Learn the Correct Way To Control Carb Intake

For Americans who want to control their carbs, learning how to consume "good" carbohydrates in balance with a variety of proteins and "good" fats can be confusing. 

To help people understand the science underlying this nutritional approach, "Atkins for Life," the book that set the gold standard for controlled-carbohydrate lifestyles, provides clear and complete explanations of how carbohydrates, protein and fat function in the body. 

This resource, now available in paperback, contains an extensive meal-planning section with 125 recipes for everything from appetizers to desserts, snacks, entrees, soups, salads and sauces, along with 200 meal plans at various levels of carbohydrate intake.

Charts throughout the book provide information on "good" and "bad" carbs; the order in which carb foods should be added back into meals; the Atkins Glycemic Ranking (showing which carbs can be eaten regularly, which occasionally, and which rarely and in small amounts); and how to count carbs in individual foods. It also includes a restaurant guide to help Atkins enthusiasts choose the right foods when dining out.

The following recipe from the Atkins Kitchen takes a traditional dessert and adds a subtle and natural coconut flavor that really shines through in this slightly sweet ice cream. Pair it with sugar-free chocolate syrup mixed with a drizzle of rum for a tropical treat.

COCONUT ICE CREAM

(Makes 8 servings)

6 egg yolks 

14 packets sugar substitute 

2 cups heavy cream 

1 (13.5-ounce) can unsweetened

coconut milk 

2 teaspoons coconut extract 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut, lightly toasted 

In a medium bowl, whisk yolks and sugar substitute to combine. In a medium pot, bring heavy cream to a simmer over medium-low heat.

Slowly pour 1 cup cream into the yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Pour yolk mixture back into pot. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat. Stir in coconut milk, coconut and vanilla extracts. Chill 4 hours. 

Pour ice cream mix into ice cream maker. Process according to manufacturer's directions. About 5 minutes before ice cream is finished, add the toasted coconut.

Nutritional information per serving: 6 g carbohydrates, 4.5 g net carbohydrates, 1.5 g fiber, 4 g protein, 32 g fat, 326 calories.

Laura Bush's Vegetable Soup Recipe

Here's Laura Bush's secret vegetable soup recipe.

Here's the ingredients you will need for this vegetable soup recipe:

1-1/4 cups pinto beans, soaked overnight and drained 

1 tsp. salt 

1 bay leaf 

1 tsp. dried oregano 

1 lb. tomatoes, fresh or canned, peeled, seeded, and chopped; juice reserved 

2 ancho chilies 

1 lb. mixed summer squash 

4 ears corn (about 2 cups kernels) 

1 tsp. ground cumin 

1/2 tsp. ground coriander 

2 tbsp. corn or vegetable oil 

2 yellow onions, cut 1/4 inch squares 

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 

2 tbsp. red chili powder, or more to taste 

8 ozs. green beans, cut into 1-inch lengths 

4 ozs. jack or muenster cheese, grated 

1/2 bunch cilantro leaves, roughly chopped 

Whole cilantro leaves for garnish

Here's how to cook vegetable soup recipe: 

Cook the pre-soaked beans for about 1 to 2 hours in plenty of water with the salt, bay leaf and oregano. Remove them from the heat when they are soft but not mushy, as they will continue to cook in the stew. Drain the beans, and save the broth. Prepare the tomatoes. Open the chili pods and remove the seeds and veins; then cut the chilies into narrow strips. Cut the squash into large pieces. Shave the kernels from the corn.

Heat the oil in a large skillet, and saute the onions over high heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Lower the heat, add the garlic, chili powder, cumin and coriander and stir everything together. Add a little bean broth, so the chili doesn't stew for 5 minutes. Stir in the squash, corn, green beans, and chili strips along with the cooked beans and enough broth to make a fairly wet stew. Cook slowly until the vegetables are done, about 15 or 20 minutes. Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning. Stir in the cheese and chopped cilantro, and garnish with whole leaves of cilantro.

Serve with cornbread or tortillas. A great one-dish meal if you have a garden or have just visited the Farmer's Market.

Juicy Campari Tomatoes Recipe

Any way you slice it, nothing tastes as fresh as a juicy, ripe tomato. Now fresh-from-the-vine flavor is available year-round in Campari tomatoes, a new variety that is changing the way people think about tomatoes.

