Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

It's that time of year when we need to stop and give thanks for everything we have. It's a great idea to do it on a daily basis, but if you do not want to do that, Thanksgiving is the perfect time.

I am thankful for my love of food, exploring what's available, playing with it in the kitchen (developing recipes and tasty combinations) and being able to share with others.

I also am thankful for the opportunity to operate this blog and keep in touch with everyone who visits it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have writing it.

With such a bounty of tasty foods to choose from, take some time to put conventions aside. You never know what works until you try it. :)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Homemade Pumpkin Butter

If you're like me, you freeze pumpkin for year-round use. If you don't, you need to start doing this. You won't regret it. Doesn't pumpkin butter sound delicious? You can make your own for much less than the cost of buying it in the store. Plus, you control the ingredients. What more could you want? You may be surprised how cheap it is to make your own. And, it's not that difficult.  Read on....

Pumpkin contains a wealth of antioxidants, the most notable being beta carotene. The beta carotene is what gives this delicious squash its vibrant color. Once in your body, this vital nutrient is converted into Vitamin A. Numerous studies reveal that this essential antioxidant plays a key role in reducing degenerative diseases such as heart disease, some types of cancer, and arthritis.

Plus, pumpkin does not contain any fat. It is perfect for those wanting to lose or maintain their weight. Who doesn't love a NO FAT food?

It's low in calories. As a plant-based food source, calorie counting is not a concern when enjoying this tasty delight. You can fill yourself up with minimal calories. Nice.

The high potassium content found in pumpkins helps regulate your heart beat, reduce muscle cramping, and keep your musculoskeletal system operating at optimal levels.

Enough for the nutrition information...let's get down to using this delectable food.

Every year I like to steam up pumpkin, let it cool and peel it. Then, I freeze it for later use throughout the remaining year. It's a great beginning for any pumpkin recipe, including my pumpkin butter. You could probably used canned pumpkin, but I cannot guarantee the final result. I can attest to FRESH pumpkin as providing superb taste, though.

You can make pumpkin butter either on the stovetop or in a crockpot. I started making my recipe on the stovetop. Then I noticed I needed to stir it too frequently, even while cooking it on low heat. So, I transferred everything to a crockpot and let it cook. How easy is that?

This recipe relies on the natural taste of spices and the sweetness of pumpkin instead of heavy refined sugars. Most commercially prepared or online recipes, you will notice, use an inordinate amount of sugar. Not mine. You will receive the pure, natural taste of ingredients. My tasty recipe only uses minimal refined sugar. 

And, you could easily substitute unsweetened apple or white grape juice for the white and brown sugars. Of course, you can add more sugar as you like.

So....

You will need:

3 cups pumpkin, cooked and peeled

1 T. cinnamon

¼ t. nutmeg

½ t. ginger

2 t. white sugar

2 T brown sugar

Place all ingredients into a crockpot and stir thoroughly. Turn on high heat. Cook for 3-4 hours. Stir as needed.

Wasn't that easy?   Now.....
 Have you been wondering about what to do with pumpkin butter besides spreading it on your morning toast? Well....after making another tasty batch, I discovered other uses that I believe are worthy of sharing....

Use it as a topping over ice cream, muffins, rolls and croissants. 

Use it in your sandwich. Instead of traditional jelly or jam, substitute some pumpkin butter. You'll increase the nutritional value and may find the taste addicting. 

Jar some and give as gifts. Everyone loves homemade items, especially as holiday gifts. After making a batch, remove it from the heat and let it cool. Place the pumpkin butter into your favorite jar. Secure tightly. Label it and present it as a gift.

Use in recipes instead of pure pumpkin. Most baked goods recipes call for pumpkin, cinnamon and spices. That is exactly what pumpkin butter is. Save yourself the time and effort of mixing individual ingredients.

These are some ideas, and uses, that work particularly well to highlight the versatility of pumpkin butter. Can you think of any others?


Find interesting? Kindly share....

 

   

Tasty Holiday Crisp

It's that time of year when cranberries add a special delight to a number of tasty recipes. Here is one that is both healthy and delicious. It's a variation on the traditional apple crisp. Enjoy this as a holiday breakfast or dessert and watch the compliments come pouring in.

Apple-Cranberry Crisp

Serves 8

3 c. apples, peeled, cored and sliced

2 c. cranberries, fresh and cut in half or chopped

¼ c. sugar

½ c. flour

½ c. walnuts or almonds, chopped

1 t. cinnamon

4 T. butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350.

Combine apples, cranberries, cinnamon and ½ of sugar in mixing bowl until fruit is evenly coated.

Place fruit mixture into ungreased baking dish.

Mix flour, nuts, butter and remaining sugar in medium-sized bowl. Sprinkle mixture over top of fruit combination.

Place baking dish into preheated oven. Bake for 50 minutes, or until you can poke the apples easily with a fork. Mixture will be bubbly and lightly brown when done.

