Great Food 4U

Five Quick, Easy Valentine's Day Desserts

2012-02-09T23:00:00.002-05:00

Need a great Valentine's Day treat for a get-together, potluck, school party or family dinner? Although I am the family cook, I always seem to be the last one to be told when we are expected to bring a dessert to a get-together. I don't know how many times I've heard, 'oh by the way, you know that party? Well I said we'd bring something...' Consequently, I've developed an arsenal of last minute rescue recipes for just such an emergency. Here are five basic rescue recipes for goodies that you can whip up and have ready to walk out the door to any get together. Written for New Year's Eve, these treats are yummy year-round. The grasshopper pie recipe would make a "creme de la creme" dessert (pardon the pun) for St. Patrick's Day, too. These are mostly frozen desserts: peanut butter, banana split, peppermint stick, grasshopper, turtle and toffee. I don't know about you, but I never need an excuse to enjoy dessert. And thank you. Now I'm hungry! :0 Read more at Five Quick, Easy New Year's Eve Desserts

One-Pot Fish Tacos Casserole Recipe, Quick and Easy - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com

2012-01-30T11:23:00.001-05:00

Leftover Use-up: One-Pot Fish Tacos Casserole Recipe, Quick and Easy I'm a penny-pincher, DIY mama. The kitchen is one of my favorite places to scratch both of those itches. I save money by cleaning out the fridge before shopping (funny how those kids can open six packages of shredded cheese and never finish one? Or the hubs starts three onions and leaves the carcasses behind?) So once a week I go through, purge the refrigerator of flotsam and jetsam and make a meal of the leftovers. Today's leftover use-up: fish tacos. I make them into a casserole because it saves dishes and messy clean up. Here's how...

Chinese New Year Foods, Recipes, Provincial Cuisine

2012-01-20T17:02:00.001-05:00

Chinese New Year Foods, Recipes, Provincial Cuisine As a 25-year teacher and homeschooler, one of my favorite ways to introduce students to a culture was by sampling foods from that country. Kids love my around the world taste tours, too. If you're exploring Chinese New Year in your classroom or family homeschool, here are recipes and food ideas to try. Gung Hay Fat Choy, fellow dragons and everyone! Read on...

Tuna and Fish Recipes from The Lenten Kitchen, Perfect for Chinese New Year

2012-01-15T21:06:00.001-05:00

The Lenten Kitchen: Vegetarian Tuna Recipes Chinese New Year begins Jan. 23, 2012. What better recipes for "Year of the Dragon" than fish, sushi and tuna? Fish is the food of choice for the Catholic season of lent which starts Feb. 22, 2012.

This year, my husband and I are working toward a Mediterranean diet: fish, little meat, local and fresh vegetables, more wheat-free grains, fiber and better dairy, like yogurt and cottage cheese. He has cholesterol problems and I'm trying to lose weight. There's just one problem with tuna: I love it but he HATES it.

Tuna is loaded with protein and Omega-3 oils and low-fat. In these recipes, we concentrate on preparing delicious tuna recipes that will appeal to everyone. One of the biggest complaints leveled at tuna, is that it tastes and smells so 'fishy'. The best way to avoid the fishier smelling canned tuna is to choose 'solid white albacore' tuna packed in water. This style of tuna is slightly more expensive than chunk light, but it's nutritionally better and doesn't smell like cat food. Another tip is to cook fish or tuna with lemon or lime. Citrus is great for cutting that fishy taste and smell. Click for more recipes and tips...

Recipes, Tips to Tempt Picky Kids to Eat Vegetables

2012-01-02T20:46:00.001-05:00

Parent Tips to Turn Picky Kids on to Vegetables One of the most common New Year's resolutions is to start eating healthier. Improving nutrition is an essential component for family health. Right, you're saying. Tell that to my picky kid. Alas, picky eating habits are very common among preschoolers; it's a step to becoming independent. Normal or not, it can cause parents a lot of woe. Health and nutrition experts tell us to feed kids more fresh, green vegetables. If junior won't eat his veggies, the point becomes moot, however. Looking for ways to turn a fussy eater on to vegetables? Try these tips.

How to Tempt the Picky Eater

2011-12-05T16:27:00.001-05:00

How Parents Can Reform a Picky Eater Got a picky eater or three in the family? We're under pressure to feed our children right, but if said children won't cooperate, it can be a real parenting headache. Here are some tips from a teacher, preschool director and mom of four about how to unpick and reform the picky eater. These tips can help get kids excited about trying new foods. Read more...

Study Raises Parent Fears About Arsenic, Lead in Apple Juice

2011-12-01T19:48:00.001-05:00

Study Raises Parent Fears About Arsenic, Lead in Apple Juice When Dr. Mehmet Oz reported high levels of arsenic in apple juice, he was accused of fear-mongering among parents. A new study from Consumer Reports in the magazine's January 2012 issue confirmed his findings, however. In fact, Consumer Reports found that not only is there too much arsenic in some juices, there is too much lead. Some grape juice varieties have even higher arsenic levels than apple juice. Here's a Q-and-A for parents about these tainted apple juice scares. Read more...

