Easy Christmas Cooking Through Planning Ahead

Christmas is a hectic time of year. Many families find that they barely have time to breathe much less cook dishes to bring for this or that function. For this reason there are a number of tasty "cheat" dishes that can be  prepared for these occasions and very few people will be the wiser. Though Christmas may be about being with friends and family, it is not about broadcasting a possible lack of talent in the kitchen, time on hand, or a shortage of attention span that is required in order to prepare a stellar dish for your Christmas needs.

Macaroni casserole (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Of course, you could begin preparing and freezing large casserole favorites as early as August for the Christmas season. In this instance you could freeze all your family favorites and have great dishes not only for family functions that require a pitch-in dish, but also for those nights when you are far too busy to be bothered with something as demanding on your limited attention span as actually preparing a home cooked meal. If you prepare casseroles and similar dishes that work well with a holiday theme throughout the year be sure to double your efforts next time and freeze half for busier months such as November and December.

But if you didn't think to do that this year, not to worry! Foods that you cook this week and freeze for next week will be fresh and ready to pop in the oven come Christmas day. Pies and casserole-type dishes work best for this, but even some soups and appetizers can be made ahead and frozen. If you're making a Christmas ham, these are usually pre-cooked, so you just need to heat them in the oven for a bit, and then you're ready to eat. If you do this right, when you get to the big day, you may only need to make the salad and mashed potatoes!

Christmas dinner. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Besides cooking some items ahead, you can also help prepare for your Christmas meal by making a list and shopping early. Not only will you avoid the crowd of last-minute shoppers, but with a list of everything you need, you can keep from making those impulse purchases that sometimes happen if you make multiple shopping trips or are just shopping willy-nilly. Sit down ahead of time and plan out your menu, gather the recipes you plan to use. This will make it easy to assess what you already have on hand, and then make a list of everything else you will need to purchase for the meal. Make this a day or two ahead of your shopping trip, so you can add on any items that pop into your head that you may have forgotten on the first pass. Then go buy everything in advance and start your preparations. That way when the guests start to arrive, you can enjoy their company rather than having to make a last-minute trip to the store for something you forgot!

You do not have to have super powers or even a great deal of cooking talent in order to make a Christmas dinner that is delicious and easy to make when time is short. Careful planning well ahead of time is often the key to a successful Christmas season. Most of us begin our shopping early, and there is no harm in also beginning our cooking and meal planning a little early too.

What Is Gluten & Where Is It Found?

There are some words that enter our vernacular rather suddenly without much in the way of a formal introduction. The word 'gluten' is one such word. If you discuss eating, cooking, or diets at all, you have probably heard the word. You may have heard about people who have to avoid gluten. Perhaps you or someone you know has to follow a 'gluten-free' diet.

In this article, we will discuss the basics about gluten - what it is and where it is found. Let's look at the dictionary definition first:

Wheat gluten flour (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Glu·ten; (noun): A protein substance present in grains, such as wheat, that is responsible for the elastic texture of dough. From the Latin 'gluten' meaning 'glue.'

To explore that definition further, let's look at the scientific definition: According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health; "Gluten proteins play a key role in determining the unique baking quality of wheat by conferring water absorption capacity, cohesivity, viscosity and elasticity on dough."

That's the definition and the science, but that just seems to bring up more questions. Does this mean that gluten is just found in wheat bread? No. It's more complicated than that.

Let's begin with a list of grains with gluten. Some you will recognize immediately, while others may be less well known to you.

Barley
Bulgur
Couscous
Durum
Farina
Faro
Matzo
Orzo
Panko
Rye
Seitan
Semolina
Spelt
Udon
Wheat

As you can see, gluten can be found in many other places than wheat alone. All these foods contain gluten, the protein that creates elasticity and cohesiveness when processed. It's what makes bread, cookies, and pasta stick together.

It's easy to see now where you would find gluten in baked goods, pasta, and even in crackers and crispy coatings on fried chicken. But, there are surprising places that you might not expect to find this protein. Because of gluten's versatility in both cohesiveness and as a leavening agent, gluten is a handy additive to have around in many food processes.

