Fruit Dip Options for Your Autumn Healthy Snacks

 Aside from a homely true salad for a healthy autumn delight is a bowl of finger foods and a fruity-tasting dip.


 Basic Cream Fruit Dip

1 8-ounce package cream cheese,softened
3 tablespoons sugar
1 cup sour cream or Mascarpone
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients and beat until smooth and creamy. Whatever option (below) you choose, chill and serve with assorted fruit dippers such as bananas, grapes, kiwi, apple, pineapple, strawberries, raspberries, and papaya, cut into bite-size pieces, if necessary. Bagel bites are good, too. Makes 2 to 3 cups.

Serve your fruit dips in a "fruit bowl". Cut an orange or grapefruit in half crosswise. Using a very sharp knife, cut a thin slice off the bottom of each half so it sits flat. Carefully slice around the edge of the fruit; remove the fruit and the membrane. Spoon the dip into the shells and serve. Or, serve one and refrigerate the other one for later. 

 Options:

Almond Fruit Dip

 Add 3 tablespoons finely chopped almonds and 1 1/2 teaspoons almond liqueur to the basic recipe. Garnish with 1 tablespoon finely chopped almonds, if desired.


Lemon Fruit Dip



Add zest of 1 lemon, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 extra tablespoon sugar to the basic cream cheese fruit dip recipe.

Raspberry Fruit Dip

Puree 1 cup sweetened raspberries (aprox. 1 10-ounce package). Spoon half the basic recipe into a serving dish and smooth. Top with half the raspberry puree and smooth. Repeat.

Marshmallow Fruit Dip

Add 1/2 cup marshmallow creme to the basic recipe.

Marshmallow Cream Fruit Dip - We loved it!

Healthy and Fresh Mozzarella BLT with Pesto

 I couldn't imagine my delight when I got another mozzarella recipe from Your Smart Kitchen. I feel like getting new ones, new tastes to add in my list regularly and it's a big plus in my menu. The other day, I bought the other necessary ingredients, drove home and went straight to the kitchen and made the new recipe. My husband couldn't have enough of it.

Ingredients

• Mozzarella
• Uncured Bacon
• Romaine Lettuce
• Beefsteak Tomato
• French Bread
• Pesto
• Butter
• Sea Salt
• Pepper

Directions

Cook the bacon in a skillet until it is as crispy as you like. I would recommend a medium-low heat to avoid burning. Take the extra time to make the bacon right and it will be worth it.

 

Set your griddle to about 300 degrees Fahrenheit and get two slices of French bread ready.

Rub a small slice of butter on the griddle surface, melting it. Place your top slice of bread in the butter and grill till golden brown then set aside. Spread the pesto on the bottom slice of bread and layout your thin slices of tomato. Add your bacon and top with mozzarella. Cover the sandwich with the other slice of bread and place on a buttered griddle surface. Grill till the bottom piece is golden brown and enjoy your healthy sandwich!

The Sugar-Free Thing

Recalling the explosive trend of sugar-free "sweets" in 2003, particularly for more adult-orientated sugar-confectionery, did you ever take that action?

Since sugar-free has been already a dynamic and established trend in some foods, technological advancements could spell an end to laxative-effect bulking agents which have so far prevented progress in children's products.

Like sugar-free gums, equally sugar-free chocolate is now indistinguishable from the 'real thing', although major manufacturers are still struggling to develop sugar-free variants which retain the unique taste and texture of their brands. Nonetheless, moving out of pharmacies and health-food stores into more mainstream distribution channels, sugar-free is definitely a trend to watch.

With innovation, Nestlé has been restructuring its approach to confectionery, divesting sugar brands and boosting support for smaller brands such as Smarties, which has seen a host of NPD in recent months. Mars has also been renewing its brand support, building brand equity by increasing the number of confectionery brands extended into other food sectors such as bakery or ice cream.

Why not begin your own sugar-free sweets from your own kitchen?

Why Healthy After School Snacking Is Good

Even if you take time to eat three meals a day, you may still feel hungry at times. I do feel hungry in the middle of the night. What's the answer? Healthy snacks. Snacking on nutritious food can keep your energy level high and your mind alert without taking up a lot of your time.

But it is possible to treat yourself to a healthy snack. In fact, if you have a hectic schedule, it's even more important to eat healthy foods that give you the fuel you need to keep going. One solution to this is to make your own homemade snacks that's hearty and filling enough to make a gratifying treat, especially for kids after school.

 

Depending on your child's age and after-school routine, try to control what he or she eats in the late afternoon so she don't lose appetite for dinner. A child who gets home famished at 3 and eats a large snack probably won't be hungry if dinner is at 5:30. Likewise, it may not reasonable to expect a child whose parents work late to go until 7:30 with nothing to eat since lunch. Think about your kids' schedules and plan accordingly.

