Advice for a guilt-free holiday season.

December:  The Season for Indulgence

by Chef Susan

We all do it. It's December, after all. It's a candy, cookie, goodie free-for-all.  Even if you don't make or buy anything yourself, it's likely there will be a plate of cookies at work or samples at the checkout counter or a tin full of peppermint bark on your doorstep from your friendly neighbor.

How do you maintain a balanced diet with all of these temptations strewn about?  You don't.  This is a time for indulgence.  Rather than feeling guilty about the chocolate Santa here and the gingerbread man there, enjoy every bite.  BUT, recognize that each mouthful of sweet delights is a splurge.  Know that in January you'll be back to more sensible eating and these holiday goodies will be banished from your home and denied entrance to your stomach.

Granted, your body may grumble a little in the first week of the New Year craving the sugar that it began to take for granted.  By the second week, however, your body will thank you with a smaller stomach and more energy.  Indulge your craving occasionally, but savor the event and tell yourself that eating an entire pain au chocolate is a special treat.  Until next December, that is.

About the Author

Chef Susan

I have been a professional cooking instructor since 2000 when I left the corporate world to pursue my passion for cooking. I recently founded foodell.com to make healthy eating and cooking fun and accessible for everyone by teaching home cooks how to make great food.  I am a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in London and a full-time resident of Park City, Utah.

- See more at: http://www.foodell.com/articles/december-the-season-for-indulgence#sthash.yqJTIyLK.dpuf

Pies and Tarts for all Occasions Cooking Class!

Cooking Class by Chef Susan: Pies and Tarts for all Occasions, November 21, 2013 - 6 to 9 pm

What the world needs is more pie! Impress your family and guests with your own sweet or savory pies and tarts in this hands-on class. Learn to achieve flakey dough, roll and shape crusts, proper baking techniques and troubleshooting for common pie problems. Recipes include: Black Bean and Corn Tart, Rustic Fruit Tart, Best Ever Chocolate Pie and Upside-down Apple Pie.

Register here: https://registration.xenegrade.com/pcschools/courseDisplay.cfm?schID=4321
- See more at: http://www.foodell.com/main/event/fall-2013-cooking-classes#sthash.1qgi8ly8.dpuf

Honey - A local Superfood!

Honey has been praised for its nutritional and medicinal benefits since biblical times.  It has been known to heal wounds due to its antibacterial properties and to curb allergies for people living in the same area where the honey bees are pollinating. It is also considered a useful food because it stimulates the heart and provides energy.

According to one of our local producers, Slide Ridge Honey, "Honey is the only food that includes all the substances necessary to sustain life, including enzymes, vitamins, minerals and water."

Pretty powerful stuff - and it tastes good, too! 

As with most foods, look for the variety that is the least processed. Honey that is unfiltered and raw is the most nutrient dense. There are local honey producers in most areas and if you are suffering from allergies and looking for a little natural relief, try a daily dose of 1 tablespoon of honey that is produced as close to your home as possible. Buying local is really important here; raw honey contains some pollen, but to be effective it must be the same pollen that is making you sneeze.

The taste of honey varies depending on the source of the nectar. Mass produced honey is typically blended from many types of flowers, whereas the honey from small producers might be gathered in a more concentrated area. The best bet is to try them and see what you like - it's hard to go wrong.

In Utah there are many small honey producers. Check your farmers market and ask around; there may be a beekeeper in your neighborhood.

Below are 3 producers to get you started on your mission to find the perfect honey. Each of their websites provides a list of markets that carry their products, and also the ability to order online.

Slide Ridge Honey (the photo shows the Slide Ridge bee yard)

The Honey Jar

Knight Family Honey

If you know of a Utah producer that offers raw, unfiltered, delicious honey, go to Contact Us and send us a message; I'll include them on our honey producer list.

Let's get busy spreading the word about how sweet it is to eat local honey.

About the Author

Chef Susan

I have been a professional cooking instructor since 2000 when I left the corporate world to pursue my passion for cooking. I recently founded foodell.com to make healthy eating and cooking fun and accessible for everyone by teaching home cooks how to make great food.  I am a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in London and a full-time resident of Park City, Utah.

- See more at: http://www.foodell.com/articles/honey-a-local-superfood#sthash.tUyNUOLZ.dpuf

foodell Testimonials

What people are saying about foodell.com: "Love your videos! I'm a bit of a kitchen dummy and your videos have taught me a lot! (It's hard finding basic step by step videos that are easy to follow and understand.) Thank you very much!" - Karl

Park City EATS Team

From the Park City EATS Team: "It's time to start getting ramped up again for EATS! Join us tonight, August 5th, at 6 pm for a joint meeting of the Menu and Education committees. We're going to talk about new menu items for the coming year - come prepared with recipe ideas! See you at the Park City Library (1255 Park Ave.), room 109. Everyone is welcome!"

About the EATS Team: "The "Eat Awesome Things at School" Team is dedicated to enhancing the Park City, Utah school lunch program to provide healthful, tasty and affordable food for our kids."

Join their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/ParkCityEatsTeam

Farm to Table Dinner

Slow Food Park City is teaming with Silver Restaurant to host a Farm To Table dinner on Wednesday, July 31. Enjoy a three course meal with optional wine pairings that will feature local, organic, and sustainably grown foods! Yum! - Chef Susan

Follow the dinner on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/621813924515904/