Ultimate Father's Day Steaks to Grill Up This Sunday

Ultimate Father's Day Steaks to Grill Up This Sunday

Give Dad a break from the grill this Sunday and treat him to an extra special cookout with the best hunks of meat you can find. We're talking ultra juicy rib eyes, T-bones, strip steaks, and more. Here are some great  grilled steak recipes.

Rib-Eye, T-Bone, and Strip Steaks Cut Over One Inch

Grilled Rib-Eye Steaks with Roasted-Pepper Salsa

Salt-and-Pepper Rib Eye

9 Guilt-Free Candies That Won’t Derail Your Diet

9 Guilt-Free Candies That Won’t Derail Your Diet

 As the new year arrives, we make tons of promises to ourselves: This is the year we quit that job, find that dream apartment, and lose all of that holiday weight. The latter is perhaps one of the more universal resolutions made in the first month of the new year. And it is probably fair to say that it is also the resolution abandoned most often.


When it comes to dieting we operate in extremes, going from zero to healthy in two minutes flat. But denying yourself all the joys of sweets may not be the best plan. So that you don’t have to completely avoid candy, we found some of the best sweet options for you to indulge in while staying on track. While you are rooting through that candy dish, there are certain candies you should be on the lookout for that are the healthiest choices for a little sweet indulgence.

For instance, a handful of Reese’s Pieces can satisfy a sweet tooth craving for less than 100 calories. If you’re looking for a sugar rush, you can help yourself to an entire roll of Smarties for only 25 calories. Need a chocolate fix? Try savoring a single Hershey’s Kiss for 22 calories.
Of course, all of these should be enjoyed in moderation. We aren’t suggesting you eat only sweets, but dieting doesn’t have to be excruciating. Break up the monotony and indulge intelligently with these semi-healthy sweet options!

Haribo Gummy Bears

Sweet and nostalgic, gummy bears can be a surprisingly filling snack that won’t cost you dozens of calories. There are about 70 calories in half of a 5-ounce bag, so portion the bag out and you could have a ton of sweet, small snacks!

Sugar-Free Jelly Belly Jelly Beans

Sometimes we all get a craving for a little sugar rush, but just because we want it doesn’t mean we need it. Fret not, there is a compromise. Jelly beans come in at only 80 calories and are a great way to get your sweet tooth fix without killing your diet!

Reese’s Pieces

Chocolate, peanut butter, and hard-shelled candy probably sound like heaven if you’ve been on a diet. These are easy to eat and super satisfying, and you can enjoy about 25 tiny pieces for 100 calories

Dark Chocolate Raisinets

Both decadent and savory, Dark Chocolate Raisinets are the perfect way to satisfy a craving without the sin. The candy claims to have 30 percent less fat than the leading chocolate brands and offers a half-serving of fruit in every ¼-cup serving. If you’re looking to treat yourself to something sweet, this little candy is a delicious option.

Life Savers

If your hankering for sweets is slightly insatiable, hard candy can both satisfy your hunger and distract you from eating calorie-laden options. And for this option, you don’t even have to go sugar-free! The regular pack of five flavors contains only 45 calories per serving and a sugar count of about 9 grams.

Hershey's Kisses

In need of a quick chocolate fix? One Hershey’s Kiss will help do the trick! One milk chocolate Hershey’s Kiss comes out to about 22 calories, but be careful you don’t overdo it with these little bites. If you end up eating nine of them, you’d be up to 23 grams of sugar and 200 calories!

Tootsie Pop
A lollipop that lasts and has a delicious chocolate center? Sign us up — especially because they only account for 60 calories and last a long time, forcing you to enjoy them slowly and make you less hungry.

Smarties

Sort of sweet and sort of tart, these retro candies are perfect for a sweet tooth fix. One entire roll of this candy is only 25 calories and has only 6 grams of sugar.

