Desserts for Dogs

Peanut butter isn't just for sandwiches with jelly. It also happens to be the pinnacle of treats for dogs. For my chocolate lab's birthday one year, we invited some friends over with their dogs, and while we played a board game, drank cocktails and ate brownies, the dogs feasted on freshly baked peanut butter cupcakes. While the treats were devoured in seconds, the dogs' absolute pleasure was evident in the way they licked their jowls and sat attentively hoping to earn the opportunity for one more taste. Baking desserts for anyone is fun, but baking knowing that your work is appreciated makes it a labor of love. As the dogs relished their warm cupcakes, it was clear that people aren't the only ones that show gratitude. Next time you bake, consider including everyone in the family. Just be careful to use ingredients that are healthy for dogs and remember, even pups need to watch their waistline.

Redefining the Bulge

This time of year, resolutions are aplenty with commitments to better fitness. This is often accomplished by reducing sweet indulgences and spending more time on the treadmill. These are solutions that I am certainly not arguing against. However, when I think about my own post holiday bulge and the foods that make my jeans feel like a rubber band squeezing in on my waist, healthy foods are often to blame. Can that really be the case? The truth is, because I consider desserts to be a treat of sorts, I generally don't consume 5x the portion size in one sitting. Granola, on the other hand, is another story. Because it is nutritious, a few handfuls seem harmless, when in reality I have often just consumed breakfast, lunch, and dinner in one swoop. Banana chips are another one of those healthy foods that I have a hard time managing, and California Mix - full of almonds, coconut and dried fruit - is a food that I just cannot keep in the pantry on a regular basis. It is not that these foods are "worse" for me than desserts. It is simply that because I perceive them as healthy, snacking on them when I am not hungry doesn't seem so bad, and since they are nutritious, the concept of moderation is not as easily disciplined. Does this mean that granola is off limits, but I can eat all the cookies I want? Unfortunately, that is not the case. However, as with any food, balance is critical. Learning to enjoy desserts is not a deal breaker for wearing skinny jeans, although overdoing healthy foods that are high in calories will not get you into them either. Before you swear off any foods, consider what your weaknesses are and what foods you really enjoy. Then find a balance. Ultimately, you have to choose what works well for you.

Enough Already?

Enough with the sweets already? After a few weeks of holiday indulgence, most people have temporarily had their fill of cakes, pies and cookies. The new year often brings resolutions of healthy living and better nutrition. Your sweet tooth can still be satisfied with a well balanced diet using some of nature's finest foods. Ingredients like beets, corn, and dried and fresh fruits can be used creatively to create healthful meals that are high on nutrition and low on calories. Try salads with arugula, beets and a little goat cheese tossed with lemon zest, orange juice, and salt and pepper for a light meal that still tastes sweet. You can also make brown rice and dried fruit and almonds for a delicious and flavorful mouthful. While satisfying your sweet craving with food doesn't necessarily have to replace enjoying dessert, keep in mind that every food group offers an opportunity.