A Mediterranean Lifestyle

Having a Mediterranean lifestyle — even if you don't live in the Mediterranean — could reduce your chances of dying, including from cancer and cardiovascular disease, according to a new study.

The Mediterranean diet has long been lauded as the "gold standard" of healthy eating. It emphasizes vegetables, fruit, whole grains, olive oil, fish, and legumes, as well as wine in moderation, and minimal amounts of red meat, highly processed and fried foods, refined grains, sugar, and saturated fat.

A Mediterranean lifestyle is more than just the diet, though. It involves eating with loved ones and taking the time to savor food, resting and sleeping enough, maintaining strong social connections, and exercising regularly, according to the authors of the study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

Researchers found that adults in the UK who lived a Mediterranean lifestyle had a 29% lower risk of dying from any cause, and a 28% lower risk of dying from cancer, than those who didn't. People who adhered to the lifestyle's emphasis on rest, exercise, and socializing with friends in particular had a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.     READ MORE...

The Kitchen

This deeply savory cauliflower soup is so creamy and comforting, you’d never guess it’s dairy-free. Rather than milk, cream, or even a dairy alternative like coconut milk, this soup gets all of its richness from cauliflower itself. You’ll roast it first to deepen its naturally nutty flavor, then blend it with broth to create ultra-smooth results. This is the soup you’ll want to eat all fall long.

How Do You Thicken Cauliflower Soup?
There are many ways to thicken cauliflower soup. Some recipes lean on heavy cream, half-and-half, milk, or coconut milk to thicken the soup and make it creamy. Others blend in cooked potatoes with the cauliflower. My favorite way to thicken cauliflower soup, though, is to simply let the cauliflower do the work. When cooked and blended with chicken or vegetable broth, cauliflower’s natural starches make the soup plenty thick, rich, and creamy without the need for much else.


How Do You Fix Bland Cauliflower Soup?
Bland cauliflower soup is a result of a lack of seasoning. Here’s how to ensure every bowl is packed with flavor.

• Season twice with salt and pepper: You’ll start by seasoning the cauliflower florets with salt and pepper before roasting. Then, season again when the roasted florets are combined with broth on the stovetop. Your soup should be well-seasoned if you follow this approach, but it’s always a good idea to taste it before serving in case your personal preference is a little more salt, pepper, or both.
• Add lots of aromatics. Leaning hard on aromatics is another way to load cauliflower soup with flavor. Here, garlic, onion, and fresh thyme lend tons of savory flavor to the soup. Since cauliflower is such a mild vegetable, it can handle a heavy hand.
• Finish with lemon. A big squeeze of lemon juice stirred into the soup right before serving brightens it up. Acid helps draw out flavor and ensures every spoonful of this soup is balanced and interesting.

TO READ MORE ABOUT THIS CAULIFLOWER SOUP, CLICK HERE...

Stuffed Peppers

The flavors you love in traditional stuffed peppers are all here in this easy Stuffed Pepper Skillet. You can have this satisfying meal on the table in 30 minutes!

I’m a stuffed pepper lover from way back. My mom made them on a regular basis so the flavors hold so much nostalgia for me. I’ve cooked lots of yummy variations, like my Mexican Stuffed Peppers. But honestly, they aren’t on regular rotation in my kitchen because they take a little more time than I typically have to give most weeknights. Enter these fabulous “unstuffed peppers”.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS
This easy ground beef recipe is ready in about 30 minutes.
Everything cooks in one skillet which means easy cleanup.
It includes wholesome, easy to stock ingredients.
It is hearty and satisfying.
The flavors are family-friendly, even for little ones who don’t think they love bell peppers.

INGREDIENTS LIST

1. Olive oil
2. Ground beef – I use 90% lean ground beef.
3. Onion – Sweet yellow onion is my favorite for this recipe.
4. Minced garlic – Either fresh or the jarred variety will work just fine.
5. Tomato paste
6. Bell pepper – I like to use a combination of red and green peppers for that traditional stuffed pepper flavor. Keep in mind that if your kiddos are unsure of their feelings about bell peppers (or dead set against them), you might have more luck with red, yellow, and/or orange peppers which are sweeter and milder than green.
7. Fire roasted diced tomatoes
8. Rice – Long grain white rice, like Jasmine rice.
9. Low sodium beef broth
10. Worcestershire sauce
11. Fresh parsley – I’m a fan of old school curly parsley. It’s inexpensive and works well in this recipe.
12. Seasoning – Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt and freshly ground black pepper.
13. Cheese – A mixture of shredded pepper Jack cheese and sharp cheddar cheese.

TO FIND OUT HOW TO COOK THESE STUFFED PEPPERS, CLICK HERE