Simply Nutritious, Quick and Delicious 2014

Basil leaves on a wooden table.

Perk up your dinner with pesto

Pesto isn’t just for the fine dining of the rich and famous. Rather, it can be a part of the regular ol' American family dinner. While it may seem like a fancy and unnecessary addition to an otherwise tasty meal, its bold taste can elevate a food to a whole new level. Take a simple grilled chicken...
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Spaghetti Squash-A Different Kind of Noodle

Have you ever tried spaghetti squash before? This oblong, yellow winter squash is a fun vegetable the kids will love. Once cooked, the flesh is scraped out with a fork into long thin strands that resemble spaghetti noodles. And because spaghetti squash is not as sweet as its winter squash...
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How Hot is Your Jalapeno?

My husband and I grew jalapeno peppers in our garden this year and made bowl after bowl of fresh salsa. After making a perfectly medium salsa and then a "so fiery hot you want to dip your whole head in a glass of milk" salsa, it made me realize how one type of pepper can have quite a long range in...
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A Label Shocker! The Truth About Hazelnut Spread

A couple of weeks ago, I received a coupon in the mail for hazelnut spread. I've always wanted to try it so I sent my husband on a grocery run and instructed him to pick some up. I was shocked when I took a look at the nutrition facts label and found out how unhealthy this stuff actually is! A few...
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Does an Anti-Inflammatory Diet Help Arthritis?

Much controversy exists about whether the foods you eat or do not eat affect symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. No evidence has shown particular foods will stop rheumatoid arthritis from getting worse. However, some studies have shown short term improvement in symptoms with certain foods. These...
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How to Make the Perfect Quiche

Quiche. The word alone sounds fancy-shmancy, but don't let the tart pan or the perfect egg to cream ratio scare you. It's doesn't have to be fancy, and it doesn't have to be heavy and high-calorie. Quiche is popular in French cuisine. It's an open face pie filled with a custard made of egg, cheese...
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Understanding Differences in Hams

Ham tends to be a traditional entrée for the Easter holiday meal, and because of its ease, you don’t need a professional chef to cook one. However, you do need to know what to look for when purchasing a ham. Ham comes from the hind leg of a hog. There are many different varieties of ham to...
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Lunchbox Lessons

Now that the kids are back in school, and you suddenly have to get everything prepared for the day, your nights and weekday mornings are probably a little more hectic. But keeping your child's lunch safe should never be compromised. A poorly packed lunch could lead to foodborne illness, which is...
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Invite Kohlrabi to Dinner

Many of us tend to get stuck in a rut when it comes to eating the same vegetables over and over. It's easy to pass up the unfamiliar and sometimes odd looking produce at the market when you have no idea what to do with them. Kohlrabi may be one of those foods, but if so, you're missing out!...
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What Cooks Better in a Microwave?

The microwave oven is generally used for leftovers and TV dinners, but have you ever thought about making cakes or omelets in the microwave? These foods may actually cook better in the microwave than by other heating methods. Microwave ovens cook food by converting electrical energy into...
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Make Your Own Nut Butter

Ever since I saw the grind your own nut butter machines at Fresh Market, I wanted to make my own peanut butter. It's simple in its truest form. What are the ingredients? Peanuts. That's it. No hydrogenated vegetable oil, no sugar, no molasses, no mono and diglycerides and no salt. Making your own...
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Keeping the Thanksgiving Meal Safe

Although it is the season of giving, foodborne illness is a gift nobody wants! Many of the favorite holiday foods pose a potential health risk if not stored, prepared and handled properly. Two of the most important rules to remember are: 1) keep hot food hot and cold food cold...
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Slow Cooker Rice

Not long ago, I discovered yet another use for the slow cooker: use it as a rice cooker! After making soups, stews, dips, ciders, oatmeal and even cakes in the slow cooker, I have realized how much I truly love this appliance. Cooking rice in a slow cooker is a cinch. Simply grease the crock...
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Top Canned Food Picks

While some might turn up their nose at canned produce or canned meats, they do have their advantages. They're inexpensive and convenient, making them an easy pick to stock your pantry. And while some foods lose nutrients during the canning process, there are others that actually increase in healthy...
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What do I do with pears?

Pears are a member of the rose family, mainly grown in the Pacific Northwest, and peak in season during the fall and winter months. They're a delicious fruit to keep on hand, both for snacking and cooking. Complimentary flavors include spices, such as cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg and ginger,...
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Make Mac and Cheese Healthier

Macaroni and cheese is generally popular among the young tykes, but as an adult, I just can't shy away from it either. It's creamy and delicious! But  mac and cheese is not known for its outstanding nutrition. High fat ingredients such as cheese, whole milk and butter make it a high calorie...
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Do I Seriously Have to Preheat the Oven?

I’ll admit; I’m not the most patient person. Most standard recipes will begin with the step to preheat the oven. But my growling stomach sometimes causes me to skip over that part and sneak the casserole in the oven before it “beeps,” alerting me that it’s preheated. The casserole seems to always...
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What Kind of Salad Are You?

When someone asks you to bring a salad to a potluck, do you bring a lettuce, meat, vegetable, gelatin, or dessert salad? You may need more explanation from the potluck planner or you'll just have to guess as to what dish is actually needed and desired! Lettuce salads are typically what most people...
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There's Always Room For a Gelatin Salad

Does Aunt Bethany's green Jell-O® mold with bits of cat food in it on "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" make you turn up your nose to gelatin salads? Well, most gelatin salads aren't filled with pet food but rather various fruits, vegetables, nuts, marshmallows, whipped topping, pretzels and...
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Chocolate: The Good Halloween Candy

Halloween is this Friday, which means sugar-laden children dressed up as princesses and monsters running through the neighborhood. If you're strong willed, you've been able to resist opening and biting into the candy early, but if you bought the good stuff, like chocolate, you may have had a harder...
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