Categories
Flavor Blending Healthy Living

Weird But Healthy Snacks You Can Make At Home

fish bones
Image thanks to

Are you looking for some new and interesting snacks that are healthy? Taking care of what you eat is really important, but often finding a quick snack which fits into your diet can be a little tough and sometimes, just plain boring. So I have compiled a list of some of the weirdest healthy snacks out there. You can prepare all of these at home yourself and you might even find some you really enjoy!

fish bone snacks
Image thanks to

Fish Crackling Snacks

Ok, this is a really weird one. Fish crackling is essentially the bones of white fish, seasoned and dehydrated into a really gross looking spiny thing which, when sprinkled with lemon infused sea salt and a fresh twist of lime, can taste unbelievably cool. They aren’t going to hit the spot like pork crackling and they do leave a somewhat gritty taste in your mouth but they are an excellent way of getting vital fish oils into your body and are very low in calories. All you need is a dehydrator and you are on your way. Check out these food dehydrator reviews and remember, you don’t have to make this weird recipe, you could just create some dried fruit snacks! They are healthy too.


Cockle Popcorn Snacks

cockles as snacksThis is not your usual popcorn and chances are you are not going to be seeing this in any movie theaters in the near future. While you do need to deep fry these little treats, they are packed with zinc and vitamin A, and the actual cockle itself is very low in calories. If you deep fry them in a coat of polenta and serve them up with either a mayo dip or better still, some apple cider vinegar, you’ll have found your new snacking best friend! And, in case you were wondering, cockles are small, edible, saltwater clams.

Macho Pea Snacks

peas as snacksThis recipe is stolen from a well-known food outlet, however, it is so delicious that I just had to share it. While sitting in front of the TV nibbling a bowl of peas may sound weird, don’t knock it until you have tried it. Best made with Petit Pois or the smaller, sweeter variety of pea, you cook this vegetable in a rich chicken stock. Once drained you add chili infused butter (you can use coconut oil to make it healthier) and add a healthy bunch of freshly chopped mint and a twist of lemon. Then, dig in! The chili and lemon zing up your taste buds and can actually help to improve your mood. This snack will also give your metabolism a quick boost. Perfect for burning a few extra calories.


sweet potatoe friesThere are all kinds of weird snacks with added health benefits if you look a little further. From deep fried crabs to fermented fish and even nibbling on maggots and grubs. While I don’t think these sound very appealing, it just goes to show that if you are a bit more adventurous, you can find a variety of nibbles that you might just enjoy!

Alternatively, stick to sweet potato fries and vegetable crisps, or increase your supply of high cocoa content chocolate.

Bon Appetit!

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[one_third] Healthy Eating Worksheet [/one_third]
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Take Charge of Your Health!

Changing your eating habits can be tough. But it doesn’t have to be if you take a little time to think it out and create a plan.

This Healthy Eating Worksheet will walk you through the process of creating a healthy eating plan. All you need to do is print it out, set aside some time to complete it, and then fill it out. Then you can create your plan, knowing that you have addressed potential obstacles and came up with some creative ways to handle them.

Download Now [/two_third_last]

Categories
Healthy Living

Tips To Boost Your Healthy Diet Plan

spinach and pomegranite seed salad
Image source

Are you trying to develop your own healthy diet plan? You know, one that is customized to your lifestyle, flavor preference, and, perhaps, your own unique health requirements? The basic rules of healthy eating are commonly known, as are the basic elements that need to be included in a healthful diet plan. But pulling one together that you actually enjoy is not always that easy.

You can always reach for a cookbook (I have reviewed several good options), but that often has you stumbling across delicious recipes that call for heavy amounts of butter or cream or some other yummy but not-so-good-for-you ingredient. At that point, you may not be sure what changes you can make to ensure you are eating well and staying away from the latest tabu of the healthy food world. In this post, I’m going to provide you with some guidance for using your kitchen creativity to improve the healthfulness of your meal preparation.

healthy diet plan - spinach and pomegranate seed salad
Image source

Healthy Diet Plan Option #1:
Coconut Oil and Other Coconut Products

coconut oilCoconut oil is a fantastic substitution for butter or oil. I enjoy it spread on toast instead of butter! Like other oil options, it helps prevent your food from burning. Keep in mind that recently burnt food has been identified as a detriment to longer living. In the UK they have been advised to step away from the roast potato with their traditional Sunday roast. However, one simple switch to coconut oil means they could still enjoy crispy, fluffy potatoes while avoiding the dark danger areas other fats may give them.

