Congrats to the Giveaway Winner....

Michelle Crawford is the winner--Congratulations!

Michelle prepared Denise Austin's Turkey Bacon Muffins and had this to say about the recipe:

I made the Turkey Bacon Morning Muffins with a slight adjustment to the recipe.  Rather than 1 1/4 cups white flour, I used 1 cup white flour and 1/4 cup whole wheat flour.  I try and do that with all the muffins I make.  Other than that I followed it as stated.  I have to say that I don’t think I’ve ever made muffins without sugar!  I was a little worried because to me a muffin is cakey which means sugary.  These muffins were pretty good and healthy.  I was really hoping that my kids would like them.  Breakfast is a favorite meal in our house and we even eat it for dinner from time to time.  They both love muffins and they love breakfast meats.  I thought for sure with the two combined they’d be delighted.  Well, not really.  My son ate a little bit of it but my daughter didn’t even want to touch it!  I really talked them up and ate mine first.  Finally, after adding a tiny bit of butter to hers she took a couple bites.  She still wasn’t crazy about them.  I think it was a texture thing for for of them.  My husband probably would have liked these because they are NOT sweet.  I decided to freeze most of the leftovers since the kids will not eat them tomorrow.  I’ll try again when daddy is home and see if he likes them.  All in all, I thought they were light, moist and filling.  I’d make them again.

Thanks for hosting a give-away and having me branch out of my normal blueberry or sweeter muffins! I’ve attached two pictures.

 Yes, savory muffins take a bit to get our head wrapped around the idea that muffins can be savory, too.  I absolutely adore William & Sonoma's Muffin Cookbook!  There are numerous dinner muffins that I make and love.  Kids might be a tougher sell, but kudos to Michelle for trying and challenging her kids to try new foods!  I hope your hubby loves them, too!  Perhaps served with dinner instead of breakfast or with an omelet.  Yum!

Thanks Michelle for whipping these up and sharing!  Michelle, also has her own blog @ http://mykindofcrafts.blogspot.com/ where she shares amazing crafts with her kiddos!  It's on my RSS feed!!!

Michelle you won....

• Free coupons for Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon
• Denise Austin-approved Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon recipes
• Denise Austin’s new book: “Denise’s Daily Dozen”
• Denise Austin Yoga Pack – includes: Denise Austin Yoga Body Burn DVD & Official Yoga Mat
• Jump rope
• Workout CD mix
• Branded water bottle
• Exercise journal
• Eco-friendly tote – perfect for heading to the gym or the grocery store

The videos are great--I did yoga last night! I hope you enjoy!  To everyone else, stay tuned tomorrow for another chance to win this great giveaway...

Giveaway continues!

Alright--something must have been too challenging about that one, because not a single person tried out one of the recipes.  So, no winner...hmmm....Let's try again!  I have two great gifts to giveaway (Courtesy of Kraft), and they are great!  So play along!

Task:

• Try one of Denise Austin's recipes OR make up your own with Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon.  
• Take a picture
• Email me picture and your thoughts about the recipe.
• End Date: Wednesday, June 16th
• Email: WJPetersonRD@aol.com 

I'm going to do another one next week!

Denise Austin & a Great Giveaway!

There are those who have taken on an iconic role as fitness & nutrition experts.  We have all grown up with them…Richard Simmons (don’t deny it, he is a lover of fitness), Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jane Fonda (although Vietnam Vets remember her for different reasons), Ellie Krieger (a favorite dietitian of mine), Denise Austin…and the list can go on.  I am thankful for those who choose the public light and promote what we need more of—balance…balance of our health and life.  Fitness & nutrition is a way of life!  Just recently I was given the opportunity to interview Denise Austin, and yes, she truly is as energetic off screen as she is on screen.  I was getting motivated just interviewing her!

Clearly fitness is her expertise, so I wanted to get her take on nutrition. Sometimes I worry that fitness gurus will also be fanatics when it comes to food—which is not balanced.  Well, Denise Austin is balanced!  She noted that she is not a nutrition expert, but she likes to cook and eat.  She practices mindful eating and does not even know it!  I had to ask her for some lifelong nutrition rules she lives by…

Denise Austin: I like to cook!  I really cook and we [husband, two teenage daughters, and herself] sit down as a family—we eat and talk as a family.

