A Stack of Dishes

An Announcement and a Sneak Peek: Blogger Spotlight and A Healthy Hunger

May 16, 2013 by Gail Watson 1 Comment

This past Friday, I was honored with being chosen by Food Network’s Healthy Eats to be the latest choice for their Blogger Spotlight. I owe much thanks to Toby Amidor who introduced me to Lauren Miyashiro at The Food Network, and for all her amazing support.

This column on the Healthy Eats website is a place where they champion bloggers who may or may not have a background in nutrition, but who have definitely been impacted by the healing qualities of food. Some of the previous bloggers are quite remarkable. So if you take a minute and click on over and check it out, you might learn a few things about me you may not have known before, and discover a few other remarkable writers.

One thing you might learn about is the Summer launch of my new business: A Healthy Hunger.com. This is the place where I will bring together my scientific knowledge of nutrition, and my passion for delicious eating. I will be offering weekly menus that are designed specifically for two different audiences. The first is Diabetic Friendly- designed for those who have been diagnosed with the disease, or may have pre-diabetes or insulin resistance. The second is Clean Eating- which is for anyone who wants to eat healthier in general and doesn’t know where to start.

We are looking for the launch in August (perhaps sooner). I am super excited about this and busy building pages and pages of health information, cooking tips, time and money saving tips, support and insight into gaining a healthy lifestyle, and, of course, some beautiful and delicious recipes.

{BTW- if you head over now and sign up for the mailing list I will send you a FREE 3 month trial subscription- with no obligation}

So lots of good news around here-

Please stay tuned, and please sign up for your free trial!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

“Laying Down Those Funky Beets”: Beet Salad with Horseradish

May 15, 2013 by Gail Watson 4 Comments

“Sometimes when I’m in a restaurant, I’ll order a beet salad just so that when the waiter serves them to me I can say: Thanks man for laying down those funky beets! …………………….and I don’t even like beets…”

One of the best parts of this past Mother’s Day was to simply just kick back and hang out with my kids. When they were younger I used to refer to them as The Flying Wallendas. This was on account of their non stop acrobatics and general all around goofiness. They bickered and whined about each other during those young years {and occasionally still do}, but the truth is they are a pretty tight bunch. All these years later it warms the cockles of my heart to see the love they have for each other.

They’ve always been a gaggle of comedians. Honestly, the whole family is really. For instance, my Mother just started a blog about her quilting {she’s a legend it these parts and now teaches}. Her tag line is “I’m gonna keep you in stitches!” OK, OK, so I’m the one who bestowed this line upon her- but after a few minutes of knowing her, you would agree that this tag line suits her perfectly.

It was Saturday night, as we lay strewn about on my Mother’s couches watching comedy TV, when a comedian delivered the above joke. Olivia thought it hilarious (me too)- and so here you go my dears- I’m laying upon you my funky beets!

Enjoy! [Read more...]

Filed Under: appetizer, GF, gluten free, Healthy Recipes, sides Tagged With: beet salad, beets

Frozen Yogurt: Basil and Cracked Black Pepper with Strawberry Sauce

May 9, 2013 by Gail Watson 6 Comments

A few leaves of basil and some grinds of black pepper get stirred into store bought frozen yogurt for a sensational, and healthy, dessert for Mother’s Day.

You all should know me by now that I am not opposed to milking a cow for fresh milk for making ice cream- but some days… I get tiiiiired! My packing and sorting have already begun for my move, and though the spirit is crying out to cook and create, the flesh is getting to be a big fatigued.

In my family, Mother’s Day is a trio of celebrations. We have in addition two birthdays (Mom’s and daughter Olivia). It can get a little tricky as to who gets to lay back and enjoy the holiday, and who ends up being the hostess. Since we all love to cook and entertain there are no complaints, just the question of who is going to take the reigns. This year will be a combined effort, which really is the best answer of all.

This dessert is a wonderful last minute throw together also. A good thing to know when the guest who promised dessert shows up empty handed (or you’re that guest who remembered last minute on the way to someones home). You can mash up the yogurt and herbs during dinner prep and let it re-harden as you eat. No one would push aside a nice dish of plain frozen yogurt- but you can get a real WOW reaction with little effort.

Then you can lay back and enjoy the celebration.

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