This Sunday will be SuperBowl Sunday. Whether you’re a fan of the Patriots (Go Pats!), the Giants, or not really a fan of football at all, we’ve got some tasty game day snacks that you can feel good about serving to your guests. And if you are not even going to be watching the game, these snacks are perfect for any gathering of friends on a winter Sunday afternoon.

1. Boneless Buffalo Wings

Even though boneless Buffalo wings are made with healthy white-meat chicken, they're usually deep-fried and drenched in hot sauce laced with butter. The solution: chicken tenders are dredged in seasoned whole-wheat flour and cornmeal, pan-fried in only a small amount of oil and then drizzled with a tangy hot pepper sauce. With a fraction of the fat, calories and sodium, these boneless wings are reason enough to throw a party.

Source: http://bit.ly/zCpPSF

2. Easy Bean Dip

¼ cup diced green chilies

¼ cup tomato sauce or salsa

4 green onions, chopped

½ tsp. ground cumin

½ tsp. garlic powder

1 can (30 oz.) refried beans (try to find without added lard)

Combine chiles, salsa or tomato sauce, green onions and seasonings in saucepan and cook until onions are

tender. Add beans and simmer until warmed through. May top with low-fat shredded cheese and serve warm or

cold (makes 4 cups).

Or make a family-sized nacho platter with baked tortilla chips, fat-free vegetarian refried beans, chopped

tomatoes, canned chilies, light sour cream, shredded cooked chicken and low-fat shredded cheese.

Source: http://bit.ly/yE9nKd

3. Zucchini Fries

You can enjoy these crispy, flavorful veggies for half the calories of regular French fries. As a bonus, zucchini is bursting with vitamin C.

http://bit.ly/wtmKKM

4. Mango-Red Pepper Salsa

If you're looking for a fresh new snack that's tastes like summer, make this simple recipe. It's juicy, sweet, tangy, and satisfying. You can make it ahead to enjoy for the week with corn chips, crackers, or toasted bread. It also makes a great topping for grilled fish or chicken. What's great about this recipe is that it's pretty basic, so feel free to get creative. Add beans, pineapple, watermelon, corn, diced cucumber, or tomatoes for even more summery flavor.

Source: http://bit.ly/wM9xbl

5. Homemade Baked Tortilla Chips

These wonderful tortilla chips make sturdy dippers and are great for scooping up salsa and dips. These chips can be made with either corn or flour tortillas. You can diet and still enjoy your snacks, as they are a healthy alternative to fried chips.

Source: http://whatscookingamerica.net/Appetizers/TortillaChips.htm

Bonus! A dessert recipe

Cheesecake Brownies Recipe

These delicious Cheesecake Brownies have a fancy swirl on top and are a lean 140 calories. You can splurge on dessert and not regret it later.

Source: ://bit.ly/y4PzTb

I hope that you try some of these recipes to add to your celebration this weekend. Leave a comment if you’ve got other healthy game day snack ideas to share.

While this is not a post about healthy snacks, I thought I'd post it here because if you are interested in your good health and the health of your family, then chances are you have a big heart that wants to reach out and help others.

At this time of year when the focus seems to be on spending, sparkles and excess, it's also traditionally a time when charitable organizations try to raise money to keep their work going into the next year. If you've been feeling the pinch of the uncertain economy, you might be looking for a way that you leverage the money you're already spending on loved-ones, friends and colleagues to spread a bit farther and help support those causes that you hold dear.

I've assembled a shortlist of websites where you can purchase a wide variety of gifts where part of the money you spend on the gifts is contributed on your behalf to the charitable cause of your choice. Here is a little bit of information about each organization so that you can decide which one you want to work with.

http://www.giftsthatgive.com/

Charitable giving through GiftsthatGive.com is built in every time you shop with us.  Shop with a Social Impact!

Buy designer gifts and have $1 of every $5 you spend go to any cause of your choice – from the American Red Cross, to the Sierra Club, to Susan G. Komen. When you shop with us, you not only have access to top name brands, but you also do social good. Giving back is easy when you shop with GiftsthatGive.com.

http://www.giftback.com/

At Giftback we match name brand products with charitable donations to create highly memorable gift packages.  We increase the intrinsic value of gifts by allowing for a high level of personalization and enabling business and individual consumers the opportunity to support causes that are important to them.

http://worldofgood.ebay.com/

WorldofGood.com by eBay is the world’s largest multi-seller marketplace for socially and environmentally responsible shopping, featuring tens of thousands of stylish and unique products from around the world. More than simply a place to buy and sell, WorldofGood.com brings unprecedented trust and transparency to a shopping experience where every purchase makes a positive impact.

http://www.heifer.org

Heifer International's goal is to end hunger and poverty, and to care for the earth. By giving families a hand-up, not just a hand-out, we empower them to turn lives of hunger and poverty into self-reliance and hope.

