Homemade Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups

DIY Classics

By Sarah McColl, Shine staff | Team Mom – Fri, 15 Mar, 2013 

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Ulysses Press/Judi Swinks Photography

We don't make a habit of looking at the ingredients lists of some of our favorite snack foods. We're well aware there's unpronounceable, death and disaster-causing gook in there, but look, we really, really love Cheez-Its. "Classic Snacks Made From Scratch" takes all our beloved greasy-fingered treats (Fritos, Pop-Tarts, and Hostess Cupcakes, we're looking at you) and makes them from perfectly normal, find-it-in-the-grocery-store, easy to pronounce ingredients.

Make no mistake: author and culinary whiz Casey Barber isn't out to make these treats low-cal. She's an enthusiastic cook and self-described "DIY fanatic" who loves the mad scientist deconstruction of factory-produced treats. "It's supremely gratifying to nail a recipe and find those flavors that have such strong emotional connections," she writes,"but without preservatives or weird chemical aftertaste."

Let's look at one of our favorite school lunch sweets, Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups. You won't find a single strawberry in the store-bought version, though you will be chowing down on pears from concentrate, two kinds of corn syrup, partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil, and red 40. (We know! You don't want to hear it!). But set out to make these sticky, fun treats at home you'll need just strawberries, sugar, and fresh-squeezed lemon juice.

See more: Best recipe for homemade doughnuts

Barber recommends making big double batches of these in the spring, "when tiny, sweet berries are in season, for a Roll-Up more luscious and pure than any you've tasted before." Seasonally-appropriate snack foods? We're sold.

If you've been eyeing Silpats (those non-stick silicone baking mats Martha Stewart swears by) at the fancy cooking supply store, this is the perfect excuse to spring for them. "I find Silpats the best surface, hands down, for evenly spreading the thick fruit jam for roll-ups," Barber advises. "They won’t bunch and tear on you the way parchment paper can—and who wants to scrape the jam off a ripped sheet and start again?"

Homemade Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups

1 pound strawberries, hulled
¾ cup (5¼ ounces) granulated sugar
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about ½ lemon)

Yield: 12 rolls, 5 by 5-inch size

Cut the strawberries in half or quarters, depending on size, and mash roughly with a potato masher in a large bowl. You should have about 2 cups mashed berries. Stir in the sugar and lemon juice and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to break down the berries slightly. Stir once or twice while they sit to dissolve the sugar.

See more: How to make Starbucks scones at home

Pour the strawberries and their natural syrup into a blender and blend for 1 minute, until a smooth purée forms. Pour into a high-sided pan or Dutch oven (the wider the better, to help the liquid evaporate evenly) and bring to a low boil over medium heat.

Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring often. Visual cues are your best friend when you’re cooking fruit: the liquid will foam, then clarify as the bubbles slow and the purée thickens. At the final stage, the purée will be consistently thick and almost opaque, and it will “mound” slightly instead of immediately seeping back when pushed across the bottom of the pan with a spatula.

Preheat the oven to 175˚F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpat liners.

Divide the cooked fruit between the baking sheets and use an offset or silicone spatula to spread evenly into as thin and wide a rectangle as possible. The jam should be no more than ⅛ inch thick but still as evenly opaque as you can manage; thinner, more translucent spots will harden into brittle.

See more: Delicious twists on traditional chocolate cake

Heat in the oven for 5 to 6 hours, or until the fruit feels slightly tacky but no longer sticky. The timing will depend on the humidity level; a rainy day makes for a longer set.

Transfer the parchment or Silpats to wire racks and cool completely then transfer the fruit leather to sheets of waxed paper large enough to leave overhang on all sides. Use kitchen shears to cut the fruit leather from each pan into 6 (5 by 5-inch) squares. Fold the extra waxed paper over the edges before rolling so they won’t fuse.

Store the Roll-Ups at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week.

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Like Bacon, Sausage and Hot Dogs? Then Beware: They May Raise Your Risk of Death...

