Chocolate Fluffernutter banana bread

Better banana bread

Kick up your banana bread a notch up adding peanut butter, hot fudge sauce and marshmallow fluff. It's like having dessert for breakfast!

Did you eat Fluffernutter sandwiches as a child? You can have that winning combination of marshmallow fluff and peanut butter again with this over-the-top banana bread recipe.

Chocolate Fluffernutter banana bread recipeIngredients:1 cup mashed bananas2 eggs, beaten1/2 cup vegetable oil1/3 cup buttermilk1/2 cup creamy peanut butter1-1/4 cups sugar1-3/4 cups flour1/2 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon baking soda1/2 cup hot fudge sauce1/2 cup Marshmallow FluffNonstick cooking sprayDirections:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.In a large bowl, mix together the banana, eggs, oil, buttermilk and peanut butter.In another bowl, mix together the sugar, flour, salt, and baking soda. Add dry ingredients to the banana mixture and stir until just combined.In separate small bowls, warm the hot fudge sauce and the Marshmallow Fluff in the microwave until just pourable.Pour half of the banana mixture into the loaf pan. Drizzle about half the hot fudge and half the Marshmallow Fluff evenly over the banana mixture. Swirl through the batter with a knife.Pour the remaining banana mixture into the loaf pan and drizzle with the remaining hot fudge and Marshmallow Fluff. Swirl with a knife.Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.

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Peanut butter bread

Peanut Butter Jelly Time!Take your peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to a whole new level! This sweet, peanut butter packed quick bread is perfect with a little butter or even a smear of jam.

It's time to jazz up your peanut butter and jelly sandwich! This simple peanut butter quick bread is perfect when slathered with sweet raspberry jam. The best part is that the bread can be made and ready to eat in just about 1 hour. How simple is that?

Peanut butter bread recipe

Adapted from A Pretty Life

Yields one 9 x 5-inch loaf or 4 mini loaves

Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup white whole wheat flour1 tablespoon baking powder1/4 teaspoon kosher salt1/4 cup butter, room temperature1/2 cup sugar1/4 cup dark brown sugar1 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural)1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 cup whole milk (possibly a little more)Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside. If you do not have parchment paper, you can just spray the pan with nonstick spray.In a medium bowl, sift together both flours, baking powder and salt and set aside.In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together butter and both sugars until fluffy.Add in peanut butter, egg and vanilla extract. Mix until combined, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl at least once.Slowly add in flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture. The dough will look very dry but this is OK. Drizzle in your milk and mix on low speed until incorporated. If the dough still looks too dry (think of a normal quick bread, does it look dryer than that?) then add additional milk, 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistancy is met.Add batter to the prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top with a spatula. Bake for about 60 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

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Healthy school lunch Chicken nuggets trump turkey sandwich

Parents in North Carolina might have to think twice before packing their kids' school lunches. State officials apparently prefer that students eat cafeteria-made chicken nuggets over homemade turkey sandwiches.

School replaces student's packed lunch

If feeding healthy lunches to your children is important to you, this story might send you reeling. According to the Huffington Post, a West Hoke Elementary School student had her lunch taken away by a state inspector and was fed school cafeteria chicken nuggets in its place.

What was in the lunch bag, anyway?!

Must have been a home packed brown bag full of junk, right? Not so much, according to the student's mom. If her account of the contents is correct, the only "unhealthy" selection in the child's lunch was the potato chips and really, are a few potato chips among other healthy items that big of a deal?

The 4-year-old's mom said her home packed lunch included a turkey and cheese sandwich, a banana, potato chips and apple juice. In its place, the child was given a cafeteria lunch, of which she ate three chicken nuggets.

One might initially think it was the potato chips that were deemed unacceptable, although that seems unlikely when Congress insists that one tablespoon of pizza sauce is a vegetable and considers that part of a healthy school lunch.

Try these easy nutrients to pack into a school lunch >>USDA requirements

USDA requirements state that all school lunches, including those made at home and brought to school, include one serving of meat, one serving of milk, one serving of grain and two servings of fruit or vegetables.

So, what was this preschool student's lunch missing?

Um, nothing. In fact, a Division of Child Development spokesperson said that the child's home packed lunch should have been just fine.

"With a turkey sandwich, that covers your protein, your grain, and if it had cheese on it, that's the dairy," Jani Kozlowski, the fiscal and statutory policy manager for the division, told the Carolina Journal Online. "It sounds like the lunch itself would've met all of the standard[s]." Kozlowski said a lunch must include a fruit or a vegetable, but not both.

