carbon footprint. Luckily, we are coming into the Spring growing and summer harvesting season. It will be easier to buy fruit and veggies from local farms and farmer's markets. Also joining organizations to help clean up land and waterways is another good deed. We can also push for turning our abandoned factories and warehouses into urban farms, where not only is there food but also jobs.

Today is a day of reflection. Think about what you can do to improve the lives and world around you. Then act on it.

The Future Of Our Imports

What will the  new administration be like for food importers and overseas growers? It's going to be a tough time however long it lasts. What should we do? That's a good question and there's not a solid answer.

This blog has stayed away from all things political - that's not my direction with it. I write about trends and recipes, nutrition and new products However with the new American administration, Americans are going to be hurt by certain bans, Our fruits and vegetables that come in from Mexico will now be higher in price thanks to our president wanting to build a wall on our border  with the Mexicans paying for it. How does that affect us?  Mexican farmers will charge more for the vegetables they grow. That means tomatoes and avocados will cost more and to many families that means going without. Some fruits such as strawberries will also be in the crossfires along with bananas and raspberries. The Chihuahua region gives the US most of it' pecans, contrary to the popular belief that they come from Georgia. Pecans are usually used in pies around the holidays so many  home chefs and bakers won't be that affected by them. Restaurants, however, do use them, namely in salads and some chicken dishes. This will increase in pricing. with the larger chains and smaller, privately owned ones.

Beer drinkers will also be affected. Corona and Dos Equis both come from there as does tequila. These along with drinks made with them, across the US will also go up in price thanks to the building of this "wall". Agave syrup, now popular with hipsters and health, will also be affected. Organic agave is expensive enough with prices ranging from eleven  dollars to fifteen may go up  in pricing starting at sixteen at the cheapest and twenty at the most expensive. If all this occurs what can we do? Luckily the US has some great summer harvests with fruits and vegetables coming in from all areas of the US. The winter will be a little more trickier. We'll have to rely on Hawaii, California, and Florida for produce. Americans will probably be returning to  using Georgia raised pecans. Since New Mexico and Arizona have the same kind of desert conditions as most of Mexico, they can be the producers of both agave syrup and even tequila.  We can also protest the wall and stop all this nonsense too.

Hopefully, this new president  will renege on his pledge to "build that wall". It will not only create animosity with the Mexicans but also hurt our trade and eating habits. He should come to his senses and realize a wall is not the answer.

A Day Of Service

Martin Luther King wanted everyone in this country to be treated equally. Sadly there is still a divide with many , including children going hungry or not getting the proper nutrition. What needs to be done is more volunteering and giving , and not just time but knowledge.

Food pantries are a great way of showing your care. If you're a retailer, grower or manufacturer then donate healthy foods such as fruits and veggies along with whole wheat breads and rolls. Many families tend to go  after what's known as "convenient foods", quick and tasty frozen food or snack foods, especially if they're on a budget. Instead, have recipes printed up with homemade recipes for everything from turkey burgers to salsa. Kids will certainly love making healthier versions of their favorite foods and snacks.Another idea is having your food pantry give out samples of  all-natural dishes and treats such as vegan chili or mango chutney. If you can get a nutritionist or nutrition professor to speak about food choices and the consequences of eating poorly. There could even be samples and fun games to emphasize the point. There could even be a kid's day, with different "lectures' aimed at various age groups , from kindergartners to high schoolers.

All of this can also be applied to senior groups and veteran's organizations.. The elderly have special nutritional needs and that needs to be reinforced. Again, any nutritionist or nutrition professor can give up a Saturday or Sunday. There could even be informative trips to the supermarket or even local farm if the audience is up to it.Even church groups can definitely benefit by this knowledge too.The last can also benefit with parishioners and volunteers chipping in to create gardens and mini orchards so fresh veggies, fruit and even herbs can be grown. Manufacturers such as Whole Foods can also be contacted  to donate organic meats and poultry, along with veggies and fruits. Use their products too, for making dinners and parties for meals and celebrations with less salt, sugar and fat. Instead of cookouts with burgers and franks, think turkey burgers on whole grain buns with fresh roasted corn and salads bathed in  vinaigrette instead of heavy mayo. Birthdays and holidays can  be celebrated with angel food cake and berries instead of an icing  drenched confection.


This is a day of service. Donate your time and knowledge in making people's lives and diets better. You 'll feel better and so will they,

Summer Support Vacation At A Soup Kitchen

Everyone tends to forget about food kitchens and food pantries when the temps go up. It's a funny concept that we have about those who need our help. We're fine about donating time and food items during the fall and winter , and ignore doing this in favor of our own pursuits come summer. Unfortunately neediness is year long.Those who needed our help and a meal in December still may need us and a plate of  home cooked goodness now.

