Delicious, Healthy Food...Featuring South of the Border Chicken Cobb Salad #healthy2021 #maindishsalad #warmweatherfood #eatyourveggies

The weather is starting to turn warmer here in Texas...so my thoughts are turning to refreshing, lighter meals. My South of the Border Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad is perfect as Spring and Summer settle in! It's ready to eat in about 30 minutes...and requires no oven since the ingredients are grilled outside. Eating healthy has never been so easy – or full of flavor! This salad contains my favorite Tex-Mex flavors in a light, yet filling healthy Cobb-style salad. One bite, and this salad will be in heavy rotation in your kitchen all the way until Fall!

Texas McDonald's Restaurants Hiring 25,000 New Employees Starting This Month #mcdonaldshiring

Are you a Texan who's seeking employment? If so, you're in luck! Texas McDonald’s restaurants are planning to hire 25,000 new employees starting this month -- including 1,100 new employees in the San Antonio area alone! Hiring will be made via a special three-day Hiring Event, which will be held from April 13-15. This hiring effort is a collaborative effort between McDonald’s restaurants across Texas to keep up with the company's hiring demands. Job openings available vary per participating restaurant location. Open positions include both crew and management positions. 

Working at McDonald’s offers restaurant employees an
opportunity to build a successful career...and more -- including an opportunity to learn transferable soft skills like teamwork, customer service, accountability, and communication in a safe and respectful environment. To ensure a healthy, safe working environment, McDonald’s restaurants have implemented more than 50 COVID-19 safety procedures to protect both crew and customers. These safety features include wellness and temperature checks, social distancing floor stickers, protective barriers at order points, masks and gloves for employees, and additional new procedures and training

Globally, McDonald’s and its independent franchisees provide jobs for almost 2 million people. They're committed to inspiring workplaces where everyone – from local restaurant crew members to the corporate C-suite level – is equally supported and empowered to realize their full potential. According to local McDonald's Owner/Operator Maria Acosta reflects this McDonald's company goal:

It's not just a job, but a path for success, growth, and unlimited opportunity. Our priority is to give all employees the tools for success: learn a new skill, receive promotions, and write your own success story. Our hiring process is straightforward and streamlined. Many applicants can start [working] the day after their interview. Any person looking for new opportunities and a promising future is welcome to take a look at McDonald’s. We’d love to talk to you!

 

To get the job application process started, interested job seekers can visit McDonalds.com/careers/*-    qYT231a321.0`1al McDonald's restaurant near them.

 

In addition to providing local jobs, McDonald’s continues to invest in the communities it serves via three major scholarship programs: HACER® National Scholarships, Thurgood Marshall Black and Positively Golden Scholarship, and McDonald’s/APIA Scholarship program.

Disclosure: This is a compensated article for McDonald's. Any opinions expressed are solely my own.

Cookbook Spotlight On Katie Lee Biegel's It's Not Complicated...Featuring: No-Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake #ABRAMSDinnerParty #katieleebiegel #cheesecake #dessert #peanutbutter #nobakedessert

It's time for another fun and delicious ABRAMS Dinner Party cookbook feature...and this one's definitely a keeper, folks! Katie Lee Biegel's -- who you likely recognize from her Food Network appearances -- latest cookbook It's Not Complicated features recipes that fit her new cooking motto: Things don’t need to be complicated to be good! This is definitely my type of cooking: recipes with simple ingredients and minimal kitchen time that yield flavorful dishes that appeal to a wide range of eaters. What can be better than that?!?!? I literally had a dozen recipes flagged to potentially feature for this post...including Brown Sugar and Sriracha Bacon, Lobster Cobb, and Sticky Soy-Ginger Garlic Chicken Thighs. I ultimately went with her No-Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake to serve for our Easter meal dessert. 

With just five ingredients you may already have in your kitchen, no oven required, and the ability to make ahead and chill overnight? This creamy cheesecake is a total kitchen win! We served slices of this dreamy cheesecake with a drizzle of chocolate syrup for a peanut butter cup flavor profile -- but this addition isn't part of Katie's original recipe. If you have peanut butter lovers in your family, this is a perfect dessert. It literally takes 15 minutes to assemble, then it chills in the fridge up to overnight. Then? Sit back and wait for the compliments to roll in!

