Healthy Budget Meals

Save your waistline and save on cash at the same time - healthy family meals that will fill you up without breaking the bank! With the growing cost of groceries, many families are concerned that feeding their family healthy meals can be a balancing game between choosing nutritious food and maintaining their budget. So why not cook your comfort favorites the skinny way and save on grocery bills in the process? In this segment, which aired on Saturday, September 13, 2008 on ABC’s Eyewitness News, Jennifer showcased four healthy and fast budget recipes that feed a family of four:

• Pasta Bolognese
• Tacos
• Mac and Cheese with Chicken
• Cream of Tomato

Healthy Party Snacks

There’s no question that I like to cook, but I like entertaining even more. Testing out my healthy recipes on a hungry crowd is the best way to see which dishes are the most popular and to get feedback on flavors and textures. In this webcast on healthy party snacks, you’re invited to one of my parties where my neighbors and friends taste-tested many of the recipes you can find on SkinnyChef.com. Find out which ones were the top crowd pleasers among our guest list of 70 attendees:

• Guacamole
• Pulled Pork
• Zucchini Bites
• Creamy Spinach Dip

The New African-American Kitchen

The New African-American Kitchen shows food lovers how to prepare healthy alternatives to traditional ethnic recipes, comfort foods, and familiar recipes; to support farmer’s markets; to promote the use of organic, locally grown produce and seasonal cooking; to teach cooks how to prepare tasty vegetarian meals using non-meat alternatives; and to encourage them to consider vegetarian recipes for one or two meals per week. In addition, there is a chapter with information about living a healthier life, as well as recipes for those who struggle with diet-related illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease.

Other News and Updates

• What is Gluten-Free? - So, what do suffers of Celiac Disease eat? They learn to live a gluten-free lifestyle and become gluten sleuths, reading all labels, as gluten can hide in any number of places. You might be thinking that this is an extreme carb-free diet, however those with Celiac’s can enjoy plenty of gluten-free starches such as corn, potatoes, rice, and tapioca.
• 5 Surprising Reasons You’re Gaining Weight - How do you explain weight gain when your lifestyle includes regular exercise and a healthy diet that is controlled in calories? Gaining weight is absolutely maddening, especially when you really don’t understand why the needle on the scale keeps going up.

Happy & Healthy Cooking,
— Jennifer

Cooking With Superfoods

Do you know that eating can actually make you slimmer? In a TV segment broadcasted on Better TV, I’ll show you how to put a spin on low-fat, low calories cooking that has more nutrition that your typical “diet food”. How? I cook with superfoods. Not only can they satisfy your everyday cravings but superfoods are special since they are low in fat and calories and happen to be higher in vitamins and other nutrients than other foods. I’m sure that you’ll recognize many of them in your local supermarket – like grapefruit, yogurt, spinach and whole grains.

Watch my wide-ranging discussion with Better TV’s Audra Lowe and get my six recipes for popsicles, cupcakes and salsa!

• Grapefruit Cupcakes with Chai Icing
• Blueberry Pops
• Grapefruit Yogurt Pops
• Creamy Spinach Dip
• Grapefruit Olive Salsa
• Tropical Fruit Salsa

350F - One Hot Cooking Show

The first set of episodes from the new web series 350F - One Hot Cooking Show aired over the past three weeks on General Mill’s BettyCrocker.com - and I am sure you’ve enjoyed the mayhem and cooking challenges that my fellow judges and I were asked to supervise.

Looking back, I realize how versatile and fun experimental baking can be: even home cooks who don’t have the background of a recipe writer or professional chef can be extremely creative with baked goods that taste great while baking under pressure. Just imagine what an inexperienced baker can make with a good recipe and a few ingredients!