Let's take a look at some other foods where are likely to find gluten:

Beer, ale, lager
Bacon Bits, imitation
Coating mixes
Communion wafers
Candy
Luncheon meats
Broth
Roux
Sauces, condiments
Soup bases
Self-basting poultry
Soy sauce
Marinades
Medicines
Vitamin and mineral supplements
Lipsticks, lip gloss, lip balms
Play Dough

In each of these items, gluten is often present as an additive used to bind or leaven.

Gluten free beer made from sorghum in an American supermarket. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Now that you see how many products contain gluten, I'm sure you'd like to know where you won't find gluten. Again, some of these items may be familiar while others may not. Let's take a look at a short list of gluten-free food items.

Amaranth
Arrowroot
Buckwheat
Corn
Flax
Millet
Potato flour
Nut flours and meal
Quinoa
Rice and rice bran
Sorghum
Soy
Tapioca
Oats*

*Although oats are considered gluten-free, they are processed so often with other grains, such as wheat, barley, and rye, that oats are often 'contaminated.' This means that when purchasing commercial grade oats, you will most likely be getting some gluten in the finished product simply by being in the same batch, bin, or vat. You should look for oat products specifically labeled "gluten free" if you want to avoid gluten in your oats.

Now that you know what gluten is, and where gluten is, and isn't, you will have a working knowledge of how to recognize a diet with gluten, and a diet without gluten. These lists are beneficial to anyone with an intolerance to gluten, but are by no means all-inclusive. Any symptoms of celiac disease or gluten intolerance should be diagnosed by your physician or other health care professional.

And for some gluten-free recipes and cooking tips, be sure to stay tuned to this blog!

Tour Your Local Farmer's Market for Fresh, Healthy Delights

This month we're doing a short series on shopping and cooking from your local farmer's market. Farmers markets can be one of the best sources for fresh, healthy foods. Usually picked that day, produce at your local farmer's market is often much fresher and thus more nutritious than even organic produce at the supermarket. You can also find great deals, especially if you shop towards closing time, when farmers are eager to unload their remaining goods at a discount. Fall is a great time for farmers market shopping, with cool mornings, fresh breezes, and the bounty of summer still in abundance, and fall crops coming on as well.

Walk through your local farmers market and you're walking into a world of wonder.  You'll immediately be intrigued with the amazing scents and sights.  Let's just take a tour through a sample farmers market.  We'll choose a scenario in the South as an example just to get you thinking.  Here we go.

The Entry

Farmers market, Saint Paul, Minnesota (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Farmers markets are mostly outdoors in the South, or possibly in several tents or shelters, but with sides wide open. There may or may not be a single entry point. Either way, the masses of people arrive usually pretty early in the morning to avoid the heat of the day. Shoppers descend on the booths and the farmers just after daybreak. You're right there with the swarm, making the chicory coffee tent your first destination. 

As you make your way into the line of tents, you see people bartering over the prices, learning techniques on how to skillfully pick the ripest produce off the vine. You see the samples of honey, salsa of all types, and fruit preserves being tasted and swooned over. The sun is up now and shining bright, but a cool breeze is blowing, thankfully. “Turned out to be a pretty nice day,” is commonly exclaimed by the farmers. The fall season offers a break from the heat, and any break from the heat is a “pretty nice day.” At this point, you have to decide which way to go, so you look and decide to follow the crowd.

The Senses

You don't get far before you notice the aromas. You take a deep breath and enjoy.  Depending on the season, you're treated to the smells of fresh fruit like cantaloupes, peaches, strawberries, and watermelon.  Suddenly you feel extremely hungry.  You begin to check out the offerings, hoping for samples now. You aren't disappointed.  There's a display of cut up cantaloupe.  And there's a peach with a knife stuck in it, meant for you to help yourself.  It looks like there are little spoons next to the honey and salsa display.  Bingo!

You realize you've been sampling a bit too much and decide to buy some honey before you move on.  There are other tables that draw your attention now with an array of gorgeous colors and aromas. You begin to move through the market.  You now spot the deep eggplant purples, the Swiss chard red and greens, and the pale mix of creamy white and yellow of the corn on the cob.  Then you see the beautiful colors of the bins and bins of pumpkins, squash, fall beans, potatoes, beets, and onions.  And and of course the abundance of fall greens; collards, kale, mustard, beet greens.  You turn the corner and the air is thick with a blend of aromas from the rows and rows of fresh herbs.  Now your arms are loaded with an array of colors and aromas, promising flavors beyond compare. You could linger longer just to let your senses enjoy, but, it's time to continue exploring, and sampling.

