This certainly is the season of light! Whether it is brightly colored lights strung outside the house, or soft candlelight glowing in the family room, light is warm, inviting and festive.

Holiday décor doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. Nature is the best artist and there are many easy and inexpensive ways to create Holiday cheer.

Fill a breadbasket with bright green apples and arrange some cinnamon sticks throughout for a fragrant centerpiece that comes together in a snap!

Wrap cinnamon sticks or peppermint sticks around a tall pillar candle and tie with a ribbon. …read more of ‘Tis the (Social) Season! here

Cherry Noodle Kugel is an outstanding rendition of a wonderful classic. Surprisingly easy to make, this festive dessert kugel makes a stunning presentation.

Creamy puddings, custards and pie fillings have one thing in common, dairy products. However, these are the ingredients that contribute unnecessary fat, saturated fat, calories and cholesterol to the nutritional bottom line.

Prepared in the traditional fashion, a simple pudding can add an unhealthy level of fat and calories to the menu.  However, if you think that steering clear of dairy means giving up your favorite dishes, you’re in for a delicious surprise.

In my kitchen, delectably dairy-free rich tasting desserts rarely exceed one gram of fat per serving and contain absolutely no cholesterol. …read more of Cherry Noodle Kugel – Luscious Low Fat and Vegan here

Photo: Juan Carlo

Pizza, salsa and chips are typical Football Munchies, but there’s something special about a hearty bowl of spicy chili on Super Bowl Sunday.

Chili is a universal favorite, an easy one-pot wonder that feeds a crowd and can be made in advance. This is especially true in Texas, where the dish was born well over a century ago.

Chili Con Carne means pepper with meat, traditionally a dish of well-seasoned beef, slow cooked with chili peppers and other spices. Records discovered by Everrette DeGolyer (1886-1956), a Dallas millionaire and chili enthusiast, indicate that chili was concocted around 1850 by Texas cowboys.   …read more of Enlightened Super Bowl Chili, Texas Red with a Twist here

photo: Wiley T. Day

In America, Thanksgiving is the annual harvest festival that brings family and friends together to celebrate abundance and give thanks for life’s blessings. Eco-conscious consumers can show gratitude to Mother Earth by hosting a meatless meal this Thanksgiving and save money while saving the planet.

Festive Holiday Roast is delicious, easy and fun! You will be amazed when you turn five pounds of tofu into a really tasty meal with 12 generous servings. Tofu?  Yes…and you wouldn’t know it.  Half the preparation is done in advance. …read more of Meatless Thanksgiving: Economical, Ecoconscious and Absoluely Delicious! here

photo: Joseph A.Garcia

Dips are quick and easy to assemble in advance, the perfect complement to party beverages and just the thing to have on hand for drop-in guests. When planning a dinner party, we like to share some of our best dishes with family and friends and Dilled Spinach Dip with Garlic Pita Crisps is one that is sure to become a favorite.

Creamy dips are traditionally based on rich, heart-heavy ingredients that contain excessive amounts of fat and saturated fat. A dish such as this would be considered far too high in fat and cholesterol for today’s health conscious host. A quick read of the standard dip would most likely include artery-clogging ingredients such as, sour cream, mayonnaise, grated cheese and/or cream cheese.

Does this mean that these enduring favorites are off limits when maintaining a healthy diet? Not at all! There is a better way to create creamy, dairy-free flavors and rich mouth feel. Widely available, wholesome alternatives impart the texture and flavor of traditional dairy ingredients, without the unhealthy baggage. …read more of Heart Healthy Dilled Spinach Dip and Garlic Pita Crisps here