Perfectly round, about the size of a golf ball and deep red in color, the Campari is greenhouse-grown and is quickly becoming America's favorite tomato.

The tomatoes are sold in clusters on the vine to ensure peak freshness and flavor; their smaller size also make them an ideal snacking tomato. 

To ensure maximum flavor, leave tomatoes on the vine after purchase and always store at room temperature; refrigeration permanently alters tomato flavor.

It's easy to add fresh flavor to your favorite foods. Toss diced Campari tomatoes with cubes of mozzarella, fresh basil and balsamic vinegar. Or finish an egg scramble with sliced Campari tomatoes for an extra burst of lycopene in the morning.

The following salad is perfect to bring to any casual gathering: 

Campari Tomato Penne Salad with Gorgonzola

Preparation Time: 20 minutes Serves: 6

• 8 oz. penne pasta
• 1 pkg. (6 oz.) baby spinach leaves
• 6 Campari tomatoes, seeded and diced
• 1 pkg. (4 oz.) crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted

Direction:

1. Cook and drain pasta according to package directions.

2. Place hot pasta, spinach, tomatoes, cheese, salt and pepper in large mixing bowl; drizzle with oil and vinegar. 

3. Toss gently until combined; sprinkle with pine nuts just before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Juicing Beets Recipes

This is my article dedicated to juicing beets recipes. 

Frankly, I love the things, and I really find, I don’t know if it’s just me, but every time I feel tired or I feel a cold coming on, juicing beets really helps me. Maybe it’s a placebo thing. I don’t care. I’m making an article especially for that special vegetable in my life.

So here of some stats of said vegetable; 

Beets contain calcium, iron, sulphur, potassium, beta-carotene, choline, and vitamin C.

They are high in manganese, an important mineral for brain function.

Beets are also high in minerals that strengthen the liver and gall bladder, and are the building blocks for blood corpuscles and cells. 

Beets are famous for their ability to cleanse the blood.

Beet juice is super concentrated so I’d strongly advise you dilute it with water or other juices.

Purchase firm, rock-hard beets. Being a root, they can be stored for months in the refrigerator. 

Juicing beets recipes:

Carrot, spinach and beets

4 carrots

beet with greens

5 - 6 leaves of Romaine or other leaf lettuce

3 - 4 leaves of spinach

Scrub organic carrots or peel the carrots if they are not organic. Clean and cut beet into slender wedges, and wash & dry lettuce and spinach leaves. Juice half of the carrots, and the beet, and then you may use the remaining carrots to help push the lettuce and spinach through the juicer. 

Power punch

Juice 1 small beet. 

Juice 1 pear. 

Juice 1 Fiji apple. 

Juice a small piece of ginger 2 inches max. 

Juice 2 inches of salsify root. 

Juice 4 individual celery stalks. 

Juice 10-12 carrots. 

Juice 1 small parsnip. 

Sweet beets

5 Carrots

1 Apple

1/2 Beet

Refresher

4 Ounces of Raw Beet (with leaves)

3 Ounces of Raw Cucumber

9 Ounces Raw Carrot

Enjoy!

Healthy Entertaining The Sweet Benefits Of Raisins

Party food doesn't have to be fattening. There are a number of festive, delicious-and healthful-dishes you can serve at parties and get-togethers. For instance, dishes prepared with California raisins are tangy, flavorful and provide numerous health benefits. California raisins are loaded with vitamins, minerals, powerful anti-oxidants, potassium, vitamin B6, and they are also fat- and cholesterol-free. Here is a sampling of easy-to-prepare dishes perfect for a party.

• Dinner Parties-Liven up your next gathering with Sweet and Spicy Jerk Chicken.

• Cocktail Parties-Raisins, Red Onions and Wine-seared Scallops are easy to make, full of flavor and always a crowd-pleaser.

Getting hungry? Try this recipe for Tropical Shrimp Cocktail:

Tropical Shrimp Cocktail

Dressing

Juice of one lime

Juice of one orange

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 small jalapeno pepper; seeded, deveined and minced

2 tablespoons finely diced red onion

Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground pepper

Shrimp Salad

16 large cooked, peeled and deveined prawns (size 16/20)

1/3 cup California golden raisins

1 cup diced fresh pineapple

1 ripe mango, diced

1 firm-ripe avocado, diced

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

2 tablespoons chopped mint

Lime wedges; for garnish

Dressing

Whisk ingredients together and season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until needed.

