Avocados are one of my very favorite foods to eat, and also a superfood!
They are so creamy and delicious and are packed with many vitamins and nutrients, and did you know they are one of the best foods for anti-aging? They boost collagen formation, and are also packed with fiber, potassium, and vitamins C,K, folate, and B6. Half an avocado has 160 calories, 15 grams of heart-healthy unsaturated fat, and only 2 grams saturated fat. One globe contains more than one-third daily value of vitamin C, and more than half the day’s requirements of vitamin K.
Pretty neat for one little bumpy pear shaped green thing, right?
Here are a few of my favorite recipes with avocados:
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Avocados are available at most grocery stores and markets year round, but we are just entering the prime season for the varieties of avocados that are widely available at stores. They are one of my favorite fruits, and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.
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Posted in Deborah, FYI, Seasonal |
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I don’t know why brussels sprouts get such a bad rap? I just think if you don’t like them, then maybe you you tried them when they haven’t been prepared right. They are such tasty little things, and also very good for you! Brussels sprouts are a type of wild cabbage grown for it’s edible buds. They are high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Fiber, Folic Acid, and contain high anti-cancer properties. They do best in mild weather, and their peek seasons are anywhere between July and January in North America.
They can be so easy to prepare, you can just slice them in half lengthwise, drizzle them with a little olive oil, salt and pepper, and roast them in the oven at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes or until soft. But, I will have to say that my favorite way to eat them is to saute them with butter, and finish it off with a little apple cider vinegar, hazelnuts, and parmigiano reggiano! Find the recipe here!
Enjoy!
By Caroline of Armelle Blog
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I used to feel rather intimidated by the concept of composting. Because I knew little about it, the idea seemed daunting. In my mind, I imagined composting to be a complicated and only for individuals who frequently garden. How I was wrong! Through my city’s “yard waste” program (a.k.a. your new compost bin!), I have become learned in the ways of composting and now it’s an absolute cinch. Here is how I do it:
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Beets. I can’t help think about Dwight Shrute every time I think about beets, ha! But, all kidding aside, beets are one highly nutritious vegetable! Beets are very low in calrories, and are an excellent source of Vitamins A, B, C, folates, fiber, potassium, and their greens have a higher iron content than spinach.
Beets also contain natural sugars, and are becoming more and more popular in juicing, and even smoothies! Continue to read for my favorite way to prepare beets!
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I come across recipes all of the time that call for rice. I love rice, but sometimes, it might get confusing when a recipe doesn’t specify what kind of rice you should use for the recipe. So I’m here today to maybe clear up some of the confusion and talk about the different kinds of rice there are.
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When a child, I remember seeing a box of Celestial Seasonings in my mother’s pantry and thinking how boring it looked (and tasted). Now as an adult, I realize how soothing a cup of herbal tea is in the evening, just before bed when the house is still. And even though my views on tea have changed since then, I was right about one thing; not all herbal teas are created equal. Today, I’d like to share my favorites with you; hopefully it will enhance your afternoon or nightly ritual of cozying up with a mug.
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French Macarons (pronounced may-kah-rohn) are one of the tastiest cookies I have ever consumed! They are often times confused with American Macaroons (two o’s) which are the unleavened cookies made with sweetened coconut flakes or with almond paste.
French Macarons are characterized by their crisp shells and soft filling, they are filled with a sweet filling of ganache, buttercream, fruit jelly, there really are endless options. Macarons have recently become even more popular because they are made with gluten free flour. Typically macarons are made with almond flour, but they can also be made with ground pecan flour, coconut flour, walnut, or almost any kind of nut!
Macarons are a meringue based cookie, and only have a few ingredients including, sugar, almond or a nut flour, egg whites, and sometimes cream of tartar and egg white powder. These cookies may seem simple to make with so few ingredients, but they can be one of the most challenging cookies to make. Macarons can be very temperamental. The way they turn out can depend on the weather, altitude, oven temperature, and cooking time. That is probably why most pastry shops charge anywhere from $2-$5 per cookie. It is almost a science to make a perfect macaron cookie, along with some skill.
Whether you’re an old pro at making your own macarons, or a pro at buying and eating them, either way this cookie would make a tasty gift for your Valentine this year!
By Caroline of Armelle Blog
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I’m sure almost all of you reading this blog have visited an IKEA at least once in your life. It’s a fantastic experience if you enjoy hip, European home fashion at amazing prices (the childcare option is also a huge bonus!). But, when is the last time you peeked…
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The yogurt aisle in France (yes, that’s “aisle”) is enough to make anyone cry…in a good way. Our American yogurt leaves so much to be desired and I find that I don’t crave it at all at home. Thankfully, however, my favorite Quebecois yogurt has slowly…(continued below)
Continue reading “European Yogurt Gone Greek” »
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