It isn’t just the oil of coconuts that is a great substitution for ingredients in many of today’s recipes. This large nut is full of delicious milk which can be used to replace cream, especially in Asian dishes and curries. The other day, I roasted a chicken in the slow cooker using coconut milk instead of regular milk. Very tasty!


Healthy Diet Plan Option #2:
Simplify Your Recipes

A simple way of kicking off your healthy eating and adding something new to your diet is by sticking to three main ingredients. For example, you could use avocado and chili and produce a delicious twist on basic guacamole by serving it on grilled sweet potato. Clean, healthy, and easy.

The idea behind simplifying your recipes is choosing fresh, seasonal, and flavor ingredients — in moderation — and allowing your pallet to really taste the food without over-complicating the meal. When you choose good, healthy ingredients, you don’t need a lot of them to create delicious meals.

Healthy Diet Plan Option #3:
Add Seafood

healthy shrip dinnerFish is really important in your diet. A fillet of wild salmon served with homemade pesto and a delicious rocket salad is a great way to improve your health without over complicating things. Shrimp and scallops are also quite healthy. And who doesn’t enjoy a well-prepared clam chowder?

Healthy Diet Plan Option #4:
Useful Kitchen Gadgets

Invest in one of these (www.blenderfriend.com/nutri-bullet-magic-bullet) food blenders and you could add a little more goodness to your day by juicing at breakfast instead of cracking open the cereal. When you use the right ingredients, you can pack a lot of nutrition into a moderate- to low-calorie smoothie.


Healthy Diet Plan Option #5:
Flavor Bursts and Smart Substitutions

You don’t need a kitchen full of gadgets or to be a well-practiced chef to get experimental with flavors or to make tweaks to your favorite meals. The sweet potato I mentioned earlier makes a fantastic chip. Fancy a taco? Try using iceberg lettuce as a shell and replacing the ground beef with ground turkey then dolloping your own homemade guacamole on top.

Get creative with using boldly (or exotically) flavored foods (sweet potatoes instead of standard potatoes) or substituting ingredients that are lower in fat and/or calories (lettuce instead of bread).

Healthy Diet Plan Option #6:
Reduce Gluten and Carbs

breadGluten has gotten a lot of press lately. It is linked to a variety of diseases and allergies. So experimenting with reducing or eliminating it from your diet might give you great results you weren’t expecting. Instead of traditional bread, you can substitute lettuce, gluten-free bread, or other gluten-free options.

Reducing carbohydrates — yep, that would be bread again — is another way to improve your diet. Whip up some homemade hummus — chickpeas, Tahini, garlic and lemon make the best hummus — and instead of dipping potato chips or pita wedges into it, go with raw carrots, broccoli or celery. You’ll get that satisfying crunch and a mouth full of flavors.

Make a few simple changes and your body will reward you with better hair, clearer skin, brighter eyes, and more energy — not to mention a more svelte profile.

[divider]

[one_third] Healthy Eating Worksheet [/one_third]
[two_third_last]

Take Charge of Your Health!

Changing your eating habits can be tough. But it doesn’t have to be if you take a little time to think it out and create a plan.

This Healthy Eating Worksheet will walk you through the process of creating a healthy eating plan. All you need to do is print it out, set aside some time to complete it, and then fill it out. Then you can create your plan, knowing that you have addressed potential obstacles and came up with some creative ways to handle them.

Download Now [/two_third_last]

Categories
Cookbook Reviews Special Occasions

Cookbook Review: Afternoon Tea at Home

Carma with Afternoon Tea at Home

Afternoon Tea at HomeWhen I was three years old, my family moved to Nairobi, Kenya. Because it was a former British colony, the culture had a lot of British influence, including the practice of afternoon tea at 4pm. I grew up with this habit, and to this day still favor a nice cup of tea — although not restricted to the afternoon!

This is why I was attracted to Will Torrent’s book Afternoon Tea at Home, the goal of which is to “bring the elegance of afternoon tea to your table at home.”

NOTE: I received a free copy of this book for review, however I am under no obligation to write about it positively or otherwise.

Carma with Afternoon Tea at Home

Summary of Afternoon Tea at Home

This beautifully photographed book provides “deliciously indulgent recipes for sandwiches, savouries, scones, cakes and other fancies.” The recipes are upscale and will help you make a favorable impression on your guests.

