Ayala’s Herbal Water Give-Away

Posted on February 6, 2010 by The Healthy Apple

Good Morning, Foodies…As I usually don’t post on the weekends, this offer just simply couldn’t wait….


Who doesn’t love a little Valentine’s Gift?  The fabulous folks over at Alyala’s Herbal Water are offering to send a 6 bottle sampler pack of Ayala’s Herbal Water and an herbal water totebag to my winner….but, hurry…I’ll be picking a Valentine by 12 pm EST on Monday February 8th!

Good Luck…

Simply leave me a comment on this post as to what flavor you’d like to try of Ayala’s Herbal Water and I’ll pick  one winner on Monday morning at 12:00 noon EST.

Enjoy your weekend and good luck!

Filed under: Beverages, Giveaway's | Tagged: , | 14 Comments »

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Posted on February 5, 2010 by The Healthy Apple

Here is a fabulous recipe that I baked last night for a flourless chocolate cake.  It was incredibly delicious and I loved the taste of the macadamia and hazelnuts…they added the perfect touch.  And of course, this recipe would not be the same without my favorite, most delicious eggs from Eggland’s Best. What are you waiting for? Whip up this tasty cake for a special treat tonight…I assure you…your taste buds will be thanking you.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup whole macadamia nuts
  • 1 cup whole hazelnuts
  • 4 Eggland’s Best eggs
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 6 Tbsp. cocoa
  • 2 Tbsp. stevia
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp. salt
  • Topping: Greek plain yogurt or dairy-free ice cream
  • Topping: Fresh mint leaves

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a spring-form pan with baking spray, then line with parchment paper.
  • In a food processor, combine nuts; process to meal-like texture.
  • Add remaining ingredients and continue to pulse for another minute.  Scrape sides of the bowl and process another 20 seconds.
  • Transfer batter into prepared pan.  Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Cool for 20 minutes before cutting around the edges to loosen the cake.  Release pan sides and parchment paper.
  • Serve and top with a dollop of dairy-free ice cream or Greek plain yogurt and a fresh mint leaf.
  • Enjoy!

Filed under: Dessert, Holidays, Vegetarian | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments »

FREE KIND Bars at Starbucks tomorrow, February 5th!

Posted on February 4, 2010 by The Healthy Apple

Try KIND Bars for FREE at Starbucks on February 5th!


On February 5th. Starbucks will sample KIND bars at all of their 7,000 stores across the country! Drop in to try one of the two delicious flavors selling at your local Starbucks: Fruit & Nut Delight and Cranberry Almond + Antioxidants. Click HERE to find a Starbucks near you.

Here are 10 tips to help you adopt a KIND lifestyle that will make you not only look good but, more importantly, feel great!


Don’t skip meals!
When you don’t eat your body actually goes into “starvation mode” and your metabolism slows. If you skip a meal your chances of overeating dramatically increase and brain function such as memory, concentration, and mood can suffer.
Eat breakfast like a KING…
Someone that lived a KIND lifestyle once said “Eat breakfast like a KING, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper”. Eating a complete, well-balanced meal in the morning jump starts your metabolism to calorie-burning mode. If you do not eat until lunch time, you body will not burn as many calories as you would during the morning period. In fact, research indicates that people who do not eat breakfast are more likely to be overweight than those who eat a proper breakfast. Breakfast is a great way to boost energy levels, brain power and help with weight control.

Watch your caloric intake
Understanding your calorie needs is important for weight control and can help with your meal planning. Depending on your weight and activity level, you should eat somewhere between 1500-2000 each day. Click here to find the caloric intake that is right for you.

Keep portions in check
Most of the time, we crave more than what our bodies really require. No matter what the food, portions do matter! Meals should include a protein serving the size of a deck of cards, plenty of veggies with small amounts of healthy fats and swap out the refined grains for whole grains. Limit “unhealthy” saturated fat and trans fat. It usually takes about 20 minutes for your stomach to signal to your brain that you are “full” so try not to eat until you get that “full” feeling. That’s a sign that you overate! Click here for more information on portion sizes.

