Exotic Flowers in Boston

The snow is piling up outside and inch-by-inch the outlook doesn’t look so hot.  Your family is crowded around the television listening intently to see whether or not school will be closed for the day.  Kids are getting excited while mom and dad shake their heads in fear of the fatal news and then it happens…school is officially closed due to inclement weather.  You start to panic as your children cheer “Snow Day!” with zeal and you wonder how you will make it through a twenty-four hour period trapped in the house?  It’s a familiar situation for many Bostonian families as the winter is flung into full gear.  Blizzards, ice storms and frigid temperatures are all part of the New England package but don’t fret yet.  There are a few sure fire tips to surviving these messy predicaments that will allow you and your children a comfortable, stress free and (dare I say), fun snow day together!

Food

I don’t care what other experts say, food is key to surviving a snow day so make sure that you’ve made a trip to your grocery store before the storm hits.  Stock up on munchies like chips and ice cream, something that is a special treat that you don’t ordinarily buy on a regular basis.  Water, fruits and veggies of course are a staple, but make sure that you have some fun nibbles.  Foods that make the house smell good are also a great idea like pot roasts, Crockpot dishes and marinara sauces.  Baked goods like cupcakes and cookies that you can make together are also smart choices and will help to entertain the troops if boredom sets in.

Games

Never underestimate the power of playing games to whisk away the hours while still spending quality time together.  My favorites are Clue, Sorry, Monopoly, Parcheesi and Scrabble.  A deck of cards can come in handy, too and will supply your family with entertaining tournaments of war, go fish, rummy and old maid so always have a deck on hand. 

Movies

Along with making a stop to your grocery, don’t forget to drop by your local library for a great selection of DVD’s.  Movies are a wonderful way to pass the time and you’ll be happy with the cost since it’s free.  Trilogies are smart since you can watch one right after the other like Home Alone, Star Wars and Jurassic Park.  Pop up some popcorn and enjoy a great show!

Arts and Crafts

Grabbing a few projects for the kiddos is another fabulous way to get through a snowstorm and can be very inexpensive if you have the right supplies.  Empty egg cartons, pipe cleaners, tissue, construction paper, crayons and paints are a simple way to bulk up your arts and craft inventory.  Browse Pinterst from some great ideas or just let the creativity flow with some fun winter themes like making snowflakes or glitter snowmen!

 Suzie, Lance, Rick & Ryan Canale, Westwood, MA 

Suzie works in the children's department at the Westwood Public Library. She can help supply you with books and movies to combat any winter storm.

The holiday season is packed with celebrations amongst family and friends where we can enjoy one another’s company, sip champagne and feast upon the most delicious treats.  There’s the turkey at Thanksgiving, red velvet cake at Christmas time and for New Years, just about any decadent cuisine is up for grabs.  The holidays are wonderful but if you’re like most recovering from the festivities, you’re looking to pare down the calorie count and get back into those favorite jeans that have been on vacation in the closet.  So many people swear off dieting in January because they just don’t want to give up satisfying their sweet tooth just to dial back the numbers on the scale. I agree, it’s depressing but what if we could compromise by allowing dessert if we only swapped a few ingredients here and there?  Now I don’t mean eating strange non-dairy cheesecakes -we don’t have to get crazy to lose a couple of pounds.  I, myself, love a sweet morsel before bedtime and refuse to get weird when it comes to denying certain after dinner accompaniments.  This is what I’ve tried and amazingly, it works.  Give it a go and you’ll see you’ll be strutting your stuff in no time!

                              photo credit: Whole Foods Market

Berries, Berries, Berries

Berries are nature’s savior in the dieting department because they pack a ton of vitamin value and antioxidants (something many need after a little too much bubbly over the last month).  Raspberries, blueberries and strawberries (my favorite) can all be found in your produce department year round and can be mixed in with any dessert dish being served.  Blackberries are another yummy berry but can be difficult to find in New England grocery stores but if you do, ground the berries to make a natural, finishing syrup.   You don’t need to add any other flavoring or sugar and the beautiful color will top off any cake or soufflé magnificently.