Baked potatoes are my favorite to serve, they love it too. Potatoes (not fried) are low in calories and fat snack and high on taste and nutrition. You are sure your kids will enjoy this after school. It's very simple you can just put them in a Dutch oven and follow your baking steps.

 Luckily, there are loads of snacks out there that are not only easy to prepare but also provide health benefits your kids need– all while tasting delicious.

Healthy Snacks for Kids

One of the reasons why we busy ourselves with what to give our kids is the health benefits of the food. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables may lower risk of heart disease, blood pressure, cancer, stroke, eye and digestive problems. The following are what I find the best suggestions for a healthy snack.

Fruits and vegetables 

This food group is sure to provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that are essential for good health. Instead of stocking up on expensive pre-packaged snacks (with unsuitable ingredients) that they can quickly grab, this is a good opportunity to teach your kids to prepare quick, healthy foods for themselves. The times your kids are busy is precisely when they need the most nutrients. Dried fruit is high in calories and good for high energy kids and those who need to gain a few pounds. Spread some peanut butter on celery and add a few raisins. Will give you a good boost of energy as peanut butter contains some protein.

 Milk and eggs

Since I was small,  Mom always give me milk anytime of the day (this perhaps is the reason why I am still in love with milk up to now). Milk has excellent source of calcium which is very essential for growth and proper development of strong bone structure. Healthy benefits of milk can be achieved from its products including cheese, yogurt, butter, condensed milk, tofu and paneer. I think milk also is every kid's favorite, especially when chilled, or served with iced-cubes.... or a few drops of Hershey's.

Yogurt

The active cultures in a yogurt provide a for a dose of helpful bacteria along with your yogurt. Avoid yogurts that are high in sugar. A cheaper and healthier alternative to sugar added yogurt is to buy a large container of plain yogurt and then make your own "fruit at bottom" type using jams made with real fruit and no added sugar. Yogurt is also Simple, fast and easy to prepare, if you are preparing them.

Two Healthy Snacks for You and Your Kids

Whether you’re juggling family activities, work requirements or social commitments, keep on hand these quick recipe ideas to help you stay lean and healthy! They are quick and easy to prepare and most of all, budget-friendly.

Navel Oranges


Ingredients


4 navel oranges

• • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Directions

With a sharp knife, remove rind and white pith from oranges. Cut each into 5 or 6 slices and arrange on 4 plates. Whisk together orange juice and lemon juice, sugar and cinnamon. Spoon over the orange slices.

Sesame Carrots

Ingredients

• 2 cups baby carrots
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• Pinch of dried thyme
• Pinch of kosher salt
• 
  

Directions

Toss carrots with sesame seeds, thyme and kosher salt in a small bowl.

Pizza from Cheap Mushrooms

Mushrooms are healthy, don't you know that? So even if you buy them cheap, you get the most health benefits from them. A lot of people use mushrooms as topping to pizza and make a wonderful mushroom snack that kids enjoy.


It's definitely simple, I did it! Cut your mushrooms into bite sizes and saute lightly in butter and your favorite saute ingredients. Strip several branches of thyme leaves and crush them a bit with the back of a knife.
Roll out a thick crust (pizza dough) and brush it with melted butter and vegetable oil, sprinkle it with thyme, then mushrooms then with crumbled cheese. Bake in a 450 degree preheated oven until the crust and cheese are brown. Serve it along with refreshing fruit drink when the kids when kids are watching tv.

If you love pizza with tomatoes, mozzarella and mushrooms, enjoy this recipe from Anna Maria. She'll love it to know you and I are enjoying her wonderful pizza idea.

Three Strict Diet Rules That You Can Break

Don't be confused!

If you follow a strict diet in order to maintain those curves, you definitely would not do anything to fall off the diet wagon completely. But if you're among the flexible dieters who deemed it good enough to “more or less” follow their weight loss plan, without letting slip-ups escalate into eating binges, then this blog is for you.

NSCA-certified conditioning coach Holly Mosier, author of Stress Less, Weigh Less (Greenleaf Book Group Press, 2011), offers these myth-busting insights and why they are are okay to break.

Don't Eat After 7:00 p.m.

There’s nothing magical about avoiding eating at night. The key to weight loss success isn’t when you eat; it’s taking a close look at what you eat and staying within your daily calorie allotment, says Mosier. By making you mindful of your dietary patterns and caloric intake, regardless of what time of day the food is consumed, is definitely okay.

Eat five to six small meals during the day. 

 

Although the reality is that having more opportunities to eat often results in overeating, resulting in weight gain instead of weight loss. Eating three regular-sized meals that include lean protein makes people feel more full than eating smaller, more frequent meals. The researchers also reported that eating three high protein meals also decreases late night eating and food cravings.

Stick to fat-free or low-fat foods. 

