Recipes REDUX: Family Circle's Apple, Beat and White Bean Salad

This is a completely sugarless, flourless salad that looks awfully easy to make. Family Circle posted this incredible Apple, Beet and White Bean Salad. Fantastic. No croutons, no sugary dressing. I never thought I'd be a Family Circle reader, but maybe I should be giving them a glance. The kale in this salad makes it even healthier--could survive weeks on this.

TIPS Tuesdays: What's Sweet about that Treat?**

Here's a well-intentioned piece in iVillage that brings to the fore some common mis-perceptions about foods, and how much sugar they really have. I recommend trotting through this slide-show. Very important! However, it conflates the effects of, say, orange juice, with Kettle Corn and Cheerios--one contains natural sugar, which plays much less havoc with one's blood sugar, while the latter contain processed sugars, i.e. refined carbs.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again--it's great that folks are sugar-intake conscious, but an apple (or 100% apple juice) as a food remains different from Kellog's Apple Jacks.The former are NERC*-ready; the latter is definitely not. By all means, reduce sugar intake. But, even better: reduce your consumption of products containing processed sugar.

*Not Eating Refined Carbs

**I'm considering using my revolutionary 'breadless stuffing' from a few weeks ago, in altered form, to create Jalapeno Poppers for Scrumptious (formerly Satiated) Saturdays...stay tuned.

SATIATED Saturdays: Breadless Stuffing!

Yes. Finally, we have lift-off! Here is the recipe for my newly-created Breadless Stuffing. Please note: the proportions are mostly 'to taste,' so you will have to play with the measurements.

You will need the following equipment: chopping board; sharp knife; glass medium-sized mixing bowl--or any bowl of your choosing; measuring cups.

You will need the following ingredients:  4 tablespoons butter; 1 apple (I used a Fuji); one bunch of scallions; one package, tempeh (any kind); almond meal; raw oats (as for hot cereal, but plain only); salt; pepper; dill; parsley; mushrooms (optional).

Directions:  Microwave butter in a microwave-safe ceramic ramekin or other container until melted. Chop up apple, scallions (cut off ends) and 1/2 package to whole package of tempeh (depending upon number being fed) into very small quarter-to-half-inch cubes, and place cubes in mixing bowl. Add roughly 1/3 to 1/2 cup almond meal, plus 1-2 cups oats (depending upon number being fed). Add in butter, as well as salt, pepper and dill to taste. Chop up parsley very fine, and add this last. Stir entire mixture vigorously.

Notes: You should have more than enough to fill a large chicken or turkey. You can reserve the rest and either cook in a saucepan, or refrigerate until you are ready to use. This stuff also makes a great potato-free "hash" to go with eggs--simply saute a bit of the stuffing alongside the eggs in a saucepan. For a slightly different flavor, add diced fresh mushrooms (any kind) to the mix.