Frozen Yogurt-You’ll Never Know The Difference

There is a long running argument that frozen yogurt can’t match the taste of ice cream but I strongly disagree.  Not only does the creamy consistency taste wonderful but you’re literally ingesting a quarter of the fat and sugar, therefore upping you metabolism to burn more wasteful calories.  You can select just about any flavor desired including chocolate chip, chocolate mousse and peanut butter cup.  Fantastic varieties include Breyers, Friendly’s and Edie’s, try them blind folded for an ultimate test.  You can’t go wrong with any of there products and you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the results. 

Splenda Makes Splendid Treats

Splenda is a sugar substitute that many bakers have been using as a sweetener substitute.  Prepared within cakes, cookies, muffins and cupcakes, many speculated that Splenda wouldn’t deliver the “sweet” effect that consumers were yearning for.   They admitted their mistake when tasting that the low calorie sugar really did deliver and was pleasantly comparable with traditionally made desserts.  Although the ingredient was mainly implemented at first by pro-dieters and diabetics, the tasty confection has proved to be a big hit on the dessert menu!

 Suzie Canale, Westwood, MA 

Suzie frequents Wilson Farm in Lexington, Market Basket in Waltham, and Roche Brothers in Westwood for fresh produce and quality ingredients for her and her family.

New England Clam Chowder Recipe

For all of you football fans getting ready for Sunday’s big game, here’s a sure fire hit to add to your menu of tailgating foods!  Authentic to the New England region and delicious to boot, this recipe is both easy and quick to cook up for the big game day.   Try this New England Clam Chowder soup for your friends and family and get ready to cheer on the Patriots!

Ingredients

4 Red Potatoes                                                          3 Tbsp Flour

½ Gallon of Half and Half Cream                            4 Tbsp of Butter

2 Bottles of Clam Juice                                              1 Tbsp of Dried Rosemary

4 lbs of Clams                                                                        1 Cup of Chopped Parsley

2 Celery Chopped Stalks                                          Salt

1 Yellow Chopped Onion                                          White Pepper

Directions

Melt the 4 Tablespoons of butter in a large pot over medium heat.  Add the chopped onion and celery to the pot and sauté until softened.   Slowly add flour creating a roué, which will start to thicken the mix of vegetables and butter.  Once the flour has been soaked up, slowly add in the cream taking rests to stir the chowder. 

 Take a knife and pierce the red potatoes, then place them in a microwave for 4 minutes.  Slice the lightly softened potatoes into rough cubes and add them into the pot. 

 In a separate pan, boil the 2 bottles of clam juice.  Place the clams in the heated liquid and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes, afterwards straining the excess juice and adding the cooked clams to the chowder. 

 Add the 1 Tbsp of rosemary and cup of chopped parsley to the pot then season with salt and pepper to taste.  The chowder will thicken and the temperature should be dropped from medium to low for approximately 40 minutes.  Serve piping hot!

It’s cold outside and Bostonians are searching to find their favorite foods that will comfort them through the next few months.  January, February and March can be bitter and icy, the kind of weather where we need a little extra cushion in our stomachs to brave the season.  For some it’s a decadent dessert while others prefer an entrée of rich cuisine but whatever you favor, I think we can all agree that we need some extra meat on our bones during this time of year.   City restaurants can have just what you’re looking for or maybe you would rather opt to stay home and create your own menu?  Here’s a bit of fare facts to help you explore and enjoy some of the top comfort foods for winter 2015.

Top Comfort Foods

1. Pasta has got to be the number one “go-to” food when we need a “calorie hug” and there is an extraordinary array of options open to you.  Tortellini with sautéed spinach and cherry tomatoes is delicious and carries very little prep time.  Stuffed shells are another fabulous comfort meal because you can alter the variations of ricotta cheese and add whatever fillings you like such as mushrooms, extra tomatoes, onions and spinach.  Alfredo, chicken and broccoli is another classic that actually contains healthy vegetables and protein so it’s a little more “guilt free”.
2. Soups are number two on my list because (if prepared right) you can get your bones warmed without eating an excessive amount of fat.  Excellent varieties include creamed corn, cream of broccoli and chicken noodle soup.  Some of these are quite simple to make in a crock pot or can be interchanged with bases replacing a heavy flour roué with a blended rice, celery and onion substitution (I use this when making my cream of broccoli recipe).  Soups are also ideal because you can throw in whatever veggies you have left in your fridge to make scrumptious bowls of yummy and heart healthy soups.

