Thanksgiving Detox: Pomegranate Apple Salad

After yesterday's heavy Thanksgiving fare I needed to detox. Since I had all the ingredients on hand (something to be said for a well-stocked kitchen) I created this delightful  Pomegranate Apple Salad with a made from scratch Honey Poppy Seed dressing

It's not only beautiful to look at (we eat with our eyes first), it was light, crunchy, and delicious. 

A Thanksgiving Favorite: Cranberry-Orange Relish

Thanksgiving steeped in tradition, with food and family at the forefront. So many memories shared around the dinner table. One of my favorite accompaniments to my mother's savory, rich corn bread dressing has always been cranberry sauce.

When I became serious about my health and cooking, I decided it was time to ditch the canned cranberry sauce and make my very own. For the past several years, my Cranberry-Orange Relish has earned a spot on our family's Thanksgiving table.

With Thanksgiving just a week away, I want to share my recipe with you. It's super simple, bursting with flavor, and only uses four ingredients. Perhaps it will become a favorite with your family too.

Cranberry-Orange Relish

Tangy, sweet and bursting with flavor this relish is memorable

Ingredients
2 (12-ounce) packages cranberries, fresh 
1 orange, zested and juiced
1 cup sugar
1 cinnamon stick


Directions
Put all the ingredients into a saucepan over medium heat and simmer until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens, about 15 to 20 minutes. Serve at room temperature or cool and refrigerate. Remove the cinnamon stick before serving.

Healthy Holidays with Chrisetta

We all have our favorite, traditional dishes that we just can't wait to enjoy during the holidays. But I say let's put a twist on the classics or add something all together new.

Saturday, I showed a crowd how to whip up: Wild Rice Apple Cranberry Salad, Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Sage Butter, and a Festive Popcorn Mix. The salad was the biggest hit and everyone loved the popcorn too.
I was pleased to have so many young kids in the room. Thank you all for joining me and as always thanks to the staff of the Cascade Park Community Library.Let the holiday season begin. Good food. Good folks. Good times.

Thankful

Today, I'm thankful to God for giving me the strength, courage, and belief in myself to battle obesity. Battling obesity has been one of the hardest things I've done in my life. And, while I've yet to beat obesity entirely I'm so grateful for the progress I've made. Today, I'm healthier and happier. I know that I couldn't do it without God's Grace and Mercy.

For anyone out there struggling with your weight...YOU can do anything you set your mind to. Take it from someone who knows...I used to weigh 388 pounds and have lost 170 pounds with a change in my attitude, diet, and incorporating exercise.

PRAY to God
BELIEVE you can
LOVE yourself every step of the way
FORGIVE yourself when you stumble
SURROUND yourself with healthy, positive people

What's for dinner? Broccoli Potato Cheddar Soup

A perfect fall evening for Broccoli Potato Cheddar Soup. For a twist, I hit it with a little nutmeg which pairs really well with the taste of the sharp cheddar. The result, a warm satisfying bowl of goodness. 


Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box with Chrisetta Mosley

Health 100: Food and Your Health -- Fall 2013

Two days, three classes, and 100 Clark College students are OFFICIALLY Outside of the Box! On Monday, I had the pleasure of having back-to-back lectures. I absolutely love talking to and with the students and showing them how simple it is to make food OUTSIDE of the Box!
So much fun, delicious fun! 

On the menu: Blueberry Banana Kale Smoothies, Cashew Energy Bars, and Quinoa Spinach Salad