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The flesh of calabaza is a vibrant, bright orange. Image Credit: carusi83/iStock/Getty Images Calabaza is a popular squash varietal that is grown in tropical areas. Also known as West Indian pumpkin, calabaza is an earthy, sweet food that makes a perfect addition to dinner on a chilly fall night. It can be a substitute for recipes that call for pumpkin, acorn or butternut squash. Calabaza is high in vitamin A, making it a sensible choice to support immune function and vision....

Sour Cream and other ingredients to make pastries. Image Credit: vinicef/iStock/Getty Images Sour cream is often thought of as a topping for potatoes, an addition to sauces and a way to mix guacamole, but it’s not often remembered as a baking ingredient. Due to its creamy texture, sour cream can be added to a variety of baked goods and recipes in order to yield moister results. The same sour cream can be used as a substitution for certain ingredients so you aren’t caught without the right materials to make your favorite baked goods....

Bring your chicken marinade to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until it reaches the desired to consistency. Image Credit: Anna Kurzaeva/Moment/GettyImages Marinating chicken adds moisture to the meat and can dramatically improve its flavor. Don’t throw the leftovers out either — there’s an easy method for turning marinade into a sauce. Advertisement Tip Bring your chicken marinade to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until it reaches the desired to consistency....

A properly cooked boneless strip steak has a crispy exterior contrasting with a tender, juicy center. Image Credit: JPphoto1992/iStock/Getty Images A properly cooked boneless strip steak has a crispy exterior contrasting with a tender, juicy center. Dry heat is necessary for the flavorful crust, and a short cooking time is necessary to keep the center moist. Getting the heat right can be a challenge. Advertisement Boneless strip steaks are naturally tender, cut from the tender short loin, and are well-suited for the intense heat of a charcoal grill....

cooked pears in a dish. Image Credit: AlexPro9500/iStock/Getty Images Succulent pears work famously well as finger foods, but the summery fruit also lends itself to dishes ranging from tarts and chutney to salads and relish. Sweet baked pears also serve as a light dessert or side dish for savory meat dishes, such as roasted duck or peppered pork, but they take some patience – pears require about an hour in the oven to roast properly....

Chicken drumsticks are a popular choice for dinner, which is not surprising given they can be served up so many different ways. Image Credit: MarianVejcik/iStock/GettyImages Chicken drumsticks are a popular choice for dinner, which is not surprising given they can be served up so many different ways. What’s handy is that you don’t have to turn on the oven to cook them — cooking drumsticks in a pan is easy when you know how....

Shrimp are a nutrition powerhouse, offering plenty of protein, vitamins and minerals. Image Credit: Diana Taliun/iStock/GettyImages Shrimp are a nutrition powerhouse, offering plenty of protein, vitamins and minerals. Frozen shrimp have all the nutrition of fresh shrimp and are just as simple to prepare. There are a wide variety of shell-on shrimp recipes, some of which call for cooking on the stovetop. Advertisement Preparing Frozen Shrimp There are plenty of reasons to cook shrimp with the shell on rather than peeled, as is the norm....

Fresh rosemary can enhance the flavor of bone-in lamb loin. Image Credit: Promo_Link/iStock/GettyImages Bone-in lamb loin is a large cut of meat that is more tender when cooked than traditional lamb loin. Traditional lamb loin is rolled with the bone removed, which can cause the meat to dry out faster. Advertisement While there are other ways to prepare bone-in lamb loin including smoking and curing, the only practical method for most home chefs because of the size is to bake the meat in the oven....

You don't need to spend a huge chunk of change to enjoy an indoor cycling workout. Image Credit: Bojan89/iStock/GettyImages If you’ve taken an indoor cycling class in the past, you’d probably agree that it’s certainly a one-of-a-kind workout. With their perfectly curated playlists and strategically built intervals, it’s no wonder that many studios have developed a cult-like following. However, it’s not an inexpensive experience. Advertisement Although classes can be a great way to stay healthy and meet new people, they can also burn a big hole in your wallet....

Papaya adds color and flavor to a variety of dishes. Image Credit: Ablestock.com/AbleStock.com/Getty Images Papayas may have their origins in Central America, but they’ve become a staple of U.S. grocery stores for a reason. The bright orange flesh of this fruit is not only sweet and refreshing, but according to “Whole Living” magazine, one papaya contains almost three days’ worth of vitamin C. As long as you pick up a ripe papaya — look for one with reddish-orange skin — it’s ready to eat and enjoy right away....