Shrimp Salad

In a medium mixing bowl, toss the prawns with 2 tablespoons of the dressing to coat and set aside. Add remaining salad ingredients except for lime wedges to the bowl and toss with remaining dressing. Cover and chill well.

Divide the chilled fruit mixture among 4 stemmed cocktail glasses or small bowls. Top with the prawns (4 or more per serving) and garnish with wedges of lime.

Salad ingredients should be prepared up to 1 hour in advance and refrigerated until ready to serve.

Serves: 4

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

Calories 240 (44% from fat); Total Fat 14g (sat 1g, mono 6g, poly 1g); Cholesterol 45mg; Protein 7g; Carbohydrates 33g; Fiber 7g; Iron 2mg; Sodium 55mg; Calcium 38mg.

Serve this Tropical Shrimp Cocktail as a refreshing starter or main course.

Healthy Chicken Recipes

People strive to find recipes that provide delicious and healthy food. Health-conscious people focus on preparing low-fat dishes that are delicious and easily prepared. Chicken is an excellent source of protein and at the same time low in fat. Using healthy chicken recipes will significantly lower the blood cholesterol, thereby improving your overall health and fitness level. People love this versatile meat, which can be prepared in various lip-smacking forms.

Be it a healthy chicken salad or any other chicken recipe, choosing the right chicken for your dish is very important .If you opt for the cheap battery-reared chicken, you will get a greasy and stringy dish with a flat taste. These chickens are fed on a high-calorie diet that gives them a lot of fat but no muscle. On the other hand, choosing an organic chicken will give you firm and full-flavored meat. Organic birds are raised on a better diet and roam free under better and more humane conditions. This chicken will obviously cost more but will give you better taste and quality. 

To further decrease the level of fat, you can trim off some areas, especially on the thighs, and enjoy a healthier meal. You should never leave raw chicken at room temperature. To prevent contamination, always wash chicken with cold water. Store it in the coldest part of the refrigerator and use within two days. Similarly, cooked chicken shouldn’t be left out for more than two hours. Frozen chicken can easily sit in your freezer for one year without any harm.  

A little creativity in your kitchen can whip up new low-fat and healthy chicken recipes for your entire family. If you cannot find a particular ingredient, try replacing it with some substitute and see the all-new dish prepared exclusively by you. While preparing food, follow basic safety rules and avoid accidents in your kitchen. This will ensure you safely prepare tasty meals for everyday consumption focused towards a healthy and long life.

Healthful Dining At Your Desk

Many of us eat more food at work than we do at home simply because working hours span mealtimes and snack times. We grab breakfast foods from home or pick up something to eat at our desk. Lunch comes from a brown bag, the cafeteria or a restaurant. For some, snacking helps break up the afternoon and boosts energy levels for the rest of the workday.

Breakfast at your desk should be convenient, tasty, nutritious and mess-free. A quick rule: Include whole grains, dairy and a fruit. One option is yogurt (dairy) topped with Whole Grain Total® (whole grain) and diced peaches (fruit). A muffin made with whole grain cereal, along with milk and a banana, is also satisfying and easy to eat.

Packing lunch takes little time and allows you to choose what you want to eat. "Peel and wash vegetables, rinse and spin lettuce, slice cheese and fill water bottles on Sunday for the entire week," says Dayle Hayes, R.D., a nutrition consultant and author in Billings, Mont. "Wrap single servings of luncheon meats in plastic wrap, label and freeze. In the morning, use the frozen meat for a sandwich. It should be defrosted by lunchtime." Hayes also suggests preparing a couple extra servings when you're making dinner so that you have lunch leftovers.

Food safety is essential to prevent spoilage. Pack breakfast and lunch with cold packs if a refrigerator is not available. Heat chili, soup and other hot foods until very hot; then pack in a clean, insulated container warmed with boiling water. Open only when ready to eat.

Snacks may be the most difficult, and resisting the lure of office goodies can be a challenge. Hayes recommends stocking your desk with nutritious, nonperishable snacks. If you have been told to eat less sodium to help control your blood pressure, limit snack foods that are overly salty. Area grocery or health food stores may offer more lower-sodium choices. 

