13 Scary Halloween Health Stats

It’s Halloween season — that festive time of year when it’s OK to collect pounds of unhealthy goodies and spend days — if not weeks — consuming them. But just how much are Americans eating and spending on Halloween each year? We’ve rounded up a few stats about this beloved, candy-crazed celebration. Warning: You’re sure to be spooked!

5 Signs You’re Over-Snacking

Snacking throughout the day is good for your metabolism and helps to prevent dramatic spikes in hunger, but it’s still possible to go overboard. So check your snacking habits: Are you an over-snacker?

5 Frozen Foods to Stock (and 5 to Skip)

Your freezer was created to preserve food for long periods of time. But filling it with junk can sabotage any healthy eating plan. Here are five items worth purchasing, and five you’re better off passing up.

5 Super-Easy Ways to Cut Calories (Without Even Thinking)

“The best diet is the one you don’t know you’re on.” Sage advice from Brian Wansink, Director of the Food and Brand Lab at Cornell University and author of Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think. Eating healthy doesn’t mean you must forsake all indulgences and subsist solely on oatmeal and salads. Instead, what if you just made a few small changes to your eating routine that could lead to gradual, sustainable results? Here are five tips to try when cooking and eating at home, inspired by Prof. Wansink’s good read.

How Often Should You Eat?

Many experts recommend eating small meals frequently throughout the day. However, a new school of thought has emerged that recommends eating larger, less frequent meals. So how often should you be eating?

How to Choose a Healthy Yogurt

These days, you can’t miss the yogurt aisle. Markets now have two, three or more cases designated to this creamy delight. But with so many choices, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and confused on which is healthiest.

5 Food Safety Rules You’re Breaking (Without Knowing It)

Skipping out on simple food safety rules may have bigger consequences than you think. Beyond resulting in a belly ache, it can have more serious outcomes for those with weaker immune systems, like young kids, pregnant women and older adults. Here are 5 food safety guidelines that most people forgo because they are busy, forget or just don’t know any better.

Guilt-Free Casseroles

These one-dish wonders are a perfect meal any night of the week. But loads of creamy canned soup, butter and cheese tend to sabotage most casseroles. Here’s how to make the comfort-food favorites with healthier ingredients.

7 Signs You’re Getting Bad Nutrition Advice

There’s tons of nutrition information swirling around and oftentimes you’re left wondering what or who you should believe. Here are 7 signs that you’re receiving bad (and sometimes even dangerous) nutrition advice.

5 Reasons You Need To Avoid GMO Food

As the medical science has been developing with the giant steps, everyone wants to know if all the products invented by scientists are truly safe for humans or not. The idea of producing food with desirable qualities such as: resistance to drought, insects, pesticides, being more nutritious and having longer shelf life led to the ‘’born’’ of genetically modified food. Since then, there hasn’t been any formation of proved conclusion and the debate raise on the disadvantages of consumption of genetically modified food. 

5 Healthy Snacks for People With (or Without!) Diabetes

Yes, you can snack if you have diabetes !!!

When your stomach starts to rumble, you need a snack that can curb your hunger without blowing your blood sugar. Just like meals, snacks should be a combination of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. Aim for one that consists of 15 to 30 grams of carbohydrates and 100 to 200 calories (depending on your meal plan and medication). Here are five that typically get a seal of approval from diabetes educators and nutritionists. 

1.Whole-grain crackers, grapes, and cottage cheese 

Nutrient-rich whole grains like cracked wheat, whole wheat, rye, and quinoa can lower blood sugar and cholesterol. The cottage cheese adds protein to stabilize blood sugar, curb hunger pangs, and provide calcium for strong bones. Buy your favorite whole-grain crackers, and make sure that the first ingredient is whole-wheat flour or another whole grain, such as rye. (Even if the ingredient list says "wheat flour," it is not a whole-grain food unless it specifies "whole-wheat flour.") Arrange on a small plate 2 crackers, 1/4 cup nonfat cottage cheese, and 1/4 cup grapes. Serving size: 2 crackers, 1/4 cup cottage cheese, and 1/4 cup grapes. 

