Now You're Entertaining Blog

easy vinaigrette

2009-06-12T10:05:00.000-07:00

add some zing to a simple salad with an easy vinaigrette: shake 1/4 cup of vinegar, 2 teaspoons dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in an enclosed container. Add 3/4 cup olive oil and shake some more.

drink up the summer

2009-06-04T10:11:00.000-07:00

liquor infused with herbs, fruits and vegetables makes a great gift. let simmer for up to a month for a full flavor. here are some suggestions Martha had. if you're not a liquor drinker these could also be used for infused oils as well.

chamomile gin - chamomile springs with flowers
fennel vodka - sliced fennel bulb and fennel fronds
plum lemon brandy - sliced yellow plums and lemon balm springs
lemongrass peach sake - lemongrass stalk and sliced peaches
red plum grappa - sliced red plums
lemon verbena vodka - lemon verbena stems with leaves
lemon basil raspberry brandy - lemon basil spring and raspberries
beet cucumber vodka - peeled beet and sliced cucumber

eating green and eating healthy

2009-06-04T09:40:00.000-07:00

One great way to start eating green is to plant vegetables and herbs in your garden. There are many benefits including the produce is the freshest possible and it can save money. Additionally, you won't have to worry about pesticides or bacteria that a lot of farms need to prevent. Greenwise, there's no gas used in transporting the food. Also, consider composting. Food is the one thing that can't be recycled, but you can recycle it in your garden.

butter made better

2009-06-02T10:07:00.000-07:00

give your basic butter some zest by adding flavorful ingredients. Try chopped herbs, chiles, or citrus zest. just mix in to softened butter and chill. It's a great topping for vegetables or fish.

picnic party ideas

2009-06-01T10:20:00.000-07:00

plan a lovely june picnic with these creative ideas this month.

pleasing poached eggs

2009-05-03T10:09:00.000-07:00

It's simple, easy and healthy. Add a little vinegar to a small pot of simmering water. Gently drop in an egg. Cook for ~2 minutes.

tired? get your vitamins

2009-03-19T10:21:00.001-07:00

if you've been surviving on fast food, you may need to improve your diet. there are nutritional components to fatigue such as under nutrition. specific nutrients have an impact on energy, primarily vitamin b and iron. shortages of the following nutrients can contribute to fatigue:

- iron, which delivers oxygen to working muscles
- vitamins b2, b6 and b12 which all help break down protein, fat and carbohydrates in the metabolic process to unleash energy
- vitamin e which supports a healthy cardiovascular system and is a potent anti-oxidant
magnesium, which helps your body convert food into energy
- zinc, which assists in the growth and repair of cells particularly muscle cells

Consider taking a multivitamin so that your body gets what it needs

color your food

2009-03-18T10:36:00.000-07:00

different colors can boost your spirits and even improve your health. color your foods and surroundings based on these conceptions:

red can increase blood flow
green is calming and soothes the nervous system
yellow stimulates mental activity and eases indigestion
blue is good for respiratory problems
pink helps skin conditions

fatigue fighting foods

2009-03-09T10:26:00.000-07:00

One of the easiest ways to combat fatigue is by eating throughout the day to give you a constant source of energy. Snack wisely by choosing nutrient rich foods, those low in calories but high in vitamins and minerals. Carbohydrate protein rich foods provide sustained energy. Here are a few to try:

Peanut butter, yogurt, turkey, crackers, cheese, bananas, eggs, pasta, and potatoes are all great to help fight fatigue.

food spotlight: cinnamon

2009-02-24T10:41:00.001-08:00

did you now cinnamon can boost your health? it may help fight inflammation and control blood sugar. and thanks to its antioxidants it may also protect our body from disease.

food spotlight: beans

2009-02-04T10:47:00.000-08:00

Bring on the beans for a low fat low cost meal packed with protein fiber and potassium. American dietary guidelines recommend eating 3 cups a week.

beefing up

2009-01-27T10:45:00.000-08:00

protein packed beef provides vitamin B, iron and zinc, but it can also contain fat and cholesterol try these leaner cuts:

- bottom round roast and steak
- 95% lean ground beef
- eye round roast and steak
- top sirloin
- flank steak

diet danger zone

2009-01-24T10:12:00.000-08:00

The worst thing about the month of December is you gain a ton of weight. Your willpower seems to dissolve. With all of the food and parties it's so easy to just give in. Here are some sure-fire ways to dodge the eating frenzy:

buy diet friendly gifts such as tea
use smaller dishes
eat long lasting foods such as hard candy

ingredient swap

2009-01-21T10:49:00.000-08:00

try these substitutions for less fattening baked goods:

