The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the water is as blue as blue can be.  Oh What a place!  Regis and Kelly are here and they have been since Saturday doing this week of shows from beautiful Prince Edward Island and they have been raving about it.  Really you cannot disagree.

Last night at the camp site I made a delicious appetizer that was a HUGE hit.  I saw it a couple of weeks ago on the food network.  It was on the show “Best things I ever ate” and it was Giada’s favorite snack.  Basically it is roasted nuts tossed with brown sugar, butter and fresh rosemary.

Simply put….. DELICIOUS!

Ingredients

• Variety of Nuts
• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Rosemary

Method

1. Roast nuts in oven or on BBQ until golden brown and warmed all the way through
2. In a large bowl, add some butter, brown sugar and fresh rosemary.
3. Once the nuts are complete, remove from the heat and add to the bowl.  The hot nuts will melt the butter and brown sugar.
4. Mix to coat evenly
5. ENJOY!

Zesty Tip: Use a nice mixture of nuts, cashews, brazil nuts, pecans, walnuts, peanuts etc for that extra flavor and texture.  These even got a taste from the trailer next door.  I heard rumblings of a great party treat.

Alright I am back to the campground and ready for another fun filled day.  Last night’s dinner was pretty tasty and I will be featuring it likely on Friday.  Not sure what to cook tonight – but that is all I can think about.  I love to EAT!  Have an awesome Wednesday and check out Regis and Kelly if you have time.

Take care

zesty

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Yes I know… cereal toppings (not that exciting but in actual fact you see them everywhere). People love putting things on top of their cereal whether it’s hot or cold.  I want to share some of my favorites and create a list in the comments section. Lets see if we can get to 100 different toppings and then create a super cereal.

For me, I have a wide variety of add ins for both hot and cold cereals.

I am a huge fan of fresh berries (of any kind, I am in love with nuts and raisins).  I also like to add seeds if I have them kicking around.  What I have been using often recently is dried fruit which is pretty fun as well.  Now for hot cereal I do love both brown sugar and peanut butter. Please note that I do not include MILK as one of my toppings.

Zesty’s Top 10 Cereal Toppings

1. Strawberries
2. Blueberries
3. Almonds
4. Bananas
5. Peanut Butter
6. Brown Sugar
7. Raisins
8. Raspberries
9. Flax Seed
10. Butterscotch Chips

So there you have it!  I am excited to hear your favorite cereal toppings whether they are for hot or cold – I want to hear them all!  I hope you have a great day.  The weather in the DC area is fabulous.  I am having a lot of meetings but I can’t complain.

Things are going well and I hear the house is moving along as I was speaking with the builder today.  Prepping for the roof  – so be prepared for yet another house update in the near future.

Have a great Thursday.

Take care

zesty

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This simple trail mix recipe is a great way to curb your hunger until the real food comes.

Are you always hungry before meal time? Are you always trying to sneak a roll, biscuit or a little snack before dinner? Are your kids tugging at your shirt sleeves after you get home from school or work?

If so, I have a snack pack for you! This simple little treat in a jar or bag can keep everyone smiling. Trail mix is an ideal snack food on the trail, before meal time or for afternoon or evening snacks. It is lightweight and easy to store, very energy rich, providing quick energy from the carbohydrates in the dried fruit and/or granola, as well as sustained energy from the mostly mono- and polyunsaturated fats in nuts.

Every now and again it is time to let loose and give yourself a break. This quick and easy recipe is great to have around and is very versatile. I have used it at dinner parties before chicken winds and bruschetta or for kids birthday parties or even sitting down watching the Jays game on TV. The combination of sweet and salty just makes you want more.

Ingredients

• Small Pretzels (1 Cup)
• “O”-Shaped Toasted Oat Cereal (1/2 Cup)
• Roasted Almonds (1/2 Cup)
• Candy Coated Chocolates (2 Tbsp)
• Raisins (2 Tbsp)
• Cashews (1/4 Cup)

Method

Put all 6 ingredients in a bowl. Using mixing spoons to toss until combined. Makes about 2 1/2 cups. Store any unused portion in an sir tight container or ziploc bag for later. Obviously without being to sharp in math if you want to make a large batch for a bigger crowd you can just multiply each ingredietn accordingly.

I really hope you enjoy it and if you have any other ideas for what you like to add to your trail mix – I would love to here from you.

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Need a quick snack? Nibble on a nut! A handful a day can help keep you healthy!

Though nuts are a higher-fat food, it is mostly heart-healthy unsaturated fat. The fat, protein and fiber in nuts help you feel full longer, so you may eat less during the day. By helping induce a feeling of satiety, nuts may help people feel less deprived and not like they’re “dieting.” Just limit your portion.

How many nuts are in a handful? Check the chart below.

It’s easy to nibble on nuts. Store shelled or unshelled nuts in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 6 months or for a year in your freezer for best quality.

1. It’s in the Bag!

You don’t have to fire up the stove or get out your cookbook to enjoy nuts. Your handful of nuts may be enjoyed — simply — out of hand.

Divide a container of nuts into small snack bags for easy snacking at home, office or on the road. Keep in the refrigerator until you’re ready to enjoy! A snack of nuts may help you resist that gooey sweet roll in the breakroom at work.

2. Throw those nuts just about anywhere!

• Salads
• Yogurt
• Cereal
• Pasta
• Cooked vegetables
• Muffins and pancakes (toss a handful or two into your batter)

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