Nutritional information—Calories: 138, Total Carbohydrate: 21.2 g (7%), Dietary Fiber: 1.5 g (6%), Sugars 11.9 g


2.Homemade popcorn 

Popcorn is high in fiber, and when made from scratch is an all-natural food without additives and artificial flavorings. Pour 1 tablespoon of mild-flavored oil such as canola into a heavy-bottomed medium-large pot. Cover the bottom of the pot with 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels spread in a thin layer. (If the kernels are too crowded, not all of them will pop.) Cover the pot and heat on medium, shaking the pot every minute or so until all of the kernels have popped. Take care not to cook too long, which could scorch the popped kernels. Sprinkle the popcorn with any of the following: 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon allspice, or 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese. Serving size: 1 cup. 

Nutritional information—Calories: 40, Total Carbohydrate: 5.8 g (2%), Dietary Fiber: 1.0 g (4%), Sugars 0.1 g

3.Apples and cheese 

Fruit is an important part of any diet, even for people with diabetes; it provides fiber and other important nutrients. Portion control is important, because fruit is naturally high in sugar. When adding fruit to your meal plan, choose fruits lower in natural sugars, such as berries, melon, and apples, and always choose smaller whole fruits (or cut larger fruits in half). The cheese adds protein to help stabilize blood sugar and curb hunger pangs, and provides calcium for strong bones. Cut and core 1 small apple into 4 wedges. Cut 1 slice of reduced-fat Cheddar cheese into 4 pieces and place on apple wedges. Serving size: 1 apple wedge and 1/4 slice cheese. 

Nutrition information—Calories: 30, Total Carbohydrate: 5.3 g (2%), Dietary Fiber: 0.8 g (3%), Sugars 3.8 g

4.Black bean salad 

Black beans are high in both fiber and protein, which help stabilize blood sugar and curb hunger pangs. Fiber can also help lower cholesterol. Tomatoes and other veggies add a variety of important nutrients as well as fiber. Rinse a 15-ounce can of lowest-sodium black beans under running water and drain well. Mix the beans in a medium bowl with 1/2 cup chopped fresh tomatoes, 1/2 cup chopped cucumber or celery, 1/2 cup chopped green-bell pepper, and 1/4 cup peeled, cubed avocado. Stir in 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, 1 clove minced fresh garlic (or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder), 1/8 teaspoon salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serving size: 1/2 cup salad.

Nutrition information—Calories: 57, Total Carbohydrate: 10.6 g (4%), Dietary Fiber: 4.0 g (16%), Sugars 1.3 g

5.Veggies and fresh yogurt dip 

Raw vegetables are rich in minerals, vitamins, and enzymes. The yogurt adds protein to help stabilize blood sugar and curb hunger pangs, and provides calcium for strong bones. Cut some fresh veggies such as carrots, celery, or broccoli into dipping-size pieces to measure 1/2 cup. (Prepare extra veggies in advance and keep in small, serving-size storage containers in the fridge for another day.) Create a simple, healthy dip by stirring together one 8-ounce carton of plain nonfat yogurt, 2 teaspoons of minced fresh dill weed (or 1 teaspoon dried dill weed), 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serving size: 1/2 cup veggies and 2 tablespoons of dip. 

Nutrition information—Calories: 31, Total Carbohydrate: 5.5 g (2% of Daily Value), Dietary Fiber: 1.2 g (5%), Sugars: 3.6 g

Cheddar Cheese Straws

Savory and rich with just a bit of a peppery bite, cheese straws are great party snacks. They're especially easy to make and travel well.

Blueberry Pomegranate Smoothie

This Super Fruit Smoothie made with blueberries and pomegranate juice is a great way to get the Antioxidants your body needs each day.

Benefits of Milk

Milk probably tops the more complete liquid food options available today and the benefits of milk are many. A lactating mother’s milk is the first food item ingested by an infant and milk has an equally important role to play in the later years of an individual’s life. Most lactating animals’ milk can be ingested and is capable of being digested by the body. Milk is obtained from various sources and the most famous source of milk is the humble cow. Buffalo milk, goat’s milk as well as sheep milk is also widely available. Camel milk, yak milk and reindeer milk are considered exotic in most parts of the world as they are available only in the regions where these animals thrive.

Honey: Is it really the bees knees?

With just as many calories as sugar, is honey really good for you? Read on to find out more.

Sharp Cheddar & Egg on Rye

Ingredients

1 large egg
2 slices rye bread, toasted
1 slice sharp Cheddar cheese
1 small apple, cored and sliced

Orange Juice Could One Day Help Prevent Cancer

Orange juice contains vitamin C and several other key nutrients, and has also been linked to a reduced risk of obesity in adults, but recently-published research suggests that it could also help prevent cancer.