Like Bacon, Sausage and Hot Dogs? Then Beware: They May Raise Your Risk of Death, New Study Finds
By Beth Greenfield, Shine Staff | Shine Food – Thu, 7 Mar, 2013 12:46 PM EST

Beware of bacon. Photo: Getty Images/Flickr/Cara SlifkaYou know in your gut (and your gut knows it, too) that bacon is bad for you. And yet you can’t resist. But a new study might make it easier. It found that consuming high amounts of the breakfast favorite and other processed meats can raise your risk of premature death by 44 percent.

The research, conducted by scientists across 10 European countries, included tracking the health of more than 450,000 participants over the course of a decade or more. Of the 26,000-plus who died during those years, the ones who ate the most processed meats—5.5 ounces or more every day of bacon (so, five strips), sausage, hotdogs, salami, ham and the like—were 44 percent more likely to have died than those who ate little or none. In other terms, the meats were to blame in about 1 in 30 deaths, the main causes of which were cancer and heart disease. 

See more: 'Bacon Queen' wears dress made from...bacon

The aim of the study, "Meat Consumption and Mortality: Results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition," was to see how eating red meat, poultry and processed meat did or did not increase people’s risk of death. And while researchers found that eating lots of poultry was not to blame, and that consuming red meat was found only slightly to blame, it was clear that indulging in processed meats was a serious problem.

The good news, though, is that the scientists concluded people could prevent the higher risk of death simply by reducing their intake to less than three-quarters of an ounce of processed meat—about one slice of bacon—daily.

Research participants, recruited between 1992 and 2000 depending on the country, were between 35 and 70 years old, and answered questionnaires about their meat intake and other habits. But because the study was large, researchers were able to separate out factors like smoking and alcohol intake to find that intake of processed meat alone can send you to an early grave.

See more: Mediterranean diet may reduce heart attack and stroke risk by 30 per cent

The study used data only in France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, the UK, Greece, Germany, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. But folks in the US can also take the findings to heart, as recent data shows that Americans consume an average of 4.5 ounces of meat a day, and that 22 percent of that is of the processed variety.

So why are ham and hotdogs so unhealthy, exactly?

“Processed meats such as sausages, salami and bacon have a higher content of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol than fresh red meat,” the study reads, adding that the proportion of fat in sausages often reaches at least 50 percent of the weight.

“Both high saturated fat and cholesterol intake have been found to be related to the risk of coronary heart disease,” the findings continue. “Also, processed meat is treated by salting, curing, or smoking,” with processes that introduce carcinogens or their precursors, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heterocyclic aromatic amines and nitrosamines.

Tofu Pup, anyone?

What Does Hollywood Eat

by Tessa on February 14, 2013

Celebs Don’t Take Dieting Too Far. You Shouldn’t Either

Celebrities follow Hollywood diets such as the Zone and Pressed Juicery plans to get into amazing shape. Celebs choose healthy diets and exercise regularly to snap back into shape quickly. They have a balanced menu too. So, snack, processed, and fast food have to go. Limiting sugar-laden and high-sodium foods and refined carbohydrates is a healthy strategy.
The goal of healthy diets is to lose weight in a steady way, not to get pin thin, anorexic, and super skinny. There is nothing worse than sickly appearance. The goal of a healthy diet is to look and feel well. Celebrities don’t starve themselves but are picky about food and eat organic. Hormones found in poultry, meat, and dairy products make the body store fat. This is why, organic produce is the rage in Hollywood. Celebs stay away from packaged and processed meats and canned foods, which are loaded with sodium and preservatives. While there is no evidence that organic produce aids weight loss, it is part of a healthy diet. If you want to achieve that flat post-pregnancy tummy the Hollywood way, go organic!

Infographic courtesy of lowcarbfoods.org
Infographic via Infographic.ca

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The top 10 worst foods to eat

Now we are not saying that these types of foods should never pass your lips again, it's just a heads up on the fact that they shouldn't feature too heavily in your diet if you want to maintain healthy nutrition and maybe lose a few pounds.

