Valentines is almost here, and I thought I would share my latest healthy idea of what you can snack on at home, in the office or at your kids’ class parties. This Valentine Trail Mix is filled with healthy nuts, yogurt covered pretzels and raisins. Feel free to add your favorite nuts and dried fruits. Top it off with a small amount of regular or peanut M & M’s, and you’ll have a winning Valentine’s Day treat that is fairly healthy too.

Super Bowl XLVI is coming up this weekend with the New York Giants and the New England Patriots, and most of us are having or going to Super Bowl parties. I have had so many email requests for easy, healthy ideas for game, so I wanted to share one of our favorite lightened-up football snack recipes. Rosemary Infused Nuts are a tremendous hit! This simple, 20 minute recipe is filled with cashews, almonds and pumpkin seeds. Nuts are a great source of healthy fat, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber and protein. By consuming this type of fat, you’ll feel less hungry, and your sugar cravings will diminish. They are filled with the following power food nuts:

Pumpkin Seeds: I love using pumpkin seeds in this nut mix because they are high in zinc and have been linked to so many benefits including great looking skin and boosting your immunity.

Almonds: Almonds are a power nut high in Vitamin E and potassium and one of the most nutritious nuts.

Cashews: Cashews are also a rich source of iron and zinc, and they have been linked to hair, skin and bone health.

Other Lightened Up Super Bowl Snack Ideas

Chicken Chipotle Dip   

Spinach Dip with Greek Yogurt

Panko Roasted Drumsticks

Happy New Year everyone! It has been a blast to work on my blog this past year, and I appreciate everyone’s continued support. Breakfast Almond and Raspberry Quinoa (pictured above) was one of my top recipes of the year, and here are some other favorite blog posts of 2011 from my site:

Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Muffins

Panko Fish Sticks with Edamame Salsa

No Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Saucepan Popcorn and Healthy Back to School Snacks

3 Ingredient Peppermint Milkshakes

10 Health Benefits of Blackberries

Best Foods for Runners

Health Benefits of Cherries

How To Get Lean

10 Reasons Why to Love Yoga

Top 10 Ways to Find Balance in Your Life

For Any Athlete: The Bose IE2 earphones. They may be pricier, but users say, “They are worth every penny.”  There is no contest on sound quality versus other earphones. Under $90

For the Trail Runner: The Solomon XR Crossmax shoes were recommended to me by a triathlete who swears by them. He says, “They are durable, comfortable, drain water well and have a great tread/grip.”

For The Skier: I’m a longtime fan of anything Patagonia, and these awesome Patagonia Slim Powder Bowl Pants are built from the best breathable and waterproof construction for all conditions. $299

For The Bicyclist: These storm Gloves from Craft are wind protective and warm. They have a gel palm padding, silicon grips, and reflective details-perfect for safety when biking. About $60

For Any Athlete: I did some research and found that the Polar RCX5 appeared to be a top-pick for heart-rate monitor/watch. It’s designed for runners, cyclists and triathletes. It has a GPS system and keeps up with heart rate, speed, distance, pace and lap information. What more could you want? Under $310

For Any Athlete: Who doesn’t need more socks? Feetures socks are highly recommended with testimonials one after the other stating their greatness. These socks are designed for athletes who prefer cushioned protection with every step they take. They feature an enhanced fit, delivering maximum protection to prevent against blisters, keep the feet dry and odor-free, and they provide extra protection in high impact areas of the foot. Under $15

For the Runner: Made of a stainless steal plate and silicon band, these runner ID bracelets, from Go Sport ID, display emergency contact information in case of an accident. These safety bracelets are perfect for men, women and teen runners. $18.95

I first made this recipe for Peppermint Milkshakes on my blog in December of 2008 when I literally threw three ingredients together in a blender for my kids instead of taking them to get peppermint ice cream. Since then, I have been making these religiously for parties and for my 3 kids. It has been one of the most heavenly requested recipes from my children’s friends who have come to my house and tried them. Whenever I’m invited to a holiday party, I typically get asked to make these. This past sunday night, I made them for 28 people, and it was beyond an absolute hit. So many requested me to post the infamous recipe one more time so they can make them for their family Christmas events. Here it is…Enjoy!

I was so excited last week to be asked to be on a very popular radio station in Birmingham, WMJJ Magic 96.5, and do a show on “Tips for Eating healthy during the holidays”. Before I went on the air, I thought about what I do personally, and I asked some of my friends on Facebook and Twitter for their input. The thing to remember is to eat everything in moderation. Also, make good food choices (such as my favorite Winter Radicchio Salad with Pomegranates). The radio show was so popular that I will be doing a monthly radio show with them, and I am so excited about that!

