Healthy Mediterranian Diet – O&CO Can Help




The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the healthest diets to follow for centuries. To label this way of life as a “diet” does little justice to the facts.
Eating heart healthy foods, slow eating (eating at a slower pace, taking time to chew and savor the food) and regular exercise.



Plant based foods make up a good majority of the diet. The phytochemicals contribute immunity fighting nutrients to tackle free-radicals which are often associated with contributing to cancer growth.
Whole and least processed foods are a big part of meals. Grains, fish and even red wine are popular choices in this diet as well as eating less red meat, and better fat options.
Remember you need to choose an appropriate fat. Fat aids in the digestion process. Selecting olive oil for example, will do the trick and you get the added bonus of Omega-3!



 

A healthful Mediterranian diet doesn’t mean all work and no play. O&CO knows how to throw a party!
Sauces and Pastas
Spreads and Crackers
Sweets

Check out their Recipes page for awesome ideas!

O&CO. also has a line of organic cosmetics to take care of your outer body too! Skin Care
 


You can order online


or find your nearest O&CO boutique http://www.oliviersandco.com/ustorelocator/location/map

Like them on Facebook for news, updates, specials, recipes and promotions!

This sponsorship is brought to you by O&CO. who we have partnered with for this promotion.

Posted in appetizer, fish, fresh ingredients, healthy, herbs, Mediterranean, O&CO., olive oil, olives, pasta, sauce, seafood, What's For Dinner? | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Monster Mash #SundaySupper

Halloween is just around the corner and our #SundaySupper group wanted to share our ghoulish favorites with you!

My friend Leslie from La Cocina de Leslie is hosting the Trick-or-Treat Halloween Party!
Witches, ghosts, goblins, vampires, zombies, monsters…  Everyone is invited.  You don’t want to miss this hair-raising party.  It’s sure to be a real scream!

I’m bringing Monster Mashed Potatoes. They’re so easy and kids love to make and eat them!

Monster Mash Potatoes

Ingredients

  • 2 large baking potatoes, cooked
  • 1 Tablespoon sour cream
  • 1/4 bl smoked gouda, thin sliced
  • bacon bits, pork or turkey

1. Carefully slice potatoes in half and scoop out centers. Place mashing potato into bowl.
2. Add sour cream and mash it like you mean it! You can sing Monster Mash while you do this. It’s okay if you dance too! 🙂


3. Replace potato mixture into coffin skin and shape into monster.

4. Add bacon bits for its face, hair, etc whatever you like!

5. Cover your monster with its cheese blanket (it gets cold down in the tomb!)
and place it in the oven or microwave to reheat and melt the cheese. Serve as a side, appetizer, or snack!

Need more great Halloween meal and party ideas?

Check out what’s on the menu for our Trick-or-Treat #SundaySupper Halloween Party:

Bewitching Brews:

Ghoulish Gruel:

Haunted Snacks:

Spooky Sweets:

 

Please be sure you join us on Twitter throughout the day, this Sunday (October 28th) during #SundaySupper.  We’ll be meeting up at 7:00 pm (Eastern) for our weekly #SundaySupper live chat where we’ll talk about all things Halloween.  All you have to do is follow the #SundaySupper hashtag, or you can follow us through TweetChat.
We’d also love to feature your favorite Halloween recipes on our #SundaySupper Pinterest board and share them with all of our followers, too.

Posted in #SundaySupper, appetizer, autumn, bacon, cheese, food club, fresh ingredients, Halloween, potatoes, side dish, What's For Dinner? | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 48 Comments

Croctoberfest

It’s Crocktober!
This week we have a very talented sponsor “Cotton Commotion
who is providing 2 lucky winners a Crock Pot carry bag.
We thought it fitting that we share Crock Pot recipes this week if you have them.