The American Heart Association recently reported that low-fat and fat-free foods can contribute to obesity, because these foods often contain as many or more calories than the full-fat versions, yet trick people into thinking that these are good choices for weight loss. Always check the nutrition facts on the label and avoid low-fat products that are loaded with sugar. Choose unsaturated fats, such as olive oil, nuts, or oily fish.

The Power of Milk in Foods

Raw, pasteurized, or skimmed milk, it is one of the healthiest snack drink. Although not everyone enjoys milk along with the fact that not everyone believes on the importance of milk to the human diet, at least why not give it a try?... if it doesn't work, at least make use of the milk's ability to enhance taste in your foods.

How much milk do you need in scrambled eggs then? My measurement is 1 tablespoon per egg. It is better for you than using butter, and also instead of using a pan to scramble your eggs you can use the micro wave. Even on my corned beef, I use 3 tablespoons of milk for every can of corned beef. This makes my breakfast tastier, even without cheese. Milk helps build up endurance and strong muscles as these foods are rich in protein content.

Soy-based "yogurt," "sour cream," and "cream cheese" products are available at natural products grocers. These generally work very well in recipes, although as "stand-alone" products they do not necessarily taste "just like" their dairy-based counterparts.

I've been an avid fan of milk since I was a young girl.

The Peach Cobbler with Fresh Peaches

I used to make peach cobbler each year, or at some occasions, but not much using fresh peaches. Last year, my bestfriend bought me a pan of her own peach cobbler topped with freshly-picked peaches. I never thought it was that delicious! My kids have been requesting the recipe since then. If I don't get fresh peaches, I used canned. Now I'm sharing that recipe.

You will need: 

• 1 stick (4 ounces) butter, melted ( she said sometimes she uses margarine)
• 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
• 1 cup all-purpose flour ( she says cake flours are best)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 to 4 ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, thinly sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

How to :


Heat oven to 375°. Pour melted butter into a 2-quart baking dish (11x7 or 8-inch square). In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of the sugar, the flour, baking powder, and salt; stir to blend. Stir in the milk and vanilla until blended. Pour the batter over the melted butter. Toss the peaches with the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.

Arrange the peach slices over the batter. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. The top will be browned and the cake will begin to pull away from the sides of the pan. Serve warm with a little heavy cream, whipped topping and crushed fresh peaches.

If ever this is your first time to make peach cobbler, follow this simple methods of making a simple peach cobbler for the National Peach Cobbler Day.

This is actually a new peach cobbler recipe in my list. Try this yourself and be one of us.

Superbowl Healthy Snacks for the Entire Family

Your Superbowl Sunday will not be complete without super snacks during the game, or while watching the game at home, or why not even after the game. I'm sure the fever is still damn hot.

Here are Superbowl super snacks suggestions from Your Smart Kitchen. If you are not yet a subscriber to Your Smart Kitchen Newsletter, it's time you get your own subscription. For now, here are the recipes:

Buffalo Chicken Fingers

Ingredients:

• Olive Oil
• 1/2 cup flour
• Salt & Pepper
• 1/2 cup fat-free milk
• Franks Red Hot Sauce
• 1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
• 2 teaspoons garlic and herb seasoning
• 2 pounds skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into 2-inch strips

Preparation

Preheat oven at 400.
Coat a large baking sheet with a thin layer of olive oil.

Combine flour, salt, and pepper. In a separate dish, combine breadcrumbs, oats, and garlic seasoning. Dip chicken into flour mixture, coating evenly. Dip into milk and coat. Finally dip into the breadcrumb mixture and coat evenly. Place chicken strips on baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes. Once chicken is crispy and golden brown drizzle with Franks Red Hot to taste.

Creamy Artichoke Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1/2 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup light cream cheese
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon chopped scallions
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Preparation

Preheat oven at 350.

Combine artichokes, mayonnaise, cream cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 3/4 cup mozzarella, garlic salt, pepper, scallions, and parsley in a bowl. After mixing, transfer dip into a baking dish.

Sprinkle the remaining parmesan and mozzarella cheese over the top of the dip; bake 20 - 30 minutes, until golden and bubbling.

Beer.Beef.Chili

Ingredients

• 1 medium red onion chopped
• 1 small chopped red bell pepper
• 8 ounces lean ground beef
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 2 cups red kidney beans
• 1 diced tomatoes
• 1 low-sodium beef broth
• 1 bottle beer
• 1 tablespoon yellow cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Preparation

Combine red onion, red pepper, ground beef, and garlic in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook about five minutes, until beef is browned, stir to break meat apart.

Add chili powder, cumin, sugar, and salt, simmer for 1 minute.

Add oregano, kidney beans, tomatoes, beef broth and beer; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in cornmeal; simmer 5 minutes. Add lime juice and serve.