Signs You Should See a Doctor Soon #healthy2021 #whentocalladoctor #protectyourhealth

Many people put off seeing a medical professional...even though they're experiencing health symptoms. This refusal can lead to negative consequences. However, when we face our health symptoms and seek medical help, we can be diagnosed and receive any necessary treatment. Today, The Weekend Gourmet correspondent is sharing a trio of medical signs and symptoms that indicate you should see a doctor soon for evaluation. This article may contain affiliate links.

Many people avoid seeing a doctor for one reason or another. It doesn’t matter what your reason is, you should never avoid seeing a healthcare professional if you think something might be going on with you health wise. There are all kinds of health issues the human body can face, some worse than others. Ideally, you don’t want to deal with any of these health matters...but some may be unavoidable. In this article, we’re going to look at some sure signs that you should see a doctor soon.

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Lack of Appetite or Sleep

If you're experiencing a loss of appetite or sleep -- and it's an ongoing issue -- it could be an indicator that something more serious is going on. Most people go through short-term stages where they don’t want to eat or they can’t sleep. However, if either condition becomes constant, you need to know why. Your doctor can perform tests to examine what you're eating and when you're sleeping, listen to information and data you're giving them, and try to determine what the problem could be. There are a number of causes, and one of the common ones is depression. Ensure that your doctor explores all avenues before they decide on a diagnosis because you don’t want to have them changing their mind later down the line.

Hearing Loss

Another sign that you should see a medical specialist is if you're experiencing hearing loss. Hearing loss is a very common issue, so seeing a hearing health professional is nothing to fret about! Some signs of hearing loss include not hearing when others are talking, ringing in the ears -- also known as tinnitus -- and much more. Hearing loss is one of the most common medical problems globally, so take all necessary steps to avoid losing your hearing! It may not always be possible to preserve perfect hearing, as hearing loss is typically part of the normal aging process. However, you should always take precautions! Make sure you have ear plugs with you wherever you go, and ensure you wear them around any loud situations. If you're currently experience hearing loss, see a hearing specialist for evaluation as soon as you can.

Chronic, Ongoing Pain

If you're experiencing ongoing pain that has lasted longer than four weeks, a doctor needs to immediately know about this. Chronic pain can be an indication that some medical issue is going on inside. The doctor may need to conduct medical tests to see if this is the case. It's essential that you get any kind of pain checked out as soon as possible, to be on the safe side of things. For some medical issues, early detection and treatment is essential.

Hopefully, you have found this article helpful and now understand some of the physical signs that indicate you should see a doctor soon. Many people avoid seeing the doctor. However, if you keep putting off necessary doctor appointments, the only person you're hurting is yourself. Make time to go to the doctor when necessary to avoid potential serious health threats. 

Spotlight on Sukrin Gold Sugar Alternative...Featuring Sugar Free Mint-Peach Tea Sipper #sukrin #sugarfree #peach #mint #tea #springsips

Sweet tea is as common in the South as in-season Spring peaches! However, I never drink beverages with sugar in them. S0? I challenged myself to create a refreshing sweet tea beverage with zero sugar...and plenty of peachy goodness! I used Sukrin Gold brown sugar alternative instead of traditional sugar to make a delicious mint simple syrup for this tea. Sukrin Gold has an amber color and a deep brown sugar flavor that works perfectly in this fruity tea. I love that this sugar alternative contains only a few simple ingredients: erythritol and steviol glycosides, D-tagatose, glycerin, and malt extract. Each 1/2-cup serving of Sukrin Gold has huge flavor...but only 7 tiny calories and 1 gram of net carbohydrates!

My simple and delicious Sugar Free Mint-Peach Tea Sipper is sweetened with a quick homemade sugar free mint simple syrup made with Sukrin Gold...and a refreshing peach puree. Instead of ice, the tea is poured over frozen peach slices. This minty-peach tea is perfect for sipping all Spring long, but it would definitely make a fantastic addition to your Easter meal this weekend!

The end result was a family-friendly sweet tea beverage that everyone who tasted it raved about. It smells absolutely amazing...and tastes even better. Best of all, this tea can be made up to one day ahead and chilled in the fridge. Smells heavenly...tastes even better...and make ahead? That's a winning trifecta, friends! Wait until you see how simple it is to whip up a pitcher of this delicious sparkling fruit tea. 