Best Winter Cookbooks

There are millions of wonderful cookbooks out there and all contain some useful tricks from the trade to help you whip up five star meals.  My favorites include “How To Cook Everything”, “The Joy of Cooking”, William Sonoma food guides and “Martha’s American Food”.  Trust me on the last one and look up her recipe for macaroni and cheese.  You’ve never tasted anything like it, I assure you!

Try Em’ and Dine In Em’

If cooking is just not your thing, have no fear because Bean Town is home to some spectacular restaurants, bistros and cafes.  How about chicken potpie found at “Henrietta’s”, French onion soup from the “Capital Grill” or a burger from “Tasty Burger”?  Don’t forget we are famous for the world’s best clam chowder so treat yourself with a sampling from my favorites “Union Oyster House”, “Legal Seafoods” and “Grill 23”.

 Suzie launched her third children's book, The Candy Roses of Cape Care at the Union Oyster House in 2013.

The turkey was unbelievable, the mashed potatoes were scrumptious and the red velvet cake was out of this world but there’s one problem, how are we ever going to button our pants again?  Don’t get me wrong, holiday fare is something that should be experienced with gusto and celebrated with glee amongst family and friends. So what do we do when it’s time to get back into shape?  We’re not going to make yet another New Year’s resolution to get fit and forget about it after a couple of weeks, right?  Let’s pull of f the pounds by tweaking just a little portion of our menus and gently up some of our physical activity instead of crash dieting and grueling exercise programs.  These are a few ideas I’ve used to adjust the holiday waddle in my walk.  Give it a try and lift off the weight from December. 

New memberships to expensive gyms-don’t do it!  You are almost guaranteed to be tempted with a January deal promising an initial low rate but these are just ploys to get your money hoping that you’ll stop working out within a month.  Do you know that fitness facilities have their highest sign up frequencies during the New Year’s resolution period and only 25% percent of new members actually continue to use the facility after two months.  There are cheaper and less manipulative means to get results such as walking a mall that is conveniently stretched in design to resemble a track.  Another great way to get your exercise is to bundle up and head for the outdoors!  I know that it’s cold here in Boston during the winter season but I promise you’ll feel better and get the fresh breadth that your body needs.

                               photo credit: simplyrecipes.com

 Bulk up your fish consumption to get a punch of lean protein and nutritious oils.  Fish has far less fat content than steak, pork or chicken and can be prepared quickly.  Not only does this food increase the body’s metabolic rate but also does wonders for your hair, nails and skin.  Grossed out by the notion of eating these ocean swimmers?  Try salmon for your first attempt and dowse 1 entire lemon over the top and a healthy shaking of Old Bay herb rub.  Bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees and you’ll be amazed at the taste and incredible weight loss results you will see!

We are all told that fruit should be the number #1 go-to snack but how many of us really do it?  One way to increase the probability of eating these healthy picks is to pre-cut produce such as watermelon, pineapple and cantaloupe immediately after bringing it home from the supermarket.  It will be easier for you to grab on the run, therefore easier to opt for when in a hurry.  If you make a cup for breakfast, add a handful of raspberries and blueberries.  They’re simple to prepare and loaded with anti oxidants!

 Suzie and Rick Canale, Westwood, Mass. Christmas 2014

Suzie can be found at her home in Westwood making amazing healthy meals year round.

It's that time of year again when we count our blessings and get ready to make a few changes for New Years!  Resolutions have been a traditional gesture for many to seize the opportunity towards improving ourselves within physical, financial or emotional areas.   The most common resolutions are to lose a few pounds, increase our lucrative value and to expand social circles.  While these are certainly appropriate goals that pertain to a wide demographic, how about making things a bit simpler?  We don’t necessary have to be skinnier, worth more or popular to be happier in the New Year.  Resolutions can be better attained if we choose to diverge into activities and opportunities that already exist in our daily lives.  Joining a gym or scanning the want ads may not lead to a healthier and happier 2015.   Melioration can be achieved by taking smaller steps.  Here are my top resolutions that can be utilized everyday throughout the changing of the year. 

