Tonight's Dinner Chicken Lollipops and Tabbouleh

An Adult Meal Turns Kid FriendlyChicken breasts on top of Tabbouleh doesn't sound like something any child would enjoy. But put that chicken breast on a lollipop stick and suddenly you have an entree kids won't be able to get enough of, especially if they help with the skewering.

I'm a big chicken fan. I don't care if you fry it, barbecue it, or roast it. If it's breast, wing, leg, or thigh I'm going to eat it. My two-year-old son on the other hand, not nearly as big a fan. I don't know what it is, but if it's isn't in meatball, sausage, or finger form, my son won't touch chicken. Thanks to Melissa d'Arabian though, I've found a way to get my son to eat chicken breast without grinding it up or breading it. All she did was skewer the breast with a lollipop stick and suddenly my chicken has gone from something boring into a fun, healthy treat that my son can pick up with his hands and munch on. Who knew it'd be this easy to get my son to become a chicken loving little boy. Hmmm... maybe I'll start skewering all my proteins with lollipop sticks.

Chicken Lollipops over Tabbouleh

Ingredients

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts4 tablespoon olive oil, separatedjuice of 1 lemon, separated2 tablespoons barbecue saucesalt and pepper to taste1/4 cup ranch dressing1/4 teaspoon chili powder1-1/2 cups water1-1/4 plain couscous1 cup garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed1/2 cup fresh parsley1/2 cup fresh cilantro1 large tomato, chopped2 green onions, chopped1 teaspoon lemon zest

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut chicken breasts into 6 equal pieces. In a medium bowl, combine one tablespoon olive oil with three tablespoons lemon juice, barbecue sauce, salt, and pepper. Add chicken and marinate for 15-30 minutes. Bake chicken on a cookie sheet for 15 minutes, turning once at seven minutes. Once cooked, spear each piece with a lollipop stick and set aside.Bring water to boil and add in couscous. Stir, cover and remove from heat. Let stand for five minutes or until liquid is absorbed.In a large bowl, toss couscous with garbanzo beans, parsley, cilantro, tomato, green onion, salt and pepper.In a small bowl whisk together lemon zest, three tablespoons lemon juice, and three tablespoons olive oil. Drizzle over couscous and toss. Place chicken lollipop on top of tabbouleh and serve.

>>More Tonight's Dinner RecipesOther Chicken Recipes from SheKnowsCaramelized leek and chicken coconut curryCatalina chickenChicken bundles

7 Questions you should be asking your dentist

Talk To
Your DentistInstead of simply sitting in the dental chair chatting about the weather, talk to your dentist about improving your dental health. With an emphasis on quality healthcare and value, here are seven important questions you should ask your dentist.

1. How do you keep up on the changes in science?

With more than 19 million biomedical articles on PubMed (a medical literature database that healthcare providers use), it's no wonder that clinicians face a constant challenge to keep up on the quickly changing world of science. In fact, because science evolves so fast and frequently, a clinician's knowledge of best practices and treatment can actually decline over time -- and unfortunately, they may be largely unaware of gaps in their knowledge. Like all healthcare professionals, your dentist should be striving to update her professional knowledge on a regular basis.

2. What do you consider high-quality science?

Science comes in different levels of quality, with "expert opinion," "animal studies" and "laboratory data" being the lowest quality. The highest is called a "systematic review," and certain organizations (such as EBD.ADA.org and www.Cochrane.org) specialize in making this type of research easily accessible and understandable to both dentists and their patients. High-quality science, balanced with your preferences and your dentist's expertise, form the foundation of good healthcare decisions.

3. What risk assessments tools do you use?

Risk assessment tools evaluate a person's risk of developing a disease. Risk assessment is a fairly new concept in dentistry but has been established in medicine for decades. Once a dentist has determined your level of risk for developing a disease, he then can use preventive techniques to treat you conservatively, potentially avoiding invasive and costly treatment later. Numerous such tools are available to help dentists evaluate your risk of decay, gum disease and even oral cancer.

