I think of February as “Love Your Heart Month” both emotionally and physically. There's no better way to cultivate that love than with these Dark Chocolate Macaroons. You can make them in a snap, perfect for unexpected guests or cravings :) Now that doesn't mean you should stack a massive supply next to the remote control and settle in for the winter, even if you live in snow-bound New England! You can enjoy the glorious taste of dark chocolate guilt-free as long as you consume in moderation. So ...
A Simple Recipe for Happy, Healthy Holidays
Tis the season for overspending, overeating and stress - that’s what our culture is projecting. I would like to take you down a different path: one that will simplify your holiday season so you don’t feel drained and actually feel joyful! Here is my four ingredient recipe that I strive to follow each year -- it is based on what I know is good for my body and the family traditions that are good for the soul. Get in even more veggies! I prefer soups and roasted vegetables to salads in the ...
3 Ways to Get Healing Foods in Your Holiday Routine — Now!
Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season when we have a few more things on our plate (ha! a little pun there :)). We have busier schedules, less sleep and are exposed to more people -- all of which can set us up for illness and feeling stressed out! At times like this, you may be tempted to ditch the fresh real food and grab a quick processed snack or carry-out meal. It may feel like we are making our lives a little easier, but actually, we are really making matters worse! ...
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 ...
How To Enjoy A Gluten-Free Thanksgiving
Amy has some great ideas this week for making a gluten-free Thanksgiving stress-free and delicious, too. Enjoy! -- Denise If you love food – and who doesn’t? – then Thanksgiving is a hard holiday to beat. But when you need to be gluten-free, that same holiday becomes challenging. Here are some tips for taking the stress out and putting the fun back in. Eating at someone else’s home? Interview your host: find out what they are serving and how they cook. Little things can make the ...