8 Simple Tips For Hosting a Healthier Superbowl Party

Superbowl… quite possibly THE party of the year in many homes across the country.  Not exactly a time most people pick to be healthier or greener for that matter, but why not?  Why not host a fabulous party that is a little of both? Use these simple tips to get  started!

As long as you serve up delicious options your guests will be delighted to have healthier choices in the mix.  We all know that everyone is going to splurge on Superbowl calories, but there are many options you can offer your guests that are both delish and healthy.

Serve Food On Real Plates

Years ago our family invested in 100 simple 10″ round plates, we pull them out for every party.  It does require a little extra washing, but it sure cuts down on how much waste your party will generate!  Find them reasonably priced at IKEA, Cost Plus, and Pottery Barn.  Our initial investment has been recouped many times over.

 

Use Post Consumer Recycled Papergoods

Switching to Post Consumer Waste (PCW) recycled paper napkins can make an impact.  If every family replaced just one package of 500 count napkins it would add up to 2.4 million trees. Imagine the impact if ALL the superbowl parties in America chose just one paper product that was PCW!

Consider Featuring Organic Drinks at the Bar

Organic Vodka will make the game day martini’s a win, try Rain Organic Vodka & Square One Organic Vodka, mix with your favorite recipe!  No Superbowl would be complete without beer, so check out your local breweries and see if you can’t find an organic brew or two to offer your guests.  Heading to a party… pick an organic spirit to offer your host this year!

Fill Your Spread with Dips

Skip the Cheesy Artichoke dip, instead offer a few varieties of hummus which are rich in iron & vitamin C, guacamole – which helps lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure and is chock full of lutein and vitamin E,  Black Bean Dip which is high in both fiber and antioxidants, Salsa even the mild salsa is high in Lycopenes, Vitamin A, B6 & C all while weighing in at a about 4 calories per Tablespoon (be sure they have no added perservatives or additives).  Oh… if you haven’t tried whole wheat pita chips, try them for a healthier chip alternative.

Offer Platters of Fruits & Veggies with Dip

Not only will all the color  brighten up your super bowl spread, but your guests will also much guilt free!  You can find platters ready made at costco, your grocery store… or for more delicious offerings select your own – avoid the plastic waste, allows you to pick organic options, and saves money too!

Don’t Serve Up  GMO’s

Buy Organic Tortilla chips.  Corn is one of the largest Genetically Modified crops in the US.  Simply selecting organic will ensure you aren’t serving GMO’s to your guest… The US regulations don’t allow for any GMO ingredients to be used in organic foods.  This is an area where the organic option doesn’t typically cost more

Better Protein

Serving hot dogs?  Look for nitrate free.  Hamburger’s?  Go with free range organic beef.  Yes… it will cost a little more, but it will taste much better.  While you are it… serve them up on Whole Wheat Buns!

For another protein option that is low calorie  serve a platter of cocktail shrimp.  To keep this play sustainable look for wild pink shrimp from Oregon, or check this list for other sustainable shrimp options.

Skip the Soda Cans & Bottled Water

What?!?  Yes.  Skip the soda cans & bottled water.  Or cut drastically back  the offerings.

For Water, get a few pitchers and fill them with Filtered Ice Water, and use glasses.  We mark them with a sticker so guests won’t need to use multiple glasses throughout the party.

IF you just can’t bear to give up soda, go with the larger size bottles, or if you want to add an extra element of fun… invest in a Soda Stream and guests can mix master their own sodas!  It will be the talk of the party!

Have a Great Party!

You may not be ready to tackle every one of these moves… yet.  But, consider choosing just one or two to get started…

Your guests will have a great time and neither their health nor the environment need to be sidelined.

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Best Apple Crisp Recipe

PND Best Apple Crisp Recipe

Apple Crisp is a favorite in our family. We love apple pie and I figure it’s worth saving the calories, skipping the crust and making a crumble.

We love more topping than many crumble recipes, so if you prefer less cut the topping in half.

