Tag Archives: cooking

Healthy Summer Cooking with Kids

During the school year your kids are working hard learning to read, write, multiply and divide. When school’s out, it’s time for fun and relaxation. There certainly is plenty of that to be had at the beach, the pool or amusement park. But sometimes the weather has a mind of it’s own.

On one of those extra hot and humid days, why not spend some time in the kitchen with your kids?

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Moms Working Leads to Obese Children

The old-fashioned ideal of having mom at home and dad at work, and still being able to make ends meet (or even prosper) on one income has long been pushed aside. Sure, there are exceptions, and even in some cases like my own, there are dads who work from home with the kids, and mom is off working a traditional 9 to 5 job.

But, the modern reality of both parents working is proving to have an impact on children in relation to their weight. New research has found that the increase in moms working has a distinct relation to the rise of childhood obesity.

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Walnut Week: Mollie Katzen Dishes on Recipe Trends

It’s walnut week here at Diets In Review. I’ve been blogging some great interviews with top fitness, culinary, and health experts on all things walnuts, and of course, healthy eating. If you’ve missed my posts, you can always catch up at our walnut week roundup page! Next up, an amazing interview with cookbook author Mollie Katzen. Read what she thinks you should eat to get healthy:

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Walnut Week: Google Chef Charlie Ayers Talks Healthy Cooking

All this week, I’m dedicating my blogs to walnuts. If you’ve missed the content so far, be sure to catch up. You can find out what fitness guru Petra Kolber thinks you should do to stay energized this summer, and read about the latest research on the health benefits of walnuts.

This interview is with chef Charlie Ayers, former chef at Google, author of the book “Food 2.0” and member of the California Walnuts Chefs Council, a group working to make restaurant meals healthy and delicious at the same time. Read what he has to say about healthy cooking and check out his healthy recipe using walnuts: Walnutty Egg and Bell Pepper Gratin.

1. As a restaurant chef, what is essential for creating healthier menu options? Whether it is swapping out butter for a healthier oil, or lower fat dairy, etc., how do you keep high-taste intact while still offering healthful options?

It is important to give your guests compelling flavor profiles, so that they are satisfied and not missing the added fats that are normally associated with restaurant foods. We tend to use a lot of ingredients that are versatile and can be either applied to Latin American or Asian cuisines. We make all of our own dressings; our ketchup is made in-house with no high fructose corn syrup, and instead use an organic brown sugar in small amounts as a sweetener. I try not to use added fats when working with product that already has a naturally high fat content, and I try and bring out the flavors of the foods with the combination of using fruit and vegetable juices instead of adding additional fats. (more…)

Interview with Hungry Girl 1-2-3 Author, Lisa Lillien

At DietsInReview.com, we love the Hungry Girl! We had a chance to interview Lisa Lillien, aka, the Hungry Girl about her new book, Hungry Girl 1-2-3. Here’s what she had to say about her latest creation.

1.) How is Hungry Girl 1-2-3 different from your two other cookbooks (Hungry Girl and Hungry Girl 200 Under 200)?

The recipes in this book are even easier. And there’s more info – like prep time, cook time, etc. Also – while many recipes have less than 200 calories, a lot have more like 300 or more calories so there are more substantial recipes and meals in the book.

2.) Your creativity in pairing certain favorite foods really shines through in this cookbook. Can you highlight a few of your favorite “couples” and why they are so good and so good for you?

Hmmm… some of my favorite couples are Laughing Cow Light cheese wedges and Egg Beaters. Pretty much what I eat for breakfast every single day. Yum! Next, broccoli coleslaw and tomato soup (Amy’s Chunky Tomato Bisque). I stir-fry those together and it’s incredible. Tastes like pasta and sauce to me! Another great one is Vitalicious Triple Chocolate Chunk VitaTop and a tablespoon of peanut butter.  Crazy-delicious and satisfying for around 200 calories.