Other News and Updates

• What is Ayurveda? - Ayurveda, a 5000-year-old medical system created by the wise men of ancient India, isn’t just about mixing herbs - in fact, it gives detailed instructions on how to treat the body, improve the mind, and find balance in our changing environment. In a recent post on Chew On This, I shared how the ancient teachings are still applicable today, and how you can integrate them into your life.
• US Open Finals + Pre-Tournament Tasting Tour - Catch the US Open Women’s Singles Finals Tennis tournament from upper stadium seating. En route, enjoy a custom, private tasting and walking tour of Sunnyside, Queens, one of New York City’s most polyglot neighborhoods. Clodine Mallinckrodt of Go. Do. Grow will take you to sample Peruvian, Colombian, Romanian, Lebanese, Turkish, Irish and other specialties before arriving to explore the grounds and watch the exciting match. This is a wonderful and the only Queens outing of its kind. Learn more …
• Kids Follow Parents’ Lead on Fruits and Vegetables - Parents who want their preschoolers to eat their fruits and vegetables should probably practice what they preach, a new study suggests. In a study of more than 1,300 families, researchers found that when parents boosted their own consumption of fruits and vegetables, so did their young children. The findings, reported in the journal Preventive Medicine, point to the importance of parents “modeling” a healthy diet for their preschoolers. They also suggest that educating parents on nutrition early on could help address the problem of childhood obesity, the researchers say.
• Confusion from Food Allergy Warnings - It’s one of the biggest frustrations of life with food allergies: That hodgepodge of warnings that a food might accidentally contain the wrong ingredient. The warnings are voluntary - meaning there’s no way to know if foods that don’t bear them really should. And they’re vague: Is “may contain traces of peanuts” more reliable than “made in the same factory as peanuts?” Now health officials in the U.S. and Canada are debating setting standards, amid increasing concern that consumers are so confused they’re starting to ignore the warnings.
• Fruit, Veggies Lower Men’s Cancer Risk - Men who eat more fruit and vegetables have less risk of developing a type of cancer of the esophagus, a study by a Japanese medical team said. The study concluded that a diet rich in fruit and vegetables would lower the risk of developing this type of cancer to nearly one-third, even among men who smoke and drink.
• Half of Overweight Adults May Be Heart-Healthy - You can look great in a swimsuit and still be a heart attack waiting to happen. And you can also be overweight and otherwise healthy. A new study suggests that a surprising number of overweight people - about half - have normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels, while an equally startling number of trim people suffer from some of the ills associated with obesity.

Happy & Healthy Cooking,
— Jennifer

Summer is the time to take a break and catch some rays. Offices close early and school is out, but remember to protect your skin when you slip into swimware. We all know that the best way to protect again sunburn is sunscreen along with a hat and t-shirt. But do you know that eating the right foods can also help your skin to recoup after you already have a sun burn? Enjoying anti-oxidant rich vegetables and fruits can also help your body regenerate after a long day in the sun.

The New Look of Skinnychef.com

SkinnyChef.com has a new look, but don’t worry, you’ll still be able to access all your favorite recipes, tips, and blog posts. On Ask Skinny Chef, you’ll find the answers to many of your health and cooking questions. Sign up (on the right) for automatic delivery of this monthly newsletter, straight into your email inbox!

Fight Sun Damage with Food

1. Pack a Snack. Berries and cherries are my personal favorites when it comes to snacking. They are sweet, low-cal, and portable. Make quick and mess-free smoothies to pack them on ice to take for a trip to the beach, or freeze up some blueberry pops for a cool evening treat. Papaya is one of my summer staples because it has a long lists of nutrients. Besides containing an enzyme called “papain” that aids in digestion, it’s loaded with potassium that many sugary sports drinks add to help aid in hydration. High in beta carotein and vitamin C, just 1 cup of cubed papaya gives you more vitamin C you need in one day. Papaya is also packed with folate and vitamin E, minerals that may be lost through sun damage or ozone pollution. It’s delicious enjoyed sliced or you can make a smoothie or salsa with it.

