December 21, National Fried Shrimp Day

Batter-Fried Shrimp

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup light beer
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon canola oil, divided
8 oz raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails left on
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Whisk beer, flour, mustard and salt in a medium bowl until smooth.
2. Batter the shrimp right before you add to the skillet.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Hold shrimp by the tail and dip in the batter one at a time. Let excess batter drip off.
5. Add the shrimp to the hot oil, making sure they aren’t touching. Cook, turning once. Adjusting heat as necessary to prevent burning. Cook until golden brown on the outside and curled, 3 to 4 minutes total. Transfer to a paper towel and pat dry. Serve on a platter.
6. Season the shrimp with pepper and serve right away.

Nutritional Analysis

Ensure accurate nutritional analysis for your recipes utilizing an extensive research database and over 40 years of experience. A great service for Recipe Bloggers, Media, Cookbook Publishers, Writers, Chefs, and Recipe Websites. Your readers will benefit from the Nutrition information and a Registered Dietitian. Contact: Dietitians-Online.com; Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN, FAND at recipenews@gmail.com

National Stress-Free Family Holiday Month Tips for Coping with Holiday Stress and Depression

18 tips for coping with holiday stress and depression:

1.       Make realistic expectations for the holiday season.

2.       Set realistic goals for yourself.

3.       Do not take on more responsibilities than you can handle. Pace yourself.

4.       Make a list and prioritize the important activities. This can help make holiday tasks
     more manageable.

5.       Be realistic about what you can and cannot do.

6.       Do not put all your energy into just one day. The holiday cheer can be spread from
     one holiday event to the next.

7.       Live and enjoy the present. Look to the future with optimism.

8.       Don't set yourself up for disappointment and sadness by comparing today with the
    good old days of the past.

9.      If you are lonely, try volunteering some time to help others.

10.   Find holiday activities that are free, such as looking at holiday decorations, going
   window shopping without buying, and watching the winter weather, whether it's a
   snowflake or a raindrop.

11.   Limit your drinking, since excessive drinking will only increase your feelings of
  depression.

12.   Try something new. Celebrate the holidays in a new way.

13.   Spend time with supportive and caring people.

14.   Reach out and make new friends.

15.   Make time to contact a long-lost friend or relative and spread some holiday cheer.

16.   Make time for yourself!

17.   Let others share the responsibilities of holiday tasks.

18.   Keep track of your holiday spending. Overspending can lead to depression when the bills arrive after the holidays are over. Extra bills with little budget to pay them can lead to further stress and depression.

Resource
1. Holiday Stress and Depression, WebMD   http://wb.md/2kw3Lh7

December 8, National Brownie Day Comparing the Brands

The chocolate brownie is either fudge or cake-like, depending on its density. They may include nuts, frosting, whipped cream, chocolate chips, fruits, or other ingredients. 

Comparing the Brands

Recipe Resources

Fitsugar, Healthy Brownie Recipes That Make a Diet Seem Decadent

   

December 1, National Eat a Red Apple Day

Health Benefits
Apple is a fruit rich in antioxidants and a good source of fiber. Quercetin is an antioxidant found in apples and may inhibit lung cancer. Pectin found in apples help treat diarrhea and constipation by adding bulk to the stool. Other benefits being studied include treatments for diabetes, heart disease, lowering blood pressure, lowering blood levels of LDL, reducing risks of Alzheimer’s, and decreasing bone fractures.

Apple seeds should never be eaten. They contain the poison cyanide.

Let’s not forget the peel. The apple peel contains ursolic acid, a chemical that may prevent muscle wasting.

There may be some truth to “An Apple a Day, Keeps the Doctor Away”.

Recipe

Baked Stuffed Apple

Yield 2 servings

Ingredients 
2 medium apples 
1/2 cup bran flakes 
1/4 cup applesauce, unsweetened
1 Tbsp raisins 
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, ground 
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Directions 
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Core and slightly hollow out the apples with a spoon, leaving the bottom of the apples intact to create a well for the filling. Place the apples in a pan.
3. In a bowl, combine the bran flakes, applesauce, raisins, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. Fill and top each apple with the cereal mixture.
4. Bake for 40 minutes, or until the sides of the apples are soft and easily pierced with a knife.

Nutrition Information

U.S. Apple Association Members

NY Apples Are a Smart Choice for Healthy Eating
Kelly Springer, RDN

References and Resources
1. U.S. Apple Association
2. Apple Recipes, Washington Apple Commission

 

Nutritional Analysis Services
Ensure accurate and cost-effective nutritional analysis and food nutrition facts labels for your recipes and menus utilizing an extensive research database. A great service for the Media, Cookbook Publishers, Writers, Chefs, Recipe Websites, and Blogs. Your readers will enjoy and benefit from the Nutrition information.

For more information, visit Dietitians-Online Nutritional Analysis Services

contact:
Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN, FAND
recipenews@gmail.com
954-294-6300