Learn how to pack the perfect lunch >>Turkey sandwich vs. chicken nuggets

For fun, we thought we'd compare the nutritional makeup of chicken nuggets and a turkey sandwich using Calorie King. After all, if a state inspector is giving a child chicken nuggets in place of a turkey sandwich, there has to be something we're missing... right?

Turkey sandwich nutrition info

2 ounces of turkey lunch meat

Calories: 90Fat: 5 gramsProtein: 10 gramsCarbs: 2 grams

1 slice of American cheese

Calories: 80 caloriesFat: 7 gramsProtein: 5 gramsCarbs: 1 gram

2 slices of white bread

Calories: 133 caloriesFat: 2 gramsProtein: 4 gramsCarbs: 25 grams

Grand total for a turkey sandwich

Calories: 303Fat: 14 gramsProtein: 19 gramsCarbs: 28 grams

Chicken nuggets nutrition info

(Store-bought, frozen chicken nuggets)

Calories: 250Fat: 16 gramsProtein: 11 gramsCarbs: 15 grams

While the chicken nuggets potentially have fewer calories, the fat content is higher and the protein content is lower. And really, should we even be comparing frozen chicken nuggets to a turkey sandwich?!

Try this healthy chicken nugget recipe >> Inspection: fail

It sounds like this is a case of a state inspector making a bad decision, but it's concerning that this even happened. To add insult to injury, the student's mom received a note from the school, indicating that her failure to send healthy lunches would result in her child being served school lunches -- for $1.25 each.

"The school may have interpreted [the rule] to mean they felt like the lunch wasn't meeting the nutritional requirements and so they wanted the child to have the school lunch and then charged the parent," Kozlowski said. "It sounds like maybe a technical assistance need for that school."

Whatever you want to call it, it's not good! What do you think about this story? What are the standards for lunch like at your child's school?

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Bananas foster eggrolls

Date Night Dishes... A Sweet Ending Keep your next date night sweet and simple by creating a coffee shop vibe and enjoying homemade dessert. Round out the night by remembering why you fell in love in the first place.

You don't have to make a big, fancy meal or buy expensive flowers to have a great date night. Keep it sweet and simple by indulging in a dessert and a home brewed latte. This take on bananas foster is easy and you don't have to light anything on fire.

While you're munching on these eggrolls and sipping your coffee, get out two pieces of paper and write down your favorite ten things about your date. Sure, it sounds cheesy but relationships need a little bit of corniness every now and then to keep the love alive. Not only will you find pleasure in thinking of all the reasons you adore your partner, but you'll get a confidence boost when you hear your partner's favorite things about you. Hang your lists on the refrigerator, your bathroom mirror or even frame them. You'll smile every time you catch a glimpse and you'll be even more excited for your next date night.

Bananas Foster Eggrolls

Serves 2

Ingredients: 2 ripe bananas1 tablespoon brown sugar1/2 teaspoon cinnamon1 tablespoon rum4 eggroll wrappers1 teaspoon butter1 tablespoon cinnamon and sugar mixtureCaramel Dipping Sauce:1/2 cup sugar3 tablespoons butter1/2 cup heavy cream or half and half1 teaspoon vanilla extractDirections:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Cut bananas into small chunks and add them to a bowl with brown sugar, cinnamon, and rum. Stir together until combined.Place a spoonful of the banana mixture in the center of each eggroll wrapper and roll them up. Brush the outside with some melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Poke a small hole in each roll to let the steam out while they cook.Bake the eggrolls in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the edges are crispy.While the eggrolls are cooking, make your caramel sauce. Get all of the ingredients ready and easy to access – caramel making is a quick and finicky process.In a large saucepan, add sugar and melt on medium to high heat. You will need to stir this constantly to avoid burning the sugar. Once the sugar has melted completely, stop stirring or it will crystallize. When it comes to a boil and is amber in color, add in the butter. Stir until the butter is completely melted and then remove from the heat. Carefully pour in the cream and vanilla. It will likely bubble up so use a deep pan and use caution. Stir until it is mixed in. Pour into a glass container and let cool.Serve eggrolls with warm caramel sauce.

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Homemade mulling spice recipe

Pantry Staples Make Season's Hottest Drink You'll find festively decorated mulling spice tins in gourmet shops everywhere this time of year, along with their steep price tags. The same mulling spices can easily be made at home with common ingredients you may already have in your pantry and this mulling spice recipe.

