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I love dried cranberries. I mean, I really LOVE dried cranberries. When I first gave up sugar in January 2008, it broke my heart that most brands of dried cranberries were covered in white sugar. I was ecstatic when I recently had the opportunity to review a package of dried cranberries, compliments of Eden Organic. Not only did they send cranberries, but I was “accidentally” sent dried cherries, too, as well as recipes, nutritional info, and their 2010/2011 catalog. I dove into each: cranberries, cherries (so tart, oh my!), and the catalog, which is full of a wide variety of items, including hard to find items like kuzu root, lotus root tea powder, and agar agar.

A bit about Eden Foods:

• “Eden foods is the oldest organic food company in the US and Canada.
• Eden foods means NO: Irradiation, Preservatives, Toxic additives, Food colorings, Refined sugars, or Modern genetic engineering.
• Eden relationships with organic growers and over 355 family farms.”

I used an Eden Foods cookie recipe, but as always, I made changes here and there, based on what I had in my kitchen. The cookies turned out incredible. The dried cranberries add a sweet zest. Though not as dark in color as other cranberries, they are just as flavorful and sweet as the other naturally sweetened varieties I’ve tried, and, they are bigger in size and organic.

Here are two oatmeal cookie recipes. The first is my version, and the second is the original recipe that I used to come up with mine.

Oatmeal Cranberry Walnut Cookies
2 C. old-fashioned rolled oats
1 and a half C. white whole wheat flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 C. chopped walnuts
1/2 C. vegetable oil
1/2 C. organic apple juice
1/4 C. sorghum cane syrup
1/2 C. dried cranberries
1 tsp. pure vanilla
2 tablespoons maple syrup

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Oil baking sheet. Mix dry ingredients separately from wet. Combine wet ingredients and then mix with dry.

Drop on baking sheet, pressing down on each cookie and shaping into a circle. Bake for approximately 10 minutes.

Just a note about some of the ingredients I used. Apple juice is a fantastic liquid sweetener. It keeps the cookie moist while not taking over in flavor. I opted to use regular vegetable oil instead of olive oil because the times I’ve tried olive oil in cookie recipes, the cookie tastes too much like olive oil. I’m not sure how these would have turned out using olive oil…..

Note the sorghum I used for sweetener. I just got it from MOM’s and they purchase it from a small family farm here in the US. Sorghum was recently brought to my attention because of its unusual flavor (sort of like a milder version of molasses) and its nutrients. Most liquid sweeteners don’t have much to boast about nutrients. But sorghum has calcium, iron and potassium, to name a few. As far as the cookies go, I think the salt was in perfect proportion to the sweet sorghum (or whichever sweetener you use), making these cookies super yummy and highly recommended.

You can find the original recipe (Eden Organic: Oatmeal Cherry Pecan Cookies ) by clicking here.

Next on my list to try: Dried Cherry Tart with Oatmeal Crust….

1. Toast: Spread whatever kind of butter you use, then spread a thin layer of honey, then sprinkle generously with cranberries. It’s more delicious than jam.
2. Oatmeal: Sprinkle on top or for a softer version, add to the oatmeal as it’s cooking.
3. Cereal: Sprinkle on top to make the most boring cereal exciting.
4. Trail Mix For Your Purse: Find yourself out and about and hungry? I always throw a little bag of trail mix in my purse if I’m going to be out long. A simple mixture of dried cranberries, almonds, macadamia nuts, pistachios, peanuts, raisins, etc.
5. Trail Mix For Your Car: Who doesn’t get hungry on long drives? I always keep a bag of trail mix in my glove box and it hits the spot especially if I get stuck in traffic between meals and my stomach is growling.
6. Trail Mix For Your Desk: If you work in an office, keep a jar/bowl/bag of trail mix somewhere you can easily access it for when you get hungry or just get the munchies but want to avoid the vending machine. Add a glass of ice water and there, you’ve avoided the junk food vending machine and the soda vending machine. Start a healthy trend around the office.
7. Trail Mix For Travel: Whether you travel by plane, train or automobile, having this snack with you will keep you satisfied. The peanuts in flight are usually honey-roasted and covered in sugar.
8. Homemade Biscotti
9. Oatmeal Cookies: If you like raisins in oatmeal cookies, you’ll love cranberries.
10. Salad: An excellent addition to a green salad. Sprinkle sunflower seeds and dried cranberries for added sweetness and burst of flavor.

