Kristine Archive Page

Valentine’s Day is here! For me, this means chocolates and romantic dinners, but that can also mean indulging in too many calories and fat. Fortunately, you don’t have to skimp on decadence tonight. Here, I’ve reworked a traditional Valentine’s Day meal, featuring a bison steak and comforting sides, to make easier on the waistline and pleasing to your palate.

Added bonus: These recipes contain some noted aphrodisiacs to help rev up the romance.

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Football season has reached its peak and everyone’s excited for the big game on Sunday. No game-day spread is complete without chips and dip. Sure, French onion dip and guacamole are classics, but why not mix it up this year with unique international flavors? Serve these tasty treats and your guests will be cheering for the food and their favorite team.

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The winter months can get a bit mundane when it comes to fresh, local produce, so I am always trying to find ways to enjoy the few seasonal ingredients available. During the summer, salads are a staple at my house, but the days of local arugula and spring mix are long gone. Not to fret — radicchio and endive, two winter lettuces, are packed with flavor and nutrition and are the perfect, minimal-calorie addition to any salad or meal.

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Got ‘nog? If you’re anything like me, you have it every Christmas.

No doubt you’ve seen a slew of eggnog brands in the supermarket dairy case, but those pre-packaged ones boast 190 calories and 9 grams of fat or more per serving. That serving is only a 1/2 cup and doesn’t count the liquor if you like it loaded. As for all those unrecognizable ingredients (”carageen”?), don’t get me started.

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Peanut butter and chocolate — the perfect flavor combination. These biscotti are bit more time- and energy-intensive to make than a basic cookie, but at a five-dozen yield, they are certainly worth the effort. Package them up into decorative tins to give away as gifts or set them out on a platter at a party. Each piece is 105 calories and just under 6 grams of fat, so going back for seconds won’t blow your dessert calorie budget.

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I’ve made these cookies twice so far this season — bats for Halloween and now wintry snowflakes to kick off December. The dough is easy to work with, and the recipe makes so much that you can bake half now and save the remaining dough in the freezer for later. They’re not too gingery, so if you prefer your cookies with a bite up the spices. For chewier cookies, roll the dough thicker; for more of a gingersnap crunch, keep them thin.

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When I get home from work late, I often don’t have the energy to cook up a full meal. For nights like that, this salad is perfect. Gorgonzola is my absolute favorite cheese. Pair it with nuts and I’m in heaven. This salad matches the crumbled cheese with walnuts, which adds more protein and loads of omega-3 fats (walnuts have some of the highest amounts found in nuts). By the way, it’s also National Walnut Month — what better way to celebrate?

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This Food Network Kitchens’ version is true to the classic: crisp apples, crunchy celery, raisins and walnuts. All of that is held together with a honey, mayo and yogurt blend (the last two are low fat to slim down this heavy hitter). For some variety, mix up the apples — maybe Gala and Granny Smith for a tart twist. Or make this a holiday dish by trading the raisins for dried cranberries.

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If you get the ABC News Now channel, you may have caught Dana on “Good Morning America – Health” earlier this week. She talked with host Tanya Rivero about fresh foods that boost your brain. If you missed it, check out the list and watch the short segment here.

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Look at that bright green color — how can you not be intrigued? I’ve been looking for some unusual drinks — both loaded and unloaded — to feature at an upcoming cocktail party, and this just might be the show stealer. Although I haven’t tested it yet, I’m heading to the farmers’ market tomorrow, where I’m sure to find boatload of cukes. One Food Network recipe reviewer also had a great suggestion: Serve it plain for the abstainers or add a shot of tequila for the more adventurous.

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