Banana-Wheat Muffins 

Streusel 

1 tablespoon Gold Medal® all-purpose flour 

1 tablespoon packed brown sugar 

1 tablespoon butter or margarine, softened 

1/3 cup slightly crushed Whole Grain Total® cereal 

Muffins 

3/4 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium) 

1/2 cup milk 

3 tablespoons packed brown sugar 

3 tablespoons vegetable oil 

1 egg 

11/4 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour 

21/4 teaspoons baking powder 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

11/4 cups slightly crushed Whole Grain Total® cereal 

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Grease bottoms only of 12 regular-size muffin cups. Stir together streusel ingredients until crumbly; set aside. 

2. In large bowl, stir together bananas, milk, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, oil and egg. Stir in 11/4 cups flour, baking powder and salt just until flour is moistened; stir in 11/4 cups slightly crushed cereal. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full. Sprinkle streusel evenly over batter in muffin cups. 

3. Bake about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Easy Organic Recipe

Purchasing organic foods is a rapidly growing trend in the U.S. and all signs say that going organic is no passing fad. Today, a majority of Americans (74 percent) purchase organic food and beverages because they believe it is healthier-and safer-for themselves and their families. Recent evidence suggests that organically grown crops contain higher levels of vitamin C, polyphenols (naturally occurring antioxidants) and some minerals. Just as important to many families is the fact that organic fruits and vegetables are never grown with synthetic chemical fertilizers, pesticides or growth regulators. People feel safer without these chemicals in the produce they eat.

Growing your own organic produce has never been easier. In fact, organic growing can be as simple as planting seeds in a pot or two in the backyard or even on your kitchen windowsill. Before you know it, your own fresh and fragrant, homegrown vegetables and herbs will be ready for the dinner table. No compost piles or expert growing skills required--only seeds, soil, water and a little nurturing. 

Here are a few easy tips on how to get started:

Windowsill Growing. You can begin growing your own organic food right on your kitchen windowsill. Seeds of Change offers a variety of options to get you growing, including 100% Certified Organic seeds grown by a network of family-owned, certified organic farmers. Start with a Windowsill Salad Kit-then graduate up to growing other vegetables like mouthwatering tomatoes or piquant peppers. 

Hydrate! Remember to water, but don't soak your pots. Water from the top, but avoid wetting the foliage on your plant to minimize the chance of plant disease.

From Seed to Plate. For many gardeners, organic gardening begins with 100% organic seeds and ends with an organic feast. Regardless of how you begin, you will be enjoying the "fruits" of your labor in no time. Here's a great salad recipe you can make from a windowsill salad kit: 

Greek Salad

Ingredients:

4 ounces Mesclun salad greens

1 cucumber; sliced into discs

4 ounces tomatoes; bite- sized pieces

1/2 red onion; thinly sliced

4 ounces pitted Kalamata olives; cut in half

2 ounces Feta cheese; crumbled

Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Add all the ingredients into a mixing bowl; toss with oil and vinegar or Greek dressing such as Seeds of Change Greek Feta Vinaigrette.

Fast And Healthy Family Favorites

Fast food can be healthy food if you know where to look. And the easiest place to find healthy fast food is in your kitchen.

The new "Pillsbury GOOD FOR YOU!" cookbook can help families with the daily challenge of making fast, healthy and flavorful dinners despite today's busy schedules. The book features 170 healthy, delicious recipes that contain less fat, sugar and salt than regular recipes. All can be prepared in 35 minutes or less, with more than half of the recipes taking 20 minutes or less. Here's a tasty "Super Express" sample:

Spicy Chinese Chicken Tacos 

Start to Finish: 20 Minutes

1 box (4.6 oz) taco shells (12 shells) 

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (3/4 lb), cut into thin, bite-size strips 

1 teaspoon grated gingerroot 

1 small clove garlic, minced 

2 tablespoons soy sauce 

1 tablespoon honey 

1 large green onion, sliced 

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 

11/2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce 

1. If desired, heat taco shells as directed on box. 

2. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, gingerroot and garlic; cook 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until lightly browned. 

3. Stir in soy sauce, honey, onion and pepper flakes to coat. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink in center. 