York Peppermint Patties (Snack Size)

Refreshing, minty and all-around delicious, this candy will help make your dessert dreams come true. With only 60 calories per serving, this snack will make your taste buds tingle.

 

Money Saving Tips

Money Saving Tips

Turn the last bit of nut butter or chocolate sauce into a delicious drink

Add milk to the jar and give it a stir for a tasty treat that uses up every last bit.

Turn your last bit of mayo into salad dressing

Add olive oil, spices, and fresh herbs to the jar and give it a shake. Instant salad dressing!

Make banana bread using overripe bananas

You can even pop your overripe bananas in the freezer until you have enough for your favorite recipe.

Coat measuring cups with oil before measuring sticky substances

Stop wasting maple syrup and honey! Use this simple trick to get the most out of your sticky syrups.

Rinse berries in vinegar to prevent mold

Your berries will keep for longer, and don't worry, they won't taste like vinegar!

Secret Ingredient to Better Tuna Salad

Secret Ingredient to Better Tuna Salad

One spoonful of this and you’ll upgrade the flavor of the protein-packed combo

As far as quick, muscle-building meals go, it’s tough to best tuna fish salad. Six ounces of canned tuna, packed in water, contain 40 grams of protein for about 220 calories. Add a large hardboiled egg and you’ve contributed 6 more grams of protein for 78 calories. A little mayo will up the creaminess, but still keep you under a 500-calorie meal—all while providing a powerhouse of workout recovery fuel.

The strong taste of tuna is great for carrying add-ins, too. Grated carrots, sesame seeds, cilantro, lime juice, Sriracha, onion—most ingredients only enhance the flavor of the fish.

Yet there’s one tuna fish ingredient that reigns over all—and it’s probably one you

’ve never thought of. After this, your taste buds will never be the same.

The sweet heat of pickled jalapeno juice gives tuna fish salad a bite and a burn. Plus, combined with mayo, the juice helps make the mixture creamier without having to pile in more calories.

Soothe a Savage Sunburn

Flew too close to the sun, eh, Icarus? Use these tips to survive the scorch

Maybe you skipped the sunscreen completely. Maybe you simply have the complexion of Casper and got scorched on your way to the mailbox. Regardless, the sun has struck and done damage. Now what do you do? Save your seared hide with these pro tips.

The science
The key thing here is ultraviolet damage. “When you start to peel, you are witnessing cells which have been killed by the ultraviolet light making a cleft in the epidermis, or outer layer of the skin,” says Richard Glogau, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at University of California San Francisco. “This disintegration causes the cells above them to come off in sheets very similar to what happens with the roof of a blister. The dead layer literally peels off.”

The consequences
If blistering has happened, the peel is coming, and no amount of lotion will prevent it. “Moisturizing may temporarily delay the reaction, but once those epidermal cells are zapped, they are doomed to peel off,” Glogau says. Do your best to keep your hands away from the burn—no scratching, itching, picking, or peeling away. Moisturizing might help your skin itch less, thereby reducing your inclination to mess with it.

The pain
If a blister is present, leave it intact to allow the new skin underneath the blister to mature and heal, says Elizabeth Martin, MD, of Pure Dermatology & Aesthetics. “If you pick at peeling skin or blisters you can increase your risk of developing a skin infection,” she says. Using compresses or baths with colloidal oatmeal (such as Aveeno) can soothe the rawness of the blistered skin. Or try this DIY trick: “Compressing with ice-cold whole milk for a minute or two will also take the severe burn sensation down a notch or two,” Glogau says. Frequent application of a neutral emollient, like Aquaphor ointment or Eucerin Calming Cream, can soothe the skin. Repeat the oatmeal or milk soaks/compresses every hour as needed.

The fixes
Fortunately, there are many strategies for further alleviating this nastiness. In terms of general pain, start with an anti-inflammatory. “Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen taken according to directions in the first 24 hours can significantly reduce discomfort from sunburn,” Glogau says. The biggest takeaway? Take them right away. “To be useful, these drugs must be taken within hours of the first appearance of the pain or redness of the sunburn,” Glogau says.

