Posts Tagged ‘Dagmar Alayash’
Tuesday, November 24th, 2015
Comfort Food Spotlight: Lentil soup is a nutritious meal that is packed with Vitamin C, fiber, zinc, iron, and protein. (Photo Credit: the kitchn)
By Dagmar Alayash
It’s this time of year again, and the Foodie Team at e-Management is asking how did we get here so soon? Many of us are reflecting on the past year, and with evenings drawing closer and cooler now, our thoughts turn to the holidays, family, and of course, an array of endless culinary delights.
Food that comforts us…
Speaking of amazing food, we’re taking a look at dishes that are considered comfort food and ask why they are comfort foods? Wikipedia says comfort foods are traditional staples that bring feelings of nostalgia. These foods usually have a “high carbohydrate level” and are simple to prepare. Think chili, soup, and stew dishes. Why do we love these foods so much? Well, the long slow cooking of these dishes intensifies the melding of ingredients, enhances the flavors, and makes for overall delicious satisfying meals.
Soups for the soul…
Becoming more popular are soups and dishes that include ingredients from the ‘Superfood’ category, resulting in not only nutritious, but also very tasty hearty meals. For example , , and . All of these soups are very flavorful and filling. Yes, it can be a lot of chopping, but they are so easy to create, and once you taste the foods, you’ll know it was worth every minute making them. The spinach soup is described as ‘restorative’ in the recipe, which is perhaps what we are looking for in comfort food, something that will give us a lift, make us feel good, and essentially help to restore our energy reserve, which around the holidays can feel depleted at times!
More comforting…
, a comfort food if there ever was one; and one of the best recipes that always receive rave reviews from the Food Network. Like one of the kings of comfort foods Macaroni cheese? Try this cholesterol-free and unimaginable tasty – described as luxurious, savory, mega satisfying and altogether dreamy. Do these words capture most of what we’re looking for when we seek out comfort foods? Sweets and desserts also count as essential in the comfort food arena. Hot chocolate comes to mind and warm cinnamon rolls with the must-have sweet and creamy icing…. the list of comfort sweets is endless.
Morning comfort…
Hearty breakfasts can also be a truly comforting way to start your day, especially at this time of the year. FoodNetwork.com recently listed ‘50 States 50 Breakfasts’, that includes an found in Boise Idaho, Red Feather Lounge, so popular that they frequently sell out within a couple of hours of opening – perhaps 2016 is the year of a foodie vacation planned around visiting Boise Idaho. 
Your favorite…
All of a sudden we are hungry. Why is that? Now, we invite you to join us with your own thoughts: (1) How do you define the meaning of comfort foods? (2) What are your favorite comfort foods? (3) What comfort foods will make it to your holiday dinners?
Tags: Dagmar Alayash, diet, , foodie, holidays, nutrition, Ola Sage, Thanksgiving
Posted in Dining, Lifestyle | 15 Comments »
Tuesday, November 18th, 2014
These Paleo-friendly pumpkins muffins are gluten-free, refined sugar-free (sweetened with maple syrup), and delicious. They are great additions to your Holiday dessert menu. (Photo credit: leelalicious.com)
By Dagmar Alayash, e-Management
As the holiday season approaches, the e-Management Foodie Blog Team welcomes you in joining us in taking a look at an increasingly popular eating lifestyle called Paleo—add this to the endless list of eating lifestyles such as Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, the South Beach Diet, Macrobiotic Diet, and the DASH Diet, to name a few, all of which help to fuel the $60.5 billion weight loss industry in the USA. Call them fads or simply an increased interest in different eating lifestyles, we have so much to choose from now and as our eating habits evolve, we begin by looking at Paleo.
What Is This New Caveman Diet Anyway?
The Paleo lifestyle, also known as the “caveman” diet, emphasizes eating vegetables, a lot of grass-fed meat, and no grain, beans, or gluten, which means no cakes, rice, bread, or pasta. Did we hear a sigh or two? Our ancestors ate food that was not processed, refined, cooked with oils, or loaded with sugar. The Paleo lifestyle is intended to primarily be a healthier way to eat and not a weight-loss program.
No Coffee? Really?
Removing gluten from our diet has been reported time and time again to make many feel really good and have much more energy. Paleo experts and advocates talk about the “caveman” diet supporting many of its benefits with scientific studies. Though it’s hard to digest the fact that legumes and grains really are not good for us, and the biggest challenge of all for many, is perhaps the fact that Paleo expert Dr. Lorain Cordain states that coffee should be excluded by anyone seeking to achieve the most out of their Paleo lifestyle. 