4. To serve, place scant 1/4 cup chicken mixture in each taco shell. Top each with lettuce. Serve immediately. 

6 servings (2 tacos each) 

Serving Size: 1 Serving 

Calories: 180, Calories from Fat: 60% DV, Total Fat 7g, Saturated Fat 1g, Trans Fat 1.5g, Cholesterol 35mg, Sodium 260mg, Total Carbohydrate 18g, Dietary Fiber 2g, Sugars 4g, Protein 14g, Vitamin A 4%, Vitamin C 0%, Calcium 4%, Iron 6%, Exchanges: 1 Starch, 11/2 Very Lean Meat, 1 Fat; Carbohydrate Choices: 1

Besides delicious recipes, the cookbook also contains quick tips for better nutrition, on-the-go dinner ideas, easy-to-assemble fruit desserts and a pantry makeover. Look for it wherever books are sold.

Harvest Moon Squash Soup Recipe

Autumn, with its vibrant leaves, crisp, clean air, and bountiful harvest, invokes a sense of comfort and family togetherness that no other season can match.

With harvest festivals aplenty, this is the time of year to enjoy the bounty of your garden or the harvest of farmers in your area. Choosing local harvest foods, such as pumpkins, apples and squash, is a great way to support your community and the environment, too.

"Squash is a traditional staple food, rich in beta carotene, fiber and a satiating sweetness," said Autumn Brennan, Organic Valley Family of Farms' food aficionado. "It's a versatile veggie with a well-rooted history and diversity in flavors. From the caramelesque aroma of delicate squash roasting in the oven, to spicy pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving Day, squash surrounds you with a sweet and subtle warmth that soothes the nerves and delights the senses."

To enhance the flavor of your squash recipes, Brennan recommends using high-quality organic butter, produced without synthetic chemicals, hormones or antibiotics.

HARVEST MOON SQUASH SOUP 

(Makes 4 servings)

• 1/2 medium onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup shallots, minced
• 1 cup carrots, grated
• 3 cups Organic Valley butternut squash, seeded, peeled, and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon Organic Valley Salted Butter
• 1/2 bay leaf (remove prior to serving)
• 1 large Granny Smith or tart baking apple, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
• Water (as needed for thinning soup)
• 2 cups organic low-salt chicken broth
• 1/4 cup Organic Valley Sour Cream 

In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, saute onion, shallots, carrots, and bay leaf in butter until softened. 

Add the squash and apple, chicken broth and 1/2 cup of water.

Add curry, salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 45 minutes or until squash is tender.

In a blender, puree the soup in batches, transferring pureed soup to a clean saucepan. Add enough additional water to thin soup to desired consistency. 

Top each bowlful with a dollop of sour cream and enjoy with hearty whole-grain bread.

Energize With Almonds

Here's a surprising health hint: Don't exercise. At least, not unless you've properly fueled up first. Nutrition expert Keith Ayoob, author of "The Uncle Sam Diet: The 4-Week Eating Plan for a Thinner, Healthier America" (St. Martin's Paperbacks), offers answers to some common questions on nutrition:

Q. How can I eat for energy before I work out? 

A. Eat a mixture of carbohydrates, protein and healthy unsaturated fat about two hours before you work out. The protein and fat will help you feel full and the carbohydrates provide quick energy, increasing the effect of your workout. Try a slice of whole grain bread with a tablespoon of almond butter and a few slices of strawberry or banana. 

Q. I often hit a mid-afternoon slump…what should I eat? 

A. Not salty, high-fat snacks that are void of essential vitamins and minerals. Try a handful or two of almonds-they will help keep you fuller longer, during the workday and at the gym. A one-ounce handful of almonds offers heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, protein, fiber, magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and iron, all in 160 calories. Almonds also contain the antioxidant vitamin E, which can help repair muscles. Plus, research shows almonds can help lower LDL, or "bad," cholesterol and may play a role in losing weight. 

Try this before a workout: 

Ginger-Glazed Almonds 

with Dried Fruit

Cooking spray

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

11/2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

1 tablespoon water

11/2 teaspoons peeled and finely grated fresh ginger

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt 

1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

1 cup whole blanched or natural almonds

1 cup dried berries, cherries, cranberries, mango, apricot, apple, pear or other dried fruit

Preheat oven to 300°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat with cooking spray. Melt butter in a large skillet on medium heat. Stir in sugar, water, fresh ginger, salt and ground ginger. Cook until sugar dissolves, then stir in almonds. Spread almonds onto foil, and bake 25 to 35 minutes, stirring once, until almonds are golden (cut one open to test). Transfer almonds on foil to a rack and cool completely. Loosen with a spatula and combine with dried fruit. Store airtight for up to 3 days. Serves 10.

