Wednesday Links and a GIVEAWAY!!!!

GIVEAWAY!

So, as you know I've started canning with the hopes of canning a lot of the harvest from my garden this summer. So. In hopes of spreading the gospel of home preserving, I am giving away some starter canning supplies from Ball. 

I will be giving away the Ball Canning Discovery Kit. This 6 piece kit gives you all the tools to start canning using your existing kitchenware. It includes everything you need to start canning for the first time and step by step instructions.

I will also be giving away a copy of The Ball Complete Guide to Home Preserving. I picked this up this weekend and it is a completely idiot-proof guide to all types of home preserving. There are step by step guides WITH PHOTOS for making each type of recipe. If you feel hesitant or nervous about canning, this book will help you do it right.

So how can these wonderful items be yours? 

1. Leave a comment telling me if you've tried canning and what you make or would like to make with these items
2. Like Gen Y Foodie on Facebook, or, if you already do, let me know in the comments
3. Share on Facebook: I just entered a giveaway to win Ball home canning supplies from Gen Y Foodie. http://www.generationyfoodie.com/2012/06/thursday-links-and-giveaway.html
4. Follow me on Twitter, of, if you already do, let me know in the comments
5. Tweet the following: I just entered the @Ballcanning #Giveaway from @genyfoodie!

OFFICIAL RULES:

Open to residents of United States and Canada only. Giveaway closes on Wednesday 6/29 at 5pm EST.

And now onto the links!

First I want to spend ten seconds bragging about my amazing little bro Jeff. He returned from Russia on Monday, where he spent the last three weeks building sports and playground facilities at a school in rural Russia with his charity Students Helping Children Across Borders.

Not only did he start his own charity, but his built this project from the ground up, spending the last nine months organizing and fund-raising. He connected with some people from Suzdal, Russia and put this whole thing together ... in Russian! In recognition of these efforts, he won the Katherine W. Davis Peace Prize (learn more here). The most impressive part of all of this? He did it all HIMSELF while playing Division I college ice hockey and keeping a full college course load.

As you can tell, I am so proud of this guy. He kept an amazing blog about his time in Suzdal and his project. My personal favorite post, however, is about his attempt to make some pizza for his host family. You can read this hilarious story here.

Dessert Round Up: 

Since I'm not a baker and don't make many desserts, I like to live vicariously through all my amazing food blogger friends. Here are some of my favorite desserts of the week. Go check out these talented bloggers and their yummy recipes.

• Black Forest Cheesecake from Kim at Cravings of a Lunatic
• Tiramisu Bread at Baker Street
• Watermelon Ice pops from Kelly at Eat Yourself Skinny
• Chocolate Bacon cookies at Simply Scratch

Healthy Links:

• Can ginseng fight fatigue? - NYT
• The 12 dirtiest types of produce - make sure to scrub these! - CNN
• Natural remedies for mosquito bites! - HuffPo

Farmer's Market and Monday Links!

As I've mentioned many times, I am very lucky to have a fabulous farmer's market within walking distance of my home. I have been counting down the weeks until the 2012 market opened. I've been hoping to start experimenting with video on the site so I thought this would be a great opportunity to try it out. The following video is a little rough around the edges, so be kind.

My wonderful friend Rachelle, who is an amazing artist, hockey player and all around human being, came down for the day and agreed to video tape my farmer's market excursion. Unfortunately we experienced torrential downpours, which put a bit of a damper on the morning. Undeterred, we soldiered on like the hearty New Englanders that we are. The resulting video is not quite what I was hoping for, but it will give you a glimpse of the Union Square Farmer's Market and what it has to offer. I will be visiting this market weekly until Thanksgiving and everything I find will likely make its way onto this website. 