Denise expressed that it’s important that she and her family know what is in their food. She likes food fresh, healthy, & tasty!  Denise stated that both her daughters are athletes and she feels that they need to nourish themselves, but she never discusses weight or calories with them.  She feels it is more import that she models healthy behaviors while eating.  Through this approach she has raised two teenage girls who share her love for food & fitness.  Kudos to Denise for this approach!

Her mantra she shared with me was that if you exercise you can eat healthy 80% of the time and 20% of the time give yourself a break to splurge. Agreed!  Just make sure you do a couple of her workouts a week and make sure you watch that the 20% doesn’t creep over to 50%! J

More tips from Denise Austin: Don’t watch TV while eating & always eat at the dinner table.  Those are both “biggies” at my house, too!

Oh, and the best part of the interview…Denise Austin is giving away a “goodie bag” to two of my readers!  She really is fabulous!  I am going to break this up into two giveaways! 

The first giveaway…Denise Austin generously shared with me some of her favorite quick meals that she loves to make!  All of these are made with Oscar Mayer’s Turkey Bacon (yum—bacon really adds a lot of flavor with just a single piece!) 
Giveaway goodies...

 Prizes to be supplied by Kraft:

• Free coupons for Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon
• Denise Austin-approved Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon recipes
• Denise Austin’s new book: “Denise’s Daily Dozen”
• Denise Austin Yoga Pack – includes: Denise Austin Yoga Body Burn DVD & Official Yoga Mat
• Jump rope
• Workout CD mix
• Branded water bottle
• Exercise journal
• Eco-friendly tote – perfect for heading to the gym or the grocery store

 

Here is how to win…

Try one of these recipes, write up a 100-300 word review (what you liked, did you share it with anyone, was it simple, any changes, etc.), take a picture, and share with me via email: WJPetersonRD@aol.com I am going to pick the winner based on your picture and review of the recipe.  Giveaway ends on Sunday, June 13^th at 6pm PST.  All participants will have their recipe and picture posted on my blog, and the winner will be notified on my post.

Turkey Bacon Morning Muffins

·     http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/turkey-bacon-morning-muffins-52479.aspx

Prep Time: 5 min

Total Time: 20 min

Makes: 12 servings, 1 muffin each

 

What You Need!

12 slices OSCAR MAYER Turkey Bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces

1-1/4 cups flour

1 cup quick-cooking oats

2 tsp.  CALUMET Baking Powder

1/2 cup fat-free milk

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup canola oil

2 large egg whites

 

Make It!

PREHEAT oven to 400°F. Mix bacon, flour, oats and baking powder in large bowl. Add remaining ingredients; stir just until moistened. (Batter will be lumpy.)

SPOON batter into paper-lined muffin pan or muffin pan sprayed with cooking spray, filling each cup 2/3 full.

BAKE 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate or freeze any leftover muffins.

Nutritional Information

Per Serving:  

·      Calories  180

·      Total fat  7 g

·      Saturated fat  1 g

·      Cholesterol  10 mg

·      Sodium  270 mg

·      Carbohydrate  23 g

·      Dietary fiber  1 g

·      Sugars  9 g

·      Protein 5 g

·      Vitamin A  0 %DV

·      Vitamin C  0 %DV

·      Calcium  6 %DV

·      Iron  6 %DV

 

Turkey Cobb Lettuce Wraps

·       http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/turkey-cobb-lettuce-wraps-63840.aspx 

Prep Time: 10 min

Total Time: 10 min

Makes: 1 serving

 

What You Need!

2 large leaf lettuce leaves

1 slice OSCAR MAYER Turkey Bacon, cooked, cut in half

6 slices OSCAR MAYER Deli Fresh Shaved Smoked Turkey Breast

2   thin peeled avocado slices

2 thin tomato wedges

1 Tbsp. KRAFT Light ROKA Blue Cheese Dressing

 

Make It!