McDonald's Good Friday Fundraiser Benefiting Local 100 Clubs #mcdonaldscares #goodfridayfundraiser #100clubs #mcdonalds

Just in time for your upcoming Good Friday Fillet-O-Fish plans is a fantastic way to help the community at the same time! In honor of The 100 Club’s mission to help financially support the families of first responders killed or critically injured in the line of duty, the South Central Texas Co-op McDonald’s is hosting its annual Good Friday Fundraiser, benefiting the 100 Clubs of Central -- including the 100 Club San Antonio. This Friday -- April 2nd -- from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., a percentage of all sales from participating Central Texas McDonald’s restaurants will be donated to local 100 Club chapters.

Since its inception, the Good Friday Fundraiser has raised a total of $526,137.91 for local Central Texas 100 Club chapters. According to McDonald's Central Texas Owner/Operator Carlos Rodriguez, this is an important fundraiser for McDonald's customers and employees to participate in:

Our first responders put their lives on the line for our safety, and this fundraiser allows the community a way to give back. We are honored to be a proud supporter of our local 100 Clubs, and we deeply appreciates what these first responders do for our communities.

 

100 Club of Central Texas Executive Director Grahame Jones says McDonald's and The 100 Club have a great partnership:

The 100 Clubs of Central Texas deeply appreciate McDonald’s for their continued support of our organization. We encourage everyone to join us at their neighborhood McDonald’s location for lunch on Good Friday -- to show support for these vital members of our community, our local heroes.

Enjoy a delicious Lenten Friday meal...and do something good for the community at the same time? Count me in! 

Disclosure: This is a compensated feature for McDonald's. Any opinions expressed are solely my own.

Wendy's Great Eight March 2021 #WendyGreatEight #tryit #newontheshelf

It's time for another Wendy's Great Eight roundup of my favorite new-to-me food and beverage items. Variety is the spice of life...so? This month, I'm featuring everything from artisan yogurt to alcohol-infused coffee -- so let's jump in and get started!!

(1) Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt. We first tasted the Ellenos family's signature Greek yogurt while visiting Seattle's Pike Place Market in 2019. One bite and we were swooning over its rich, smooth flavor! We asked if we could purchase their yogurt in Texas and sadly were told no. Fast forward to Fall 2020, and we were so excited to find select flavors of Ellenos Greek yogurt available at Central Market! We typically find Lemon Curd, Marionberry, Vanilla Bean, Mango, and a seasonal limited edition flavor -- currently Brownie Batter (!!) -- on our shelves. I'm crazy for the Lemon Curd, while Michael's favorite is the Marionberry.  What sets Ellenos' Greek yogurt apart from other yogurts we've eaten is their traditional handcrafted family recipe, as well as their commitment to using quality ingredients. All milk used to make their yogurt comes from a single family-owned farm and dairy. In addition to Texas Central Market locations, Ellenos Greek Yogurt is available at Whole Foods Markets across the country...and select Amazon Fresh markets. Not in a city where Ellenos' yogurt is sold? No worries! They also sell their yogurt via a convenient online store.

(2) Mikey's Pocket Sandwiches. Mikey's recently added two new flavors to its line of gluten-free, dairy-free pocket sandwiches: spicy Buffalo-Style Chicken and plant-based Cauliflower & Broccoli Cheddar. They joint Mikey's Cheese Pizza and Pepperoni Pizza pockets to offer allergen-friendly, clean meal options. Each pocket's gluten- and grain-free crust is made from cassava and sunflower flours. The pastry cooks up tender, with a slightly nutty flavor. The fillings Mikey's uses are free from gluten and all dairy/milk/lactose. The pockets also use only plant-based cheeses. The bottom line for me is taste! I love that these pockets cook up perfectly in the microwave -- from frozen -- in about two minutes. All of the flavors are tasty, but my personal favorite is the Broccoli Cauliflower...it has tons of flavor, with just 270 calories. I'm always looking for meatless meals for Lenten Fridays...and this pocket is an ideal lunch option! Created by Chef Michael Tierney, Mikey's pockets are available at natural, club, and grocery stores in the U.S. -- and they can also be purchased online via EatMikeys.com.

(3) Element Snacks. One of my current snack obsessions is Element Snacks' lineup of thin rice cakes topped with organic chocolate...or fruit-and-cream flavors! Each organic Element snack starts with a thin gluten-free, non-GMO rice cake. The rice cake is topped with the perfect amount of chocolate or creamy fruit. The end result is a fabulous treat that has just 80 calories, 5 grams of sugar, and no cholesterol! These rounds are perfect for a late afternoon pick-me-up...or an after-dinner snack that won't break the calorie bank. 

