Crunch! There is nothing better than biting into a crisp apple just picked from the tree. Each fall, I soo look forward to our family fall ritual of apple picking. Our new favorite apple orchard is Honey Pot Hill Orchard. It is a beautiful setting and well laid out, so you don’t realize the crowds. For the little kids there are animals, a hedge maze and their famous hot fresh cinnamon-cider donuts! I have to say that apples are one of my favorite fruits. They are simple, inexpensive, portable ...
Broccoli & Kale Millet Croquettes
This month I’m all about millet. A small yellow grain, millet is the unsung hero of the ancient grain world. Not only is it one of the very oldest cultivated grains, it is also one of the most nutritious, delicious & flexible of cooking grains. Yet few people have ever eaten it. Millet hasn’t enjoyed the fashionable resurgence that quinoa has, yet it has so many fantastic qualities tucked inside. It is naturally gluten-free, a great source of protein, high in fiber, iron, B vitamins & ...
Let’s Detox Together!
Fall is one of my favorite times of the year to set new goals for my body, mind and spirit. For me, the best way to get started is to do a cleanse which will detox and rid the body and mind of bad habits and bring on new energizing thoughts, patterns and foods. Here are two of the delicious smoothies you will be drinking - Beet Treat and Raspberry Smoothie. Here’s a preview of What’s in & What’s out: The Simple 7 Foods What They Are & Why You Need Them: 1. ...
The Gluten-free Lunchbox
The kids are back to school everywhere this week and that means the return of the daily lunch and snack grind. When you have a child who needs to be gluten-free, you may feel that your snack and lunch choices are limited. But not to worry! Many of the standard lunchbox choices are either gluten-free or available gluten-free. And in this age of allergies, your child is definitely not the only one with eating challenges. Be an advocate! Many schools now have allergy plans, to protect those ...
Spiced Cherry Tomato, Basil and Coconut Shrimp Salad
Karina is back this week with a fresh twist on cherry tomatoes with shrimp. -- Denise This dish sings sweet summer and now is absolutely the best time to enjoy it as cherry tomatoes, basil and chilies are in abundance and at their seasonal peak. The cumin seeds are definitely worth adding as their flavor has “curry” characteristics. The recipe is so quick, simple, delicious and nutritious. It is vegetarian, and dairy- and gluten-free. All in all, the Spiced Cherry Tomato, Basil and ...
Dinosaur BBQ’s Mojito Chicken
My neighbor Ben turned me onto this recipe. We are both fans of the Dinosaur BBQ in upstate New York – a favorite hang of bikers, too! If you are ever in Syracuse or Rochester, NY – check it out. I love it, especially on the weekend when having guests. It’s one of those dishes that you can get started in the morning, let it marinate all day, and just pop in the oven when the guests arrive. You don’t even have to hang out by the grill! The chicken is a crowd pleaser because it is so ...
FDA Defines Gluten-Free
This week is a great week for those with celiac or gluten-sensitivity! Why? Because the FDA has defined “gluten-free” and that will require food manufacturers to be consistent in what they call “gluten-free.” Excited? Confused? You aren’t alone. Read on to learn the key points. No more reading labels? Yahoo! Sadly, you will still need to read labels when you shop, and every time you shop. What it does mean is that any product labeled “gluten-free” after August, 2014, will have to ...
Denise’s Summer Tips
For keeping you slim, energized and having fun! Summer can be tricky: vacations, cookouts and travel create a break from the usual routine. It’s good to relax and enjoy the warmer weather socializing with family and friends, but if you aren’t careful, it can lead to substantial weight gain by the end of the summer. Here are my 5 summer tips for a fun & healthy summer season. 1. Stick to your morning routine – a must! I start the day with Lemon water with turmeric – for ...
Aussie-Style Grilling
Karina is back this week, to give us her take on the classic Australian dish “Shrimps on the Barbie”. She’ll also be at the Winchester Farmers Market on Saturday with loads of yummy snacks, like Walnut Pate, Sweet Potato Hummus and Chocolate Cranberry Energy Chews. Stop by! -- Denise Perfect Grilled Seafood In celebration of meatless Mondays and raising awareness of the heightened health risks of over-eating meat along with the profound environmental impact of the meat ...
Think outside the Strawberry Short Cake!
Strawberries are still in abundance and I can’t stop eating them. So let’s do some culinary exploring! Most people use strawberries as a dessert or just sprinkled in their cereal. That’s all good, but with the health benefits that they offer and deliciousness, I like to find other creative ways of getting them into my day. Not to mention, they make anything beautiful with that pop of red! Here are some recipes to get you thinking about strawberries in a different way. And since both of ...