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Healthy Salad Recipes for National Salad Month

When spring breaks and the fresh, seasonal produce is available again, there’s nothing better than a crisp salad. Whether as a side to accompany an already delicious meal, or as the main course, a salad is light yet satisfying. And unlike most meals, it can be completely customized.

May is National Salad Month, so we wanted to jump on the bandwagon and support this campaign for one of the healthiest meals around.

Loaded with everything from greens and vegetables to nuts, fruits and lean proteins, a salad offers complete nutrition in one meal.

Just like an unhealthy food, moderation should be practiced with salads, too. You can all too easily turn a light and healthy salad into a calorie bomb that’s no better than the burger you were actually craving. Keep your salads on the lighter side by: (more…)

Healthy Kentucky Derby Recipes

Perhaps you have already cast your ballot for the winner of the 136th Kentucky Derby, selected your most decorative hat yet, and sent out the invitations to your Derby party. Now, all you need are the recipes for your Southern style menu.

Usually when we think of Southern food, fried, breaded, crumbled and cheesy come to mind. There is no question Southern favorites are delicious but they can also send your arteries into a frenzy.

But worry no more: DietsInReview.com has compiled a list of our favorite Southern-inspired recipes that are just as good as they are good for you. From crispy chicken to berry crumble, we have healthy recipe makeovers that are so filled with Southern hospitality and yumminess that even Paula Deen might put down her donut burger and sample a few of your tasty and nutritious dishes.

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Learn to Like Vegetables One at a Time

Confession: I am a reformed vegetable eater. Up until a few years ago my knowledge of vegetables extended no further than iceberg lettuce, corn (actually a grain), green beans, and potatoes. This was all I was exposed to as a child, so I had this fear of how gross vegetables were. As an adult, why would I go out of my way to eat something I wouldn’t like?

A few years ago, when I really became passionate about my health and the way my family eats, eating more vegetables was a natural part of that change. I like to call it growth.

I’m not alone in this category of picky eaters. In fact, we’ve heard from fans and readers who’ve asked us how to eat more vegetables because their families feel the same way. Vegetables are gross.

What I’ve learned, and want to share, is that vegetables aren’t gross, they’re actually quite delicious and add depth to a meal. Today, there are few veggies I won’t eat. And I hope soon you and your family will be able to say the same thing.

As a former veggie hater, I advise to start slowly and try new things. It takes time and practice, but worth it to reform your vegetable habits. Try one new veggie a week, and a variation or two. You might not like it immediately. And, if after a couple attempts you don’t like it, then drop it. There are too many veggies available to force yourself to eat what you don’t like.

Here are a few ideas that worked in my home to help you take on the vegetable transition: (more…)

Rachael Ray Gets Kids Cooking!

Rachael Ray has been a rising star for quite some time, starting as a celebrity chef, and graduating into the syndicated daytime TV world. In 2006, the ambitious Ray launched a nonprofit organization called Yum-o!, which helps kids and their families develop healthy relationships with food and cooking. This is done in a three-pronged approach – “Cook, Feed and Fund.” Here is how they break down:

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Almond Flour: The Nutritious Baking Secret

Having completed a gluten-free blog series focusing on celiac disease and gluten-free products and resources, I came across a new product that I had not tried yet. From the ingredients listed and reviews I read, I knew I had to try this one for myself.

Grain-free almond flour is a great new baking flour that is gluten-free, helps lower cholesterol, and is loaded with nutrition. From vitamin E to fiber, calcium and iron, I started to think if I baked with this flour it would be like cooking in Popeye’s kitchen as he eats his can of spinach. While all the benefits sounded great, I had to ensure that it tasted yummy too. There is nothing worse than a poor tasting cookie after all that work in the kitchen! (more…)

Are You Loading up on Veggies in the Cold Winter?

Just because it is cold outside doesn’t mean you should take a hiatus from vegetables. It might not be summer salad season, but your body still needs veggies through the winter. As a resident of Washington, D.C., I’ve had my fair share of winter – and I’ve enjoyed my fair share of winter vegetables as well.

In this short video, I will give you ideas for getting hot veggies in the cold of winter.

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