The first celebration of the “wearing of the green” in America took place in 1737, in Boston, Massachusetts. Every year since, we have set this day aside to celebrate the Irish. This is the day to enjoy their music, dance, food and beverages. Irish blood or not, jump in and join the celebration!

The Irish color of green symbolizes the beginning of spring. Green is also the color of life, giving us one more reason to participate in this celebration. Included will be Irish recipes to give you some ideas and ways you, too, can celebrate with a healthy, hearty meal.

Ireland, recognized for their contribution to the world of theater, literature and music, often uses food to provide focus. In some instances, entire plots will revolve around the table or the planning of a meal. An example is George Bernard Shaw, who used cups of tea as a source of inspiration for his writings. Author Frank McCourt, in “The Irish and How We Got That Way”, states the potato contains aphrodisiac-qualities. In addition, the potato is a great source of fiber for nutritional needs.

Many find comfort in the dishes of the Irish, which is what gave me the idea to create a separate tribute to these dishes and to the Irish. Corned beef is probably the most popular dish and one most already have a favorite recipe for, so here will be presented some other equally popular dishes. Furthermore, Corned Beef and Cabbage is in truth, an American-Irish fare. You could not get it in Ireland. In Ireland, they serve ham and cabbage instead.

Surf our free St. Patrick’s Day eCookBook!

The ingredients will be the low-fat version in the  recipes.  The nature of these recipes is such that one should not really notice changes to the flavor using the low-fat ingredients, so I strongly urge you do use them if you are one who has to watch what they eat. If not – go for it!   There are also some luscious, tempting Saint Patrick’s Day Desserts for those of you who decide to splurge!

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!  

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This beer bread makes excellent toast and wonderful toasted cheese sandwiches. The flavor varies depending upon which beer you use.

Ingredients:
3 cups self-rising flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 can or bottle (12 ounces) beer, preferably not light

Directions:
Place an oven rack in the lower third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, mix the flour and sugar thoroughly. Gradually add the beer while stirring with a wooden spoon until no patches of dry flour are visible. (Do not overbeat or the bread will toughen.) The batter will be sticky. Transfer it to the loaf pan and spread it into the corners.

Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a skewer or cake tester plunged deep into the middle of the bread comes out clean. The top of the loaf will have a cobbled appearance.

Turn the bread out of the pan onto a wire rack and let it cool for at least an hour. Use a sharp, serrated knife to slice. The crust will be crunchy and the interior soft and moist.

Makes 1 loaf.

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This recipe makes one mug – especially helpful with those annoying sniffles…

Ingredients:

3 slices fresh ginger (spicy, warming, immune balancing)
5 to 10 leaves chopped sage (spicy, antihistamine)
2 to 3 springs fresh thyme (spicy, antibiotic, antiviral)
1 tablespoon honey (sweet, simple sugar)
Juice of half a lemon (sour, vitamin c)
A dash of cayenne pepper (hot, immune enhancing) [optional]

This mug of hot grog will make you feel stronger while giving you a rest from those aggravating cold symptoms.

Nearly all herbs are safe in low doses.

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Chocolate Marshmallow Tarts

Ingredients:
1 container (8 oz ) whipped cream cheese
1/2 cup vanilla nonfat yogurt with low-calorie sweetener
3 envelopes (1 oz each) Milk Chocolate with Marshmallows Hot Cocoa Mix
1 pkg (4 oz ) mini graham cracker pie crusts (4 oz pkg = 6 crusts)
Whipped Cream
Fresh Raspberries, optional

Directions:
1. Combine cream cheese, yogurt and cocoa mix in medium bowl; blend until smooth.

2. Portion equal amounts of cream cheese mixture into 6 mini crusts. Cover; chill for at least 2 hours.

3. Top each tart with Whipped Cream just before serving. Garnish with raspberries, if desired.

Time: Hands On: 10 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Yield: Makes 6 servings (1 tart each)

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Keep all the nutrients AND have loads of flavor!

