Healthy Twist on a Sweet Treat

Check out these delicious
Raspberry Oat Bars






Ingredients

1/2 cup organic butter, softened
1/4 cup organic apple sauce
3/4 cup organic brown sugar
1 1/2 cups organic rolled oats
1 cup organic wheat germ
1 cup organic flour
1 teaspoon pink himalayan salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup organic raspberry preserves

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch pan with grapeseed oil. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, applesauce and brown sugar until smooth. Combine the oats, wheat germ, flour, salt and baking powder; stir into the creamed mixture. Press half of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the preserves over the crust. Crumble the remaining crust mixture over the raspberry layer. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until light brown. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

May the luck of the Irish be with you all this St. Patrick's Day!






I found this decadent recipe online for Horseradish-crusted corned beef paired with tender cabbage and herbed potatoes for the ideal St. Patrick's Day feast. This is definitely a "once a year" type treat, but it is oh so delicious! Round out the meal with your favorite Irish beer and a serving of warm bread pudding.

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 3 ounces beef, about 1 1/2 cups cabbage, and about 1 1/3 cups potatoes)


Ingredients
1 (4-pound) cured corned beef brisket, trimmed
16 cups water
2 cups chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped carrot
1 1/2 teaspoons pickling spice
3 garlic cloves, peeled
1 tablespoon caraway seeds
1 (2 1/2-pound) head green cabbage, cored and cut into 1-inch strips
4 pounds small red potatoes, quartered
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons butter
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
1 (5-ounce) jar prepared horseradish, drained and squeezed dry
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Preparation

Place brisket in a large stockpot; add water and next 5 ingredients (water through garlic). Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 3 hours. Remove brisket from pot.

Place brisket on the rack of a broiler pan or roasting pan; place rack in pan. Strain cooking liquid through a colander into 2 large bowls; discard solids. Return liquid to pot. Add caraway seeds and cabbage; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 20 minutes. Drain.

While cabbage is cooking, place potatoes in a large Dutch oven. Cover with water. Bring to a boil; cook 20 minutes or until tender. Drain. Return potatoes to pan. Stir in parsley, butter, rind, juice, and pepper; toss to coat.

Preheat broiler.

Combine breadcrumbs and horseradish. Spread mustard over one side of brisket. Press breadcrumb mixture onto mustard. Broil 3 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve brisket with cabbage and potatoes.

Nutritional Information

Calories:321 (41% from fat)
Fat:14.5g (sat 4.6g,mono 6.5g,poly 0.8g)
Protein:22.8g
Carbohydrate:27.6g
Fiber:10g
Cholesterol:86mg
Iron:4.3mg
Sodium:927mg
Calcium:11mg

Thanks to David Bonom, Cooking Light, MARCH 2003 for this receipe.

Eat More Chocolate

Did you know that research suggests that dark chocolate eaten in moderate amounts weekly is associated with improved cardiovascular fitness in women.

A new study offers this explanation — The polyphenols in dark chocolate may help maintain higher “good” cholesterol levels and lower “bad” cholesterol levels according to findings published in the February issue of Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, published by the American Chemical Society.

The researchers write, “As cholesterol metabolism is known to be regulated by several different mechanisms, it is possible that cacao polyphenols may act on multiple pathways as a regulatory receptor agonist or ligand, similar to other plant polyphenols.”

Personally, I choose to indulge in a very special dark chocolate that helps boost your “feel good” chemicals, which can also help to reduce cravings. It also contains a special blend of green tea, B Vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids, which support positive mood and optimal mental energy. For more information on these very special chocolates visit my site at:


You may also contact me directly at lisa@livewellwithlisa.com or via cell 602-361-1074.