Your Favorite Superbowl Snack

Sunday  is the biggest party day  since New Year's Eve.Its the Super Bowl (along with the Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games). There will be all sorts of amazing foods  from crunchies to chili being served on Sunday night.

The question is what is your favorite? Are you excited about the fiery wings? The sliders full of fried onions and cheddar? Or is the sweeter side? The goal post brownies? Cupcakes in team colors? Mine has to be Acme's football cake. This is a vanilla one baked in that classic football oblong and of course decorated with chocolate icing. For some reason this signifies the game to me more than anything.

Let us know what  appetizers and treats you'll be cheering for when the Seahawks play the New England Patriots.

Last Minute Super Bowl Party Dishes

 Tomorrow is one of the biggest days  of the season for football fans. Yet thanks to all the precautions, many fans are having impromptu parties, inviting over only a close few. That means getting some good party grub together in a hurry. Don't worry. There are plenty of dishes.

You can never go wrong with wings. It's even better if you have an air fryer to quickly cook them. You can easily go with Tyson's already prepared wings. This saves the time of having to prep them or going out for specific spices.There are also chicken strips which are perfect with a variety of easy to make dipping sauces. Add some hot sauce to ketchup for a zingy flavor or toss in a dollop of honey to mustard for a good home made honey mustard sauce.Vegans can go with Impossible Chicken's plant based nuggets. What goes with these? Try Tater Tots in with a cheese sauce. Again these are made tastier by crisping them up in the air fryer. The cheese can be melted in the microwave. Use Velveeta which melts nicely. Save the cheese sauce for warmed pretzel nuggets. Sliders always are a fast and popular party favorite. White Castle has the frozen ones complete with buns as does Gardein with their vegan chicken ones. You can also make mini patties using ground beef and instant onion soup mixed together .For extra flavor layer on cheese and bacon.  Serve on Hawaiian rolls.

Those Hawaiian rolls are also good at creating a wide range of sandwiches. It's super simple to get a wide array of cold cuts and cheeses for a make your own sandwich. Have bowls of extras such as sliced pickles, tomatoes , lettuce and peppers. Set out bowls, of ketchup, mayo and mustard too. A bit more elegant offering is a charcuterie board.Include salami, prosciutto and mortadella along with a  couple of loaves of Italian bread. Let guests slie the thicknesses they want. Also have a good smattering of cheeses. Provolone is a good choice because it pairs well with the salume and cheeses but you can also have some cheddars and spreadable cheeses like Brie and Camenbert. You can set out a pretty array of different crackers to go with the cheeses too along with cornichons, , pickled peppers and black and green olives. What's a Super Bowl party without chips , salsa and guacamole? Homemade salsa is easy to whip up as is guacamole.Use fire roasted tomatoes for a richer flavor along with chopped onions and green peppers. The guac can be made with tomatoes and onion powder. drop in some lemon juice to keep it from turning brown.

These dishes can be put together in an instant for a last minute Super Bowl Party. They're fun ways of celebrating without hours of cooking or prepping. Try them and let the game begin!!

Healthy Weekend Treats

Now that weekends are the only carefree, fun days , it's time to go wild with eating and snacking. Not too wild, though. There are some dishes and meals that are not only good to eat but good for you.It's easy to create a  fun, snacky meal or dessert loaded with vitamins, nutrition and flavor . It's just picking the right ingredients.