Here’s my list of Top 10 Healthy Holiday Eating Tips:

1. Exercise during the holidays.

2. Before you leave your house, eat a small snack and eat small meals throughout the day so you’re not binging at night

3. Eat breakfast on Thanksgiving and Xmas morning

4. Eat only what you love at the holiday table

5. Don’t rush to eat. Socialize as much as you can, but do it away from the holiday table.

6. If you’re drinking alchohol, drink a nonalcoholic version first

7. Drink a lot of water that day so it makes you feel full

8. Eat veggies everywhere you can, and fill your plate up with a lot of them

9. If there are 2 plate sizes, put your meal on a salad or dessert plate

10. When you’re done eating, wait and don’t go back for more.

Beets are so incredibly healthy, and one of my favorite root vegetables. Just 3 baby beets equals one serving of your 5 vegetables and fruits you should have a day. They are also so versatile in cooking, and I love them in this Beetroot Goat Cheese and Hazelnut Tart. This recipe is very simple to prepare, and it makes a show-stopping appetizer or side dish. It’s perfect for holiday season entertaining. Check out LoveBeets which are ready-to-eat, cooked beets. You can find them in your local grocery such as Whole Foods Market. They make life so much easier, and they taste so fresh.

Here are just a few of their powerful health benefits.

1. Beets are one of the richest sources of folic acid essential for normal tissue growth.

2. Research has showed that beets can help lower blood pressure and blood sugar.

3. Beets have been said to lessen chances of skin and lung cancer.

4. The high iron content in beets helps fight fatigue and anemia.

5. Beets contain high amounts of Boron which is related to production of human sex hormones, thus increasing sex drive. 

This weekend I have been in search of a great Pumpkin Pie recipe to make for Thanksgiving. You see, I’m getting off easy this year (yea!). I’ve hosted Thanksgiving at my house the past several years, but my sister and I swapped holidays this year (her request). I still have to make several things to bring to our family event of over 20 people. Since she assigned me the Pumpkin Pie, I have been searching for something new and different. The recipe (above) is a Pecan Streusel Topping from my friend Marge at A Sweet and Savory Sweet Life. It looks so fabulous, and it was one of the first ones I came across. Here are some others, including a “lightened up recipe from Cooking Light as well as vegan version. Enjoy!

Cheesecake Pumpkin Pecan Pie by Parsley Sage, Desserts and Line Drives

Pumpkin Pie Pops from Munchkin Munchies

 Pumpkin Pie Bites from Bakerella

 Vegan Pumpkin Pie from Vegetarian Times

Spiced Pumpkin Chiffon Pie from Cooking Light

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One of my favorite things for breakfast is a truly awesome coffee cake. I crave it this time of the year, especially as the weather cools. My recipe for Apricot Almond Coffee Cake (above) was on my blog last year, and it’s so delicate and flavorful (I love the added touch of using Greek Yogurt). I have been eyeing some other recipes to try this season to serve on Thanksgiving and Christmas morning. I hope you’ll enjoy some of these recipes from some of my favorite sites that I look forward to reading on a daily basis.

Pumpkin Coffee Cake from How Sweet It is

Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake from Two Peas & Their Pod

 Corner Bakery Cinnamon Creme Coffee Cake from Barbara Bakes

Blueberry Lemon Coffee Cake from Cooking Light

Cinna-Bun Coffee Cake in a Jar from Picky Palate

Happy Halloween everyone! Halloween is such a fun holiday whether you have kids or not. One thing I try not to do, but always seem to, is to indulge in the candy. It’s only once a year, right?  This year, I thought I would take a different approach. I didn’t purchase my Halloween candy until the very last minute so it wouldn’t be sitting around for my kids or me to be tempted. Also, I did a little research to find out which types of candy have 100 calories or less. While doing research, I found such cute candy merchandise such as this adorable M & M’s Dispenser.

100 Calorie or Less Halloween Candy:

Miniature Reese’s cup 40 calories

Fun size bar Snickers bar 63 calories

3 strawberry Twizzler twists: 100 calories

Fun size Milky Way Bar 80 calories

Fun size 3 Musketeers 63 calories

Fun size Kit Kat Bar 70 calories

Fun size pack Reese’s pieces 67 calories

Fun size pack Starbursts 40 calories

Fun size Almond Joy 80 calories

Fun size Hershey Bar 77 calories

Fun Size Tootsie Roll 50 calories

Small packet plain M’M's 73 calories

Small packet peanut M’M's 90 calories