We picked up:

• Chipotle Chili Dark Chocolate from Taza Chocolate. Their factory is around the corner from my apartment. I need to get there to take the tour! 
• A beautiful free-range whole chicken as well as some smoked bacon from Stillman's Turkey Farm
• Some handmade string cheese and roasted garlic buratta from Fiore Di Nonno, made that morning in Somerville. 
• Fresh sweet peas, French breakfast radishes and cilantro at Mass Audobon's Drumlin Farm 
• Baby bok choy, cherry radishes, and kale from Parker Farm 
• Rosemary onion foccacia and whole wheat bagels from Iggy's Bread of the World

So. Onto the video. As you can see, it was pouring, so the sound is a bit off. In addition, this was my first attempt at editing and putting something like this together. I am planning on creating a few more videos in the coming weeks to supplement the recipes and other content on this site. Please let me know if there is anything in particular you'd like to see! NOTE: I am wearing the purple raincoat.

One of the best things about being a food blogger is getting to know all the other brilliant cooks there who consistently make delicious things. Here are some recent posts that caught my eye. Can you tell I have dessert on the brain??

• Coconut Creme Mini Cheesecakes from Cravings of a Lunatic
• Avocado Creme Brulee from AHC at Healthy Foodie Travels
• Coffee Hazlenut Muffins (WITH frosting!) at Baker Street
• Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes from Jen at Three Little Piglets
• Pistachio Pretzel Chocolate Chip cookies from Home Skillet

Tuesday Links!

Hey guys, after a busy long weekend of non-stop cooking, I am taking a short break. I will be back posting recipes on Thursday. I have lots of healthy, detoxifying things planned for the next few weeks. I also plan on putting together a best of post with some of my favorite recipes of 2011.

In the meantime, here are some healthy links to tide you over!

• Never Get Sick Secrets - Health.com 
• 2011's Health Breakthroughs - HuffPo
• Vitamin D is not a miracle cure - ABC News
• Winter Holidays increase heart attack risks - USAToday
• Boost your smoothies with these super foods - FitSugar
• Is beer as healthy as wine? I hope so! - NYTimes

And here are some wholesome, healthy recipes to help you ring in 2012

• This black eyed peas salad looks so tasty - NY Times
• Yummy Son in Law Eggs - The Mistress of Spices
• Quinoa and Greek Chicken Salad - Cooking Healthy for Me
• Brick Chicken with Pomegranate Cider Sauce - Gastronomic Nomad

Wholesome Wednesday Links!

I am SO excited for Christmas! I love the holidays and always have a wonderful time eating, drinking, and catching up with friends and family. I have been fiendishly baking cookies and look forward to branching out into other recipes as well. Tomorrow night, I will be at my friend Meghan's Edible Balls party - where I hope to bring some bacon popcorn balls. I'll let you know how these turn out. Onto the links. 

Healthy Christmas Links:

• TakePart.com just featured my Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Soup as part of its Christmas dinner menu
• The Environmental Working Group just released a study about the dangers of feeding kids sugary cereal. If you don't know the EWG - they provide lots of amazing scientific info about health risks associated with various products. I find the Cosmetics Database really helpful when making choices about which beauty products to buy. - CBS News
• Here's a fascinating look at the (insane) foodie habits of Kim Jong Il - Bon Appetite
• Uh oh, I guess I shouldn't be eating raw cookie dough - NY Times

Blogs and Recipes I love:

• The lovely Ann, over at Cooking Healthy for Me, made HOME MADE CHEEZ ITZ!!!! I need these immediately. 
• I recently discovered the best blog - Banana Mondaes - Jules combines reading children's books with cooking! She baked the most adorable Apple Ginger Pies while reading Amelia Bedelia! 
• Bon Appetit has the most amazing recipe for Lamb Shanks with Pears - I can't wait to try this

Wholesome Wednesday Links

Wednesday links are back! My friend Ann, over at Cooking Healthy for Me, is reviewing my holiday cookbook this week! So far she's made my Light Green Bean Casserole, Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Squash, and Light Mashed Potatoes! Her amazing post and photo of the green beans made the Top 9 today! I am so lucky to have met so many wonderful people through blogging. The food blogger community is filled with kind, supportive and talented people! Onto the links...