Taken at the Traverse City Farmers Market. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Surprises

On your trip around the tents, you come across some rather unique stations. One farmer is selling everything dairy you could possibly think of including homemade butter, raw milk, and soft cheeses.  He offers you a taste of the chocolate milk he is selling and amazingly it tastes like liquid pudding in a cup.  Now you notice another merchant who is making fresh kettle corn.  He picks up his little paddle and begins to make circular movements in a large black kettle. Suddenly, kernels come popping out as he stirs faster and faster.  This may be the perfect snack right now.

You find more of a variety of products than you could ever imagine, from homemade soaps, natural cosmetics, garden decorations, and handmade jewelry and accessories. There is one tent that has handmade organic cotton baby clothes. There is a woman at another tent selling rag rugs she made using her grandmother's patterns.  If you can imagine it, you'll probably find it.  You wander into another section and you are met with a wall of canned goods.  Now you're exhausted.  You're only halfway through the market.  Do you leave or continue your journey?  One more tent.  Just one more.  Then you hear popping in the background and make your way towards the noise and find a farmer freshly grinding grits and cornmeal.  These are the things you didn't really plan to see.  What's next?  Will your pocketbook be able to handle the surprises?

The Purchases

You've exhausted yourself and your supply of cash.  You finally head back out to the car with your bags of goods and examine the spoils you came away with.  A half gallon of that delicious chocolate milk, a small bag of kettle corn, a couple cantaloupes, a jar of honey, some peaches, collard greens, potatoes, carrots, okra, and even a bar of homemade soap.

Oh yes, you will definitely be back. Maybe you should measure that spot you've been thinking of putting a rug.  You never know what you'll find at the farmers market, but it's sure to be a fun and rewarding trip!

Video - How to Make Mozzarella Cheese

As a funny note on the synchronicity of life, I happened upon this video by accident this afternoon, after just this morning talking with a friend about making mozzarella!  (As we say at New Holistic Living - everything is connected....)  I got a book on cheesemaking last summer, but honestly haven't done much with it so far. Making your own cheese can be challenging, and, for some kinds, requires equipment and space I just don't have right now. I make a lot of yogurt, which I use mostly in my morning breakfast smoothies, but otherwise the only things I've made from the book are a Greek soft cheese, which was just okay, and ricotta, which was amazing, and I've made that one a couple of times since then as well.

I hadn't thought to try mozzarella - I thought it sounded complicated when I had looked at the recipe previously, but my friend this morning mentioned it was supposed to be an easy cheese to make, and judging from this video, it's really pretty simple. I actually have all of the ingredients already, so I will try this one soon for sure. Summer is a great time to make mozzarella, with all the fresh tomatoes and basil soon coming on.... Yum!  (If you need a few recipes for your fresh mozzarella, be sure to check back later this week for some tasty suggestions.)

Check out the video, and see how easy it can be to make your own fresh mozzarella from scratch. And see below the video for some other helpful resources on cheese-making, including the kit shown in the video.

 

Home Cheese-Making Resources:
   

How to Choose the Right Cutting Board

You use it everyday in the kitchen. If not looked after it can make you sick – And yet you probably never give it a second thought.

A Chopping Board (or cutting board) is a large board you use in the kitchen for chopping, cutting and preparing food on.

Image via WikipediaWhen purchasing a new board, there are heaps of options to choose from – timber, glass, marble, plastic. And it can be a confusing choice. My favorite trusty old plastic board finally broke recently after many years of use, and I had to find a new one. I was fairly overwhelmed by all the different choices in size, material, pricing, etc.

Glass and Marble type cutting boards may look good but they play havoc on your knives. The hard surface will quickly blunt your knife and damage its edge. So, keep your glass and marble boards for serving food only.

When it comes to wooden and plastic boards, even the experts are divided as to which is best. It comes down to personal preference. And mine is…. it depends.  :-)

Wooden boards are generally heavier and less inclined to slip. They are also more attractive and can be used to serve food at the table.

Whereas plastic boards are lighter, come in various colors and are dishwasher safe.

Whichever type you choose, it is imperative you clean it well. Harmful bacteria can breed on your board and cause health concerns, especially if you have used it to cut raw meat or seafood.