2. Drink up. Add 1 teaspoon of finely grated lemon, lime, or grapefruit zest to your favorite brand of sparkling water. Grapefruit and orange juice are also naturally high in powerful anti-oxidants like vitamin C that can always help your skin to fight wind damage along with sun burn. If you didn’t get your dose on the beach, make Grapefruit Salsa tonight.

3. Apply it. Cucumber is often used in beauty products to sooth and calm irritated skin. Try applying freshly sliced cucumber directly to the skin for a soothing effect. If you’re feeling dehydrated after a day in the sun, try my cooling cucumber watermelon salad. Cucumbers are high in water content and a great juice for replenishing your body’s water supply.

So while you’re working on your tan, why not get a makeover, a refrigerator makeover that is! We’ve all heard “you are what you eat”, but eating right at home starts before you even open your mouth. Get off to the right start by shopping and stocking the fridge the skinny way. Listen as I break it down in four steps for radio hosts and their nationwide listeners - making healthy shopping choices is easier than you think!

Simple changes, such as choosing reduced-fat, part-skim cheeses and trans-fat free margarine, can really make an impact on your waistline, the health of your heart, and even improve your overall mood. Changing what’s in your fridge really can help change you.

Summer Kitchen Clearance

End of summer is a great time to take 1 hour a week for cleaning and rid your kitchen cabinets of all those odds and ends. Fall might seem like a way off, but clearing out your cupboard now and spending a few minutes organzing now will save tons of time when fall schedules get hectic. Check dates on jarred food. Have one too many cans in the cupboard? Take a look in your cupboards before you make your dinner choice. Use up canned beans and make chili this weekend or try homemade refried beans with bacon for taco night. Browse through your spices, you might have several bottles of the same spice that you could give away to a neighbor or transfer to one large jar. I recycle glass jars that once held olives and capers and reach for my label maker.

As summer winds down, you may begin to run out of many picnic staples like jarred condiments that show up on the picnic table. Instead of restocking, try replacing a few of those condiments with fresh alternatives. Try using salsa to top sandwiches, burgers, fish dishes, scrambled eggs, and stir into homemade iced teas. Is your freezer packed with frost bitten ice creams or popsicles? Take a trip to your local farmers market and pick up fresh fruits like peaches and pineapple for a tasty, low-cal dessert at your grilling party. Many of your favorite jarred sauces might be fat-free, but many are loaded with unwanted sugar and high fructose corn syrup minus the fiber, vitamins, and minerals fruit provides.

Yoga News

I began my path of yoga in 2001, as a way to incorporate more exercise into my life. I quickly understood that yoga is much more than just an exercise program. Through my regular practice over the years, I learned a lot about myself and watched myself change, and even had the courage to follow my dream of becoming a chef.

As yoga has become a constant in my life, my passion to learn more led me to enroll at Dharma Mittra’s Yoga Center where I recently completed the intensive 200-hour teacher’s training program.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to Dharma, as well as all the teachers, administrators, and the wonderful teacher trainees who shared their encouragement and smiles with me during the training. Dharma has inspired us all with his daily life reflected in his motto, “simple living and high thinking”.

Happy & Healthy Cooking,
— Jennifer

Summer time is here - the perfect chance to update your diet and enjoy seasonal fruit vegetables and fruits.

So while you’re working in your tan, why not get a makeover, a refrigerator makeover that is! We’ve all heard “you are what you eat”, but eating right at home starts before you even open your mouth. Get off to the right start by shopping and stocking the fridge the skinny way. Listen as I break it down in four steps for radio hosts and their nationwide listeners - making healthy shopping choices is easier than you think!

Simple changes, such as choosing reduced-fat, part-skim cheeses and trans-fat free margarine, can really make an impact on your waistline, the health of your heart, and even improve your overall mood. Changing what’s in your fridge really can help change you.

Scrumptious Summer Salsas

Kiwis, mangoes, papaya, think of these summer fruits as candy! These are just a few choice fruits you can use to make a super salsa.