Need some help determining the best snack bar for you? I think Lara Bars are by far the best choice, because of the organic, natural, few ingredients. In a pinch, a Lara bar quells my hunger, and I feel good about what I’m eating. Loved Fooducate’s breakdown of the Lara bar versus a Kellogg’s bar.

I also just found Enlightened Cooking, a cooking blog that has an entire article dedicated to making your own Larabars. Check it out!

I’ve been so busy with life and projects that I have not been able to maintain new posts regularly. Sorry! Know that I am thinking about you, my blog readers, and am preparing some new articles that I hope to publish in the next few weeks…

My favorite fruit changes all the time. Usually it’s whatever I happen to be eating at the moment. I love the fact that since I gave up sugar, a piece of fruit can satisfy my sweet tooth. This is particularly true with mangoes.

Trader Joes has a variety in stock right now called the Champagne Mango. It is smallish and the best type of mango I’ve ever tasted. I’m writing about mangoes for two reasons. One is because if you are trying to stay away from white sugary treats, load up on mangoes. Ripe and unripe. Eat the ripe mangoes soon and save the unripened ones for later in the week. (If they get overripe, cut out the meat and freeze it. Add it to a smoothie.) The other reason I feel the need to mention mangoes is that they can be intimidating to peel and eat–but I have found the answer!

My father-in-law gave me this great little mango-peeling invention and it looks like this:

In one easy swipe, it cuts through the entire mango, leaving you with three pieces.

At this point, depending on how you plan on eating the mango, there are many ways to attack the fruit. If you just need that sweet, juicy, unique taste of mango, then grab your serrated grapefruit spoon and dig in! I take one side at a time and scoop out the meat using this spoon.

It’s more difficult doing this to the middle/pit of the mango, so I usually eat around it like an apple. If you are using mango slices for a dish, then simply take a knife and carefully carve out chunks of meat.

The mango-slicer-contraption is definitely worth having. Before I owned it, I would usually pass on mangoes at the store because they were such a pain in the neck to open. Trying to peel them was ridiculous and slicing them and trying to cut the skin off was a joke. For me, anyway.

Hope this tidbit is useful, and I would highly recommend loading up on mangoes! Your sweet tooth will be happy, you will be happy, and your body will be happy.

Mangoes are high in Vitamin A and C, and they are a good source of fiber. The only catch is that, “A large portion of the calories in this food come from sugars.” (1) The high amount of natural sugar is what makes the mango a perfect substitute for refined sugar. It’s the reason they are so sinful to me. I love sweet things and this packs a natural, sweet punch that does the trick.

On a side note, I also love the unsweetened dried mango that TJ’s usually carries in the dried fruit section. It’s addictive, but healthy. I’m happy to be eating a handful of dried fruit these days instead of a handful of Oreos.

(1) http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/1952/2

With two-thirds of U.S. adults and almost one-third of children and adolescents overweight or obese, a new report shows that a diverse range of consumers are increasingly focused on weight loss and weight maintenance within a broadening context of personal health and lifestyle issues.

The report, which was issued by market research publisher Packaged Facts, shows a shift toward weight management and healthy habits. Packaged Facts estimates the global weight loss and diet management market — including diet food and drinks, weight loss programs and services, weight loss drugs and natural therapies, and surgical interventions — reached $26 billion in 2009. Diet food and drinks was the largest category, with $18 billion, or 73 percent, of total worldwide sales.

The development of foods and beverages that provide satiety, or hunger satisfaction, is projected to be one of the hottest trends in weight management in the coming years.

According to a recent study, women who consume large amounts of certain high-carbohydrate foods increase their risk of heart disease. The study – which was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, an American Medical Association publication – showed an increased incidence of coronary disease in women whose diet is rich in foods with a ‘high glycemic index’, such as white bread, sweets and some sugary breakfast cereals. Those results, however, were not seen in men. The study noted that all high-carbohydrate diets increase the levels of blood glucose and harmful blood fats known as triglycerides while reducing levels of protective HDL or "good" cholesterol, thereby increasing heart disease risk. But the researchers found not all carbohydrates have the same effect on blood glucose levels. They concluded that blood glucose and triglycerides were impacted more by foods with a high glycemic index, compared with other carbohydrates with a lower index, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Approximately 47,749 adults were studied, including 15,171 men and 32,578 women. The women who consumed the most carbohydrates overall had roughly twice the risk of heart disease as those who consumed the least.

