This Two-ingredient Trader Joe’s Appetizer Will Be Your Go-to for This Year’s Dinner Party Scene - SheKnows

If you’re one of those people who puts things off until the very last minute, then you have likely experienced the appetizer mad dash before. You give yourself about five minutes in the grocery store to come up with something to bring to a dinner party and usually end up with chips and prepackaged dip transported in a plastic shopping bag.

This year — no more. Luckily, you don’t have to put that much more time into upping your appetizer game in 2023. This brilliant Trader Joe’s appetizer recipe only includes two ingredients and can be assembled in about 30 seconds (literally).

Natasha from the Trader Joe’s List Instagram account shared this easy app on her page, but she gives original credit to the Instagram account Spicey Joe’s. ⁠

“It’s an all-time seasonal favorite that will be sure to be a hit at any cocktail or holiday party!” Natasha writes in her caption. “The sweetness of the cream cheese combined with the heat of the pepper jelly makes every bite irresistible! Pat the Spatula hopes you’re able to snag a jar of pepper jelly while you still can and enjoy!”

The appetizer is quite literally just cream cheese and Trader Joe’s Pepper Jelly. The jelly is a hot and sweet mixture of savory goodness, and when paired with the cool cream cheese, you get the perfect spread for any kind of cracker.

The hardest part is figuring out just how you want to serve it. Natasha chose to go the cheese board route and spread her cream cheese on a wooden serving board before topping it with pepper jelly. But Spicey Joe’s opted to use the entire block of cream cheese and simply put it on a plate and topped it with the jelly to serve.

Related story Giada De Laurentiis’ Elegant & Flavorful Appetizer Isn't Complete Without This Sweet & Savory Secret Ingredient

It depends on the size of the crowd and how much cream cheese is too much cream cheese in your opinion (if too much cream cheese is even a thing, that is).

Make sure you always have cream cheese, Trader Joe’s Pepper Jelly, and a box of crackers on hand at all times throughout this year and you’ll be ready to assemble a tasty appetizer at the drop of a hat.

Before you go, check out our gallery:

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Aaron Rodgers on Packers' secret ingredient during rebound: 'I believe very strongly in the force of the mind' - CBS Sports

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The Packers didn't just beat the Vikings on Sunday to stay alive in the NFC playoff picture; they absolutely steamrolled them. Aaron Rodgers made timely decisions. Aaron Jones had lots of space. And Green Bay's resurgent defense was all over the ball, with Jaire Alexander shutting down Justin Jefferson and three others picking off Kirk Cousins. But something else -- something more mystical -- has played a hand in the Packers' improbable run as wild card hopefuls, according to Rodgers.

"I (always) had faith, much like (when we were) 4-6, I think in '16," Rodgers told reporters after Sunday's 41-17 win, per NFL.com. "Sometimes you've got to fool yourself a little bit into believing a little bit more. But I definitely had faith I was going to go down scrapping, for sure. I do believe in the power of manifestation and I do believe in momentum and I believe very strongly in the force of the mind. And when you start to believe something strongly, some miraculous things can happen."

This isn't the first time Rodgers has attributed the Packers' performance to something akin to "the force of the mind." Earlier this year, he lightly scolded Alexander for even envisioning that Green Bay might lose back-to-back games, suggesting an optimistic locker-room approach can affect on-field results. In truth, lots of players and teams preach a similar message: keep believing.

"We've all seen some of the commentary on the outside as we went from 4-8 to 5-8 to 6-8 and nobody's worried about the Packers and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah," Rodgers said Sunday. "Now, what are they going to say? ... It didn't look great for a while. And I was resigned to some of those realities being possible. And when I took my mind there, I had a peace about it. I had a peace about all of it. Whatever was supposed to happen, I was surrendered to that reality -- with also the resolute mindset that we could still get back in this thing. And I think that's what I'm most proud of, for myself and our team, is that there were a lot of different things that could happen, and we stuck together and we put ourselves in position to do something special."

