Archive for December, 2008
Ready to welcome in a New Year and a new you?
Maybe you were smart and didn’t over indulge over the holidays. I am not one of those smart people and definitely took advantage of the many excuses to stuff my face.
I came across this recipe for SASSY WATER that is part of the Flat Belly Diet that seems to be pretty popular at the moment. While I don’t recommend fad diets and can never follow them myself, I did find the recipe for this water interesting.
The Flat Belly Diet Book is has two parts :
1) Stage One is a 4-Day Anti-Bloat Jumpstart designed to eliminate belly bloat and get the body andmind ready for successful follow through.
2) Stage Two is the lifetime plancomprised of four 400-calorie meals per day, each including a MUFA-richfood and a motivational maintenance plan that helps avoid plateaus.
There is a lot of talk about Sassy Water Recipe. Whats it all about? According to sources, you can prepare sassy water recipe the following way.
8. 5 CUPS WATER
1 TSP/ GRATED GINGER
1 MED. CUCUMBER
1 MEDIUM LEMON
12 SPEARMINT LEAVES
Mix everything and put in the fridge overnight. Next day morning drink it all. Cucumber and lemon are natural dirutetics and gingers and spearment help relieve bloating.
I’ve also read that this mixture also helps with weight loss:
Water
Lemon Juice
Honey
Cayenne Pepper
Whatever method you decide on (if any) make sure you eat a balanced meal to kick start you metabolism in the morning.
A personal favorite is Kashi! Go Lean NJCCaldwell agrees that it is healthy and tasty!
December 31st, 2008
I came across a recipe for French Toast Casserole and knew I had to share because it sounded so delicious. It seems like a perfect easy meal that the family can really enjoy before you have to get in the kitchen and get into the intense holiday dishes.
Since the holidays are a time to splurge, here is my favorite version of the recipe from the Food Network’s Paula Dean
Ingredients
* 1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
* 8 large eggs
* 2 cups half-and-half
* 1 cup milk
* 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* Dash salt
* Praline Topping, recipe follows
* Maple syrup
Directions
Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.
Praline Topping:
* 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
* 1 cup packed light brown sugar
* 1 cup chopped pecans
* 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.
Or if you would like a simpler version (for those of us not so talented in the kitchen):
French Toast Casserole
Butter for greasing the pan
1 loaf Challah bread in 1-inch slices, any kind will do
2 cups whole milk (3 if letting sit overnight)
3 eggs
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tsp vanilla (optional)
3 tbsp liquer of your choice (optional)
1/4 cup raisins or almonds (optional)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 - 2 tbsp butter
1. Generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
2. Arrange bread in two tightly-packed layers in the pan. Cut one slice into smaller pieces to fill in gaps. If you are using any fillings of fruit or nuts, this is the time to get them between the layers or sprinkled atop.
3. Whisk milk, eggs, sugar, salt, vanilla or liqueur and pour over the bread. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar and dot with butter. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The bread will absorb all of the milk custard while you sleep.
4. Bake at 425 for 30 minutes, or until puffed and golden.
5. Cut into generous squares and serve with maple syrup.
For more recipes check out the Expo Holiday Survival Guide for some great holiday recipes. Like this recipe for Pineapple Cream cheese balls by Jana4:
December 23rd, 2008
What kitchen Gadgets are you asking for this Christmas? There are so many cool devices to help making your cooking experience easier which can also be great gifts for that special loved one for the holidays.
Antho recommends the Kitchenaid Artisan Mixer:
Timwizard bought his mother a Keurig single cup coffee maker
Other great holiday kitchen gadgets include:
Slow Cooker
Wine Cellar
Panini Press
Electric Indoor Grill
Beertender
Baker’s Edge Nonstick Edge Brownie Pan
I am Not a Paper Cup Reusable Mug
Play and Freeze Ice Cream Maker (The Ice Cream Ball)
George Foreman
Breadmaker
December 22nd, 2008
With everyone cutting back this holiday season, your usual holiday decorating budget may be drastically decreased this year. That’s no reason to not celebrate the holiday season. Over at the Expo Holiday Survival Guide members are sharing their cheap decorating alternatives
like these Bread Dough ornaments displayed here by Jana4:
Jffsingletary also shows us how to make beautiful homemade ornaments:
December 17th, 2008
Are there any traditional dishes your family always enjoys for the holidays? Some people might always make special cookies for Santa while other families might enjoy latkes.
Since my family is a traditional Greek family, we always have fresh home made sausage and a salad called horta on Christmas eve. My mom always makes some sort of soup but I will not touch it out of fear that it’s some sort of crazy Greek intestine soup.
over at Expo’s Holiday Survival Guide, Zoesmommy shares her recipe for Santa’s Cookie
Each family has their own favorite and cherished recipes. Some of it might be nostalgia
December 15th, 2008
One great gift idea is the Roomba. Not only does it clean your floors but the novelty of a vacuum that you don’t have to actually push around yourself is still a welcome gift to most anyone.
Woot! is offering the iRobot Roomba 418 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Bundle:
The bundle costs only $149.99 and includes the Roomba 415 Vacuum and the Roomba 4900 Self-Charging Drive-On Home Base, made specifically for Woot. It also comes with a cleaning tool, fast charger, rechargeable battery, filter, two virtual walls, and two brush sets. The Roomba usually runs at $199.99 but I would suggest taking advantage of this as soon as possible if interested because it goes fast!
If you are hesitant about the purchase check our reviews of the Roomba over at Expo like this review of the iRobot Roomba Silver by Boonagee2
December 9th, 2008
Today happens to be a really great holiday, National Cookie Day!! You should honor this fabulous day by enjoying one (or more) of the great cookies out there.
Personally, I believe the white chocolate covered Oreo is high on the list of one of the best cookies out there. Fmellish also seems to enjoy them:
As well as the Girl’s Scout Samoas reviewed here by Lisak157
You could always opt for the classic chocolate chip cookie like the Keebler Soft Batch but make sure to microwave for a bit for a delicious warm cookie.
For a healthier option, Mishellane suggests the Kashi Oatmeal Dark Chocolate cookie:
Or if you are really watching those calories you can lightly splurge on The South Beach Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookie:
Whatever cookie you choose, just enjoy the holiday!
-Froso
December 4th, 2008
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