healthy eating Archives - InspiringKitchen.com

Apr 22
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Vegetables with a Spiralized Twist

Posted by | Entertaining, Family, healthy eating, Housewares, Kitchen Equipment, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian | 28 Comments

Aren’t we always trying to find a way to get more vegetables in our diets? Or maybe I should say, aren’t we always told we should do this?! But just how do we do this so that the dish looks as appetizing as it tastes? I have a solution for you in the form of a kitchen tool called a Spiralizer. (Paderno World Cuisine Spiralizer Pro, 4-Blade)

 Inspiring Kitchen Vegetables with a Spiralized Twist

There are a few brands that offer a piece of equipment that does something like the Paderno Spiralizer but this is the one I like the best and recommend. The Spiralizer is a fantastic way to creatively make dishes that contain vegetables, fruits, onions and potatoes that resemble noodles.… Read more

Feb 09
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Inspiring Kitchen Veggie Patties

Veggie Burger 101

Posted by | Foods, healthy eating, Vegetarian | No Comments

Ordering a veggie burger at a restaurant is always a bit of a risk. You are never quite sure what you are going to get in the end. Will it be more beans than vegetables? Bland tasting?  Unappetizing in appearance? Have you ever seen an appetizing looking black bean burger???? Or what about buying them at your local grocery store? Do they really look like the picture on the box? Well, I have just tried a new brand, Veggie Patch, and their Mediterranean Patties. And all I can say is, Yum! They are made up of Mediterranean spices, spinach and chickpeas.… Read more

Sep 04
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Healthy Salad Dressings Do Exist!

Posted by | healthy eating, Salad, Uncategorized, Vegetarian | One Comment

On really busy days, I love to make a quick, healthy salad for lunch that is filled with flavor and textures. I am also someone who creates meals based on what I find in my refrigerator and cabinets. A little crunch (nuts, veggies), fruity sweetness (apples, grapes, berries), savory onion (shallot, red, Vidalia) and salty Parmesan cheese satisfies my taste buds. The final touch to that salad is always the dressing. But, finding one that is low in fat, healthy, natural and full of flavor is hard to come by. Lately though, I have been experimenting with balsamic vinegars. So, when Mange Fresh Fruit Vinegars offered to send me a sample of their fruit vinegars, I was intrigued. … Read more

Jul 12
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Marinated Grilled Vegetable Sandwich with Pesto and Mozzarella

Posted by | All-Clad, Grilling, healthy eating, Housewares, Le Creuset, Lodge, Recipes, Sandwich, Vegetables, Vegetarian, Weber Grill | 19 Comments

I love to grill. Vegetables. Yes, there it is. Not gourmet but so delicious! One of my favorite sandwiches is super easy and very customizable as you can see from comments on Inspiring Kitchen’s Facebook page. (https://www.facebook.com/inspiringkitchen). What works so well with this dish is being able to have friends over and everyone gets to make their own personalized sandwich varying with the choice of filling. What I will typically do is have a platter of all different kinds of vegetables (colored peppers, onions, zucchini, squash, eggplant, tomatoes, fennel,  etc), sauces, spreads (salsa, pesto, sun dried garlic paste – yum!), cheeses and even meat for those who want it.… Read more

Jul 10
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Summertime and Sangria

Posted by | Cocktails, Foods, healthy eating, Party, Recipes | 15 Comments

Don’t you just love this time of year when the sun is out, grass is green, fresh ingredients are plentiful and everyone is enjoying the opportunity to spend time together outside? Well, living in the Midwest means I take advantage of any chance to do what I love to do: entertain friends with delicious dishes and even better, cocktails outside on the deck. Thanks to Beso Del Sol, I was able to introduce their new Sangria to my friends.

 

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My goal was to make a dinner that had a fresh, healthy and summery twist to it but wouldn’t take the whole evening to make.… Read more

Jun 11
0

Vegetarian Option The Meat Alternative

Posted by | healthy eating, Party food, Vegetarian | 5 Comments

Aren’t we all trying to find ways to eat healthier these days? Adjusting our meals to increase the “good-for-you” ingredients while subtracting those that are high in saturated fat and calories. As someone who enjoys vegetarian options, I am always on the look-out for new products that will be protein focused. Most of what I have seen in the grocery store aisles is soy based meat alternatives. Well, I am happy to share that I have recently had the opportunity to learn about a UK company called Quorn, that gives meat free options a whole new category.

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I am fortunate to be a part of a tight group of Chicago based bloggers called the Chicago Blogger Network who invited me to this special event.… Read more

May 14
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How to make your non-stick cookware last longer

Posted by | Cookware, healthy eating, Housewares, wooden tools | No Comments

Having just talked about the need to use the right tools for your ceramic and non-stick cookware in my previous post, I wanted to share with you a brand of wooden tools that I found made by a Canadian company called Timbers.

Now, we can find wood tools at any store these days, right? What I found so lovely about these products is that they are well-made and attractive to the point that they can be used for both cooking AND serving. You always need wood spoons for mixing on and off the stove. Wood is easy on your cookware whether it is non-stick, ceramic or even stainless.… Read more

May 10
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Mother’s Day Ideas

Posted by | Dinnerware, healthy eating, lotions, Mother's Day gifts, mugs, Spices, tea, wooden tools | No Comments

Mom’s favorite day is fast approaching as Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 11. Yes, that is just two days away. Have you found that special something that will show your Mom how much you appreciate all she has done for you? Well, in case you are past the age where giving those lovely noodle art pictures is acceptable, I thought I would share with you some of my favorite kitchen items that may just make your Mom happy.

In my family, we are always trying to cook healthy dishes. This means finding new ways to make vegetables interesting not just from a taste perspective but also in presentation.… Read more

Apr 29
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Swiss Diamond: Non-Stick Cookware

Posted by | Cookware, healthy eating, Housewares, Spices | One Comment

A classic non-stick fry pan is key to every kitchen for preparing egg dishes, delicate fishes, and healthier meals. The ability to use less or no oils or butters is a major perk when your goal is to cook and eat healthier. Well, we all know about non-stick pans and have probably tried at least 5 different brands over the years as the ones we have been using fall apart. We may have even used a cooking spray in the pans and discovered a gummy residue left behind no matter how diligently we washed the cookware. So, if any of the above sounds like you, you are going to like what I am sharing with you next.… Read more