Food for Humans?
On the other end of the spectrum, authors Melanie Tam and Henry Fong portray the Paleo lifestyle in a fun relaxed way that also help to demystify the concept of the diet. In other words, it’s not an attempt to replicate a Caveman diet, and the Paleo style doesn’t mean you become an insufferable bacon-eating carnivore. Check out their best-selling book Nom Nom Paleo – Food for Humans for recipes and tips.
Will I Stay Hungry Eating the Paleo Way?
Not at all. Check out these recipe ideas.
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Paleo Friendly Cookies – coconut flour, oil, butter, and sugar make great cookies. Coconut flour is rich in protein, fiber, and fat; is a source of good saturated fat, vitamins, and minerals; and is gluten-free. Find tips on cooking with coconut flour and oil at Nourished Kitchen. Just a note here, coconut flour cookies don’t always rise, and some of them come out of the oven looking like caveman cookies, but still tasting really good …and healthy.
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Chocolate Truffles – one word, DE-LI-CIOUS!
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Pumpkin Muffins – easy to make and good.
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Chili – a tasty vegetarian chili dish, bursting with flavor. The addition of sweet potatoes is a nice balance to the heat of the chilies. Recommend adding ½ the quantity of sweet potatoes in recipe.
What Are Your Foodie Thoughts?
We welcome your feedback and comments. (1) What are your thoughts on the Paleo or other diets/lifestyles? (2) Are we becoming more aware of the foods we eat, where they come from, and how they make us feel? (3) With Thanksgiving approaching, do you have any amazing holiday recipes to share?
Tags: Dagmar Alayash, diet, , foodie, gluten-free, holidays, Ola Sage, Paleo, Thanksgiving
Posted in Dining, Entertainment, Family, Lifestyle | 15 Comments »
Thursday, May 8th, 2014
Don’t know what to do this summer? How about visiting the historic Dunrobin Castle in Scotland? (Photo Credit: Zubi Travel)
By Dagmar Alayash, e-Management
With summer on the horizon, our thoughts are turning to the sun, warmth, and vacation time. A Trip Advisor’s survey indicates that about 89% of people in the United States are planning a summer trip this year, a 6% increase compared to last year. The harsh winter may have contributed to the increase. While we can’t choose or plan your vacation for you, our blog team is excited to talk about the vacation trends for 2014, with some special events taking place that are predicted to drive and shape some of our vacations.
Travel Destinations for Summer
2014 Top Travel Destinations, in no particular order, we list a few destinations as predicted by several travel sites and USA Today.
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Starting with a local destination… The e-Management blog team lives in the Mid-Atlantic region; so let’s talk Baltimore, MD. Baltimore is heading the country’s 200th anniversary of the national anthem in September with its Star Spangled Spectacular. The event will bring replica 18th and 19th century tall ships, into its Inner Harbor, and one of the largest firework displays ever on the Chesapeake Bay.
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The U.S.A. has more than 58 national parks. So, we recommend one of the gems of American parks–Yosemite National Park in California. The park celebrates 150 years of protected status. Hundreds of events, most of them in the surrounding communities, are planned throughout the year.
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Sports fans have options too. This year’s World Soccer Cup host, Brazil, also makes the list, with the country’s entire infrastructure being upgraded in preparation for the games, including airports, hotels, and tourist services.
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Moving across the globe, the Greek Islands have amazing picturesque beaches, delicious food, and a magical tranquility in the air. With the Greek economy final improving after 6 years of a flailing economy, it’s still a budget-friendly vacation spot.
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The United Kingdom (UK) is a favorite vacation spot for our blog team! So we strongly recommend you take advantage of the host of events going on this summer. Looking at Scotland, it’s calling 2014 the year of Scotland Homecoming with a series of special events, exhibits, and activities planned throughout the country to highlight what makes Scotland unique. Liverpool, England is an eternal attraction for Beatles fans. The city offers museums, historic sites, and a hotel all themed after the Fab Four. After the post-industrial gloom, the city’s revival includes an outpost of the Tate Art gallery. Liverpool’s port also makes a comeback as a major cruise port. Bringing back the Cunard shipping line after an absence of 50 years, Cunard sails its 3 ships into Liverpool port for a rendezvous in February 2015. Also, it’s only a 2 hour train ride from the city of London. See more popular destinations on Foder’s Travel link, including tips on how to find the best travel bargains.
