Wrapping Up the A to Z Challenge 2013

Whew, another April is in the books! The Blogging from A to Z Challenge was a wild ride this year. I really enjoyed discovering new blogs and seeing some old friends from last year's challenge stop by for a visit as well.

I know I'm a little late on writing this wrap-up, but I was on vacation the first week of May and didn't exactly have Internet access in our remote little cabin in the woods. (It was wonderful!)

This was my second year of both attempting and completing the blog challenge. The first year I wrote the bulk of my posts ahead of time so I could spend the month reading and commenting on other blogs. 

This year I wrote a post each day, and I actually think I enjoyed that better. I didn't feel like I had to get  bunch of work ready ahead of time. This challenge had a more go-with-the-flow feel. Plus, I could customize the next day's post to answer any questions related to previous posts.

During the challenge I was also nominated for a Liebster Award from Joy over at "It's a Joy!". Thanks a bunch, Joy!

Although I'm sad to see the challenge come to an end, it's nice to still see bloggers visiting and networking. I've even come across a few ambitious writers who are starting up their own monthly blog challenges to keep the momentum going. Way to go!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

Enjoying Blueberries on Vacation

Blueberries! Photo: Morguefile

I'm back! The hubby and I just returned from a fabulous vacation in northern Minnesota, the land of wild blueberries.

Despite being on vacation, I was able to eat a hearty helping of natural whole foods.

My favorite meal, which I had twice by the way, was a blueberry salad. A bed of fresh greens was topped with plump blueberries, toasted pecans, blue cheese crumbles and a drizzle of maple syrup vinaigrette. Delicious!

Have you been enjoying any early spring produce yet?
I hope to get my garden planted within the next week or two.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

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Zabaglione with Zucchini and Zest, Anyone?

Well, here we are. Take a breath. We've successfully made it to the last day of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. It's day "Z"!

Zabaglione is best with fruit, not zucchini! Photo: Morguefile

I've been brainstorming ideas for this post for days. The obvious "Z" to address on a healthy foodie blog is zucchini, but I'm not a huge fan. It's an ok vegetable, but not top on my list of cravings. (Yes, I do sometimes crave vegetables. Peas, I'm thinking about you! Mmmmm....)

Then I thought of "zest", but that was my "Z" topic last year. Check out my past post, "How to Make Zest".

Then a friend suggested talking about zabaglione. Well, heck yes! Who doesn't love a riveting discussion of zabaglione! (I'll wait while you Google that one!)

So, now that you're drooling, I agree that decadent Italian custard dessert has nothing to do with whole foods. You're right. But hey, the only way you can stick to a healthy lifestyle is by rewarding yourself once in awhile. So, go ahead and order the zabaglione next time you go to an Italian bistro. After all, life's too short not to indulge on occasion!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

PS: This may be the end of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge, but Whole Foods Living is here to stay! Please stop by again, follow along with Google Friend Connect (there's a button on the left margin of this blog!) or sign up for email alerts each time I publish. I want to hear how you're staying healthy long after April ends. You can also find me on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. Be well!


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5 Ways to Enjoy Greek Yogurt

The first time I tried Greek yogurt, I wasn't impressed. Compared to my light, smooth, ultra sweet yogurt cups I was used to, it just wasn't that good. Greek yogurt is thicker, heavier and not as sugary.

What type of yogurt do you like? Photo: SXC

Wait, that's a good thing.

Since Greek yogurt is high in protein and lower in sugar than other types of yogurt, I decided to give it another chance. I've learned to love it and now it's on my weekly shopping list.

Here's five ways you can add Greek yogurt to your day too!

1. Use fruit-flavored Greek yogurt as a dressing on fruit salad.
2. Make a parfait dessert by layering granola, berries and Greek yogurt in a pretty, clear glass.
3. Mix seasoning packets or dried herbs with plain Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream) to use as a salad dressing.
4. Serve kids miniature fruit kebabs (a strawberry and grape threaded on a pretzel stick) and Greek yogurt as a dipping sauce.
5. Experiment with using Greek yogurt and a splash of lemon juice in lieu of mayonnaise in cold, creamy pasta salads.

Do you like Greek yogurt? How to you enjoy it?

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

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