Ingredients for our Best Apple Crisp Recipe

Filling for our Best Apple Crisp Recipe
5 Cups chopped peeled apples
1 1/2 Teaspoons of Cinnamon
1/2 Teaspoon of Nutmeg
1 Tablespoon of Lemon Juice
3/4 Cups cranberries (fresh or frozen)
3/4 Cup sugar or 2/3 Cup of agave
2 Tablespoons of whole wheat flour, add 1 extra Tablespoon if using agave.

Topping for our Best Apple Crisp Recipe
2 cup oats (1/2 old-fashioned & 1/2 quick-cooking although either will work)
2 Tablespoons of Flax Meal
1 Teaspoon of Cinnamon
1/2 Teaspoon of Nutmeg

1 1/2 Cup packed brown sugar

2/3 Cup whole wheat flour
3/4 Cup melted butter (I’ll often use 1/2 Earth Balance)

INSTRUCTIONS

Pre Heat oven to 350 Degrees

Filling
Peel and chop the apples.
Combine all ingredients, use most, but not all of the sugar. Then test the filling for sweetness, depending on the tartness of apples you may want to increase or decrease the amount of sugar.

Topping
Combine all the dry ingredients and mix in melted butter until crumbly. If it’s not crumbly enough add additional butter up to 1/4 cup.

 

Prepare Ahead Tip

I prepare this in advance and store the topping and filling in separate Zip-Loc bags for up to 4 days. Before the turkey comes out of the oven pour the filling in the bottom of a 4 quart casserole dish, add topping.  Before you sit down to eat, pop the crumble in the oven and bake for 55-60 minutes, almost the exact amount of time it takes to eat your dinner!

Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream or  Frozen Vanilla Yogurt.

This is our Best Apple Crisp Recipe, what is your Best Recipe?

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The Best Hamburger Recipe

 

 

 

In This Instance Best Hamburger Recipe = The Healthiest

Win. Win.

An American Classic.  What summer gathering would be complete without a good burger.  We  often serve up this recipe for our summer gatherings.  Did you know that using all grass fed ground beef – saves about 100 calories per 6 oz burger?   No joke, that’s a big difference.   Adding diced mixed veggies and a little bit of Flax Meal, not only keeps these burgers moist and juicy, but it also might make it the healthiest & best hamburger you’ve ever had.

 

Diva’s Best Hamburger Recipe Ingredients

2 lbs of All Grass Fed Organic Ground Beef
1 Egg
1 Tbsp Flax
1 Tbsp of Worchestershire Sauce
1 Cup of Diced Mix Vegetables
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
1 tsp Onion Powder
1 tsp Paprika
1/4 Cup of Whole Wheat Bread Crumbs

Instructions for our Best Hamburger Recipe

Sautee or microwave your diced mixed veggies until they are soft.  This is key, they won’t cook fast enough to soften  in the burger while it grills.

Dump all the ingredients in a large bowl…  I love use my Kitchen Aid mixer for this…. mix until well combined.

Gently form into a ball, about  tennis sized, then flatten  out.  Once you have it flattened, take a second to poke most of your  green spots into the beef so they are hidden. Repeat until you have no more meat mixture.

Set aside and grill to your desired “done-ness.”  Set on a Whole Wheat Bun  and garnish with your favorite fixings.

Makes  8-9 1/4 burger patties.

Tips & Tricks:  What is your best hamburger recipe tip?

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Zucchini Muffin Recipe

Low Fat Healthy Zucchini Muffin Recipe

This zucchini muffin recipe is a scrumptious solution to the zucchini multiplying in the garden during the summer.  It’s actually good enough to merit buying zucchini if you don’t have any sprouting in your back yard.  I made them and my 2  lil’s ate 24 muffins in 2 days.

I don’t know about you, but when I bake the children line up to help… someone always gets sent out of room.  I want to know the parents who can keep the lil’s corralled, have the muffins turn out perfectly and have all dishes washed, dried and put away before the muffins are out of the oven.  They deserve a metal… this is SO not my life.  Even with the inevitable conflict – I love baking with my lil’s, and muffins recipes are great to work on as a family because they are very forgiving.