4. What is the best schedule for my periodic exam and cleaning?

No two patients are alike. In the past, all patients, regardless of their disease status, were advised to have a six-month dental exam and cleaning of their teeth and gums. Now with the use of risk assessment tools, a dentist may recommend you come in less frequently if you are very healthy, or more frequently if you are at a high risk for developing disease or have had significant disease in the past.

5. Is my child ready for her first dental visit?

With the understanding that nearly all decay is preventable,  national organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association recommend that babies have their first dental visits by age 1, or whenever the first tooth erupts. Similar to well baby checkups with your child's medical doctor, early preventive visits with the dentist are proven to thwart future disease. In fact, many children with proper disease-preventing interventions never develop tooth decay.

6. What disease-preventing techniques do you recommend?

Based on your individual risk for developing a disease, your dentist can recommend conservative therapies. Examples include prescription fluoridated toothpaste use, xylitol gum therapy, dental sealants, hard night guards, smoking cessation and diet modification. Remember: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

7. Are you involved in any volunteer, civic or philanthropic activities?

A caring and genuine heart is important in any profession, including dentistry. Volunteerism and social responsibility are indicators of character, of course. Seeking out and supporting those who give back to their profession, society or those living in challenging circumstances also help build healthy communities and a stronger nation.

More on dental healthQuick ways to cure bad breathHow to get a celebrity-caliber smile5 Most common oral health concerns after 50

Bite-sized news Food diets of 2012 and Savannah Smiles

Hungry for the latest food updates? Check out these bite-sized portions of food news, which are hot off the griddle.

Get the latest
food buzz The DASH diet dominates 2012's Best Diet list

We're almost a week into 2012. Are you sticking to your healthy eating and weight loss resolutions? Maybe you're still looking for the right plan to follow?

If you're still wondering which diet might be best, look no further and consider the DASH diet. U.S. News recently ranked the DASH diet (formally referred to as Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) as the best for healthy eating. This diet was originally created as a way to keep high blood pressure under control, but results showed weight loss as an added bonus.

If you're looking for more tips and tricks to add to your diet arsenal, check out these seven, also compiled by U.S. News. You may never have heard of these ideas before, but hey… they might be worth looking into!

Plan a photo finish - Find a picture of yourself that you either love or hate. Pull it out when temptation strikes to stiffen your resolve.

Wager on weight loss - Placing bets with friends and family is catching on! Studies show people who place incentives on weight loss are more successful.

Stay inside the lines - Reach for your crayons and paper when you feel a cookie craving coming on. Coloring is relaxing and meditative and might help you avoid reaching for the chips, say, after a rough day at work.

Brush your pearly whites - If you have a fresh and clean set of pearly whites, you might be able to avoid snacking. Suggestion: Brush right after eating. When the fresh taste fades, you know you might be ready for (portion-controlled) seconds.

Plan a plate portrait - Research suggests that if you keep a photo journal of all the food you eat, you're more likely to lose weight and stick to your diet. So break out your mobile phone or harness your inner Annie Leibovitz with a great camera. You can always create your own weight loss blog or online photo journal.

Sizzle with spices - Rein in the portions on your plate by seasoning your foods with spices. Spices stimulate your taste buds by making your food more satisfying. This helps to keep you from over indulging.

Act on it - Practice makes perfect, so put yourself in front of a mirror before you head out to a party or dinner with friends. Think about how you will politely and resolutely refuse extras or foods that aren't part of your meal plan by playing out the scenario first. Practice your speech in front of a mirror, on tape or role-play with a supportive friend.

Interested in learning about how the DASH diet really works? Check out the facts, whether you want a bunch of details or just the basics.

Will you dance around the Do-si-dos this year? There's a new Girl Scout cookie in town!

Ding dong! Just when you thought you were tired of holiday goodies and you started to perfect your healthy eating habits, the doorbell rings and you're greeted with girls in green ready to take your order for Girl Scout cookies!