The Packers (8-8), once four games below .500, can clinch a playoff spot in Week 18 by simply beating the Lions in their regular-season finale. Detroit also has a path to the postseason, and can steal the final wild card spot with a win over Green Bay and a Seahawks loss to the Rams.

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Aaron Rodgers on Packers' secret ingredient during rebound: 'I believe very strongly in the force of the mind' - CBS Sports
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The One Ingredient You’re Adding To Your Coffee That’s Making It So Unhealthy - Yahoo Life

woman pouring cream into coffee

If you’re someone who relies on coffee for your morning pick-me-up, you probably have a particular way you enjoy your cup of joe, whether that’s black, with a bit of almond milk, or a dash of creamer. Unfortunately, though, one of the most popular coffee ingredients is also the most detrimental to your health. That’s right: experts warn that loading your morning beverage with sweet, sugary creamer could lead to serious health consequences. While coffee itself is relatively healthy on its own, adding sugary coffee creamer can turn your healthy drink into a unhealthy treat.

To learn more about the health effects of high-sugar coffee creamers, we spoke to health experts personal trainer and fitness blogger Macy Sarbacker and Functional Nutrition Practitioner Megan Joy Brynok. They told us this ingredient can lead to blood sugar spikes, weight gain, and more. Find all of their insight below!

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Sugary creamer

As much as we hate to admit it, sweet, sugary coffee creamer is terrible for your overall health. Think about this: Would you start your day with a milkshake? Probably not–but if you’re adding a ton of high-sugar creamer to your morning coffee, you’re probably not too far off. "If you choose to add creamers and flavoring to your coffee, you may be drinking a glorified milkshake,” Sarbacker warns. This is because many coffee creamers are loaded with added sugars and empty calories (these are calories that provide no nutrient values). That means that when you use this (albeit delicious) ingredient, you’re packing in a lot of unnecessary sugar and calories to your coffee without getting any of the nutrients your body needs.

Starting your day with a lot of sugar on an empty stomach can also have negative impacts on your health. Sarbacker notes that it will "instantly spike your glucose levels which can lead to cravings and binge-eating later in the day." This can lead to a vicious cycle of cravings and overeating, which can be detrimental to your overall health and wellness.

Brynok adds that "piling on the cream and sugar can cause extra calories to stack up and ultimately hinder weight loss goals altogether." If you are trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, adding sugary coffee creamer to your coffee can be a major hindrance. The extra calories can add up quickly and make it more difficult for you to reach your weight loss goals.

But the health effects don’t just stop at your waistline. In addition to the negative impacts on weight and cravings, sugary coffee creamer can also contribute to a host of other health problems. Consuming too much sugar can lead to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. It can also contribute to tooth decay and other oral health problems. Yikes!

The bottom line

Overall, it is important to be mindful of the ingredients you add to your coffee. While a little bit of cream or sugar every now and then may not be a problem, adding large amounts of sugary coffee creamer can have a myriad of negative impacts on your health. Consider opting for healthier alternatives such as almond milk or a small amount of whole milk to add a little bit of creaminess to your coffee without all the added sugar and empty calories. Your body will thank you!

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This 5-Ingredient Salad Recipe Is The Healthiest Way To Crush Your Weight Loss Goal In The New Year - SheFinds

Who doesn’t love a good salad?! Salads are always a great option if your goal is to eat healthier and lose weight. Luckily, salads can be just as tasty as they are healthy–as long as it’s made with the right ingredients. Some salad ingredients that have the best health benefits are arugula, edamame, tomatoes, red onion, and avocados.

We reached out to Dana Hunnes, PhD, MPH, RD, senior dietitian at UCLA medical center, about the perfect salad recipe to promote weight loss. She gave us a recipe that’s bound to be a part of your daily diet! “This is a good salad for weight loss because it is substantial enough with its protein and healthy fats to keep you satiated while still being low in calories,” Hunnes says. If you’re looking to make this salad in your own home, look no further. We’re giving you the recipe you can try ASAP–and then again and again. Find out more below!

