5 Easy Gluten-Free Recipes

Crystal Durham
11 Feb 2014
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Giving up gluten doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or quality. Gluten-free diets can lower bad cholesterol, increase energy levels, and improve your body’s digestive processes. Here are a couple of recipes that don’t diminish taste and are easy to throw together. If you don’t have access to a gluten-free flour blend such as Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Flour Blend or Cup 4 Cup, use the following blend in the subsequent recipes: Gluten-Free Flour Blend Yield: Approximately 4-4 ¼ Cups 2 ½ cups brown rice flour 1 cup corn starch 1 cup potato starch ⅔ cup tapioca starch Combine all. Store in […]

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Christmas Treats

Crystal Durham
4 Dec 2013
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The Christmas season is devoted to the helping others and being kind. In the spirit of giving, here are some baking ideas that can be done solo or with your own little helper. Reindeer Cupcakes Yield: 24 cupcakes Cupcakes ¾ cup unsalted butter 1¾ cups sugar 2 large eggs 2 tsp pure vanilla extract ½ tsp salt 2½ tsp baking powder 2½ cups flour 1¼ cups milk Frosting 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened (but not melted) 3-4 cups confectioner’s sugar, sifted ½ cup cocoa powder, sifted ¼ tsp salt 1 Tbsp vanilla extract 2-4 Tbsp milk Preheat the oven to 375F. Combine […]

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Brown Bag It!: Healthy DIY Lunch Ideas

Crystal Durham
9 Nov 2013
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Time is of the essence when you are busy taking care of a million and one things. We often let our health fall to the wayside as we scramble to get things done by eating junk food or skipping meals altogether. Here are some healthy and quick ideas to avoid the stomach grumblings. Serve each with a side of fresh fruit such as apples, oranges or pears depending on the seasonality in your area. Tuscan Tuna Wrap Time: 10 minutes Yield: 2 wraps 3 ounces Light Tuna, drained 1/2 Lemon, juiced 1/2 cup Fresh Corn Kernels 1 tablespoon Olive Oil […]

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The Battle Against Breast Cancer: Fighting Back with Food

Crystal Durham
7 Oct 2013
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As you may know, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. Aside from wearing pink ribbons and donating to charities, how many people are actually truly aware of this horrifying disease that is plaguing America? So far this year, approximately 290,000 women and 2,250 men have been diagnosed with breast cancer. An estimated 40,000 women and 410 men will die from the diseased by the end of 2013. While this terrible affliction seems to be on the rise, detection and prevention methods are improving and more lives are saved each day. But it can’t be left in the hands of […]

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The Truth Behind GMOs

Crystal Durham
1 Aug 2013
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Most are not bothered by the concept of a nutritionally deprived world because it does not generally hit home. It is not something often discussed openly over dinner, and the majority of our country’s inhabitants are completely oblivious to the truth. The reason for this is not lack of concern; it is merely a lack of information. So here is some basic information to allow you, the reader, an opportunity to make an informed decision regarding the purchase and production of GMO’s and how the Monsanto Corporation stands to gain a profit from it all. What is a GMO? GMOs […]

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Manly Meals for Manly Men

Crystal Durham
4 Jun 2013
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It’s that time of year again to celebrate the patriarch’s role in our lives and what better way than to cook for him? Here are some recipes for macho meals he will be sure to love. Uh-mazing Barbequed Ribs Yield: 4-5 Servings 8 lbs. Baby Back Ribs 2 Tbsp. Kosher Salt 1 Tbsp. Mustard (dry) 1 Tbsp. Paprika ½ tsp. Cayenne Pepper ½ tsp. Ground Black Pepper 2 c. Barbeque Sauce (plus extra) Preheat your oven to 350F. Combine salt, mustard, paprika, cayenne pepper and black pepper. Place each rack of ribs (8 total for 8 pounds of meat) on […]

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Mother’s Day Treats

Crystal Durham
1 May 2013
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Celebrating the roles your personal chef, assistant, attorney, therapist, doctor, accountant, seamstress, taxi driver, and tutor play in your life by offering gifts and attention in one day? That’s wonderful! Of course, I’m referring to Mother’s Day. Although it is just one day out of three hundred and sixty five, it is important to take the time to let mom know how much she means to you. There are literally thousands of ways this could be done. But the most memorable ones are made with thought and effort, not credit cards. Something potted or wrapped up in shiny paper will […]

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Waste Not Want Not: Preventing Food Waste in the Home

Crystal Durham
3 Apr 2013
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Since the beginning of 2013, an estimated 18 billion pounds of food has been wasted in the United States. Based on these findings, by the end of this year, there should be approximately 72 billion pounds of food wasted in the United States alone. The average American consumes nearly one ton of food in a given year. (Nowadays, “average” weight for an American male is 180 pounds and 160 pounds for an American female.) If food waste prevention measures were taken, the amount of wasted food could potentially feed 7.5 million people in one year. It has become a commonplace […]

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Luck o’ the Irish

Crystal Durham
5 Mar 2013
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Saint Patrick’s Day is a joyful time of year to celebrate with friends and family. These recipes are favorites and can be enjoyed by anyone. Slainte! Lamb Stew Yield: 8-10 servings 1lb thick sliced Bacon, diced 6lb boneless Lamb shoulder, cut into 2” pieces ½ C AP Flour 3 Garlic cloves, minced 1 Onion, chopped ½ C Water 4 C Beef Stock 2 tsp Sugar 4 C diced Carrots (approximately 12 carrots) 2 Onions, chopped into large pieces 3 Potatoes, diced 1 tsp Thyme 2 Bay Leaves 1 C White Wine Cook bacon over medium heat until evenly brown then set aside. Toss […]

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“Be Mine” Valentine Treats and Snacks

Crystal Durham
8 Feb 2013
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Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and there is nothing sweeter than offering your loved ones a homemade tasty treat. Here are some fun recipe ideas that are child-friendly and fun to make. Royal Icing Yield: 2 Cups of Icing 3 ea Egg Whites 1 lb. Powdered Sugar 1/8 tsp Cream of Tartar 2 Drops Lemon Juice Sift sugar and combine all. Paddle on medium until it reaches the desired thickness. Add vanilla or almond extract for added flavor or any food coloring as desired. Sugar Cookies Yield: 5 Dozen cookies 1 ½ C Butter, softened 5 C AP […]

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