Pizza is always a weekend must.It's fun to make at home especially with toppings and a chewy crust. Make it healthier version using cauliflower as the crust. This is perfect for kids who have gluten and wheat allergies.It's just pulsing a cauliflower head and then steaming it for fifteen minutes.It's then stirring in an Italian cheese blend along with an egg for binding .You could also sub in coconut flour for the Italian cheese blend. As for toppings, think wholesome and fun. Sliced olives and onions are a great combo. Another fun idea is taking yellow, green, and red peppers and julienning them in a crisscross pattern.If your family does want meat , then think soy pepperoni for a more nourishing bite. You could also crumble fake or soy bacon  right before serving for crunch.If there's a party or team get together, then think about making mini or bite size pizzas.Serve these with another healthy nosh  portobello mushrooms. You'll have to get the smaller or baby ones. It's then rubbing them with a spicy dry rub before cooking . They can be grilled on an outdoor grill on an indoor one. If you have the time bake whole wheat slider buns along with having a fillings bar full of fun veggies such as avocado wedges and sliced cherry tomatoes.

Weekend treats always include some kind of sweet. Kids love a good sundae. Give them the same amount of excitement, without all the sugar and fat.Sub in banana "ice cream" for the real deal. This is just slicing bananas and then placing them in sandwich bags.These are then put in the freezer overnight and then the next day, they're pureed ,using a food processor. The result is a creamy , frozen dairy like treat that can blended with peanut butter or cocoa powder. Top with a healthy refined sugar free chocolate sauce using chopped dates, almond or cashew milk and cocoa powder. The sauce is made by blending the dates and milk together in a blender and cooking over a low flame til thickened. One and a half teaspoons of cocoa powder is added for the flavor. This sauce can also be used in sodas, malteds and milkshakes too.Another fun idea is an ice cream less sundae. Use a variety of different fruits, such as strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. Layer with the homemade chocolate sauce and a non dairy topping you can easily make with coconut milk and vanilla.You could also bake healthy versions of Oreos , chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies. It's just using unrefined sugar and spelt or whole wheat flour.Include the kids in this too to  acclimate them to healthy baking.

Weekends are meant for fun and eating. Yet it doesn';t mean to go hog wild with sugars , carbs and fats. Make healthy and fun treats. It's easy to give the kids something exciting and nourishing.

New Spins On An Ancient Holiday

Tonight starts the ancient holiday of Hanukah, the festival of lights. it's a time of presents , games and most importantly feasting. Many used tried and true family recipes, but there's nothing wrong in trying them with fresh spins.

Lakes are always associated with this Jewish holiday. The oil that they're fried in has come to symbolize the miracle of the oil lasting in the temple for eight days (hence the eight branches of the menorah too). The recipe is a basic one, using shredded potatoes, usually Yukon Gold and grated onions.  You could sub in any root vegetable for the spuds. Try parsnips for a different spin. They  have a sweet carrot like flavor that would go well with sour cream or even apple sauce.Even turnips can be used for the tasty treats, just remember to use the smaller ones. Larger turnips tend to have a woody taste while the smaller ones have a sweet pleasant taste. Both can be combined with potatoes for a mellower taste Another idea is sweet potato latkes. Add cinnamon and brown sugar to the recipe to make them more of a dessert treat..As for the sour cream itself, you could jazz it up with a small dab of wasabi or cayenne pepper. For a milder flavor, try a drizzle of dark lavender infused honey. Looking for less calories? Then sub in Greek yogurt which has a lighter, cleaner taste than pure sour cream. A fancier idea is creme fraiche. For more decadence, top with a small sliver of salmon or a tiny teaspoon of caviar.

For a bigger crowd think brisket. It's versatile and can be prepared in a variety of different ways. Serve it slow cooked in Coca-Cola. The soda's sweetness is tempered by the addition of  ancho chili powder and paprika as well as red wine.If this may be too sugary, then think coffee braised. This does have some sweetness too, but it's only a quarter of a cup of brown sugar to two cups of brewed coffee.For a fun Hanukah party consider brisket sliders. These are easy to make, with shredding the meat and mixing it with a spice infused tomato puree.These can also be grilled  like barbecue, with a sweet sauce thanks to one made with honey. Cayenne pepper and smoked paprika stop it from being too candylike. Any form of brisket can be served with the latkes for a heartier meal. How to finish ? With the Israelial Hannukah specialty  - sufganiyot, or jelly doughnut. It's usually filled with raspberry or strawberry jelly, but any other flavor will do. Another fun twist is adding cocoa powder to the dough . Filled with a rich jam or marmalade, this makes a decadent holiday treat. You could even dust the doughnuts with cocoa powder after frying.