For topical treatment, aloe is the obvious choice. “Aloe kept chilled in the refrigerator can be particularly soothing to sunburned skin,” Martin says. She also suggests products that contain soy, as well as over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream.  But beware of certain ingredients: “I do not recommend using any products that contain ingredients with ‘-caine’ in the name,” Martin notes. “These can irritate the skin or even cause an allergic reaction.”

The reminders
Once you have gotten a sunburn, keep a few things in mind. First, hydration: “When you are sunburned, fluid is drawn to the skin's surface and away from the rest of the body, so drink extra water when you are sunburned to help avoid dehydration,” Martin says.

Also, keep that sunburned skin out of the sun. If you have to go outdoors, wear tightly woven fabrics (loose fitting, of course) to protect your skin. If you have blistering that covers a large area, such as your entire back, or if you have chills, fever, or a headache, see your doctor immediately, Martin says.

The lecture
In the future, use sunblock, ‘kay?

6 Common Mistakes People Make when Baking Brownies

When it comes to comfort food and our favorite desserts, brownies rank way up there. They’re rich, decadent, sweet, and come with the added bonus of nostalgia: Who doesn’t have fond memories of an after-school brownie and a tall, icy glass of milk? But these chocolatey treats are trickier to nail than they seem—there are a good many mistakes to be made along the way, from using the wrong recipe to digging in too soon. Never botch your brownies again with these essential tips.

1. Pick a Recipe, any recipe
The recipe you use matters, and here’s why: Most people fall into two brownie-related categories: Those who prefer cake-like brownies, and those who want them on the fudgier side. To make the brownies of your dreams, you’ve got to first know which type of brownie you prefer. If you’re into cakey brownies, go for a recipe that is reminiscent of, well, cake: For example, if your instructions include the act of creaming together butter and sugar, you’re probably going to be making a cake-like brownie. Which is great, if you’re into that. If you prefer fudgey brownies, look for a recipe that has a higher chocolate and butter-to-dry ingredient ratio.


2. Chocolate is chocolate is chocolate
Brownies don’t require a lot of ingredients—so the ones you use should be really great. Instead of purchasing ubiquitous “baking chocolate,” just grab chocolate that you’d want to eat on its own. Go for the good stuff—this isn’t the time for cutting corners or making due with an inferior product. And what about cocoa powder? While you can use it, but we warn against doing so casually—its flour-like properties make for a cakey batter which, although super chocolatey, is definitely drier than the dense, gooey brownies many people aim for.
Since we’re talking chocolate, it’s time to lose the miniature chips: They contain stabilizers, Saffitz explains, which don’t melt well, and also add things into your batter that just don’t need to be there. Instead, use bar chocolate and chop it into big chunks; it’ll melt slowly, making rich, ultra-chocolatey brownies.

3. Bring on the Heat
Yes, you’re going to need to melt your chocolate. But don’t combine screaming-hot-just-melted Guittard to your eggs, butter and sugar—it’ll cook and scramble the eggs, not to mention potentially burn the chocolate. Speaking of temperature, make sure to bring the rest of your ingredients to room temperature before combining. Does it take a little planning to remove those eggs and butter from the fridge an hour in advance? Sure, but they’ll combine much better than when chilly, yielding a smoother, creamier batter. Here’s a cheat: If you forgot to take your ingredients out of the fridge before beginning, stick them in warm (NOT hot!) water for about 15 minutes.

4. Get flavor crazy
We’ve all seen brownies with intricate flavor combinations, but honestly, are you ever really craving a chocolate-chipotle-raspberry-lime brownie? Pick one “extra” flavor or add-in, like chocolate, cream cheese, or nuts, and stick with it. The point here, is to enhance the chocolate’s flavor—not mask it.  “No one is going to mind if you fold in some Reese’s peanut butter cups.”