TOP lettuce with remaining ingredients; roll up tightly.

 

Nutritional Information:

Per Serving:

·       Calories  140

·      Total fat  9 g

·      Saturated fat  1.5 g

·      Cholesterol  30 mg

·      Sodium  770 mg

·      Carbohydrate  6 g

·      Dietary fiber  2 g

·      Sugars  2 g

·      Protein 11 g

·      Vitamin A  35 %DV

·      Vitamin C  15 %DV

·      Calcium  2 %DV

·      Iron  6 %DV

Healthy Living Information

Good source of vitamin A or C

Nutrition Bonus

The lettuce in this breadless sandwich is not only rich in vitamin A but it also teams up with the tomatoes to provide a good source of vitamin C.

Easy Cheesy Frittata

·       http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/easy-cheesy-frittata-95167.asp 

 

Prep Time: 10 min

Total Time: 40 min

Makes: 6 servings

 

What You Need!

4 whole eggs

4   egg whites

2 Tbsp. water

1 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided

1/2 cup chopped seeded tomatoes

2 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon or OSCAR MAYER Turkey Bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

 

Make It!

HEAT oven to 350°F. Beat whole eggs, egg whites and water with whisk in medium bowl until blended.

STIR in 1/2 cup cheese, tomatoes, bacon and basil. Pour into greased 9-inch pie plate.

BAKE 25 min. or until puffed and golden brown. Sprinkle with remaining cheese; bake 5 min. or until melted.

 

Nutritional Information

Per Serving:

·       Calories  120

·       Total fat 7 g

·      Saturated fat  3 g

·      Cholesterol  150 mg

·      Sodium  260 mg

·      Carbohydrate  2 g

·      Dietary fiber  0 g

·      Sugars  0 g

·      Protein 13 g

·      Vitamin A  15 %DV

·      Vitamin C  2 %DV

·      Calcium  30 %DV

·      Iron  4 %DV

Healthy Living Information

Good source of calcium

Nutrition Bonus

The cheese in this flavorful frittata provides a rich source of calcium.

You can find more of Denise’s recipes and health tips on her website: www.DeniseAustin.com

Thank you Denise Austin for your fabulous energy, enthusiasm, your commitment to health, generous giveaway, and allowing me to interview you!

Thank you Oscar Mayer and Kraft Foods for your delicious turkey bacon and food products!


Please note, Kraft Foods is providing the prizes for this program at no cost to me.  This program is not administered or sponsored by Kraft Foods or its affiliates, but solely by Edible Nutrition. 

Stay tuned for your next chance to win this giveaway package next week! 

And the winner is...

And the winner is...

The Thiele Family!!

Their favorite Dairy Recipe...
From the Thiele Family: I tried this recipe at a friend's house in Misawa Japan and FELL IN LOVE! How do you make cheese better? Add delicious seasonings and olive oil to it and let it soak in!! It is so yummy on crackers, baguette slices, or just by itself. I make this at almost all my social functions. It puts an average cheese tray to shame!

Marinated Cheese

½ cup olive oil
½ cup white wine vinegar
1 2 oz jar diced pimentos drained
3 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
3 tablespoons minced green onions
3 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon sugar
¾ teaspoon dried whole basil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 8-oz block of sharp cheddar cheese

1 8-oz package of cream cheese

Combine first 10 ingredients in a jar. Cover tightly and shake. Set marinade mixture aside. Cut block of Cheddar and cream cheese into ¼ inch slices. Arrange cheese slices alternately in a shallow baking dish. Pour marinate over cheese and refrigerate for at least 8 hours.

Enjoy!
Source: Jenn Edwards! Thanks girl!

I LOVE the Cuisinart hand blender set (it would do wonders for my kiddos daily smoothie treat prep) and I LOVE this blog even more! When I am out of ideas for healthy dinners, this is my life saver!