Thanksgiving Fish and Shellfish Recipes

2011-11-07T19:57:00.001-05:00

Thanksgiving Fish and Shellfish Recipes for VegetariansYou can't have Thanksgiving Dinner without a turkey, right? You surely can. In fact, there's some doubt as to whether turkey was even served at the first Thanksgiving. Here are dozens of recipes and food tips to enjoy all the harvest bounty with meat. The only reason that we have turkey at Thanksgiving is because Madison Avenue has led us to believe that it's tradition. Marketing and advertising executives tell how to think. But we know better. We know that fish and shellfish can be served anytime. And so very healthy! Check out these recipes. Read more...

Super Easy, Inexpensive, Kid-friendly Leftover Use-Up, One-Pot Meals

2011-10-31T14:50:00.001-04:00

Super Easy, Inexpensive, Kid-friendly Leftover Use-Up, One-Pot Meals I'll admit it: I'm a cookbook addict. I love to peruse the pages looking for new ways with food. One thing I've noticed is that too many cookbooks are limited. Busy families need meals that don't require multiple steps or that dirty a sink full of pans. These recipes are nutritious meals that can be made while helping a child with spelling words or nursing a baby. Ingredients are inexpensive. With my recipes, you'll never have to make a special trip. They are adaptable to what's on hand. Using these recipes you'll use up leftovers, plus have enough for a second night. If you line baking dishes with heavy foil, you can freeze food, remove pre-wrapped in foil and store. Click here to read more...

Recipes to Celebrate Hindu Diwali

2011-10-12T16:26:00.001-04:00

Recipes to Celebrate Hindu Diwali Diwali is the Hindu 'festival of lights'. Diwali is celebrated for five days and includes much feasting. Sweets are an important part of the Diwali festival. Neighbors exchanges sweets and treats. Here is a compilation of best Diwali recipes. Other religions that observe Diwali, also called Divali and Deepavali are Jainism and Sikhism. All those who celebrate Diwali insist that the festival isn't complete without the feasting, especially with sweets or 'Mithai', so here are sources of Diwali recipes. I'm not Indian, nor do I practice the Hindu faith, but reading about these mouth-watering confections and foods makes me wish to visit Bali and maybe get invited to participate in a Diwali festival! Read on...

Michigan Gears Up for Oktoberfest

2011-09-21T21:13:00.001-04:00

Grand Rapids, Mich., Gears Up for Oktoberfest Say "Oktoberfest" and what comes to mind? In Grand Rapids, Mich., it's about German beer, food and fun. No one parties quite like the Germans. As in Texas, everything is bigger, louder and more fun in Deutschland. Oktoberfest polkas into West Michigan on Sept. 23-24, 2011. It's sponsored by the Edelweiss Club and features Alpine and Althorn music, dancing, food, children's events and of course, beer. Germans take brewing very seriously. I ought to know; I married a German. He's been making his own beer since 1982. That's what Oktoberfest is all about, German beer with good food to wash it down. Enjoy Schweine braten, Wiener Schnitzel, bratwurst and kraut, apfel strudel and other favorites. Read more...

Homecookin' Recipes: Michigan Apple Harvest: Healthy Goodness

2011-09-05T20:03:00.001-04:00

Michigan Apple Harvest: Healthy Goodness Michigan's apples are some of the best in the world. Loaded with vitamins, great in many recipes, delicious and versatile, it's no wonder that the apple was the serpent's weapon of choice for Adam and Eve. My native state of Michigan is home to hundreds of apple orchards, cider mills and farm markets. In September and October road side stand, farm markets, produce stands and grocery stores are lined with baskets of sweet, spicy, tangy red-cheeked apples. Read more delicious recipes!

Patriotic Labor Day Cocktails and Fun Alcoholic Beverage Recipes

2011-09-04T17:09:00.001-04:00

Patriotic Labor Day Cocktails and Fun Alcoholic Beverage Recipes Labor Day is the national holiday set aside to recognize workers and thank them for their labor. As the last holiday before school starts, Labor Day sometimes signals that last official picnic holiday of summer, also. If you'll be celebrating Labor Day with a picnic, party, bonfire or celebration of some sort, here are some festive patriotic drink recipes to grace your table. Read more...

Michigan Pet Food, Ground Turkey Tainted with Salmonella

2011-08-03T19:22:00.000-04:00

Michigan Pet Food, Ground Turkey Tainted with Salmonella Michigan pet owners are being advised that salmonella has been detected in some Nestle Purina One cat food products. Coupled with that, 77 people in 26 states have become ill from eating ground turkey tainted with salmonella Heidelberg or salmonellosis. The producer responsible for the salmonella-tainted ground turkey has not yet been identified, nor has the list of affected states been released. In the meantime, consumers are urged to avoid eating ground turkey and cook all meats to proper internal temperature.