NUTRITION INFO:

145 calories, 1g protein, 4g sat fat, 4g mono fat, 15mg chol, 2g fiber, 18g carb

<!-- AddThis Button END →

Quick & Tasty Banana Spread

Hi my favorite readers! How many times have you bought bananas, only to find them getting overly ripened before you had a chance to eat them? Instead of tossing them aside, turn them into spread.

You can use the spread on toast, bread, in celery sticks, as a pita chip dip or simply as a side dish for your meal. This makes a great addition to your holiday menu.

Banana Spread

1 banana, peeled

cinnamon

nutmeg

Use a cereal bowl. Place the banana into the bowl and mash thoroughly with a fork. If you want more taste, add cinnamon and/or nutmeg to your taste.

Store leftovers in the fridge.

How quick, tasty and easy was this?

Find interesting? Kindly share with everyone you can think of....

Tasty & Fiberful French Toast

Hi my favorite readers! Who does not enjoy some delicious French toast every now and then? Did you know that you can add some pizzazz by having some wholegrain fiber? The whole grain not only adds some extra texture, but tastes good. How do you do this, you ask? I'm glad you asked...

Here's one of my newest recipes. It's quick, cheap and easy. Enjoy! I call it....

Oatilicious French Toast

serves 2

You will need:

2 aluminum pie pans

1 mixing utensil

1 frying pan

1 spatula

4-6 pieces of your favorite bread

1-2 eggs, depending upon your taste

cinnamon

¼ cup lowfat or fat-free milk, dairy or soy

¼ cup oat bran

Place the milk, eggs and cinnamon in one pie pan. Beat thoroughly. For extra taste, add in some nutmeg.

Place the oat bran in the other pie pan.

Heat the skillet until a drop of water starts bouncing. Add a little oil, if needed. You don't need the oil if you are using a nonstick skillet.

Dip the bread into the milk mixture.

Then, dip the bread slice into the oat bran. Turn and coat other side of bread.

Place bread into skillet and cook until lightly browned. Flip over when needed.

Remove and serve with fresh fruit, syrup, jam or any other favorite topping.

Leftovers can be kept in fridge for a couple of days.

This recipe is particularly delicious with pumpernickel bread. Experiment with your favorites!

Find interesting and tasty? Kindly share....

<!-- AddThis Button END →

Tasty Mango Pudding

Here is an easy to prepare recipe that is both tasty and nutritious.

1 large mango, peeled
1/2 cup lowfat tofu

Slice mango and let drop into small bowl.
Crumble the tofu into a 1/2 cup, to measure it.
Mash together the mango and tofu.
Stir vigorously until you reach a pudding-like consistency.

Scoop into serving bowls. Place in refrigerator and chill for about an hour.
This is great with fresh chopped mint leaves on top, if desired.

5 CHEAP Ways to Lose Weight

With our society being known for having an obese population, it seems that there is a multitude of 'ways to lose weight'. Some of pure nonsense, some surgical, and some common sense. Some ways are easy, some take some work. In other words, there is something for everyone. Here are some ways to lose weight that plain and simply – use common sense and are cheap.

1. Drink water. How simple is this? So many people are concerned about how many sodas to drink. Do they need to decrease the amount? Should they drink diet sodas? Come on. Make your life easier. Just do not drink any. DRINK WATER! It fills you up. It is, simply, delicous and satisfying. Part of drinking more water includes water-based drinks such as tea.

2. Exercise more. This is so common sense, it is embarrassing to mention. However, with all the miraculous ways suggested to lose weight, it is basic. Exercise more, plain and simple. No matter if it is as simple as walking more than usual, do it. Do anything that involves more activity than what your current level is at. Even isometrics is good. Just do something physical besides sit in front of your television eating chocolates or junk food.

3. Steam foods. When you prepare your meals, simply use steaming as your method of cooking. It only involves the time to chop your food and place it in a steamer. Usually takes about 10-15 minutes of time. The taste is superb. The cost is cheap. Plus, there is decreased fat. You can experience the natural taste of food.

4. Decrease portion sizes. Our society has become accustomed to HUGE portion sizes of food. When eating out, take half your meal home in a doggy bag. Instead of eating 2 cups of cereal, cut back to 1 cup. Learn to enjoy eating a protein portion the size of a deck of cards. By learning to enjoy smaller portions, you will be amazed at how easy it is. Measure your food intake. It takes time, but is worth it.

5. Eat a well balanced diet. Forget those fad diets that have you totally eliminating certain food groups. Your body needs all food groups to function properly. It does not take a food scientist to know this.

Losing weight is not easy, especially as we age. It takes work and discipline. And, yes, it is easier said than done. By incorporating these weight loss suggestions into your lifestyle – you will reap the benefits. Go for it!

Weight Loss Tip - natural way

For anyone interested in losing weight the natural way - drink more water water. This is so common sense, but it works well. Besides filling you up, it is cheap, delicious, and convenient.

What more can you want?