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By Janis Jibrin, M.S., R.D., Nutritionist
What’s a reasonable portion of pasta? Mashed potatoes? Broccoli? If you’re not sure, join the club! Thanks to oversized restaurant portions, giant cookies, muffins and other baked goods, king-sized candy bars and all the other huge...
By Sidra Forman, Chef
You’ve probably never used the words “casserole” and “chic in the same sentence before. Instead, the dish that can often be made entirely of canned goods brings to mind words like “practical”, “old-fashioned” and “tasteless.” But today’s casseroles have come...
Go for healthier butter alternatives. Vegetable-oil spreads can give you the taste of butter without the extra heart-clogging fat, dietary cholesterol and extra calories. (Compare...
Go ahead and have a slice of (turkey) bacon with your eggs at breakfast in exchange for higher-fat items later in the day. This simple switch, as part of a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may actually help support heart health. In a new study published in the International...
By Sidra Forman
Gumbo is a stew that originally comes from Louisiana. There are endless varieties of the dish, but most contain okra to give the stew a thick consistency. Good thing okra’s in season right now! Traditionally, gumbo is...
By Liz Krieger
I’ll be honest: I can be a mindless eater. I’m that person who curls up on the sofa to watch reality TV with the entire bag of pretzels in my lap. I chain-eat chips, unknowingly polish off a bowl of grapes and somehow plow my way through a tub of dried fruit and...
By: Stephanie Clarke, R.D., and Willow Jarosh, R.D.
Q: What are some heart-healthy and filling breakfast ideas, other than plain old
oatmeal?
A: Rise and dine! Starting your day with a heart-healthy breakfast can set you on the right track for the rest of the day....
By Sidra Forman
One of my objectives for my recipes in this blog (and at home) is to use whole grains where they are not traditionally used. So when I saw a request in the community forum looking for a healthier peanut butter cookie recipe, I promised to create one. The recipe...
By Sidra Forman
I know that okra is somewhat controversial: People tend to either love it or hate it. Wherever you fall, I suggest you try roasting fresh okra, which is my favorite way to prepare the vegetable. Plus, it yields less slimy results! Okra is in season right now and...
By Liz Krieger
When I was a teenager, I spent a fair amount of time at the mall. Oh, heck: Who am I kidding? I spent A LOT of time there. I wasn't hanging out with a gang of friends scouting for boys, though; most of the time I was with my mom. We'd stroll from store to store...
By Sidra Forman
There are so many ways to make a great veggie burger. This recipe is a delicious and quick option. The baking soda is the secret ingredient that makes a great crispy crust while the burger remains moist inside. Try throwing one on the grill this summer as a heart-...
By Liz Krieger
This week’s cooking installment began almost as a dare. On my recent visit to my parents, my mom nearly fell out of her chair when I told her I intended to cook something again (see my stellar first attempt here). But for some...
By Sidra Forman
The food we often enjoy at summer gatherings and picnics is not healthful. This recipe for cole slaw is a better option than the usual heavy version. The flavorful vinaigrette will make this a favorite…and if you like spicy food add extra cayenne!
Cole Slaw...
By Liz Krieger
Full disclosure: I had a bit of help with this week’s cooking escapade. You see, I spent the weekend at my parent’s house in the suburbs, and the bountiful harvest in their refrigerator was a big reason why I took on an ambitious recipe. There’s...
By Sidra Forman
Find me a person who doesn’t love macaroni and cheese…it’s hard, right? This is a healthier recipe that eaters of all ages will love! The creaminess of the cauliflower puree allows for a very rich tasting dish despite a small amount of cheese. The result is a...
By Liz Krieger
In an effort to stay cool during the rather oppressive early summer heat- and humidity-wave, I decided to step away from the stove, opt out of the oven, flee from flames, and avoid anything approximating hot, warm, sizzling, or seared.
Enter the blender and...
By Sidra Forman
These days I gravitate toward whole grains. To me, they taste better than refined ones, but they’re also antioxidant-packed and high in fiber. So I was thrilled to discover that Cream of Wheat now is available in a whole-grain variety. This quick morning breakfast...
By Liz Krieger
My laziness has manifested in a new way: I’ve developed a new obsession with precooked sausages. I am deeply enjoying all the organic, turkey- and chicken-based ones you can find at the store these days. Whether they’re spiked with feta and spinach, apples and sage...
By Liz Krieger
Before I launch into what went wrong during this week’s cooking endeavor and the numerous lessons I learned, I’ll go right ahead and spoil the ending by saying upfront that my chili was darn good! After all, I don’t want to always lead with the negative! That said...
By Sidra Forman
Traditionally asparagus is served steamed with a heavy sauce. My favorite update to this dish that I think tastes superior and is more healthful? A quick roast at a high temperature and seasoning with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon. Even though it’s possible...
By Liz Krieger
Finally, a cooking escapade with only a modicum of drama, and with universally admired results. This time I chose to eschew any real recipe and do two simple things that still intimidated me even though I’d seen my mom do them dozens and dozens of times: Make brown...
By Sidra Forman
This is a cookie you can feel good about! The recipe makes just four cookies, ensuring there aren’t leftovers, and they’re low in sugar and fat. If you desire, bake one cookie at a time; you can store the batter in the refrigerator for at least a week.
4...
By Liz Krieger
There are some dishes that seem to scream unhealthy. You can almost hear those ubiquitous sausage-egg-and-cheese sandwiches shouting, “Stay away! Don’t take one bite!” And yet, they’re so, so good— something I know my husband adores and has a hard time resisting....
By Sidra Forman
Everyone loves lasagna but it can be seriously high in saturated fat. This version substitutes lean turkey for beef and incorporates both non-fat ricotta and low fat mozzarella. No worries about taste! A full, rich lasagna flavor is most definitely there.
...By Liz Krieger
If I learned anything during this week’s time in the kitchen, it’s that you sometimes have to make do with what you have. This lesson came about when I spent three days with my husband’s family at their weekend home in the woods. It’s a lovely, secluded spot—leafy...
By Sidra Forman
Cornbread is one of those foods that makes everything you serve with it taste better. And yet for those of us conscious about fat, cholesterol, and sodium, it’s also often one of those foods that’s best to avoid. Instead, try this re-worked recipe that will...
By Liz Krieger
There’s no question that the person most excited about the commencement of this blog is my husband. When we met nearly four years ago, he knew very, very well how little I cooked, and how generally clueless I was in and around the kitchen. He was fully aware that...