• Yay! Massachusetts is the 5th healthiest state in the USA - where does your state rank? - CNN.com
• Wow, I feel lazy. Read this inspiring article about a 62 year old marathon swimmer - NY Times
• Check this out! A personal trainer gained 70 lbs and is now chronicling how he's losing it
• The best foods for healthy skin - Mayo Clinic
• Exercise lowers death risk more than diet! Hit the treadmill - HuffPo

Also, as you know, I have made many wonderful blogger friends, check out some amazing recipes I found this week:

• Katherine Martinelli made the most gorgeous Chicken and Corn Chowder
• I am completely in love with these Oatmeal Trail Mix Cookies by Chef Dennis
• Kate, at For the Love of Feasting made Beer Butt Chicken, a recipe I've always wanted to try
• Baker Street featured the most amazing Cookie and Cream Cheesecake Bars - they look incredible
• I am loving this Leek and Pancetta Risotto from There's a Newf in My Soup!

Also, I keep forgetting to post pictures of my new puppy, Archer. He will be 10 weeks old on Friday. He's VERY energetic and a lot of fun! Have a great week.

Thanksgiving Links and Gourmet

Happy Thanksgiving! I am so excited for the long weekend, the yummy food, and bringing home Archer, the newest edition to our family! Craig is picking him up today, so check back tonight and I'll post some photos of him. He is too cute.

Also: I was lucky enough to be Gourmet's Image of the Day again! Check it out at the GourmetLive blog.
I adore Gourmet, so I'm really honored they chose my photo of delicata squash rings. That is such a yummy recipe, I actually picked up a ton of delicata squash last night to eat on Turkey Day.

One of the surprising benefits of blogging is that I have made a bunch of wonderful blogger friends. Reading other food blogs, commenting and emailing with other bloggers for tips and inspiration is a wonderful gift. I wanted to link to some amazing Thanksgiving recipes I found this week. So check them out and leave them some comment love!

• My friend Ann over at Cooking Healthy For Me did some yummy Brussels sprouts with grapes!
• Running to the Kitchen featured the most amazing pumpkin goat cheese dip - I can't wait to try this.
• I love bread pudding and couldn't resist this wild mushroom bread pudding from The Curvy Carrot
• For dessert, try these skinny pumpkin pie cups from my girl Kelly over at Eat Yourself Skinny  

 And here are some other Thanksgiving-inspired links:

• Thanksgiving can also be a great time to gather details about your family health history - WashPo
• Check out this Thanksgiving Cheat Sheet to help you determine portion sizes - HuffPo
• Turkey cooking tips - Mayo Clinic

Thanksgiving Mega Post: Great Ideas for your Holiday

I just loooove Thanksgiving. All the yummy food combined with family, friends and football makes for an amazing day! I thought I'd throw up some healthy suggestions for great Thanksgiving dishes. What is your favorite Thanksgiving food? I'm partial to pie, but I also adore Brussels sprouts and stuffing. 

• Mustard Green Beans
• Sausage Stuffed Squash
• Skinny Mashed Potatoes
• Apple, Pecan and Farro Salad

• Brussels Sprout Caesar Salad
• Roasted Garlic and Butternut Squash Soup
• Baked Pumpkin Pasta
• Roasted Broccolini with Pistachios

And Other Great Recipes:

• Roasted Squash Salad
• Green Beans with Fennel
• Greek Yogurt Smashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onions
• Delicata Squash Rings
• Pomegranate Balsamic Glazed Carrots
• Balsamic Roasted Cauliflower

Links

It's been a while since I posted some links. My apologies. Things have been so busy with the holiday cookbook, work, and getting ready for our new puppy! I will post some pics after we take him home next week.

Without further ado:

• Public Radio Kitchen featured my Brussels Sprouts Caesar Recipe - check it out! It also features some other great things to do with my favorite veggie - WBUR
• New research suggest vitamin C can help recovery from heart failure - WebMD
• Yum! Low calorie holiday cocktails - FitSugar
• Will eating kiwis lower your blood pressure? I hope so, they're delicious! - HuffPo

Wholesome Wednesday Links!

More internet issues this week. I've got a tasty recipe for fish tacos going up tonight so keep an eye out for it. In the meantime, here are some great links.

Here's a fascinating article about a new series Dr. Gupta is doing for CNN called "The Last Heart Attack," which discusses how we can avoid and prevent heart disease. The special airs Saturday night (8/27) at 8 and 11pm on CNN. I've already set my dvr. This piece is about President Clinton and his battle with heart problems. From Omnivore to Vegan.