Summer is the perfect time to mix and match different flavors since the options are plentiful. And salsas aren’t just made from tomatoes, you can use other vegetables, fruit, chilies, beans, and lots of fresh herbs to make your own unique combination. If you have a chance to browse a local farmer’s market, you’ll find plenty of supplies that you can mix and match.

Give the ketchup a rest and use salsa to top sandwiches, burgers, fish dishes, scrambled eggs, and stir into homemade iced teas. Salsa adds flavor without fat, high fructose corn syrup, plus you can score a half serving of fruit or veg! If you love to entertain in the summer you can leave the oven off and host a salsa party.

4th of July

The Fourth of July is the quintessential American holiday, filled with food, friends, drinks and parties. But how do you navigate the barbecues without spoiling your summer figure?

Don’t panic - burgers, side salads, drinks and desserts don’t have to be deal breakers! Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too … we beg to differ! Try my turkey burgers, spinach strawberry salad, zucchini salad, papaya-lime cooler and Devil’s food cake. Trust me - no one will want the mayonnaise-laden store-bought potato salad that Aunt Jan brought! If you want to be sure that your grilling really is healthy, check out my blog on skinny marinades.

Ishta Yoga

I recently visited the beautiful new Ishta Yoga studio where you can learn the basics of yoga or experience a challenge as an advanced practioner, have spa treatments and teach courses in meditation. Are you interested in deepening your yoga practice? Visit the Ishta Yoga Center on 56 E. 11th St. (Bet. Broadway and University) to expand your knowledge in the sciences of Hatha, Tantra, and Ayurveda. They also offer teaching certification if you ready to pursue a spiritually fulfilling career!

Happy & Healthy Cooking,
— Jennifer

Spring does not only mean fresh vegetables, but also fresh herbs! If you are lucky enough to have your own garden, I bet you pride yourself on serving your own fresh veggies. If you are a city-dwellers like me, you can still enjoy some home-grown goodness and have an herb garden! I have a window that I lined with my newly purchased herb pots from the farmer’s market. That way, I have access to healthy fresh herbs anytime I need to brighten up my meal.

If you don’t have access to a farmer’s market, three are still plenty of ways to put that green thumb to use this month! Most large hardware stores and groceries carry pots of your favorite fresh herbs.

Why do I love fresh herbs so much? Besides adding delicious fat-free, practically calories-free flavor to recipes, they are very high in minerals and have hidden health benefits. So forget about herbal supplements, and start cooking with fresh herbs like basil and thyme. Ward off those spring colds that are going around your office by incorporating some fresh herbs into your diet. Here are some herbs that pack a powerful punch.

• 

  Cooks love to pair sage with apples, sausage, and pork roasts, but do you know that it is also an anti-oxidant with antibacterial properties? It has been shown to reduce blood-sugar in diabetics and to reduce perspiring. What’s more, it’s been shown to help with memory retention!

• Want a clearer complexion? Add fragrant basil to your salad, sandwiches, and pasta dishes. Basil has been shown to alleviate acne and calm blood pressure and is a reputed aphrodisiac - meow, meow.
• Parsley’s not just a garnish! Chewing on some parsley is a great way to cure halitosis, better known as bad breath. Parsley is also known to curb high blood pressure, and help lessen the effects of allergies.
• Rosemary is traditionally used to flavor meat and home-baked breads. However, it can also help your body avoid food poisoning because of its powerful antibacterial properties. It also acts as a digestive aid and works well as a decongestant when added to a hot bath.
• Thyme, like rosemary, also has antibacterial properties. It’s a good digestive aid, has been know to help ease menstrual cramps and is considered a common cold remedy.

You can learn more about cooking and enjoying herbs by visiting my recipe section.

Grilling Favorites for Father’s Day

Dad’s day will be here before you know it! Forget the tie or magazine subscription and get him something he can literally sink his teeth into! Throw him and his chums a grill-out party with some of my favorite and unique grilling recipes.