The two main ingredients that give mulled cider and wine their warming characteristics are allspice and cloves. And when the combination of these two spices, along with cinnamon, citrus peel and ginger, steep together with freshly pressed apple cider or a full-bodied red wine, there's no place like home for the holidays.

Mulling spice recipe

Serves 8 to 10

Ingredients:1 tablespoon whole allspice1 tablespoon whole cloves3 cinnamon sticksZest of 1 orange (or orange peel with pith removed)2 (1/2-inch thick) slices peeled fresh ginger1/2 gallon organic apple cider or low-sulfide red wineDirections:

In a medium saucepan, heat cider or wine over medium-high heat; stir in allspice, cloves, cinnamon, orange zest and ginger.Bring to boiling; reduce to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, six to eight minutes or until desired flavor is achieved.Strain mixture through a fine mesh sieve; discard solids. Serve warm

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DIY Gluten-free wedding favors

DIY wedding favors
Gluten-free wedding favors

Delight your gluten-free wedding guests with wedding favors that they can freely eat. No need to find a specialty caterer -- simply gather your BFFs and make these gluten-free wedding favors.

Gluten-free wedding favor heart-shaped cookies

Invite your best gal pals over for an afternoon of wedding favor cookie baking. Buy a selection of double-heart cookie cutters, make the following gluten-free cookie dough, cut, bake and decorate.

Yields 4 dozen depending on cookie cutter size

Ingredients:2-1/4 cups white rice flour, plus more for rolling1/2 cup cornstarch1 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar3/4 teaspoon salt1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature, plus more for greasing1/2 cup vegetable shortening1-1/4 cups granulated sugar2 eggs1 tablespoon pure vanilla extractDecorating icing or sugar of your choiceDirections:

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, cream of tartar and salt. Set aside.In the bowl of a standup mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and shortening to combine. Add sugar and beat until creamy.Beat in eggs one at a time, and then beat in vanilla until well-combined.Add flour mixture and blend on low until just until combined.Shape dough into two balls, flattening each into a disk. Wrap disks tightly in plastic wrap and chill dough for at least two hours.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and lightly grease four large baking sheets.Place disks on a lightly floured surface and roll each out until it is 1/4-inch thick.Use cookie cutters to make double-heart cutouts. Gather scraps, re-roll and cut more cookies. Place cutouts two inches apart on prepared baking sheets.Bake for six to eight minutes, rotating baking sheets after three to four minutes until cookies are golden at the edges.Cool cookies on the baking sheets for five to six minutes. Transfer to wire racks to continue to cool.When cookies are completely cool, decorate as desired. If using icing, allow icing to set completely before placing cookies in wedding favor bags or boxes.

Wedding favor quinoa chocolates

Little ribbon-tied mesh bags of silver-wrapped Hershey's Kisses are certainly the easiest DIY gluten-free wedding favor you can make, but going the extra step to make your own chocolate wedding favor offerings is as easy as choosing a few candy molds, melting chocolate... and adding popped quinoa to give your chocolate a welcome crunch. This recipe is inspired by quinoa queen Wendy Polisi, author of The Quintessential Quinoa Cookbook.

Yields 50 to 120 depending on the candy molds*

Ingredients:1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed and dried1 tablespoon coconut oil1 pound white, milk or dark chocolate (or a mix), cut into equal-size pieces1 cup almonds, toasted and chopped1 teaspoon sea saltDirections:

Rinse quinoa and spread it out on a baking sheet to dry. You can also cook rinsed quinoa in a skillet until dry.Place oil in a popcorn popper or saucepan and heat over medium-high. Add quinoa and cook in popper for five minutes or until quinoa is lightly browned. If using the skillet, place quinoa in skillet, cover and cook, shaking skillet frequently until quinoa is lightly browned.Spray candy molds with cooking spray.Place chocolate in a double boiler and cook, stirring often, until chocolate is melted and smooth.Remove chocolate from heat and stir in quinoa, almonds and salt.Pour chocolate mixture into molds and allow to sit for at least two hours until firm. You can also place in the refrigerator to speed up setting time.Invert chocolate from molds and allow to cool completely. Store them in an airtight container layered with parchment paper until ready to assemble.To assemble wedding party favors, simply place two chocolates in mesh wedding favor bags and tie bag shut.

