Last night I came to the decision that it is time I expand my horizons.  My food horizons that is.  I have been making the same recipes way to often lately and I am afraid that I have fallen into the habit of simply making what I know and not bothering to see what else is out there.  If you have ever found yourself making the same meal multiple times a week then you understand where I am coming from.  It is far too easy to just repeat the same recipes over and over again, which is exactly what I am guilty of doing.  But no more!  Starting today I am going to branch out.  And what better place to start than with salads!

In light of this wonderful season I have found several sweet summer salads that taste great and don’t take long to make.  The first salad on my list is an amazing Orange Mint Salad.  This recipe includes freshly sliced oranges and grapefruits but you can also include watermelon if you like.  The fruit is mixed with olive oil and then topped with some fresh mint and feta cheese.  I think that this salad would make a great starter or side dish to go with BBQ chicken during a cookout.  I came across this delicious recipe while looking at a blog called Say Yes to Hoboken.

Another salad that I love is this Summer Peach and Tomato Salad.  It includes ripe peaches, heirloom cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, honey, and more delicious ingredients.  This salad sounds so tasty that it will be like having desert before dinner!  The recipe is from a blog called Mom’s Cooking Club.

I discovered a scrumptious-sounding Fava Bean and Sweet Pepper Salad on our FaveDiets website that would be the perfect summer side dish to go with a steak.  The recipe includes fresh garlic, red peppers, and some white wine.  This salad is the perfect example of a nutritional and enjoyable dish.  But fava beans are only in season until the end of the summer, so I am going to try to make it at least a few times before the season ends!  Another great salad that I stumbled upon is this Raspberry Summer Salad from Mom’s Crazy Cooking.  This salad combines two of my favorite foods, raspberries and mozzarella cheese!  It also includes Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing, spinach lettuce and fresh avocado.

But I think that I outdid myself with the sixth salad on the list.  It seems as if I really saved the best for last!  I cannot imagine a better Summer salad than this Strawberry, Mango and Avocado Salad.  I found this amazing salad on a really cute blog called Pink Parsely.  In addition to the fresh mango, avocado, and strawberries, it uses a little orange juice, honey and cilantro.  Yum!  I am super excited to make this one, but I need to stop at the grocery store first.

So which Summer salad do you think sounds best?  Have you ever made any of these ones before?

I have to say our family has always been head over heels crazy about dogs. My dogs have always had fun names too like Peppy, Mikey, Buddy, Ginger, and Fred. Ginger recently passed after 13 glorious years. She and Fred were like a little couple,  they never did anything without one another. If Ginger had to go out, well then Fred did too. If Ginger wanted to come inside, well of course, so did Fred. Not to difficult to understand really, you see Ginger was as cute as a button, a little cairn terrier with a face that as they say, could launch a thousand ships, and Fred was enamored until the very end, so to say that now he’s a little lost, would be a gross understatement. The two were only 4 days apart. Ginger actually died on Fred’s 13^th birthday in February. Now a new chapter begins.

Fred, our little Westie, now follows me everywhere, which of course I love. He too is as cute as they come with a personality to match, which is why I’m thrilled that the wonderful folks at Jarlsberg Cheeses are considering Fred to be their mascot. It’s perfect really, he’s as big a fan of Jarlsberg Lite as I am. He can smell it a mile away, and whenever he can sink his little canine teeth into some, all is right with the world. I love it because it has 50% less fat, and 30% fewer calories, yet tastes like whole milk cheese. It also melts beautifully, and is my favorite for my Onion Soup, my homemade cheeseball, my turkey burgers, anything where cheese is an ingredient. I just switch out the fatty cheese for this lighter version.

Please visit my website for recipes using Jarlsberg Lite cheese. Also check out www.janetzappala.tv, the week of April 11^th, I’ll be cooking up some delicious recipes featuring Jarlsberg Lite. Remember, we don’t have to give up the things we love, just find healthier options, and this one’s right up there with the best!

Janet

The days as usual are flying by, even with all of the snow and cold, we manage to plow through. I’ve been consumed lately with getting geared up for my new webisodes that will be available on some 20 different on-line venues beginning in early February. It is my Wealth of Health show, where I’ll be featuring everything from healthier recipes, and that means from soup to desserts, to… (by the way, what’s the deal with desserts and stress? Think about it, desserts is stressed spelled backwards. I don’t know about you, but if I’m eating a lighter, healthier, dessert, my stress melts away, but I digress).