I have to thank all of the fabulous entries!!  Thanks to Jessica (Baked Mac & Cheese), Steve, Ash, & Cam (Enchiladas w/zucchini), Sarah (Grilled pizzas), and CGS (Mrs. Richard's Chicken Enchiladas).  YUM!  I cannot wait to try all of these recipes, and I hope you do, too!  


I really liked the uniqueness of the cheese appetizer dish, and the fact that dairy was the main star!  Plus, who can resist fresh herbs in the summer?  Not me!  So, Thiele Family: Congrats and drop me an email at WJPetersonRD@aol.com with your address (not to be shared with anyone other than the fabulous Midwest Dairy Council) to receive your giveaway.


A big THANK YOU to the Midwest Dairy Council for the generosity and getting a positive message out about dairy!  http://www.dairymakessense.com/recipes/default.aspx

Dairy Makes Sense Giveaway!

Back in March I was contacted by the Midwest Dairy Council asking if I'd be interested in posting on the health benefits of dairy.  Of course!  I love my dairy products!  So, why has it taken me so long?  You know! The little thing called my masters! I am nearly finished--so close I can begin to taste the sweet flavors of it! With my major papers done I am ready to write on dairy, and to give my readers a chance at a giveaway!!!  Are you interested in winning the following:

The kit includes:

o             One Cuisinart hand blender (valued at $55.00)

o             Dairy Makes Sense recipe cards with new tasty recipes to try out with your family

o             Dairy Makes Sense apron

o             Hot pad

o             Cheese knife

o             Grocery pad

o             Refrigerator magnet

First, let's talk dairy.  I have long been known as a heavy consumer of milk.  My friends' parents used to jest that they needed to buy an entire cow if I was going to spend the night.  No kidding!  Yes, I have a love affair with milk.  

As a dietitian I am a huge advocate of incorporating dairy into the diet (of course,  if you like it, are not a vegan vegetarian nor allergic to it).  Studies support the concept of a 4 to 1 ratio (4:1) of carbohydrates to protein for muscle recovery; thus, I often recommend a glass of chocolate milk or yogurt with cereal  to my athletes as a post-workout meal.   

Additionally, milk is an excellent source of Calcium, Vitamin D, and Vitamin B12. Calcium has been on the radar for well over a decade due to the high risk of osteoporosis, but recently Vitamin D has taken the main stage.  I have been paying close attention to the research coming out on Vitamin D and athletes.  Milk is one of the very few food sources of Vitamin D, and current research is leaning in the direction that athletes may need more.  Again, it's preliminary, so I am just paying attention to the recommendations.  

My 5 favorite dairy products are:

1. 1% low-fat milk (used in my daily latte)
2. yogurt (all kinds, but especially the Greek non-fat variety)
3. Butter (yes, I said it--I like butter and I use it to impart flavor as I finish sauces)
4. More cheese, please (I love all varieties of cheese!)
5. buttermilk (now, unlike my great grandma, Mammy, who drank it I prefer it in my baked goods)

So, to win the giveaway here is what you need to do:

• In the comments section of this post, write your favorite dairy recipe (including recipe & story behind it)
• My readers enjoy quick & easy foods that are feasible to make, so if your recipe fits the bill you may be selected to win!
• If you have a picture to share, please send it to WJPetersonRD@aol.com and I may post your recipe--winner or not! 
• I'll pick one winner on Friday, May 14th--so stay tuned!
• The winner will need to provide me with his or her address to receive the giveaway from the Midwest Dairy Council, and I'd love a personal picture to post with your recipe, too!  (If available)

So, what's my dairy recipe for the day:

I am going to try the Panna Cotta recipe from David Lebovitz's website!!

http://www.davidlebovitz.com/archives/2009/04/perfect_panna_cotta.html 

It's one of my favorite desserts that I get when eating out.  Right now I have blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries coming out of my ears, so these will be make a fabulous pairing with the Panna Cotta!  I'll let you know how it turns out!

For more great dairy recipes check out: http://www.DairyMakesSense.com I am inspired to use my leftover venison/bean mix from my taco salad the other night in this great rice recipe.