Destinations Diva

Are you tired of steaming asparagus and hate the limp or mushy results?  Here's a better way to cook it!   Before you cook your asparagus you the snap method.  Hold the cut end and gently bend it.  Fresh asparagus will snap at the perfect spot.  Now just line up the rest of the stalks and cut even with the  snapped stalk (or just cut off an inch and a half). Now for the cooking.  Fill a saucepan half full with water and bring to a boil.  Add 1/2 teaspoon salt.  Drop asparagus stalks into the boiling water.  Set a timer for 3 minutes.  After three minutes, drain the water and plunge into a bowl of ice water (or rinse with cold water) to stop the cooking process.   That's it!  The result is bright green color and the stalks are cooked but still crisp! Follow me on Twitter Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Facebook Click here for more blogs. Click here to fight Brain Cancer Click here for m...

      The growing trend towards keeping up a healthy lifestyle is more important than ever.  With so many people trying to stay fit, and resist carbs and sugar, a trip to a theme park may seriously derail your healthy goals.  But not to fear, at Universal Orlando, it's actually not difficult at all to maintain your preferred diet, whether  you're going gluten free,  keto or even vegan.    I'm here to tell you that staying on track at Universal Orlando is easier than you might think!   Getting in Your Steps      There is one obvious aspect of a Universal Orlando vacation.  You will walk a lot!  The average theme park guest walks between 5 and 12 miles per day.  While it may not always be heart-pumping cardio, you will burn lots of calories while you tour the parks.      If you need a little more cardio or steps, there are beautifully landscaped walkways at Universal Orlando whic...

I came up with this recipe when I was looking for a way to enjoy traditional Italian cooking without breaking the calorie bank!  I traded a little extra virgin olive oil for the heavy amount of butter in the original and ramped up the flavor with a variety of vegetables.  I also traded the usual pork sausage with turkey Italian sausage, which is one of my favorite subs for many recipes. Healthy Stuffed Eggplant with Italian Sausage by Mary deSilva Ingredients: 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 pound turkey Italian sausage, casing removed 2 eggplants 1 small onion, chopped 1/2 cup chopped fennel bulb (or use celery) 1/2 bell pepper, chopped 1/2 cup shredded carrots 1 zucchini, shredded 3 cloves garlic 1 tsp. Italian seasoning 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes 1 egg, beaten (optional) 1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs (optional) Salt and pepper to taste Marinara Sauce (recipe below or use your favorite Italian red sauce) Grated parme...

I recently traveled to Orlando and every time I visit Walt Disney World, I always squeeze in a trip to the Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jambo House.  Jambo House is the main building with a grand lobby showcasing African artistry.  There are so many cultural things to see and do at this resort, even if you're not a resort guest.  There is a daily culinary tour at Boma, a buffet restaurant at 4pm.  During our last visit, I stumbled across a great find.  A restaurant which I now call Disney's best kept secret! Sanaa is the main restaurant at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Kidani Village.  Kidani Village has villas are which are part of Disney Vacation Club.  The main lobby at Kidani Village is a miniature version of the grand lobby at Jambo House. While trying to decide where to eat, we happened to come across the menu for Sanaa which has a charcuterie platter on its appetizer menu.  That was enough for my husband to decide to take...

Summer weather calls for fresh salads!  This salad is a neighborhood potluck favorite.  It's so easy because the only cooked (optional) ingredient is bacon bits.  This is great for a Memorial Day or July 4th menu. Fresh Broccoli Salad 2 heads broccoli, diced  1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 apple, diced 3 stripped bacon, cooked and crumbled 1/3 cup dried cranberries 1/3 roasted pecans or sliced almonds 1/4 cup diced red onion 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon dijon mustard 1 tablespoon honey 1/2 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning (to taste) In a large bowl, add all ingredients and stir.  Serve immediately at room temperature or serve chilled. Click here for my Youtube Cooking Channel Playlist Click here to fight Brain Cancer Click here for my Lifestyle and Travel Blog Click here for my Orlando travel ebooks Click here for my artwork