With gifts of livestock and training, we help families improve their nutrition and generate income in sustainable ways. We refer to the animals as "living loans" because in exchange for their livestock and training, families agree to give one of its animal's offspring to another family in need. It's called Passing on the Gift – a cornerstone of our mission that creates an ever-expanding network of hope and peace.

http://www.globalgoodspartners.org

Global Goods Partners is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering women, alleviating poverty and promoting social justice. We partner with community based organizations in marginalized regions of Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Middle East, creating access to theU.S.market for our partners’ handcrafted products and providing technical assistance to build sustainable livelihoods.

I hope that these websites give you some ideas for how you can give great gifts and give back to support some amazing causes that are saving lives, and changing the world for the better.

I wanted to share this amazing episode from one of my favorite podcasts, The Healthtopia Radio Show, with host Bonnie Mechelle on Blog Talk Radio. On this episode, Bonnie Mechelle interviews Brenda Cobb, founder of the Living Foods Institute in Atlanta. Ms. Cobb talks about how she cured herself of breast and ovarian cancer with a raw and living foods and without the use of chemotherapy, surgery or pharmaceutical drugs.

This is a life changing episode that can help you transition to a more healthful, healing diet of raw and living foods. You'll also learn about the 30 Day Fruit and Vegetable Challenge.

Here are a few healthy snack ideas for you that will satisfy those cravings, but also keep you on track for your weight loss goals:

High Fiber Diet Cookie Recipe

4 cups of oatmeal (not instant or quick cook)
1 can of cannelloni beans (15 oz), drained
½ cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup chopped raisins or dates
½ cup flaked coconut
½ cup chopped walnuts

Place the oatmeal in a blender and blend until the consistency of flour.    Pour into a bowl and set aside.

Place the beans in the blender and blend until smooth.   Stir in the white sugar, brown sugar and vanilla.

Combine the ground oats, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon – blend with the beans.

Stir in the dates or raisins, coconut and walnuts.  Drop heaping spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 325 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes.

Source: loseweightandgethealthy.com/2011/04/healthy-snacks-for-weight-loss/

Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons light or regular mayonnaise
3 tablespoons fat free sour cream
3 tablespoons Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs (panko crumbs can be substituted)
3 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
1 can (6 1/2 ounces) crabmeat (or 1 cup fresh crabmeat), rinsed and drained well
Dash or two Tabasco
Black pepper to taste
18 medium sized mushrooms, stems removed

Preparation:

Preheat slow cooker to high heat.
Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine mayonnaise, fat free sour cream, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and garlic. Fold in the crabmeat. Add Tabasco and black pepper to taste.
Spoon heaping teaspoons full of crab filling into mushroom caps.
Arrange mushroom caps (crab side up) in the bottom of the preheated slow cooker. Add cover and cook on HIGH for about 2 hours. Reduce heat to LOW and serve the crab-stuffed mushrooms from the slow cooker if desired.

Yield:
Makes 9 servings (2 mushrooms per serving)

Nutritional Information:
Per serving: 59 calories, 5 g protein, 4 g carbohydrate, 2.5 g fat, .6 g saturated fat, 16 mg cholesterol, .5 g fiber, 177 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 38 percent.

Source: medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=98067

Spinach Squares

Ingredients:

1 egg
1/4 cup egg substitute
1/2 cup low-fat milk
1 cup unbleached or all-purpose flour (whole wheat can be substituted for half of the flour)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp butter or canola margarine, melted
1/3 cup fat-free or light sour cream
8 oz reduced fat Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 10-ounce boxes frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained (gently squeeze excess water with hands)

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Coat a 9x9-inch baking dish with canola cooking spray.
2. Beat egg, egg substitute, milk, flour, salt, baking powder, melted butter, and sour cream in mixing bowl on medium-low speed until smooth batter has formed.
3. Stir in cheese cubes and spinach. Pour into prepared pan, spread evenly with spatula, and bake about 35 minutes. Test center to make sure it isn't runny. Let sit about 10 minutes before serving.
4. Cut the spinach squares after they come out of the oven, then keep them refrigerated. Just eat them cold as a snack or warm what you need in the microwave. These are a low-calorie, higher protein snack with only 17 grams of carbohydrate per serving.