Element Snacks are treats you can truly feel good about eating...they contain zero cholesterol, artificial ingredients, preservatives, corn syrup, hydrogenated fat, milk hormones, BPA, or trans fats. Something that's this healthy that also tastes fantastic is a winner in my book! I've tried the Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Sweet Vanilla Orange, and Strawberry 'n Cream flavors -- they're all fantastic! I find that one perfectly satisfies my sweet tooth...or chocolate craving. 

Element Snacks can be found at retailers nationwide...and via online retailers.

(4) Yasso Chocolate Dipped Frozen Yogurt Bars. I've always been a fan of Yasso's delicious frozen yogurt bars, so imagine my excitement when they released a line of creamy frozen yogurt bars dipped in chocolate!! Bottom line? They truly taste as amazing as they sound! The chocolate dipped line comes in three flavors that feature crunch from crisped quinoa: Mint Chocolate Crunch (15o calories), Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch (160 calories), and Sea Salt Caramel Crunch (150 calories) -- my personal favorite. This is an ideal nighttime snack that satisfies your chocolate cravings without breaking the calorie bank. Yasso's Chocolate Dipped line can be found at grocers nationwide...or purchased directly from Yasso's convenient Online Store.

A Few Key Ingredients to Add To a Gluten Free Diet #healthy2021 #glutenfreeliving #healthyliving

Lots of people these days are following a gluten free diet, whether for medical or general health reasons. Finding gluten free food at the grocery store used to be a major issue, but there are tons of great gluten free options today! However, there are some naturally gluten free foods that can be incorporated to add more variety to gluten free eating. Today, The Weekend Gourmet correspondent is sharing five gluten free staple foods that should be in your kitchen at all times to easily whip up gluten free meals. This article may contain affiliate links.

Living a gluten free lifestyle can definitely be challenging at times -- but it doesn’t mean you have to fall into the habit of eating the same plain dishes day after day! By incorporating the right gluten free ingredients, you can achieve all kinds of great dishes while staying safe and looking after your health at the same time. This article discusses some of the key ingredients you should add to your kitchen staples as a gluten free home chef.

Chicken Broth

Chicken broth can be an important ingredient when you’re looking to add a great depth of flavor to a dish or soup. There’s no gluten in homemade chicken broth, and it can be used as a base in everything from curry to soup...to other dishes as well. Gluten free vegetable broth is also great for vegetarian dishes that need a little extra flavor boost. For all ready-to-use broths you don't make yourself, be sure to take a look at the label to verify that it contains no gluten.

Eggs

If you’re looking for a good source of protein in your gluten free diet, the most obvious option is eggs. In fact, all dairy products are naturally gluten free -- unless they’ve had gluten added later. It’s definitely recommended that people following a gluten free eating plan incorporate plenty of dairy into their diets to ensure they’re getting adequate protein.

An Array of Spices

Anyone looking to add more flavor to their diet definitely needs to explore spices. The way you combine and blend spices goes a long way to deciding how successful you are as a home chef. You’ll achieve this via trial and error experimentation...and trying new spices and herbs. There's too many specific spices to mention here, so do a bit of online research to familiarize yourself with how using different spices can enhance your cooking.

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Pumpkin Seed Oil

Pumpkin seeds are an excellent ingredient and snack for people with gluten intolerance. However, if you’re looking for a great gluten free oil that’s healthy and offers everything you need as a cooking ingredient? You should definitely consider pumpkin seed oil. It’s nutritious, has a great texture, and can be used in a many culinary scenarios.

Gluten Free Flour

There are many types of gluten free flour options these days, ranging from all purpose flour to plain flour...and even self-rising flour. You should give these flours a try in your cooking and baking, because you’ll be surprised how close the results produced are to traditional menu items. Don’t simply assume you can’t bake cakes or other sweet treats because you can’t have regular flour with gluten. For example, ground almond flour is excellent for baking gluten free cookies. The nutty flavor works great in all sorts of baked goods!

There are lots of great gluten free ingredient options available these days. Be sure to make the most of these gluten free ingredients, incorporating them into your own dishes when cooking at home. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to experiment and use these ingredients in new culinary ways. Don’t be limited by your gluten free diet!

