Amy is baking "without" this week: come taste the delicious results! -- Denise When my family went gluten-free last year, I started to notice that many gluten-free products weren’t nut- or soy- or dairy-free. Normally, that wouldn’t be a problem, but I also began to realize how many children have nut allergies or soy-sensitivity and how many adults are eating less dairy. My son couldn’t sit at the allergy table because he was usually bringing nut-based foods to school. Living gluten-free ...
Simple Summer Recipes at Your Fingertips!
School is finally out, which means we can finally start to enjoy summer! Summertime is fun but it can pose some challenges. Like being out all day and then scrambling for dinner, which leads you to resorting to yet another burger or hot dog on the grill. Hmm, how many nights have you had a burger this week? Or, instead of waiting to have your glass of wine on the weekend, you enjoy one today (and tomorrow) because everyday feels like a Friday! And don’t forget the frequent trips to the ice cream ...
Why You Should Give Mom Dark Chocolate
Earlier this week, I christened my new kitchen with an Energized Body Cinco De Mayo party. It was a fun event, combining all the things I love - bringing people together, noshing on fresh delicious food and sharing information. Traditional (not Americanized) Mexican fare was served. These were the favs: the Fresh Margaritas, the Jicama Salad with Watercress, Radishes and Chiles, and no surprise, the Dark Chocolate Pine Nut Torte. Now we have been hearing that dark chocolate is good for ...
Heart-Healthy Entertaining
It’s snowy here in the Northeast and we tend to be cooped up inside. I love it in the beginning--it gives me time to be in the kitchen to try new recipes. But after awhile, I like to spend time around a table with friends and family. Last night, in honor of Heart Health Month, I prepared Maple-Glazed Salmon with Pineapple and Maple Vinaigrette. It is a family favorite and so simple and tasty. It’s even good enough to serve to guests :) In addition to being tasty, here is another reason I like ...
A New Year’s Celebration to a Healthier You!
I am so looking forward to the new year. I love the celebration with friends and family, followed by time spent on deciding my intentions for the year ahead. Once I know my goals, I love finding ways to kick start the new year. As you ring in 2014, here are some new recipes and traditions that I hope will bring you health and prosperity. For your New Year’s Eve Celebration, Pomegranate Champagne Punch is a great starter. When hosting a dinner or celebration, I like to greet my guests with a ...
A Holiday Fondue Tradition
The Christmas holiday for my family is about celebrating the birth of our Lord and gathering family around the table with food and cheer. It is a joyous occasion, but for those who have recently lost a family member, it can be difficult time. I lost my parents within 8 months of each other. They were in their early 70’s and healthy, so it was quite a blow to our family. The first Christmas without them was very painful, sitting at the dining room table gazing at the two empty chairs. The ...
Gluten-Free Holiday Cookies
Amy plunges into gluten-free cookies this week. Who could say no to that? -- Denise The winter holidays are all about tradition. Whether your family hails from Italy or India or Israel, how we celebrate is passed down from one generation to the next. This is especially true when it comes to food. Christmas without gingerbread, Hanukkah without latkes, or Diwali without gulab jamun? Just not the same! When you are gluten-free, those traditions often need to change, sometimes in simple, ...
3 Tips for a Healthy Holiday
Winter is upon us -- brrrr! Cold weather coupled with the busy holiday season can be taxing on our immune system, which can cause us to get sick, leaving us not so jolly. Although there are many great strategies and power foods to strengthen your immune system, today we will focus on my top three, specifically designed to keep you healthy during the often hectic holiday season. 1. Lather Up! Washing your hands is crucial for preventing illness -- get in the habit before leaving a public ...
From My Table to Yours
Happy Thanksgiving! Last week was the kickoff for my new cooking series "Denise's Table." We had a lovely evening of holiday dishes, party tips and great company. This week's recipe, Millet with Cranberries, Chestnuts and Brussels Sprouts, was featured at Denise's Table -- and will be on my Thanksgiving table, as well! Chef Karina has a way with millet, that ancient grain that has all of the wonderful nutritional properties of quinoa but not the cost. The dish also features Brussels ...
Exotic Coconut Pumpkin Soup
Thanksgiving is upon us and that means it's pumpkin-time. Pumpkin is everywhere - lattes, pies, muffins! Although it is a healthy vegetable, giving us vitamin A and C, it is usually paired with sugar and fat, which completely counter all of its goodness! Instead of the traditional pumpkin pie, I was looking for a different way of bringing our good friend the pumpkin to my Thanksgiving table that highlighted all of its nutritional goodness. Did you realize that a big ol’ slice of Pumpkin pie a ...