Start the party out with pulled pork sandwiches while you’re heating up the coals! Jalapeno flank steak will hit the spot for beef lovers. Anyone can throw dogs and burgers on the grill, but make it special with something new like grilled eggplant with miso dressing or chipotle orange shrimp with spicy mayo.

Hot Food Spots on the Internet

• Visit startcooking.com, and help me congratulate friend Kathy Maister, the recent winner of the prestigious Webby Award for her fun and exciting site that teaches you how easy cooking can be. “The Webby Awards honors the outstanding work that is setting the standards for the Internet,” said David-Michel Davies, executive director of The Webby Awards. “StartCooking.com’s Official Honoree selection is a testament to the skill, ingenuity, and vision of its creators.”
• Ever wanted to get expert advice from a nutritionist? Check out my friend Leslie Dantchik’s exciting and beautiful new blog, alphabitesnyc.com, where she share the ABC’s of healthy living for real people.

Happy & Healthy Cooking,
— Jennifer

Get ready for warmer weather and slim down for spring! It might not feel like it yet, but bathing suit season is just around the corner and I’m thinking sunny thoughts.

Cooking with plenty of fresh vegetables is the best way to lose weight and still enjoy a completely satisfying meal. Spring has an amazing spread of crisp, green produce like asparagus, collards, fennel, and avocados.

So save on calories without skipping on portion size or flavor.

Tony’s Table, Slimming Spring Produce

Craving dessert, but want to get an extra serving of veggies into your diet as well? Everyone loves guacamole, but think outside the bowl. Avocado, used to make ice cream in Mexico, has been used to make many luscious International desserts.

Avocado is not only flavorful, but also happens to be high in nutrients like Vitamin B and C, folate and potassium. Watch me show CBS2’s Tony Tantillo how to make my Chocolate Avocado Shake that has half the fat of fast-food shakes and 400 less calories per serving!

Love creamy pasta? Watch me demo my BLT pasta. I call this recipe BLT since it has prosciutto that brings the meaty flavor of bacon with less fat, plus tomatoes and arugula in place of lettuce. Add extra fresh spring veggies to your favorite pasta dish - including more vegetables in your meals not only adds flavor, but also lightens the carb load.

Cooking Mistakes that Make You Gain Weight

Kimberly from the Daily Special Show and I talked recently about the most common cooking mistakes that could be packing on pounds.

Healthy cooking can be a cinch when you follow simple rules that anyone can learn! I also show my favorite healthy cooking tools for blending up healthy soups and adding zest to low-fat cooking.

Five Easy Ways to Get Green in the Kitchen

If you want to help protect the environment and save money at the same time - you don’t have to go to extremes. I really believe that every little bit helps, so here are my top 5 painless ways for being green. It’s easy to care about the environment while you cook!

Tip 1. Be a Local Yocal. Visit your local farmers market. Fresh vegetables from the farmer’s market actually last longer since they didn’t have to travel across the miles to get to your kitchen.

Tip 2. Beauty Starts at Home. Be beautiful at home. Craving that spa salt scrub that you saw at the salon? Why not save on those pricey concoctions and cut down on kitchen waste at the same time? Read the full blog…

How to Entertain the Skinny Way

It’s fun to entertain when the weather gets warmer. But how do you entertain without adding on unwanted pounds? Check out my post on a Healthy Happy Hour where I share my picks for the most figure friendly happy hour drinks.

Prefer to entertain at home? Find out how to make your favorite snacks and party food healthy - in a recent interview on Sirius Radio, I share tips and recipes with the Comoslicious Girls and talk about healthy substitutions for all of your favorite party snacks.

Happy & Healthy Cooking,
— Jennifer

Get ready for the month of March! There are plenty of chances to share a tasty meal since we’ll be celebrating two of my favorite holidays, St. Patrick’s Day and Easter.

