tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38596160903205547402026-04-28T00:28:59.518-04:00The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-80753546810981542862016-07-18T13:06:00.001-04:002016-07-18T13:06:28.496-04:00

I was probably about eleven when I first consciously observed the widespread mixed messages of summertime eating and living. On the cover of nearly every magazine in the checkout line, there are photos of the most decadent summertime desserts, contradicting the bold, yellow claims to help you be "bikini ready in 29 days." Far too many summers of my own adolescence were spent with long

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-90397052385168432062016-07-11T22:21:00.001-04:002016-07-11T22:59:03.018-04:00

I usually think of making these around Christmastime, as sort of healthier offering in a sea of far too much sugar.  Of course, seasonally speaking, these suckers are fresh and local right now.  My neighbor just gave me a basket of gorgeous berries from her own back yard, and I couldn't help but fill a few with chocolate. Super easy and quick: throw them in a bowl

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-14748193917659820142016-07-11T22:19:00.000-04:002016-07-11T22:56:34.531-04:00

The idea behind this one is that you get a great nutrient boost while enjoying something that's quite similar to dessert.  This is a favorite among participants in my nutrition classes--and among kids. INGREDIENTS: 1 cup frozen, unsweetened cherries ½ cup kefir or unsweetened yogurt (optional) 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 2 teaspoons raw honey (or your favorite natural

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-10606117021813727842016-07-11T21:59:00.000-04:002016-07-11T22:55:19.768-04:00

Despite living with farms all around, country living can be the equivalent of cultural deprivation to a foodie--especially during the colder months.  We have an abundance of ethnic markets here in my neck of the woods and they are what keeps me sane by providing otherwise hard-to-find ingredients in rural America.  Our local Indian market carries these adorable little

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-21857629296319751292016-07-11T21:49:00.001-04:002016-07-11T22:54:17.810-04:00

This recipe only takes a few minutes to make and the results are SO much better than the stuff in the carton. Plus, when you make it yourself, you don't have to worry about added sugars or chemical emulsifiers and stabilizers. Ingredients: 1 cup raw almonds 4 cups water + extra for blanching almonds 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-46515190244409976622016-07-11T21:39:00.005-04:002016-07-11T22:53:38.320-04:00

This is a homemade meal ready in five minutes!   By purchasing already peeled and deveined shrimp and carrots that have been chopped into match sticks, you can easily toss this entire meal together in five minutes.  Not bad for a busy weekday night!  This meal also happens to be gluten free, for those with sensitivities.  Think outside the box, if shrimp

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-2572437256209290062016-07-11T19:23:00.000-04:002016-07-11T22:59:27.959-04:00

I love this trick because it is quick, easy, and delicious.  It also doesn't hurt that it is portion-controlled and low calorie, as well as gluten free.  I choose the gluten free tortillas because they are 130 calories each and work every bit as well as the wheat flour variety, but or 1/2 the calories.     Crushed tomatoes make for a fresh tasting sauce and fresh

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-84819729288424994312016-07-11T19:15:00.002-04:002016-07-11T22:47:51.138-04:00

When we run out of good lunch ideas in this house, crêpes are a go-to food that I whip up.  They can be filled with leftovers, fruit, and even preservative free luncheon meat as shown above.  This same recipe could be used to make desserts of brunch, but lunch seems to be an area where a lot of people find themselves stuck for new ideas.  Whip up a batch of 

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-76563454364149220702016-07-11T19:15:00.001-04:002016-07-11T22:42:30.921-04:00

Black rice, also known as forbidden rice, is being touted by Wellness gurus everywhere as a possible "perfect carb" due to its' slow digesting properties, and its high protein and high antioxidant values.  This salad is quick, easy and very flavorful.  It's a great crowd pleaser--which is always a plus in my book.  My sister-in-law came up with this recipe on a whim when she

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-68464099359914373132016-07-11T19:08:00.000-04:002018-08-08T10:36:30.773-04:00

One of my favorite brunch recipes is something that I concocted after having breakfast with my Scottish grandfather where he pronounced a pan-formed slice of oatmeal "cake" that we were served to be of Scottish decent. Whether or not this is true, it is an easy thing to do and makes for an impressive and unique breakfast or brunch offering to quickly feed just a few or a whole crowd. Really

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-30236173219095719472015-01-28T10:30:00.000-05:002020-10-04T20:08:04.049-04:00

Often I beg of you to not to call processed snack foods "healthy" and I talk about the difference in healthier junk food and out-and-out junk.  You may wonder, “Why is she picking on my Vitameatavegimin Muffins and Fiber Wonder Bars?” And while I kind of am, I also want you to be sure that when you are checking out the food label, you also look at the ingredient list.

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-6487620965789327432015-01-25T12:00:00.000-05:002015-02-27T21:47:39.703-05:00

If I can do it, so can you... My kitchen counter currently looks more like a shelf in a high school science lab than a food preparation center, as I currently have several different experiments bubbling away in a variety of mason jars. In my book, that’s OK because one of the biggest factors in my personal long term weight management success has been my natural proclivity toward finding

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-29870159668595125892015-01-21T11:51:00.000-05:002015-01-21T11:58:54.110-05:00

  What's better than a homemade meal ready in five minutes?   By purchasing already peeled and deveined shrimp and carrots that have been chopped into match sticks, you can easily toss this entire meal together in five minutes.  Not bad for a busy weekday night!  This meal also happens to be gluten free, for those with sensitivities.  Think outside the

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-41628163583189254222015-01-13T23:23:00.001-05:002015-01-13T23:25:17.620-05:00

Since 2009, I have posted weekly SERVING up a SMILE entries, to share tips on nutrient and weight management and finding balance.  NutriMirror.com is going away, but SERVING up a SMILE shall live on!  There are big things in the works and The Country Tart will be sharing some exciting news of a very cool partnership and our plans very soon!  In the meantime, please click the

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-40811906051005089132014-12-30T20:37:00.003-05:002014-12-31T13:03:47.204-05:00

    Sometimes all the right ingredients just land on a plate and they work together harmoniously.  That's what happened with this salad.  It was so tasty I had to jot down what I did and snap some pictures before I even ate my lunch!  It's been said that a salad never tastes as good when you prepare it at home.  I really think this is only because we don't

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-68564529827602222962014-07-22T15:34:00.003-04:002014-07-22T15:34:52.854-04:00

Nothing says summer like fresh food and right now it is easy to get food grown within minutes of your home for pocket change.  Make a trip to your nearest roadside stand of farm market--or if you are lucky, your backyard garden--and throw some of summer's bounty into your blender for this refreshing soup that is served cold.  The perfect accompaniment to any meal served on a hot,

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-13986095246385718882014-02-12T10:50:00.000-05:002014-02-13T08:56:50.885-05:00

I do a lot of healthy cooking demonstrations and one of the things that I’ve learned is that far less people have tried many of the foods that a health food junkie like myself might consider a staple. Quinoa is one such food so I love to bring it out and toss it together for a live audience. Food is always a favorite prop anyway, and I’ve learned that most people in an audience

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-27243031793026641502013-12-09T16:14:00.000-05:002014-02-11T21:38:45.846-05:00

This is one of those appetizers that will welcome guests into your home with an amazing aroma.  It always gets a ton of compliments and recipe requests, both of which are a testimony to true good eats! 1/2 pound green grapes, broken into small clusters 1/2 pound red grapes, broken into small clusters 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 small shallot,

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-69013786682577980672013-11-12T15:30:00.000-05:002013-11-12T19:47:06.680-05:00

Oh my goodness.  This is one of those desserts that's not even really indulgent (see nutrition info, below) but is still seriously tasty.  It was so good, in fact, that I need to make more to get a better photograph--we gobbled it up before that could be accomplished!  Good enough for dessert but nutritious enough for breakfast.   Garnished above with a bit

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-13315410276947868732013-10-19T14:36:00.001-04:002013-10-19T16:54:35.142-04:00

We really try to avoid eating foods containing processed corn and/or soy ingredients; which is really hard since that eliminates most foods in the inner aisles of the store.  Mayonnaise is one of those foods but, no worries, mayo is not only really easy to make at home--but tastes better too.  My recipe calls for tempering the egg yolks which means it stays good in the

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-54076588020213509122013-10-02T16:58:00.002-04:002013-10-02T21:54:34.353-04:00

We try to eat meat infrequently in our home and, when we do, I strive to eat locally sourced or the wild harvested stuff.  During the week I follow a vegan regimen, both for my concerns of the sustainability of industrial farming and for my personal health.  On the weekend, I might occasionally indulge in some amazingly full-flavored aged cheese or eat some meals out that are

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-19289408188724221872013-09-10T20:58:00.001-04:002013-09-10T20:58:09.878-04:00

You can watch the video of this recipe being made by clicking here. INGREDIENTS:Flesh of one avocado 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder 2 teaspoon raw honey 1 teaspoon coconut sugar or date sugar (optional) EQUIPMENT: Food Processor 1 - Place ingredients in bowl of food processor and whip until smooth.  Taste.  Add more cocoa or a pinch more of sugar as needed.  This

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-90484392320148526592013-08-30T12:30:00.000-04:002013-08-30T12:44:45.697-04:00

Often, when there is a decision or a choice to be made, I look for a sign while I am weighing my options.  Sometimes it comes after I have made my decision, as it did this morning when I couldn't decide whether or not I was too sore to take a run.  Yesterday's workout was pretty intense; enough so that most parts of my body seemed to be cursing my trainer this morning,

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-18546633926401686002013-08-10T12:36:00.001-04:002013-08-10T12:44:30.202-04:00

  These booze soaked watermelon slices were inspired by this Martha Stewart recipe. I made a couple of changes, most notably that I doubled the margarita marinade to make sure that there was enough to cover an entire small watermelon.  I also mixed lime zest in the salt for a more intense lime flavor and snuck some peach schnapps in the mix.  For those

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859616090320554740.post-30653838600698901432013-08-08T19:48:00.001-04:002013-08-08T20:14:43.026-04:00

There's not much I don't love about hummus.  It's full of fiber and healthy fats and it's a seriously satisfying snack.  Heck, I even love it smeared on a brown rice cake with some jalapeños for lunch. This recipe makes a ton of hummus but no worries, it freezes well!  If you like, you can always cut ingredients in half for a smaller batch. INGREDIENTS 16 ounce bag of dried

The Country Tarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381793332419060575noreply@blogger.com1