Our Winners From Last Week: 
Lets meet our Hosts this week.
Please do show them some love as we all work so hard to bring you this party every week!
Tracy at Busy Vegetarian Mom http://www.busyvegetarianmom.com
Marlys at This and That  http://marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com/
Lois at  Walking on Sunshine http://wifeofthecolonel.blogspot.com/
Lindsey at Family Food Finds  http://www.familyfoodfinds.com
Cindy at Cindys Recipes and Writings  http://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com
Michelle at  From Calculus to Cupcakes http://www.fromcalculustocupcakes.com
Cynthia at Feeding Big  http://www.feedingbig.blogspot.com
R Dawn at Spatulas on Parade http://www.spatulasonparade.blogspot.com
Angie at A lil Country Sugar http://www.alilcountrysugar.blogspot.com
Jutta at HungryLittleGirl http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com/
Ericka at Chef PickyKid and Me http://www.chefpickykid.com
Skye at A Virtual Essence http://www.avirtualessence.blogspot.com
Be sure to Enter to Win HERE!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Posted in What's For Dinner? | 4 Comments

Funny Cake #SundaySupper #bakeforacure with Chantal

This week our #SundaySupper team is honored to have Chantal Cookware join us in spreading Cancer Awareness through #bakeforacure.

According to The American Cancer Society, “Lifetime risk refers to the probability that an individual will develop or die from cancer over the course of a lifetime. In the US, men have slightly less than a 1 in 2 lifetime risk of developing cancer; for women, the risk is a little more than 1 in 3.”
Many cancers can be prevented or treated because of early detection. I know, because I was lucky enough to catch suspicious calcifications in my breast. The area was removed and has not returned or developed into a heightened cancer stage. Many people are not so lucky.

Oven,microwave,freezer,and dishwasher safe!

So when I heard Chantal was offering us a pie plate from their new line of Easy-As-Pie Dishes to spread Cancer Awareness by baking something and taking it to a medical cancer treatment professional or someone who has been affected by cancer I jumped at the chance!
I planned to make a Funny Cake, which is a cake baked in a pie shell with a layer of gooey chocolate in between. What makes it “funny” is you pour the chocolate “icing” on top of the cake and it sinks to the bottom as it bakes. Sort of like an upside-down cake without flipping it over!
To me a Funny Cake is PA Dutch comfort food. I grew up eating them.
I knew exactly where I was headed with my cakes; to the volunteers and staff of the Cancer Support Community of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

Their website at http://www.cancersupportglv.org best describes Cancer Support Community (CSC) as “a national nonprofit organization that provides support, education and hope to people with cancer and their loved ones. Through participation in professionally led support groups, educational workshops and mind/body classes utilizing the “Patient Active” concept, people affected by cancer learn vital skills that enable them to regain control, reduce isolation and restore hope regardless of the stage of disease. Most importantly, CSC provides a home-like setting for people fighting cancer to connect with and learn from each other.”

When you arrive at CSC you feel like you’re entering someone’s home. Jackie greeted me at the door and showed me into a gorgeous parlor for guests to relax, complete with a tile fireplace.

From there we went to CSC’s warm, inviting kitchen where they bake and cook for their cancer patient guests, cancer survivors and their families.

I met with Liz Scofield, Interim Director and the staff. They all made me feel welcome and at home. It was my pleasure to share a little token of appreciation for those who take time and  make the effort to go the extra mile and show understanding and compassion for people who’s lives have been touched by cancer. Thank You!
That’s not all!  We are encouraging every one of our followers to join us in our #BakeForACure event.
Do you want to get your own Easy as Pie Dish?  Chantal is offering 20% OFF of ALL Chantal Pie dishes on www.chantal.com. BAKE4CURE must be entered at checkout to receive the pie dish discount. The coupon discount code is active October 16, 2012 through October 30, 2012. 

Keep up with the latest from Chantal on their website, twitter, facebook, and Pinterest

Here’s the Funny Cake recipe that reminds us that no matter how upside-down our world gets, it can all come together and become something beautiful again.