What Worked for Me

This is a perfect coffee table book. It is beautiful to look through and I look forward to giving many of the recipes a try. The content is organized by seasons, and my occasion. If you want to have a classic afternoon tea, this book has you covered. If you want to have a more special or seasonal affair, this book’s got you covered, as well. In the back of the book are 14 suggested menus for occasions ranging from birthday part to Gentleman’s tea to Thanksgiving treats. Whatever the occasion, you’ll find something in Afternoon Tea at Home that will suit your needs.

What Didn’t Work for Me

Because this is more of a coffee table book, it isn’t all that practical for the kitchen. It’s ungainly size (8.5 x 10 inches) and pages that don’t always lie flat, will make it a challenge to actually use. But I’m sure if you’re motivated enough, you’ll overcome that, too.

Recommendation

This book is perfect for lovers of the traditional afternoon tea. If you’re an Anglophile, you’ll enjoy perusing the pages for classic and elegant recipes. If you are an arm-chair cookbook collector, this book will make a beautiful addition to your collection. And, if you’re a motivated cook, you’ll probably find a way to try out the recipes within — without making a mess of the book in the process.

Rating for Afternoon Tea at Home

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Specs:

Format: Hardback, 176 pages
Publisher: Ryland Peters & Small (February 11, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 184975702X
ISBN-13: 978-1849757027

Pick up your copy on Amazon.com here.

Categories
Healthy Living

7 Kitchen Tools You Need To Stay Thin And Healthy

healthy choice - steamed vegetables
Steam your greens!

Are you frustrated with your attempts to make healthy food? Much of the stress generated by one’s kitchen is due to the accumulation of cookware — to the point where you don’t know where to find things. It takes some planning to maintain a stress-free kitchen that has space — both literally and mentally — for food inspiration. And this sort of project is worth the effort. Remember, the kitchen is at the heart of your household.

When you undertake a kitchen reorganization, it is wise to consider your health priorities. What do you need to turn your kitchen into a healthy paradise? Discover the 7 mighty tools to stay thin and healthy as you prepare yummy meals!

#1. High-Quality Blender and/or Food Processor

In the modern age, it is inconceivable to have a kitchen without a food processor or a blender. I know I would be lost without my Vitamix! These types of tools make it so much easier to prepare the variety of healthy ingredients available. Food processors and some blenders make cutting, slicing, chopping and, of course, blending a breeze.

Smoothies are a popular meal choice for health. And, a food processor can empower you to make a wide variety of sauces, pastes, soups and salsas with just the turn of a button. This keeps your recipes healthy and easy to do.

healthy choice - tropical smoothie
Embrace the smoothie trend

#2. Healthy Non-Stick Frying Pans

Most people’s diets fail once in the pan: Indeed sticky pans will require a lot of oil or grease to make sure that the food doesn’t burn or stick, and there go your dreams of a healthy vegetable omelet. In contrast, non-stick options, such as elegant pebble frying pans, will ensure that your food needs only a dot of oil to cook. So you control exactly what you eat.


#3 Steamer

There’s another way to cook your vegetables, and even your fish, without any oil, and this is with a steamer. You will find simple, inexpensive options that only need a pan of water or you can try a more advanced electric steamer. Both provide the same quality of results, so it’s up to you what you choose!

healthy choice - steamed vegetables
Steam your greens!

#4. Apple Divider

The apple divider is a smart tool that cuts your apple into manageable wedges. Not only is it inexpensive and easy to use, but it also guarantees that you’ll grab some fruit more often than not! You can find affordable and quality options directly in most grocery stores, as well as in your local IKEA. Keeping an apple divider visible by the bowl of fruits can have a very positive impact on your diet, as most people avoid eating fruits that demand too much work to prepare.


#5. Quality Zester

Skip the extra pinch of salt that can be unhealthy and grab a quality zester instead! I love mine, made by OXO. Using citrus zest in your everyday cooking is a delicious way of adding a refreshing and calorie-free touch to your favorite meals. You can also use it on whole nutmeg, garlic and even ginger. This simple utensil can completely change the taste of your salad or pasta dish with a tasteful and zingy flavor. I did tell you that healthy could be yummy too, right?