I’m dedicating this newsletter to my Granny, “Patricia”, born on the March 17th! Even though she isn’t Irish, she certainly has had a lot of “luck” with her dishes. Queen of our family kitchen, she has passed on some fierce cooking skills and many cooking tips that you can see on the site, including her famous recipe for Hungarian nutroll.

When St. Patrick’s comes to mind, I also think green. Try my Irish cookies, low-sugar treats that use green tea powder instead of green food coloring. Find out why green tea is so healthy and how to use it in other recipes.

March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. Why not roast a beautiful leg of lamb for this year’s Easter feast? Butternut squash risotto makes a hearty, low-fat side dish, perfect for entertaining a large group.

Want to Include More Superfoods in Your Diet?

Check out my super food shopping list in She Knows Magazine and stock your fridge with my top picks.

Want to learn more about super foods? Find out what makes them super powered in comparison to other foods we eat and find out how easy it is to use them in everyday recipes. Hear me on the radio giving you the skinny on why superfoods promote longevity through increasing immunity, slimming the waistline, and providing your body with the right nutrients for optimal beauty.

Webcast: Eat Like an Actor

Ever wonder how professional actors stay fit? What about fighting cravings? Find out more when I visit my friend Chad Carpenter, a professional actor, getting ready for a big part at his rehearsal studio. I’ll tempt him with a luscious chocolate cake that even he has trouble resisting! I’ll teach him how to make his favorite buttermilk chicken the skinny way.

Spring Cleaning for Your Kitchen in 10 Minutes a Day

Don’t worry about fancy cleaning products, a bucket of hot water and vinegar or dish liquid will do the trick. Getting your fridge and freezer organized is the best way to save money on groceries, avoid waste, and inspire you to cook more often. Read the full article…

Day 1. It’s a date. Take 10 minutes on a rainy afternoon to check all the dates on your condiment bottles and jars.
Day 2. Shake of the Chill. Take 10 to tackle the freezer. You’d be surprised at the pre-historic goodies that are taking up valuable space.
Day 3. Let There be Light. Take time to clean your dark pantry cabinets. Closed doors don’t prevent dustballs!
Day 4. Air it out. Do you smell a rat? Ok, maybe it’s not a rat under your sink but it could be a spoiled potato or just particles of food that may have fallen into your cabinets.
Day 5. Set it and Forget it. Clean all your appliances at once.

How Sweet is Your Love Recipe Contest

Enter to Win, it’s not too late! This February, in honor of National Grapefruit Month and Valentine’s Day, we’re asking grapefruit enthusiasts to submit a grapefruit recipe they love.

It can be an appetizer, entrée, dessert or beverage, but must include either one half of a grapefruit or 8-ounces of grapefruit juice. The winner will earn a trip for two to Florida to cook with me, visit a grapefruit grove and shop for fresh grapefruit.

Happy & Healthy Cooking,
— Jennifer

When I was growing up, Valentine’s day wasn’t just about chocolate. Granny always made her own treats, handmade goodies that had nothing to do with candy. One Valentine’s, she created a basket full of hand-sewn pin cushions in the shape of a heart stuffed with fragrant rose and lavender potpourri. But now that I’m older, I always think of giving food this time of year.

Why not make your sweetheart a special meal that is not only tasty, but heart healthy too? Start out with with a bright red appetizer, cherry peppers stuffed with mozzarella and basil served with a glass of chilled champagne or Prosecco. Salmon with orange balsamic glaze or spicy sausage and spinach lasagna paired with a chilled glass of white wine makes a sweet main course. Finish off with a heart-healthy dessert like my sweet heart cupcakes or serve them with fruit and coffee for breakfast in bed or a late brunch.

Healthy Brunch Ideas: February 2008 In Style Magazine

Florida’s super fruit, grapefruit, can add some serious sparks to your Valentine’s Day.