Getting back to my Wealth of Health show, I can’t wait for you all to see it, enjoy it, and be enlightened and entertained by it (I’m banking on it). I’ll have great guests, lot’s of easy cooking and nutrition tips, fitness options, and much more. If you’re like me, you want to stay active and in in good shape, but you’re not wild about treadmills. I say find activities that you love to do, you’ll be getting a workout, and you won’t even know it. The one thing you will know is, you’ll be fit and happy.

I’ll keep you posted on when all this is coming to my website as well as the other venues, and I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts and getting your suggestions. I’ll also be offering some free give-aways, and as an added bonus, Janet’s Jewels. Stay tuned for more!

Buona Salute!

Janet/www.janetzappala.com

The holidays (how do they get here so fast every year?) are all about giving, kindness, hope, and love. In keeping with the holiday spirit, FaveDiets is doing a book give-away this month, beginning today, Wednesday, December 29th.

As many of you may know, I have a cookbook out right now titled, My Italian Kitchen-Home-Style Recipes Made Lighter & Healthier, and we’re set to give-away ten free copies!

My message as a certified nutritional consultant is this: What we put into our bodies makes a huge difference in the way we feel, look, and what our quality of life will be like in our “golden” years. If you’re anything like me, you’re doing everything you can to ensure that they will be your golden years, and nothing less.

That’s why I’ve put together a book that offers many recipes that are delicious, easy, quick, and good for you. Options is what it’s all about, don’t deny yourself the foods you love, just find a healthier way to prepare them. I’m a big fan of wholesome sweeteners, butter alternatives, and whole grains. You’ll find my brownies recipe made with whole-wheat pastry flour and sucanat, (sugar cane natural). And my creamy tortellini, while mouthwatering made with cream, is still a palate-pleaser if you make it with evaporated fat-free milk, an effective way to cut fat and calories.

That’s the essence of My Italian Kitchen, and I would love for you to get a “taste” of what it’s all about. You’ll also find nutritional notes, nutrition facts, and a healthier alternatives section. I think once you do get a taste, you’ll eat it up!

So look for contest details right here on favedietsblog.com, and good luck!!

Janet

www.janetzappala.com

Janet Zappala/Certified Nutritional Consultant/Author/Award-Winning Journalist

With all of the great dishes and desserts a lot of us are making and consuming this holiday season, I thought the time was right to feature one of my favorite goodies, the raisin. Why the raisin you ask? Why not? It’s tasty, nutritious, versatile, and kinda cute, wrinkles and all.

Of course raisins are a great snack, but they’re also chock full of fiber and antioxidants. This time of year especially, raisins are used in cookie and other baked goods recipes, as well as stuffings and hearty salads. So while you’re enjoying their great taste, be aware that the mighty raisin is also doing your body good.

They cut your risk of colon cancer by helping to move waste through your intestines faster, they also have the power to wipe out microbes like bacteria and viruses. And the phytochemicals in raisins fend off bacteria in the mouth, the kind that can cause cavities and gum disease.

As with all fruits, raisins do contain natural sugars, however you’ll find mostly fructose and glucose in raisins, not sucrose which can cause tooth decay. Do keep in mind that dried fruits can be higher in calories, so watch your portions, one-quarter cup of raisins equals about 130 calories.

While moderation is key, enjoy a handful of raisins for a healthy snack, and find ways to incorporate some into your everyday meals, including your hot and cold cereals, (they’re great in oatmeal!)

Janet Zappala/Certified Nutritional Consultant/Author/Award-Winning Journalist 

Do you love Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels? Of course you do! Pretzels are a great lower-calorie snacking alternative to chips or candy. Now, you have a chance to win some pretzels from the good folks at Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels!

We have teamed up with Snyder’s of Hanover for a Facebook-exclusive giveaway. From now until the end of October, go to our Facebook page and follow the directions to enter. Who knows, maybe you’ll be one of the three lucky winner!

Here’s what you can win:

• 1 10-ounce bag of Original Pretzel Chips
• 1 10-ounce bag of Garden Veggie Pretzel Chips
• 1 8-ounce bag of Organic 8 Grains & Seeds Pretzel Sticks
• 1 8-ounce bag of Organic Honey Whole Wheat Pretzel Sticks
• 1 8-ounce bag of Organic Whole Wheat & Oat Pretzel Sticks

Additionally, the good folks at Snyder’s of Hanover were kind enough to provide us with sample for us to try. Here’s what our official taste testers thought:

These pretzels are fantastic! The pretzel chips have a terrific crispness to them with plenty of pretzel taste. The sticks were hearty and crunchy, and I love that they are organic. These have become my go-to snacks!