Funny Cake

Makes 2 pies.
(revised recipe courtesy of Lori R. my pie dough mentor! :))
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Use the center rack in the oven.

    Ingredients

 

    Pie Crust

  • 2 cups flour
  • 2/3 cup Crisco
  • 6 Tablespoons cold water

Bottom layer:

  • 1 1/4 cups sugar
  • 3/4 cup cocoa
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Cake layer:

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup Crisco
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 1/4 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Crust

1. Make the pie crust by working the flour and shortening together. Lori told me a tip that worked for a beautiful flaky crust. Her secret is to keep working the dough at this stage until all the flour is moistened.


2. Add water and work in just until mixed.
3. Lightly flour your surface and pin. Dip the dough in flour and pat off excess flour. If your dough sticks to the board, try using a bench scraper also known as a dough cutter instead of adding more flour.

4. Roll dough large enough to fit the size of your dish without needing to stretch it up the sides . Transfer dough to your dish by loosely rolling it back over the pin, kind of draping it and place it in your dish. Lightly press into place.

Cake


1. Mix sugar and shortening together until creamy.
2. Add egg, vanilla and milk.
3. Combine flour and baking powder in a separate bowl then add to the mixture. Mix until smooth. Do not over mix.

Chocolate layer:

1. Mix all ingredients together until dissolved.

Assembly

1. Divide the batter between the 2 pie shells by making 3 mounds in each shell. Do not spread the batter out. This gives the chocolate even flow.
2. Divide the chocolate mixture in half and pour over the batter.

3.Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes, and then reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for approximately 30 minutes more or until cake tests done when toothpick inserted comes out clean.
4.Cool you pie on a wire rack. Don’t worry if some cracking occurs, that’s just part of the fun!
Servings: 12

Nutrition Facts
Nutrition (per serving): 424 calories, 171 calories from fat, 19.1g total fat, 26.7mg cholesterol, 17.7mg sodium, 163.9mg potassium, 58.7g carbohydrates, 3g fiber, 22.1g sugar, 6.8g protein, 62IU vitamin a, <1mg vitamin c.

Do you want to participate but wonder what to bake?  The #SundaySupper Team has some mouth watering suggestions.  From sweet to savory, you will be inspired to bake and put a smile on someone’s face.

These #SundaySupper Contributors, were provided with a beautiful Easy As Pie Dish by Chantal Cookware.  They will be sharing their recipes with you this Sunday and also their thoughts on this Beautiful Pie Dish.   Many are giving away their dish along with their pie to brighten someone’s day.

Check out these gorgeous Sunday Supper Recipes:

As you may have noticed, when the #SundaySupper Team does something, we come together and do it with a bang.   Check out these additional recipes, perfect to take to someone who you want to make feel special this month.

 

Do you want to get your own Easy as Pie Dish?  Chantal is offering  will be 20% OFF of ALL Chantal Pie dishes on www.chantal.com. BAKE4CURE must be entered at checkout to receive the pie dish discount. The coupon discount code is active October 16, 2012 through October 30, 2012.
The Sunday Supper Team and Chantal Cookware, would be honored to have you join us for this special #BakeForACure event Around the Family Table this week.

Join us on Twitter throughout the day during #SundaySupper.  We’ll be meeting up at 7:00 pm(Eastern) for our weekly #SundaySupper  live chat where we’ll talk about our favorite Comfort Food Recipes.

All you have to do is follow the #SundaySupper hashtag or you can follow us through TweetChat.

We’d also love to feature your easy go to recipes on our #SundaySupper Pinterest board and share them with all of our followers, too.

Keep up with the latest from Chantal on their website, twitter, facebook, and Pinterest !

 

Posted in #SundaySupper, appetizer, baking, breakfast, brunch, cake, chocolate, dinner, food club, fresh ingredients, healthy, main dish, pie, What's For Dinner? | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 52 Comments