Happy Halloween!

Halloween Chewy Fruit Squares

Made with pure fruit juice, here's a healthy Halloween treat you can encourage the kids to eat. I’ve doubled this recipe for a Halloween party!

 

Makes 4 squares 

3 envelopes unflavored gelatin
1 cup water
½ cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

Double, Double, Toil and Trouble

Who is ready for the ghosts and goblins coming this week?

7 Healthy Tips for Chicken

The versatility of chicken has made it a universal favorite, with almost every culture having its own traditional favorites. When buying chicken, the white meat is your best bet, because it is lower in fat than the dark meat. Below are seven more healthy tips for chicken.

Creamy Chicken Chowder

Cottage cheese and skim milk replace the cream in this rich-tasting chowder that's so thick and creamy, you won't believe it's so low in fat. And what a great use for leftover chicken.

Makes 4 servings
(1¼ cups each serving)

1    cup sliced mushrooms
1    cup low-fat (1%) cottage cheese
1    cup skim milk
3    cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth (or 3 cups of water and 3 packets low-sodium instant chicken- or vegetable-flavored broth mix)
2    tablespoons dried chives
1    teaspoon paprika
⅛   teaspoon pepper
⅛   teaspoon ground nutmeg
6    ounces cooked chicken, cut into small cubes, skin discarded (l ½ cups)

Be Vulnerable

Be vulnerable to be creative! Happy Monday!

Football Tailgate Recipes

The middle of football season is here, and we do not have to deprive ourselves from yummy, healthy snacks. Here are some of my favorite Lean & Luscious tailgate recipes that would be great for your tailgate!

Banana Bavarian

The riper the bananas, the sweeter this easy pudding will be.

Makes 4 servings 

½    cup water
2     envelopes unflavored gelatin
2     cups evaporated skim milk
2     medium, very ripe bananas
2     tablespoons sugar
⅛    teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch ground nutmeg
1     teaspoon vanilla extract
¼    teaspoon banana extract 

Logic will get you from A to B.

It's all about your imagination! Happy Monday!

6 Tips for Red Meat

Red meats contain more saturated fat and cholesterol then most other protein sources. Therefore, most health professionals recommend that you limit the amount of red meat that you consume. However, when you do eat meat, here are six tips that will help you choose leaner cuts and prepare them in more healthful ways.

 

Chili-Cheddar Cheese Spread

Spread on crackers or sliced veggies, this is a great Sunday evening football snack.

Makes 12 servings

(2½ tablespoons each serving)

1     cup low-fat cream cheese
4     ounces shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese (1 cup)
2     tablespoons very finely minced onion 2 tablespoons bottled chili sauce
1     teaspoon dry mustard
¼    teaspoon garlic powder

All Our Dreams Can Come True

Courage can help make your dreams come true! 

Happy Monday!

Fall Family Favorites

Fall is my favorite time of year, and I love using seasonal produce in my recipes. These 3 recipes focus on fresh seasonal produce that your family will be sure to enjoy.

Chicken Rice Soup

The dill adds a nice touch to this delicious soup that's not only warm and homey, but also easy to prepare. You can have comfort food in no time. If you store leftover cooked rice in the freezer, it's always ready for times like this. Pre-cooked rice is also an easy alternative. 

In the pictures shown, you’ll see much more of each ingredient than called for. That’s because I doubled the recipe. It’s great for leftovers! 

Makes 4 servings 

(1¼ cups each serving)

2     teaspoons canola oil
¼    cup diced onion
½    cup diced celery
¼    cup diced carrots
4     cups low-sodium chicken broth (or 4 cups of water and 4 packet low-sodium instant chicken-flavored broth mix)
½    teaspoon poultry seasoning
¼    teaspoon dill weed
4     ounces cooked chicken, cubed, skin discarded (1 cup) I used a rotisserie chicken, which makes preparation even faster.
1     cup cooked rice (I used a bag of the Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice which cooks in 90 seconds.) Salt and pepper to taste