Spring Grilling...Featuring Grilled Chicken with Blueberry-Merlot Sauce #grilling #chicken #blueberry #cookwithwine

The weather is starting to turn a bit warmer here in Texas, which means it's time to fire up our backyard grill for the Spring/Summer season! Texas BBQ is typically heavily seasoned and cooked without BBQ sauce -- if it's added, it's always after a spin on a smoker/grill. Today, though? I'm sharing something that's vastly different from the BBQ I grew up with! My Grilled Chicken with Blueberry-Merlot Sauce may sound unusual, but I promise it’s a winning flavor profile! A savory-sweet sauce is made with fresh in-season blueberries, fruity Merlot wine, sweetly-tart balsamic, shallot, and a few herbs and spices. The sauce is made ahead and both brushed on and poured over grilled boneless chicken breasts.

Top Tips for Starting Up a Food Tour Business #foodcareers #foodtours #liveyourpassio

The COVID pandemic has caused many people to lose their jobs. When the pandemic ends and life becomes somewhat normal again, many people will be looking for new careers. For food lovers seeking to become entrepreneurs, operating a food tour business is a great option! Now is the perfect time to formulate a business plan so you're ready to hit the ground running once pandemic restrictions are lifted. Today, The Weekend Gourmet correspondent is sharing some great tips to consider as you start your own food tour business. This article may contain affiliate links.

Stemming from the rise of the foodie movement, culinary tourism become a quick-growing trend among travelers -- including The Weekend Gourmet -- in the years before the COVID pandemic. A foodie is someone who loves indulging in and enjoying various types of food and drink -- more so than the average person. A food tour involves taking visitors on a guided culinary journey to explore a city or neighborhood's best restaurants. Sounds great...especially if you're into the food yourself. Imagine how much fun it could be to turn your passion for food into a business! This article shares some great ideas to help you formulate a plan to start your own food tour business.

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(1) Find Your Niche

The first step you should take -- as with any new startup -- is to identify your target business niche. To choose a market segment that best fits your audience's want/needs, you must first consider who your target audience is, what type of tour they want, and why this niche interests them. Examples of popular food niches include pub crawls, best of a specific type of food (i.e., Tex Mex in San Antonio or pizza in New York), or even the best of an iconic food neighborhood in your city. You also need to be aware of your overall business goals.  Examine the food tour industry to assess which markets are saturated and which markets have space for business expansion. This step allows you to choose a niche that best meets the needs of your audience AND your business.

(2) Choose the Right Location

Choosing the right location for your food tour is critical. For example: there's no point setting up a vegetarian food tour business in a town where there are no vegetarian restaurants -- or no market for this type of food. Your food tour should also be located in an area that's pleasant to walk around, with good accommodations and transport links. Finally, your food tour location(s) also need to be a good fit in with the target audience that you've identified.

(3) Have a Solid Business Plan

Plan every business detail you can imagine. You need a comprehensive business plan that lays out all your business goals and objectives -- as well as how you intend to finance and reinvest in your company. You also need to consider practical matters, including ant equipment you'll need, marketing tasks, and so on. If you must relocate to start up your new venture, you'll also need to incorporate these tasks in your business plan. Key relocation questions to ask -- if applicable to your personal business plan -- include: Where will you live? Will you need to arrange transportation of your personal belongings and a car delivery ? Are you going to simply start from scratch after you relocate?

(4) Reach Out to Local Food Vendors and Restaurants

This is typically the most fun part of the food tour business start up process -- working out which venues you're going to include in your food tour. Of course, this involves a lot of testing and tasting. It is a hard job, but someone has to do it! Things you need to consider include:

• Your tour's food niche

• The quality of the food -- casual, upscale...or maybe a combination

• The atmosphere of your tour -- funny, educational, etc.

• Pricing per person and/or group

• Specific services provided in the tour admission price

• Location of your tour

Remember, if your customers have a poor experience at a restaurant or with a specific vendor, it reflects badly on your tour, so be careful when choosing which venues to include. Before you approach a restaurant, do your research...and plenty of taste testing. Then, reach out to the restaurant's owners to inquire whether they're interested in being included in your tour. Most restaurants will be thrilled, because it's great advertising and marketing for them. Being featured also opens them up to a whole new audience.

There are plenty of other things you need to think about when starting a food tour business. However, the tasks discussed above are great tips to get the ball rolling.

Good luck!

