Rachael Ray

A few months ago I made the commitment to myself to eat healthier and exercise more. I am proud to say I’ve been doing great! It is never easy to take care of yourself when you also have a family to care for, but I reached the point where I knew it was essential to take charge of my own life and work on “me” for a change. And let’s face it, if mama ain’t happy, ain’t no one gonna be happy, amiright? I’m happy to say that I’ve lost a few LBS and am feeling great thanks to weight training and a vow to eat cleaner, which means sticking to higher protein, good carbs and no processed foods at all. [...]...

Last week I gave you the recipe for my new morning obsession: Almond, Chocolate Chip Oatmeal. This week, I want to share my newest breakfast love with you: Almond, Cocoa, Banana Blast. Are you seeing a pattern here? It’s no secret I love sweets and, well, I will sneak chocolate and almonds into anything I can so it should be no surprise that this recipe has a little cocoa powder in it. Anyway…a few months ago I became fascinated with the concept of smoothies you can “chew”. Sounds funny, I know! But I was never all that satisfied using a smoothie as a meal or snack because, well, I like to chew! I find the process of chewing very satisfying and the thought [...]...

It may be spring but as I see it, oatmeal is an any-time-of-the-year food. It’s super nutritious, filling and delicious. Over the years I’ve made many versions and I never seem to run out of new ways to jazz it up. I like to keep my breakfasts relatively healthy, but I also want to feel that what I’m eating is special so I’m always working on ways to keep the first meal of the day exciting and healthy at the same time. It’s important to have a good balance of carbs and protein in the morning to help sustain you until your next meal. With that in mind, I try to add things to the oatmeal that will help keep me [...]...

My kids love homemade waffles. Who, doesn’t right? And let’s face a made-from-scratch waffle that’s crispy on the outside, soft and chewy inside beats the heck out of those cardboard ones that come in a box. For a while I was just making a standard recipe. It was delicious but nothing special. Then one morning I decided to play around and came up with the AH-MAZING combination of brown sugar and lemon zest. It’s a crazy good combo because the brown sugar caramelizes a bit under the hot waffle iron and adds this amazing warmth and sweetness which totally compliments the bright, citrusy, flavor of the lemon zest. They. Are. Addictive. This recipe yields quite a few waffles which is perfect because [...]...

It’s still freezing here in the North East. in fact, we are expecting some snow today. However, in my mind, it should already be Spring and with Easter festivities on their way I could not help but create a refreshing signature cocktail embodying the essence of Spring—light, refreshing and crisp. After all, a good cocktail has a way of lifting ones spirits and transporting them. This one will definitely get you through to Spring. The flavor of this cocktail is similar to that of a mojito only it uses vodka instead of rum. Refreshing Mint And Lime Sparkler Serves 1 Ingredients: 1/4 cup mint leaves 1/4 cup ice 2 ounces vodka 1 ounce sweetened lime syrup (Rose’s is a popular brand) Juice of 1/2 lime 1 1/2 ounces club sold, [...]...

Who’s left with some Saint Paddy’s Day leftovers? I’ve got both hands raised. We all know what to do with the meat and cabbage, but what about all that leftover soda bread that we inevitably always have? You know, the one sitting around for day and days because we don’t have the heart to throw it out. The one that is usually hard as a rock by the time we muster up the courage to throw it out. Yup! That one. Well, I say, don’t waste it!!! Leftover soda bread is actually the perfect type of bread to make a delicious Drunken French Toast with. That’s right, I said “drunken”. No, you won’t get buzzed off of this recipe but, [...]...

I know, I know. The words “Easy Entertaining” can seem like an oxymoron, especially after you have kids but I assure you, if you stick to a few simple rules, throwing a fabulous fete is totally within reach. Parties don’t have to be overly complicated and fussy to be fantastic. The truth is, the less stressed you are, the better it will all turn out so just chillax and heed my advice. -Semi-Homemade Is OK: Food and drinks should be the top of any party list and whether you are having a formal dinner or a simple appetizer/cocktail event remember, you do not have to make everything from scratch or not at all. Getting a little help from the store is [...]...

When I heard we were getting hit with a big snowstorm I decided to take advantage of the time stuck inside and do a little edible Valentine’s Day craft with my four year old. Cooking is something we always do together and it’s always a great way to keep us both occupied. My son has been cooking with me in the kitchen since he was a few weeks old, strapped to my chest in a Baby Bjorn, but the older he gets, the more fun it is to have him by my side. Four years old is a great age to get more in depth in the kitchen. Measuring is something he can really understand now and has successfully mastered to [...]...

Superbowl is just a few days away and by now I’m sure you have your savory items planned out for the big tailgate feast. Sliders, dogs, ribs are all fan favorites on game day but the sweets are usually an afterthought. I may not know who’s playing but I do know a lot about the food and any meal without dessert is one not worth having if you ask me. So, if you’re still searching for that perfect game day dessert, look no further my friends. I’m here to tell you that Monkey Bread is all you really need. What is Monkey Bread, you ask? It’s a sweet, pull-apart style bread that’s soft and gooey and oh-so-delicious.  You can eat Monkey [...]...