Dr. Seuss Inspired Recipes

What child doesn’t grow up with Dr. Seuss books? We have quite a few of them lying around the house. The kids love the silly characters and the rhymes. The Dr. Seuss inspired recipes that I’m about to share with you have been a great hit in my house. Of course the famous green eggs and ham are included, but there are also quite a few other snack and meal ideas. Create a fun Dr. Seuss inspired afternoon with some of these recipes and of course don’t forget to read a few of the books with your kids. (If you don’t own any, enjoy a trip to your local library.)

Green Eggs and Ham

This has to be the most famous Dr. Seuss inspired dish. Scramble a few eggs, add a couple of drops of blue food coloring to the mixture and cook as usual. You can serve a warmed up slice of ham with it, and if you want to go all out, brush the ham with a little green food coloring. 

My kids love either biscuits, or mashed potatoes with this dish. Add a little food coloring (either green, or a complimentary color like red) to the biscuit dough or the finished mashed potatoes for even more fun. 

Cat in The Hat Snack

Make the Cat’s Hat for a fun snack. All you need is a few Ritz crackers, gummy lifesavers (preferably in white/clear and red) and a little vanilla frosting. Put the Ritz cracker on a plate. Use a little bit of vanilla frosting to glue the first lifesaver on the cracker. “Glue” more lifesavers on top of the first one alternating between red and white. 

These snacks are so cute; you may want to take a picture of your child’s creation before it is devoured. 

Wiggly Fish

This snack was inspired by “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish”. Prepare several different colors of Jello according to package directions and pour each flavor into a shallow pan. Use a fish shaped cookie cutter to cut the Jello into fish shapes. (If you don’t have a fish shaped cookie cutter you could also just cut fish shapes with a knife.) You can also add small pieces of fruit to the Jello mixture before it cools. This is a great way to sneak an extra serving of fruit into your child’s diet. 

Pink Ink for The Yink

The Yink in “One Fish, Two Fish” love to drink pink ink. Make your own version by combining a few strawberries (either fresh, or frozen and thawed) and some milk in a blender. Add a few drops of red food coloring if the “ink” isn’t pink enough. 

A Fruity Hat For The Cat

How about this for a fun Sunday breakfast? Whip up a batch of silver dollar pancakes and cut up some fresh strawberries. Grab some whipped cream and let the kids assemble the Cat’s hat by stacking pancakes, and strawberries on top of each other using the whipped cream as “glue”. 

Enjoy a few of these Dr. Seuss inspired snacks and meals with your family, or invite a few neighbor kids over for a Dr. Seuss party. Either way they are a lot of fun and a great way to bring some of the Seuss stories to life.

Healthy And Delicious Meals Recipe

People with a gift for serving up delicious-but healthful-dishes say it's important to present food that tastes good, is made with natural ingredients and is good for you. Fortunately, that doesn't have to mean skipping many classic recipes. These tips may help:

• Portion Size-You can help control weight gain by being wary of portion size. If you're serving meat, for instance, nutritionists say not to give a portion that's larger than a deck of cards. Fill the empty space on plates (and in stomachs) with veggies and whole grains.

• Something On The Side-Try serving a healthful vegetable soup and a side salad before dinner. That way, people can fill up on veggies, instead of less nutritious foods. Also, if you're trying to eat a little less, remember that our bodies often mistake thirst for hunger. So before you dig into dessert, try having a big glass of water and waiting a few minutes. You may turn out to be less hungry than you thought.

• Cooking Tips-Something as simple as switching to nonstick oil sprays can make a difference in how healthy a meal is. For instance, new Mazola Pure™ Cooking Spray is a healthier alternative to high-saturated-fat products such as butter or margarine. It adds Pure™ taste and Pure™ aroma to food, is perfect for fat-free cooking-and unlike other leading sprays, it does not contain alcohol or silicone. It comes in canola oil, extra virgin olive oil and natural butter flavors. It's also cholesterol free and has 0g trans fat per serving.