 

 

Ingredients for the PND Zucchini Muffin Recipe

3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
3 Eggs
1 Cups of Whole Wheat Flour
1 1/2 Cup of Whole Grain Pastry Flour
1/2 Cup of Oat Bran
2 Tablespoons of Flax Meal
2 -3 Cups of Shredded Zucchini
1/4 Cup of Grapeseed Oil
1 Cup of Applesauce
1/4 Cup of Honey
1 Teaspoon of Baking Soda
1/4 Teaspoon of Salt
1/4 Teaspoon of Baking Powder
1 Tablespoon of Cinnamon
2 1/2 Tablespoons of Vanilla
1 Cup of Raisins

Instructions for the  Zucchini Muffin Recipe

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees

Line 24 muffin tins with paper liner.  Recycled liner options are available.

Shred 3 Cups of Zucchini – this is a perfect job for that dusty food processor.

Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl – mic well.  Combine a all the wet ingredients in another bowl.  Keep the zucchini and raisins separate.

Add the zucchini and raisins to the dry ingredients and thoroughly coat.  Create well with your mixed flour and zucchini combination.

Add liquid ingredients and gently combine.   Be sure not to overmix – overmixing isn’t good for muffins!

 

Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

Bake in the over for 40-45 minutes.  Muffins are done when they bounce back when gently pressed or a toothpick comes out clean.

Yields 24 smaller muffins.

Please let us know if you love our Zucchini Muffin Recipe

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Simple Sauteed Zucchini Recipe

Sauteed Zucchini Recipe: Simple Summer Side

Every gardener has that time in the summer where the zucchini starts to grow faster than it can be eaten!  It’s great to have easy and yummy recipes on hand when that time hits.  This one hits the mark on all counts.

Confession – I usually don’t even like zucchini, but this zucchini was delish..

Nutritionally Zucchini is a good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Manganese,  Potassium, Magnesium, Vitamin K and Folate.  And this recipe prepared in a cast iron skillet will also add extra Iron to your meal.

Shredding the zucchini mimics the texture and shape of a noodle, making it a child friendly way to serve up this nutrient rich powerhouse.  Shredding the zucchini is quick and easy with the help of a food processor.

 

Ingredients for PND Sauteed Zucchini Recipe

3 Cups of Shredded Zucchini

2 Teaspoons of Organic Butter

2 Teaspoons of Olive Oil

1 Teaspoon or Clove of Diced Garlic

1/4 Teaspoon of Salt or to Taste

Instructions for the Sauteed Zucchini Recipe

Use Med-High heat, melt the butter, add the olive oil and lightly cook the garlic.  Add the Zucchini.  Sautee until the zucchini begins to look a little glassy.  Check it around 4 minutes, you want to pull it from the heat while it still has a touch of “bite” to it.

Season to taste with salt.  Serve and enjoy.

 

Tip:  For veggie resistant children pull out the parmesan cheese and let them top it off with a hearty sprinkle.

What are is your Favorite Sauteed Zucchini Recipe?

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The Best Salmon Recipe

A Favorite Simple, Healthy Dinner & Simply The Best Salmon Recipe

My favorite recipes are easy, fast and foolproof.  This recipe meets each one of that criteria.

Wild Alaskan Salmon is also listed on the Super Green List from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood watch list.

The Super Green list includes seafood that meets the following criteria:

• Low levels of contaminants (below 216 parts per billion [ppb] mercury and 11 ppb PCBs)
• The daily minimum of omega-3s (at least 250 milligrams per day [mg/d])*
• Classified as a Seafood Watch “Best Choice” (green)

So… not only is this the best salmon recipe ever… It’s good for you and super green too, making it an A+ choice all around!

Ingredients for the Best Salmon Recipe

1 -1 1/2 Pounds of Wild Alaskan or BC Salmon

1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil

1/2 Teaspoon of Salt

1/8 Teaspoon of Pepper

Instructions for my Best Salmon Recipe Ever!

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Use a piece of foil about 3 times the size of you salmon fillet.  Place your foil on a baking sheet, position the salmon in the middle.

 

Drizzle your olive oil over the salmon, sprinkle lightly with Salt and a touch of pepper.  You can also squeeze on some lemon juice if you like lemon with your fish.  I don’t – so I skip the lemon.  Fold the foil over the salmon creating a nice envelope (you don’t want the steam to escape).