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Avocado, tomato, and edamame salad

With just five main ingredients needed for this salad, and then only two for the dressing (the worst salad dressing may surprise you!), it's not only simple to make but also incredibly refreshing, filling, and metabolism-boosting! Arugula, edamame, tomatoes, red onion, and avocados have numerous health benefits. The edamame is rich in healthy fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin K. It may reduce the risk of heart disease and improve cholesterol. Edamame is also very filling so you won't overeat later in the day! Similarly, avocados have high levels of beneficial fats that help a person feel fuller between meals.

Arugula is a superfood, full of antioxidants–compounds that can protect against or reverse damage to your cells. And, red onions are rich in antioxidants and a fair amount of vitamin B6 and vitamin C. Tomatoes are a major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of cancer and heart disease. They're also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K. Yum!

Ingredients:

Arugula (as a base) for its peppery flavor

Edamame for its high protein and fiber

Tomatoes for the lycopene and fiber as well

Red onion counterbalances the other flavors because it's also peppery

Avocado for its super healthy fat and staying power

Kalamata olives for their healthy fats and salty flavor (optional)

Dressing:

Red wine vinegar and good extra virgin olive oil or try a cumin-lime vinegarette

Full recipe

When it comes to salads, Hunnes mentions that you shouldn't add popular toppings like bacon bits (which ruin metabolism for people over 40!) or croutons. She says, "I recommend avoiding bacon bits with their saturated fats, possible nitrites, and high salt, also white bread croutons don't add much except calories, as does French dressing (high in sugar) or ranch (high in fat and a lot of calories)." Noted!

And, if you're not quite in a salad mood yet, check out these healthy soup or crock pot recipes that are bound to keep you toasty in the winter!

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This 5-Ingredient Salad Recipe Is The Healthiest Way To Crush Your Weight Loss Goal In The New Year - SheFinds
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5-Ingredient Meatloaf Recipe Is Budget Friendly & Family Pleasing - 30Seconds.com

Meatloaf is always a family-pleasing recipe. Not only that, but ground beef meatloaf is a budget recipe, too. This easy meatloaf recipe has just five ingredients (all budget-friendly, too!) and easy prep. Just dump all the ingredients – ground beef, barbecue sauce, oats, onion soup mix and an egg – into a bowl, mix, shape and bake.

Serve this moist ground beef meatloaf recipe with a fresh vegetable and dinner is done. The leftovers make great meatloaf sandwiches and are perfect for meal prepping.

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 40 to 45 minutes
Total Time: 45 to 50 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce (divided)
• 1/2 cup quick oats
• 1 packet dry onion soup mix
• 1 egg

Here's how to make it:

1. Combine the ground beef, 1/4 cup of the barbecue sauce, oats, soup mix and egg. Mix well. 
2. Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it into a casserole dish or loaf pan. 
3. Bake in a preheated 375-degree F oven for 20 minutes. Top with the remaining barbecue sauce and continue baking 20 to 25 minutes more or until cooked through. 

Note: 30Seconds is a participant in the Amazon affiliate advertising program and this post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission or fees if you make a purchase via those links.

Recipe cooking times and servings are approximate. Need to convert cooking and baking measurements? Here are some kitchen conversion charts. Here's how to submit your recipes to 30Seconds.

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5-Ingredient Meatloaf Recipe Is Budget Friendly & Family Pleasing - 30Seconds.com
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This 5-Ingredient Salad Recipe Is The Healthiest Way To Crush Your Weight Loss Goal In The New Year - Yahoo Life

Who doesn’t love a good salad?! Salads are always a great option if your goal is to eat healthier and lose weight. Luckily, salads can be just as tasty as they are healthy–as long as it’s made with the right ingredients. Some salad ingredients that have the best health benefits are arugula, edamame, tomatoes, red onion, and avocados.