Worst food 1: Pork scratchings

(pork rind or crackle)
Heavy and hard, we are talking fatty pig skin deep fried and then doused in salt. Also, if you are lucky you might even get one sporting a few hairs; pig hair is usually removed by quickly burning the skin before it is cut into pieces and cooked in the hot fat.

Worst food 2: Fried desserts

Fried desserts feature high up on the list of worst foods to eat as essentially you are dipping something in batter that is already high in sugar and fat, and then deep frying it. And don't be fooled by pineapple and banana fritters either; they are no better because they are fruit. The layer of batter and the fact they are swimming in sugary syrup make them one of the worst foods too.

Fried desserts are one of te all-time worst foods: sugar and fat combined -what an indulgence!

Worst food 3: Cheesy fries

Fries could feature as a bad food on their own, but taking a plate of fried potato and layering it in cheese, well, that takes them up a notch in the bad food stakes. Cheese typically contains over 10 times as much saturated fat as fish and white meat and coupled with deep fried carbs, a serving of cheesy chips are a big bad no-no.

Worst food 4: Fizzy drinks

Pop and soda — yeah they're bad, mainly because they pack massive amounts of calories, even in small quantities, so you are adding to your daily calorie quota and getting little nutritional value in return. Studies have also linked fizzy drink consumption to osteoporosis, tooth decay and heart disease. And diet drinks are not recommended either, granted they are lower in calories but as they contribute to dental erosion (the bubbles in the drink are acidic) they are a no go as well.

Worst food 5: Coloured alcopops

Alcopops (alcohol + pop) are again big calorie culprits as they are packed with sugar and calorific alcohol. Plus the fact that they are full of colours and flavorings all contribute to making them a pretty toxic tipple. Little rule of thumb, the brighter the color of the alcopop, potentially the worse it is for you. Instead opt for clear spirits with soda, tonic or fruit juice and steer clear of the technicolour stuff.

Worst food 6: Liquid meals

Okay, they aren't inherently bad for you, but liquid meals or meal-replacement drinks do keep you from eating proper food. You need to make sure you are eating whole, natural foods to ensure you gain all your essential nutrients. Meal replacements maybe okay for people who are too ill to eat, but don't let them replace the real foods in your diet.

The top 10 worst foods to eat

Worst food 7: Processed meats

These are also sometimes referred to as 'mystery meats' because it's ambiguous as to what some of them actually contain. But you can be assured that if it comes from a can and is kind of unrecognizable — it's not going to be great for your body. Try to steer clear of sausages and salamis too; these food stuffs are generally all the unwanted bits churned up with fat and salt - we are talking heads, knees and toes (plus a few other less-desirable body bits).

Worst food 8: Chicken nuggets

First off, chicken nuggets that are not made from filets are the real bad guys. Again it's similar to the sausages situation; all the leftover carcass bits mixed up with bulking agents so manufacturers can crank out more portions. But it's when these little nuggets are deep fried that really boosts their 'worst-food' status and it's all to do with the size. Smaller fried items, i.e. nuggets, absorb more fat that larger pieces of fried goods, so a portion of nuggets will pack way more fat than a single larger fried piece. So if you want fried chicken — go for a big breast.

Worst food 9: Doughnuts

If there is one food that epitomizes 21st century junk food it's the doughnut. Coated, filled, glazed, sugared, jam crammed or plain old ring, they are not great for your body. And it's not only the refined flour, refined sugar and then the frying in the refined oil that makes them bad for you. Doughnuts will upset blood-sugar balance and give a quick high followed by a 'crash and burn' low, then you guessed it, you're hungry again and reaching for another one — that's why they generally come in boxes of 10!

Worst food 10: Canned soups

Now, soups don't seem to be one of the bad boys and in comparison to some of the above they probably can sit quite comfortable in the middle of the bad-food scale, but it's their salt-packing stealth that gets them into this list. Soups mainly sport a healthy identity; wholesome, warming and good for you. The reality is that many canned varieties are high in salt, so if you must have soup, avoid the canned ones or make your own.
  
