Fresh Mussels Make 2012 Wellness Goals Taste Great

Every January, our focus turns to kicking off the year with a renewed commitment to healthy eating. We join gyms and invest in the latest protein powders and high-fiber shakes in pursuit of a healthier life. But did you know there’s a delicious powerhouse food that’s easy to make and won’t break your wallet just waiting to help us meet our goals?

“Fresh mussels are packed with important health benefits. They are rich in nutrients without adding significant calories or fat to meals,” says registered dietitian Lois Ferguson, as he explains the benefits of fresh PEI mussels compared to other proteins like meat and poultry. “This makes them the perfect food for people who aim to live a life of fitness and health.”

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Healthy Ingredients May Be Key to Latino Paradox

Five words or less(NewsUSA) – According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Latinos in the U.S. have a longer life expectancy than the non-Latino white population.
Given lower average income and access to health care among Latinos, epidemiologists have proposed various theories to explain this puzzling statistic, dubbed the “Latino Paradox.”
A 2011 study in the American Journal of Epidemiology found the low mortality rates were partially attributable to fewer deaths from cigarette smoking — Latinos are less likely to smoke, and if they do, they tend to smoke less.
Another popular theory points to healthy aspects of Latino culture, including the Latin Diet. In “The Hot Latin Diet,” author Dr. Manny Alvarez says Latin cooking typically includes healthy “power” foods like tomatillos, cilantro and chili peppers.
The capsaicin in chili peppers reduces inflammation. Inflammation aggravates common ailments like headaches and arthritis and has been associated with the development of deadly cancers and heart disease.
“For fabulous flavors and good health, we recommend using the Latin American Diet Pyramid. Let traditional foods — the old ways of your grandmother — be your guide to well being,” said Sara Baer-Sinnott, president of Oldways, a non-profit organization promoting healthy eating habits and creator of the Latin American Diet Pyramid.
There are many new products that make cooking healthy Latin food easier. Chef LaLa, a cookbook author and certified nutritionist, has just launched her new line of all-natural Mexican sauces and marinades.
“Chef LaLa Homemade products are all about easy meal solutions with the healthy natural flavors and ingredients of the traditional Latin Diet,” says Chef LaLa.
Get a taste of the nutritional power of Latin cuisine — and chili peppers — with this recipe from www.cheflala.com:

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Tips to Entertain at Home the Kardashian Way

So, you say you want to learn to throw a party worthy of the Kardashians? Well, admittedly, that’s asking a lot. After all, one of their more recent bashes featured synchronized swimmers – it was a poolside event – surprising guests with a routine straight out of a 1950s Esther Williams movie.

But take heart.

The Kardashian sisters – who seemingly never run out of mind-blowing ideas – didn’t think that party highlight up themselves. Linnea Johansson, author of “Perfect Parties: Tips and Advice from a New York Planner,” did. And even if you don’t have money to throw around, she says to apply the “same principle” of doing “something unexpected” at your event.

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Get Heart-Healthy With White Bean Chili

Hearty stews and belly-warming soups are coming out of the kitchens; frost is sparkling, and winter jackets are coming out of hiding. Families are craving slow-cooked, savory meals that yield health benefits and leftovers.

A delicious savory ingredient is the Oso Sweet Onion, grown at the foot of the Andes Mountains. Onions are not only believed to be a cancer preventative, their low-salt, low-fat health benefits are the proactive equivalent to superhero powers. Onions have 25 compounds that lower blood pressure and cholesterol, prevent thrombosis, inhibit strokes and battle heart disease, says the American Heart Association.

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Brown Rice and Mushrooms Make Formidable Combo

Five words or less(NewsUSA) – Did you know a single portobello mushroom has more potassium than a banana or a glass of orange juice? Or that brown rice has four times as much fiber as white rice? Nutrition secrets like these are your golden ticket to healthy living. Here’s another — brown rice and mushrooms form a formidable health combination.
Brown rice has more magnesium, selenium and fiber than its white counterpart. Magnesium is important for bone, nerve and muscle health, while fiber boosts each meal by making you feel fuller, longer. A good dose of fiber also helps keep blood sugar steady.
To maximize the health properties of brown rice, dietitians recommend pairing it with other vitamin-stacked ingredients, such as mushrooms.
From studies at Penn State University to findings backed by the American Society for Nutrition, the extensive body of research agrees — mushrooms are overflowing with essential vitamins, nutrients and minerals.
White button mushrooms promote immune support by upping the production of antiviral proteins and immune system cells while crimini and shiitake mushrooms have nearly half the recommended daily intake of selenium, a vital antioxidant.
Fungi of all kinds are loaded with the following other nutrients: vitamin D, iron, potassium, B vitamins and copper. The effects of vitamin-packed mushrooms are just as plentiful — they increase your metabolism, lower blood pressure and promote bladder health.
Adding mushrooms to a dish with brown rice is an easy way to increase the health value of any meal. Try the following delicious recipe from www.riceselect.com:

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Easy, Elegant Entertaining With a French Touch

(NewsUSA) – Elegant entertaining is easy with help from Wini Moranville, author of "The Bonne Femme Cookbook." The title, meaning "the good wife" in French, refers to fresh and delicious cuisine served at home, no matter who does the cooking. Breeze through the hectic holiday season with a touch of French flair by following these simple suggestions.Welcome guests with bowls of salted almonds and olives. Add a touch of vintage glamour with a classic cocktail like the Sidecar, made with Cognac, fresh lemon juice and triple sec. Moranville’s time-saving tip: whip up a pitcher of drinks before friends arrive. Landy Cognac V.S. has delightful floral and orange aromas. From renowned spirits producer Cognac-Ferrand, its friendly price is also easy on the budget.Create a show-stopping yet fuss-free course for the main event. Even Julia Child would approve of the updated classic French dish, Chicken Véronique — chicken breasts with grapes in a white wine sauce. Wondering which wine to use? Ch?teau Bonnet Blanc, a crisp, dry Sauvignon Blanc blend from Bordeaux, works beautifully in recipes, and you can enjoy the rest of the bottle with dinner.For more tips and recipes, visit chezbonnefemme.com. Chicken VéroniqueServes 44 boneless skinless chicken breast halvesSalt and freshly ground black pepper1/4 cup flour2 tablespoons unsalted butter1 tablespoon olive oil2 garlic cloves, minced3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth3/4 cup dry white wine1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar1 tablespoon honey1 cup seedless red grapes, halved 1. Place each chicken breast between sheets of plastic wrap, pound until 1/4 inch thick. Season both sides with salt and pepper; dredge in flour, shake off excess.2. In large skillet, melt 1 T. of butter and heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken, cook for 6 to 8 minutes, or until no longer pink inside, turning once (reduce heat if chicken browns too quickly). Transfer chicken to platter; cover with foil, keep warm.3. Add garlic to skillet; sauté briefly. Carefully add chicken broth, white wine, balsamic vinegar. Boil until liquid reduces to 1/2 cup. Whisk in honey. Whisk in 1 tablespoon of butter until melted. Sauce should be slightly syrupy (boil a little longer if not).Add grapes and heat through.To serve, spoon grapes and sauce over chicken.

Easy, Elegant Entertaining With a French Flair

Elegant entertaining is easy with help from Wini Moranville, author of “The Bonne Femme Cookbook.” The title, meaning “the good wife” in French, refers to fresh and delicious cuisine served at home, no matter who does the cooking. Breeze through the hectic holiday season with a touch of French flair by following these simple suggestions.

Welcome guests with bowls of salted almonds and olives. Add a touch of vintage glamour with a classic cocktail like the Sidecar, made with Cognac, fresh lemon juice and triple sec. Moranville’s time-saving tip: whip up a pitcher of drinks before friends arrive. Landy Cognac V.S. has delightful floral and orange aromas. From renowned spirits producer Cognac-Ferrand, its friendly price ($25) is also easy on the budget.

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Classic Favorite Enjoys Spirited Resurgence

In a world of constant upheaval, cognac makers have always taken pride in how their centuries-old techniques never change. So it’s big news that these days the brandy – which originates in the Cognac region of France – is enjoying quite the renaissance among bar and restaurant patrons of all age groups, cultures and regions.

“Cognac is really gaining ground with the recent cocktail renaissance hitting bars across the country,” says Todd Appel, a master barman in Chicago, Ill. “It is such a timeless and elegant spirit – not to mention, it appeals to such a wide range of tastes, such as bourbon and scotch drinkers, whether ordered neat, on the rocks or in cocktails – that bartenders are turning to it more and more often.”

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Take a Bow With This Hearty Pork Tenderloin

It’s not often you get the chance to whip up a dish containing two – count ‘em, two – key ingredients food critics just went ga-ga over. Fortuitously, given the dip in temperatures outside, there also happens to be no better time than now to enjoy a hot, juicy pork tenderloin made with both of them.

“Nice and fruity” and “unusually pleasant” are how AOL Kitchen Daily tasters described the Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil – used to flavor the pork – in naming it “Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil”. And Cooking Light magazine was no less glowing in naming the same company’s Balsamic Vinegar a Taste Test Award Winner as part of its second annual selection of the best-tasting and healthiest grocery store products and stand-out artisanal treats from across the country.

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Tasty Gifts From Home for the Holidays

If it’s truly better to give than to receive, why not give more than gifts from the store this holiday season? Home-baked treats are the perfect way to warm a heart and satisfy a sweet tooth for the people on your “nice” list.

“Take a break from the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, and spend a pleasant day in your cozy kitchen making home-baked gifts, like little loaves of Chocolate Hazelnut Fruit Bread,” said Martha White® baking expert Linda Carman. “Giving someone a homemade gift is special because it’s a priceless gift of your time.”

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