So …  be sure to scrub your board well after each use, with hot water and detergent. Then allow it to stand and drip dry. Your board should be completely dry before using again.

It’s a good idea to have more than one board, to avoid cross contamination. Have one for raw meat and one for other foods. Professional chef Jamie Oliver recommends home cooks use a plastic board for raw meats, which may resist cracks and scratches better than wood, and can also be placed in the dishwasher for a sterilizing wash.

Or take it to the extreme and do what the professionals do.  Use 5 different colored boards:-

     Red – Raw Meats
     Yellow – Poultry
     Blue – Seafood
     Green – Fruit and Vegetables
     White – General

Image via WikipediaI don't take it quite that far, but I do have several different cutting boards - a couple of plastic ones that can go in the dishwasher and which can be used for meats, vegetables, and anything that is to be cooked. I also have a "raw vegetable" board, which I use only for veggies and fruits which will be eaten raw or in salads, and a small plastic board which I use for "sweets" - nuts, dried fruits for baking, and things that I don't want to cut on an onion, pepper, or garlic-scented board. :-)

So, if your board is starting to look a bit worse for wear, then it is probably time for a new one. And now you will be well informed to choose the right one for you.

And what did I end up with, during my recent shopping trip? I chose a medium-sized bamboo board, which became my new "raw" board. It had a weird smell the first few times I used it, but after a few uses and a few good (hand) washes, now it's great. It's a nice size and weight, has a handy handle on one end, and looks nice.

A Few Popular Cutting Board Choices:
   

The Top 5 Things You Need In Your Kitchen

Welcome back, and Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed the holidays, and got to do some fun cooking, without too much stress. And hopefully, if you're a relatively new cook, you got some of these kitchen essentials as gifts this season. :-)

If you are just starting to cook, or are moving in on your own, chances are, you don't have much in terms of cooking equipment. Here is what we recommend you use as a foundation to your kitchen, as you are starting out. As time goes by, you will, of course, get more kitchen gadgets. But here are five that we recommend starting out with:

- A chopping board. This is a basic need for your kitchen. It is very versatile, as you can chop pretty much anything on it - onions, potatoes, tomatoes, meat, herbs, etc.

Some people prefer to get separate chopping boards for meat, dairy items, vegetables, etc. Others get differently sized chopping boards, and use them depending on the volume of things they need to chop. Start out with one, and see what else you need.

Image via Wikipedia- A couple of good knives. Again, this is very basic, but you won't get very far in your cooking endeavors without a knife. A good, sharp knife goes a long way to help you prepare food. You can go to some stores, and hold the knives in your hand, so that you know which one you are comfortable with, or you can purchase them online - look for good customer reviews, or visit www.newholisticliving.com/cookingfromscratch.html for some recommendations.

You will want a large multi-purpose chopping knife like a Santoku, a small paring knife that is easy to maneuver, and a good sharp one with a serrated blade for slicing and boning meat - these should serve most of your needs to start with.

- A big pot. You need a pot for pretty much anything - from boiling pastas to Image via Wikipediamaking soups to stewing to pretty much anything else. Some pots come with colander inserts, which makes it easier to cook pasta and steam vegetables. Or, you may get a colander separately, and use that.

- A saute pan. We love saute pans, and use them all the time. Again, they are very versatile, and we recommend getting ones without wooden handles, so that you can put them in the oven as well, and they will last longer.

Use the saute pan for preparing stir fries, sauteing meat and fish, cooking vegetables, eggs and much, much more.

- Roasting pan. You will need one of these if you plan to roast anything in the oven. From roast to roasted chicken to roasted vegetables, a roasting pan can help you cook your favorite dishes in the oven.

This is just a start, and I know it can seem a little overwhelming to visit the kitchen of an experienced cook, with loads of equipment and all the latest gadgets. But don't be scared - cooking is fun. Start getting a few of the basic things that we recommended, and add to your collection of kitchen equipment as time goes by.

Visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/cookingfromscratch.html for some suggestions for simple, quality, essential cookware.

The Benefits (And Drawbacks) Of Buying Designer Kitchenware Products

If you are in the market for kitchenware, you may be considering making the purchase of designer kitchenware products. And you may be wondering what are some of the pros and cons to making the purchase of these types of products in this day and age.

