Hooray, it’s Friday! The weather may be a bit chilly for my liking but this Dragonfruit Margarita is tropical enough to warm things right up. I’m sharing my recipe for this refreshing and slightly floral cocktail today onStyle Me Pretty Living as well as my thoughts on spring versus summer margaritas. Now back to that wild […]
Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner and in celebration of the upcoming festivities, Ashley has mixed up a gorgeous grapefruit margarita recipe that just might be the best thing you’ve ever tasted! While margaritas are an obvious cocktail for a Mexican fiesta, fresh grapefruit juice gives this fan-favorite drink an unexpected twist. The […]
When I look back in time I see the bread crumbs leading me to put cyber pen to paper about my love for food and drink. Looking through travel photo albums, I’ll find a random cocktail photo or a plate of food I snapped ; something that just caught my eye for the color, texture and […]
You know that scene in the movie Practical Magic where Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman dance around the kitchen drinking margaritas with their aunts? “She put de lime in de coconut, she drank dem bot up”. It’s impossible to make this drink and not have that song going through your head (especially now that I […]
Call me suckered, hoodwinked, or duped. I believe in magic potions. A man hawking small bottles of potion, proclaiming outlandish results. Out of curiosity, I skeptically try the potion. A few shakes in a cocktail drink. A cocktail I am very familiar with, but with a mere few dashes of this elixir it became something […]
It’s been a painful few weeks, but I’ve finally come to accept that my 49ers aren’t in the Superbowl (it sure took me long enough). Now that I’m not listening to sports radio or football podcasts, I found time to make this ridiculously delicious pitcher of blood orange margaritas. Whenever blood oranges are in season […]
Happy Friday! I have the easiest, summeriest cocktail to share with you. This weekend, it’s going to be 102 degrees(!) here in Austin. So needless to say, cold, refreshing drinks will be in order. I figure everyone loves sangria, so I thought – what would be more seasonal than peach sangria? This is sweet, but not too sweet, and packed […]
I am a huge fan of dinners that are quick, easy, and don’t involve a last-minute trip to the grocery store. This spicy (vegan!) jambalaya definitely falls into that category. I grew up on jambalaya that was loaded with shrimp, chicken, and andouille, but when I went vegetarian I had to improvise a bit. Turns […]
Did anyone try my honey-lime tacos last week? If you didn’t here’s another chance to get all those amazing flavors but in stuffed sweet potato + quinoa form. It really doesn’t get much healthier or tastier than this. These stuffed sweet potatoes are awesome! My entire family loved them, yes kids and meat loving husband […]
Recipes Total Time:25 mins Prep Time:10 mins Cook Time:15 mins Ingredients: Serves: 18 1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, at room temp 1 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup milk 2 1/2 cups fresh blueberries or 2 1/2 cups frozen blueberries For Topping 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, mixed with 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg Directions: Heat oven to 375°. Grease 18 regular-size muffin cups (or 12 large size muffins). In […]
Recipe Total Time:4 mins Prep Time:1 mins Cook Time:3 mins Note: Serve on buttered toast for a “regular” Sunday breakfast or make Eggs Benedict or Eggs Florentine for a “special” occasion! The eggs should be cold & as fresh as possible. Ingredients: water (1 1/2-inch in bottom of pot or a deep skillet) 2 tablespoons vinegar 8 eggs Directions: […]
So you want to be healthy but food is so expensive, what do you do? Look for the best, healthiest, cheap foods! Eating doesn’t have to be expensive if you just follow a few tips at the supermarket. If you are looking to stay on track of your health & nutrition plan, while saving some […]
I remember the first time my dad made me a bowl of berries and cream. He cut up some strawberries, sprinkled a bit of sugar over the top, and poured cream into the bowl. That’s it. I remember feeling skeptical, not believing that this would actually be something I would want to eat. It seemed […]
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Why it’s good for you: Olive oil is a staple in the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet. It’s high in monounsaturated fats that can help lower cholesterol. Health experts recommend cutting the amount of saturated fats in your diet and incorporating more monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats in order to decrease your risk of heart […]
Red Wine Why it’s good for you: If you can drink responsibly and moderately — up to two glasses a day for men, one for women — red wine is another good-for-you treat. A compound in red wine called resveratrol has been linked to longevity and lower risk of diabetes and heart disease. According to Janet Bond […]
