If you're interested in cooking authentic Louisiana fare for Mardi Gras, look toward a plethora of awesome cookbooks that have come from New Orleans recently. Cooking Up a Storm features tons of classic savory recipes, and when it comes to desserts, you can't go wrong with Damn Good Sweet. It's full of delicious-sounding treats like red velvet cake, lemon icebox pie, and the creamy luscious Read more

Making banana pudding is as easy as whipping up some instant pudding and adding bananas, Nilla wafers, and Cool Whip. Even the slightest homemade spin on this classic American dessert will wow guests at a Memorial Day barbecue or Summer soiree.Curious as to how complicated banana pudding can get, I happened upon a brilliant bourbon-spiked recipe with glazed pecans and homemade sponge cake. Or, Read more

Looking for a sweet but healthy treat? This recipe for chocolate banana pudding that reader Gabriela Une Vie Saine posted in the Healthy Recipe community group may be just what you need. This is an incredibly rich and delicious tasting pudding that's actually totally healthy. The texture is reminiscent of chocolate mousse, but it still manages to pack a ton of healthy fats and protein! See Read more

When you taste Cuban food for the first time, you'd swear that Spanish and Caribbean cuisines had a little love child — which isn't too far from the truth. The diversity of Cuban culture is indicative in the rich and varied flavors of the country's cuisine. One of the most thriving Cuban communities in the US is located in Miami, FL (and let me tell you, they've got the food to prove it!). Read more

A close relative to our sprouting terracotta friend, the Chia Pet figurine, chia seeds are a dynamic ancient superfood. Once a staple food for the Mayans, Aztec warriors, and Incas, the term "chia" actually translates to "strength" in the language of the Mayans. Legend has it that one tablespoon of tiny chia seeds was able to sustain them throughout their long, tiresome days. What have they Read more

Celebrate Mardi Gras with Damn Good Sweet's banana pudding. Check out our comprehensive coverage of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Meet the contestants of Top Chef Masters 3! Why chef Scott Conant might be the most charming chef we've ever met. Plan a Mardi Gras extravaganza, from finger food to hurricanes to a budget-friendly look. Top Chef All-Star Fabio Viviani weighs in on this Read more

Beyond being a professional triathlon competitor, Brendan Brazier has covered his nutritional bases. Brendan's the creator of the "Thrive Diet," a nutritional plan to improve performance and recovery and has developed Vega shakes, a line of nutrient rich vegan protein shakes. He regularly tours the US to give speeches about how to have optimal health. The author of two books, Brendan will Read more

Just like nuts, seeds are full of protein and fiber and will give you an energy boost when snacked on throughout the day. Here are four types of seeds that are delicious and good for you! Pumpkin Seeds: Pumpkin seeds aid in lowering cholesterol, promote good prostate health, and are high in plant sterols and phytochemicals. And they're not only a good source of protein and fiber, but potassium Read more