And this year, there's a new Girl Scout cookie on the block. Savannah Smiles are lemony morsels dusted with a coating of powdered sugar and promise to perplex your order-making decisions more than in years past. The new cookie helps mark 100 years of Girl Scouting and its name honors the home of Girl Scout founder, Juliette Gordon Low.

Though Thin Mints are the most popular of the Girl Scout goodies, you never know what the future holds with this year's addition. The Savannah Smiles are lower in fat and calories compared to other Girl Scout cookies, so take stock and enjoy responsibly, of course!

More food news

Food and drinks that help cleanse the body
Lawsuit over dead mouse in Mountain Dew raises questions
Gulp! Higher prices brewing for some Starbucks stores
Yo! Why yogurt is a top-rated health food

Gluten-free goodie of the week Summer fun with lemonade cake

Three Cheers For Lemonade!How refreshing to drink a tall glass of lemonade while you're at the pool, the beach or at any other activity -- it's the perfect partner to the summer season. If you love lemonade and dessert, combine the two with this delightful recipe for gluten-free lemonade cake.

Perfect for backyard barbecues, summer celebrations or even a weeknight treat, this recipe for lemonade cake, courtesy of Glutino, is super-simple to put together. The recipe calls for a package of Glutino's Old Fashioned Cake and Cookie Mix, which helps free up some of your prep time. Garnish this cake with a lip-smacking, lemony glaze and a few lemon slices, and you have yourself a luscious summery treat!

Try this summer treat recipe for frozen banana-fudge pudding pops >> 

Gluten can be found in many different foods and products, from ketchup to soy sauce to candy and seasonings. While SheKnows.com tries to ensure these recipes are gluten-free, carefully read the ingredient labels of all food and food products you use for these recipes to ensure they are also gluten-free.

Gluten-free lemonade cake

Recipe courtesy of Glutino

Serves 8

Ingredients:1 package of Gluten Free Pantry Old Fashioned Cake and Cookie Mix2 tablespoons butter or margarine1 cup confectioners' sugar1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract6 ounces lemonade concentrate2 lemons for garnishDirections:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.Prepare the cake mix according to the package directions and bake. When finished baking, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool.When the cake has cooled, use a fork to poke holes across the top of it.Meanwhile, to make the cake's glaze, add the butter, sugar, vanilla and lemonade to a saucepan, mix together and bring to a boil.Once boiling, reduce the heat and cook the mixture for about four minutes.Allow the glaze to cool slightly. When ready, pour the glaze over the cake and allow it to drip into the holes, too.Garnish the cake with a bit of confectioners' sugar and lemon slices.

Nothing beats lemonade on a summer's day. This cake will be a great treat for a summer occasion.

More gluten-free goodie recipes to try

Chocolate mousse with raspberries and cream
Peanut butter cookies
Raisin bread pudding with rum sauce

5 Healthy ways to add whole grains to your day

Eat More Whole GrainsWhole grains give you heaping doses of fiber, vitamins, minerals and the energy to conquer the world. But let's be honest. Sometimes it's just easier to pop a waffle in the toaster and be on your way. So how can you easily add whole grains to your diet? Here are five delicious ways to add whole grains throughout your day.

Breakfast

Start your day with a healthy, high fiber breakfast like oatmeal. If you love the taste and texture of steel cut oats but never have time to prepare them during the week, try this quick cook method: Bring steel cut oats to a boil for one minute before going to bed, then shut off the heat and let your oats soak in a covered pot of water overnight. This way, you can cook your oats in about 10 minutes in the morning, instead of the usual 30 minutes.

Back to school breakfast grains on the go >>Morning snack

When hunger strikes, be prepared with a cup of yogurt and some nutty granola to sprinkle on top. Instead of going for store-bought granola which often packs in the sugar, try making your own homemade granola -- sweetened with honey or agave

California walnut granola recipe >>Lunch

Keep things light by having a sandwich on whole grain bread. For high fiber with low calories, try one of the "thin" varieties of sandwich bread or bagels.