Hanukah is the festival of lights . Make the holiday brighter with tasty latkes or brisket, Make it sweeter with homemade sufganiyot. Enjoy these new twists for an ancient holiday.

Touchdown For Healthy Eating

Everyone goes wild during the Super Bowl weekend. There's tons of goodies , both savory and sweet to sample and munch on/ Unfortunately most are the wrong choices.The best bet is eating healthy. You'll feel as good as when your team wins.

Veggies are always a wise choice. Luckily every party usually has a crudité platter. Fill up on celery and carrots, because these are the most satisfying. Grape tomatoes are also a wise choice  too and fun to pop into your mouth. Instead of  immersing that stalk or floret in whatever dip offered just do a tiny scoop to get the flavor. Another way of eating healthy veggies is offering to bring the vegetable platter. That way you can also bring the dip and control what goes in it.. If you're hosting  then go for a Greek yogurt based dip. You can add minced onions to create a very healthy onion dip. For fire whip in cut up jalapenos and a few drops of hot sauce. One of the healthiest dips is guacamole. Load it with fresh onion and tomato  with a dash of lime juice. Serve with whole wheat chips or baked potato chips. Pretzels can also be dipped in these sauces too. Football fans love anything cheesy  however this isn't always a heart healthy choice.Try the low fat or even soy kind . Both can be had in several different flavors, from Monterey Jack to mozzarella.You can even make mini grilled cheese sandwiches or English  muffins pizzas with them.

One of the staples of any football party is wings. These are usually over fried , soaking in grease  and a soggy bread coating.Sometimes one wing is a whopping 800 calories thanks to all the battering and frying.. Aim for healthy here. Try oven baked  after a soak in a flavorful marinade. As for the dip, again use Greek yogurt for a better ,low fat and low calorie one. Sliders are another Super Bowl party must have.These are tasty and they do go down fast. Make them healthier by subbing in turkey or soy instead of beef. If you have to have beef sliders, then be judicious with toppings. Stick with veggies like a tomato and pickle slices. Stay away from the mayo and slather on mustard or ketchup. If you're making them then top either turkey or soy bacon and soy cheese .Another choice is grilled veggie sliders filled with eggplant and asparagus  along with sliced beefsteak tomatoes and onions.. Most parties end with a football shaped cake or themed cupcakes. Try a chocolate fondue instead , using dark chocolate for the dip and fun fruit chunks like pineapple  or , apples .Even chunks of low fat angel food cak can be dunked in . Spiced grapes are another nice ending. Roll wet grapes in cinnamon and nutmeg and let set in the fridge for half an hour.

Score a winning touchdown for your heart by eating healthy at this year's Super Bowl party You'll feel better too by sticking with low calories snacks and sweets. It's a win win situation.

Snacks For Dinner

Let's face it, sometimes you need a fun dinner to end a lousy day . what better than some snack food Nothing is more fun than pizza or nachos and chicken wings certainly can add excitement to a late fall night.Best of all you can make it as healthy -recommended - as you want .It is supposed to be fun, and snacky after all.

One of the easiest snack dinners to make is pizza.You could cheat and order from your favorite pizzeria or pop a frozen one into the oven. Try an English muffin or pita bread based one instead. The sauce could be a jarred premade pizza one or take some fresh sliced plum tomatoes for a kind of margherita. Choose a low salt mozzarella or try a sprinkle of Parmesan. Toppings can be decadent  such as traditional pepperoni or load it up with bacon and ham. Veggies such as broccoli and onions are great scattered on top but you can also have a good dollop of anchovies for a real salty treat. Nachos, that late night go to can be made dinner ready by adding pulled chicken or chili beef. Whip up an easy guacamole along having sour cream  or if you want it a tad healthier , use plain Greek yogurt. Tacos or taquitos are another fun snacky dinner. You can make them with a variety of different meats, from pork to cod. Also the kids can stuff them silly with guacamole and sour cream.