* Be warned: The number of chocolate/candy molds is dizzying so consider going with the simple heart-shaped or square candy molds or wedding theme candy molds.

Gluten-free wedding favor seedlings

Give your wedding guests a gluten-free gift that keeps on giving. Live seedlings make a fun and unusual wedding favor that signifies life, growth and great taste. If you have enough lead time, buy seedling trays and sprout your own herbs, veggies, fruit or edible flowers (see growing instructions for each herb to see how long it takes to go from seed to seedling) or you can order seedlings from your local nursery.

Yields 100

Ingredients:100 herb, vegetable, fruit or edible flower seedlingsPlastic wrapRibbon or thin twine100 small burlap bags 100 mini notecardsDirections:

Be sure seedlings have been watered ahead of time so water has drained or been absorbed.Cut out squares of plastic wrap large enough to cover the seedling roots and soil.Set seedling on plastic wrap, bring sides of plastic up around soil, and secure with ribbon or twine.Set seedling in a burlap bag.Write the name of the seedling on the mini notecard along with any other wedding message.Tie notecard to burlap bag with the burlap bag string and pull string to secure around the stem of the seedling.

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Girls' guide to throwing a party

How-To: Throw A Great PartyPlanning a Christmas or New Year's party shouldn't turn you into a stressed mess, especially when you're organizing it in the season's spirit for your friends and family.

Create a guest list

One of the first things any party planner should do is create a guest list. Knowing who you're going to invite and, via RSVP, how many people are going to attend, will help you plan your budget and your affair. Are the majority of your attendees used to mingling and munching? Then you may want to opt for a cocktail party. Is your party intimate and only for close family and friends? Then why not serve a sit-down dinner?

Time and length of the party

Your party's time and length depends in large part on who your guests are and on what day of the week your party falls. Most sit-down dinner bashes happen on Saturdays or Sundays and start around 5 p.m. Cocktail parties typically start later (and run later) on any day of the week, though most people prefer Thursday through Saturday because of work schedules.

Know your budget

Throwing a holiday party isn't cheap, so it's important to know how much money is available to spend on your affair. If you have money saved up, asking for help from a catering company will ensure you have time to relax. If not, there's no harm in asking your friends to bring a bottle of wine or to pitch in by bringing their favorite potluck dishes.

Pick a theme

Instead of just an ordinary holiday party, a themed party is easier to plan and more fun for your guests. After a busy week and a hectic holiday season, consider a relaxing, inviting theme and turn your party into your very own lounge. The great thing is that you can completely control the tone, decor and music -- and best yet, there aren't any creepy guys hitting on you and your gal pals! Stock your bar with luxury liqueurs like a chocolate liqueur. Keep the chocolate theme going with chocolate covered strawberries or a dark chocolate candy bar. Deck your halls with deep browns and burgundies -- toss a few throw blankets over the arms of your chairs and add satin pillows. Bonus -- after the party's over, you have a romantic new hideaway to escape to after a busy week!

Feeling Asian-fusion? Then buy red accessories and choose a menu of dishes that contain similar ingredients (which will cut down on your shopping and cooking prep time). Want to stick with cocktails? Great. All you need is to create a spread of beverages and appetizers to which people can help themselves.

Take Stock

Don't forget to inventory the glasses and dishes in your cupboards. Sure, it can be kitschy to serve everything on throwaway dinnerware, but it's not very classy or environmentally friendly -- so make sure you have enough of everything. (Also, be sure you have enough dishes in which to serve your food.) If you don't, ask your friends iif they can bring some empty dishes along.

Give a sweet goody bag

Decidedly un-child like, goody bags are a memorable way to wrap up any party. Say thank you to your guests with a chic reusable bag full of ingredients to make a sinful après-dinner drink, like a heart-warming chocolate liqueur, or stuff it with sweet surprises like velvety chocolate bars or gourmet truffles.

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Pasta with asparagus, pancetta and tomatoes

Flavor overload

Looking for a simple but flavorful pasta dish? This recipe combines tomatoes, pancetta and asparagus for a combination you won't forget.

When you're craving a hearty meal, pasta always hits the spot, especially when it's full of huge flavors. You'll go back to this recipe again and again.