Lemon zest adds healthy zing to food
Lemon zest adds healthy zing to food

#6. Small Plates

Plates have become larger and larger — especially in America! — and it is now difficult for people to control their portion size. Adults shouldn’t need to eat more than what fits on a salad plate, which is around 9 inches wide. So check that your plates are up for it and discard anything that is bigger than 9 inches, as this will encourage you to fill it with more food, leading to you eating more than you truly need. You can find plenty of elegant salad plates in most shops and bring a new touch of fun to your kitchen.


#7. Small Shot Glasses

Small shot glasses, or espresso cups, are ideal for serving puddings and mousses. Indeed, their small sizes allow you to control the portions and the calories easily. Don’t worry, though; they have just the right size to satisfy all sweet cravings and make sure that everyone has had enough dessert. All you need now is to look for dark chocolate mousse recipes, or mini tiramisu perhaps. The choice of sweet is all yours!

fruit and pudding in a shot glass
Photo courtesy of Rita E

These are changes of habits that are worth embracing for a healthy lifestyle in the kitchen. After all, your health starts on your plate! So make the most of it and stock your kitchen with smart and helpful tools for a thinner and leaner you. You can go healthy without losing any of the pleasure of good food.

[divider]

[one_third] Healthy Eating Worksheet [/one_third]
[two_third_last]

Take Charge of Your Health!

Changing your eating habits can be tough. But it doesn’t have to be if you take a little time to think it out and create a plan.

This Healthy Eating Worksheet will walk you through the process of creating a healthy eating plan. All you need to do is print it out, set aside some time to complete it, and then fill it out. Then you can create your plan, knowing that you have addressed potential obstacles and came up with some creative ways to handle them.

Download Now [/two_third_last]

Categories
Taste Tests

Taste Test: Nocciolata

nocciolataThere are several brands that make chocolate hazelnut spread — Nutella being the most commonly known. Most of these brands use palm oil for texture, however, due to its high saturated fat and caloric content, it is a dubious choice for health. But chocolate hazelnut spread tastes so good, right?

Enter Nocciolata by Rigoni di Asiago in Northern Italy. They’ve developed a recipe for chocolate hazelnut spread that is free of GMOs, preservatives, colors, additives, artificial sweeteners and palm oil. It comes in two varieties — with milk and without milk — and I was given a jar of both to taste test and share my opinions (good or bad).

What I Liked about Nocciolata Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

Bot the milk chocolate version and the vegan (no-dairy) version are very smooth. They both also have a strong, rich, luscious chocolate flavor.

In addition, their sugar and caloric content is lower than Nutella. Two tablespoons of Nutella has 200 calories and 20 grams of sugar. A same sized serving of Nocciolata has 190 calories and 18 grams of sugar for the dairy version and 17 grams for the vegan version.

Another plus, the product is organic!

What I Didn’t Like About Nocciolata Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

The milk chocolate version was less firm than the vegan version and tasted sweeter. But the different really is slight. My biggest beef with this product is that the jars are so small — only 9.52 oz! A typical jar of Nutella is about twice that size.

Overall Comments on Nocciolata Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

This stuff tastes really good. It could be habit forming. I liked the vegan version better because it had a more dark chocolate flavor. If you’re looking for the decadence of a chocolate hazelnut spread but want to reduce sugar intake or eat more organically, you can’t go wrong with Nocciolata.

Who Is Nocciolata Chocolate Hazelnut Spread Suitable for?

Anyone who likes chocolate hazelnut spreads in general will like Nocciolata. It would taste good on toast, pancakes, crackers … even fillings for cakes and homemade sandwich cookies.


Categories
Cookbook Reviews Healthy Living

Cookbook Review: The Italian Diabetes Cookbook

italian diabetes cookbookWith all the pasta that Italian cuisine is famous for, you’d think it would be the last type of cuisine recommended for folks with diabetes. But, according to author, chef and Mediterranean expert Amy Riolo, the core of classic Italian cooking is preparing fresh ingredients, such as vegetables, whole grains, legumes, poultry, seafood and more, with time-honored techniques that preserve flavor, as well as tradition.

When diagnosed with diabetes, people are often extolled to eat more fresh foods and less processed ones. Riolo’s book, The Italian Diabetes Cookbook: Delicious and Healthful Dishes from Venice to Sicily and Beyond, presents a collection Italian recipes that are also easy-to-prepare and diabetes-friendly.

