Here's a twist on a Southern favorite: instead of slicing your okra before you fry, try it whole. You still get the crunchy texture, but more of the wonderful, fresh okra flavor. As an added bonus, it soaks up less oil so it is a little more healthy for you - in moderation, of course. Its just another way to hold on to our traditional recipes and look out for our health at the same time.Whole Fried OkraWhole okra, with stems, rinsed1 small container buttermilkCornmeal mixBoil the whole... Read Full Story

Need a light snack between meals? An alternative to cookies for after school snack? Something to nibble with a glass of wine? Try some fresh, juicy-tart tangerines with creamy cheese and whole grain crunchy crackers.Tangerine Snack Plate1 fresh tangerine, peeled and sectionedSeveral chunks of Gouda cheeseOrganic stone ground wheat crackersArrange fruit, cheese, and crackers on a plate, and serve. Goes best with crisp white wines such as Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, or Sauvignon Blanc. For r... Read Full Story

Traditional Strawberry Shortcake is served with chilled strawberries, but in this variation, the sweet warm strawberries melt the whipped cream topping and soak into the shortcake.Warm Strawberry Shortcake2 cups strawberries, de-stemmed and quartered4 TBS sugar1 pkg. shortcake shellswhipped creamPlace strawberries in a medium sauce pan with about a cup of water. Warm to bubbling and add sugar. Stir to dissolve. When berries are softened, remove from heat. Place a shortcake shell on servin... Read Full Story

Caesar salad is a favorite in restaurants, but do you make it at home? With a few simple ingredients, you can dress up dinner, add variety to your family's diet, and pack in the nutrition of green leafy romaine.While the appetizer-sized Caesar salad is a perfect accompaniment to dinner, consider making a larger portion and topping it with shrimp, steak, or grilled chicken marinated in Caesar dressing.Caesar SaladRomaine lettuce, choppedCaesar dressingCroutonsShredded ParmesanFresh ground... Read Full Story

With melting butter, cinnamon, and sugar, sweet potatoes are so decadent and savory, that they really should not be healthy for you. But they are! They offer huge amounts of vitamins, minerals, and health benefits with few calories.The high levels of potent anti-oxidants help heal damaged cells and reduce your risk of heart and vascular disease as well as cancer. The natural anti-inflammatory effect helps ease the pain of asthma, arthritis, and other inflammatory processes. So, bake a few... Read Full Story

Roasted Potatoes and Carrots are a great side dish especially for chilly or rainy evenings. Serve them with baked chicken for a Southern Sunday dinner and saute the leftovers to serve with eggs in the morning.Roasted Potatoes and Carrots2 medium potatoes3 stalks celery1 medium onion10 baby carrotsolive oilhandful parsley, choppedsaltpepperpinch of thymea few sprinkles cayennePreheat the oven to 400 degrees. Wash and cut the potatoes and celery into bite size pieces. Cut the onion into wedg... Read Full Story

Fresh Veggie Trays are great for parties, football games, when family comes to visit, meetings, or just as a healthy snack for your family. Most grocery stores have more expensive premade veggie trays, but you can easily make your own.Fresh Veggie Tray3 ribs celery1 handful grape tomatoes5 baby carrots1 handful broccoli florets1/4 cup of your favorite salad dressingWash and cut veggies into bite size pieces or sticks. Arrange in a pattern on the serving platter. Place a container of dressi... Read Full Story

A good baked potato should have a crispness to the skin and savory flaky texture inside. Baked potatoes can be a meal on its own, served with salad, a side dish, topped with chili, or stuffed with cheeses and sour cream. Throw a few extra potatoes in to take for lunches during the week or for healthy between meal snacks.Perfect Baked Potatoes2-4 medium Russet potatoesolive oilsea saltPreheat the oven to 400 degrees. Rinse and scrub the potatoes under cool running water. Pierce the potatoe... Read Full Story

Warm your bones on a cold winter's day with this simple, comforting Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup made from leftovers. Its also great for the sniffles!Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup3-4 cups broth1 cup carrots, cut into pieces1/2 cup celery, chopped1-2 cups left over chickensalt, pepper, and garlic powder1 cup cooked brown rice pastaBring broth to simmer over medium low heat. Meanwhile, cut chicken and veggies to bite-sized pieces. Add celery and carrots to broth and allow to simmer until ... Read Full Story

A super quick and super healthy breakfast is only about 5 minutes away with these Cinnamon Blueberry Waffles. Blueberries have one of the highest levels of antioxidants, can improve memory function, and help prevent disease.Cinnamon Blueberry Waffles4 frozen waffles6 oz. fresh or frozen blueberries1 tsp raw sugar1/2 tsp cinnamonTo make this recipe gluten free, choose wheat-free waffles. Trader Joe's wheat-free waffles are very good.Toast your waffles in the toaster. While the waffles a... Read Full Story