Pasta with asparagus, pancetta and tomatoes recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients:16 ounces short-cut pasta10 ounces asparagus, cut into inch-long pieces, tips separated6 ounces pancetta, cut into strips15 ounces canned tomato puree1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered1 clove garlic, crushedOlive oilGrated Pecorino romanoParsley, chopped finelyDirections:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. When it boils, add salt, then pasta. Cook according to package directions. Reserve cooking water for later use.Meanwhile, saute garlic and pancetta in a large saucepan with a drizzle of olive oil. When the garlic turns golden, discard. When the pancetta is crispy, remove from saucepan and set aside, reserving grease.Add the asparagus (reserving tips) to the grease in the saucepan. Cook for 5 minutes. Add asparagus tips. Cook for another 5 minutes.Add tomato puree. Cook for about 30 minutes on medium-low. If sauce seems dry, ladle in a small amount of pasta water to achieve desired consistency.Add cooked pasta to the sauce. Mix well, then remove from heat.Add pancetta, fresh tomatoes, grated pecorino romano and parsley. Toss and serve.

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Homemade edible bouquet recipe

Make Your Own Edible Bouquet!Do you love those edible arrangements you see in commercials and magazines? Before you shell out up to $100 for a bouquet of fruit, why not try your hand at making one? This easy creation is not only beautiful, it's cheap to assemble and makes an amazing gift or addition to a summer spread!

Create a beautiful and delicious bouquet for your next picnic, a birthday party or even a bridal shower. Plus, you can completely customize the shapes to make it unique.

Homemade edible bouquet

Yields 1 medium-sized bouquet

Ingredients: 1 pineapple, peeled1 pound fresh strawberries, stems on1 pound fresh blueberries1 pound fresh raspberriesGrapes (optional)Materials: Vase or decorative ceramic potLong wooden skewersFun shaped metal cookie cuttersStyrofoamDirections: 

Place Styrofoam inside your vase or pot, filling it about two-thirds full. Insert skewers (I used about 12.). Set aside.Ensure the pineapple is completely skinned. Then, lay the pinapple down on its side. Using a sharp knife, cut the pineapple into about 1 to 2-inch slices. Then, using your cookie cutters, cut out different shapes. Insert the fruit through the middle onto the skewers. If you'd prefer, you can skewer grapes on first and top it off with the pineapple.Then, skewer the rest of the fruit until all the skewers are filled. Display and enjoy!

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Thin Mint cookie tart recipe

Use your favorite Girl Scout cookies in a pie

Birds are chirping, flowers are starting to bloom, the weather is getting warmer and the days are getting longer. That can only mean one thing: It's Girl Scout cookie time!

It's that time of year when Girl Scouts are out knocking on doors, clad in their badge-covered vests, selling those irresistible boxes of cookies. It's hard to turn them away even if you've already bought a box from every other Girl Scout that came your way. Chances are you'll be buying another box of Girl Scout cookies. If you've ended up with a cupboard full of Thin Mints, this recipe is for you.

Not surprisingly, according to GirlScouts.org, Thin Mints are the bestselling variety of cookie. What's not to love about a chocolate-covered minty wafer? As good as the cookies are on their own, they are equally delightful as the main ingredient in this creamy, chocolaty dessert recipe.

Thin Mint cookie tart recipeIngredients:

Crust:

12 Thin Mint cookies4 graham crackers2 tablespoons sugar4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Filling:

16 Thin Mint cookies4 ounces bittersweet chocolate (60 percent cacao)1 cup heavy cream2 ounces cream cheese2 eggs

Topping:

3 Thin Mint cookies2 ounces bittersweet chocolate (60 percent cacao)1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces1/2 teaspoon light corn syrup3 tablespoons heavy creamDirections:

For crust:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.Place cookies and graham crackers in a food processor. Pulse until mixture is ground to a fine crumb.In a bowl, stir together cookie mixture, sugar and melted butter. Press mixture into the bottom and slightly up the sides of a 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom.Place tart pan on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.Remove from oven and let cool.

For filling:

Put cookies in a zip top bag and roughly crush with a rolling pin, leaving some chunks. Reserve.Chop chocolate finely and place in a large bowl.In a small saucepan, heat heavy cream just to a boil. Pour over chopped chocolate. Let sit for a few minutes; then whisk together until completely smooth.Add crushed cookies and cream cheese to chocolate mixture and whisk until incorporated. Lastly, whisk in eggs.Pour mixture into cooled crust.Bake at 350 degrees F for 22 to 24 minutes, until filling is set on edges. (Middle will not be completely set, but will continue to set as it cools.)Let tart cool for at least an hour, and then carefully loosen tart from sides of pan by pushing up from the bottom all the way around the outside. Remove the ring and slide off bottom onto a serving plate.