Place your salmon in the pre-heated oven for 5-10 minutes (depending on the thickness of the fillet).  I find that the salmon is almost always done when you can smell it.  Pull it out and double check to see if it’s done to your liking.  Be sure to check in earlier than later… you can always throw it back in for another minute if it’s not ready.

That is it.  Done.

Serve with a side of salad and some brown rice and you have a quick,  easy, nutritious  dinner.  If you have any leftovers this salmon is perfect chilled over salad.  Just Sayin.

Tip:  If you have a picky eater – and who doesn’t – try serving the salmon with their favorite salad dressing the first few times.  It might be just enough to get them over the hump of the “I dont’ like that’s”!

I posted this recipe during Zucchini season… so you see it pictured above with Shredded Suateed Zucchini – Recipe Coming Soon!

One pound served my family of Four – 2 adults & 2 children.  Adjust the quantity of salmon to your family.

Feel free to share a link to your Best Salmon Recipe!

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Eco Friendly Pet Shampoo Recipe

 

 

 

 

 

 

When our black lab, Bear, showed up at the back door full of mud the first thing I did was go in search of an eco friendly pet shampoo recipe. Sure my husband was ready to grab the nearest fido cleanser he could get his hands on but I wasn’t going to allow any chemicals on our furry friend.

 

 

Naturally, I made the phone call to Tania:

Do you have a pet shampoo recipe you recommend?

 

You know she did!

Pure Natural Diva’s Eco Friendly Pet Shampoo Recipe:

2 Cups Water
2 Teaspoons of Unscented Castile Soap
2 Tablespoons Aloe Vera Gel
2 Tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Teaspoon Vegetable Glycerin or Vegetable Oil
Lavender or Lemongrass Essential Oil

{mix & store in a handy bottle}

While many of you may be thinking:

“sure April, but I don’t have the time to mix my own pet shampoo recipe“,

don’t worry ~ I did a simple Amazon search for “eco friendly pet shampoo” and found:

• Vermont Soap Organics Pet Shampoo
• Earthbath All Natural Shampoo
• Organically Correct Dog & Cat Protein Shampoo

Now if I can just convince someone to take on the chore of using the pet shampoo recipe! Bear sure does love his showers though, especially as the weather changes!

Everyone has their own preference but I am curious:

What is your favorite Pet Shampoo Recipe?

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Secretly Healthy Chocolate Cherry Muffin Recipe

Secretly Healthy Chocolate Cherry Muffin Recipe

The motivation for this Secretly Healthy Chocolate Cherry Muffin Recipe comes from the same place as most of my muffin collection… it’s was our turn to bring snacks at Lil Dude’s school.  This recipe is 100% whole grain, but that isn’t the only thing that makes this recipe healthier.  Pumpkin puree makes them moist,  flax meal adds healthy omega’s,  oat bran adds  fiber, and the chocolate yumminess comes from cocoa powder… meaning we get the antioxidants, without the extra fat.  All combined, these Secretly Healthy Chocolate Cherry Muffins are perfect for the preschool set!

These muffins are not too heavy, they have a light almost cupcake like textures, so they’d also make a healthier cupcake for a birthday party or special occasion treat.  Especially if you added the chocolate chips!

 

I love to bake muffins in the mini bundt tins, the shape makes any muffin a little more interesting!

Preheat the oven to 375 Degrees

Ingredients For the Secretly Healthy Chocolate Cherry Muffin Recipe

1 1/4 Cups of Whole Grain Pastry Flour
1/2 Cup of Oat Bran
2 tablespoons of Flax Meal
1 Cup of Cocoa Powder
1/2 Cup of Sugar
1 Teaspoons of Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon of Baking Powder
1/4 Teaspoon of Salt

3/4 Cup of Yogurt
3/4 Cup of Milk
I cup of Pumpkin Puree
2 Eggs
1 Tsp of Vanilla
1/3 of Cup of Grapeseed Oil

1 Cup of Frozen Cherries — Chopped Chunky

Going for an extra special treat?  Add 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips!