Read more on realbuzz.com...

Top 5 banned foods
5 shocking things we eat every day

Eat Less Sugar

eat less sugar 

{you are sweet enough already}

Men and women also have their own set of dietary requirements as well as their own unique health concerns

Top 10 foods all women should eat

10 of the best: Tomatoes, butternut squash and salmon are just some of the foods women should have in their diet

While there are some foods we should all be eating more of, men and women also have their own set of dietary requirements as well as their own unique health concerns.

Here are the top 10 foods that women should be eating....

Tomato are one food that women should eat

Female-friendly food 1: Tomatoes

Another vibrant carotenoid beneficial for women's health is lycopene, a pigment found in tomatoes. Studies have suggested that lycopene may be effective in preventing breast cancer. Furthermore, there has been considerable evidence to suggest that the powerful antioxidant can help reduce risk of heart disease — the leading cause of death in women in the US, Australia, England and Wales.

[Related: Winter warmer recipes that won't have you piling on the pounds]

Female-friendly food 2: Butternut squash

Butternut squash — like many other yellow/orange fruit and vegetables — is packed with carotenoids such as alpha-carotene and beta-carotene and thefore ranks highly in the list of foods that women should eat. While carotenes should be included in everybody's diet for optimum health, they may prove essential to women's health as a high-carotenoid diet has been linked to lowered risks of both breast and ovarian cancer.

Female-friendly food 3: Flax Seeds

Flax seeds are a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids and have been linked to reduced risk of breast cancer and heart disease. The seeds' anti-inflammatory properties are also good for preventing arthritis, while their digestive benefits can help irritable bowel syndrome; two painful conditions which are more prevalent in women than men.

Female-friendly food 4: Salmon

Salmon has a multitude of positive health benefits for women. Not only is it rich in iron — which is integral to the diets of premenopausal women — but it is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, known for their mood-enhancing effects. Studies have suggested that omega-3 can help beat depression (something that affects twice as many women as men) and prevent mood swings, while salmon can also boost babies' intelligence when eaten during pregnancy.

Female-friendly food 5: Cranberries

Various studies have suggested strong links between consuming cranberries and reduced risks of breast cancer and heart disease. However, the most notorious benefit of cranberries is their ability to prevent and cure urinary tract infections such as cystitis, which is eight times more likely to occur in women than men. One study suggests that drinking two glasses of cranberry juice a day can prevent the symptoms of common UTIs in women, making cranberries a food that women should consume.

[Related: Top 10 winter soup recipes]

Female-friendly food 6: Spinach

Spinach is rich in many different vitamins and minerals, but one thing that makes it great for women is its high content of magnesium. Research has shown that magnesium may be beneficial in reducing many of the physical symptoms of PMS which plague women, including reduction of swelling, breast tenderness, bloating and weight gain.

Female-friendly food 7: Figs

Figs are a great health food, containing many vital minerals and vitamins as well as contributing to your daily portions of fruit and veg. Two minerals found in figs that are particularly beneficial to women's health are iron, which is often deficient in menstruating women, and calcium, which is important for post-menopausal women, who are more prone to osteoporosis.

Female-friendly food 8: Milk

Milk is a great source of calcium, which is extremely beneficial to women's health, particularly when combined with vitamin D (found in some varieties of milk and many fortified milk products). Consumption of the combined nutrients is not only good for warding off osteoporosis, but a study has suggested that a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D could ease, or even prevent, symptoms of PMS.

Female-friendly food 9: Oats

Oats are literally packed with health-boosting nutrients, many of which have great impacts on female health. Oats are not only great for heart health, digestion and blood pressure levels (with hypertension affecting many women over 50), but they contain vitamin B6, which can help prevent PMS and mood swings, and folic acid, which is important for women to consume before and during pregnancy to prevent birth defects in babies.

