Stay Warm with Chicken Noodle Soup

Whether we like it or not, winter is pretty much upon us. In fact, where I live there is currently a snow storm going on outside and with the entrance of winter, comes the colds and the flu. What better a way to stay warm and also ward off illness than to indulge in some savory chicken noodle soup!

You will need:

5 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts – parboiled, cut into chunks
1 quart canned or boxed chicken stock
1 large white onion
3 minced garlic cloves (from the jar)
3 large peeled, carrots, cut into coins
3 celery stalks, chopped
Thyme
1 bay leaf
Kosher salt and pepper
Uncooked egg noodles, or ditalini – that’s good, too

1. Place the chicken stock and 1 quart of cold water into a large pot and bring to a boil.

2. Add all the veggies …

Stop Buying Granola, You Can Make Better at Home

Granola has many different uses; there are several granola-based cereals on the market that people buy so often that they should consider buying stock in the cereal company, but you can also use granola in simple salads, hand it out in small containers or a serving platter to guests at a party, bring it as a contribution to a potluck and can also be eaten as a light, healthy snack for yourself and for small children. While companies certainly profit off of the standard, cardboardesque granola they manufacture, the big secret is not only can you make granola from home, but you can make better granola. Try out this recipe for maple nut granola.

You will need:

5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup unsweetened coconut chips, (see note) or flakes
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup …

Halloween-Inspired Cocktails

More often than not, when you think about Halloween and celebrating Halloween, most people’s minds go directly to children, trick-or-treating and making sure the kids don’t eat all of the candy they scored during the night as soon as they get home, but Halloween doesn’t have to be extremely kid-friendly. I know some of the parents out there are going to get a little jarred when I let this news slip, but here it goes–Holiday celebrations can pack a little punch for the adults, too!

Really!? Oh yes, and this Halloween, I think you deserve a cocktail.

Whether you’re laying low this Halloween, throwing a fabulous party, or plan on watching classic scary movies after the kids are in bed, these Halloween-inspired cocktails are sure to be a hit!

Bloody Mary

(You knew it was going to …

Deliciously Spooky Crescent Mummy Dogs

I saw these cute Pillsbury crescent mummy dogs in an ad on a website and because they struck me as a new twist on something I have made several times for myself (come on, who doesn’t like a hot dog wrapped in a delicious Pillsbury crescent roll?), I immediately went looking to see if there was an actual recipe on Pillsbury’s site for them and I was so pleasantly surprised to find that there was so I can share it with all of you.

These adorable mummy hot dogs will most definitely be a big hit with the kids, especially helping you wrap the hot dogs like mummies. The first thing I thought of when I saw them was that they would go over very well served with a hearty and warm soup …

Healthy Three-Pepper Pasta Topping

Bell peppers are great for you, yet not so many people eat them as much as they should. They contain high levels of vitamin C which can act as an anti-inflammatory to decrease symptoms of arthritis. They also contain carotenoid compounds, which may enhance vision and decrease the risk of cataracts.

So here is a recipe for a delicious pasta topping using three peppers to help your health.

You will need:

one yellow, red and green bell peppers
extra-virgin olive oil
whole wheat pasta

Directions:
1. Cut yellow, red and green bell peppers into thin strips.
2. Saute 1 cup of peppers in 2 teaspoons of olive oil.
3. Toss peppers with cooked whole-wheat pasta (2 ounces dry).

Extra-virgin olive oil is rich in polyphenol compounds, which help increase good HDL-cholesterol levels and decrease bad LDL levels.

Get in the Mood for Fall with Pumpkin Butter

The chilly nights and mornings are here and with that, we’re noticing the climate change as it becomes Fall here. Fall is my favorite season; the leaves change and everything is just beautiful and I tend to get in the mood for fall a lot sooner than I should. I’m already thinking of pumpkins, pumpkin patches, and children trick or treating. It’s just a beautiful time and the weather is perfect. So while I’ve been ready for fall since August, it is finally time to really get in that spirit and it’s time to mix things up a little bit and get your taste buds in the mood too!

Here is a fabulous recipe for pumpkin butter; perhaps a recipe to save for after Halloween and you have all of those …