Pretzel Chips, Garden Veggie – I was excited to see two of my snacks combined into one. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the subtle vegetable flavor and the crisp crunch of the pretzel chips. All I need now is a tub of hummus.

The garden veggie pretzel is good, not too light, not too heavy.

For even more pretzel goodness, make sure to Like Snyder’s of Hanover on Facebook and follow Snyder’s of Hanover on Twitter.

I’m a huge fan of beans and rice. Frankly I could eat it every night of the week. But I love experimenting with rice and beans. I’ll take rice and beans as my base and then experiment with different flavors and ingredients, basically whatever I have on hand. This past week, I had three main ingredients I wanted to use: almond butter, cauliflower and kale. I used the almond butter to create a no-peanut peanut sauce. The almond butter added a nice smoothness to the dish, but I’m sure peanut butter would have worked just as well. Ever since I discovered that my local supermarket sells kale and collard greens for 99 cents a bunch, I’ve been cooking with them nonstop. I really liked cauliflower in this dish because it absorbed some of the stronger flavors in this dish. Two other great parts about this recipe: it comes together in 30 minutes and all in one pot.

Thai-Inspired Beans and Rice with Cauliflower and Kale

Serves: 4 to 6

Preparation Time: 10 min (you can do the prep work as the dish cooks)

Cooking Time: 30 min

Ingredients

• 1 cup white rice, uncooked
• 2 cups water
• 1 can black beans
• 1 head cauliflower
• 1 bunch kale
• 4 tablespoons almond butter (or peanut butter)
• Curry Powder
• Turmeric
• Red pepper
• Black pepper, freshly cracked
• Garlic Powder

Instructions

1) Bring two cups of water to a boil. Add rice and turn the heat to low.

2) Once the rice has been added, wash and chop up the cauliflower and kale and add to the pot.

3) After 15 minutes, add the can of beans.

4) After another 5 minutes, add the almond butter and stir. Turn up the heat to medium low.

5) Once the rice is almost done, add the spices to taste.

Slow cookers are great because they allow you to get that all-day flavor without actually spending all day in the kitchen. When to healthy eating, slow cookers are ideal. Most slow cooker dishes get their flavor from the liquid in the dish. So long as you choose healthy flavorings, healthy easy recipes for a slow cooker will come out nutritious and tasty. Slow cooking helps to draw out the natural sugars and flavors of the ingredients, meaning you do not have to add sugar, lots of salt or fat to have a tasty low-calorie meal. To help you maximize your slow cooker, here are 7 super easy tips plus 7 terrific slow cooker recipes from the blogosphere.

Easy Slow Cooker Tips:

Slow Cooker Temperatures: Most slow cookers have two main temperature settings: high and low. Expect about an hour per pound of meat cooking time on the high setting and about an hour and 45 minutes per pound on the low setting.

Extended Time: For even longer cooking times, get a slow cooker with a warming function. The warming function will keep the food warm past the cooking time if you are away from your kitchen for long periods of time.

Liquid: A slow cooker should only be about halfway filled for best results.

Cleaning: Use a plastic liner that can be easily removed from the slow cooker for easy cleaning.

Prep Work: Defrost meat and veggies before you put them into the slow cooker. Although not necessary, browning meat will add extra flavor to the slow cooker recipe.

Cooking Process: Lift the lid as little as possible. Each time the lid comes off, heat escapes and the dish takes even longer to make. However, you do want to stir occasionally because ingredients at the bottom tend to cook faster. Add softer veggies and spices towards the end of cooking. Softer ingredients become mushy when cooked too long and spices become dull if added too early

Healthy Easy Recipes For A Slow Cooker:

Slow Cooker Onion Soup from A Veggie Venture: This recipe is thick with flavor, a soup you will not soon forget.

Cannellini Bean and Kale Soup with Ham and Sherry Vinegar from Kalyn’s Kitchen: The kale in this recipe adds heaps of nutrients, including vitamins K, A and C, to this unbelievably soup recipe.