The spray can be used in a variety of ways including: adding light flavor when grilling sandwiches, making popcorn, holding seasonings in place on meats and vegetables, sauteing, pan searing seafood and chicken, flipping pancakes and browning foods in the microwave.

Try this delicious and healthful recipe:

Seasoned Roasted

Potatoes

2 lbs mini red or golden potatoes

2 teaspoons garlic, minced

2 teaspoons rosemary, dry

1 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper, cracked

2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated

Mazola Pure Cooking Spray -Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1. Preheat oven to 450ºF.

2. Spray 9" x 13" baking pan with olive oil spray.

3. Combine garlic, rosemary, Kosher salt, and black pepper to make seasoning blend. Set aside.

4. Under cold running water, scrub potatoes to remove excess skin.

5. Cut potatoes into approximately 1" x 1" cubes. If using very small potatoes, do not cut.

6. Place potatoes in baking pan and spray with olive oil cooking spray until potatoes are coated. Mix potatoes after spraying to ensure even coating.

7. Add reserved seasoning blend and Parmesan cheese, and mix well. Spread mixture in a single layer and spray tops again, lightly with additional spray to help browning.

8. Bake at 450ºF for 25 to 30 minutes.

Serves: 6

PrepTime: 10 minutes

Discover A Cool Way To Eat Healthy

It's hot. You're at the pool. You crave something light and refreshing but don't want to spend too much time in the kitchen. Why not mix things up with frozen fruit?

There's no better time than summer to find a cool way to eat healthy. Ideal for smoothies, salsas or everyday snacking, frozen fruit has the added benefit of being just as nutritious as fresh fruit. It's a terrific way to enhance your summer menu, with 100 percent natural frozen fruit.

"The beauty of frozen fruit is that it has nutrition benefits equal to fresh fruit plus the added value of being easy to use. You only prepare what's needed and store the rest," said Wild Blueberry Association nutrition expert Susan Davis, MS, RD.

According to Davis, the Food and Drug Administration considers frozen fruits nutritionally comparable to fresh, allowing frozen produce to be labeled as healthy.

Easy to prepare and serve, frozen fruit is washed and ready to eat. The picking, cleaning, dicing and chopping have already been done. Eating healthy doesn't have to break the bank either. Ounce for ounce, frozen fruit offers tremendous value compared to fresh.

Try this delicious, colorful Mango Salsa for a savory-sweet twist on summer grilling:

Mango Salsa

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Chill Time: 30 minutes

Makes 23/4 cups

2 cups Dole® Fresh Frozen Mango Chunks, partially thawed

1/2 cup finely chopped Dole Red Bell Pepper

1/4 cup finely chopped Dole Green Bell Pepper

1 tablespoon chopped Dole Green Onion

2 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

2 teaspoons chopped jalapeño chiles

1 teaspoon grated lime peel

Combine mango chunks, bell peppers, onion, cilantro, chiles and lime peel in small bowl. Serve salsa at room temperature or slightly chilled. Serve over grilled chicken breasts or fish fillets. This delicious and colorful mango salsa can also be served as a dip with tortilla chips, spooned over quesadillas or tacos.

Nutrition Information Per Serving: 31 calories; 0g fat (0g sat.); 0mg cholesterol; 2mg sodium; 8g carbohydrate (1g dietary fiber, 7g sugars); 0g protein; 13% Vit A; 56% Vit C; 1% calcium; 1% iron; 3% potassium; 2% folate.

Refreshing Summer Treats

Hold on the ice and enjoy the juicy, sweet, refreshing fruits of summer!

Tropical Breeze: Get out the blender and combine low-fat vanilla frozen yogurt, Dole Fresh Frozen Tropical Gold™ Pineapple and Dole 100% fruit juice. Pour into a dessert dish for a pineapple soft serve.

Fruity Finale: Add Dole Fresh Frozen Fruit as a topping for frozen yogurt, sherbet or light ice cream.

Diabetes Drinks Tips

Don't you just hate it when you ask for a sugar free drink in a pub or restaurant and all they've got to offer is diet cola or water?  

Or you're offered a pure fruit juice - "Well, that's sugar free - isn't it?"  No it isn't - the sugar that occurs naturally in fruit juice is very high and that will play havoc with your blood sugar levels.  But here are a few drinks you might like to try...