We reached out to Dana Hunnes, PhD, MPH, RD, senior dietitian at UCLA medical center, about the perfect salad recipe to promote weight loss. She gave us a recipe that’s bound to be a part of your daily diet! “This is a good salad for weight loss because it is substantial enough with its protein and healthy fats to keep you satiated while still being low in calories,” Hunnes says. If you’re looking to make this salad in your own home, look no further. We’re giving you the recipe you can try ASAP–and then again and again. Find out more below!

Avocado, tomato, and edamame salad

With just five main ingredients needed for this salad, and then only two for the dressing (the worst salad dressing may surprise you!), it's not only simple to make but also incredibly refreshing, filling, and metabolism-boosting! Arugula, edamame, tomatoes, red onion, and avocados have numerous health benefits. The edamame is rich in healthy fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin K. It may reduce the risk of heart disease and improve cholesterol. Edamame is also very filling so you won't overeat later in the day! Similarly, avocados have high levels of beneficial fats that help a person feel fuller between meals.

Arugula is a superfood, full of antioxidants–compounds that can protect against or reverse damage to your cells. And, red onions are rich in antioxidants and a fair amount of vitamin B6 and vitamin C. Tomatoes are a major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of cancer and heart disease. They're also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K. Yum!

Ingredients:

Arugula (as a base) for its peppery flavor

Edamame for its high protein and fiber

Tomatoes for the lycopene and fiber as well

Red onion counterbalances the other flavors because it's also peppery

Avocado for its super healthy fat and staying power

Kalamata olives for their healthy fats and salty flavor (optional)

Dressing:

Red wine vinegar and good extra virgin olive oil or try a cumin-lime vinegarette

Full recipe

When it comes to salads, Hunnes mentions that you shouldn't add popular toppings like bacon bits (which ruin metabolism for people over 40!) or croutons. She says, "I recommend avoiding bacon bits with their saturated fats, possible nitrites, and high salt, also white bread croutons don't add much except calories, as does French dressing (high in sugar) or ranch (high in fat and a lot of calories)." Noted!

And, if you're not quite in a salad mood yet, check out these healthy soup or crock pot recipes that are bound to keep you toasty in the winter!

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This 5-Ingredient Salad Recipe Is The Healthiest Way To Crush Your Weight Loss Goal In The New Year - Yahoo Life
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The simplest 4-ingredient marinade for winter vegetables is sweet and savory - Salon

It's officially winter. Let's welcome the season with a wintery marinade and winter vegetables, shall we?

Marinades are a simple go-to technique for many. While some may often automatically assume marinades are only for proteins like chicken, pork or beef, vegetables are also an excellent vehicle for a marinade. Marinade flavor and ingredient inclusions can go in so many different directions; one marinade may be ten ingredients while another (like this one!) is much more minimalist. Of course, it's important to note that marinating does take some pre-planning time, but don't feel like marinating on the whole is a multi-day ordeal or something. For example, this recipe calls for less than an hour of marinating time. 

Or, you can feel free to get really kooky and even marinate some fruit!

Unsure of what exactly constitutes as a marinade? Derrick Riches at The Spruce Eats defines a marinade as "a liquid solution in which you soak foods, particularly meats, before cooking."

Depending on the type of acid used and the protein or vegetable opted for, there is also a level of tenderizing that marinating imparts, in addition to more thoroughly flavored proteins and produce. Riches continues, noting that "the breakdown [of the marinated item due to the acidic elements in the marinade] allows fluids and seasonings to enter the meat [or vegetables or fruit] so it will maintain its moisture ... and not dry out as quickly." 

Lauren Salkend at Kitchn details further, noting that each marinade should contain standard components: acid, enzymes, fat, salt, aromatics, herbs and spices and sugars and other sweeteners. Of course, not all marinades need every single one of these inclusions, but a good mix-and-match is a great way to get creative, use ingredients you may not often use, or try out a new flavor profile. 