Image by noodlesthekuppy via FlickrOf course, for many people, one of the downsides to making the purchase of designer kitchenware is the price. In many instances, these types of products can be rather pricy.

But by shopping around -- including surfing around the Internet -- you can (on occasion) save at least a bit of money on designer kitchenware products. Budgets are tight for many these days (especially during the holiday season), so if you want to attempt to save a bit of money on designer kitchenware products, you will want to spend the time shopping around. Again, keep in mind that deals that might be available in regard to designer kitchenware are to be found both in cyberspace and in the brick and mortar world. You will not want to limit your shopping to only one of these two important shopping venues.

Image via WikipediaEven considering the price issue, there are many benefits to be had by purchasing designer kitchenware. The greatest benefit is the fact that you will be able to use highly effective and stylish kitchenware products in your own home. Because the kitchen really is the room that many cooks spend a great amount of their time, it may be important to you to have attractive and appealing kitchenware included in your overall kitchen décor. If you are such a person, you definitely will want to take a close look at the purchase of designer kitchenware.

Finally, one of the most important benefits of designer kitchenware is the fact that these products usually are of high quality. While you will end up spending a bit more for designer software at the outset, because these are well-built products as a rule, they will be around for a long period of time, and will tend to work very well - often much better than cheaper brands.

Visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/cookingfromscratch.html for some great suggestions and sources of high-quality designer kitchenware.

Important Cooking Tools You Can't Go Without

Far too often people overlook the importance of using the proper tools when cooking fine meals. While there is nothing in the world that can quite compare to cooking with the finest and freshest of ingredients, these things can only be enhanced by making use of the perfect tools for the job at hand.

Image via WikipediaWhen it comes to pots and pans and skillets you should keep in mind that conductivity is of extreme importance. You should also select pots and pans that are made of a heavier gauge. This allows your pans to heat evenly avoiding hot spots, which can lead to food that may 'stick' to your pan or scorch during the cooking process. This means that simply stopping in at your local mass market retailer and purchasing any old set of pots and pans is probably not the best course of action for the best possible quality in your kitchen. I went ahead and purchased a great-quality set of pots & pans a few years ago - they are worlds above the cheap stuff I had before, and I am pretty sure they will last forever - they are not only beautiful, but incredibly sturdy and durable.

Kitchen knives are also important ingredients in the kitchens of today. If you plan to prepare many meals in your kitchen, then the quality of your knives is of the utmost importance. Your knives are an investment you shouldn't have to make too often in your lifetime. For this reason, select a really good set and be prepared to make a sizeable investment in your knives. You will never understand, unless you've tried to prepare foods with knives of inferior quality versus the good ones, just how important it is to purchase good quality and well-balanced knives for your kitchen. You should also try the handles in your hand if you can to see how comfortable they feel before purchasing a set of knives. If you do a lot of chopping and cutting during your meal preparation and cooking you will want to make sure that the knives you are using feel comfortable in your hands. And don't think you have to go out and purchase a 20-piece set. I have so many knives I never even use - you really only need 5-6 different knives at the most to cover all the different functions you are going to use them for (other than a steak-knife dinner set, if that is something you need). 

If you are like me and plan on cooking a great deal of meat then you should also invest in a jacquard. This useful tool helps not only when it comes to tenderizing rather rough and tumble cuts of meat but also pierces the surface so that rubs and marinades can penetrate for a more flavorful experience. This is by far one of my favorite kitchen gadgets and it isn't a sizeable investment for the added value it provides to meals.

A good quality grater is another tool that no kitchen should be complete without. There are many who feel that with all the pre-shredded cheese products on the market today this tool is obsolete but nothing could be further from the truth. First of all, pre-grated and pre-packaged cheese simply doesn't touch the quality of flavor that freshly grated cheese provides. Second, cheese isn't the only thing that these graters are useful for grating. Graters are excellent tools for grating citrus fruits, spices, garlic, chocolate, and even onions. If you do a good deal of baking in addition to your cooking you should not overlook the value of having a quality grater in your kitchen.

Image via WikipediaOf course there are many more cooking tools than I could possibly mention here. Those mentioned above simply happen to be among my personal favorites. There are all kinds of appliances that in my humble opinion no kitchen is truly complete without. In addition to these great appliances there are many tools that are simple matters of preference. Do you peel enough potatoes to warrant a special device for doing so or do you simply opt to purchase an ergonomically designed potato peeler and peel them by hand?

