Can you guess what item in my pantry is so versatile it works for every around-the-clock eating occasion, from breakfast, lunch and dinner, to snack party-time? Canned T0matoes. And all their forms. Diced. Petite Diced. Diced with chilies. Crushed. Whole. Sauce. Salsa. Pizza Sauce. Versatility is just part of the reason my pantry is filled with numerous canned tomato products. As a registered dietitian nutritionist, my goal is to create recipes that blend great taste with good nutrition. ...
Sunny Six Can Salsa
A Bowl of Ten Benefits. Sunny Six Can Salsa is great for parties, pitch-ins and just about anytime you want to make a big batch of something and enjoy it for the next several days. Check out this additional bonus, too: this salsa happens to be rich in all the right nutrients to keep everyone healthy and aging vibrantly. Top Ten Benefits. More fruits and vegetables. You're already trying to eat more fruits and vegetables, but fresh isn't your only nutrient-rich choice. Canned fruits and ...
Ham Leftovers Get Creative with Cajun and Cuban Inspired Dishes
Time for a twist with all that leftover ham in your fridge. Try Cajun Red Beans and Rice with Ham and Andouille Sausage or Cuban Empanadas. Or both. Why do I love ham as a registered dietitian nutritionist? Because it's lean and low fat as well as versatile. Ham has only 3 grams fat in every 3 ounce portion. That's lean. Plus, it packs around 20 grams protein in every 3 oz. serving. Get a dose of immune-supporting nutrients with Cajun Red Beans and Rice with Ham & Andouille ...
Fiesta Taco Beef Filling
My super easy skillet dish makes Taco Tuesday a snap, or any night you're craving tacos, burritos or nachos. And surprise! You'll be getting a hefty dose of vegetables along with this protein-rich filling since it contains canned corn, black beans and diced tomatoes. Add extra cumin, chili powder, hot pepper sauce and crushed red pepper if you prefer dishes hot and spicy. Or use less if you prefer milder seasonings. I love making it with 90% lean ground beef. You'll never miss the fat in this ...
Family Friendly Cheeseburger Pizza
Pizza or cheeseburgers for dinner tonight? Make them both! Cheeseburger pizza is ready in less than 30 minutes. Just grab the skillet and brown the ground beef, unwrap the ready-to-use pizza crust, open the bag of shredded cheese, chop the onion and you're minutes away from a kid-friendly, family-friendly meal that makes everyone happy. Of course as a registered dietitian nutritionist, I'm thrilled this easy pizza contains 4 of the 5 nutrient-rich food groups: grains (crust), vegetables ...
Corn on the Cob with Smokin’ Hot Butter
Whip up a batch of my Smokin' Hot Butter and you'll be able to: 1. Enjoy a new taste sensation on that nutrient-rich corn. Go ahead and slather that cob with Smokin' Hot Butter. Oh sure, plain ole' butter will always be the classic king. But be brave, shake things up for a change and listen to the oo's and ah's from your family, friends and cookout guest. 2. Serve a vegetable! Yes, corn counts as a vegetable. And whether it's canned, frozen or fresh, corn counts as a nutrient-rich vegetable ...
Smart Eating with Pork in the New Year
What's your healthier eating goal for the New Year? Maybe it's eat more fruits and vegetables, add more whole grains or pack in more protein for satiety. If it's all three, I have a few easy ways to accomplish that right away. From party appetizers and entrees for entertaining, to weeknight meals and breakfast meats, there's a pork pick for everyone! Goal: Eat more whole grains and vegetables. My Ham Party Pinwheels help you easily do that. And they're the perfect no-bake, no-cooking, ...
Election Night Tradition with a Twist
Election Night. My husband Jeff and I watch the election results while enjoying chili and cornbread, usually my Hearty Big Beef Chili. But these unusual times call for a break from tradition. So I'm making my Caribbean Chili. (Doesn't that blue bowl really make the chili pop?) While anxiously watching the election results, we'll think of the blue waves near the Caribbean Islands. Blue waves that make us feel more calm and secure. Blue waves capped with decorum and decency. Blue waves that ...
Pizza Sloppy Joes
Family meals. You want them fast. And healthy. I've got you covered with this easy and nutrient-rich Pizza Sloppy Joe dish, because it's an easy stove-top skillet recipe. Choose a really lean ground beef in this recipe so you can save some calories and fat grams for those mini pepperoni slices! Perfect example of balance, by the way. It's packed with onion, garlic, green pepper and pizza sauce, which ALL count as vegetables. Serve on whole-wheat hamburger buns, and everyone enjoys a ...
Four Reasons to Stop Calling Pizza “Junk Food”
Here's why I'd like you to stop calling pizza "junk food." 1. Pizza typically provides at least three of the five nutrient-rich food groups. Surprise! Pizza indeed has nutritional value. Take a basic, kid-favorite cheese pizza. It contains cheese (dairy), tomato sauce (vegetable) and crust (grains.) Make a Hawaiian Pizza by adding ham (protein) and pineapple (fruit) and now you’ve got all five nutrient-rich food groups! This hardly qualifies as “junk food.” Which by the way, is a term I ...