PUMPKIN RECIPES FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Pumpkin is very low in carbs and can be used to replace some of the flour and starch in traditional recipes because it is so high in fiber. It is also a terrific sub for potatoes and yams in our Fall and Winter menus. I have missed being able to make some of my favorite pumpkin recipes while recovering from vitamin A toxicity. See my post about the “Scariest Vegetable,”* but I found a solution: white pumpkin varieties contain little or no vitamin A. However,…

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A FAMILY TRADITION ENDURES AND HEALTHFUL EGGNOG

My husband, Dean, has made gingerbread houses for the grandkids to decorate since they were very small (the oldest just turned 20). They were pleased that he was able to continue the tradition this year despite his recent hospital stay. I made hot chocolate for the kids but Dean doesn’t like hot drinks, so I made eggnog for him. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that sooner!  I haven’t been able to persuade him to join me in my morning regimen of Butter…

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QUICK CHOCOLATE CAKE-IN-A-CUP

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You could be eating ooey, gooey, chocolatey cake in a matter of minutes! Ingredients: 2 tablespoons almond flour 1 tablespoon coconut flour 1 tablespoon cocoa powder ½ teaspoon baking powder A pinch of salt 1 large egg 1 tablespoon Natural Mate,* equal to 2 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon melted butter or coconut oil ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 2 tablespoons sugar-free chocolate chips 2 tablespoons additional sugar-free chocolate chips for topping Whipped cream or ice cream and berries for garnish, optional Directions: Combine almond and coconut…

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS

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2008 2015 Just a little reminder about how time flies! My husband started making gingerbread houses with the grandchildren when they very small and the tradition has endured. Brandon is 19 now and home from college. They stayed to help decorate our tree after finishing their creations. Yes, that’s an octopus on top of Brandon’s house. And no, they are not low-carb. Dean loves to play Santa and I try not to be too much of a Grinch. Wishing you the very best for the…

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FRUIT CAKE RECIPE

YEAR END WRAP UP This has been a remarkable year–the message about what constitutes a healthful diet has finally made it into mainstream media! I tip my hat and raise a toast to all of you who made it happen: to the researchers, teachers, nutritionists, and doctors who risked careers and incomes to tell the truth; to the bloggers, authors, film makers,and all of you who saved lives by simply sharing your own success stories. The war on fat is almost over. Keep up the…

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ROAST TURKEY WITH BROWN SAUCE AND A TURKEY PRIMER

Roast Turkey Is it really worth the effort to have a turkey that looks like a Norman Rockwell illustration? Or could you be happy with one that cooks quickly and doesn’t need a lot of attention but is dependably juicy, tender, flavorful, and crispy-skinned? It might not win a beauty contest, but it will never be dry or chewy either. “Those picture-perfect birds gracing the holiday table of that food catalogue are most often an illusion. As a food stylist, I know that often those…

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CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE

I don’t usually think about corned beef and cabbage until I see the seasonal specials in the stores in mid-March. It makes an easy, tasty, one-pot meal; I don’t know why I don’t make it more often. Try my walnut trick to keep the cooking odors from permeating the house and to make the rutabagas taste more like potatoes. (Technically, the following recipe is more like a New England Boiled Dinner, which includes potatoes in addition to beef and cabbage.)  Ingredients: 1 (4-pound) corned beef…

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