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Back to the U.S.A. Assateague and Chincoteague Islands, though not included on the list of Top Travel Destinations for 2014, they make our list. Located in both Maryland and Virginia, the islands are protected from development and are one of the most visited refuges in the country. With 14,000 acres of beaches, salt marsh, and fresh water marsh, the area offers an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities. An annual attraction on the islands is the Annual Wild Pony Swim with about 150 wild horses making the historic swim across the Assateague Channel. Want to avoid the crowds? Boat excursions can take you close to the islands at other times of the year to see the ponies living in their natural habitat. Check out this website for more details.
What Are Your Summer Plans?
So, in our quest to explore new places, it looks like we are ‘all over the map’ in 2014. Be it close to home or far away, there seems to be no boundaries to our vacation options. We’d love to have you join us and share your own thoughts on vacations in 2014. (1) Do you have any favorite destinations? (2) Do you have any recommended travel tips to add to our list? (3) What places are on your wish list for future trips?
Tags: Assateague, beaches, Brazil, Chincoteague, Dagmar Alayash, , Greece, parks, Scotland, The Star-Spangled Banner, Travel, UK, World Cup, Yosemite National Park
Posted in Dining, Entertainment, Family, Lifestyle, Travel | 15 Comments »
Cronuts, Doughnuts, and Kale…Oh My!
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013
By Dagmar Alayash, e-Management
Tired of rice or stuffing? Try a delicious quinoa salad this Holiday Season. Quinoa is high in fiber, protein-rich, and packed with nutrients.
The holiday season is upon us, and for many the focus is on the upcoming festivities: Family and friends getting together, food choices to make, and how to balance things out with healthy options. Here at e-Management, the foodie team is taking a moment to reflect on the food trends of the past year. We’ve pulled together a list of new and exciting foods that emerged recently.
Let’s jump right in…
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Cronuts Anyone? Introduced in mid-May of this year by a bakery in New York, you may have heard of this hybrid between a croissant and part cream-filled doughnut. The first day the Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York sold Cronuts, customers started lining up at 5:30am in the morning and the bakery was sold out by 9:00am. The store continues to sell out quickly every morning. Re-creations of Cronuts have popped up all over the nation, and are even found in some grocery chain stores in the Washington DC area, and in as many as 11 other countries. Try doing a web search to see if there is a bakery that provides “Cronuts” style desserts in your area. Could be a great addition for your holiday breakfasts!
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The 21st Century Doughnut. Warm, comforting, and increasingly popular in 2013…new flavors of doughnuts continue to be developed, and amongst the most popular are apple cider; maple bacon; peanut butter and bacon; vanilla custard; and crème brûlée. Did you know you can bake doughnuts as well as fry them? Healthier doughnuts? Maybe just a little bit, and they taste equally delicious as fried doughnuts. If you want to try baking some, doughnut pans are easy to find. The following are some baked doughnut recipes.
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Not exactly Cronuts or Doughnuts. Moving on to more nutritious items, kale continues to shine in the vegetable world. Known for its high antioxidant content, kale has been described as one of the healthiest vegetables on the planet. Perhaps not everyone’s cup of tea, due to its tough fibrous leaves, kale can be chopped and transformed into a smooth lettuce-like texture, combined with other ingredients and flavorings it would be a perfect side for holiday meals. Check out this excellent recipe courtesy of The Food Network.
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Tired of rice or stuffing? Try quinoa. Quinoa also gets a mention here. Continuing to abound in a never-ending popularity, it’s a great healthy alternative for rice. Known as an ancient superfood, native to Peru and Bolivia, we usually think of quinoa as a grain, but it is actually the seed of a plant related to beets, chard, and spinach. Try out quinoa with your holiday lunches or suppers. Not sure what to do with quinoa? Check out grab-and-go meals in a jar or try this great tasting quinoa recipe. Great for holiday breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Holiday Feast 2013
These are just a few foods that got our attention, managed to stir our taste buds, filled us with excitement and anticipation at the thought of trying something new, and perhaps in some cases even made us re-think the way we eat and changed the course of our eating habits. As we make our way into the holiday season, we’d love to hear your thoughts on food trends in 2013. (1) What new food trends are likely to make on your holiday menu? (2) What are your favorite holiday foods? (3) Do you have any food trend prediction for 2014?