Avoid empty calories.
Look for nutritionally dense foods where you get a bang for your buck. These are foods high in vitamins and nutrients compared to their calorie content. Examples: lean meats and fish, beans, whole grains, vegetables and fruits.

Know your fats:
Look for foods high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These are good for your heart, make you feel full and promote weight control. Those Mediterraneans are really on to something…
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=532

Drink water!
Even better, drink water before you eat and drink throughout the day. A lot of the time when you think you are hungry, you are actually just dehydrated. Remember caffeine is a diuretic so if you drink a cup of coffee, you should drink more water in order to stay hydrated!

Get some exercise
Sure going to the gym and getting a good sweat is great, but there are other ways to get some exercise if you can’t do it like a gym rat. Take the stairs, park further away when you are at the grocery store or the movies, take up a hobby like dancing or biking, plan weekends to involve some sort of activity.

Sleep well
You should get at least 7-8 hours each night. When we don’t get enough sleep we get cranky, makes it hard to focus and we are more prone to eat unhealthy foods. Lack of sleep may disrupt natural hormonal balances, increasing appetite and triggering overeating.

Be KIND!
Research shows that happy people are healthier and giving to others actually can improve your overall health. Do an unexpected KIND act for someone: offer to carry someone’s heavy bag, let someone go in front of you in line, give up your middle seat on an airplane. Stepping out of your comfort zone feels good, it will make someone’s day and yours too.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/health/01well.html?em

Filed under: Healthy Tips, Media, Nutrition, On-the-go-Snacks, Product Reviews, Side Dishes, Vegetarian | Tagged: , , | 7 Comments »

San Pellegrino and Foodbuzz Announce The San Pellegrino Almost Famous Event

Posted on February 4, 2010 by The Healthy Apple

Foodbuzz has just announced this amazing San Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Regional Competition Finals People’s Choice Awards in Napa Valley on March 7th.  How exciting is that? I would love the opportunity to travel across the country to Napa Vally (a place I truly love…not only for the beautiful wineries, the fabulous people and the amazing food), but for the opportunity to attend this fascinating foodie event…this is truly a dream come true for me.

This event will feature top chefs and food editors from top epicurean media channels such as the Today Show and Food & Wine Magazine to watch finalists from 11 regions around the world compete for the People’s Choice award.  What a dream!

I love San Pellegrino…the bubbly, crisp taste that excites my taste buds every time I take a sip…it’s the perfect afternoon refreshment and my evening ’sparkler’ mixed with organic cranberry juice and a fresh lime wedge…

Attending this event would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as I would love to meet these food editors and watch the incredibly talented 11 finalists compete for the grand prize right in the heart of Napa Valley.

Blogging live from Nappa, surrounded by culinary talent and enjoying the incredible ‘culinary’ company…now that’s what I call an amazing experience.

In the spirit of the San Pellegrino Almost Famous Event, I’ve created a spectacular relish this evening, using my San Pellegrino.  Enjoy this tasty dish and keep those fingers crossed as I’d love to jet to Napa for this exciting competition!

Gingered Cranberry-Orange Relish


This is a wonderful dish to serve alongside roasted turkey, grilled fish or roasted root vegetables.  It seems no matter what you pair with this relish, the taste is always exquisite.  I often use leftovers on my turkey sandwich and salad the next day as the relish is a perfect accompaniment to bean casseroles, baked tofu, poultry, fish, crackers, toast and pitas.