If you have time, even a spare vacation day, you can help out at your local soup kitchen. There's always work to be done , whether prepping fruit and veggies or making sandwiches,Also  you can dispense cold drinks  for hot visitors and ice cream for their kids. Helping out is a good lesson for the your young ones too, especially for teens and tweens. It's a great way for them to use  vacation time and giving to the community. The kitchens probably need helping cleaning up along taking out garbage and dumping spoiled food. Volunteer to wash pots and pans as well as sweeping or mopping up floors.Some soup kitchens also contribute lunches to nearby preschools, (this may be more prevalent with churches  that have both ) Volunteer to make sandwiches or be a part of the breakfast program. The best part  is the smiles you'll receive.  Also suggest having weekend cookouts where families could gather for hot dogs and corn. It's a fun way of meeting people and brining the community closer together.

If you don't have time to donate, then donate your garden. So many of us wind up with overage. After all there's only so much tomato sauce to make or zucchini bread to bake. You'll not only contribute to their meals but to better nutrition too Even those bushel baskets bought at the farm or farmer's market can be halved and donated. These can also go to food pantries too, Giving families the chance to enjoy home cooked meals made with fresh and nutritious ingredients. It helps them cut back on eating processed foods and snacks too. Some stores are contributing  their unsold produce as well along with leftover breads and dairy products. Try to get your local farms involved too or have them introduce a day where those in need can shop there for half price.

Poverty is not a seasonal thing. It exists all through the year. If you can donate vacation time or some garden produce. Both will be a great summer gift.

Your Spring Snack Guide

Spring brings a lot of changes.we dress lighter, We should eat lighter and we should snack lighter as well.Those whipped cream topped hot cocoas and cupcakes may have been great as we were bulking up for the cold however they may be heavy and calorie rich  during these warm days and nights.It's time to change to less dense treats.

One of the best snacks, both in cold and warm weather is popcorn . It's a better alternative to potato chips and dip .it's full of fiber and taste, perfect for filling up during games or a day at the beach.Another plus is that's it's easy to tote around - and if you have any left over is perfect for feeding the birds.a great Saturday night snack is nachos. The winter saw them piping hot with cheese and maybe chili on them. Go light  with a homemade salsa of chopped tomatoes, jalapenos and onions. You can even use this for crackers or a fiery spin on bruschetta.English muffin pizzas were also a great Sunday night supper or snack. Sub the canned sauce for fresh chopped tomatoes and replaced the heavy mozzarella with a hearty sprinkle of Parmesan. another healthy filler is cottage cheese blended with chopped veggies. Add some broccoli florets along with cut up snow pea pods  along with a few grape tomatoes and diced onion. Add a good dahs of fresh cracked pepper and a tiny dash of sea salt for more flavoring.You can also cut up soy hot dogs and wrap crescent dough around them for a low cal version of pigs in blankets.

This is the season of first harvests. That means fresh batches of peaches , strawberries and blueberries. Eat these when you're craving something sweet. They're full of fiber and vitamins,perfect after a winter of cookies and snack cakes. Fruit can be grilled too and it can be easily turned into shish kabobs. Brush the skewered pieces with honey before you put them over the fire.The fruit of the season can also be mixed into Greek yogurt for a nice pick me up at the office.As the temps shoot up you may be tempted by ice cream or even those whipped cream topped iced coffees. They may be cooling and a treat however they are fat bombs just waiting to go off. stick with ices or low calorie ice cream treat.You can even semi freeze bananas and strawberries and then have them with  chocolate syrup and low fat whipped toppings. As for the coffee- stick to iced black for a refreshing change. You'll taste the full rich flavor of the beans that way along with being enervated. You can also q8unech your thirst with BAI all natural juices and soda They're fresh and fruity, having only five calories each.

It's spring and that means lighter fare for snacking. enjoy ,kw calories sweets and treats as the temps  rise. You'll not only feel satisfied but also rewarded with good for you snacks.