For topping:

Put cookies in a zip top bag and crush finely with a rolling pin. Reserve.Chop chocolate finely and place in a bowl. Add butter and corn syrup.In a small saucepan, heat cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate and let sit for a few minutes. Whisk until completely smooth.Immediately pour mixture on top of tart and spread evenly to edges. Sprinkle with crushed cookies.Let tart sit at least 15 minutes for topping to set.

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Meatless Monday Chicken-less Florentine

Add A Twist To A Classic!Tried-and-true can rule, but sometimes adding a twist to a classic dish is a good move, too! Try this meatless dish for a fresh take.

It's easy to find meatless products, like soy-based chicken, at most grocery stores, and they taste great, too. This recipe for chicken-less Florentine is a classic dish but with a twist. When you use quick-cooking, soy-based chicken for this recipe, you'll have a fantastic Meatless Monday meal in minutes!

Chicken-less Florentine recipe

Serves 2

Ingredients:2 tablespoons olive oil1/2 red bell pepper, cut into strips, membrane and seeds removed1/4 cup diced onion1/4 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper1/2 teaspoon dried oregano2 garlic cloves, minced3 cups (packed) fresh spinach leaves8 ounces prepackaged meatless chicken strips1/4 cup plain, Greek-style yogurt1 tablespoon butterDirections:

In a saute pan over medium heat, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the red pepper, onion, salt, pepper and oregano, and mix to combine.Cook for 4-5 minutes until the pepper and onion become soft.Add the meatless chicken, spinach and garlic, and mix well for several turns. The spinach will begin to wilt.Turn off the heat, but leave the pan on the burner. Add the yogurt and butter, and mix it in with the other ingredients.Season the dish in the pan with a dash of salt and pepper.Serve on individual plates.

Switch up a classic dish!

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Healthy cooking tips from chef athlete Meg Galvin

Healthy
Cooking TipsCan you really be an athlete and a Cordon Bleu-trained chef? You can if you’re chef Meg Galvin, a marathon runner and one of only 20 female World Master Chefs. And, no, Chef Meg doesn’t run marathons just to burn off all the calories she consumes from the traditional French recipes under her belt. She has dedicated her career to creating healthy – and great-tasting – recipes, and is the healthy chef for SparkPeople.com, America’s largest weight-loss website. Here’s more on the chef athlete and her healthy cooking tips.

Commitment to healthy cuisine

Chef Meg learned early on that the life of a chef (or chef-in-training) was rigorous, with fast-paced days in the hot kitchens, late nights studying and weekends of internships perfecting her techniques. She knew the only way she was going to make it was to take care of herself. "I made a commitment to myself then and there that I needed to stay healthy if I wanted to succeed," Chef Meg recalls.

But a chef's life wasn't the only reason the healthy cooking expert embraced nutritious cuisine. "The commitment to my health and well-being was reinforced when I was working at Shriners Hospitals in Cincinnati, where I was in charge of cooking for children who were recovering from severe burns and other injuries," Chef Meg explains. "Good nutrition is imperative to wound healing, and it truly showed me that what you put into your body is what makes you strong and healthy."

(Over)eating like an athlete

You'd expect Chef Meg to be fit and trim, since she's a marathon runner, but she confides that when she started long-distance running, she actually found herself gaining weight. The lightbulb went on for her as she was training for her first marathon when, after months of preparation, four 20-plus mile training runs, cross-training and the actual race, she actually weighed more. How could that be?

"Easy! I consumed more calories than I burned," Chef Meg exclaims. "I was a ravenous food monster after long runs, grabbing any carbs I could find (such as bread and pastries) and later in the day racing for proteins with loaded fat (burgers and fries!)."

Putting it all together

Chef Meg learned a valuable lesson that applies to us all, super-athlete or not. "I learned later that although I was truly hungry, what my body was really craving was liquid -- thirst often masks itself as hunger," she shares. "As I trained for my next race, I paid as much attention to what I ate and drank before and after workouts as I did to my running. Guess what? I didn't gain weight -- and I lost the weight I put on during that first training season." Chef Meg's commitment to nutrition and healthy living is the secret to her feeling on top of her game; she successfully sets -- then meets and even beats -- fitness goals every year.