That’s because this citrus star is full of antioxidants that let your heart stay strong and give your skin that special glow. Plus, at only 90 calories a cup and with zero fat, Florida grapefruit juice can help you maintain a healthy weight.

Read my article in the February 2008 In Style Magazine.

Prevent Colds and Slim Down - Stay Hydrated!

As the indoors heat up, keep your body at its peak by ensuring you are properly hydrated. Watch my video with recipes that replenish your body and help you to fuel up. Hydration and hunger may not be something you think of in tandem, but you should. Eating meals with high water content allows you to feel full faster - a healthier formula for weight loss than the typical diet of deprivation.

Fighting a winter cold or want to prevent one? Staying hydrated may be the key to keeping the winter sniffles at bay. Does Vitamin C really help to prevent colds? Visit the SkinnyChef blog and read the entry on Cold Prevention to find out.

How Sweet is Your Love Recipe Contest

This February, in honor of National Grapefruit Month and Valentine’s Day, we’re asking grapefruit enthusiasts to submit a grapefruit recipe they love. It can be an appetizer, entrée, dessert or beverage, but must include either one half of a grapefruit or 8-ounces f grapefruit juice. The winner will earn a trip for two to Florida to cook with me, visit a grapefruit grove and shop for fresh grapefruit.

In Granny’s Kitchen Podcasts

Subscribing to In Granny’s Kitchen podcasts is easy! Visit my podcast page at the iTunes Store or the Zune Marketplace and click the subscribe button! That will ensure that your iPod will automatically download new episodes as they become available, usually towards the end of each month.

Happy & Healthy Cooking,
— Jennifer

It’s hard to resist the temptation of holiday treats. There’s no ignoring holiday favorites, from rich roasted meats, to buttery baked goods and of course those sweet drinks like spiced rum wine and eggnog that are loaded with extra calories, sugar, and fat.

What’s the best way to fight the holiday bulge? Start cooking! Try my bulge busting soup that’s a balanced meal in a bowl. This soup is a great way to cut back because it’s low in calories but fills you up, with low-fat protein, plenty of veggies, and light on the pasta.

Happy and Healthy New Year

Grapefruit is one of my favorite superfoods since it’s loaded with antioxidants like vitamin C. I created this tangy, sweet champagne cocktail, my grapefruit bellini, to start the night out right. Find out more about the health benefits of grapefruit.

Healthy Cooking on Yoga Life - Light Christmas Cookies

While you’re trimming the tree, trim a little off traditional Christmas cookies and make your own! Try my five new cookie recipes like Chocolate Macaroons, on iyogalife.com, that are still sweet for Santa, but cut the sugar and fat in half.

Want to find more ways to stay fit this winter? Yogalife has plenty of free resources including instructional videos on yoga, tips on weight loss, and of course plenty of Skinny Chef’s recipes for light and luscious family meals.

Eating for Beauty :: January 2008 In Style Magazine

Do you know that eating can make you beautiful? That’s right, making healthy food choices and cooking with superfoods like grapefruit, can give you a gorgeous glow! Thirst quenching grapefruit provides you with plenty of vitamin C that can help maintain collagen production for healthy, youthful looking skin. Read my article in the January 2008 In Style Magazine.

Why wait for New Year’s? Make your resolution now! If losing weight is your number one priority, making one to two small changes to your daily food choices can make all the difference in the world. Melt off pounds with a pencil, that’s write. Keep a simple log of the items that you eat everyday, without calculating calories, fat and sugar. See a pattern? Try substituting a heavy hitter from the list with the same size portion of something healthier - so for culprits like ice cream or bag of chips try the same size portion of frozen yogurt or soy chips. You could literally trim off pounds over a month or two. Get more tips to trim down.

Christmas Cookies from Granny’s Kitchen

In Granny’s Kitchen is where it all started! Ever have a mishap in the kitchen? In my new podcasting series, In Granny’s Kitchen, Granny and I share our easy techniques and tips to rescue meals before they get to the dinner table. Find out how to keep sour cream from curdling and how to fix a salty soup!