• How flexible are your arteries? - NYT
• Drinking wine can lower Alzheimer's risk - US News
• Are cranberries just as effective as antibiotics? - WebMD

Wholesome Wednesday Links

So...for the past few days we have had no internet in the new apartment! I have been cooking up a storm, but can't put any of the new recipes online! So. Hopefully it will be fixed today and I can show you some of the things I've been working on. In the meantime, here are some new links:

• Is watching TV as bad as smoking? - MSNBC
• Walnuts: new superfood? - HuffPo
• Fight acid reflux with these recipes - Health.com
• Are you getting enough Vitamin D? - WebMD

Wholesome Wednesday Links

Hello! As you may have noticed, I have not posted for a while. I am actually in the process of moving and all my kitchen stuff, as well as my camera, is packed up. The good news is that my new place has an amazing kitchen and I already have lots of recipes ready to cook when I get there. So sit tight, I will be back with new recipes on Monday.

In the meantime, have some links...

• How exercise boosts your brain power - NYT
• Healthy Hydration - HuffPo
• Take fish oil supplements to ease anxiety - MedScape

Wholesome Wednesday Links

• What is actually in that hot dog? - NY Times
• 10 easy ways to squeeze in exercise - HuffPo
• 25 100-calorie snack ideas! - WebMD

And finally... some discussion of Generation Y eating and cooking habits!

"Raised with unprecedented exposure - both real and virtual - to world cuisines and global concerns, this Millenial Generation now coming of age as young adults is redefining what it means to love food. These 20-somethings aren't just passionate about, say, Mexican cuisine or counting bad or good cholesterol. Their foodie lifestyle is one part cooking, one part social conscience."

 - From the Christian Science Monitor

Wholesome Wednesday Links!

• Exercising on an empty stomach does not burn more fat - NY Times
• Eating cereal can fight high blood pressure - CNN
• 14 things that are making you tired - WebMD

Wholesome Wednesday Links!

• Surprising heartburn triggers - Health.com
• More news that chocolate is good for you! - Epicurious
• New study shows sugary drinks increase junk food cravings - The Guardian
• Sunscreen guidelines from the FDA - WebMD

Wholesome Wednesday Links!

Sorry for the lack of posting recently! We went up to New Hampshire for the long weekend and that, combined with the crazy heat wave, kept me out of the kitchen for a few days. New recipes coming tomorrow. Go Bruins!!!

• Grilled Lettuce? 8 Unlikely Grilling Ideas - HuffPo
• The truth about energy and sports drinks - Health24
• New study confirms running is a predictor for heart health! - NY Times
• Testing traditional hangover remedies - Health.com

Wholesome Wednesday Links!

• Veggies that are healthier cooked than raw - Shape
• 10 Things You're Doing Wrong at Restaurants - Huffington Post
• In addition to lowering blood pressure, meditation can also reduce pain! - WebMD
• New research about sodium and heart attack risk - Health.com

Wholesome Wednesday Links!

• How much added sugar is too much? - WebMD
• Scientists have discovered a link between depression and aging - Science Blog
• Damn Girl! 92 year old woman is oldest to finish a marathon - Huffington Post
• How to add color to your plate - Eating Well

Wholesome Wednesday Links

• Gourmet Insects?!?! - NY Times
• Foods that help you concentrate - Web MD
• The biggest risk factors for deadly disease - HuffPo
• How to safely use antibiotics - NY Times

Wholesome Wednesday Links!

• Not only does President Obama lend his trainer to the White House staff, but they are encouraged to take lunch time workouts! - NY Times
• Camel's milk is being touted for it's medicinal properties, would you try it? - HuffPo
• 10 mood boosting foods - Health.com
• Coffee reduces stroke risk in women - WebMD

Wholesome Wednesday Links!

• Herbs and spices that promote longevity - Huffington Post
• 11 foods to build healthy bones - Health.com
• A positive attitude will lengthen your life! - NYT
• New research suggests soda may raise your blood pressure - WebMD