Hold the Cream: 5 Vegan Substitutes That Are Just as Good

Heavy cream can elevate many dishes, but its high saturated fat and calorie content doesn’t exactly make it the healthiest option. And if you’re vegan or lactose intolerant, your meals may be lacking that distinct texture from the dairy product. Stop pining and get the creaminess back with these five vegan substitutes!

Need a Pick-Me-Up? Try This Coconut-Kale-Ginger Juice Recipe

My favorite way to start my day is with a glass of freshly pressed juice that I make at home in my kitchen with the help of my trusty juicer. Drinking all of those bright-colored, nutrient-rich fruits and veggies all at once gives me a boost of natural energy that makes me feel great and starts my day off on the right foot.

BBQ Chicken with Mango and Tropical Marinade BBQ Recipe

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken

Sparkling Cranberry Blush

Ingredients

Grilled Chicken Thighs with Roasted Grape Tomatoes

Although the tomato mixture and tangy lemon marinade

Pan-Grilled Snapper with Orzo Pasta Salad

Small rice-shaped pasta, orzo cooks quickly and soaks up flavor from the vinaigrette. Double the vinaigrette and spoon some over the top of the fish, if you like.

Hamburger Steak with Onions and Gravy

 

"An easy-to-make classic featuring tasty hamburger 'steaks' smothered in gravy and onions. Traditionally served with hot white rice or potatoes, it's a great way to dress up a pound of ground beef and you probably have all the ingredients on hand!"

Chicken Piccata

Are you looking for something simple, easy, elegant and most of all delicious? This recipe is all that. I love the simplicity of this recipe and isn’t it most often in life we find the simple things bring the most pleasure. Enjoy!

Simply inspired: Roast Chicken with Potatoes, Lemons and Capers

Roast Chicken with Potatoes, Lemons and Capers makes a flavorful, beautiful one-pot meal when paired with a salad. Recipe below.

Meyer Lemon Chicken

ingredients

 Chicken thighs (or 3 split breasts), trimmed with skin on

Grated zest and juice from 1 Meyer Lemon
¼ cup – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
⅓ cup – Dry white wine (Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc)

 Garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp – Dried Thyme leaves
1 tsp – Dried Oregano
½ tsp – Dried Rosemary, crushed

preparation
Meyer Lemon, cut into wedges
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 400ºF.

In a medium bowl, combine, Meyer Lemon zest and juice; olive oil; wine; garlic; and dried herbs.

Arrange chicken pieces skin side up in a glass baking dish or roasting pan. Season lightly with Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pour combined liquid mixture evenly over chicken. Arrange Meyer Lemon wedges between chicken pieces.

Bake, uncovered, until chicken is done — about 30 minutes. If a darker brown skin is desired, place under broiler for a minute, or two. Remove from oven; cover; allow to rest for about 5-10 minutes.

source

Fowl-mouthed inspiration: Riffing on Gordon Ramsay’s Sticky Lemon Chicken

Lemons, garlic, honey and thyme bring a lively flavor to the table quickly, for a delicious weeknight dinner. Sticky Lemon Chicken recipe below.

When children are very young, their first experiences of playing with other children are actually playing next to other children. They don’t truly interact with one another, but for them, playing side-by-side is the beginning of their social lives. There’s a school of thought in cooking that mirrors this experience, the idea that putting ingredients next to one another actually achieves some meaningful interaction among them.

Smothered Pork Chops

This rich sauce gets its velvety consistency from a flour roux, chicken stock, and a touch of half-and-half.

Ladyfingers Lay The Foundation For Simple, Elegant Dessert

For any number of reasons, you might find yourself without a dessert for your dinner party. Maybe you were too tired or maybe you thought no one would have a sweet tooth.

10 Health Benefits of Strawberries

his is one of my favorite fruits! It is delicious and has many health benefits. Here are ten great benefits of strawberries: 

1.One cup of strawberries contains only 43 calories, has fiber that helps lower blood pressure, and curbs overeating.

 2. Antioxidants: Strawberries contain chemical compounds called phenols. Anthocyanin, a particular phenol abundantly found in strawberries, lends the rich red color to the fruit. Strawberries also contain vitamin C, folate, and the flavonoids, quercetin and kaempferol.