We don’t necessary have to make the resolution to drop twenty pounds in order to like ourselves more and we certainly don’t have to succumb to outrageous and even sometimes, dangerous diets to fit into a pair of skinny jeans.  Even if we do decide to spend our Christmas bonuses on fancy memberships, lets face it, most people stop using them by the end of January.  It’s a waste of time and resources and there are easier ways towards achieving a loser belt strap and a youthful glow.  Try swapping one meal a day with a plate of fruit and vegetables.  Chopped watermelon, cantaloupe and mixed berries contain a satisfying taste while bumping up your antioxidant immunity and lesser calorie value.   Vegetable soups such as cream of broccoli (made with a low fat dairy), salads and sautéed root vegetables are also excellent substitutions for sandwiches, pasta and other common dinner/lunch entrees.  You will be amazed how fast your body adapts and how quickly you’ll see results without having to bow down to inflated gym costs and grocery bills.

                                                   photo credit: hellogiggles.com

Having goals of finding riches in the future is a standard resolution but most find disappointment when at the end of the year, they haven’t found their pot of gold.  How about using a simple savings plan to create volume in your bank accounts without falling for “get rich quick” schemes that almost promise failure.  Instead, try using a coin jar where you can put pennies, quarters, dimes and nickels.  Whether it’s from buying a coffee, toys furniture or anything, insert the change and watch the levels of finances grow!  You might think that the amount will be low but I’ve tried this before and managed to pay for entire vacations with the money collected within one year.

                              Lance, Rick, Ryan & Suzie Canale -Rehoboth Beach, DE August 2014

We all want family, friends and loved ones but somehow believe that by making a New Years resolution to be popular, things will instantly change. It just doesn’t work that way.  Expanding social circles takes effort on our part and requires us to make the initiative to engage with others.  If you have high social anxiety, attempt to participate in low stress events where it is easy to strike up a conversation.  Coffee shops, restaurants and grocery stores are excellent places to start.  Again, take simple steps like offering to shovel a neighbor’s sidewalk after the next snowstorm or signup at your local library for paint classes where you can mingle within your community.  Figure out what your interests are and search for local and free opportunities to partake in these activities where you can meet others who enjoy the same things that you do!  Remember, the key to living a long and happy life is still up for debate but most agree that having a loving surrounding of people is definitely a big part of the recipe!

- my best wishes for a Happy New Year.

Suzie Canale, Westwood, MA 

New Years Eve dinner is one of the most anticipated meals of the year where dishes are slaved over to ensure a tasty feast for all who sit at their holiday table.   Including delicious sides of mashed potatoes, squash, green beans and more, guests look forward to the eclectic presentation of food served for this celebration.  Although cuisine varies from plate to plate, the main course usually includes a roast that can be prepared in several different ways depending on the host prefers.  While different seasonings, glazes and even oven temperatures will vary, there is a simple recipe for those who new to cooking their very first New Years Eve dinner.  While we might be anxious about the pressure to perform perfection, I assure you there’s an easy way to make sure your roast will turn out scrumptiously.  Follow these steps and you too will have a New Years Eve dinner with a main course fit for a king! 

Ingredients

Roast

1 Garlic Clove

Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 Yellow Onion                                                        

2 Stalks of Celery Baby Carrots

Red Potatoes (Quartered)

Ken’s Italian Dressing

2 Leaves of Sage

Rosemary

Parsley

Salt                                                                                              photo credit: Seriouseats.com

White Pepper

Preheat oven at 325 degrees and place the roast face up in a roasting pan.  With a knife, slice 1inch slits on the surface of the meat making sure to spread the cuts at least 1 ½ inches apart from one another.   On a cutting board, thinly slice the garlic clove to produce at least 7 separate pieces.  Insert one garlic slice into each whole pressing the seasoning down deep.  Lightly dust the surface with salt, pepper and parsley, afterwards spreading the cream of mushroom soup over the top of the roast, which will sink into the meat and create a wonderful taste while cooking.  Then slice the yellow onion into ringlets and place over the glazed mixture.  Place the two sprigs of Sage delicately across the top, which will not only add to the unbelievable flavor but will also enhance the presentation of the dish.  On the bottom of the dish at the top and bottom of the roast, add the baby carrots and quartered red potatoes.  Sprinkle the veggies with a dash of salt, pepper and rosemary herbs and drizzle the Italian dressing on top.  Toss the vegetables together making sure that all of the ingredients are fully covered with the marinade.  Place the celery stalks on each side of the roast now completing a box around the meat.  Place in the oven for 2 hours and you have yourself a dynamite meal to serve  for New Years Eve dinner!

 and what could be better on New Years Day than a pot roast patty melt ? 

photo credit: cassiecraves.blogspot.com

Suzie Canale

Westwood, MA

Suzie's New Year's tradition is writing her and her family resolutions and sending themm out to sea as a message in a bottle.