There are no one size fits all answers when it comes to kitchen tools and many of us are often limited by serious budget constraints and restrictions. My best advice if this is the situation for you is to purchase the best possible quality you can afford and build from there. Even if it means replacing one pot or knife at a time until you can manage a complete set of superior quality cooking tools you will find it well worth the price you've paid in the long run.

For some examples of great cooking tools no kitchen should be without, visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/cookingfromscratch.html - it's a great place to find quality gifts for the special cook in your life (even if that's you)!

A Few Top-Quality Cooking Tools:
   

Healthy Grocery Shopping Tips

For any cook, grocery shopping is something we all have to do, and sometimes choosing the right foods can be very hard indeed.  There are some tips to assist you with your healthy grocery shopping:

Image via Wikipedia1.  Never go grocery shopping on an empty stomach. Anyone who has done this will attest that you will end up buying way more than you intended, and often things that you normally wouldn't even think of eating! (Once, in a fit of hunger-induced delirium while shopping, I actually picked up a package of Twinkies! Thankfully, one bite of the greasy, sticky, sugar-sponge was enough to spoil my appetite....)

2.  Select canned fruits and tuna that are packed in water, not oil or syrup.

3.  Look at the labels for the words "hydrogenated" or "partially hydrogenated".  The earlier you see them appear on the list, the higher the amount of unhealthy trans fatty acids the food will contain.

4.  If you absolutely must buy frozen dinners (which we don't recommend - they are full of preservatives, highly processed, and often don't even taste that good; instead, when you cook, make extras and freeze the leftovers in small portion-sized containers), select those that are not only low in fat, but low in sodium
and sugar as well.

5.  If you aren't consuming enough dairy products, try calcium-fortified orange juice, or take a supplement containing a citrate form of calcium, as well as magnesium and vitamin D, as these help your body absorb calcium.

6.  Opt for whole grain breads, cereals, and rolls. If you can find them, sprouted grain breads are even more nutritious and much easier on your body to digest and use (plus they are delicious!).

7.  Shop around the outside edges of the store. This is where the fresh foods are offered, such as vegetables, meat, and fresh baked goods. By staying out of the center aisles, you will avoid the more heavily processed and unhealthy foods, as well as avoiding temptation!

8.  Don't be tricked into buying "yogurt"-covered nuts or raisins thinking they are healthy, as the coating is normally made of sugar and partially hydrogenated oils.

Image via Wikipedia9.  Try some natural treats, such as dried fruit, or a frozen fruit bar containing several actual fruits (avoid artificial ingredients, and try to go for a lower-sugar brand.

10. Skip the grocery store altogether, and join a CSA or make it a habit to shop at your local farmer's market! Not only will you be buying MUCH fresher and healthier foods, you will also be supporting your local community and economy, and avoiding all the junky temptations on the grocery store shelves. You will probably even save money by avoiding all those impulse buys!

By following the above tips when grocery shopping, you'll avoid the bad foods and get those that you need.  There are many different healthy foods out there, all it takes is the will power to go past the bad foods and on to the good ones.

Video - Healthy Snack Ideas

If you read our last post and still need more healthy snack ideas, this quick video gives a number of great suggestions. If choosing fruits and veggies, be sure you are buying organic, to avoid introducing nasty chemicals into your body. (See our Toxic Load blog for more info on eating organic: http://nhltoxicloadgreenliving.blogspot.com/2011/02/why-you-should-eat-organic.html)

Most of his choices it looks like are organic or have no preservatives, but the one thing I would NOT recommend is the soymilk - there is lots of research out there showing that processed soy is really not good for your body, and may even cause weight gain. Edamame is the exception - it is a raw, unprocessed food, and may be steamed or boiled, then sprinkled with sea salt, for a healthy and delicious snack.

Healthy Eating Tips : Eating Healthy Snacks
Try not to go more than four or five hours without eating. Learn more about proper healthy snacking with tips from a certified nutritionist in this free health video. Expert: Ken Babal Bio: Ken Babal is a certified nutritionist. He now has his own pr...



Some Snacks Discussed in the Video: