Stone fruit is at its peak during the summer. Look for fruit without any bruises, cuts, or soft spots. Peaches bruise easily – hold in the palm of your hand to check ripeness instead of squeezing. Give a sniff. Ripe fruit has a fragrant scent that makes you want to take a bit. Ripen peaches […]
Tag Archives | Fruit
In Season Strawberries
Juicy berries are bursting with flavor and now is the perfect time to pick them up, whether for snacking or adding to sweet and savory recipes. Make sure to look for bright, shiny strawberries, and skip any that are smashed, shriveled, or moldy. Their color should be deep and even, with no white or green […]
Eating Vegan
Most vegan foods are quite obvious, but it’s important to check the label for ingredients like egg whites, gelatin, honey, or milk. When in doubt at a restaurant, ask your server to confirm your order is vegan. Dishes are often enriched with non-vegan ingredients like chicken stock or fish sauce. Rather than focus on what […]
In Season Apples
Nothing compares to crisp and juicy in-season apples, and now is the perfect time to make the most of them in both sweet and savory dishes. Pick Like A Pro When shopping, avoid apples with nicks, bruises, or soft spots and seek out fruit that’s firm and heavy for its size. Make sure the skin […]
Fruit & Olive Oil
Drizzling olive oil over savory fruits like tomatoes is second nature, but put it on sweet fruit and people start to think you’re crazy. Consider this: Olive and watermelons are both fruits, and just as vegetable-driven salads need fat to balance salt and acid, fruit salads crave the mouth-coating richness of oil to complement their […]
Fresh & Healthy Hacks
A little more protein and a little less sugar really do add up to living a healthier lifestyle. Here are nine easy hacks to keep you on track. Skip the butter and sour cream. Salsa is your baked potato’s new best friend. Peanut butter powder will flavor smoothies without the fat. Move over mayonnaise. Greek […]
Reducing Sodium In Your Diet
Let’s face it; most of us eat way too much salt. A high-sodium diet can increase risk of high blood pressure (hypertension), which can lead to cardiovascular and kidney disease. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day, which is about 1 teaspoon of salt. The good […]
Date Night At Home
Going out for dinner on Valentine’s Day is a risky affair. Even the best restaurants can have “overload difficulties” on such a busy night where couples have expectations of restaurant perfection. A better way to manage expectations is to take control of them yourself. Food is a language of love. You know what you like […]
Winter Produce
The colder months are when a rainbow of fruits and vegetables reach their peak, from dark green kale to sunny citrus. Jicama Pronounced hee-cah-ma, this winter vegetable is crunchy and refreshing. Its mild flavor makes it perfect for salads, salsa, or as crudités for your favorite dip. Use a vegetable peeler to remove its tough […]
Kombucha
Kombucha (also known as tea mushroom or Manchurian mushroom) is a fermented, slightly sparkling black or green tea beverage that is usually lightly flavored with fruit, ginger, or herbs. Kombucha is commonly intended as a functional beverage for health benefits (although there is no real scientific evidence to support health benefit claims). Kombucha is produced […]
Tips from Victoria
Drinking From Bottles, Cans, And Brown Paper Bags!
Drinking From Bottles, Cans, And Brown Paper Bags! For as long as beverages have been available in disposable containers, etiquette books have advised people not to drink out of cartons, bottles, and cans. The only exception to this rule was the consumption of beer and soda at outdoor picnics or barbecues, where suitable glasses might not be available. Nowadays, however, you can buy everything from green tea to chocolate soy milk in packages made from glass, plastic, paper, and aluminum – or a variety of combinations. Convenient little juice boxes come with their own plastic straws, and sports drinks come in wide-mouth containers for easy gulping. Read More