Kids love sliders as do their folks. Instead of making boring hamburgers, shrink them down and make mini ones. Use ground beef and add chopped onion or even chili powder for some added zing. Use the smaller and squarer Hawaiian rolls  because they make for the perfect slider. Pile them up with tomatoes, pickles , gherkins and different kinds of lettuce. Pile on bacon and cheese for a tiny cheeseburger or add some ham and pepperoni for a meat lover's burger. You can also use the Hawaiian rolls for pulled chicken or pulled pork sliders too,Baked mac is always a treat but you can also used the leftovers for fried mac bites. Divide the back mac into bite size pieces and then first dip in flour. The second bath will be in bated egg and the third and final will be bread crumbs or even you want more crunch, Japanese  panko crumbs . You can use  deep fryer or a skillet to fry them up. Serve plain or with a spicy  mustard for added zest.

The days are long and hectic. Put some fun into your evening meals by serving snack food for dinner. It'll bring a smile to everyone's face when they sit down to enjoy supper.

Making Food Cool

There's a reason why ten to twelve years olds are called tweens. It doesn't so much have to do with age but the fact they're between listening to their moms and dads and heeding the dietary advice of their friends. What may be healthy and good to the folks may be icky and disgusting to them. What to do to insure good nutrition and keep their eating habits healthy? Make food cool.

As kids grow and enter middle school, they tend to assert their independence in a variety of ways. Most times it's how they eat. There's nothing better than hanging out at the mall and grabbing a burger there. Hopefully they've learned from all those nutrition classes and nix the accompanying fries and cola, but they don't. If you want , make your dinner or even Saturday lunch as tasty as mall meal. Think about serving sliders those fun mini hamburgers. Instead of beef, sub in turkey or spicy bean veggie burgers. Another fun idea is pulled chicken tacos. Shred cooked chicken with a healthy tomato salsa. Have the kids pile on beans , onions and guacamole or avocado slices for a more nutritional variation.

Kids love pizza.It's just that simple. However they're probably munching on the greasy oily stuff at the local pizzeria.Surprise them and yourself with a home baked  whole wheat one. You can add cheese  to it but you can also have an old fashioned kind with fresh chopped tomatoes along with some other veggies rich in antioxidants. Think about making individual ones that your tweenies can enjoy.Grilled chicken , usually considered an "adult dish" can be made kid friendly as well. You can cut it into bite sized pieces and serve over pasta.it's also good over a flavored rice which is a kid favorite. To broaden their palates , add saffron to it along with almonds for a more exotic spin. You can also have the chicken with sweet potato plank fries  and a garlicky mayo dip.

Tweens are probably the most discriminate of all eaters. Get them fired up over eating by making food cool again.They'll have not only tasty food but healthier meals.

Super Healthy Super Bowl

Tomorrow is one of America's biggest food days after Thanksgiving.  That means everyone from New York to LA , from Maine to Hawaii are going to be stuffing themsleves silly. It's a day when calories and pounds are crazily packed on. However Super Bowl Sunday can be  a day to be careful and eat with a watchful eye.

Most fans don't realize that they can have just as much fun with some healthy choices as they can with unhealthy ones.For example, that staple wings can be even better for you if they're baked or roasted. You do  have to use olive oil for moisture but that's it. The result is even better than fried wings  with tender meat and a crispy skin coating.Another Super Bowl must have are sliders. Most foodies love theirs  made from pure beef or pulled pork on buttered and toasted rolls. A much healthier alternative is turkey burger or pulled chicken. Of course you can sub in veggie burgers and there is even a vegan version of pulled pork that tastes exactly like the real thing. Sub in  unbuttered whole wheat buns for white for more goodness.

