Many families will be celebrating Easter on 3/31/24 with a ham dinner. That is one of my favorite childhood memories with my mother’s baked ham on the lace tablecloth with her good china and silverware. If you like using a slow cooker, check out my Slow Cooker Ham for an easy meal which also leaves the oven available for other dishes.
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Clean Eating, recipes, healthy diet, Eating more fresh, local produce, organic vs non-organic food, GMOs
Kalamata Olive Tapenade
Tapenade: A Provençal dish consisting of puréed or finely chopped olives, capers, olive oil, and sometimes anchovies which is usually eaten with bread as an hors d’œuvre. Originally tapanade was only made with black olives, but now there is also tomato and eggplant tapenades.
Today’s recipe is Kalamata Olive Tapenade with earthy, robust Kalamata olives. Tapenade is simple, quick to make, delicious and addictive. Kalamata olives are the Mediterranean diet’s best-kept secret superstar. Not only are they bursting with flavor, but they also pack a powerful punch of health benefits.
Read MoreHow to Deal With Fear of Missing Out on Food
FOMO: Fear of missing out (FoMO) is a unique term introduced in 2004 to describe a phenomenon observed on social networking sites. FoMO includes two processes; firstly, perception of missing out, followed up with a compulsive behavior to maintain these social connections. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Diets usually include food restriction which can trigger food FOMO (fear of missing out on food). This can make you more likely to crave whatever food you’re restricting. It becomes a vicious cycle of binging and restricting. This is evident in the research, with studies showing that having an “all-or-none” approach to eating and inflexible diet rules leads to increased binge eating.
Read MoreRoasted Potatoes & Spinach
I love a side dish that includes fresh greens. It not only has a great flavor, but also ups the nutrition. Today’s recipe is roasted potatoes mingled with fresh spinach in a sauce of garlic, butter, and fresh rosemary. You can finish with a good shredded hard cheese like Parmesan or Pecorino if you like.
Read MoreBarbecue Cauliflower Wings
These crispy cauliflower wings, coated in sweet-and-spicy barbecue sauce, are a plant-based twist on the classic chicken wing appetizer. Made with just a handful of ingredients they’re a welcome way to add more veggies to your next outdoor BBQ or game-day get-together. Make sure to leave the florets slightly larger with a little bit of stem for easy hand-held eating. Serve the smoky wings with blue cheese or ranch dressing to add refreshing coolness to the tang.
Read MoreValentine Fun Treats With Fruit
Next week is Valentine’s Day. Everyone enjoys the day from small children to grandparents. Today let’s discuss ways to provide healthy fruit treats for kids and adults that involve a heart shape. Remember Valentine’s Day treats don’t have to be red.
I. Cut fruit
Cut fruit into heart shapes. Since Valentine’s day falls in February, look at what fruit is available in your area. Several years ago I made brunch for a friend with regular chocolate pancakes and heart-shaped strawberries. It was a simple meal with a festive Valentine-inspired table.
Strawberries are being harvested in central Florida in February and March as it is a cool weather food. Summer in Florida is way too hot for strawberries. I used a paring knife to remove the stem and notch the top of each strawberry. They are little hearts now.
Cutting hearts also works well with small melons for a multi-colored plate of fruit treats. These little hearts were made with cookie cutters.
A slice of watermelon can make lots of little hearts.
II. Use a Heart-Shaped Bowl or Plate
If you don’t have time to cut lots of fruit, start with a heart-shaped dish. Berries are perfect for this with no cutting.
Want a mix of fruit? Add berries, pineapple chunks, cut kiwi, grapes, and/or tangerine segments – whatever is in your local market. You now have a cute snack or dessert for Valentine’s Day.
III. Shape Fruit on Plate in Heart Shape
Start with a plate or bowl and add small pieces of fruit in a heart shape. Simple to do. I like white dishes with colorful blueberries. Place a dollop of whip cream in the center of the heart. I suggest having a bowl of just blueberries and one of whipped cream that everyone can spoon onto their saucers.
IV. Tangerine Valentines
Want an alternative to passing out candy valentines to your child’s class? Help your child write heartfelt messages on tangerine skins or decorate them with fun stickers.
I’m wishing you all a fun and tasty Valentine’s Day!
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Vegetarian Quinoa & Black Bean Chili
Whether you’re trying to eat less red meat or are having a vegetarian guest, today’s recipe is a crowd pleaser for fans of spicy chili. Previously I shared The Best Vegetarian Chili with meatless-crumbles and beans. Today’s version is based on healthy quinoa and black beans. It’s another delightful way to enjoy a spicy bowl of comforting chili. Adjust the spices to meet your family’s tastes. Serve with fresh cilantro and shredded cheese, green onion, or a dollop of Greek yogurt. (Greek yogurt contains more protein per serving than sour cream, which is ideal for those trying to build muscle or improve their immune system or bone strength.)
Read MoreComfort Spring’s Most Popular Posts in 2023
I’m sorry that I’ve been off line so much, but life is very busy when you move. I am taking a break from unpacking. My apartment has a bed set up, and dressers in the right rooms . We won’t mention the ocean of boxes. I am currently doing laundrey and hanging up the clean clothes in the closet. No more living out of a suitcase for me.
Today we’re reviewing Comfort Spring’s stats for 2023. I had 41 features last year. Many thanks to the link party hosts for their support. In terms of posts with the most visits, I must say I’m not sure how these posts became so popular, but I’m not complaining. The top 10 posts are all over a year old.
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