- one bunch kale
- one bunch spinach
- one red and one yellow bell pepper
- olive oil
- sea salt
- cayenne pepper
- one lemon
- one inch piece of ginger
- one half red onion

Strip the kale leave off the stems and chop into bite size peices; chop spinach into peices.  Place greens in a large bowl.

Pour 3/4 cup olive oil and squeeze juice from one lemon onto greens;  mix well but carefully with hands.
 
Process in food processor bell peppers, red onion, ginger, 1/2 cup olive oil, sea salt and cayenne pepper to taste.

Process until mixture is a liquid.

Pour marinade over greens and mix with hands.

Can eat right away but these greens are even better when they sit for few hours.

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HOT APPLE SPICE COFFEE PUNCH

~ If you love cider and java, this drink is for you on a cold winter’s day!

Ingredients:
 
• 2 quarts apple juice
• 2 quarts coffee, brewed strong
• 12 oranges, sliced wafer thin
• 4 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
• 1 cup brown sugar
• Pinch of ground allspice
• Pinch of ground cloves
• Garnish: cinnamon sticks
 
Instructions:
 
Stir together all ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat, then simmer for 10 minutes.

Remove pan from heat and strain liquid into pitchers or heat-resistant punch bowl. Serve in mugs or pretty punch cups.

Garnish with cinnamon sticks.
 
Serves: 16

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   New Christmas Cookie Recipes Posted in the Healthy Christmas Recipes Directory!

   What are they? Drum roll…

1. Haselnussmakronen (German Hazelnut Macaroons)
2. Pepernoten (Dutch Peppernuts)
3. Pfeffernuesse (German Peppernuts)

And another cookie recipe that is used for St. Nick’s, Norwegian Pepper Cookies, has been added to the family recipes section.  Pepper gives this cookie a spicy zip, while the cardamom lends an interesting complexity. Share for lots of cookie compliments!

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Happy Halloween!  Here are a couple quick-to-whip-up recipes for your Halloween celebration!

Witches Brew

2 cups pineapple juice
2 cups orange sherbet
1 liter bottle ginger ale
Combine pineapple juice and sherbet in a large punch bowl. Gather the guests to watch the eerie mixture bubble and boil when you pour in the ginger ale. Serves about 15.

Bloody Popcorn

Ingredients:
Popcorn
Butter
Red food color

Pop the popcorn however you usually make it. Melt the butter and add some red food color to turn it to “blood”. Add the bloodied butter to the popcorn and toss to coat.

Find more in our Holiday Recipes Section!

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Low-Fat Chocolate Milk Ice Cubes
Three simple ways to create an array of outstanding treats begin with you ice tray.

Pour low-fat chocolate milk into ice cube trays and freeze.

From there you can grind them into a Great Granita or simply place popsicle sticks into trays before freezing to create a cool and convenient chocolate ice pop.

Or, cool down coffee into an Iced Chocolate Cafe:

Iced Chocolate Cafe
Ingredients:
4 low-fat chocolate milk ice cubes
1/2 cup cooled brewed coffee
1/2 cup low fat chocolate milk

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Family-Friendly Whole Grain Ideas for Every Meal!

Breakfast:  Whole grain bagel, whole grain raisin toast, whole grain ready-to-eat cereal, oatmeal, whole grain English muffin, whole grain waffles, whole grain pancakes

Lunch:  Stuffed whole grain pita, sandwich on rye bread, whole grain wrap, sub sandwich on whole grain roll, whole grain vegetable burger, hamburger on whole grain bun, barley mushroom soup

Snack:  Popcorn, whole grain crackers, oatmeal cookie, whole grain chips, whole grain granola bar, whole grain graham crackers, whole grain pretzels

Dinner:  Brown rice with a stir fry, whole grain pasta with your favorite sauce, tacos in corn tortillas, wild rice, bulgur pilaf, home made pizza on whole grain pita crust, whole grain cornbread

Read entire article: Whole Grains Made Easy

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