Afternoon snack

Pop up a crunchy mid-afternoon snack by making your own microwave popcorn. Pour a thin layer of popcorn kernels in a brown paper bag and fold over at the top. Set your microwave for two minutes. When the popping slows, take out your kernels and top with salt and melted butter to taste.

Dinner

Try a new whole grain at dinner. Barley, quinoa, and farro are all excellent choices. We can't get enough of this hearty, flavorful farro dish, which can be served as a side or as a main dish.

Warm farro with roasted vegetables

Ingredients:

2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped1 tomato, diced6-8 cremini mushrooms4 garlic cloves, peeled and quartered1 small yellow onion, sliced2 tablespoons olive oil1 teaspoon kosher salt1/4 teaspoon pepper1/2 of a small head of black Tuscan kale, chopped1 cup farroDirections:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.Combine everything except the farro and kale in a shallow roasting pan lined with parchment paper. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Roast for 10 minutes. Add the kale to the pan, toss to get it covered in oil and cook everything for another 15 minutes.While the vegetables are roasting, rinse the farro and cook according to package directions.Combine the cooked farro and vegetables and serve.

Recipe adapted from Warm Farro Salad with Roasted Vegetables and Fontina

Family-friendly vegetarian dinners >>Watch: Whole grains 101

Ready to enjoy some great grains? Laura Marzan from Better TV shows you how to make a few recipes using whole grains, including wheat berry, bulgur and steel cut oats.

More healthy eating tips

How to choose the healthiest whole grains
Women's health: 5 Best foods to fight disease
Fill up on these fiber-rich foods and eat less

Must-have gadgets for the elegant chef

Entertain In StyleIf your cooking rivals Giada de Laurentiis and your entertaining skills, Martha Stewart, then chances are you qualify as an elegant chef. To make sure your tools match your style, ditch your battered, well-used whisk and coffee pot for these must-have kitchen gadgets that are perfect for the elegant chef. Food prep Food processor/blender/mixer

Speedy and effective food prep is one of the top tasks of every elegant chef, so it's no wonder that Lisa Schroeder, chef, author and restaurateur of Mother's Bistro in Portland, Oregon, includes these three gadgets on her must-have list. And, while it's nice if you can afford all three tools separately, for the elegant chef on a budget, the Ninja Kitchen System is up to the task. For just $160, this tool looks just as sleek as similar gadgets, but it comes with attachments for blending, mixing and processing. Plus, it passed with flying colors on ABC's 20/20 "Infomercial Nation" as a top-performing blender.

Elegant recipe idea: Blender cheesecake >> Stainless steel salad spinner

To quickly transfer your freshly spun salad from the kitchen to the table, pick up an OXO stainless steel salad spinner. After using the single-hand operation spinner to free your greens of excess moisture, simply dump the salad from the internal basket to the external bowl, add any additional fixings and deliver the finished product to your guests. Who doesn't like a gadget that makes salad prep more efficient?

Read more: Making super salads >>After-dinner treats Single-serve coffee maker

While a basic coffee pot certainly does the job for after-dinner coffee, the elegant chef may want to offer her guests personalized beverage options. Single-serve coffee makers with flavored capsules can deliver everything from basic black coffee to caramel macchiatos and café mochas. If you're in the market for a coffee maker with style, look no further than the Nescafe Dolce Gusto Circolo – the winner of the International Forum Design award. Bonus feature? This cool-looking coffee maker can make cold coffee drinks as quickly as it makes the hot stuff.

How to make the best coffee >> Whipped cream whipper

No chef wants to pull out a can of Reddi Whip in front of her guests when it's time to top desserts with whipped cream. Instead, make your own whipped cream quickly and easily with the iSi Easy Whip Cream Whipper. You don't have to stick to basic whipped cream, either. By adding flavorings to the cream before you mix it, you can make your dessert topping even more decadent. The white or brushed aluminum containers also look classy enough to set on any dinner table.