Eatt Like A Caveman

Can eating like our ancestors be good for us?Can we survive on the same grub that our distant Neanderthal Cousins chowed down on.Many think so and are thriving on the new Paleo diet and lifestyle.It is a healthier way to eat and to even live by.The question is can we give up all that good stuff that was invented between then and now. The Paleo Diet is one of the hottest diets out today.It's name come from Paleolithic as in the Paleolithic Era.this was the prehistory era of hunter- gatherers,with tools of crude axes to hack meat into manageable pieces as well as arrows and fire.The Paleo Diet consists of shellfish, meat poultry, eggs along with veggies, fruit ,roots and berries.No grains are allowed as are any nut or legume.It does encourage eating more veggies and fruits, always a good ng.There are no sugar and salts as well.Yet the Paleo Diet does have flaws.There are absolutely no grains which provide much needed fiber as well too much meat and eggs.Dairy is off the list and again this can be troublesome on so many levels.We need milk for calcium as well as for it playing an important part in weight loss.Critics also point out that the meat and fish eaten are not the same as our ancestors ate.It was not killed in the wild. The closest approximation is buying everything free range to avoid additives ,chemicals and hormones.The same can apply to the produce too.Modern day hunter gatherers have to buy all organic or grow it themselves.Another minus or plus is that you can eat when you like, and eat as little or as many different foods.This works for a single person, but not for a family. What are some of the dishes on the Paleo Diet?you can start your day with a bowl of berries, namely blueberries and raspberries jazzed up with plums and soaked almonds.The almonds get creamy overnight soaked in water so it's got this nice cream feeling.Cloves and raw coca give it zing.You can make pancakes on this diet ,thanks to using almond flour.This last luckily doesn't a bag of nuts and your food processors.You can buy small sacks of Bobs Red Mill Almond Flour at your local grocery or Amazon.Here's a question, can you serve them wiTh maple syrup because it is technically sap.You can also have eggs in olive oil as another starter.Lunch can be a salad.Add any roasted meat from pork to chicken to beef.Salad dressing can be used because it's just olive oil mixed with well fermented grapes or apples (vinegar).Spices are allowed so flavoring can be everything from cracked pepper to oregano.If you want a sweet dressing then add strawberries or blueberries.Dinner can be a stew made of meats and vegetables or roasted meat with different veggie sides.You can try a free tangle salmon flavored with lemon and thyme and a side of steamed broccoli. Another idea is an herbed roast chicken with baked potato planks. Snacks can be carrots sticks with red pepper infused olive oil.You can also try celery sticks too.One of the hardest plates to replace is dessert.After all cavemen did not binge on ice cream or bliss out on Oreos. You can make flan using eggs and coconut milk.Sweeten and flavor with lemon and honey.There are even grain free brownies that combine dates, walnuts and cocoa powder.You can also use plantains as a binder for another brownie treat. Ice cream can also be created using almond milk, fruit purees and honey. The Paleo diet may start out as a fad but it can easily grow into a lifestyle.It's eliminating modern , processed food and getting down to the prehistoric basics.It's a start in the right direction even if it is a step backwards.

A Summer Gift For A Summer Party

Party or dinner invites usually mean bringing some kind of gift to the hosts.This is easy in the winter.Colder weather means you can buy a nice cake or even brandy to the table.Candy is also welcome during the winter season. problem is you really can't bring any of these to a summer gathering.What to do? Chill.Literally.Bring gifts that are cool and refreshing. One of the best host gifts is fruit.It travels well and unlike cake, won't become warm and gooey.Many supermarkets sell fruit trays with prettily cut melon, watermelon, strawberry and even pineapple.Some supermarkets such as Stop & Shop and The A&P also include a vanilla cream or yogurt dip.This is one of my favorites to bring to any warm weather backyard party.There is such a variety that everyone gets to have their favorite.The pieces are cut the same so they're perfect for kids to nibble on.I also bring cookies, usually just the plain butter kind for added oomph.Of course, even a small watermelon is welcome.It can be easily sliced and always refreshing after a spicy barbecue.If you're bent on bringing something homemade, then stick with easy crumbles or crisps.These are great way of taking advantage of summer harvests along with being easy to prepare and bake.Another idea is making a Jello no bake or an easy cream pie using instant pudding and ready made crusts.Make the pies the night before so they're perfectly chilled for the gathering. No one can go wrong with wine.or even champagne at a summer bash.Remember to pick one that goes with the main course, whether it be fancy or plain.Try a Merlot or a Pinot Noir if the fare being served is chicken or chops?for fish or shellfish gift your hosts with a nice Sparkling Chardonney.Sauvignon Blanc makes an excellent accompaniment For lighter fare such as lemon grilled chicken or vegetables.This white also is good with salads.Just a thought, the wine also depends on if there's a barbecue sauce on the meat too.Choose accordingly with this because the last thing you want is the wine warring with the sauce's sweetness or heat.Surprisingly even hot dogs can be paired with wine(although if you want ,some good ale or hard apple cider would maybe more appreciated)Even more startling Asti Spumente would be an excellent choice with wieners and even burgers.The bubbly sweetness plays off the unami flavors of the grilled food, sort of like the way Coke or Pepsi does.You could also try a Rose ,not only with these but with nachos and dip. Go chill with summer party gifts for your host.A fruit tray or a good bottle of iced wine is always a nice way of saying thank you for the invite.They're not too fussy , only simple and good ,the way a summer gathering is.