A workout routine that combines cardio and strength will help you lose body fat. Image Credit: Maryna Auramchuk/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Long Lever Crunch High Plank Hold Stability Ball Knee Tuck Windshield Wiper Side Plank Hip Dip Pilates Criss-Cross Toe-Reach Crunch Most times, having a "saggy belly" means you've been through something monumental — you've been pregnant or lost a lot of weight, for example. And while you might want to get rid of this extra fat around your midsection, take a second to appreciate everything your body has done for you....

Sneak more produce, beans and legumes into your day with these filling chili recipes. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages Whether or not you follow a plant-based diet, we can all benefit from going meat-free a few times a week. Not to mention, it’s a great way to force — er, encourage — yourself to eat more vegetables. Advertisement And as we're in the middle of winter, what better way to go meatless than a bowl of hearty chili?...

Breathing exercises can help increase your lung function if you have COPD. Image Credit: FatCamera/E+/GettyImages If you’re living with COPD, your doctor may recommend some strategies for managing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. Because COPD (that’s chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) can cause shortness of breath, one of those strategies is breathing exercises. Advertisement Why Breathing Exercises Help With COPD People with COPD struggle with breathing because the condition causes air to get trapped in the lungs and interferes with the exchange of gas, says Osita Onugha, MD, thoracic surgeon and assistant professor of thoracic surgical oncology at John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California....

Sneaking sweet potato into pudding adds a rich texture as well as some satiating fiber. Image Credit: istetiana/iStock/GettyImages The hearty root vegetable is in season in the fall and winter and has a naturally sweet flavor and loads of nutritional benefits. But one notable yet lesser-known benefit of sweet potatoes is improved gut health. Advertisement "Sweet potatoes offer fiber, which is helpful to the gut in many ways," plant-based dietitian Amy Gorin, RDN and owner of Plant-Based Eats says....

Doing range of motion exercises helps keep your joints agile and strong. Image Credit: Justin Paget/DigitalVision/GettyImages Among your list of fitness goals — building muscle, enhancing endurance and getting faster — we bet that increasing range of motion doesn’t make the cut. But it should be one of your top priorities. Advertisement Range of motion refers to how much movement you can make around a joint. When your range of motion is limited, you'll notice difficulty or discomfort when you attempt to move a particular body part....

A support system can be incredibly helpful when you're trying to lose weight with obesity. Image Credit: Luis Alvarez/DigitalVision/GettyImages Obesity is a complicated disease. Both genetic and environmental factors come into play, and people with the condition are often at higher risk for other medical conditions, which can make it difficult to treat. Advertisement But changes that include healthy eating habits, regular exercise and other lifestyle tweaks can help combat obesity and result in a better quality of life....

A freshly baked oatmeal raisin cookie on a napkin. Image Credit: sarahdoow/iStock/Getty Images Cookies aren’t exactly healthy snacks. Although they do provide quick energy and contain some beneficial nutrients, the amounts of saturated fat and processed sugar in most cookies are enough to outweigh their nutritious qualities. Oatmeal raisin cookies are healthier than most other cookie types, but even with their few wholesome ingredients, they’re more of a splurge than a smart snack....

There's an array of tasty vegan cheeses made from plant sources such as almonds, cashews, soybeans and peas. Image Credit: fcafotodigital/E+/GettyImages If you’re switching to a plant-based diet, but stressed about giving up your favorite dairy cheese, set your worries aside! There’s an array of vegan cheese options to satisfy both your palate and your wallet. Advertisement Tip There's a variety of tasty vegan cheeses made from plant sources such as almonds, cashews, soybeans and peas....

Close-up of Wheat Thins on shelves in grocery store. Image Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images Wheat Thins are a baked snack cracker made by Nabisco, owned by Kraft Foods. They are made with whole-grain whole wheat flour and come in a variety of flavors. Wheat thins may be eaten as a snack on their own, or with dips, cheese or toppings. When eaten in moderation, Wheat Thins may be included as part of a healthy diet....

A plate of bacon and eggs. Image Credit: DamianPalus/iStock/Getty Images The Atkins diet comprises four distinct phases. The induction phase is the first one, followed by the ongoing weight loss phase, the pre-maintenance phase and the lifelong maintenance phase. The induction phase is the stricter phase, restricting the daily carbohydrate to 20 grams or less. While the body adapts to this new macronutrient mix, some side effects may be experienced....