Female-friendly food 10: Walnuts

While all nuts are great for our health, walnuts have many great individual benefits for women. A study has recently found that walnuts, which are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and phytosterols, may help to reduce women's risk of developing breast cancer, while their high omega-3 content may also help bone health, arthritis pain and depression. Walnuts also contain many nutrients essential for female health, such as calcium, magnesium and folic acid. 

from RealBuzz – Mon, 3 Dec, 2012
Read more on realbuzz.com...


http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/10-foods-women-eat-081017033.html

The best juices for your health problems

The Best Juice for All Your Health Woes

By SHAPE magazine | Healthy Living – Mon, 27 Aug, 2012 9:41 AM EDT

by Faye Masterson for SHAPE.com

Bad skin? Always tired? No matter what your health problems, we have the juice recipe for you!

The best juice for healthy skin: cucumber
"Fruit and vegetable juices, prepared in the right combinations, can help you to remove crud from your blood and tissues and restore alkalinity and balance to your system," says Noelle Swatland of GreenLemonade.com. "You see the benefits of this crud removal in younger looking skin and greater energy."

Swatland's favorite skin booster? Cucumber. "Consisting of over 90-percent water, cucumbers are a naturally cooling and hydrating food," she says. Plus, they're rich in minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and silica, which is believed to improve complexion and youthful radiance of your skin .
Ingredients:
1-2 Cucumbers
For a touch of sweetness, add a small piece of apple.

RELATED: 6 Protein-Packed Vegan Meals

2. The best juice for anti-aging: blueberries, strawberries, and kale
When stress, free-radicals, and lack of exercise and sleep attempt to age your skin, Patty James, certified natural chef and author of More Vegetables Please!, recommends fighting off Mother Nature with antioxidant -packed fruits and veggies that can easily be juiced.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups liquid of your choice (water or any kind of milk)
1 cup blueberries
1/2 cup strawberries
1 large leaf kale (thick stem removed)
1/2 medium beet

3. The best juice to boost your sex drive: celery
While oysters and chocolate are a delicious way to get you and your partner in the mood, they're not so appealing juiced. Thankfully, James' top libido-boosting foods are also delicious in liquid form. "Celery contains an ingredient that increases those well-known pheromones in men that send out signals to women saying 'here I am'," James says. "Watermelon helps to relax the blood vessels that increase sex drive, and avocados contain a B vitamin said to boost male hormone production."

Ingredients:
2 cups coconut water
2 stalks celery
1/2 banana
Ginger (a small piece)
1/2 Avocado
Basil (a handful)
3 figs

4. The best juice to boost your immune system: Broccoli
Sip on this to stay well all year! "Broccoli is very high in vitamin C , which increases the production of infection-fighting white blood cells," Judita Wignall, author of Going Raw says. "Garlic contains sulfur-containing compounds that have powerful immune-boosting antimicrobial properties."

Ingredients:
1 small beet
3 carrots
8 stalks celery
1 stalk broccoli
2 cloves garlic

RELATED: 8 Skinny Summer Cocktails

5. The best juice for stress relief: carrots
When Eat Naked author Margaret Floyd needs to wind down after a long day, she turns to spinach . "Spinach is high in the amino acid tryptophan, which helps elevate your mood and promotes better sleep," Floyd says. "It's also high in magnesium, which helps to relax nerves and muscles."

Ingredients:
2 big handfuls Spinach
3-4 stalks Broccoli
3-4 stalks Celery
1 large or 2 small carrots 

http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/blogs/healthy-living/best-juice-health-woes-134100046.html

The Most Overlooked Foods for Weight Loss

http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/the-most-overlooked-foods-for-weight-loss.html
Shape – Thu, 19 Apr, 2012 11:56 AM EDT

These high-fiber foods are packed with nutrients and bursting with flavor. Add them to your diet today!

Artichokes
1. Artichokes: 8 g fiber | 87 calories

Frozen artichokes have nearly as much fiber as fresh ones.