Tasty Vegetables It Would Be a Crime NOT to Eat! #eatyourveggies #plantpowered #veggielife

Most of us understand the importance of including plenty of healthy vegetables in our daily diet. However, many of us are missing the mark when it comes to actually putting this knowledge into action! If we DO eat vegetable? Many of us tend to eat the same four or five vegetables without venturing out to try more. Doing so means we're missing out on many delicious vegetables! Today, The Weekend Gourmet is spotlighting five vegetables that are often overlooked. See if you can find a new vegetable to try this week...I'm planning to stream some artichokes! This article may contain affiliate links.

Most of us like to think we eat a varied diet, full of dozens of different foods. However, the truth is that the vast majority of people hardly eat any variety at all. The average person's daily diet consists mainly of meat, oils, and sugar -- none of which contain high concentrations of certain vital nutrients. Fruits, vegetables, and beans make up less than 10% of the calories in a typical diet. This is a tragedy! There are so many delicious vegetables out there that it’s almost a crime not to eat them. In this post, we're taking a look at five vegetables you might be overlooking...and steps you can take to add more of them to your diet. 

(1) Radishes

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Radishes are popular in Eastern cooking, particularly Chinese and Korean cuisines. However, they barely register in the Western diet. You can purchase them from the store, but what can you actually do with them? The main purpose of radishes is to add freshness to your meals. That’s why people typically add them to salads...or use them as a garnish. Radishes are a part of the same family as broccoli, so you’re getting much of the same healthy goodness when you cook with radishes. 

(2) Rutabaga

Rutabaga is a cross between a cabbage and a turnip, and it tastes delicious! It’s also one of the cheapest sources of food you can buy. Rutabaga adds a big burst of nutrition to dishes. You can blend it with mashed potatoes and cream for a side dish. You can also make them into crispy bites by baking thin rounds of rutabaga in your oven on relatively low heat. 

(3) Yams

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Another root vegetable we rarely see here in the West is yams. However, this tuber is popular all over the world...from the Caribbean to East Asia. At first glance, yams look like giant sweet potatoes. However, they're a completely different species and taste quite unique. Yams are fluffy and starchy...and don’t have a lot of sweetness. Some yams have white flesh, but the healthiest are purple yams -- because they contain high levels of anthocyanins. Yams are similar to Delta8 gummies in the sense they can help you feel good. They contain special chemicals that decrease inflammation in the brain, helpling to adjust your mood. 

(4) Asparagus

Asparagus is a shoot, which means it comes from a different part of the plant from most veggies that you eat. Most vegetables are roots, leaves, or flowers. Shoots -- including asparagus, rhubarb, and celery -- are much less common. The best way to eat asparagus is by itself, thanks to its delicious, tender flavor. Add a squeeze of lemon, salt, and pepper for a lowfat side dish.

(5) Artichoke

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Artichoke is another vegetable that most people don't include in their meals regularly. Artichoke is practically the only thistle in the human diet. Artichokes comes from a large spiky plant, like a regular garden thistle weed. However, if you get the flavor right, artichokes can be utterly delicious. One of the best ways to eat artichokes is part of an antipasto platter. You can also pan-fry them or sear on the griddle. Please note that artichokes are exceptionally high in fiber. If you're not used to eating a lot of vegetables, it might give you gas after eating it.

Weekend Gourmet Flashback: Down-Home Comforting Shrimp and Grits...aka My MOST POPULAR Recipe! #shrimp #grits #lentenfood #comfortfood

Some recipes are so special that they take on a life of their own! In the decade that The Weekend Gourmet has been in existence, the hands down most popular recipe I've shared is my Down-Home Comforting Shrimp and Grits. Since it was first published in 2o15, it's been viewed and pinned more than 500,000 times...people have gone totally crazy for it! With the Lenten season here, I figured it's the perfect time to share this dish again. This dish is comfort in a bowl...combining cheesy corn grits topped with shrimp in a spicy, creamy sauce. This is a recipe that you simply must have in your culinary bag of tricks!

Traditional Easter Foods Around the World #EasterFood #globalcuisine #themoreyouknow

Easter is coming up in a few short weeks! Why not add some international flare to your Easter menu this year? Traditional dishes from around the globe are a fun and delicious way to shake up your traditional Easter meal! Today, The Weekend Gourmet correspondent is sharing a sampling of traditional international Easter foods. This article may contain affiliate links.

With Easter a few weeks away, it's time to start planning your Easter meal. Why not make this year's approach a little different? After all, we all need something fun to look forward to these days. Even is you typically enjoy cooking a feast of fancy Easter foods, maybe this is a good year to try something a little different. You’ll want to include traditional family favorite dishes -- perhaps a wonderful roasted lamb dish...but what you can add to accompany this succulent meat? Read on to find out more about traditional Easter dishes from around the globe...you might find just the dish to round out your Easter menu!