Ingredients

  • 2 large oranges, unpeeled and slice into 8 pieces for each orange
  • 1 grapefruit, unpeeled and sliced into 8 pieces
  • 2 cups fresh cranberries
  • ¼ cup stevia
  • 2 tsp. honey or agave nectar
  • ¼ tsp. cinnamon
  • ¼ cup crystallized ginger, chopped
  • 1 tsp. white balsamic vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp. San Pellegrino

Directions

  • Place orange and grapefruit pieces (skin-on) in a food processor. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
  • Slowly add cranberries, stevia, honey, cinnamon, ginger, balsamic vinegar and San Pellegrino; pulse until coarsely chopped.
  • Transfer relish to a small bowl and chill before serving.
  • Enjoy!

Filed under: Nutrition | Tagged: , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Super Bowl Savers: Touchdown Worthy Snacks Without the Padding

Posted on February 3, 2010 by The Healthy Apple

Americans consume over 30 million pounds of food on Super Bowl Sunday, twice the normal amount. In a girth-growing world, Doctor Kracker offers some simple solutions to cut the fat.


According to recent studies, the average American consumes over 1,200 calories during the Super Bowl- a full day’s worth. It’s not surprising however, when looking at consumer shopping habits. Leading up to the big day, Americans buy over 11 million pounds of chips and sales of flavored snack crackers increase by a whopping 68%, most of which are laden with hydrogenated oils (which increase the chances of developing heart disease), corn syrup, sugar and empty calories.

But never fear, the Doctor is here. Doctor Kracker, a brand of artisan baked nutritious, satisfying and organic flatbreads and crackers, offers a few simple solutions that will make your Super Bowl snacking taste indulgent while cutting the fat.

First, take inventory of your Super Bowl standbys: chili, chips, wings, cheese and buttery crackers, to name a few.  While the #1 cracker in America might only set you back 80 calories per serving, most consumers eat double that. By substituting one serving size of Ritz crackers (16 grams, or 5 crackers) with the same serving size of Doctor Kracker (15 grams, 4 crackers), you can save 20 calories, 1.5 grams of fat and 4 grams of carbohydrates. Additionally, that same serving of Doctor Kracker provides a healthy 2 grams of fiber, 3 grams of protein, flax and omega-3s, leaving the processed, butter-filled crackers in the dust.

Available in a variety of flavors and sizes, Doctor Kracker makes the perfect vessel for dips and hummus, as well as a deliciously healthy key ingredient in burgers, sandwiches and even lasagna. The result? More flavor, better nutrients, less fat.

I love serving Dr. Kracker flatbreads and crackers at my Super Bowl party; they’re always a hit and you can create a beautiful spread of hummus, guacamole, salsa and bean dips.  Your guests will be pleased with your healthy Super Bowl offerings…but be sure to save some for yourself as these tasty nibbles will surely go fast!  Dr. Kracker is my favorite  cracker brand and their flavor varieties are sure to please your taste buds on any occasion….

I know you’ll love them too.

For healthy recipes sure to be a touch down at your Super Bowl party, visit www.drkracker.com.

In The News This Week…

Whole Foods launches nutrition-education program

Fresh and Easy Launches Gluten-Free Line

And

Be Sure To Check Out My Latest Article, ‘Navigating the Menu When Dining Out’ at Style Caster

Filed under: Appetizers, Dinner, Holidays, Lunch, Media, On-the-go-Snacks, Product Reviews, Side Dishes, Vegetarian | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Superbowl? Super Ideas…

Posted on February 2, 2010 by The Healthy Apple

Seems we’re all looking forward to Sunday’s Super Bowl game, however, we’re not looking forward to those unhealthy calorie bombs that are served up on this rowdy night.  I’ve created a few tips for you to help navigate your way through the buffalo wings and nachos so you’ll be able to enjoy the game and keep yourself healthy and happy with your food choices.


Reach for Fiber

Cruditee? You bet…Opt for fresh sliced cucumbers, celery, radish, carrots, jicama, zucchini and squash dipped into a healthy dip using Greek plain yogurt, fresh lemon juice and fresh herbs and spices such as cilantro and chili powder.