Take out of pizza and most popularly, Chinese food is found on many tables the night before Christmas but there is one special festivity that promises a more interesting appeal than cheesy dough and fried rice.  The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a time honored tradition celebrated by millions of families the eve before Santa arrives and is celebrated the most by Roman Catholics, Southern Italians and Italian American families.  Translated originally as, “La Vigilia” the custom calls for the eating of seven different fish dishes although sometimes expanding to nine.  The fish is often cooked and fried in oil and has a surrounding of several different possible reasons why this came to pass.  One theory says that the number #7 is the most repeated number in the bible while other philosophers claim that it represents the seven hills, which circle Rome.  The importance of the dish made from fish is tied to both the Catholics placing importance to eliminating meat and dairy on the eve of any holiday.  The significance of participating in this festivity is both correlated to the religious aspect as well as the belief that all those who engage in the Feast of the Seven Fishes will have good health and fortune for the year to come. 

                                   photo credit:http://blog.turners-seafood.com/ 

Generations of recipes for this custom can include any type of fish but most commonly includes cod, specifically the serving, baccala (salted cod) and smelt.  Other popular platters serve delicacies of lobster, clams, eel, mussels, squid, scallops and shrimp.  Often there are helpings of vegetables and pasta but there is a strict restriction from beef, chicken and eggs.  Kale preparations are also seen quite often amongst the sides.  Variations are abundant, so don’t be afraid to substitute the cod for something you favor more.  Salmon, tuna, swordfish and sardines are perfectly acceptable replacements that might be more pleasing to your guest’s palettes.  Another terrific bonus for celebrating the Feast of the Seven Fishes is that homemade wine is a strong part of this tradition, although any wine is acceptable.

                                 photo credit: elizabethstreet.com

If you’re looking to start this wonderful custom on Christmas Eve, try Lemon Garlic Marinated Shrimp, which is both quick and healthy.  Grill or sauté 1½ pounds of shrimp however you usually prepare the shellfish.  Heat a skillet and add 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 4 tablespoons of finely chopped garlic.  Add a ½ cup of lemon juice, ½ teaspoon of salt and pepper and a ½ cup of fresh chopped parsley.  Mixed together well and pour over the cooked shrimp.  Place in refrigerator to chill until its time to serve. 

           Suzie Canale, Union Oyster House in Boston, 2014

Suzie can be found on Christmas Eve at her home in Westwood wrapping presents.  

Delicious Choices for Festive Christmas Breakfasts

The children have awoken, the Christmas presents have been unwrapped and there is a joyful spirit that consumes the house.  Everyone is all smiles and is anxiously waiting for the time to play with toys and trinkets found underneath the tree.  It’s the most magical morning of the year for many and the anticipation and energy surrounding this time can really work up an appetite for your family!  While the holiday dinner has been in pre-preparation for weeks, we must not eliminate the specialty of serving a festive and delicious Christmas breakfast.  This meal is sometimes looked over and forgotten because of the abundance of cooking that will be done later in the day but I can promise you there is a simple and easy way to nourish early appetites with yummy dishes that will not take an exhaustive amount of time to make.  Try these suggestions to ensure your entire holiday is filled with merriment from the breakfast to the dinner table.

                                      photo credit: thecookingmom.com

Eggnog French Toast

This is a great recipe that I found which is fast and takes very few ingredients, making it so easy to whip up in a hurry.  Eggnog French Toast might sound a little decadent but really, it’s the flavor that has made this meal perfect for the season.  Grab 2 eggs and beat them until the consistency is soft.  Add 2 tablespoons of pumpkin spice, 2 tablespoons of cinnamon and 2 cups of store bought eggnog.  Whisk together and dip 10 slices of thick bread into the batter carefully coating each side.  Then heat a skillet with a either Pam cooking spray or a pad of butter and sauté each piece until golden brown.  Serve immediately with rich maple syrup and watch everyone dive into this lovely Christmas breakfast.