Hungarian Beef Goulash from Cooking Tip of the Day: This traditional dish cooks up with hardly any effort thanks to the slow cooker. Use lean beef and low-sodium broth to keep the fat and salt content down.

Sweet Mustard Roast from A Year of Slow Cooking: With only 5 ingredients, this delicious healthy slow cooker recipe could not be any easier.

Santa Fe Chicken from Kellie’s Healthy Recipes: See, you don’t need lots of cheese and re-fried beans for a Mexican-style recipe to be tasty. The slow-cooked chicken and the spices form a delicious combination.

Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Meal from The Finer Things In Life: With only about 5 minutes of prep work, this healthy slow cooker recipe is the perfect dinner dish.

Kendy’s Yummy-in-the-Tummy Chili from Little Bits: Turkey and beans provide lots of lean protein. the recipe uses canned goods, cutting down on the prep work involved.

This post comes to us from Komali Nunna, a California-based chef from Southern India who has been entertaining guests in her home and community for 25 years. She now shares her time-tested recipes in a new cookbook, Entertaining from an Ethnic Indian Kitchen. To obtain spice blends used in this recipe and to learn more about her cookbook, visit www.KomaliNunna.com.

Cooking isn’t really about food. It’s about entertaining. I have had the privilege to host many parties over the past 25 years. Entertaining is not just the act of serving food and wine. It is also about creating an ambiance that people will remember. Here are 10 rules of thumb I always follow to make an event unforgettable for my guests, and to help the party unfold without a hitch.

1. Get inspired. Set the table before cooking a meal. This will both inspire you to create a gorgeous meal, and save time when you need it most.

2. Choose a theme. Themed get-togethers are memorable. Feature a regional cuisine, such as Punjab, or celebrate a far-away holiday such as India’s Deepawali, the festival of lights. Or for a dinner with family, find old favorite photographs to use as place cards. Get the idea?

3. Don’t come up short. Read all the recipes you’ll be using beforehand, and make a master shopping list of all the ingredients you’ll need.

4. Make a time line. Rather than depend on experience, make a time line of what goes into the oven when, what gets thawed or brought to room temperature, when dishes get garnished, and so on. You’ll stay on track even if there are interruptions (early guests, phone calls, deliveries, etc.).

5. Think seasonal. When planning a menu, consider fruits and vegetables in season. Not only will they taste better because they’re fresh, but they’ll be cheaper. For example, pomegranates at holiday time, baby greens in spring, etc.

6. Keep an “entertaining journal.” Your journal might include entertainment accessories (e.g., baskets, centerpieces) and where they’re stored; menus and guests–along with notes on what went well and what didn’t; and ideas for future events.

7. Create ambiance. Create an environment that fits or enhances the occasion–using flowers, lighting, music, interesting table settings and decorations, menu cards, place cards, and so on.

8. Give party favors. For an Indian feast, you might give guests tiny jars of homemade garam masala, tied with raffia, along with a favorite recipe. For a garden party, how about a small terra cotta pot with a seed packet of wildflowers? Or try simple gifts–such as chocolate or a tiny wrapped tea cake.

9. Find new places to eat. Your dining room doesn’t have to be the only place you entertain. Try creating a party at the pool, in the backyard under the gazebo, or in front of the fireplace in your living room at a low table with cushions to sit on.

10. Spice up your holidays. Take a traditional meal, such as Christmas dinner, and turn it on its head, serving ethnic Indian side dishes with your favorite Christmas entrée.

I always love making brunch for my family on the weekends. Getting everyone around the table to enjoy a hearty meal is my favorite thing to do when I wake up. But I often don’t have enough time to make hundreds of pancakes, and that isn’t always the healthiest option once you add all that syrup. Muffins are definitely the way to go: you can make them ahead of time and add a variety of things to the batter so everyone gets what they want. Better yet are bran muffins.

I know what you’re thinking: bran muffins? Ew! You would probably much rather have a thick stack of pancakes or waffles this Sunday morning. But since it is the new year, and you don’t want to give up on your resolutions just yet, resist the urge!

As you may remember from our article on Our Top 6 Unbelievably Healthy Breakfast Recipes, bran has a ton of fiber and lowers cholesterol. Since it absorbs so much water it makes you feel fuller faster.

I love this recipe for Take and Bake Bran Muffins. They also have buttermilk, which is low fat and full of active cultures. To step up this recipe, try adding your favorite chopped fruit, like apples or blueberries.

Click here for the full recipe.