A Practical Guide To Healthy Living

Another Everyday Food knockoff for you today!  I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it here, but I’d estimate that Everyday Food Magazine is the source of more of my “keeper” recipes than any other food pub I read.  And believe me, I read a lot of food-related publications.  I’d venture to say that if you want to add one mag to your repertoire in the upcoming year, it should be this one.  The recipes are consistently easy and delicious, and they emphasize all-natural and seasonal ingredients.  This is NOT the fancy froo-froo Martha Stewart Living Magazine . . . nope, a sister publication that’s as down-to-earth as you and me.  Nothin’ fancy.  Just good vittles.

OK, off soapbox and into the kitchen.  [Read more →]

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It’s good to have a few little sauces up your sleeve . . . for those times when you’re staring at a piece of fish, or a chicken breast, and you’re uninspired (or unable) to make something special out of it.  Just sauce it up.  You’ll feel better. [Read more →]

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I’ve been on a crunchy snack kick lately, and it’s gonna show up in my jeans.  Too many Trader Joe’s Honey Wheat Pretzel Sticks add lbs. to the scale.  So I’ve gotta quit that, on account of needing to eat a few (dozen? trillion?) cookies this month.  So I set out to find a lower-impact crunchy snack, and I rediscovered the rice cake.  I hear you out there, “booooring!” Well, you know there are white-cheddar cakes?  They are reminiscent of Smartfood.  And caramel flavor if you want crunchy + sweet.  And how ’bout the million ways you can top a rice cake – hummus is a particular favorite, as are nut butters, and really any sandwich filling.

But I found a new, new love – corn cakes!   [Read more →]

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Are you a fan of Semi-Sweet on Facebook and Twitter?  If you’re not, you should be – you’ll have access to all manner of “bonus content,” including links to interesting health- and nutrition-related articles, delicious-looking recipes I find, news about goings-on around town, and many days, updates on what I’m eating (you might find something new to try!).  A couple of days ago, I posted some tips for making it through the holidays while still fitting into your skinny jeans, and also about baking cookies.  And a few people commented – surprised comments like “Hey, idiot! The two are incompatible!”

Well I argue they’re not.   [Read more →]

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You’ve seen them at the market, right?  Touted as being a great way to rid your produce of pesticide residue, dirt & bacteria ?  But they cost money.  Are they worth it?  [Read more →]

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Now here’s a frugal dish:  chicken thighs and dried beans.  Sure, there’s jarred salsa, and I’d encourage you to buy a good brand because the flavor will take center stage, but really, this is a cheap and easy one today, folks.  And so tasty!  [Read more →]

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Yikes?!  It’s TWO DAYS until Thanksgiving?  What? Are you all set?  You probably have dinner nailed down by now, but don’t you want something a little special for breakfast?  I made these muffins last weekend and they are the perfect seasonal breakfast item.  And so easy.  And because these are even better the day or two after you bake them, why not get ahead of the game and whip these up tonight or tomorrow, so you can wake up to a delicious homemade treat on Turkey Day? 

Apple Pumpkin Muffins with Streusel Topping (adapted from Allrecipes.com)

Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease 18 muffin cups or use paper liners.

In a large bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups flour, 2 cups sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, mix together eggs, pumpkin and oil. Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture; stirring just to moisten. Fold in apples. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons flour, 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle topping evenly over muffin batter.

Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean.

After these cool, store them in an airtight container in the fridge.  Or freeze them.  Whatever you do, warm them slightly before you eat them, and if you like, slather with a little softened butter or whipped cream cheese that’s been sweetened with a little maple syrup. 

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I’m a total information hound at heart . . . it wasn’t an accident that I chose to become a litigator – it was my jobto take in as much info. from as many sources as possible and cull through them to present a cogent, persuasive argument.  And now, in my new role as schlepper-in-chief, I’ve set my sights on recipes, cooking apps and nutrition information. 

I do find that sometimes I’m on information overload.  Years ago when I was learning about meditation and the Relaxation Response, I remember my marvelous mentor telling us that sometimes you need to take a break from media.  That it can help calm the body and quiet the mind.  It works, you should try it.  For at least a few minutes.

But when you’re done with all that relaxing stuff, and you need more sources in inspiration and information, where can you turn?  To satisfy your cooking needs, here are some great lists of cooking apps for your iPhone:

• top 5 iPhone Thanksgiving recipes apps
• one blogger’s take on the top 5 cooking apps
• recipe apps for vegetarians and vegans!
• Chow.com’s top cooking apps to download
• recipe apps for dieters

You’ll see Jamie Oliver’s app coming up again and again on these lists – I bought it a while ago and it is that good.  Fun, beautiful, easy to use and with tasty recipes. 

Bon appétit!

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