December 2011 - Sensory Nutrition

Healthy Eating Need Not Be Just a Fairy Tale Part 2 of 2

This is the 2nd blog post as part of a 2 part series we started on Dec 30, 2011 with the initial posting of “Healthy Eating Need Not Be Just a Fairy Tale” (which was Part 1 of 2). In the USA and elsewhere, many people may be aware that on the BACK of packages, besides ingredient labeling, there is also nutrition facts panel labeling. What they may not necessarily be aware of, is that additionally, on the FRONT of those same packages there may be some Point-of-Purchase (POP) nutrition labeling approaches being used both at the retail sales level

Eggplant Caponata for the Holidays

Italian families typically love eggplant dishes, and tend to be quite fond of pine nuts as well. It turns out that combining eggplant with pine nuts is a perfect start for creating an appetizer to enjoy year round, and it can be quite delicious during the winter holidays.

Healthy Eating Need Not Be Just A Fairy Tale

Today’s blog title is adapted from a comment in the Albert Heijn Employee Magazine from 2009. Each year, that grocery store chain in The Netherlands organizes “Gezonde Weken” or “Health Weeks.” In 2009, the focus was on helping children to learn more about healthy eating in a fun way, so the chain handed out fairy tale place-mats for children. The fairy tale theme included “Wise Knight’s Facts” as well as “Princesses Tips” and was centered around the “Clover Land” theme, referring to the “Clover” logo based Point-of-Purchase Program designed to raise customer awareness of healthier food selection options in their stores. That grocery

Flavorful Gift Baskets for the Holidays

Sometimes a gift basket can be the just right gift to give to others at holiday time. Santa Face with “Fuzzy Fleece” beard is the “Applique Santa” design (Single 3) from www.adesignbylyn.com used with permission. (Fuzzy Fleece is also sometimes known as Silky Fleece). You can pick a basket size from small to extra large and include in it whatever suits your fancy and seems appropriate for the sentiments you wish to convey to the recipient at holiday time, no matter what the holiday may be. Contents of a gift basket can be whimsical to practical to inspirational.

Holiday Baking – Very Easy-to-Make Peanut Butter Blossoms Cookies

Want a cookie recipe that is EASY to make & that virtually any one can make for the holidays? (or any other time for that matter!) These work quite well for many a cookie exchange, too.

Holiday Baking – What’s Up With Nut Prices?

Many holiday recipes, especially for baked goods, feature tree nuts in them. Nuts can contribute wonderful sensory qualities as well as terrific nutritional value when used in moderation as part of a healthier diet. That said, what’s up with nut prices this holiday baking season? Are dramatically higher prices a one time fluke or are they here to stay for awhile?

Celebrating Winter Holidays Including the Italian Legend of La Befana

This Winter, people celebrate some of the Winter Holidays starting with: Dec 20-28th Hanukkah Dec 25th Christmas Day Dec 26-Jan 1 Kwanzaa Jan 6th Little Christmas aka The Epiphany Let’s explore each of these holidays a little bit…

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION MENU IDEAS

(“Merry Christmas with Santa Hat” Embroidery Design Image Courtesy of www.soniashowalterdesigns.com) This year’s “Christmas Menu Ideas” list contains some hot links to many of the recipes, just in case you might be interested in any of those. Italians also typically keep fruit bowls and also nut bowls around at holiday time with seasonal favorites. The fruits will often be citrus in skins or intact other varieties, while the nuts will be “in the shell” with the metal nutcracker and nut pick handy for shelling a couple or few at a time…

BÛCHE De NÖEL (Yule Log/ Holiday Log Cake/Chocolate Cream Roll aka Sponge Cake)

This particular cake recipe dates back to my childhood in terms of my own recollection, but the Yule Log aka BÛCHE De NÖEL has been a holiday favorite for centuries. Before moving out to the suburbs, my mother worked in the city–New York City to be exact. There was a famous and unusual eatery there called the Horn & Hardart “Automat” where sometimes, for a splurge, on a vacation day she would go and get a rare lunch out, or sometimes just a dessert. Other images of the Automat from that time can be found here. The last New York

Holiday Baking – Cookie Making Tips

If you are making any type of drop sugar cookie recipes up this holiday season, here are some easy to remember tips to keep in mind…