Yield:
9 side servings or snacks

Nutritional Information:
Per serving: 188 calories, 12.5 g protein, 17 g carbohydrate, 8 g fat (4.5 g saturated fat), 45 mg cholesterol, 2 g fiber, 525 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 38%.

Source: medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=59552

Well, I joined the, 'I Heart Summer' health & fitness challenge at Everyday Health, and I'm inviting you to join me. It started on August 1st and it runs through the 14th, so it's just a mini challenge, but it will be enough to give you a motivational boost and start forming some healthy habits to carry you into the rest of the year.

I invite you to head on over to:
http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-report/i-heart-summer-slim-down.aspx

and join the challenge. You'll have fun and start looking and feeling better in no time, or if you've got a few stubborn lbs that you can't seem to shake, this program might help you shed them.

I've downloaded the calorie counting app to my phone, so I can keep track of my food, I'm already walking about 20 miles a week, but I can see that I'm going to have to do better in the sleep department. I've not been getting 7 hours of sleep. I think this challenge will help me to tighten up my game a bit. C'mon and join us.

Here's to a Healthy, Happy Summer!

I was tickled beyond belief to get the email this morning that my Healthy Snack Ideas blog has been added to AllTop! Woo Hoo! (Yes, that's me cheering and doing the happy dance.) I submitted my blog over six months ago, and to be honest, I had kind of given up on it and forgotten about having applied.

AllTop, for those who are not hip to the fact, is the coolest blog directory on the Internet. The website describes AllTop this way:  "The purpose of Alltop is to help you answer the question, “What’s happening?” in “all the topics” that interest you."

I am thrilled and proud that my blog made it in. Please go on over to AllTop  and check out the other blogs there in the Nutrition category, and if you  got here from AllTop, thank you for popping over and I hope that you find some useful information about healthy eating.

Feel free to sign up for the email list and you'll get lots of tips, recipes and other stuff that you won't see on the blog.

There’s a good reason why those initially added college weight-gain pounds are referred to as the freshman fifteen.  Everybody identifies with it.  In my case, it was more than fifteen, too.  I remember being so excited with my new wardrobe when my first year of college started, but by homecoming in late October, my pants were getting tight and my mid section was beginning to resemble a small inner tube.  You know what I’m talking about ladies; the infamous muffin top.  And this was in a traditional university where I always had access to healthy cafeteria selections, too.  For people getting an online degree it’s really important to make good food choices, because what’s in your kitchen is going to be your only study break food option.

Don’t Have Things Handy That Are Bad For You

Fortunately, I got things under control by making sure that I paid attention to getting good exercise and changing my diet.  The biggest trick for me was being really strict about my shopping habits.  You can’t pig out on items that aren’t in your kitchen.  Just not having a large bag of potato chips available is half the battle.  So, step one for healthy study break recipes has to be making very thorough grocery lists and then sticking to them when you’re in the store.

Cut Down on Salad Dressing

One of the first things I did was cut out salad dressing altogether.  I had been eating a lot of salads and thought I was eating healthy.  But when I started looking at the labels on my favorites—bleu cheese and ranch—I was shocked at the amount of calories I had been slathering on my salads.  One of my classmates used lime juice as a salad dressing and I found the idea a little revolting, at first.  But the more I used lime juice in place of salad dressing though, the more I liked it, until I actually began to crave the refreshing citrus tang.

Actually Read Food Labels

It’s really easy to think that you’re eating appropriately sized food portions.  But if you’re not paying attention to food labels, it can be difficult to know what your daily calorie consumption is.  Don’t get me wrong, you shouldn’t be obsessing about caloric intake, but getting an idea of what your average caloric intake ought to look like and what different foods actually contain calorie-wise can help you trim unwanted empty calories.  The math is pretty easy really.  If you consume more calories than you use in a day, your body adds it in fat weight.  If you burn more calories than you consume, you’ll lose some weight.

Avoid Prepared Foods in the Center of the Supermarket

Obviously it’s okay to indulge in your favorite guilty food pleasure occasionally.  But it should be the exception rather than the rule.  It should be a treat, not a lifestyle.  A great way to do this, along with your carefully prepared grocery list, is to stick to the safe zone of the groceries perimeter.  Almost every supermarket has the same layout.  All of the fresh fruit and vegetables are typically among the first things you encounter on the outermost lap of the store.  Next comes the dairy section with milk and soy milk options.  Eggs can typically be found here as well.  Then, the deli section, where you’ll want to be careful.  Past the deli section you can find lean meats.  If you make the majority of your grocery purchases from the outer perimeter of the grocery, you’ll be eating fewer empty calories and trimming those freshman-fifteen in a hurry.

