Let's Eat Better for Spring--Two Easy, Fresh Weeknight Dinners

It FINALLY feels like Spring in NC!  After a winter of roller-coaster weather, 65 degrees and Sunny is a welcomed change.  Flowers will be blooming soon, the birds are already chirping, and it's time to slim down my family menus. 

This month, as an Allrecipes Allstar, I worked with Mazola corn oil to create two of their heart-healthy recipes. Find out more of Mazola's clinical study findings here:  http://www.mazola.com/products/corn-oil

 

 

 

Eating well has always been a priority for me, and I've strived to prepare clean and healthy meals that my family will enjoy.  My husband is an avid marathon runner and works out every day. My oldest girl also runs, and my tiny girl is a constant bundle of energy--if she's up, she is MOVING!  Beat the what's for dinner blues by choosing one of these recipes instead of convenient frozen pizza for your next weeknight meal, and it won't slow you or your family down.

 

First is a fantastic salmon that's coated with a sweet & spicy rub that includes paprika, brown sugar, and a few other ingredients.  Topped with a grapefruit salsa, it is a super-fresh way to boost your omega-3 intake.  Almost everything can be prepared ahead of time, and the salmon only takes 15 minutes to cook.  My husband and I loved this and I'll definitely make it again!

 

 Get this recipe here

 

 

Next is a recipe that slims down Mexican fare.  If you've ever wanted an authentic Mexican street taco, try this recipe.  You may choose to add more toppings, but as-is, I enjoyed them with a squirt of fresh lime juice.  It's so fresh topped with raw veggie salsa, and again the pork and salsa can be prepared ahead of time so all you have to do is heat and eat!

 

 

 

Get this recipe here

 

 

 

Taking care of our hearts can be delicious!

 

 

 



Super FUN Giveaway in Time for Christmas!!

Most of you know how much I LOVE to cook.  I also enjoy quirky things that stimulate my brain.  A friend of mine at Marbles the Brain store approached me about two fun items that do both!  And today, YOU get the chance to win them just in time for Christmas.

First, we have the Obsessive Chef Cutting Board .  When you're frustrated because you can never get the angles quite right when chopping your vegetables, this board comes to the rescue.  Here's the description from the website:

There are those cooks who brazenly toss in a handful of diced onions, a dash of salt, a pinch of paprika without measuring a thing. All the power to them, you say. But you prefer an approach that’s more accurate, that’s more precise, that unapologetically crosses the line to downright obsessive. The Obsessive Chef Cutting Board is for you. Made of strong, long-lasting beech wood, this absurdly precise cutting board is marked with exact measurements to ensure you serve finely julienned zucchini, not just your garden-variety julienned kind. Makes the perfect gift for the fanatical foodie in your life.      

Brain Health Expert Says:

"Exercise parts of your brain important for fine motor coordination when you carefully slice veggies to exact measurements. "

 

Isn't this GREAT!?!  It would be perfect for the person in your life who loves to cook!

 

 

 

 

Next is a challenging hand-eye coordination game. It's called Oakey Dokey and I think this would be fun once you've obsessively chopped your vegetables.  You can play alone or with a friend. 

 

Website description:

 

Looking for just the right kind of toy to keep your hands busy and mind stimulated? Want a diversion that doesn’t promote early-onset carpal tunnel syndrome from excessive joystick, mouse, or smart phone action? Enter Oakey Dokey, a game of hand-eye coordination and madcap skill that will occupy minds and hands of all ages, genders, and abilities. Just drop the two included, naturally grippy corks on any flat surface and get them to land end up to score points. The first player to score 21 points (exactly!) wins the game – but be careful not to go bust or your opponent will have a chance to catch up and steal sweet victory from your grasp!

 

 

I know you'd love to have these for yourself, or to give to a friend. 

 

While you're shopping, be sure to check out some other super fun cooking-related items from Marbles the Brain Store:

 

 

Foodie Fight Trivia Game

 

Molecular Gastronomy Kit

TO ENTER: 

Like House of Frolic and Mirth on Facebook

Get an extra entry for Tweeting about the Giveaway  (can be done daily for additional entries!)

And another for Commenting on this post (comments are moderated so may take awhile to show)

The giveaway ends on November 27th at 12 midnight, the winner will be announced on Black Friday. *Open to residents of the continental US only.

Have fun!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kahlúa Cake Pops Video, and a GREAT Giveaway Opportunity!!

My photo of the finished cake pops

 

Fun during filming

The ideal holiday party has three main components:  great friends, a menu where everyone is asking for the recipes, and a festive atmosphere.  In my previous behind-the-scenes post, I showed you a little of what it took to make a video for Allrecipes and Kahlúa.  Here is the finished product, and this will be a recipe that everyone asks for!  Made with devil's food cake, chocolate frosting, & Kahlua, these chocolatey cake bites are decadent, perfectly portioned, and I can't wait to make them again.

In the Allrecipes video kitchen--here's a snapshot from the video

VIDEO LINK (read disclaimer to the left):  http://allrecipes.com/video/4103/kahlua-cake-pops/detail.aspx

RECIPE LINK:  http://allrecipes.com/recipe/kahlua-cake-bites/detail.aspx




These cake bites are fun, festive, and for adult parties only.  During the filming, we used regular base Kahlúa for these cake pops, but with the variety of Kahlúa flavors, the creations are practically endless.

I think these combinations for cake pops would be fantastic:

• Pumpkin Spice Kahlúa with spice cake and cream cheese frosting, coat with white chocolate
• Cinnamon Spice Kahlúa with chocolate cake, a dash of cayenne for heat, coated in white or milk chocolate 
• Peppermint Mocha Kahlúa with white cake, coated in dark chocolate







EXCITING NEWS!
Allrecipes and Kahlua are having a contest where you could win $5000!  Pin what makes your Holidays sparkle by December 10th for your chance!

Contest Link:  Taste the Spirit of Kahlúa Pin it to Win it!

Follow Kahlúa on Social Media:

• Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Kahlúa
• YouTube: http://youtube.com/Kahlúavideo
• Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/Kahlúa/
• Tweet/Instagram @KahluaMidnight (https://twitter.com/KahlúaMidnight) 

Thanks for stopping in!  I'd love to hear about your favorite Kahlua recipes or stories!