Love stuffed artichokes? Slim them down with this recipe for skinny stuffed artichokes.
RELATED: The 10 Best Ways to Eat Your Leftovers

Raspberries

2. Raspberries: 
8 g fiber | 64 calories
These berries are high in cancer-fighting ellagic acid.
Add some fiber to dessert with these nectarine and raspberry sundaes.
Pumpkin


3. Pumpkin: 7 g fiber | 116 calories


Pumpkin is a rich source of alpha and beta carotene.
Don't know what to do with pumpkin besides carve it?
Try these tasty ideas for cooking with fresh pumpkin.

brussels sprouts

4. Brussels sprouts: 6 g fiber | 65 calories

Brussels sprouts have more protein than most veggies .

Don't think you like them? Think again-this recipe for braised Brussels sprouts in mustard sauce is flavorful and not at all bitter.

Kiwi


5. Kiwi: 5 g fiber | 110 calories

One kiwi provides 273 percent of your daily vitamin C needs.

Find out more reasons why kiwis are a better healthy snack than oranges.

RELATED: The Best Healthy Recipes from Around the World



Pears

6. Pears: 6 g fiber | 103 calories

Pears are high in soluble fiber , which lowers cholesterol.

berry charlottes

 Source: adapted from Cannelle et Vanille

Are you looking for a show-stopping dessert?  Something light and fresh?  Look no further.  These individual berry charlottes fit the bill.  I have always, always wanted to make a charlotte.  They are so beautiful and seemingly complex.  A dessert filled with mousse, topped with fresh berries and tied with a bow is right up my alley.  Over a year ago I purchased a regular charlotte mold as well as individual ring molds with this goal in mind.  What took me so long?  For one thing, I’ve never been extremely fond of lady fingers.  Up to this point the only kind I had tried were store bought, and those are nothing to write home about.  Mostly, I had just built these up in my head so much that I didn’t think the real life result would live up to my idea of them.

Finally, inspired by Valentine’s Day coming up and the fresh berries at the store, I decided it was time to get over my anxieties and just go for it.  I am so, so glad I did.  These individual desserts were lovely, light and refreshing.  It turns out homemade lady fingers are worlds better than the purchased variety.  (Though, don’t forget the step of sprinkling powdered sugar on them before baking!  They look much prettier than without the sugar.)  I am really excited to try more varieties of charlottes when other fruits are in season.  I think they would be an ideal Valentine’s Day dessert, but even more they call to mind an elegant bridal or baby shower.

On a related note, I must say how thrilled I am that my son is learning phrases like “ladyfingers”, “blackberry mousse” and “raspberry mousse”.  I have a very sophisticated two year old :)  He loved everything about these, the mousse in particular.  And I loved watching him enjoy it!

Individual Berry Charlottes
Printer-Friendly Version
Yield: 4-5 individual charlottes
Ingredients:
For the ladyfingers:
3 large eggs, separated
½ cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted, plus more for sprinkling
1/3 cup granulated sugar
½ cup all-purpose flour
For the blackberry mousse:
½ cup strained blackberry puree
2 tsp. granulated sugar
½ tsp. gelatin
1½ tsp. cold water
½ cup heavy cream
For the raspberry mousse:
½ cup strained raspberry puree
2 tsp. granulated sugar
½ tsp. gelatin
1½ tsp. cold water
½ cup heavy cream
Fresh berries, for serving

Directions:
To make the lady fingers, place the egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.  Beat on medium-high speed until foamy.  Gradually add the sifted confectioners’ sugar, and continue whipping the egg whites until a stiff, glossy meringue forms.  Transfer the meringue mixture to a medium mixing bowl.  In the empty mixer bowl, now fitted with the flat beater, combine the egg yolks and granulated sugar.  Beat on medium speed until thick and pale yellow.  With a spatula, fold the egg yolk mixture into the meringue until smooth and blended, taking care not to deflate the egg whites.  Gently fold in the flour until no streaks remain.
Preheat the oven to 375˚ F.  Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.  Transfer the batter to a pastry bag fitted with a plain round tip.  Pipe the ladyfingers onto the prepared baking pans, about 3 inches long and 1 inch wide.  Additionally, pipe small rounds for the bases of the charlottes (about 2½-3 inches in diameter).  Sprinkle additional confectioners’ sugar over the piped ladyfingers.  Bake until light golden, about 10 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking.  Let cool on the pans 10-15 minutes, then remove the ladyfingers and cake bases to a wire rack to cool completely.  (Yield: approximately 36 ladyfingers plus 4 cake bases)