Turn up the Heat

Create a bowl of heart-healthy chili for your guests to enjoy.  Toss in a few different types of beans such as White, Navy, Kidney, Black and Chickpeas along with a dose of vegetables and/or lean turkey.  Top your chili with a dash of nutritional yeast and a dollop of Low Fat Ricotta Cheese or Greek plain yogurt for a healthy spin on cheese and sour cream.

Watch your Spirits

Just because it’s a night of celebration, doesn’t mean you have to keep up with the boys and drink beer until you feel sick.  Save yourself the hangover and the unnecessary calories by splashing cranberry or orange juice into a glass of seltzer with a dash of lime juice for a tasty spritzer.

To Dip or Not to Dip?

That is the question.  Be sure to watch your dips; salsa, guacamole and Greek yogurt are excellent options, however, be sure to portion your servings especially if you are going taste the warm cheese dip or creamy ranch dressing as these are full of unhealthy additives and preservatives.

Eat Before You Play

Have a small meal prior to arriving at your football shindig.  Try a piece of grilled chicken with hummus and vegetables or a bowl of gluten-free cereal with Greek yogurt and a drizzle of agave nectar.  Trail mix makes a wonderful go-to snack that you can toss into your bag for the party in case there are no other healthy options served.

Watch the Wings

Don’t restrict yourself from any foods, as we all know this only will lead to disaster.  However, be sure to steer clear of those fried foods such as fries and potato skins.  Wings are usually cooked with the skin on, so be sure to remove the skin before eating them as they’re just as tasty without the skin.  Dip them into your Greek yogurt, salsa or guacamole for a satisfying taste without the saturated fat.



Filed under: Appetizers, Dinner, Healthy Tips, Lunch, Nutrition, On-the-go-Snacks, Side Dishes, Vegetarian | 2 Comments »

Superbowl Casserole

Posted on February 1, 2010 by The Healthy Apple

Ready for the big game on Sunday?

Here’s a quick and easy recipe that will have your Superbowl fans begging for more.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup gluten-free vegetable broth
  • 1 Roma tomato, sliced
  • 1 cup organic tomato sauce
  • 1 large sweet onion, finely diced
  • 2 scallions, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup sliced black olives
  • 1 tsp. chili powder
  • 1 tsp. agave nectar
  • 1 cup SoyaKaas Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Cheddar Cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup SoyaKaas Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Jalapeno Cheese, shredded
  • 1 tsp. oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1/6 tsp. ground sage
  • Dash of sea salt and pepper
  • 2 cups shredded chicken or turkey
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups organic corn or rice chips
  • 4 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Toppings: Greek plain yogurt, guacamole, organic salsa

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a large bowl, combine vegetable broth, tomato sauce, tomato slices, onions, scallions, olives, spices, agave nectar, sea salt and pepper to form a sauce.  Set aside.
  • Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray.  Layer half of the chicken, then beans, then half of the sauce, Cheddar Cheese, Jalapeno Cheese and tortilla chips.
  • Repeat layers, ending with cheese on the top.
  • Bake for 40-45 minutes or until casserole is bubbling and cooked.
  • Garnish with cilantro and top with a dollop of each: Greek plain yogurt, guacamole and salsa.
  • Enjoy the Game!

Filed under: Condiments, Dinner, Lunch, Media, Side Dishes, Vegetarian | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Organic Avenue Event Review: Raw Food Demo

Posted on January 28, 2010 by The Healthy Apple


Last week, I had the pleasure of attending a raw food prep demo, lecture and book signing with Rod Rotondi, raw food chef, thought leader, and entrepreneur.  This event took place downtown at Organic Avenue’s, The Space of Love on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Organic Avenue serves a delicious live organic vegan experience through an assortment of fresh juices, smoothies, salads, soups, dips, entrees and salads.

Rod is a world traveler, culinary eclectic, and founder of Leaf Organics, along with social activism and award-winning cuisine he is working to, “change the world one bite at a time.”  His signature cuisine wows celebrities, like Woody Harrelson, Mariel Hemingway and Jenny McCarthy, who frequent his Los Angeles Leaf Organics restaurants.