This has been another guest post by J.S.. Visit her website: online degree

Summer is a time to loosen the schedule and relax with your kids. If you have two growing children like I do, however, that relaxed schedule could mean frustration when it comes to keeping track of what they’re eating during those warm days.

A Snack Schedule

Even though summer provides time for your family to take it easy, a schedule that details meal and snack times will help keep you from hearing from your kids about their hunger. Write up meal and snack times on a piece of poster paper and hang it up where everyone can see it.

Add a list of acceptable snack choices – like a handful of grapes, a granola bar, a cheese stick – and guidelines regarding how much your children can have;  for example, my children can have two snacks each during morning and afternoon snack time.

A Wide Variety

It might be tempting to have a stockpile of processed food for snacks, but few of them are healthy. There are many ways to use fruits, vegetables and whole grain crackers or bread to make some healthy snacks that kids will love. In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, make sure you have a selection of nuts, dried fruit, cheeses and lean meat.

Snack Ideas

Keep snacks light, healthy and easy to grab for those last-minute picnics or hikes this summer!

*A Twist on the PB&J – Use different combinations of foods to avoid the usual peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Serve up a strawberry and cream cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread or small bagels for a cool change.

*Wrap it – For change from sandwiches, use different flavors of tortillas - including whole wheat varieties - to combine ingredients for tasty wraps. Start with an open tortilla and grated or cream cheese. Pile on veggies and lean meat and roll for an easy snack.

*Mix it - trail mix may traditionally be raisins and nuts, but there's a wide range of choices to combine into a yummy trail mix of your own creation. Portion them out into small sandwich bags or reusable containers for easy transport. You can use many different ingredients, including:

-Granola

-Carob chips or banana chips

-Shredded coconut

-Ginger (crystallised)

-Marshmallows

-Nuts, such as almonds or pecans

-Legumes, such as peanuts or baked soybeans.

-Dried fruits such as cranberries, raisins, apricots, apples, or candied orange peel

-Chocolate: chips, chunks, or M&M's

-Breakfast cereal

-Seeds, such as pumpkin seeds, cashews or sunflower seeds

*Keep It Cool - Freeze peeled oranges or bananas and blend with juice or yogurt for a cool treat. For a change, use blueberries or strawberries or a combination of fruits. Freeze them after blending and combine them with chopped nuts and chocolate shavings as a substitute for high-fat ice cream.

*Dip It – Kids love to dip! Use fat-free Greek yogurt to dip carrots, celery, cucumbers, broccoli and tomatoes and use low-fat or fat-free flavored yogurt to dip fresh strawberries, orange slices, or banana pieces.

As you relax with your kids, enjoy your time together as you feast on a variety of fun and healthy snacks!

Kelly Wilson is a busy mom and freelance writer. For more information about how healthy snacks can keep your smile strong and white, contact Dr. Todd Beck, a Dentist in Portland, Oregon.

This is just a quick post to share a link to a survey that is being done by a healthy food producer, Respect Natural. They make veggie burgers, chickenless nuggets & patties and steam-in-the-bag rice products.

Here's a link to the survey they are doing about lunch kits. They may be coming out with a  healthy alternative to the lunch kits that you see now in your grocery stores. Please take a minute and give them some feedback that will help them to develop a healthier alternative for kids for lunch.

http://svy.mk/lHHPT0

I know that many of you have kids and would love a healthy alternative to what's out there now. Thanks for your participation.

If you are a diabetic, chances are that following a strict diet pattern is a major challenge for you. Diabetic people also get hungry frequently. This calls for in-between mealtime snacks. However, given the fact that diabetics must watch their sugar levels throughout the day, the snacks have to be low calorie, healthy, and must fit the overall daily meal plan. We’ve listed 10 everyday healthy snacks that can be incorporated within your daily diet plan. These snacks have been put together to add interest and flavor to your daily diet, apart from helping you stay satiated and healthy. However, check with your personal doctor before you add any of these items to your diet plan.

1.    Raw Fruits and Vegetables

Raw vegetables are full of valuable nutrients, water and fiber. If you stick to raw vegetables that are low on natural sugars, the veggies will actually help regulate or lower your blood sugar. Try eating carrots, grape tomatoes, broccoli, cucumbers, red and green peppers and cauliflower.

