Tea Tips

I’m replacing one of my daily cups of  coffee with a cup of green tea. Why? Because green tea is a powerful antioxidant which helps prevent cancer and heart disease and contains antibacterial properties that guard against gum disease and cavities. Doesn’t that inspire you to brew yourself a daily cup, too?   [Read more →]

Check out this excellent article from WebMD and Redbook Magazine.

Here’s an overview, but I encourage you to read the piece in its entirety. Here’s to happiness! Amy

       1. Have positive beliefs about change,  life and yourself [Read more →]

 Serve this savory chicken with rosemary roasted potatoes and steamed greens.

2 small onions cut into quarters

4 garlic cloves, crushed [Read more →]

Seasonal fruit for Fall includes Apples, Cranberries, Figs, Grapes, Pears, Persimmons, Pomegranates and Quinces. Apples are easy- eat them out of hand or baked into cobblers and pies. Homemade applesauce is wonderful, too. I dice an apple into my oatmeal along with cinnamon, raisins and brown sugar. Yum! Grapes and Pears are no-brainers, too, but maybe you’re looking for some ideas and inspiration for the other seasonal fruits.

Cranberries are a staple for Thanksgiving. If you like to cook and bake with cranberries, buy an extra bag or two and keep them in the freezer because when they’re gone, they’re gone! Here’s a terrific recipe for Zinberry Sauce from my sister Carol.  Don’t save it just for Thanksgiving- try it over pork tenderloin or on sandwiches made with the leftover turkey.

Zinberry Sauce

Make ahead: Zinberry Sauce can be made up to 5 days in advance.  Keep, covered, in the refrigerator until ready to use.

1 12-ounce package fresh cranberries, divided
1 ¼ cup red zinfandel
Finely grated zest of 1 large orange
¾ cup sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon allspice
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt

In a medium saucepan combine half the cranberries with remaining ingredients.   Bring to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes.   Add remaining cranberries; cook for 5 minutes more.  Serve warm or at room temperature.

Figs are spectacular when cut in half and drizzled with honey. Broil them just until bubbly and warm. Serve them with a wedge of cheese, too.

The variety of Persimmon you’re most apt to encounter is the Hachiya,  or Japanese Persimmon. It’s about 3 inches wide with a little pointy base.  It’s skin and flesh turn red-orange when ripe and tastes sweetly tangy with a smooth texture. Try this recipe for Salad of Fall Greens with Persimmons and Hazelnuts from Bon Appetit.

A bowl of Pomegranates makes a simple but beautiful centerpiece and their  seeds are a fabulous garnish.

A Quince tastes like a cross between an apple and a pear. Quince paste is a favorite of mine. Try small cubes of it skewered with cubes of manchego chesese

Here’s a spooky playlist for your Hallween party, courtesy of Amy’s Table Producer,  Chris Comer.

Enjoy!

Mike Oldfield – Tubular Bells (theme from The Exorcist)
That Old Black Magic – Sammy Davis Jr
Witchcraft – Frank Sinatra
Season Of The Witch – Donovan
Friday the 13th – Thelonious Monk (a favorite of radio legend Oscar Treadwell!)
Halloween Spooks – Lambert, Hendricks and Ross
The Freaks Come Out at Night – Whodini
Toccatta & Fugue in D Minor – J.S. Bach
Bela Lugosi is Dead – Bauhaus
Night on Bald Mountain – Modest Mussorgsky
Everyday is Halloween – Ministry
Ghostbusters! – Ray Parker Jr
Werewolves of London – Warren Zevon

Chris Comer

Satan’s Whiskers
Makes 1 cocktail

3/4oz Bombay gin
3/4oz Dry Vermouth
3 /4oz Sweet Vermouth
1 /2oz Grand Marnier
Splash orange juice
Dash bitters

Mix ingredients in a shaker with ice.
Strain into a martini glass.
Garnish with a flamed orange peel.
Serve.

Chef Michelle Brown had the honor of preparing dinner at The James Beard House.  Read more…..

Find out more about Michelle and  Jag’s Steak and  Seafood Restaurant

Book your seat at the Big Band Big City Dinner at Jag’s

Au Gratin Potatoes from Jag’s Chef Michelle Brown

1 quart Heavy Cream
2 packages Boursin cheese
½ cup Grated Parmesan
¼ teaspoon grated Nutmeg [Read more →]

Hi Amy.  I listen to you on Q102 and need some advise on loosing weight. 

I recently stopped taking birth control (was only on it for 6 months) and in that time gained 10lbs.  I’ve been working out 4 days a week for two weeks now and I’m not seeing any results.  I need to know what I should be eating and how much.  I do eat breakfast which I know is very important.  I’m guessing I’m not eating the right things.  Can you please help me.

Thank you,
Tracy

I brought in a panel of experts for Tracy.   If you’ve got a question I can help answer, let me know. We just might feature you on a show!

Take care,

Amy

Hey Tracy- Here’s my all-time favorite website for nutrition information:

http://mypyramid.gov/

Plug in your info and get a custom food plan. It’s fun and easy and really well done.

Q102’s Brian Douglas has lost over 100 pounds- his suggestion is to join Weight Watchers

Chrissy O’Connor from Personal NEWtrition suggests slightly reducing your carbs and making all of them high quality and whole grain. Lean protien should be kept to 6-8 ounces per day. Eat only good quality fats and increase the plant based portion of your diet.

Susie Crossland-Dwyer from The Work Out at Adams Landing suggests that you increase the time spent weight training to two  30-minutes sessions per week. Keep up your cardio and work  at 80-85%

  Mrs. Prindable’s Gourmet Caramels

Want to have the glow of good health, plus great looking skin, hair and eyes?  It’s no surprise, you are what you eat! Here’s what you should be eating- and drinking!

Cheers!

Amy
 

Polyphenols
Drink green tea to get polyphenols, which are antioxidants that have been shown to prevent obesity, heart disease and cancer). Berries, red wine and chocolate are good sources, too! (Nobody said this had to be hard!) Want to try a really special chocolate? Check out Vosges. My favorite is their  Red Fire Exotic Candy Bar. 
Omega-3’s
Want to reduce wrinkles and plump up your skin? Make sure to get plenty of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Not only do they encourage cell health, they are also helpful in maintaining  heart health. Eat salmon, walnuts and flaxseed plus canola oil. Check out Crisco’s new  Canola Oil with plant based  Omega-3’s.
 
Luteins
Keep your peepers pretty- and healthy- with luteins.  Get these eye protecting antioxidants in eggs and  green and yellow veggies. Luteins give your hair a boost, too.
 
Probiotics
Yogurt is a beauty power house, supplying calcium and Vitamin D, but the bacteria found in yogurt and kefir encourage digestive health and eliminate bloating, too. You can find probiotics in certain cereals, too.

Water
Drink up! You need to stay hydrated to keep your metabolism moving (and your jeans looking good) and your skin glowing. You can get the fluids you need in water, soup, tea and fruits and vegetables.