What you need:

• Cooking spray
• 4 (4-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon rind, divided
• 2 tablespoons honey mustard
• 1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup whole-wheat couscous
• 1/4 cup sliced pimiento-stuffed olives
• 1/4 cup sliced pitted kalamata olives
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Procedure: (more…)

1 kg ground pork (suggested proportion of fat to lean meat is 1:3) or 1 kg Prawn (shrimp) peeled
1/3 cup chopped water chestnuts or turnips (singkamas)
1/3 cup chopped carrots
2 medium or 1 large minced onion(s)
bunch of spring onions or leeks
1 egg
5 tablespoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 teaspoon salt
50 pcs. large or 100 pcs. small wanton or siomai wrapper
soy sauce, calamansi (lemon or kumquats), sesame oil and chilli paste (for the sauce)

Wrapper:

1/4 cup water
1 egg
1 tablespoon vegetable or corn oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (more…)

How did spring rolls get their name? This delicate but filling appetizer has its origins in the annual Chinese Spring Festival. The first spring rolls featured fresh vegetables from the harvest; meat was added later. To transform vegetable spring rolls into a truly vegetarian appetizer, use vegetarian oyster sauce (made with mushrooms).

What you need:

* 2 ounces cellophane noodles or rice vermicelli
* 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 1 onion, finely chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, chopped
* 2 tablespoons peeled and grated fresh ginger
* 2 cups shredded green cabbage
* 2 carrots, peeled and grated
* 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
* 1 cup fresh bean sprouts, rinsed
* 2 teaspoons fish sauce
* 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed in 2 tablespoons water
* 18-20 frozen spring roll wrappers, thawed
* Vegetable oil for deep frying
* Thai sweet chili sauce for serving

Procedure: (more…)

Cauliflower gains incredible sweet flavor when roasted. Here, it is paired with healthy chicken and tossed in a homemade olive, almond, and parsley pesto-like sauce.

What you need:

• 1 head(s) (2 1/2- to 3-pound) cauliflower, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
• 2 tablespoon(s) extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1 pound(s) chicken breast tenders, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
• 1 teaspoon(s) freshly grated lemon peel
• 1/4 cup(s) slivered almonds
• 1/3 cup(s) pitted green olives, rinsed well
• 1/4 cup(s) packed fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped, plus additional for garnish

Procedure: (more…)

Make it a special night with easy, elegant appetizers. The Blue Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms!

What you need:

• 3 strips bacon
• 6 large mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, sliced
• 3 ounces cream cheese
• 3 ounces blue cheese
• 1/3 cup bread crumbs

Procedure:

1. Cook bacon strips in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy; drain on paper towels. While the bacon is cooking, remove stems from mushrooms. Set caps aside, and chop stems.
2. Add butter to skillet with bacon grease. When melted, stir in mushroom stems, onion, and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently until the onions caramelize, 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a small baking dish with cooking spray.
4. Once the onion mixture has reached a deep, rich brown color, place into a blender along with bacon, cream cheese, blue cheese, and bread crumbs. Blend on low until ingredients are roughly chopped and evenly combined. Stuff cheese mixture into mushroom caps and place into prepared baking dish.
5. Bake in preheated oven until bubbly and lightly browned, 10 to 15 minutes.

A healthy snack at mid-morning and another one at mid-afternoon can bring you a burst of energy and cut back on the kind of cravings that lead to a fast food frenzy at your next break.

• Cup of green or herbal tea can boost your energy and bring you long-term health benefits. Try specially formulated Ancient Treasures tea for balance at the workplace or Internal Cleanse tea to clear toxins.
• Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, cranberries, goji berries, and cherries: rich in antioxidants, berries can also help remove toxic residue from the system, which is sometimes the cause of low energy.
• Handful of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit is a grab-and-go treat that will ward off your energy slump. Seeds such as pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds are full of magnesium; so are nuts, especially almonds, Brazil nuts, and cashews.
• Instead of a bagel with cream cheese, have a slice of wheat toast with hummus. Beans like hummus can help you sustain your energy and prevent low blood sugar from setting in.
• An apple is a heart-healthy instant snack that will feed your metabolism without overloading you with calories.

I hope this tips will help you make the most of your snacks. I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.