Rod presented topics such as, “how to make a salad into a meal,” and how to transition to a healthier diet that can work in today’s hectic lifestyle. He demonstrated the incremental steps to develop a healthier relationship with food and deliver his promise to keep it simple and easy; after all he is known for making Raw Food for Real People.

Thank you to Organic Avenue for this educational and inspiring evening at the beautiful Space of Love location. For those of you who are not familiar with Organic Avenue, it surely is worth the trip to their locations in Manhattan, as well as their website.  The juices, salads, soups, chocolate, smoothies, dips, entrees and ‘mylks’ looked delish and I am surely going to return soon to taste each of these beautifully crafted raw meals.

I truly enjoyed listening to Ray’s approach to eating raw and learned a few pointers, myself.  Although I personally could not thrive on a raw food diet, many people have found success with this style of eating. I must admit, I love my cooked foods as much as my raw, and could never pass up a warm buckwheat noodle soup with sauteed vegetables and tofu as I had this evening.  I do, however, love my vegetables and I enjoy eating kale, collards, Swiss Chard, snap peas, carrots, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, daikon radish, nuts and seeds in their raw form.

How about you? Have you ever tried eating raw?  How did you feel?


Filed under: Media, Nutrition, Product Reviews, Restaurant Review, Vegetarian | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Homemade Ketchup

Posted on January 27, 2010 by The Healthy Apple

Here is a fabulous recipe that I use to top my bean burgers and use as a dip with my veggie fries…this ketchup is a health alternative to the store bought, processed ketchup brands that are full of sodium, additives and HFCS!

Ingredients

  • 2 tsp. stevia
  • 1 (6 oz.) can organic tomato paste
  • 2 medium Roma tomatoes, diced
  • 1/4 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/4 tsp. dried cilantro
  • 1/8 tsp. curry powder
  • 1/2 tsp. brown rice miso paste
  • 1 tsp. of white balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp. nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp. flax seeds
  • Dash of sea salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

  • In a medium sized bowl, combine all of the above ingredients. Whisk together until fluffy texture.
  • You can also use a hand electric mixer; this will ensure a whipped ketchup consistency.
  • Enjoy!

Filed under: Condiments, Side Dishes, Vegetarian | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Sweet Vegetable Slaw

Posted on January 25, 2010 by The Healthy Apple

This is an incredible recipe that I created last night using ingredients from my refrigerator and pantry.  I opted for a unique combination of cashew butter, balsamic vinegar, agave nectar, Greek plain yogurt, pine nuts, Chinese mustard, cinnamon and dulse flakes gently tossed among a ’slew’ of spiraled zucchini, squash, mango, carrots and cabbage with my Joyce Chen Spiralizer…This sweet n’ savory slaw will have your taste buds dancin’ at your first bite.


Ingredients

  • 1 cup shredded red cabbage
  • 1 mango, peeled and diced
  • 1 zucchini, shredded
  • 1 yellow squash, shredded
  • 1 cup green beans, cut in half
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1/3 cup shredded carrots
  • 4 Fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. Chinese mustard
  • 1 cup Greek plain yogurt
  • 1 Tbsp. agave nectar
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts, crushed
  • 1 Tbsp. cashew butter
  • 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 Tbsp. dulse flakes
  • Sea salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

  • Using the Joyce Chen Spiralizer, spiral all vegetables.
  • In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients.  Gently toss.
  • In a separate small bowl, whisk together the following nine ingredients.  Transfer mixture to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat for 3-4 minutes; stirring frequently.
  • Remove from heat and slowly pour over vegetable and fruit mixture.  Gently toss.
  • Serve warm or chilled.
  • Enjoy!

Filed under: Condiments, Dinner, Lunch, Side Dishes | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

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