The Hungry Of Summer

Even though it's summer, there are still the hungry and needy.So many people tend to forget them because most feel they"ll be OK.That's far from the truth.The weather may be fine, and in their favor but they still lack good and proper nutrition.Their children don"t even have the luxury of a treat of ice cream or Popsicles. Surprisingly homeless shelters are still packed in summer.Though not surprisingly the amount of volunteers decreases.If you can and have the time, then help out.If you have a garden, and fruit trees, feel free to share.Anyone would appreciate a juicy ripe tomato, and it's bursting with much needed antioxidants and vitamins.The same goes for carrots and peppers.Another kind idea is buy extra on your next trip to your local farmer's market and donate some.Also help out and cook at the shelter.Try to get local companies involved as well to donate for a barbecue.Everyone needs a fun afternoon ,full of hot dogs, homemade Cole slaw and watermelon slices. If there are kids, and there always are, then try to have a sundae bar as an extra treat or the healthier home made ice pops. Food pantries need supplies all year round.Again donate cans as well as any fresh veggies and fruits you're growing.Parents will appreciate these along with the usual canned and boxed goods.Print up recipes and vitamin charts for any fresh sauces or stuffed peppers or onions.If you're into canning , and preserving ,ask your pantry if you can donate these too as well as homemade, pasta sauces,ketchups and salsas.Any bakery owners can also give extra buns and rolls for hamburgers and hot dogs.Try to work with the pantry to ensure that there is a large variety of fresh picked fruits and veggies. Encourage your local pantry sell more fresh juices and waters which are better than all that soda and sugary teas and energy drinks.If you can arrange with farmers markets as well as with any local farms to possibly sell at cost or donate whole wheat baked goods as well as naturally processed honeys that did not sell. Hunger doesn't. Care what season it is. Neither does poverty.Help those who can't afford a meal of fresh picked veggies or a food filled barbecue.It will not only be a good day for them but for you as well.

Good Friday Lessons

today is Good Friday, one of the most solemn days of the Christian calendar.While it is a day of observance, it's also a day of reflection.Those who will have a happy food and treat filled Easter should think of others less fortunate.We may be heading into warmer weather but there are still families who need to use food banks and soup kitchens.Volunteer instead of a day at the park or beach.Donate what you can from your garden.Fresh fruit and vegetables are always needed and appreciated. This weekend, remember those who still don"t have.Keep them in your thoughts and prayers but also in your plans to help others.

Springtime Diet Time

The calendar says April and that means only one thing bikini season is just a month away.It's time to give up those heavy yet comforting winter meals ,desserts and snacks.However this isn't necessarily a bad hinge.Going on a diet means eating healthy along with other benefits.Trading lush dishes for lighter ones means more nutrients and less carbs and fats. One of the biggest changes is going to be breakfast.How many of us have started off a snowy day with pancakes,French toast ,eggs and bacon.These were great when we had to grapple with shoveling snow or sledding with the kids.The weather is warmer now and that means egg white omelets ,chock full of veggies or just plain.Use the lighter in calories turkey bacon as opposed to the pork one.Berry season will be here before you know it and you can start the day off with puffed wheat or Special K cereal topped with blueberries or sliced strawberries.Another good for you start is mixing these fruits along with peaches (which will be in abundance in another month or so) with plain Greek yogurt.You can also lighten up on your snacks too.Nix all those cookies and cupcakes that kept you going when the temps dropped .Replace them with fresh fruit which is a great mid morning or mid afternoon boost.Fruit itself is also a better pick me up than that sugary donut with a mocha latte.You can also switch beverages too.Those cappuccinos and hot cocoas were great chill chasers, but now think about light passionfruit or mint teas.These have zero calories yet provide the same boost as any syrup laced java.Also add ice to them as the temps warm up for a refreshing break. Some of the biggest dietary changes are going to be with lunch and dinner.One of the best parts of Spring cooking is that it doesn't require labor intensive recipes.Instead of spending hours making a weekend roast,you can do a light sauté with steamed veggies.Not only is this healthier for you it's also a change of pace as well.Three or four months of meat drowned in gravy can be a bit wearing on the old taste buds.This is the season for asparagus with its fresh earthy flAvor.Make it as a side,drizzled lightly with butter or Parmesan or have it as part of a main dish inside a crepe or grill it with other vegetables.Lunch is also lighter.Instead of those big hearty sandwiches or even the occasional burger, you can go light with easy to make salads and wraps.Try different variations to mix it up.Think beet salad topped with goat cheese crumbles and dried onions .Tomatoes on their own make a good salad,especially if you add rosemary and a fresh sliced onion.Another light treat is a mini salad Nicoise, made with tuna, olives and artichoke hearts.Enjoy it outside on a warm Spring day and you'll feel like you're in Provence. Spring is here and with it comes lighter ,healthier eating. Leave the heavy food behind until nextbwinter.You'll feel and look better when you're ready to try on that bathing suit,

