Easter egg decorating: Homemade egg dyes, Easter baskets, Easter eggs recipes

Waited till the last minute to color Easter eggs, did you? Need to pull a rabbit out of a hat (pun intended) and come up with your own Easter egg decorating stuff? Take it from this parent of four--been there, done that. Never fear--last-minute Louise is also super DIY mom! Here are for Easter eggs recipes and homemade egg dyes. These Easter egg decorations use recycled and on-hand materials. And best of all--homemade egg coloring is cheaper and safer than store-bought Easter egg decorating kits!   Easter egg decorating: Homemade egg dyes, Easter baskets, Easter eggs recipes

How to Make Fish Taste Better Healthy Salmon Recipes

Omega oils and fatty acids are essential for good health. Fish, especially tuna and salmon, contains high levels of essential omega-3 oils. Fish has long been hailed as 'brain food'. Problem is, a lot of people hate fish. Here are grilled salmon recipes that take fish from yucky to yummy.

Ultimate omega-3 grilled salmon sandwich: whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, celery seed, dill, garlic and fresh cracked pepper. Marinate salmon fillets (don't use fish in steaks--fillets are tastier and less bony). When grilling the salmon, add sliced sweet onions. Cook fish until flesh is flaky and opaque (not translucent) and onions are caramelized. Serve on onion buns or whole grain bread, spread with olive oil mayonnaise (rich in omega 3).

  Grilled salmon chef salad; marinate and grill salmon fillets using above recipe. Crumble salmon onto romaine salad (romaine lettuce, shredded purple cabbage and shredded carrots). Top with sliced almonds, cracked pepper, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and sprouts. Dress with raw olive oil and balsamic or acai vinegar. Option: add garlic croutons and sliced hard boiled eggs.


 Nut-crusted grilled salmon: finely crush almonds, pecans or walnuts. Dip salmon fillets in melted butter and coat with crushed nuts. Grill until fish is flaky and nuts are toasted. Optional: mix sesame seeds into crushed nuts, or coat salmon in sesame seeds instead of nuts. Top with Parmesan cheese. Serve with sauteed fresh green beans.


  Portobello encrusted grilled salmon: Scrape the black inner gills from portobella mushrooms. Allow gills to dry on paper towel. Dip salmon in melted butter and then coat with dried mushrooms. Saute or grill salmon until flaky. Top with fresh sliced or grilled portobello mushrooms. Serve with linguine tossed with truffle oil or olive oil, basil and oregano.


For more scrumptious recipes, grill favorites and vegetarian dishes, visit me at www.greatfood4u.blogspot.com. For more on omega-3 and health issues, visit me at www.healthhelp4u.blogspot.com.

Easy, Cheap 4th of July Picnic or Party Tips

4th of July is also called Independence Day. I propose that if you're hosting a party, you give your self some independence--from work! Do you dread picnics and holidays because you and your hubby constantly serve kids, wait on the elderly relatives, clean up and never relax? That's not liberty; it's tyranny! Here's my diy 4th of July party planner and buffet guide; it ensures that host and hostess have some fun on the 4th too! 4th of July Picnic or Party Buffet Tips

Homemade Heart-Shaped Cupcakes, DIY Cookie Cutters, Valentine Treats

Well, little last-minute Lucy Lou has struck again. She volunteered you to make three dozen cupcakes (pink, heart-shaped, with sprinkles, please) for her class Valentine's Day party--tomorrow! And when does she spring this news? 9 p.m., Valentine Eve! No time to go to the store. I'm nothing if not the queen of improv. Here are super-fast, last-minute, homemade treat recipes made with on-hand ingredients. I've included DIY heart-shaped snacks and improvised frosting, sprinkles and decoration tips. Cupid will love you and so will all the children in your child's class! Homemade Valentine Treat Recipes, DIY Heart-Shaped Cupcakes, Cookies

How to Feed Obese Kids to Help them Lose Weight-- Food switches to improve nutrition

 In 25 years of teaching, I've noticed more kids tending toward obesity. I'm not talking about chubby kids who'll slim down in puberty, but those who are way overweight and getting fatter. What can we as parents do about it? Growing kids have to eat, right? Yes, but we can control what they eat. Obese kids are typically malnourished, not from eating too little but from eating the wrong things. Just in time for the holidays, here's a DIY guide to healthier food switches for kids' favorites. Feeding the obese child: Food switches to improve nutrition