The winter holidays have passed, the weather is warming up and outdoor activity has become convenient and enjoyable once again. Spring is officially in the air – which means the summer swimsuit season is just around the corner. To prepare for the return to a skimpier wardrobe, consider adopting healthy lifestyle changes now that incorporate portion control, calorie reduction, sugar-free foods and beverages and regular exercise.

“By making simple substitutions, consumers are able to slim down without sacrificing their favorite foods and beverages,” said Beth Hubrich, a registered dietitian with the Calorie Control Council. “Low-calorie sweeteners and light products can aid in weight loss efforts. Of course, portion control and regular exercise are also crucial to a healthy lifestyle.”

Products sweetened with sugar substitutes allow consumers to enjoy their favorite meals without worrying about the additional calories. For example, reduced-calorie yogurt eliminates about 110 calories per serving. And by switching from regular to diet soda, you save 150 calories. Over the course of a year, that daily calorie savings could result in a 15-pound weight loss.

If you start incorporating low-calorie sweeteners into your favorite recipes now, you could easily be flaunting a healthier weight by summer. Here are five tips that will help aid weight loss efforts.

• Reduce those portion sizes. Research shows that many restaurants now serve two to five times the typical serving. When eating out, try to take home leftovers or split an entrée with a friend. At home, use a measuring cup, tablespoons and teaspoons to sift out appropriate portion sizes. This helps reduce daily calorie intake. In addition, use smaller plates to make servings appear larger.
• Get active. Regular exercise can produce overall health benefits. And it doesn’t have to involve hour-long training sessions at an expensive fitness center. Go for a quick jog in the morning before you get ready for work. Bicycle to the office. Take a brisk stroll after lunch. Work in your garden. Remember, muscle burns more calories than fat, so a regular mixture of cardio, flexibility and toning exercise is a great way to increase health and fitness benefits.
• Eat less, more often. Many experts say eating small snacks throughout the day will lead to healthier choices when it comes to the three main meals. Bring healthy snacks to work to curb your appetite, such as carrot sticks, pretzels, string cheese, low-fat energy bars or fruit. Frequently consuming snacks can help keep your blood sugar level steady and your energy up.
• Stock up the spice rack. Herbs and spices add flavor to foods without additional fat or calories. Use turmeric, garlic, cayenne, pepper and other spices to add zest to a piece of lean chicken or sauteed vegetables.
• Watch what you drink. When it comes to diets, many people focus on the food without accounting for beverages. To help reduce calories, choose diet sodas, light juices, reduced-calorie flavored waters, light beers and diet tonic waters. When sweetening coffee or tea, consider using a sugar substitute. Make sure to drink plenty of water and consider switching from whole to skim or low-fat milk.

Remember, spring is the perfect time to reevaulate your annual weight loss goals. By burning those calories now, you can create good habits for the active summer season.

My mouth is saturated with the aftertaste of cinnamon, honey and molasses. I am still savoring little bits of sticky cranberries and raisins in my molars. The cookie I just baked is amazing. It is so simple and perfect. Thanks to Jamison Studio for this delicious oatmeal cookie recipe.

Rule #58 in Michael Pollan’s book, Food Rules says, “Do all your eating at a table.” I am breaking that rule right now as I type this post with a plate of hot cookies to my left. I pray I have the willpower to stop at two.

I am so happy with these cookies because a) I experimented by using brown rice flour b) they are so easy to make it’s ridiculous c) I used less sweetener than is called for in the original recipe and they are still incredibly sweet. Not only are they sweet, they have a perfect texture. I worry a little about using applesauce in cookie recipes because sometimes the cookie ends up dense and rubbery. Not these. These little gems are perfect. If you would like to see the original recipe, click on the blog above. Otherwise, what I provide below is the exact recipe I used, with all my fudging arounds. As with any recipe, substitute to your liking. Try different flours, dried fruit, spices, sweeteners, etc. The following is what I consider the perfect oatmeal cookie.

Super Easy & Terrific Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

1/2 C. white whole wheat flour
1/2 C. brown rice flour
1 C. whole oats
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 C. raisins
1 handful dried, apple juice-sweetened cranberries
1/4 C. raw honey*
1/4 C. oil**
1/4 C. applesauce
1 Tbsp. molasses
1 egg***
1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 335 degrees F. Combine dry ingredients and wet ingredients in a separate bowl and then combine. Add in nuts, dried fruits, etc. Drop spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden colored.