Subscribing to In Granny’s Kitchen podcasts is easy! Visit my podcast page at the iTunes Store or the Zune Marketplace and click the subscribe button! That will ensure that your iPod will automatically download new episodes as they become available, usually towards the end of each month.

Happy & Healthy Cooking in the New Year,
— Jennifer

H ome-made baked goods are my weakness during the holidays. Who doesn’t love a plate of warm cookies right from the oven? Why not try some
healthier holiday goodies that are lighter than traditional fare but just as sweet? Try my recipe for rugelach for Hanukkah filled with chocolate chips and walnuts or leave Santa a stack of peppermint biscotti!

Healthy Cooking on Yoga Life - Eating for Beautiful Skin

Do you have dry skin or suffer from acne? Try turmeric, it’s the spice at the top of the list for skin care and quite inexpensive. It comes in a root, but you’ll see it more often in powder form since it is difficult to grind at home. Turmeric, which gives Indian dishes their yellow golden color, has strong anti-inflammatory properties. That makes it a powerful remedy against all sorts skin disorders.

Find out more about turmeric and check out easy recipes like spiced movie popcorn and corn chowder in my webcast Cooking with Turmeric.

Holiday Fitness

Do you have a post-Thanksgiving blues? Are you feeling sluggish after indulging on holiday treats? Get back on track with my top picks for superfoods!

1. Grapefruit. It’s power juice! Low in sugar and only 90 calories per cup, it’s no wonder grapefruit helps to slenderize while quenching your thirst unlike soda that has tons of sugar and over 200 calories a pop . Grapefruit also contains pectin and fiber that can help you trim down and keep weight off. Studies show that grapefruit even keeps you thin on the inside. Grapefruit has high levels of important antioxidants, like lycopene, that lower cholesterol and even have potential to fight cancer. Want to replenish after a session at the gym? Grapefruit is the ultimate sports drink, a juicy food that hydrates with its high water content. Grapefruit is also high in potassium, a mineral lost through sweat after a rewarding workout. Find out more about the health benefits of grapefruit.

2. Prunes. Prunes are the candy of the fruit world – rich, sweet, and sticky! They also happen to be extremely high in antioxidants, almost triple the amount of antioxidants you’ll find in the same amount of berries! They are a good source of potassium which helps to regulate normal blood pressure and heart function. Whenever I’m craving something sweet like a chunk of chocolate, I go for a few prunes to curb my sweet tooth.

3. Whole Grains. Change all your breads, pastas, and grains to whole grain choices. Why? When you eat a lot of processed or “white” breads and grain, your blood sugar rises quickly because these foods have a high glycemic index, causing a spike in blood sugar. Also, the white stuff is stripped of all the fiber that helps you to stay thin. Whole grains digest more slowing, maintaining a steadier level for blood sugar, which can lower your overall risk for diabetes and heart disease while helping you to burn fat more effectively.

4. Almonds. A small handful of almonds makes a perfect snack since they are lower in fat than other nuts and have many health benefits to boot! High in vitamin E, almonds are heart-healthy since their antioxidant power helps to protect the heart while lower cholesterol. Vitamin E is also necessary for healthier and beautiful skin and hair.

5. Flax Seeds. Flax seeds are loaded with omega-3, a compound that your body can’t make and needs to get from food. They have many excellent health benefits including antioxidant power and the ability to help lower cholesterol. Flax is easy to cook with, you can add it to breadcrumb mixtures, to breakfast cereals, desserts, and even sprinkle it in your salad.

Christmas Cookies from Granny’s Kitchen

In Granny’s Kitchen is where it all started! In my new podcasting series, In Granny’s Kitchen, you can listen to taped kitchen conversations with my Granny and all her secrets for Christmas goodies.

Find out how Granny makes her special christmas cookies!
 

Happy & Healthy Cooking,
— Jennifer