December 5, 2023

Give Your Turkey Some Super Side Dishes

Thanksgiving is a very big deal around my house. I really love the sides at Thanksgiving dinner. That’s where you can get even more creative, so don’t let side dishes weigh you down. Who doesn’t love buttery mashed potatoes, but if you want to change it up a little with a healthier but just-as-tasty alternative, check out my mashed potato substitute! Bok Choy can bring some excitement back into the “green” portion of your meal, and my Tropical Yams kick up the flavor for sweet potatoes. For an added fall touch, I also recommend my Stuffed Sugar Pumpkins and Cranberry […]
December 5, 2023

Turkey 3 Ways: Basic to International Flavors

Don’t you love Thanksgiving? It’s when the holiday season starts in earnest, yet there are no gifts to buy, no tree to trim, just a great meal with treasured friends and family. The Thanksgiving menu is by nature a healthy one—high in protein, low-calorie turkey, lots of FoodTrient-rich vegetables. Swap out butter-laden mashed potatoes for delicious whole grains, and you’ve made Thanksgiving dinner even better when it comes to reducing calories. Let’s Talk Turkey 101 Most experts agree that a hen turkey is better than a tom because they have smaller bones and more edible portions. Hens weigh less than […]
December 5, 2023

Tasty Turkey Recipes without the Whole Bird

I love turkey. My mother always prepared it for holidays. Most of my friends and family like turkey, too, so they’re happy with the big roasted bird. But I know a number of people who don’t want or need to cook a whole bird. So, if you’re looking for ideas for less turkey and more flavor, I’ve got some tasty turkey recipes for you that will make this Thanksgiving extra special. Like most Americans, Thanksgiving is one of my most favorite holidays. As much as I adore Christmas, you don’t have the pressure of finding perfect gifts or getting to […]
November 17, 2023

EWG’s Guide to a Healthy Holiday Season

This year, give thanks with less–fewer pesticides, greenhouse gases and maybe less money. Small turkeys can be tastier.  And when you cook just what you need, you don’t waste. Try an organic, local or heritage turkey or one raised without antibiotics.  Or embrace a seasonal, climate-smart, stuffed winter squash centerpiece instead. Cranberry sauce is super easy, delicious and even more nutritious to make from scratch.  Opt for organic cranberries if you can, because conventional berries are heavily treated. Pumpkin pie is a Thanksgiving tradition, with good reason.  Pumpkin is packed with nutrition, widely available locally and generally low in pesticides.  Baked pears are simple and delightful. White potatoes […]
November 16, 2023

Have a Healthy and Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a carb-loaded, over-eating frenzy. You can make satisfying, healthy, anti-aging food choices for this holiday that will leave you feeling thankful for indulging. Take turkey, for example. I cook at least four turkeys each Thanksgiving because I usually have about 30 people over for dinner. Turkey contains tryptophan, which produces niacin, giving us energy. Tryptophan also builds the hormone serotonin, which helps ensure healthy neurotransmitters in our brain. Turkey also contains the FoodTrient selenium, a detoxifying antioxidant. You don’t have to drown your turkey in fatty gravy. It can be deliciously sauced using healthier ingredients. […]
October 23, 2023

How To Get Fit for Fall Eating Season

The fall and winter seasons, combined with the upcoming holidays, mean the re-emergence of those comforting classic dishes: Mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and a plethora of pastries. Many of the typical comfort foods are filled with calories and fat, plus the potential to overeat these dishes during the colder seasons is always tempting; but if you’re smart about it, you don’t have to deprive yourself, said Karen Bright, adult and youth nutrition outreach instructor for the WVU Extension Service. “The biggest thing people have problems with that I’ve noticed is portion size,” she said. “During the holidays and colder […]
November 22, 2022

Spice Up Holiday Table with Unique Recipes

Even if your Thanksgiving and holiday dinners might still be a bit smaller and quieter, that’s no reason your turkey dinner can’t be exciting and loaded with a world of new flavors. If you’re a little adventuresome and yearn to deviate a bit from the old standby holiday recipes, we’ve got some great turkey tips loaded with a world of new flavors. Here are recipes for a spiced-up turkey and some tasty and unique dishes to fill up your holiday table. Turkey is typically the American centerpiece of holiday meals, but we have variations that are just as delicious and […]
November 22, 2022

How To Avoid Turkey Day Weight Gain

We love Thanksgiving because it’s a chance to celebrate all that we’re thankful for in our life with family  and friends. Yet, we also dread it because Thanksgiving favorites are always in abundance and lead to weight gain! To avoid this slippery slope, all you need to do is prepare your favorites in a healthier way.  And if you’re going out for dinner, we have some tips for you to bypass diet disaster there, too. Here’s how. Tips To Avoid Turkey Day Weight Gain Disaster Did you know that the typical Thanksgiving Day dinner can contain as much as 4,000 […]
November 22, 2022

6 Tips for Celebrating a Green Thanksgiving

Turkey: Fifty years ago, Americans did not eat the over engineered bird that we consume today. We dine on heritage turkeys. Firmer, richer, juicier, and more flavorful–for these birds, gravy serves no purpose. Find your turkey at www.orangicprairie.com Use their convenient drop down menu to choose your state and view their selection of turkey farms. Pick your bird after browsing photos and prices. Be sure to start your turkey search well ahead of time. A heritage turkey will cost more, but resources are saved when you’re not cooking the turkey overnight or soaking it in brine. Knowing your bird wasn’t […]