YumSugar

For Something Different, Try Cinnamon-Spiced Eggs

Susannah Chen — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:45:34 PST

At the beginning of the month, I resolved to simplify every respect of my life, including the number of items and ingredients I keep stocked in my kitchen. That's because I've discovered that in cooking, as in life, sometimes less equals more!

One unintended consequence of this newfangled declaration? I've suddenly been eating far more meatless meals made from pantry staples (think beans, lentils, eggs, and grains). My favorite dish as of late has been a Mediterranean-North African twist on eggs in purgatory, prepared by baking eggs in a slow-simmered onion-and-tomato sauce spiced heavily with cinnamon, allspice, and cloves.

Baked eggs of any sort are often thought of as a brunch dish, but I actually love to eat this any time of day, dinner included; the faraway flavors of the sauce make this dish the perfect way to end a long day. Keep reading if you want a recipe for cinnamon-spiced eggs.

8 Tips For a Healthier Brunch

FitSugar — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 19:42:25 PST

Weekend brunch is one of my favorite meals, but with all the deliciously decadent foods to choose from, like a Belgian waffle smothered in maple syrup and whipped cream, it's easy to overindulge. To avoid having to spend the entire afternoon in a coma on the couch, here are some tips for making your weekend breakfast as healthy as it is satisfying.

Load pancake batter with fruit: Mix in at least three different kinds of fruits such as blueberries, raspberries, cut-up cherries, apples, or bananas. With all that fresh, warm fruit, you might even skip the maple syrup.
Don't stop at oatmeal: Any cooked grain makes a hearty and satisfying breakfast. Cook up some brown rice, farro, quinoa, polenta, or millet and add yogurt, nuts, and fresh fruit.

I'm just getting started, so keep reading to check out my other tips for a healthier brunch.

Mediterranean Quiche Is Great Morning, Noon, or Night

Katie Sweeney — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:00:09 PDT

About once a month or so, I like to make a quiche. Sometimes I'll bake my own pie crust, but other times, when I'm in a hurry, I'll use a pre-made one from the store. The thing I love about quiche is its timelessness. It can be enjoyed at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I've even eaten a cold slice as a snack in the afternoon! It's also a great way to use up old and leftover ingredients. This Mediterranean-inspired quiche is my latest favorite recipe. It's a perfect easy meatless Monday meal, and it's so good you may end up eating half the quiche in one sitting! The filling is a combination of sautéed onions, zucchini, red peppers, and sun-dried tomatoes; gruyere and goat cheese provide a luxurious richness. To give it a try,

Healthy Make-Ahead Breakfast Ideas

Michele Foley — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 03:08:39 PDT

Being pressed for time can make it hard to sit down and enjoy a healthy breakfast. Often what ends up happening is that we skip breakfast altogether or pick up a calorie-laden pastry from a nearby coffee shop. Not good since breakfast is essential for keeping metabolism consistent and energy levels stable.

Instead of skipping breakfast as you rush out the door, make one of these well-balanced, healthy meals the night before. Even if you can't sit down at the table to enjoy them, all of these meals are made to grab and go!

How to Save 100 Calories at Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Cocktail Hour, and Dinner

Heather Dale — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:50:04 PDT

What starts out as an innocent meal, can easily turn into a caloric catastrophe. Eating too many calories, regardless of your current physical activity level, can wreak havoc on your body. To help you get healthy, and possibly shed a few pounds, here are multiple ways to save calories at every meal!

Source: Flickr User boellstiftung

Guess the Calories in These Popular Breakfast Egg Dishes

FitSugar — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 03:33:49 PDT

Nothing says brunch like a beautifully prepared egg dish. As delicious as they are on the palate, those pesky calories can creep up on you when you least expect it. Want to know how each dish scores in the calorie department? Take this quiz to find out!

Source: Flickr User Jon Mountjoy

Take the Quiz

6 Weekend Weight-Loss Tips to Slim Down

Shape — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 03:44:06 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

After a week of spartan lunches, rigorous workouts, and sleep-depriving presentations, it's easy to feel you've earned a happy hour margarita and a plate of cheesy nachos. But topping off a tough week in this way can undo all your hard work and even pack on the pounds. According to a study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, women consume about 115 more calories on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday than they do on weekdays. "Those extra 300 to 400 calories can leave you nine pounds heavier by the year's end," says Barry Popkin, Ph.D., the study's lead author. Fortunately, when armed with the right advice, it's possible to avoid the most common dietary traps while savoring that delicious downtime. And you may even wake up on Monday a little slimmer. Not a bad way to start the week!

FRIDAY

Overdoing It at Happy Hour
Alcohol isn't only high in calories, it also diminishes resolve - making it harder to keep your hands out of the pretzel bowl.

Keep reading to see the solution to this and many more weekend dilemmas!

Egg in a Nest, Meet the Grilled Cheese

Katie Sweeney — Thu, 12 May 2011 03:46:32 PDT

The grilled cheese sandwich is one of life's simplest pleasures, while an egg in a nest is a deliciously nostalgic breakfast. What happens when the two come together? You get one spectacular sandwich! Although this recipe is a little more complex then making the two dishes separately, it's worth the effort. It has you discard the center portion of the bread, but I decided to make a mini sandwich and serve it with the larger grilled egg and cheese. If you enjoy bacon in your egg sandwiches, sauté a couple of diced pieces and cook the spinach-onion mixture with the bacon. Interested in the amazing recipe? Read more.

Would You Eat IHOP at Home?

Katie Sweeney — Mon, 09 May 2011 14:28:31 PDT

Today IHOP announced the launch of a new line of premium frozen breakfast foods, IHOP at Home. The products, which are available exclusively at Walmart, consist of French Toast Stuffed Pastries, Omelet Crispers, and Griddle 'n Sausage wraps.

There are no details about the cooking method of these breakfast items, which I find a little unappealing. Do they go in the toaster? Microwave? Toaster oven? Although I haven't tasted them, I can't imagine that they are all that good.

Still, when I was younger, pizza pockets piping hot from the microwave were an after-school treat, so maybe in a pinch, these could hit the spot for a fast breakfast. Are you interested in trying IHOP at Home?

Source

Treat Mom to Homemade Benedict, California-Style

Katie Sweeney — Fri, 06 May 2011 12:10:34 PDT

Classic eggs Benedict is my favorite brunch dish; if it's on a restaurant's menu, I'll order it nine times out of 10. However, when I'm cooking brunch at home, I prefer to make a lighter, meat-free Benedict. Instead of Canadian bacon, I use roasted tomatoes and mashed avocado. The butter-heavy Hollandaise sauce is replaced with a creamy parmesan cheese sauce. Although you could use poached eggs, most of the time I'm lazy and simply used fried eggs. This dish is one that my mom loves, so if you're looking for something to make for your mother on Sunday, I highly recommend the California Benedict! Get the recipe now.