How to Choose a Ripe Avocado

Here is a great video from 'Your Produce Guy' that helps show how to tell if an avocado is ripe or not and also explains what you can do to help an avocado ripen.

How to Cut and Deseed an Avocado

Another great video that not only shows an easy way to cut and deseed an avocado, but also shows how to use fresh lemon juice to prevent the avocado from oxidizing and turning brown.

How to Core and Slice an Apple

Not only does Oron show us how to easily core and slice an apple, but he also shows us an awesome and easy way to use a sliced lemon to prevent the apple from oxidizing and turning brown so quickly!

CREAMY PENNE PASTA

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 (16 oz.) box of organic, whole wheat penne pasta
• 1/4-1/2 cup water
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 yellow squash, diced
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (12 oz.) package of organic, nitrate-free, GMO-free Italian Style chicken/turkey sausage (optional), chopped
• 12 oz. plain Greek yogurt
• 4 oz. raw goat cheddar, shredded
• Drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil
• Sea salt and fresh cracked pepper
• Several leaves of kale torn into tiny pieces

DIRECTIONS:

1. Fill a large pot with water for the pasta. Place on the stove, on high, adding a few dashes of sea salt. Cook pasta "al dente" according to time listed on the package. Drain. Do not rinse. (While waiting for water to heat up and pasta to boil, complete steps 2-5.)

2. In medium skillet, on medium-high heat, add 1/4 cup of water, garlic, onion, squash, zucchini, and a pinch of sea salt and pepper. Cook for about 15-minutes, checking on the water level halfway through - add another 1/4 cup of water if pan is getting too dry. Vegetables will become very soft. 

3. Place cooked veggies into a blender or food processor and purée until it resembles a creamy texture (about 1-2 minutes). 

4. Return pan to stove. Add a drizzle of olive oil and place chopped sausage in to sauté for 3-5 minutes. 

5. In a large bowl, mix together the yogurt, shredded cheese, and kale. Pour puréed veggies into yogurt mixture and mix well. Pour in your sautéed sausage and mix well. 

6. Serve over penne pasta.

How to Cut, Julienne, and Dice Yellow Squash

Several ways are shown on how to cut up a yellow squash.

How to Julienne and Dice Zucchini

Ryan shows us how to, both, do a Julienne cut and how to dice a zucchini. Always cut the very root-ends off your zucchini, and of course don't forget to wash your vegetables prior to cutting.

How to Mince Garlic

Here is a short video on how to properly mince garlic. Don't ask me why, but handling fresh garlic has always been one of those things that, as a new cook, intimidated me. This video makes it look so incredibly easy! Using fresh, minced garlic - (fresh anything for that matter) - is always the best route to go when trying to keep things healthy! Try making something with minced garlic in it this week and use your new garlic mincing skills!

How To Chop and Dice an Onion

This video is done by Jamie Oliver and he cuts it pretty quickly - for newbies, just follow the same directions but it's okay to go at a slower pace. It helps that his knife is of good quality and very sharp!

How to Cut and Deseed a Spaghetti Squash

HOMEMADE TZATZIKI SAUCE

INGREDIENTS:
18 oz. nonfat, plain, Greek yogurt
1 cucumber, seeds removed, chopped into tiny bits
3-4 cloves of garlic, minced (2-3 teaspoons)
juice from 1/2 a lemon (or 1 Tablespoon)
1 t extra-virgin olive oil
2 T fresh dill, chopped
salt & pepper, to taste


DIRECTIONS:
1. Rinse dill under cold water and place between paper towels to dry.

2. Rinse and prepare cucumber, cutting it lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and cut into tiny bits. Place the bits between paper towels and apply pressure with hands by pushing down on the top so that it soaks up the excess water; leave it like this until you are ready to mix them in.

3. Prepare the rest of your ingredients except for the dill and cucumber bits that are continuing to "dry".

4. Check dill to make sure it is fairly dry; chop.

5. In a medium-large bowl, add the yogurt as your first ingredient. If yogurt has become liquidy, give it a good stir. Add the chopped dill and garlic into the yogurt mixture and mix well.

6. Add your cucumber bits; mix well.

7. Add the lemon juice and olive oil; mix well.

8. Add a bit of salt and pepper and mix well. At this point, keep tasting the sauce and add anything more to it so that it is to your liking - salt and pepper, any leftover chopped dill, more garlic, etc.

Optional: Place sauce in a covered container in the refrigerator overnight to marinate. Stir well before using.

{Recipe originally by 'The Glossy Life' blog - click here.}

Healthy Snack Ideas: Cucumber Slices and Homemade Tzatziki Sauce

Cucumbers are one of the lowest calorie gourds you can snack on when compared to most other fruits and vegetables. Combine with other healthy snack items like carrots, celery, bell peppers, and even tomatoes, along with Homemade Tzatziki Sauce (click here) makes an amazing, delicious, and fulfilling snack!

Sliced cucumbers with Homemade Tzatziki Sauce

How to Slice Cucumbers

Deseeding A Cucumber