Elegant recipe idea: Strawberry whipped cream >>Handy kitchen tools Sensor trashcan

The elegant chef spends a lot of time chopping veggies, cutting meat and throwing the cuttings away. If you're always lifting and lowering the trashcan lid, chances are you're spending lots of time washing your hands, too. Cut down on the hassle by picking up a sensor trashcan that will automatically lift its lid when it detects motion. The sensor trashcans from iTouchless come in a variety of sizes and finishes to fit perfectly into any kitchen.

Watch: Chef recommended kitchen gadgets

Jordan Executive Chef Todd Knoll recommends four must-have kitchen gadgets.

More cooking and entertaining tips

Formal dining room decor
Classy china: Fun but elegant place settings for the modern hostess
Edible decor: Decorating with fresh food

5 Food charities we love

Donate To
A Worthy CauseThe holidays bring out the best in all of us. This year, as you're looking for just the right cause to give to, consider these charities that help fight hunger by providing meals, distributing groceries and teaching new sustainable farming techniques.

Hunger is a worldwide epidemic. Whether you choose to help stock someone's pantry, serve a hot meal to a person in need or help support an international farmer, you're doing your part. This holiday season, join the fight to end hunger by donating to one of these very worthwhile causes.

Provide food and meals

Some of the better-known food charities provide meals to the homeless, ill and elderly, or distribute groceries to the needy and disadvantaged. Just because these programs are well-known doesn't mean they don't need your help.

Through a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks, Feeding America is on a mission to end hunger by supplying food to more than 37 million people each year. Mobile pantries, community outreach, national produce procurement and disaster relief are all aspects of this important program. There are many ways to help Feeding America, from running food drives to donating food supplies, time or money. Be sure to check with your local food bank about which items they will accept or refuse before organizing a food drive as a poorly organized food drive can actually put more burden on the food bank you're trying to assist.

In an effort to assist seniors against the threat of hunger, Meals on Wheels Association of America consists of approximately 5,000 local senior nutrition programs in the U.S., providing more than 1 million meals a day to senior centers and directly to homes. Join the Meals on Wheels huge volunteer network and the fight against senior hunger by volunteering to prepare or deliver meals. Or, for just $35, you can help provide meals to five seniors.

Looking for an easy way to give back? Drink these charitable wines for a cause >>Help farmers and crops

Lesser-known food charities need assistance, too. One way to help solve the hunger problem is to help protect the crops and farmers themselves. Charities in our own backyards, as well as around the world, have been established with this goal in mind.

In the U.S., Farm Aid has been helping American farmers stay on their land for more than 25 years. Musicians Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp organized the first benefit concert in 1985 as a way to raise awareness about farm families losing their land and to raise money to help them keep it. The organization promotes buying local and gaining better access to family farm food for consumers, and also works to strengthen the connection between farmers and consumers. The nonprofit aids in the transition to sustainable practices and promotes fair farm polices. Just by buying local and supporting farmers, you're helping this charity. If you'd like to do more, check out their donation page.

In Central America, Sustainable Harvest International helps support rural farming families by providing tools and training to preserve their tropical forests by teaching alternatives to deforestation. The program educates families on nutrition, crop diversification, sustainable farming techniques and commercialization, and also plants trees and organic gardens to ensure increased crop yields and a healthier ecosystem for the future. Consider a donation to this program that has a long waiting list of families in need.

Work is also being done internationally to help conserve the world's food supply. Global Crop Diversity Trust, a foundation for food security, focuses their efforts on crop diversity and adapting crops to meet future challenges such as drought or extreme heat. By guaranteeing that these crops are conserved and available, they can better protect the future worldwide food supply. Go to their donation page to help this important agricultural cause.

Check out 8 more ways to help fight hunger >> More ways to give

Hunger in America: How you can help
Feed the hungry with a simple mouse click
Ways to volunteer as a family

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