A chef athlete's healthy cooking tips

Though most of us don't have a healthy personal chef whipping up our meals, we can still eat well by making small changes in our everyday cooking. Here are a few of Chef Meg's favorite healthy cooking tips.

Give your favorite recipes a makeover

Chef Meg credits her ability to stay slim to giving even the most calorie- and fat-laden recipes a healthy turn. "As a culinary instructor, I am always asked how I stay slim," says the healthy cooking expert. "I realized early on that although I teach primarily classical French cuisine, I can give the recipes a healthy twist." No matter what recipe you want to make, you can find a slimmed-down rendition.

Healthy swaps

Look for ways to swap out fattening ingredients with healthier substitutes. "Instead of hollandaise, made with butter, egg yolks and lemon juice, try a Greek yogurt sauce with herbs," suggests Chef Meg. "Instead of drowning a fresh piece of grilled fish or chicken in a rich sauce, top it with a salsa made from diced seasonal fruits and vegetables."

Combine fiber and protein

Meals containing fiber and protein can not only aid in weight loss and keeping the weight off, they can also keep you running at peak performance. "That brings me to one of my favorite post-run recipes from The SparkPeople Cookbook: wheat berry and broccoli salad," says Chef Meg. "The fiber in the broccoli and the wheat berries fills me up, and I add extra almonds for crunch and even more protein."

Spice up your recipes

Herbs and spices do wonders to add color, flavor and texture to meals without adding a lot of calories. "You can work magic with spices and herbs," says the health-focused chef.

Chef Meg recommends:

Use celery seed as a substitute for salt.Rub a couple of dried spices on your favorite protein instead of a bottled marinade (which are mostly sugar, salt, and fat), then grill it to perfection.Finish as many dishes as you can with a sprinkle fresh chopped herbs.

Be adventurous with herbs and spices to give all of your meals a healthy, mouth-watering change.

Make-ahead meals

Planning ahead is key to eating healthy. "After a long run (or long day), the last thing anyone wants to do is cook," Chef Meg says. "I make [meals] the night before, and they are ready to eat when I get home." A good example is Chef Meg's wheat berry and broccoli salad. "I grab a bowl of this along with some leftover roasted chicken, and the ravenous food monster in me is satisfied!"

Up next: Chef Meg's Wheat Berry and Broccoli Salad recipe >>

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Lyme disease Myths, treatment and overtreatment

What You Need To Know About Lyme DiseaseWith summer hiking and camping in full swing, Lyme disease is more of a threat to our health. We've all heard that you need to check yourself for ticks after being in the woods in fear of developing Lyme disease. But the real facts about Lyme disease are hard to find, and some medical professionals are saying that Lyme disease is overdiagnosed and overtreated. We talked with Dr. Steven Soloway, board-certified rheumatologist in Vineland, New Jersey, about the myths, misdiagnoses and treatments for Lyme disease. Don’t go into the woods until you read this.

What is Lyme disease?

According to Dr. Soloway, Lyme disease is a tick-borne infectious disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, an organism that lives on deerticks and can be spread to humans from the bite of an infected tick.

Lyme disease risk map >>

Lyme disease: Lots of hype and contradictory info

Dr. Soloway warns that people who live in areas where Lyme disease is prevalent should do all they can to prevent getting tick bites. However, he believes there is too much hype about the disease and an overwhelming amount of contradictory information.

"For example, one study indicated that individuals have 25 percent chance of infection if they miss a tick, yet other research suggests the tick has to be attached to the skin for at least two days to transmit the Lyme bacteria," the doctor explains.

Most common Lyme disease myth

"The most common myth is that Lyme is a chronic illness," Dr. Soloway says. "When you hear someone use the phrase 'chronic Lyme disease' they are probably talking about a patient whose arthritis or other symptoms such as headache, fatigue, loss of sleep and joint pain are due to the Lyme infection that was properly treated. " The rheumatologist explains that true chronic Lyme's disease is a life-threatening neurologic illness.

Post-Lyme disease syndromes

Dr. Soloway says there are cases in which people end up with post-Lyme syndromes, which typically fall into two categories.

Post-Lyme synovitis

"People can develop post-Lyme synovitis, in which a patient develops arthritic symptoms after being properly treated for Lyme disease," the doctor explains. He says he treats these patients similarly to how he treats other patients with inflammatory arthritis, such as for rheumatoid arthritis.

