Berries Recipes for Beauty

"From the inside out, foods add pleasure to our day and health to our life. Although I do not believe in ruling out certain foods while only eating others, there are a certain few that you should make sure to include regularly for optimum health and disease prevention." In this article, Holly Clegg gives us her expert insight on some delicious recipes! Holly Clegg has sold over 1 million cookbooks and counting!

In my cookbook, Too Hot in the Kitchen: Secrets to Sizzle at Any Age, I include berries to boost the nutrition from salad to desserts! Berries are one of those deliciously healthy foods that help to reduce the risk of cancer and disease, while also minimizing the effect of aging. Whether you choose strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, or blackberries, these little jewels are packed with fiber and antioxidants that help slow the aging process from the inside out. From memory protection, reduced risk of cancers, and decreased infections, make sure you eat berries daily to benefit from all they have to offer. My Healthy Cooking Blog gives you healthier options for easy, everyday recipes!

Strawberry and Kiwi Mixed Green Salad from Too Hot in the Kitchen: Secrets to Sizzle At Any Age

Enliven a salad with strawberry and kiwi to add vivid colors and taste — toss with a light flavorful vinaigrette and your salad makes a statement!

Makes 6 - 8 servings

8 cups mixed greens (Bibb, red leaf, spinach)

1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries

2 kiwis, peeled and sliced

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

1 green onion, chopped

1/3 cup raspberry vinegar

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1/4 cup canola oil

Spiced walnuts, optional

1. In large bowl, mix together greens, strawberries and kiwi.

2. In small bowl, whisk together sesame seeds, green onion, vinegar, Dijon mustard, and oil. Refrigerate vinaigrette until ready to use.

3. When ready to toss salad, add dressing gradually, serve immediately.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 106 Calories from fat 65% Fat 8g Saturated Fat 1g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 42mg Carbohydrate 8g Dietary Fiber 3g Sugars 4g Protein 2g Dietary Exchanges: 1/2 fruit, 1 1/2 fat

Berry Good Oatmeal Cookie Cake from Too Hot in the Kitchen: Secrets to Sizzle At Any Age

A best ever luscious cookie cake picture perfect and perfect tasting.

Makes 12-16 servings

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup old-fashioned oatmeal

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 egg

6 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese

2 tablespoons confectioners sugar

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 cup apricot preserves, divided

2 cups raspberries

2 cups sliced strawberries

1 cup blueberries

1 tablespoon orange juice

1. Preheat oven 350°F. Coat 12-14-inch pizza pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In large bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, baking soda, and oatmeal. Add melted butter, vanilla, and egg, mixing well.

3. Press onto prepared pan, keeping dough 1-inch from edge of pan. Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges are set. Don’t overbake. Cool.

4. In mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese, confectioners sugar, almond extract, and 1/4 cup apricot preserves until creamy. Spread on cooled crust and arrange fruit in design on pizza.

5. In microwave-safe dish, heat remaining 1/4 cup apricot preserves and orange juice, just until melted. Spoon glaze over fruit. Refrigerate until serving.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 220 Calories from fat 36% Fat 9g Saturated Fat 5g Cholesterol 36mg Sodium 172mg Carbohydrate 32g Dietary Fiber 2g Sugars 17g Protein 4g Dietary Exchanges: 2 other carbohydrate, 2 fat

What are some of your favorite recipes that include berries? Share them with us in the comments sections! Also be sure to check out all the recipes Holly has to offer on her blog!