Image from Pixabay

(1) Polish Stuffed Eggs – Jajka Faszerowany 

Eggs are very much an Easter food, although we typically enjoy them in chocolate form! In Poland, Easter eggs come in a different way. Similar to deviled eggs, they're stuffed with a mixture of ham, cheese, mustard, and sour cream. Before the contents are added, the eggs are broiled. Then, to finish things off, a breadcrumb topping is added. These stuffed eggs can be eaten as a snack -- or as part of a buffet-style lunch. You could even enjoy them paired with a succulent joint of lamb from Superior Farms. That's because these delicious stuffed eggs are so versatile. 

(2) Italian Brodetto Pasquale

We already know that lamb and eggs can be two important elements of any Easter feast...and the Italian dish brodetto pasquale deliciously brings them together. This dish is like a frittata, and also typically includes asparagus to symbolize the freshness of Spring. It’s an ideal dish for Easter, when you’re preparing a large meal -- because it can be served cold or at room temperature. This versatility ensures it can easily be made in advance, helping you save precious time. 

(3) Lithuanian Potato Sausage – Vedarai 

One of the Easter traditions many Lithuanian families follow is to attend church on Easter morning, then come home to enjoy a special Easter breakfast. They share an egg, along with other ingredients found in a special food basket that was blessed at church. Later in the day, they will eat a larger meal to celebrate. This meal will often include vedarai, which is potatoes with bacon that's made into a sausage shape (although it can be made meatless). The vedarai can be served fried, roasted, or baked -- according to preference. 

(4) Greek Kalitsounia

Greece is comprised of the mainland and 6,000 smaller islands (although only 227 of those islands are inhabited). As might be expected, there's a variety of dishes and traditions specific to individual islands. However, one Easter dish that's popular all over Greece is kalitsounia, which began life --according to tradition -- on the island of Crete. Kalitsouna is a sweet pastry made with yogurt and brandy. The dough is rolled out and cut into squares, filled with a mixture of soft mizithra cheese, orange peel, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. The dough is then folded to make a pocket. The pastries are then baked or deep fried.

Helping to Care for Your Elderly Relatives #Healthy2021 #eldercare

As we age, so do our parents and other loved ones. That means we all need to understand that our elderly family members may need our assistance to lead their best lives in their golden Years. Today, The Weekend Gourmet correspondent is sharing specific actions you can take to better the lives of your older loved ones. This article may contain affiliate links.

There may come a time when you need to help care for your elderly relatives in at least some capacity. That may be because they have specific health issues...or you may simply want to ensure they’re living full, happy life. In any case, there are many steps you and other family members can do to help care for your elderly relatives. In this post, we’re going to take a look at a few examples of specific actions that may help.

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Listen to Them

One of the most important things you can do for your elderly relatives is quite simply to listen to them. As long as you’re doing that, you’ll be able to keep on top of what they really need. When you fail to listen to your elderly relatives properly, you may find you’re struggling to properly care for their individual needs. They want to be listened to, just like anyone else, and they deserve it too. Therefore, make sure you’re making this a priority in your family...if it is not already happening.

Help Them Make the Right Choices

There will often be times when your elderly relative needs to make a specific choice regarding their health, so you may find that you need to help them make the best decision. This can be difficult to get right, and it may cause disagreements too. Overall, you need to do what is best for their ongoing health whenever possible. This may include encouraging them to wear a hearing aid where necessary, correctly take prescribed medications, etc. As long as you’re helping them with these important tasks, you’ll be helping them stay healthy.

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Arrange Care

If there is other care your elderly relative needs access to, you need to ensure you’re doing all you can to arrange those appointments for them — especially if they’re unable to do so themselves. This is something that can take a lot of time and energy, and it’s vital that you help them so they receive the care they need to be well and happy. As long as you do that, you’re helping them to be better looked after at all times. In the long run, arranging for care also helps you relieve some of the burden on you.

Keep Them Safe

One of the tasks that becomes more important in old age is ensuring your elderly relatives are as safe as possible in the home. There are many things you may need to change about the family home to keep them safe, so it’s vital you take whatever steps are necessary. Otherwise, you might struggle to keep your elderly loved one well. This is one of the most important precautions to think about, because most accidents take place in the home.