*I found a jar of raw Wee Bee Honey at TJ Max, of all places. It is an east coast, raw honey all completely pesticide free. I tasted it before adding it to my recipe and it is the sweetest honey I have ever tasted. Fragrant, too. I recommend this stuff.

**You can use 1/2 C. applesauce instead of any oil, but I wanted to try using both this time.

***Jamison used 1/2 a banana instead of an egg and she said it turned out great.

Enjoy!

Now that I’m done writing this, I realized I stopped at 3 cookies. I was hoping for only two but at least I didn’t get into that over-indulging state of mind that would have beckoned me to happily have more than 3.

Like I’ve mentioned before, I love perusing the strange gourmet food section at TJ Max and Marshall’s. Sometimes I’ll bring home dinner: colorful noodles, exotic mushroom marinara (doesn’t checking for sugar go without saying at this point?), olives, pickled asparagus, tea, nut mix, bruschetta, olive oil, etc. Sometimes my purchase will include breakfast, as well: German whole rye bread, maple syrup, raw honey, etc. If you have not checked out this hidden gem, give it a try. It’s fun to have black squid-ink noodles and exotic marinara on hand when a friend stops over for lunch.

The other day I found boxes of

at TJ Max. Always on the prowl for a naturally sweetened goody, I picked this up, scanned the ingredients,

and threw the box in my basket. Who cares that they are little “teething” cookies meant for toddlers, whatever that means. They looked simple and tasteful with the oat flour and molasses. The bright red sticker with “$1.50″ really did me in. A box of naturally sweetened cookies for one dollar and 50 cents? Deal!

The next morning I stumbled out of bed, woken by the bright sun shining in my room before the 7 o’clock hour. Jeff and I take turns taking Annie-the-mutt down the 6 floors and outside every morning. It was his turn. I walked groggily to the kitchen, filled my teapot with water and swiftly prepared course coffee grounds for my french press. When the coffee was ready, I examined my pantry for something sweet to dip with. I’m a dip-a-holic, by the way. I love to dip toast, cookies, biscuits, bread or anything hard and chewy that might contrast the bitterness of coffee.

Side note: (I am not using coconut milk anymore to sweeten my coffee (I use organic whipping cream). I got sick of it really fast, even though it was delicious at first. However, coconut milk is still fantabulous for making chocolate “milk”.)

I noticed my unopened box of maple “teether” biscuits sitting to the side in my pantry. Perfect, I thought. I settled in on my couch, wrapped warmly in my robe, holding my hot cup of joe and armed with two biscuits. I was obviously going to love these puppies.

Well, uh, that didn’t exactly happen. For those of you who have kids, perhaps the descriptive word, “teethers” means something to you. I didn’t notice the word at all when I bought the box. I was focused on the fact that they were cheap and naturally sweetened.

Well, “teethers” means very hard and dense. They are biscuits meant for toddlers to suck on while they are teething. Or for dogs. I dipped one end of the biscuit into my coffee and expected a nice, soggy bite. Instead, I had to use my molars to break off a piece into my mouth. For the next bite, I soaked the biscuit much longer in my steaming coffee but to no avail. I’m convinced this biscuit is nothing other than a dog biscuit safe for human consumption.

However, it was very tasty and the scent and taste of molasses lingered for a while after the first bite. It ended up being a great compliment to my bitter coffee.

I just moved my container garden outside to the balcony. I transferred several cherry tomato, heirloom tomato, arugula and butter crunch lettuce starts to bigger containers. The basil seems to be growing–but rather slowly, actually. The fragile starts grow a little bit each day, and hopefully they keep growing and thrive.

I swallowed my pride and bought a few little herb plants: sage, thyme and basil. I’ve already dried the thyme and sprinkled it on salads. It is so amazingly delicious. I can not wait for sun-ripened tomatoes!

As far as sugar goes, I’m trying to locate a tea I used to drink that was called Sugar Balance or something like that. It helped to stave off sugar cravings. Anyone know what I’m talking about? Pink box?

Strawberries and nuts
Coconut and chocolate
A sweet snack for me

Rain and chilly days
Hot ginger tea with honey
Soothes my sweet tooth needs

Strawberry Snack
(Great for kids!)

Slice lots of strawberries
Lay flat and take turns decorating with one of the following nuts:
Cashews
Sliced almonds
Macadamia nuts
Pistachios
Peanuts

Then add one or more of the following:
Coconut flakes
Raisins
Grain-sweetened chocolate chips
Blueberries
Sliced bananas
Sliced pineapple

Get creative and snack responsibly!