5. Underbaked brownies = fudgy brownies
Underbaking makes for gooey, melty brownies, right? Wrong! Underbaking your pan of brownies means you’ll be eating, well, underbaked brownies. Always follow your recipe’s baking time (toothpick test doesn’t work here!) and bake your brownies until they’re done. The right texture is all in the right recipe; it’s not about the cooking time.

To make sure you don’t overbake your brownies, it’s worthwhile investing in a clear Pyrex pan—that way, you can keep an eye on how things are looking. What size and shape should you use? The test kitchen overwhelmingly recommends an 8X8 straight-sided square pan. It’s all about the crispy corners. Besides, says Perry, “There is just something magical about that square pan of brownies.”

6. Get 'em while they're hot!
Restrain yourself! The brownies will continue to set as they cool down, as well as develop flavor. Plus, they slice and come out of the pan much easier when properly cooled. But, if presentation doesn’t matter and your appetite can’t wait, then go for it!

How Summer Destroys Your Skin

 

Summer is here, and the heat is on. Finally, you can shed your wool suit and unveil your tanned, toned body . . . or not. This season can be especially hard on your skin and cause issues that can quickly send you back into hibernation. Here’s what you need to know to safely sport your summer skin all season long.

SUNBURN
By now it should be a no-brainer: Bare skin + sun = sunburn. Wear SPF of 30 or higher with UVA and UVB protection every single day and reapply after swimming or sweating. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, be sure to check your medicine cabinet before stepping outside. “Many people don’t realize that certain medications can increase their photosensitivity and put them at greater risk for sunburns,” says Clifford Perlis, M.D., a dermatologist at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. The antibiotic doxycycline and blood pressure medication hydrochlorothiazide are especially powerful photosensitizers. “If you know you’re going to be at the beach, pool, or on vacation, talk to your doctor about the medications you’re taking and whether they increase your risk of sunburn,” he says. “Discuss whether you can switch medications to one that won’t boost your sensitivity.” Otherwise, be extra vigilant about protection to minimize the risk of sunburn, skin damage, and skin cancer.

FUNGAL INFECTIONS
First, the good news: Sunlight can decrease certain conditions like acne, psoriasis, and eczema. In fact, light therapy is one of the treatments for some of these issues because the UV rays may suppress overactive immune system cells that cause skin inflammation. However, heat and humidity may up your risk for other topical troubles such as fungal infections. Certain areas, such as your feet, underarms, and genitals, tend to stay warm and moist, which allows fungi to thrive and can lead to infections, Dr. Perlis says. He recommends using an antifungal powder like Tinactin in those hot spots every day, or every other day after showering. “The powder helps dry out the area, and the antifungal medication makes it no longer hospitable for fungus to grow,” he adds.

DRY SKIN
Getting wet could lead to feeling dry. Chlorine strips the layer of oil on the surface of your skin, which locks in water. While you can’t control what happens to your dermis while taking a dip, what you do afterward can make a big difference. Hit the shower and strip off your suit. Thoroughly clean your skin with soap and water, then smear on lotion—like Cetaphil DailyAdvance—while your skin is still damp to help replace the moisture-locking barrier.
MILLARIA
Also known as heat rash or prickly heat, you may see tiny red painless bumps that are plugged-up pores. Usually due to heat, humidity, and sweat, the bumps are totally benign—but can be annoyingly itchy. The best way to avoid heat rash is to minimize sweating. It often clears up once your skin cools down, too. Keep your air conditioner running throughout the warm months to cool your home, and wear lightweight clothing so moisture can escape when you sweat.

BUG BITES
“You may develop itching and inflammation around the area of a bite, either due to a toxin from the insect’s bite or your reaction to the toxin,” Dr. Perlis says. Smear on a low-dose topical steroid like Cordisone 10, or a cream with lidocaine to help reduce inflammation and pain. If you have more severe symptoms such as fever, nausea, hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling, call 911 or see a doctor right away. You could be having an allergic reaction.

