Whole Grain Sampling Day 2014 {giveaway}

April 2, 2014 3 Comments

Happy Whole Grain Sampling Day! Yes, it’s that time of year again (the first Wednesday in April) when we all take a moment to appreciate the chewy, nutty, heart-healthy deliciousness that is the whole grain.

Over the years, I’ve struggled with blood sugar issues (mostly low sugar crashes) and through trial and error, I’ve found my body functions at its best with balanced meals, meaning protein, fat, AND carbohydrates. My carboholism is well documented, but even I can admit not all carbs are created equal. That’s where whole grains, those slow-digesting, complex-carbohydrates, come into play.

Wondering what the heck a whole grain is? Check out my post from last year’s Whole Grain Sampling Day: “So, what’s a whole grain anyway?”

Incorporating whole grains into your diet is easy. I like to cook a big batch of steel-cut oats on Sunday, and dish it out into single-serve portions for whole-grain grab-and-go breakfasts throughout the week. Another quick option is tossing cooked grains on top of your lunch-time salad (quinoa is my salad-topping grain of choice).

MORE whole grain packed recipes to try:

Jambalaya from ferventfoodie.com

Giveaway, Recipes, Video

Mexicali Grouper plus a nutty giveaway {recipe video}

May 29, 2013 2 Comments

Last month, I teamed up with Tropical Foods to create videos for four AWESOME recipes, one of which was created by yours truly! I posted the video for Buffalo Bleu Tailgate Bars last week, and today’s recipe video features Mexicali Grouper. Take it from the girl who hates fish – this recipe makes for a delicious crusted fish with big bold flavors courtesy of the Mexicali Fire snack mix used coat the fillets.

Mexicali Grouper Recipe PDF

Speaking of BIG FLAVORS, Tropical Foods just rolled out their How Bold Can You Go site, which features all of their boldest nuts and mixes. Check it out! And don’t forget, if you see something you like, you can place orders online at The Nut House.

Now onto the fun part! Tropical Foods has generously offered to give three lucky readers gift baskets, chock full of the bold nuts and snack mixes used in the recipe videos! There are several ways to enter–check out the rafflecopter below! The giveaway ends at midnight on June 15, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Food Talk, Giveaway

What’s a whole grain, anyway? {plus a humongous whole grain goodies giveaway}

April 1, 2013 5 Comments

These days, as gluten intolerances become increasingly common and more folks are pledging the Paleo diet, the healthfulness of whole grains is a debated subject. I cannot speak for a globe of eaters on this (or any other) issue, but I can share what works best for me. Over the years, I’ve struggled with blood sugar issues (mostly low sugar crashes) and through trial and error, I’ve determined my body functions at its best when its has several small meals spaced throughout the day, each consisting of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. It’s no secret I love carbs. Say it with me: CARBS ARE NOT THE ENEMY! (In fact, carbs are ENERGY.) Not all carbohydrates are created equal though, and that’s where whole grains come into play.

What’s a whole grain?

In their natural state, grains consist of three parts: endosperm, germ, and bran. When a grain is processed or refined, it is stripped of its bran and germ, leaving only the endosperm. This gives the grain a smoother texture and improves shelf life, but leaches nutrients in the process. Food manufacturers often add fillers (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, iron, etc.) to enhance the nutritional stats of the processed grains. The resulting “enriched” products are grossly inferior to whole grains.

According to WebMD (and a million other sites and research studies), a diet rich in whole grains has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some forms of cancer PLUS improve bowel health (thank you very much!).

Some common types of whole grains:

*starred whole grains are gluten-free

[one_half]

Barley
Buckwheat*
Corn* (including cornmeal & popcorn)
Millet*
Oats

[/one_half]

[one_half_last]

Quinoa*
Rice* (brown, wild)
Rye
Sorghum*
Wheat (includes spelt, farro, bulgur, wheatberries, and more)

[/one_half_last]

What am I eating?! Navigating the nutrition panel

Shopping for whole grains can be really challenging. It’s great to shop with intention and desire to purchase whole grains, but cryptic nutrition labels can easily confuse a buyer. The Whole Grains Council chart below is an excellent tool to assist you in finding whole grain products.

Giveaway

4 delicious egg recipes to make this weekend {recipe}

March 29, 2013 2 Comments

The awesome folks at Oxo recently sent me a sweet set of kitchen egg tools. The trio includes a 3-in-1 egg separator, hand-cranked egg beater, and a flip & fold omelet turner! Since I make eggs for breakfast e v e r y d a y , I’ve put these tools through the ringer. Now, I try not to play favorites, but when it comes to these gadgets I’ve got two. Favorite #1: the egg separator. This little guy hooks onto the side of your bowl, which is simultaneously simple and amazing. Buh-bye hands covered in gross egg whites! Favorite #2: the egg beaters! They’re super handy when making a big frittata or egg casserole, plus with the push of a button your can remove the (dishwasher safe!) beaters.

I’ve had a set of these Oxo egg beaters since I found them in my Food Blog Forum swag bag last year, so….

I’m giving away one set of Oxo Egg Beaters!

Check out the rafflecopter at the bottom of the post to enter the giveaway. And in the mean time, here are four delicious egg recipes to try this weekend!

Crustless Quiche (with Yogurt!)

Events, Giveaway

Cooking with Chobani {giveaway}

December 31, 2012 7 Comments

It’s NEW YEAR’S EVE! Which means everyone’s focus has shifted from Christmas cookies and eggnog to carrot sticks and excessive exercise. Well, that’s where our heads will be after one last night of cocktail wieners and glasses of bubbly, that is.

This past month has flown by. I guess that’s typical for December, isn’t it? From Thanksgiving to Christmas, it’s all about squeezing in time with friends and family and bouncing from one party to the next. The end of the year always leaves me with a bit of PHD (post-holiday depression). You too?

One of my favorite holiday get-togethers this year was a cooking event at the Chobani offices here in Charlotte. Several local food bloggers and friends joined up for a night of wine, laughs, and yogurt-filled recipes cooked under the supervision of Chobani’s own chef, Tim Reardon.

If you aren’t familiar with Chobani, stop what you’re doing and head to the grocery store. Chobani makes some of the best Greek yogurt on the market. I’m partial to the pomegranate.

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