To make the blackberry mousse, combine the blackberry puree and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Bring to a boil.  While the mixture is heating, combine the gelatin and water in a small bowl to soften.  Once the fruit puree reaches a boil, remove from the heat.  Stir in the softened gelatin mixture.  Let cool to room temperature.  In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form (be careful not to overbeat!)  With a spatula, gently fold in the fruit puree until well mixed and no streaks remain.
To assemble the charlottes, place a cake disk inside the bottom of each 3-inch ring mold on a flat plate or baking sheet.
Line the edges of the mold with upright ladyfingers, flat sides facing toward the center.
With the blackberry mousse in a pastry bag fitted with a large plain round tip, pipe some of the mousse so that it comes approximately halfway up the height of the ladyfingers.  Transfer to the freezer to let the mousse set, about 30 minutes.
To make the raspberry mousse, combine the raspberry puree and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Bring to a boil.  While the mixture is heating, combine the gelatin and water in a small bowl to soften.  Once the fruit puree reaches a boil, remove from the heat.  Stir in the softened gelatin mixture.  Let cool to room temperature.  In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form (be careful not to overbeat!)  With a spatula, gently fold in the fruit puree until well mixed and no streaks remain.

Fill a pastry bag fitted with a large plain round tip with the raspberry mousse.  Pipe a layer of the mousse into the center of the charlottes, leaving at least ½-inch of exposed ladyfingers to act as a rim for the berry topping.  Transfer the charlottes to the refrigerator to chill the mousse until ready to serve.
Before serving, gently remove the ring molds from the charlottes.  Tie a decorative bow around the outside of each cake.  Top with fresh berries and serve chilled.

Source: adapted from Cannelle et Vanille

How black licorice can help your digestion

You probably tried black licorice when you were a kid, and either loved it or hated it. Its sweet taste is distinct and has similar flavouring to fennel or anise. In fact, licorice candy often contains less licorice extract and more anise flavouring, but it's the extract - the remnants of boiled licorice root - that has many health benefits.

In Chinese medicine, licorice root is considered to have strong anti-inflammatory properties and is atreatment of a variety of illnesses, from stomach ulcers to diabetes. It is used to soothe coughs and sore throats, control blood sugar, balance hormones, heal cold sores, and treat eczema, asthma, flu, herpes, and hepatitis. Its also popularly used as a natural laxative, so it can help with constipation, and as an aid for digestive problems. According to the medical journal, Nutrition and Cancer , substances in licorice may even protect against carcinogen-induced DNA. Furthermore, research suggests that it may help inhibit tumor formations and kill cancer cells.

Foods that make you hungrier

Put down that light yogurt, it may be making you fat. As it turns out, a number of foods that are commonly thought to be great for weight loss can actually stimulate the appetite. We spoke withMarjorie Nolan, R.D., National Spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, to get the skinny on foods that can trigger hunger and sabotage your diet.

1. Light yogurt

The blast of sweet (often artificial) flavor causes the stomach to start producing gastric juices. With only four to six ounces of yogurt and no fat in a typical container, the body doesn’t have enough food to digest leaving the tummy rumbling for more.

Better choice: Nolan likes the creaminess and high protein content of plain, low-fat Greek yogurt. Add fruit and a sprinkle of cinnamon for flavor. If you choose the non-fat variety, add a tablespoon of sunflower seeds for crunch and satisfaction—the fat in nuts and seeds is slow to digest so a small serving keeps you feeling full.

[Related: The new Nordic diet: The next big weight loss trend?]

2. Puffed cereal with skim milk

The combo of skim milk and puffed cereal has too few calories to keep you energized for long. Many dieters reach for puffed cereal because it looks filling in a big bowl. However, the low fiber content leaves you wanting more soon after breakfast. Puffed cereal also has a high glycemic index, which causes blood sugar to drop after an initial boost of energy.