Kid-friendly, One Pot Stove-Top Meals for Hot Summer Days

2011-07-20T22:17:00.003-04:00

Kid-friendly, One Pot Stove-Top Meals for Hot Summer Days Cooking in summer poses dilemmas: it's too hot to turn on the oven, the crock pot requires a full day of cooking and propane for the grill is expensive. Some meals don't do so well on the grill, either. Toss in some picky eaters or special diets and cooking in summer is a nightmare. Here are quick, easy stove-top meals for summer. These meals are kid-friendly, one-pot, easy clean-up meals, too; because if it's too hot to cook, it's too hot to do mountains of dishes, too. Read more...

How to Make Patriotic Salads and Finger Food Veggies for the Fourth of July

2011-05-16T08:52:00.001-04:00

How to Make Patriotic Salads and Finger Food Veggies for the Fourth of July! At Fourth of July picnics, you can usually find the patriotic cookies, flag cakes and red,white and blue fruit. But what about those poor forgotten veggies we need and love? And we can't neglect our
vegetarian and vegan friends and relatives. They should be able to have some patriotic fun with food too!

Easy Mexican Recipes for Cinco De Mayo

2011-04-26T19:33:00.001-04:00

4-Ingredient Mexican Recipes for Cinco De Mayo - Associated Content from Yahoo! Cinco de Mayo, May 5 celebrates the Mexican Independence Day. Here are some fast, easy four ingredient recipes for your home or classroom to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Catholic Easter Lamb Cake and Centerpiece Recipe

2011-04-07T20:20:00.001-04:00

Catholic Stand-Up Easter Lamb Cake and Centerpiece Recipe As a German Catholic homeschool family, Easter is about the Paschal Lamb of God, and His passion, death and Resurrection. Lent takes us to the Easter celebration. Here is an Easter lamb cake and centerpiece recipe that's yummy and has special meaning for Catholics and Christians.

Wineries and Grape Production in the Lake Michigan Regions

2011-03-31T21:58:00.001-04:00

Michigan Uncorked: Wineries and Grape Production of Lake Michigan

Everything you always wanted to know about Michigan wines but were afraid to ask! From grape to vinyard, from crush to barrel, from bottle to table, from sip to savor. Not just in at Chateau Montelena or the Napa Valley, Red, white and blue does wine well. From Chardonnay to Pinot, from Sangiovese to Merlot, from Malbec to faux-Bordeaux. Just ask the Judgement of Paris experts! (And check out the adorable wine-lovers film "Bottle Shock" with the delicious Alan Rickman).

Kosher, Vegan Pretzel Recipes for Lent

2011-03-28T13:05:00.000-04:00

The Lenten Kitchen: Kosher, Vegan Pretzel Recipes

Pretzels are a religious, lenten symbol and a yummy, low-fat, sugarfree, snack. Here are vegan and vegetarian recipes to enjoy pretzels.

30+ Diet, Nutrition, Weight Loss and Food Swaps Tips

2011-03-15T22:32:00.000-04:00

Weight loss and dieting are top Google search topics. Here are common-sense weight loss tips distilled from nutritionists and health experts. These diet tips will improve health; they are flexible and inexpensive. Recipes, food swaps, nutrition tips, serving sizes, portion control. Read more

DIY Romantic Candlelight Dinner for Two

2011-03-14T19:17:00.000-04:00

Can't afford to take your special lady out for an expensive dinner? You can create your own romantic, inexpensive picnic supper. Impress her with intimate food, wine, flowers and dinner that cost you very little. Valentine's Day, Sweetest Day, first date, 50th anniversary, anytime. All you need is creativity to spark some passion. Read more

"Food, Inc." Lesson Plans and Activties

2011-02-28T19:15:00.000-05:00

"Food, Inc." is a 2008 documentary that explores America's corporate-controlled food industry. "Food, Inc." looks at genetically modified foods, corporate farms, health conditions and other dangerous industry practices. Educators, "Food, Inc." provides resources for health, economics and science classes. "Food, Inc." has practical applications for government, civics, marketing, business and sociology classes also. Click here...

Recipes and Activities from Early American Settler Life

2011-02-15T19:30:00.001-05:00

As a teacher and homeschooler, I have created a complete unit of pioneer and early American history lesson plans and activities. Here is a diy guide to create your own "One Room School House" experience for

your students or homeschool group. Included in this lesson are period foods and recipes for edibles, crafts and ink. Read on

Best Portion Control Diet and Weight Loss Tips

2011-02-07T13:56:00.001-05:00

"Diet tips" and "Weight Loss" have been hot keywords for several decades. There are many diet and weight loss plans available, but the successful diet plans contain several key ingredients: portion control, choice, behavioral change and self-management. Let's look at how these key components work in successful weight loss. Read more...