April Fools Day “Onion Rings”-Dishin’ With Debbie
April Fools Day is here. And, you either love it or you hate it. And, who knows how it even began. However, I did find some interesting possibilities at history.com. But, if we’re stuck with it every year we may as well have some harmless fun with it. So, for Dishin’ With Debbie a few years back I made this cute prank food. I found this idea, and with a little tweaking, we were able to create some pretty realistic-looking “onion rings” that can fool even the most observant foodie. Get the kids involved in making these tricky treats…or, make them the unsuspecting “victims.” Either way, you’ll have delicious fun this April Fools Day. There’s a video to follow. But, here’s what you need to make these April Fool’s Day “Onion Rings.”
Twizzlers Candy
Laffy Taffy
White Chocolate Candy Melts
Graham Crackers
Strawberry or Raspberry Jam for “ketchup”
Directions:
Cut taffy in half lengthwise. Place on a plate sprayed with non-stick spray. Microwave 7 seconds to soften. Press a Twizzler candy into the taffy and wrap around the ends to help stick the candy together to form a circle. Hold in place a few seconds. Place in a small round dish to help hold shape. Complete as many as you like. Place in refrigerator to help set up while you prepare the “breading.” Pulse graham crackers in a small food processor to make crumbs. Place in a bowl. Melt candy melts according to package directions in microwave. Cool for a few seconds. Submerge Twizzler rings in melted chocolate. Let cool a few seconds. Dredge in cracker crumbs, covering both sides. Place on a parchment paper or foil. Let rest in refrigerator to set up. Happy pranking! Serve with raspberry or strawberry “ketchup.”
These Foods Will Help Boost Your Mood And Cure That Seasonal Depression
1. Oats
Wren Kitchens says, “Oats are a great source of fibre and iron, which help keep your energy levels stable throughout the day and ease off any feeling of tiredness, sluggishness, and feeling fed up. Incorporating these into your diet not only in winter but throughout the year will massively help improve and manage your mood.”
2. Turkey
Wren Kitchens says, “Turkey is rich in tryptophan which helps our bodies produce serotonin. Serotonin is the mood-boosting neurotransmitter that helps you to relax and has been suggested to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms.[1] This makes it perfect for consumption when wanting to make yourself feel better when feeling the winter blues.”
3. Tuna
According to Wren Kitchens, “Tuna is a great source of selenium which is a nutritionally essential mineral that your body needs for everything from fighting infection to synthesising DNA. It’s essential to keep optimal levels of selenium in your body during the colder months as a low level of this mineral can contribute to the development of anxiety and depression.”
4. Salmon
Here’s why Wren Kitchens says Salmon will help with your seasonal depression, “Salmon is a fatty fish that is rich in omega-3 acids, some of which can be linked to lower levels of depression and a reduction in anxiety, making it perfect for consumption when dealing with winter blues. Research is still ongoing, but the benefits of omega-3s are supported by studies from the National Library of Medicine.”
5. Dark Leafy Greens
They are good for everything! Wren Kitchens says that, “Green vegetables are known to promote good mental and physical health as they’re packed with vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium, vitamin C and K – making them a great all-rounder throughout the year, but with particular benefit in winter when we may need the extra boost.”
6. Almonds
What makes almonds so beneficial? Wren Kitchens writes, “Almonds are another great source of tryptophan and magnesium and have many health benefits including helping to promote a stable attitude and sleep, making them a perfect snack for dealing with winter blues.”
7. Dark Chocolate
I’m very strange and actually don’t like chocolate but everyone says it’s an instant mood booster. Wren Kitchens agrees saying, “The last food on our list to help you deal with winter blues is dark chocolate, which is rich in serotonin, flavonoid, and phenylethylamine (PEA) – all known to boost brain health by supporting blood flow and linked to improved moods.”
