In honor of the State of the Union speech, I’ve prepared two dishes that highlight my food philosophy: Blend and Balance. I’d like to share my proposal for blending and balancing: Nothing is off limits. You simply balance the different foods/dishes/recipes. Craving a high-fat dessert like my Bipartisan Shortbread Bars? No problem. Just serve a lean protein-rich entrée, like my incredibly nutrient-rich Hearty Bean & Beef Chili to balance it. How does this stack up according to the My Plate ...
Two-for-One Special: Oatmeal Raisin & Date Bars
Who doesn’t love a “Two-for-One?” A two-for-one dessert or treat is when you get to savor a satisfying, comforting sweet treat, like cookies, cake, pie, cobbler or candy AND reap the disease-fighting, immune-boosting benefits of nutrient-rich ingredients like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and low-fat dairy products. I’d say that’s spending your Treat or Dessert Calories Wisely! Oatmeal Raisin & Date Bars are one of my go-to choices for the fastest and easiest nutrient-rich ...
Blondies with Double Chips & Walnuts
Here’s my idea of pure and simple decadence for that daily treat…..Blondies made with 75% whole wheat flour and extra walnuts - these two ingredients are the nutrient-rich boost, with the flour providing whole-grain nutrients and fiber, and the walnuts a hefty dose of omega-3's. And if you have a chocolate craving, these Blondies fit the bill, since there is an (over)abundance of chocolate chips and butterscotch chips. Yes, these Blondies have calories, fat and saturated fat, but they are a ...
Bipartisan Shortbread Bars
After hearing President Obama’s address last week, I decided to make a batch of Bipartisan Shortbread Bars. I felt it was the least I could do to show support for everyone working together to accomplish great things. Besides, this recipe holds personal significance. Flashback January 19, 2009. I was driving and listening to this NPR story on All Things Considered about the Inaugural Dinner. I had to pull over and make a note: GET RECIPE NPR OBAMA BARS. Michelle Obama’s Shortbread Cookies were ...
Tasty Treats Boost Your Spirits
Never underestimate the power of a tasty treat to lift your spirits. Recent example: I often send my test recipe creations to Jeff’s team at work so they can provide opinions and useful feedback. It’s definitely a win-win situation: they all get to indulge in decadent treats that surprisingly contain numerous health benefits, and I get honest critiques for tweaking and improving the recipe. Yesterday I made these Pumpkin Bars and my favorite comment was from Jamie. He loved the bars, saying ...