Lenten Diets All Year Round

Lent will be starting with this Wednesday.It 's a time when Christians give up certain foods, especially meat and dairy.It's an idea that's worth looking into as a year round diet.It means more fruit and veggies along with a step towards healthier living. Most Catholics and some Protestants give up meat on Wednesdays and Fridays.Starting with a day or two without meat is a good and easy way towards veganism.After a few months you can increase meatless days to four or five and then eventually have meat days one or twice a month.Since some religions allow fish this is a good time to explore the different types put there.Try a steamed salmon(easy to do in the microwave) or tuna which can be served hot or cold.This is also a convenient time to check into the many types of soy "meats"out there.You can easily make spaghetti and meatballs using mushroom based already prepared meatballs.There's also veggie burgers and veggie dogs to try on a Friday night.The Greek Orthodox also give up dairy during the forty days leading up to Easter.This paves the way to try both soy and rice milk,along with the soy and coconut based ice creams. Many people give up a favorite food for this time of fasting.It's usually cake, ice cream and cookies.If these can be given up for just a little over a month, then they can also be given up for good.Again,Lent is an excellent time to explore healthier desserts such as fruits.These are extremely versatile too.You can end a meal with apple sauce, sprinkled with cinnamon.Another treat is grilled pineapple kabobs.Make fruit salads using all sorts of fruits in your market,along with trying new ones such as kiwis and mangoes.Snacks too are usually given up.This is good way of switching over to simple snacks like crackers and rice cakes..Also think a bout having raw veggies with a lemon or lime vinaigrette as a daytime nibble.It's filling but also light. Lent is a time of giving up favorite and lush foods.It's also a chance for a healthier diet and to change unhealthy eating habits.Following one's beliefs is not only good for the soul but for the body as well.

The Knives Are Out

Knives are the most vital and important instruments a home chef can use.They can help in cutting poultry into bite size pieces or perfectly slice roast beef.They can pare any fruit with expert precision and render whole vegetables into strips or wedges.Many cooks, however, really don't know how to use them or only rely on one.This is not good.Know your knives for a safer kitchen. One of the most popular and often used is a bread knife. This has a thick ,serrated blade, usually eight to nine inches in length.They're perfect for slicing through crusty French or Italian bread or even a loaf of challah Or stale unsliced white bread.The next popular is the chef's knife.It can be used from slicing meat to chopping vegetables. A good one one will have a bolster or a thick ring like collar where the blade joins the handle.Blade lengths vary from six inches all the way up to twelve.If you're a more involved cook then think about getting boning knives.These come in three widths to deal with the different joints and cuts.You can buy them separately or as a trio depending on your needs. For the more adventurous consider a Chinese cleaver.This is a wide bladed,narrow spined one that cuts through any meat or veggie.The wide blade allows for scooping up the food and depositing into any pot, pan or wok.I's also good for tenderizing meat and crushing garlic cloves.A regular cleaver has a much more thicker handle and can be used to chop through bones.If these are too scary or daunting to use ,then stick with the regular ones.Try a utility knife which can cut through large vegetables such as red peppers or beefsteak tomatoes.You can use it to cut through sandwich meats and some smaller beef roasts.If most of your dishes are tomato based then consider a good tomato knife or the Japaneses santoku variety.This last is as versatile as a Chinese cleaver.It can be used mostly for vegetables and fruits but can also be used for meats.It's perfect for vegans who really heavily on plant based dishes Knives are a vital part of any kitchen. Make sure you're using the right ones to ensure a better meal and personal safety.Doing such will make for easy prep for any meal ,big or small.