5 Foods That Can Help Reduce Stress

5 Foods That Can Help Reduce Stress

If you ever feel more stressed out at home than you do at work, you're not alone. Last week, a new study by Penn State researchers confirmed that most people go through the same thing.

Coping with stress by heading to the fridge for a snack can actually be good idea because some foods may help you feel better, according to Sarah-Jane Bedwell, R.D., L.D.N., a nutrition expert and author of Schedule Me Skinny. Here, Bedwell reveals five foods that help reduce stress.

Red Bell Peppers: "When we experience stress, our body releases increased levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol. Getting plenty of vitamin C helps to stop the secretion of stress hormones. But before you reach for the O.J. or a bottle of Vitamin C pills, try a red bell pepper. With three times the amount of vitamin C as an orange, the red bell pepper has the highest Vitamin C content of any one food."

Yogurt with Nuts: "Studies have shown that the combination of lysine, an amino acid found in yogurt, and arginine, an amino acid found in nuts, will help to decrease stress hormones in the brain."

Peppermint Tea and Vanilla Tea: "What better way to calm your nerves when you are feeling stressed than a cup of hot tea? Studies have shown that peppermint and vanilla scents help you to feel less anxious, more alert, and enable you to focus and boost your concentration on the task at hand."

Raw Carrots: Another healthy crunchy food Bedwell recommends.

Popcorn: "The crunching will help relieve muscle tension in your face and jaw, and the carbohydrates will release serotonin, which will make you relax." 

Cajun Spice Rub Seasoning

This salt-free spicy Cajun rub is delicious on grilled shrimp! You can also use it to give your jambalaya an extra kick.

 Ingredients1/4 cup chili powder
1/4 cup Spanish paprika
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (to suit your spice preferences)
2 tablespoons dried thyme
2 tablespoons dried basil
2 tablespoons dried oregano
2 tablespoons ground coriander
1/2 tsp white pepper

Salt and pepper to taste if desired.

Directions

Mix all ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
Taste and adjust the seasonings to suit your palate.
Store for up to three months.
Use one tablespoon at a time in recipes.

Marinade's

Jerk Marinade

Enough to marinate 2 pounds of chicken (skin-on thighs, legs, or wings) or pork (chops, loin, or boneless shoulder)

Ingredients

6 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
4 scallions, coarsely chopped
4 Scotch bonnet or habanero chiles, stemmed, seeded, coarsely chopped
3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons fresh thyme
1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
1 tablespoon (packed) dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons allspice berries
1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar

Ingredient Info: Habaneros and Scotch bonnets—extremely hot chiles—are available at better supermarkets and at Latin markets

Preparation

Purée 4 tablespoons oil and the next 10 ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Transfer 1/4 cup marinade to a small bowl and make sauce: Whisk in vinegar and remaining 2 tablespoons oil and season to taste with salt. Refrigerate sauce. Put meat in a glass, stainless-steel, or ceramic dish. Toss with remaining marinade. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Remove meat from marinade, pat dry, and grill.

The finish:
Spoon reserved sauce over grilled meat. 

Chimichurri Marinade

This colorful sauce doubles as a marinade and as an accompaniment to all cuts of beef, including Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce.

Ingredients

1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more
3–4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced or minced
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 Fresno chile or red jalapeño, finely chopped
2 cups minced fresh cilantro
1 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh oregano
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation

Combine vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, garlic, shallot, and chile in a medium bowl and let stand for 10 minutes. Stir in cilantro, parsley, and oregano. Using a fork, whisk in oil. Remove 1/2 cup chimichurri to a small bowl, season with salt to taste, and reserve as sauce. Put meat in a glass, stainless-steel, or ceramic dish. Toss with remaining marinade. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Remove meat from marinade, pat dry, and grill.