                                                  photo credit: simplyrecipes.com

Sausage Casserole

Oh, you will love this recipe that is sure to please even the fussiest feaster at your table.  Simply preheat your oven to 350 degrees and heat a skillet where you will be cooking 1½ pounds of pork sausage until tender, draining the grease from the pork once ready.  In a bowl, whisk 5 eggs with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1½ cups of milk and 2 teaspoons of mustard powder.  After it’s mixed thoroughly, add the sausage, 2 cups of breadcrumbs and 10 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese.  Give the bowl another last stir to make sure that everything has blended nicely.  Next, grease a casserole dish or square pan and pour in the egg concoction.  Place in the oven for 50 to 60 minutes and let cool after the casserole is done.  Slice into triangles or squares and serve immediately.

                                     photo credit: lovethispic.com

Scones, Donuts and Muffins

Don’t be embarrassed to outsource this meal for the sake of convenience, that’s what your local bakery is there for!  Select baked goods that reflect the Christmas season such as cinnamon, peppermint or sugar powdered frostings and toppings to add extra dazzle and delight.  You’ll be surprised at the wide selection and the wonderful holiday shapes that are usually present within the bakery’s cases during this time of year.  Buy your choices the day before to ensure freshness and sit back and relax on your Christmas morning!

  Suzie and Lanc, November, 2014 Westwood, MA

Suzie will be having Christmas breakfast at her home in Westwood with her two boys, husband and mom.

Christmas is a wonderful time of year where we gather together to laugh, love and enjoy all those who are special in our lives.  We do this in a variety of ways including decorating the tree, singing carols and participating in the gift of giving.  One of the most time-honored traditions associated with this season is feasting, where family and friends create delicious meals with one another in the kitchen.  Whether we are creating trays of roast beef, turkey, mash potatoes, carrot soufflé, gravy, cranberry stuffing or cinnamon acorn squash, we know that these special hours of preparation are some of the most entertaining moments of our celebrations.  That is why I look forward to baking the deserts, which are always designed to be thematic of the joy and magic of Christmas.  There is truly nothing like the smells of sugar, flour and eggs as it wafts from the oven to the four corners of the house.  Can you think of a more inviting welcome for your guests?  Here are a couple of my favorites to pass onto your desert plates this December. 

Mitten Shaped Sugar Cookies

                            photo credit: thehungryhousewife.com

These are so adorable and are really easy to make, even if you don’t have a mitten cookie cutter.  Start by mixing 3 cups of flour with 1 teaspoon of baking powder and ½ teaspoon of baking soda.  Crack 1 egg and add to bowl.  Add 1 ¾ cup of melted butter, 1 ¾ cup of sugar and 1½ teaspoons of vanilla extract.  Mix thoroughly until the consistency reaches a firm doe.  Shape cookies with a rolling pin and either use a cookie cutter or butter knife to form the shape.  Place in a 375-degree oven for 8 minutes.  Once set to cool, spread different colored frosting over cookie for the mitten fabric and then use sprinkles to form a band around the wrist.  You’ll be surprised how beautiful, tasty and perfect for all holidays!

Santa Hat Cheesecake Squares

                                                photo credit: cookingclassy.com

Oh, these are just too cute and deliciously simple!  Particularly if you are looking for a last minute dessert to bring to holiday parties, this is your best bet.  If you don’t have time to make the cheesecake, your local bakery or grocery store is bound to carry them so don’t feel guilty about cutting corners.  Cut the sheet cake into small squares, about 3 x 3 inches.  Take strawberries and cut off the stems leaving a nice flat surface.  Place upside down with the wider surface planted on the cake to form a cone.  Then use either whip cream or white frosting to seal the surface of the strawberry and the edges of the 3 x 3 square.  Don’t forget to give a dot onto of the point to make the white ball of the hat. Voila!  You have an adorable sweet treat that Santa is sure to approve. 

 Suzie Canale, The Beantown Tales

Suzie lives in Westwood, MA with her family. She is the Director of The Women's Locker Room Foundation.