The FDA has announced that partially hydrogenated oils, the main source of trans fat, will no longer be allowed in food by 2018. This trans fat ban has a lot of people excited, but there are others who don't think this is such a great idea. Also in this Real Food Round-Up, are people too focused on nutrients and a recipe you need this summer.
Cutting up a whole pineapple can be intimidating, but once you know how to do it, it's really easy! You don't even need any special pineapple corer or spiral cutter, just a knife and a cutting board. Fresh pineapple is the perfect addition to any summer party or get together. Learn how to cut one up yourself!
Today I thought it would be fun to show you everything I got at the grocery store! While I love getting food from my garden and local farmers, I still go to the grocery store to fill in the gaps. Unfortunately, bananas, pineapples, and avocados don't grow in Virginia.
There's lots of talk about a study that shows eating chocolate while on a low carbohydrate diet can actually help you lose more weight than a low carb diet alone. Also in this week's Real Food Round-Up, finding BPA free canned goods and a chocolate dessert.
Emotional eating is something a lot of us struggle with. It can happen for a variety of reasons, but the core issue is the same: eating for a reason other than hunger. Here are my tips to manage emotional eating when it strikes.
May is coming to an end and that means it's time to talk favorites! This month I'm sharing a favorite spring food, a new kitchen gadget that I am getting a ton of use out of, lots of new exercise clothes, and some other fun stuff!
A recent outbreak of the bird flu has caused a crisis for the U.S. egg supply. In Iowa, the largest egg producer in the United States, 40% of the egg laying flock has been killed. Strangely enough, it doesn't seem that back yard flocks are being affected. But why is that the case? Plus, dietitians are changing their tune about saturated fat and a recipe for a fun frozen treat in this Real Food Round-Up.
Store bought tomato cages really aren't that great and can get expensive as you replace them over the years. That's why I'm showing you how to make your own tomato cages from concrete wire or steel wire remesh. These tomato cages are stable, durable, inexpensive, and the perfect size and shape for tomatoes.
Panera Bread is a popular food chain that is making some big changes. They recently announced that they will be removing 150 additives from their menu. But does this change actually make a difference as far as health is concerned, or is it all just a marketing ploy? Also in this Real Food Round-Up, I'm explaining vegetarian fed chickens and sharing a radish recipe.
Here's everything I got at my local farmers market in early May in Virginia! Spring is one of my favorite times of the year because of all of the fresh, crisp produce we get after a long, cold winter. We've got so many delicious spring fruits and veggies right now and I'm loving it!
Mother's Day is right around the corner and what better way to celebrate your mother than a delicious homemade meal! This frittata is simple and quick to make and uses one of my favorite spring foods: asparagus.
2 spring onions, white and green parts thinly sliced
1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1.5 inch pieces
8 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
pepper to taste
Butter or other fat for cooking vegetables and greasing cast iron skillet
Directions
Heat butter or fat of choice in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove cooked onions from pan and set aside.
Add more butter to your skillet and cook asparagus until crisp tender and bright green, about 5 minutes. Remove cooked asparagus from pan and set aside.
Add eggs, salt, and pepper to a large bowl and whisk thoroughly.
Add cooked onions and asparagus to the beaten eggs and mix until everything is evenly distributed.
Grease a cast iron skillet with butter, lard, coconut oil or other fat and heat over medium high heat. Add egg and vegetable mixture to the hot skillet and turn heat down to medium low. Cook until the edges of the frittata are set and pull away from the skillet, about 10 minutes. The center of the frittata will still be liquid at this point.
Set your broiler to low and place the skillet directly under the broiler. Cook until the frittata is cooked through and the top is golden brown, about 3-5 minutes. Watch closely during this stage to make sure that the frittata doesn't accidentally burn.
Remove frittata from oven, allow to cool slightly, slice, and serve. I like to cut mine into 8 slices.
Chipotle has recently announced that they are now GMO free! This is great for people looking to avoid GMOs, but what has actually changed with the food and what work still needs to be done?
Also in this Real Food Round-Up, Tyson has committed to reducing antibiotic use in it's chickens, Pepsi is removing aspartame from it's diet drinks, and a recipe that takes strawberries to the next level.
Making your own tortillas is great, but it can be tricky. The good news is, using a tortilla press makes the whole process a lot easier! Here's how I use my tortilla press to make fresh corn and whole wheat tortillas at home.
April is almost over and that means it's time to talk about my favorite things from the past month! This month, I've been switching up my water drinking routine and loving that spring produce is finally here! I've also tried some awesome new beauty products this month that have totally changed my every day routine.
Doctor Oz is coming under fire again, this time from a group of physicians who wrote a letter to Columbia University asking that Dr. Oz be removed from his faculty position. Many in the medical profession have strong feelings about Dr. Oz. Here's what I think.
Going to your local farmers' market is a great way to get healthy food and support your local community, but, if you've never been before, it can be a little intimidating. Here are a few simple tips to make your first farmers' market experience a great one!
Eggs can be an incredibly healthy food, but all of the labels and lingo on their packaging can get confusing. Cage free? Free range? Organic? Pastured? What does it all really mean? Here's your guide to understand egg labels so you can get the best eggs for you and your family.
The FDA recently sent a letter to the maker of KIND bars to tell them that they cannot use the word "healthy" on several of their bars. For the FDA, it's all about the fat. The FDA says that KIND bars have too much saturated fat to put the word healthy on their packaging. But are KIND bars really unhealthy? Plus, a recipe for homemade KIND bars in this Real Food Round-Up!
We've made a lot of progress on the garden! The area has been expanded and I've got lots of plant starts growing inside under my grow lights. Here's an overview of how everything is coming along!
One aspect of healthy eating that a lot of people miss is eating seasonally. Eating seasonally means eating the foods that are in season in your local area. Following a seasonal pattern with your meals has several benefits, including better nutrition and more money in your pocket. Plus, it's the best way to not get bored with your meals.
The FDA has announced that partially hydrogenated oils, the main source of trans fat, will no longer be allowed in food by 2018. This trans fat ban has a lot of people excited, but there are others who don't think this is such a great idea. Also in this Real Food Round-Up, are people too focused on nutrients and a recipe you need this summer.