Most fans would agree that pizza is one of the best heart healthy foods to eat during any game. Yes and no.  Pizza can be healthy if the toppings are roasted veggies or even chicken. However everyone loves theirs piled with pepperoni and sometimes steak. Some companies and privately owned pizzerias offer ones with double stuffed crusts that ar e just super  loaded  with cheese. Keep the game pizza simple, with an option of onions , peppers and mushrooms as toppings. A pie also tastes better with extra sauce as opposed to extra cheese. Also suppliment that slice with salad. You won't reach for a third or fourth slice if you have greens with the first or second.

Tomorrow is a big food day however make it a healthy eating day. Make choices that are winning. You'll score one for the home team your body if you do.

A Healthier Party Time

The school year has been in full swing for a month now and that means one thing: parties. Every little kids wants a party to outdo their class mates. The question is can you give your little darling something that' s not only tasty and fun but also healthy too? The answer is yes!

Kids can be fussy eaters, especially when you try to push something nutritious on them. If it's green its obscene is usually their rule.. However you can actually make your birthday honoree and guests like veggies. Cut up broccoli and cauliflowers into dippable pieces and also have pitted black olives along with grape tomatoes and carrot sticks. You can serve them with a fun ranch dressing or even an onion dip made from onion soup and plain Greek yogurt. Another idea is whipping up healthy sliders. Try quartering veggie or turkey burgers and serving them on whole wheat slider rolls. Slice up sweet potatoes julienne style and bake in your oven with some olive oil and sea salt for a great and crunchy side.

All birthday parties call for cake or cupcakes of some sort. What you can do to make the treats healthier is bake your own cakes using unbleached flour . Use the King Arthur brand which also has gluten free flour as well. You can create a variety of healthier sweets with them, including cookies, brownies and even candies.. As for icing, you'll still have to make one using confectioner's sugar . However the frosting becomes healthier with subbing in Greek yogurt for cream or butter.You can decorate not with sprinkles and chocolate chips but with raisins along with dried cranberries and blue berries.Another fun idea for the tween set are fruit kabobs, where you can alternate pineapple chunks with strawberries and bananas slices.

Your little one's birthday party can be both fun and nutritious. Ditch the salty, greasy stuff and bring in fresh veggies. End with a healthy cake with even healthier icing.It's a great way of celebrating not just another year but a year of eating right!

Add Spark To Your Barbecue

Memorial Day is the official start of grilling season. It's a time when people go to the traditional for their parties and picnics. Yet the problem is that it's the same old burgers and dogs year after year. There is some variety when chicken or fish is add but that's it. Then there's the boring salads. This is the year to add some spark to your barbecue.

Instead of buying those frozen meat patties being passed off as burgers get fresh ground beef. You can make your own hamburgers and ratchet them up a few notches. Put a ball of garlic butter in the middle of each one for a tender, savory bite. You can also form the meat into smaller patties to create sliders. Supermarkets are selling slider buns so you dont'have to worry about finding the right roll for them. As for chicken, you can try pulled chicken sandwiches. Shred the meat after grilling and add barbecue sauce for tasty alternative to barbecued wings and legs. Try these meats over a pizza made on your grill. Companies such as Williams and Sonoma sell what's known as a pizza stone that can be put over a grill.

If you're tired of making time honored slaws and salads then mix them up a bit. Throw in a dollop of spicy horseradish to cole slaw for some bite and dash. Guaranteed guests will love it. As for potato salad nix the mayo and add oil and vinegar. Add grape tomatoes instead of celery and some finely chopped salami for an Italian spin. Macaroni salad doesn't have to be yawn inducing either. Mix it with Italian dressing and throw in some broccoli and cauliflower florets.

Barbecues can be a culinary treat if you add oomph to them! Don't settle for the traditional. Make it an out door gourmet dining time!