Tags: Dagmar Alayash, Dining, , , foodie, healthy, holidays, Ola Sage
Posted in Dining, Entertainment, Family, Lifestyle | 34 Comments »
Trains and Iguanas? Really?
Friday, May 31st, 2013
By Dagmar Alayash, e-Management
Just thinking about going on vacation can create a smile, whether you choose to stay close to home or travel further afield—knowing there’s a vacation on the horizon is an exciting thought. A new study shows that one of the biggest happiness boosts of a vacation comes from the simple act of planning your vacation.
In order to get to the top of the Mount Pilatus in Switzerland, I took a ride on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, a marvel of engineering which has a gradient of 48% at its steepest. Photo Source: www.pilatus.ch
Vacations are for relaxation
Too many lists and itineraries during the planning vacation process can take away from a vacation state-of-mind—and after all, a vacation is meant to be about relaxation. It’s easy and quick to research your travel options online. Often if you book in advance online, competitive pricing is at your fingertips. Look for places that interest you and that you may want to visit; keep a loose and not too rigid schedule if you can. Vacations can often end up taking a course of their own anyway, with a few surprises along the way, no matter how much planning and organizing was done. In this blog posting, we explore the benefits of early vacation planning, look at different modes of vacation travel, and journey from one end of the globe to the other.
How and Where?
Road Trip: Drive across country from mountains to lakes to amazing shorelines, there’s so much to see. Some of the most scenic places in the U.S. are best explored by car. Check out this Road Trip USA website for great information on cross country travels.
Take a Train: Amtrak railroad has more than 500 destinations in the U.S. and Canada, traveling to some of the most popular destinations in North America. Rail is a good way to experience travel on historic routes.
By Air: Check out Travelocity, Kayak, and Expedia, and other low-cost travel websites with bargain airfares. Tip: Tuesday nights, or one or two hours after midnight are typically the best times to obtain low cost airline tickets; fare wars that began the weekend preceding the Tuesday start to dwindle at this time. Be sure to check out Buzzle for more details on how to save on your airline travels.
Traveling off-season, airline tickets to other countries are often lower than at peak traveling times; however, trying to work out what is a low, or off-peak season is not always as easy as it seems. “Off-peak” depends as much on the time of year you are traveling as on the location you are visiting. Knowing when to go to certain locations and planning ahead can help get you the best cost airline tickets.
Feeling adventurous?
Take the world’s steepest cogwheel train to the top of Pilatus Mountain in Lucerne Switzerland. First built in 1889, the train changed over to electrical operations in 1939. A marvel of engineering, the three-car train travels at 12 m.p.h. on a track that appears to just cling to the side of the mountain. The view is breathtaking and is worth the 30 minute exhilarating ride 7,000 ft. up to the top, sitting at a 45 degree angle.
Adventure by Sea: Cruises can be inexpensive if you consider accommodations and meals are included. It’s a great way to see some of the amazing places around the world including the Mediterranean and closer to home, the Caribbean. Usually several hours can be spent offshore at each port stop; take your time, explore the area, shop for souvenirs, or relax in the sun, perhaps sharing a beach with some roaming iguanas if you’re lucky—native to some areas in the Caribbean, they seem to like the human population. *smile* Take heed though of the “Do Not Feed the Iguanas” signs.
A Word on Packing…
We all have our favorite way of packing. Tip: roll up unwrinkable clothes and use them as a first layer protection for other folded clothes on top, and don’t take too many pairs of shoes. Unpack your suitcase fully when you arrive at your destination. It’s easy not to do this, especially if it’s just a long weekend. But living out of a suitcase can make the room seem cluttered and create stress, which is not what you want when on vacation!
And finally at your destination…
Enjoy and “unplug.” Relax, relax, relax… it’s your vacation after all. We’d love to have you share with us. (1) What are your vacation plans this year? (2) What are some of your most memorable vacation experiences? (3) Do you have any helpful advice on vacation planning or maybe you prefer not to plan too much? (4) What is your favorite or least favorite vacation spot?
Tags: airline, Caribbean, cruise, Dagmar Alayash, Expedia, Kayak, Mediterranean, Mount Pilatus, Ola Sage, road trip, Switzerland, train, Travelocity, vacation
Posted in Entertainment, Family, Travel | 22 Comments »
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