December 2007 Newsletter: Cook UpSome Holiday Cheer

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.