Carma and the italian diabetes cookbook

NOTE: I received a free copy of this book for review, however I am under no obligation to write about it positively or otherwise.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Over the past couple of years, I’ve experienced an increased interest in the topic of diabetic-friendly cooking. Not only have a married a wonderful man who has Type 2 Diabetes, but I’ve discovered that I’m pre-diabetic (which is, thankfully, reversible through diet and exercise!). This is the third in a series of reviews of books on this topic.

Summary of The Italian Diabetes Cookbook

This cookbook includes a collection of 150 authentic and naturally healthy recipes from Riolo’s Italian homeland. There are recipes for all occasions and several have vegetarian and gluten-free options. In addition, there is are suggestions for seasonal menus, a short primer on how to cook Italian, a guide to what one would need for an Italian pantry, and an Italian Culinary Glossary. There is even a guide on where to find ingredients if you can’t find them in your local store.

What Worked for Me

The book is consistently laid out with ingredients on the left and instructions on the right, which makes it easy to use. Most, if not all, the recipes include a note about “Italian Living Tradition” and a wine pairing suggestion. The information about exchanges and other nutritional data is also nice. This is a utilitarian book with few pictures … which is what a cooks cookbook should be.

What Didn’t Work for Me

Many of the pages have a watermark image for design, which can make the recipes a tiny bit harder to read. But everything is still legible. The different chapters are not easily distinguishable from the rest of the book, so flipping to the area you’re looking for is not easy. You’ll have to look up the section in the Table of Contents or recipe in the Index and then find the correct page.

Recommendation

If you love fresh Italian food, this cookbook will do the trick — providing you with healthy options without all the high-glycemic index pasta. This is not a meat and potatoes lover’s cookbook, but many of the recipes might just turn that carb-loving diabetic in your home around to better eating options.

Rating for The Italian Diabetes Cookbook

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[one_fifth] Color Chef Icon [/one_fifth]
[one_fifth] Color Chef Icon [/one_fifth]
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[one_fifth_last] Grayscale Chef Icon [/one_fifth_last]

Specs:

Format: Paperback, 224 pages
Publisher: American Diabetes Association (January 12, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1580405657
ISBN-13: 978-1580405652

Pick up your copy on Amazon.com here.

 

Previous Reviews in this Series:

[divider]

[one_third] Healthy Eating Worksheet [/one_third]
[two_third_last]

Take Charge of Your Health!

Changing your eating habits can be tough. But it doesn’t have to be if you take a little time to think it out and create a plan.

This Healthy Eating Worksheet will walk you through the process of creating a healthy eating plan. All you need to do is print it out, set aside some time to complete it, and then fill it out. Then you can create your plan, knowing that you have addressed potential obstacles and came up with some creative ways to handle them.

Download Now [/two_third_last]

Categories
Taste Tests

Taste Test: The Little Kernel Mini Popcorn

The calling of fast food may be “super size” … but there’s a trend in food to miniaturize, as well. The Little Kernel line of mini popcorn is one such example. I received three flavors to test out — butter, truffle sea salt and white cheddar — and here’s what I thought about them.

Taste Test: The Little Kernel Mini Popcorn

NOTE: I received a free sample of this product for review, however I am under no obligation to write about it positively or otherwise.

What I Liked about Little Kernel Mini Popcorn

Little Kernel Mini Popcorn Truffle Sea SaltOverall, I found the texture of the smaller popcorn to be quite pleasant. Texture is a part of your overall experience of taste, and the size of these mini popcorns added an interesting solidity to my experience. Traditionally sized popcorn often is more fluffy, whereas this was more kernel-y.

As for the individual flavors, my favorite was truffle sea salt. It had an intriguing earthy flavor that I have never had with popcorn before.

What I Didn’t Like About Little Kernel Mini Popcorn

Little Kernel Mini Popcorn White CehddarThe flavors were very subtle. The butter mini popcorn tasted like plain popcorn. I couldn’t really perceive much cheesy-ness in the white cheddar flavor. And although the truffle sea salt has that nice earthy quality, it was still very lite. I would have appreciated a more bold flavor.

Overall Comments on Little Kernel Mini Popcorn

I found this product pleasant enough to eat, but lacking in boldness of flavor. I think it would be fun to serve at a party, just for the novelty of it all.

Who Is Little Kernel Mini Popcorn Suitable for?

People who like popcorn in general might or might not like this product. I enjoyed it, but my husband, who also gave it a taste, did not like the texture. I recommend giving it a try to see for yourself.


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