Chocolate Cherry Muffin Recipe Instructions

Sift the cocoa powder – or things will be a lumpy mess!  Combine the dry ingredients together in a large bowl, the mix the wet ingredients together in a separate bowl.  Form the dry ingredients into a well-like shape.  Pour the liquid in the middle and blend all the ingredients well.  Once everything is almost mixed add the chopped frozen cherries.

Spoon the batter into an oiled mini bundt pan or lined muffin tins.

Bake for 12 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out dry.  Another way to test if they are done… press down lightly on the muffins.  If they are done, they will bounce back, not done, your finger print will remain.

This recipe makes 24 smaller muffins!

Tip:  If you are going to dust in powdered sugar, do it just before serving… otherwise it will just absorb into the muffin… leaving none of the pretty finish!

Come back and comment when you make these Secretly Healthy Chocolate Cherry Muffin Recipe, we love your feedback!

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Community Supported Agriculture

 

A Closer Look at Community Supported Agriculture

Today nearly everyone is looking for new ways to eat better.  Between busy schedules, fast food restaurants, and junk food at the checkout, there are endless temptations to eat badly.

How about a temptation to eat better?  My favorite is Community Supported Agriculture.

Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA for short, is an arrangement between subscribers (also called members) and a local farm.  The members join for a season and make a monetary payment in exchange for a share of the harvest.  Typically you receive a weekly box, delivered locally, often to another member’s garage.  CSA members share in the risks and benefits of the harvest.  This means that in a good year there may be additional bundles of corn while in a bad year, corn may be absent–but there may be extra cauliflower.

Your Community Supported Agriculture Dollars at Work

 

CSA’s typically offer good value for your food dollar and the foods are often grown without chemical pesticides.  By “eating local” you help the local economy, support family farms, and reduce the impact of packaging and shipping cross country.   And you get some really fresh, amazing food.

One of the surprising advantages of joining a CSA is that it is a commitment.  With one burst of resolve you sign up–and are in it for the season.  Since you have already paid for a weekly box of vegetables, you are more likely to eat them.  And let’s be honest, if you have a bad week at work, you are going to need something more motivating that a simple commitment to eat better.  Sounds challenging, but  the (really fresh) produce is so beautiful, it feels like you are getting a weekly present.

 

Beyond the food itself, joining a CSA may offer additional benefits.   Often there is a newsletter with healthy recipe suggestions and connections to other providers like grass fed beef producers.  There may also be farm events like canning classes or member parties, where your kids can see a real, live chicken.  I’ve had a great time and gotten delicious recipes at my CSAs annual harvest party.

Most CSAs are getting ready for the new season and signing up members now.  If you are serious about eating better, this is one of the best commitments you can make.  To find one near you, check out the Local Harvest website.

Let Us Know About Your Experiences with Community Supported Agriculture!

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Healthy Banana Muffin Recipe

Healthy Banana Muffin Recipe

I made this whole grain Banana Muffin Recipe to send with little diva for her snack day at pre K. They do have some sugar, but I cut it down as much as possible. They have whole wheat flour, oatmeal, flax, and banana.

One of my favorite tips is to get creative with your presentation.  I love using mini-bundt pans – it makes the muffins look almost like little donuts.  When it comes to little eaters I always find it helps to think outside the box!

Serves 24
Heat oven to 375°F

Banana Muffin Recipe Ingredients

DRY
4 cups whole wheat flour
2 cup quick-cooking oat
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 tablespoons flax meal

WET
3 cups bananas, mashed (6-7 ripe)
4 eggs
1/2 cup of Agave Nectar
2/3 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions For the Banana Muffin Recipe

Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. When well mixed create a well for the liquid ingredients.
In a separate bowl, combine the mashed bananas, eggs, vanilla, agave and butter.
Add the wet mixture to the flour mixture, stirring just until the dry ingredients are moistened.

Spoon batter into greased muffin cups or I like to use mini bundt pans.

Using convection and the mini bundt the muffins were done in 12 minutes. Regular oven or muffin pans may take up to 18 minutes.

Check to see if muffins are done by inserting a toothpick into the muffin, when it comes out clean the muffins are ready.

Let cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes.

Please let me know if you try our Banana Muffin Recipe!

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