Some general marinating notes:

• Don't over-marinate! While it may seem like it would be wise to allow the marinating item to get a really luxuriating bath, this can actually be counter-productive and result in a soggy, unappetizing final product. 
• Keep timing and components in mind. Certain marinated items may benefit from a simple marinade, then some garnishes once it's finished cooking. Other marinated items may benefit from a really robust, intense marinade and then a simple cooking process. Some marinades may need to be tweaked based on cooking preference (i.e not grilling with a marinade with a ton of sugar, which may result in burning). 
• Swap flavors. Don't have a particular vinegar, herb, or oil on hand? Simply alternate for whatever you may have in your fridge or pantry at that time. It's really no big deal at all if you're swapping dried oregano for dried parsley, or agave for honey, or canola oil for vegetable oil. 
• Be super mindful of cook time and medleys. Most vegetables must be cooked for different lengths to be sufficiently coked through, tenderized, or charred. Don't just mindlessly chop up whatever you have, toss it with a marinade and throw it in the oven. This may result in undercooked cauliflower, burnt garlic and soggy zucchini. Prevent this by thinking about cooking times at large, the density or toughness of the vegetable on hand and the overall cook-time that you're used to with certain produce. This also may come in handy when differentiating between fresh, canned or frozen produce. 

Heavier proteins often call for a few hours of marinating (or even overnight), but most vegetables only require about 30 minutes to be sufficiently marinated, though tougher or denser produce can be marinated a bit longer, perhaps an hour or 90 minutes.

• Use leftover marinade. In this case of using vegetables, boil down your remaining marinade to turn it into a rich, thickened sauce. I love this method for vegetable marinades, but always be super careful with protein marinades. If raw meat has hung out in a liquid for an extended amount of time, that liquid will obviously need to be properly cooked down to ensure it's safe for consumption. With marinated vegetables, though, you don't need to worry about that.
• Think of your vessel. I'm a fan of using a plastic food storage baggie of sorts for marinating, but feel free to use glass bowls or food storage containers. Always marinate in the refrigerator, not at room temperature on the counter. 

Heavier proteins often call for a few hours of marinating (or even overnight), but most vegetables only require about 30 minutes to be sufficiently marinated, though tougher or denser produce can be marinated a bit longer, perhaps an hour or 90 minutes.

Miso-Maple Marinated Winter Vegetables

Yields

06 servings

Prep Time

 30 minutes

Cook Time

45 hours minutes

Ingredients

1 to 2 pounds of your favorite winter vegetables (such as fennel, cauliflower, celeriac, rutabaga, parsnips, carrots, turnip, winter squash, radicchio, radish, beet, jicama, or kohlrabi), peeled (if necessary), cored (if applicable) and cut into manageable, bite-size cubes or chunks

2 tablespoons white miso

3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

1/4 cup neutral oil of your choosing 

1 tablespoon maple syrup

Freeze-dried chives, for garnish

Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish

Toasted sesame oil, for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. In a very large glass bowl or food storage baggie, combine miso, rice wine vinegar, oil and maple syrup until well mixed. 
3. Be sure to opt for vegetables that have a similar cook time so that the cooking process is consistent and even. If that's not a possibility, feel free to throw in a marinated vegetable that has a long cook time (i.e beets) first, wait a half hour and then add a vegetable with a lesser cook time (i.e radish). 
4. Add your desired assortment of vegetables to the bag and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least a half hour.
5. Remove marinated vegetables from refrigerator and carefully transfer to your largest sheet pan, trying your darnedest to leave the bulk of the liquid in the baggie itself. 
6. Transfer to oven and cook until vegetables have cooked as desired, whether that be just-tender or completely charred. 
7. Remove vegetables from oven and while still hot, garnish with chives, sesame seeds and a drizzle of sesame oil. 

---

Cook's Notes

You may have notice that this is the first recipe I've published with absolutely no salt. This is because the miso is already quite salt-forward and some vegetables don't need as much salt as a protein like chicken might call for. If you want to taste test before pulling the vegetables out of the oven, though, please feel free to do so! It won't hurt to add a sprinkling of salt towards the end of the cooking process, or even to add a sprinkling along with the other garnishes.

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The simplest 4-ingredient marinade for winter vegetables is sweet and savory - Salon
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