| (ARA) - The holidays have long been viewed, | | | | |
| from a food perspective, as a time of excess. | | | | - 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil |
| An extra helping of stuffing for | | | | |
| Thanksgiving, a few cookies at the office | | | | - 1 pound tomatoes, diced or a 16-ounce can, |
| party, an extra glass of champagne to ring in | | | | drained |
| the New Year, and most people just give up on | | | | |
| their good intentions to eat healthy foods. | | | | - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) |
| After all, healthy foods and celebrations | | | | |
| seem like mixing oil and water, right? | | | | - 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar |
| | | | |
| Wrong. Americans are increasingly demanding | | | | - 3 cups Imagine Natural Creamy Tomato Soup |
| healthy, organic foods. In fact, one industry | | | | |
| source says organic food sales in the United | | | | - 5 tablespoons fresh chopped basil |
| States reached $7.8 billion last year. This | | | | |
| has translated into more products that are | | | | - 3 to 4 tablespoons parmesan cheese |
| readily available to bridge the perceived gap | | | | (optional) |
| between what's good and what's good for you. | | | | |
| | | | - salt and pepper to taste |
| Organic soups and broths provide a great base | | | | |
| for recipes that are fancy enough for holiday | | | | Saute onions and garlic with a little salt |
| entertaining, or quick and easy enough to | | | | over medium heat to soften. Add tomatoes and |
| allow you to eat healthfully and still dash | | | | cook over high heat to wilt the tomatoes. Add |
| out to do that last-minute shopping. Imagine | | | | remaining ingredients and heat until |
| Natural Organic Broths and Soups provide | | | | bubbling. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve |
| convenience, fresh taste and all the benefits | | | | over hot pasta and garnish with grated |
| you expect from natural foods: they are | | | | parmesan and fresh basil leaves. |
| kosher and contain no dairy products, no | | | | |
| preservatives, no MSG and no | | | | Makes 3 1/2 to 4 cups of sauce, enough for 8 |
| genetically-modified ingredients. | | | | to 12 ounces of dry pasta. |
| | | | |
| "The world is too busy a place, especially at | | | | HOLIDAY WILD RICE SOUP |
| holiday time, so we take the same care in | | | | |
| making these soups as people would if they | | | | This soup is naturally low in calories and |
| started from scratch in their own kitchens," | | | | fat so it's the perfect starter to a healthy, |
| says Robert Nissenbaum, president and company | | | | hearty meal, or a delicious stand-alone light |
| founder. "They're 100 percent natural, | | | | lunch. The bright colored vegetables and |
| certified organic, heat and serve, and are | | | | nutty wild rice taste evoke a wonderful |
| made with fresh vegetables, organic herbs and | | | | holiday feeling. |
| spices, and the most simple, yet delicious | | | | |
| recipes," he added. | | | | - 1 quart Imagine Natural Organic Free Range |
| | | | Chicken Broth |
| Imagine Natural soups come in flavors | | | | |
| including Creamy Tomato, Creamy Sweet Corn, | | | | - 2 cups cooked wild rice |
| Creamy Broccoli, Creamy Portobello Mushroom, | | | | |
| Creamy Butternut Squash and Creamy Potato | | | | - 1 cup frozen corn |
| Leek. Vegetable, Free-Range Chicken and | | | | |
| No-Chicken broths also are available. The | | | | - 2 tablespoons chopped red bell pepper |
| soups and broths come in family-sized or | | | | |
| single-serving sized containers. | | | | - 2 tablespoons chopped yellow bell pepper |
| | | | |
| These quick and delicious recipes are | | | | - 2 tablespoons chopped green bell pepper |
| wonderful for guests or for an evening when | | | | |
| you want to eat healthy but are pressed for | | | | - 1/2 cup sliced green onions |
| time. | | | | |
| | | | - 1 small carrot, thinly sliced |
| CREAMY TOMATO PASTA SAUCE WITH BASIL | | | | |
| | | | - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley |
| - 1 onion, chopped coarsely | | | | |
| | | | Combine all ingredients in stock pot and |
| - 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced | | | | simmer for 10 minutes. |