I got so fed up of the standard cola offer, I decided to experiment with mixing the different sugar free drinks that are available and you might like to try these alternatives to 'just cola'.

1) The first experiment I tried was to mix a diet cola and diet tonic water in the same glass.  Then I added ice and lemon.  The mixture gives a slightly sharper taste and it makes a very long and refreshing drink on a hot summer’s day.

2) Then I tried splitting a pure orange fruit juice (you could also try pineapple or tomato juice) with a friend and added sparkling water to my half of the juice.  You could also try mixing your juice with diet tonic water.

3) If you want to make a refreshing drink at home, this pineapple slushy will hit your dry spot: 

Take 1 can sugar-free ginger ale, add 1/4 cup of unsweetened pineapple juice and ice cubes.  

Place in a blender and blend until the ice-cubes are crushed and you get a slushy mixture.  

Why not experiment with other unsweetened fruit juices?  And, if you want a little bit more of a kick, you could add rum extract to give it more flavor.

If you have any more ideas or recipes for sugar-free drink I would really love to hear about them.

Easy Tips How Make Healthy Recipes

For many people, making healthy recipes seems too difficult and time consuming...

But with some advance planning and some basic knowledge of nutrition, it is easy to create a week's worth of healthy meals that you and your family will love. The key to creating delicious and healthy meals for the family is planning ...and lot's of it!

Planning ahead of time an entire week of healthy recipe meals is the best way to create dishes you can be proud of, while keeping cost and time commitment to a minimum. So below are amazing tips you can use to make healthy meals all the time.

Healthy Recipe Tip #1:

Using convenient appliances such as slow cookers and microwaves can be a huge time saver when planning and preparing meals. There are many delicious and healthy recipes that can be started in the morning and left to cook all day in a crock pot or slow cooker. These are great choices for working families.

In addition, making the meals ahead of time on the weekend and heating them in the microwave is a great way to stretch both your food and your time. There are many microwavable healthy meals you can make at home, and single serving microwave safe containers allow every member of the family to eat on their own schedule.

When planning the meals for the week, it is a good idea to create a chart listing each day's menu and each days' schedule. Here's a smart tip...plan the quickest and easiest to prepare meals for the busiest days of the week.

Healthy Recipe Tip #2:

Get your family involved in creating the week's meal plan by asking for their input and noting everyone's favorite foods. It is still very important to eat healthy meals, so that (of course) does not mean eating pizza every night or having ice cream for dinner. But involving your spouse and children in healthy recipe planning, you'll help to increase their interest in healthy eating right away.

It is also a good idea to get your entire family involved in the preparation of the meals. Even children too young to cook can help out by setting out the dishes, chopping vegetables, clearing the table and washing the dishes.

Healthy Recipe Tip #3:

Cooking large quantities of healthy food recipes - and freezing the leftovers - is a easy way to save time. Cooking large amounts of stews, soups, pasta, chili and casseroles can be a huge time saver. Making double and even triple batches of these staple foods, and freezing the leftovers for later use, is a great way to save both time and money.

When freezing leftovers, however, it is important to label the containers carefully, using freezer tape and a permanent marker. Try to keep the oldest foods near the top to avoid having to throw away expired items.

Stocking up on meats when they are on sale is another great way to use that valuable freezer space. Stocking up on such easily frozen foods as chicken, turkey, ground beef, steaks, roasts and chops is a great way to make your food dollar stretch as far as possible while still allowing you and your family to enjoy delicious healthy meals every day.

Healthy Recipe Tip #4:

Keeping a well stocked pantry is as important as keeping a well stocked freezer. Stocking the pantry with a good supply of staple items like canned vegetables, canned fruits, soup stocks and the like will make healthy recipe preparation much faster and easier.

Stocking the pantry can save you money as well as time. Grocery stores are always running sales, and these sales are a great time to stock up. Buying several cases of canned vegetables when they are on sale, for instance can save lots of money and provide the basic ingredients for many nutritious, easy to prepare meals.

Examples of great staples to stock up on include whole grain cereals, pastas, tomato sauce, baked beans, canned salmon, tuna and whole grain breads. It is easy to combine these staples into many great meals on a moment's notice.