Better choice: Rolled or steel cut oats. Oatmeal is high in fiber, which makes it a satisfying breakfast. Add a spoonful of maple brown sugar if you need something sweet. Cooking your own plain oatmeal and adding a small amount of sweetener is much more nutritious than using pre-sweetened packets. Nolan likes to cook oats with low fat milk or stir in a tablespoon of peanut butter for even more stick-to-your-ribs goodness.

3. Big green salad with low fat or fat free dressing

The typical dieters’ lunch of a salad with low fat dressing can have a boomerang effect on the appetite. It’s full of fiber and visually filling but the low protein and fat content won’t satisfy for long. Stay away from fat-free dressings, which are loaded with sugar.

Better choice. Add three to six ounces of lean protein such as lean beef, chicken, or beans (the leaner the choice, the more you should eat) to your salad bowl.

4. Rice cakes

One rice cake=good, four rice cakes=overindulgence. And that’s about how many it will take to feel truly satisfied. Low in fiber with a high glycemic index, these classic diet snacks won’t leave your tank full for long.

Better choice: Spread a tablespoon of peanut butter or cream cheese onto a rice cake for a more balanced nosh. Or choose whole grain crackers with a spread or small portion of cheese for fiber and carbs plus protein.

5. Chewing gum

A little stick of gum is a stealth saboteur. While some chewing gum advocates say that it can stave off snacking, Nolan disagrees. She explains that the burst of flavor gets the gastric juices flowing. The act of chewing revs the digestive system even more, preparing it for a meal. If you want an express ticket to the all-you-can-eat buffet, chomp on some gum.

Better choice: We all have our munchy days, so if you are just looking for something to keep your mouth busy, air-popped corn or raw veggies are a safer bet.

6. Diet soda

Like gum, the sweet flavor wakes up the digestive process with no nutritional pay off which stimulates the appetite. Caffeine and carbonation may dampen your hunger pangs for a short time only to have them come roaring back along with an energy slump. If that’s not enough to make you rethink your daily fix, a study carried out by the University of Texas Health Center in San Antonio showed that people who consumed diet soda had a 70-500% increase of abdominal fat over ten years compared to those who didn’t drink diet soda.

Better choice: Drinking a hot beverage can slow down the appetite and allow you to think through your craving. Also, sometimes thirst signals are confused with hunger, so you may just need hydration. Non-caffeinated herbal teas won’t cause an energy crash.

7. Apple

Yes, apples are great for you—they contain lots of vitamins and fiber, but a single apple is not a balanced snack. If you don’t eat anything else with your afternoon apple, you may overeat at dinner.

Better choice: Apple with 5-10 almonds or a cheese stick. Spend a few more calories on your snack so you won’t be ravenous later

8. Low-calorie frozen entrees

Light frozen entrees contain little fiber and only about half the calories you will need to feel satiated. They are also loaded with salt. If you don’t have another option, look for a frozen dinner that contains 400-500 calories, 20-30 grams of protein, around 5 grams of fat, and 5-10 grams of fiber.

Better choice: If you are too busy to cook, Nolan suggests an “assembly based meal.” Roast chicken from the deli, a slice of whole grain bread, some salad bar vegetables, and a piece of fruit add up to a quick, healthy dinner.

9. Fat-free graham crackers or other baked goods

Nolan says people who are watching their weight tend to automatically reach for food labeled “fat free” on the package assuming it is more diet-friendly than the regular version. However, when manufacturers make fat-free foods, they often up the sugar content. Check the nutritional information on the back--the light versions sometimes contain more calories.

Better choice: Regular graham cracker. A small indulgence such as a graham cracker or square of quality chocolate keeps things interesting and won’t break the bank calorie-wise. Nolan points out that boredom is the enemy of dieters and causes people to fall of the wagon. “You are better off eating real food and more calories and feeling physically and emotionally satisfied than eating ‘diet food’ and being hungry in an hour.”

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