Dark Chocolate Why it’s good for you: If you want to treat yourself, dark chocolate is the way to go. It’s better than milk chocolate because of its high concentration of cocoa, which is packed with disease-fighting antioxidant plant chemicals called flavonol; milk chocolate contains only modest amounts. Those antioxidants can help reduce the risk […]
Fat-Free Greek Yogurt Why it’s good for you: Greek yogurt counts toward your daily dairy intake, and it packs plenty of protein to keep you full for longer. How to eat it: Add walnuts and banana for a supernutritious breakfast Serving size: 6 oz. Calories: 100 Recipe: Dr. Janet’s Pumpkin-Pie Yogurt Snack Yield: 1 serving Ingredients 1 6-oz. container […]
Fat-Free Milk Why it’s good for you: Dairy products are a primary source of calcium for Americans, and they also contain vitamin D, both of which contribute to bone health. Eating low-fat or nonfat dairy has been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes and with lower blood pressure in […]
Tuna Why it’s good for you: Tuna is high in protein, vitamin B, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids. Pregnant women and small children should limit their intake of it, however, because tuna is also high in the neurotoxin methylmercury. For everyone else, tuna — including canned — is a good sandwich and salad staple. How to eat […]
Why they’re good for you: Like other tree nuts, almonds are a rich source of protein. They’re also high in calcium and monounsaturated fat (the heart-healthy kind found in olive oil). A daily handful could help lower your bad LDL cholesterol and risk of heart disease. How to eat them: If you’re eating almonds plain, go […]
Chia Seeds Why they’re good for you: Like flaxseeds, chia seeds are a good source of the plant omega-3 fatty acid ALA and protect against inflammation, arthritis and heart disease. Unlike flax, chia seeds don’t need to be ground or refrigerated. How to eat them: Sprinkle seeds into cereals, oatmeal, salads, breads and smoothies. Serving size: 1 […]
Flaxseeds Why they’re good for you: Seeds are good sources of plant protein; flaxseeds are also high in the plant-based omega-3 fatty acid called ALA and are very heart-healthy. Just be sure to grind them up before eating. How to eat them: Sprinkle ground seeds into cereals, oatmeal, salads, breads and smoothies. Flaxseeds can also be […]
Lean Meat Why it’s good for you: Meat is high in protein, B vitamins, vitamin E, iron, zinc and magnesium. But it’s important to differentiate between lean meats and those high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts and turkey cutlets are your leanest poultry choices; as for beef, round steaks and roasts, […]
Bulgur Why it’s good for you: Bulgur is one of several lesser-known whole grains that pack a wealth of fiber and B vitamins. The low-glycemic-index food, which is good for your insulin levels and blood glucose, is a Middle Eastern favorite made from wheat kernels that have been boiled, dried and cracked; it’s sometimes referred […]
Steel-Cut Oatmeal Why it’s good for you: Oatmeal is high in the fiber beta-glucan, which lowers levels of bad LDL cholesterol. Nutritionists recommend steel-cut oats because they’re minimally processed, without additives. “Oatmeal is the best way to start your day,” says Brill. “It’s a whole grain and a great heart-healthy food. It has antioxidants that […]
Quinoa Why it’s good for you: Not only is quinoa considered a whole grain; it’s also a complete protein, containing all the amino acids necessary for building muscle and upping metabolism. How to eat it: Try quinoa anytime you’d ordinarily eat rice; it’s also a good ingredient for veggie burgers. Serving size: 1 cup cooked Calories: 222 Recipe: Dr. […]
Whole-Wheat Bread Why it’s good for you: The government’s dietary guidelines recommend that at least half the grains you eat bewhole. This means intact grains that contain the entire grain kernel: the bran, germ and endosperm. Refined grains (which are used in white bread and white rice), in contrast, are milled, meaning the bran and germ have […]
Tomatoes Why they’re good for you: This familiar fruit has a long list of nutrients, including vitamins A, C and K. Its deep red color comes courtesy of the antioxidant lycopene, which helps lower inflammation and cholesterol and is linked to better heart health. How to eat them: You know the drill; tomatoes can be chopped […]
Brussels Sprouts Why they’re good for you: As a cruciferous veggie, this pungent vegetable contains sulfur compounds called glucosinolates that not only give them their aroma but also help lower the risks of prostate, lung, stomach and breast cancers. How to eat them: Roasted and sautéed brussels sprouts make great side dishes. They’re hearty and great […]
Eggplant Why it’s good for you: “It may be an unglamorous food, but eggplant is packed with fiber and contains the whole gamut of B vitamins, which give you all the energy you need,” says registered dietitian Gloria Tsang, founding editor of HealthCastle.com. Its deep purple color is evidence that it has powerful antioxidants to […]