To make the raw veggies interesting, make a dip using nonfat yogurt with a little Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt and pepper. Or you can make yourself a nice salsa or a hummus dip. Don’t use more than a tablespoon or two of dip.

2.    Whole Fruits

Whole fruits make excellent healthy snacks and they can be carried anywhere with you. Eat whole apples, papayas, guavas and so on. You need to check with your doctor if you are allowed to eat fruits, since fruits may not be recommended if your sugar levels are uncontrolled. Fruits like grapefruit, oranges, nectarines, grapes, tangerines and persimmons contain about 8-10% sugar. Get a list of the fruits that are allowed for diabetics in general and stick to that list.

3.    Munch on Nuts

You can munch on whole nuts such as cashews, peanuts, almonds, walnuts and pecans. These contain high levels of healthy monosaturated fats, which help lower both cholesterol and heart disease risk. These nuts also contain fiber, which is good for blood sugar regulation and digestion. Note, however, that most nuts are very high in calories, especially calories from fat. Munch on nuts, but keep your portions small. A handful of nuts are sufficient to give you an energy boost and keep you satiated.

4.    Sugarfree Hot Cocoa

If you feel hungry but are not interested in eating something, try a cup of hot Sugarfree cocoa made of 70% cocoa. The greater the cocoa percentage, the more heart-healthy the drink. The taste will still be rich, while the lack of sugar and fat makes it a healthy, filling liquid snack. Use fat-free milk and blend it with a sachet of sugar-free cocoa mix, and enjoy the calcium and antioxidant boost.

5.    Baked Chips With Salsa

For an easy, filing and crunchy snack that tastes great, make some fresh salsa with tomatoes, onions, cucumber, olive oil, salt, pepper and chilies if you want them. For an added crunch and nutrient boost, herb up your salsa with chopped coriander, parsley and oregano. This will give you a necessary boost of vitamin C. Bake your chips instead of frying them to reduce the calories. A handful of low fat baked chips will give you the necessary carbohydrates, potassium and protein while the salsa offers freshness and crunch. This is one of the best snacks for those afternoon cravings.

6.    Fatfree Popcorn

Popcorn is high-fiber, crunchy and very filling. The smell of popcorn kennels as they pop satisfies your senses as well. You can either opt for low fat microwavable or air popped popcorn, or pop your corn in a thick-bottomed pan. A single serving of popcorn, provided you don’t go overboard on the oil, will give you only 45 to 60 calories and a couple of grams of fat.

7.    Thin Wheat Crackers With Hummus And Tomatoes

Crackers are a good way of keeping hunger pangs away. Choose thin whole-wheat crackers that are baked without butter or oil. Eat these with a creamy hummus dip made of chickpeas, garlic and sesame tahini. This snack brings you several essential nutrients along with great flavors. Add a few slices of firm red tomatoes for the vitamin C. Restrict yourself to about 12 crackers at a time.

8.    Colored Bell Peppers With Low-Fat Dip

Chop up green, red and yellow peppers into long thin strips. Eat them along with a homemade, low fat dip of yoghurt with seasonings and herbs. You can also try low fat sour cream with seasonings.

The crisp, sweet peppers will give you a terrific boost of vitamin and nutrient goodness while the yoghurt dip will give you the much-needed calcium. You can enjoy good quantities of this snack, as the raw peppers are very low calorie. Go easy on the dip though. If you are not confident of making a nice dip on your own, you can buy a good low fat dip from any health store.

9.    Fatfree Flavored Yogurt

Yoghurt makes for a great snack at any time and it’s healthy as long as it’s fat free. You can buy fat free yoghurt in different flavors; they make wonderfully sweet and nourishing treats. Yogurt gives you carbohydrates, protein and fat. If you buy fruit-based yoghurts, you get the additional vitamin C and fiber from the fruits as well.

A single cup of yogurt can provide you with 30 percent of your daily calcium requirements. Live-active cultures within the yoghurt help calcium absorption as well, keeping your digestive system healthy.

10. Sugarfree Frozen Bars Of Fruit Juice

On a hot summer afternoon, what can be better than a cold bar of frozen fruit juice? You can buy these refreshing fruit pops or create your own. Frozen fruit bars are low in sodium and are predominantly fat free. Puree different fruits, add your favorite sweetener to it and freeze it in Popsicle containers to make your own juicy frozen fruit pops.

This guest blog post was written by John, who runs an online scrubs store where you can shop for branded lab coat, scrub sets and jackets.