Post-Lyme fibromyalgia

Some patients develop post-Lyme fibromyalgia, where they suffer from persistent body aches, sleep loss and depression, according to Dr. Soloway. "Many patients with fibromyalgia feel better with antidepressants and sleep medicine," he adds.

Lyme disease often over-medicated

Dr. Soloway is concerned about the common practice of treating Lyme disease with long-term antibiotics. "The reality is that most patients should only receive a three-week course of oral antibiotics," he explains. "In rare later stage cases or in chronic arthritis, patients may require one or two months of antibiotics. There is no evidence based on data to support a long-term course of antibiotics."

Find a Lyme disease specialist for proper treatment

Physicians who don't specialize in Lyme disease may misdiagnose Lyme disease and prescribe an ineffective treatment. Dr. Soloway suggests, "Go to a specialist like a rheumatologist or infectious disease specialist who has experience in testing for and treating Lyme disease." He also explains that your specialist should conduct a Western blot test to confirm the infection.

Prevention first

If you're going out for a hike or plan to spend time in the woods, wear clothing that protects your skin -- but don't just rely on your clothing to keep you from getting bit. "The single most important thing someone can do is to check their body for ticks after being in an area where they may be present," says Dr. Soloway. "An infected tick must be on the body for 48 hours in order to transmit the infection; so early removal of ticks is essential to Lyme disease prevention. It is also important to use insect repellents with DEET prior to entering areas where ticks may be present."

How to remove a tick

Follow these steps to safely remove a tick.

More on Lyme disease

Treating Lyme disease with an integrated approach
The basics on Lyme disease
A parent's guide to Lyme disease

The 5 health and fitness resolutions you need to make

Health and fitness resolutions need not be complicated affairs, complete with pricey gym memberships, organic meal delivery and juice fasts. Take a step back and focus on simplicity instead.

Resolutions:
Back to basics

We’re not joking; there are a few small but important changes you can make as the New Year approaches that will have you set for a happier, healthier and fitter 2013.

Say no to soda

Put down the can of carbonated sugar (for real) and promise yourself to stop buying soda this year. Not only is it totally devoid of nutrients, all those empty calories add up surprisingly fast. There are 150 calories in a can of Pepsi. If you’re drinking several cans or opting for larger fountain-style sodas, that number can skyrocket. To avoid excess sugar and calories, say no to soda. Drink water instead or water flavored with a squeeze of lemon or lime. Don’t have citrus fruits on hand? Keep some packets of True Citrus on hand (try lemon, grapefruit or orange for starters) to add to your water or sparkling water. These little packs are all-natural, calorie-free and full of flavor.

Cook more (with fresh food)

If you really want to put your health first and lose weight (or maintain it), promise yourself that you’ll get reacquainted with your kitchen — and not just in a reheating things kind of way. Adding more fresh produce to your grocery list is a sure-fire way to look and feel better. The fewer processed foods you eat and the less frequently you grab food on the go, the more opportunity you’ll have to load up on fresh, healthy fruit and vegetables. Not sure where to start? SheKnows has tons of recipes for healthy meals, from appetizers to snacks to mains. You can also hit up culinary-minded pals for advice on how to use all your newly purchased goodies.

Walk everywhere you can

No, you don’t need to get a gym membership (again) this year. All you need to do to keep the weight off is to walk more. And we don’t mean just from your car to the office or to the corner store and back (although every little bit counts). We mean vowing to walk briskly for at least 40 minutes a day, more when you have time. This could take the form of longer walks with the dog, walking to meet friends instead of driving, walking to work or implementing a post-dinner family walk at least three nights a week. All you need is a good pair of shoes or boots and you’re set for a year of extra calories burned.

Ditch the scale

We know what you’re thinking: If you don’t have a scale, how will you keep track of weight loss goals? To that we say, numbers don’t really matter. What matters is how you feel. If your only concern is getting the number on the scale to budge, you won’t be focused on long-term health and fitness. Instead of basing your goals on being a certain size or weighing a certain number of pounds, just make a promise to yourself to make healthy choices to do something active every day.

Get outdoors once a day

Another easy way to ensure you get moving daily in some form is to get your fresh air. It might be cold where you live, but that’s no excuse to stay indoors. Take up an outdoor activity like skating, cross country skiing or snowboarding, or take your workout outdoors. Fresh air is great for your mood and your health, no matter the season. Invest in the right gear to keep you warm and dry, and get outside!

More health and fitness tips

Kick-butt kettlebell workout for women
The 12-day fitness challenge
The best snacks to beat stress