For Christians, early spring brings the 40 days of Lent. As a kid, I didn’t look forward to it. Lent began with ashes on your forehead and having to give up candy for what seemed like forever! Now, I actually look forward to it. It’s a time to be quiet, reflect and let go of some of the routines or habits that can inhibit true personal and spiritual growth. This year, I gave up alcohol for Lent. I will admit that I was a little scared that I couldn’t stick to it. Would I have as much fun at ...
Meatball Blitz
Do you have trouble finding the dinner “sweet spot”? Are you torn between healthy and delicious, gluten-free and family-friendly, all while trying to get dinner on the table after a long day of work, school and extra-curriculars? Me, too! One of our favorite meals has solved that problem: meatballs with tomato sauce, buckwheat noodles and oven-roasted broccoli. Tasty, kid-friendly, quick to the table and rich in iron, vitamin C, B vitamins and fiber. Perfect for a weeknight or any ...
Reclaim Your Hearth Health
It’s easier and tastier than you think! February is Heart Health month and you have probably heard some of the startling statistics: Someone dies from heart disease every 39 seconds; Someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; and Heart disease and stroke cost patients over $173 billion annually. Yikes! I certainly don’t want to spend my hard earned money or time in a doctor’s office and on medications. Do you?? I believe in living life to its fullest. My parents died at a young ...
Gluten-free Brownies
February is chocolate month here at the Energized Body. Amy’s got a great take on gluten-free brownies this week. Enjoy! -- Denise In our house, brownies aren’t optional. Every batch is devoured, usually in hours, not days. When we had to go gluten-free, it was one of the first baked goods I worked to remake. Our favorite recipe just didn’t seem to work as well gluten-free. My research turned up a master recipe by Alice Medrich, a well-known chocolate baking expert. I swapped out the gluten ...
Why I Eat Goji Berries
And Why You Should, Too! Ever wonder how I came up with my recipe for Dark Chocolate Goji Bark? As you may know, I don’t like to eat anything unless it is jammed with healing nutrients and delicious. Why waste the time and calories if it’s not going to benefit my body? At the time, I was trying to create a healthy sweet, just a little something for the end of a meal. Dark chocolate is a sweet you want to eat because it contains potent antioxidants called flavanols. These flavanols help to ...
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 ...