- instead of white flour use whole wheat flour
- instead of eggs use eggs and egg whites
- instead of whole milk use skim or low fat
- use half the amount of add ins (chocolate chips, nuts...)
- instead of using butter to grease the pan use oil spray

fat free snow days

2009-01-20T10:27:00.000-08:00

it's easy to start the snacking on snow days. here's some ideas for what to do instead:

- eat a light breakfast of oatmeal and fruit
- head outside and shovel, a great way to burn calories
- for snacks, trail mix of seeds and fruit are a good option
- go sledding or just take a walk

better beverage choices

2009-01-19T10:12:00.000-08:00

what you drink may affect your waistline more than you think by adding hundreds of empty calories to your daily intake. you could lose 20 pounds a year or more by making smarter beverage choices. here are some tips for better beverage choices:

- go with water, it has no calories. plus dehydration can actually slow your metabolism.
- drink your coffee black or use skim milk instead of cream
- drink green tea instead of coffee, studies show it may help boost calorie burning
- beware of sports drinks, drink water instead of these calorie loaded monsters

slow down and lose weight

2009-01-14T07:07:00.000-08:00

Luckily, you don't have to stop eating sugar to keep the weight off. It's not what you're eating but how. Slow down, take smaller bits and chew and you'll be full and eat less and you'll enjoy it more.

the good fat and the bad fat

2009-01-10T07:18:00.000-08:00

Dieters often fear fat, but it's actually crucial to good health. The trick is to eat the right kinds of fat. Good fats create energy, transport vitamins, and regulate blood pressure and heart rate. They can also help reduce bad cholesterol.

Good Fat:
- Monounsaturated - olive oil, fish oil, avocado, olives, nuts
- Polyunsaturated - soybeans, whole grain wheat, vegetable oils
- Omega 3 - salmon, flax seeds, leafy green veggies

Bad Fat:
- Trans - cookies, crackers, doughnuts
- Saturated - dairy, red meat, crisco, coconut

around the world in 80 calories

2009-01-09T07:23:00.000-08:00

Here's a guide to eating ethnic for less calories

Asian:
- start with the soup to curb your appetite
- drink tea to fill your tummy
- use chop sticks to slow you down
- eat stir fried and steamed
- choose brown rice
- limit your sauce

Mexican:
- start with a soup
- watch those tortilla chips
- go for big flavors, they're often less fatty
- cut the cheese (and sour cream)
- avoid the refried beans

Italian:
- start with a soup (trendy huh)
- avoid pasta stuffed w/ cheese
- go for the red sauce
- watch out for excess oil

heart healthy grains

2009-01-08T10:17:00.000-08:00

eating whole grains helps banish stubborn belly fat and lower your risk of heart disease. try brown rice, barley, couscous, pilafs, risottos and soups to add more in to your diet. in addition to filling up on fiber, you'll benefit from the essential vitamins and minerals and disease fighting elements of the complex carbs.

five fattiest ways to eat

2009-01-05T07:12:00.000-08:00

1. Mindless Munching -- You can lose track of how much you've eaten when eating directly out of the bag. Transfer to a bowl and portion the food to consume less.
2. Over Accessorizing -- Add-ons pile up. If there's an extra charge to add an item, that's extra calories as well.
3. Super Sizing -- Snacking between meals can be healthy if they're snack size. Try the new 100 calorie packs.
4. Guzzling -- Avoid drinking and driving. The car cup holder can be trouble. One less place to drink, and then you won't have to pull over to go pee.
5. Splurging -- Remember small portions and planning.

doesn't it make you feel better?

2009-01-03T09:48:00.000-08:00

In addition to getting rest, fresh air, sufficient water and plenty of exercise. There are several herbs to help you feel better.

Crab apple - promotes a positive self image
Cherry plum - fosters calm and control
Chestnut bud - inspires self observance
Chinese date - improves clear thinking
Ginkgo and Ginseng - stimulates brain activity

drinking on a diet

2009-01-02T10:30:00.000-08:00

High caloric drinks include the more tropical drinks -- margaritas, pina coladas, mai tais, and the dessert drinks, instead try white wine, a light beer, or a straight martini. A 6 ounce margarita has 400 calories whereas a 12 ounce light beer only 100.

party planing control

2008-12-10T10:23:00.000-08:00

Follow these tips for staying in control at post holiday parties:

- Eat a healthy snack one hour before you go. That way you won't be as hungry
- Stick with the healthier items at the buffet such as shrimp, veggies and hummus
- Bring a healthy dish to share

stress free party planning

2008-12-02T10:35:00.000-08:00

5 days before: select a menu, choose foods you can make early or freeze, including a main dish, two sides and a dessert

4 days before: stock the bar

3 days before: pre-cook sauces and dressings and start decorating your home

2 days before: prepare side dishes and configure your playlist

1 day before: set the table and thaw your frozen dishes

party day: enjoy!