Apple Taffy Dip

Today I have something simple and quick to share with you which includes a Fall staple, the apple. Apple Taffy Dip is the perfect little mid-week treat. It has just the right amount of sweetness like a dessert and there are some healthy aspects to it too. I always like to have it as a treat with a nice Granny Smith apple with my lunch or after my workout. Just because it is called “Apple Dip” doesn’t mean you can’t have it with anything else. I like to dip strawberries, grapes, and melons in it as well.

Apple Taffy Dip

1 8 ounce package of cream cheese

1 tsp. of vanilla

½ cup of brown sugar

¼ cup of powdered sugar

Whip up the cream cheese and sugars until light and fluffy.

Add in the vanilla.

I usually double the recipe and sometimes I put in less sugar as well so that it doesn’t get too sweet.

Slice up an apple and dip away. I like the Granny Smith apple because the sourness compliments the sweet dip.

Mother's Day Slaw and Sandwich

This weekend is Mother’s Day and we are sticking with the things to do for mom this week on the blog. We’re gonna go down the food road today and share with you some recipes for a healthy fresh Spring lunch for mom (these would be good picnic recipes too).

I’m a big fan of fresh coleslaw. I like the simple deli style with the mayonnaise sauce, cabbage, onions, and carrots. I first tried it in England and was hooked; it was so delicious. However, some people like a different and more exciting take on coleslaw so that’s why we are sharing Nicole’s broccoli slaw recipe today with you.

For the Broccoli Slaw you will need the following...

Broccoli, chopped in bite sized pieces

Red grapes, cut in half

Sunflower seeds

Red onion, sliced thin

Slivered Almonds

Raisins

Chopped Bacon

Cheddar cheese, cut into small chunks

1 cup of Mayonnaise, 2 tbsp. vinegar, ¼ cup of sugar (cane or raw)

Whisk together the sauce (Mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar) and then pour over the other cut ingredients in a large bowl and toss. It’s that easy. Most of the work, like with many slaws, comes in the form of chopping and slicing. Chill and then serve.

Something refreshing and delicious and very healthy to make alongside a slaw, is a sandwich. I came up with a form of a Clubhouse sandwich one morning when I was looking through the fridge at the leftovers.

You will need a ripe avocado, brown bread (your choice and it doesn’t have to be brown), Roma tomatoes, lettuce, bacon, turkey breast or chicken breast (I used leftover turkey the first time I made this but when we just made this, we used deli roasted chicken breast), and then some condiments (we just used Mayonnaise but an aioli would be yummy too).

First things first, cook the bacon and then let it cool slightly.

While the bacon is cooling, slice the avocados, tomatoes, and then wash and dry the lettuce.

Now to assemble the sandwich...toast the bread and then spread on the Mayonnaise.

Then place on the chicken or turkey.

On top of that put on the tomatoes, bacon, avocados, and lettuce.

 Put the other slice of bread on top and then slice in half diagonally. 

Serve with the cold slaw and there you have a yummy healthy Mother’s Day lunch for mom.

Tradition #9 - New Year's

We are on our last few days of 2017 and on our last tradition. Today we are taking a look at New Year’s traditions from around the world. Some of them you’ll be familiar with and maybe even do, and some will be new to you and you might want to give them a try.

A popular tradition is watching the ball drop at Times Square at midnight. Whether you're there or just watching on TV, it’s something that you always associate with New Year’s Eve.

Originating in Scotland, Auld Lang Syne is usually heard or sung as the old year goes out and the New Year comes in.

Kissing at midnight is another fun tradition which started in Europe to “ensure” that you won’t spend the year ahead lonely.

In Mexico and Brazil, it is said that colourful underwear will help you have the type of year you want. For example yellow means prosperity and success and red means lots of love ahead for you.

Many Spanish speaking countries will eat 12 grapes at midnight so that they have 12 months of good luck.

Circles in the Philippines mean good luck so you will see many people from the Philippines wearing something polka dotted on New Year’s.  

In Denmark, people save unused dishes and throw them against doors of family and friends on New Year’s Eve. They also jump from chairs at midnight as a way to “jump” into the New Year.

Japanese Buddhists will ring bells 108 times at the temples for good luck and cleanliness in the New Year.

Swiss people will drop ice cream on their floors to celebrate the New Year. Ah! What a waste of ice cream.

In Romania, they toss coins into rivers to ensure that they have a happy New Year.

Belgium farmers take their livestock seriously, they wish all of the cows a Happy New Year when the clock strikes 12. In Romania, the farmers even talk to their cows for long periods of time as the New Year begins.

This one’s interesting; some people in Siberia will go into freezing cold lakes carrying tree trunks. Don’t know why exactly, but it’s like Polar Swims I guess but with tree trunks.

In France, the New Year is ushered in with a big stack of crepes.

 

Happy New Year!