Nancy asks: Okay, you got me. You used guava paste in a recipe the other day and I had no idea what you were talking about. What is it and where do I find it?

Great question. Sometimes when we are so familiar with something, we lose sight of the fact that this just may be someone else’s first trip to the rodeo.

Probably because I’m Latina, I grew up eating guava, the round tropical fruit that is yellowish to deep red with sweet reddish or pinkish flesh. Guava has a deeply floral aroma and is heavenly sweet and flavorful.

Guava paste, on the other hand, is a purée of cooked guava (of course) sugar and (occasionally) pectin, which gives it a very thick texture. It is often so thick you have to slice it! It is wildly popular in Latin and South America, the Caribbean and Spain and is used with everything: as a spread, as a glaze for meat, as filling for tamales, as a topping for pancakes… you get the picture.

I like pairing guava paste with milder cheeses, like manchego, brie or feta. Of course, it also goes well with cream cheese and Mexican cheeses like cotija and queso fresco. Although its popularity is growing, you can usually find it at Mexican or Latin American grocery stores or in the ethnic section of the bigger supermarkets. Sometimes it is labeled guayaba.

Nancy’s question got me thinking… sometimes it’s easy to be intimidated by food and what you think you don’t know. Don’t be! Ask! After all… it’s only food!

You’ve made your resolutions and promises to take better care of yourself, right?

Here’s an easy four-ingredient flavor-packed snack that will indulge your sweet tooth, but has only 40-calories a serving (and it’s all about portion control!)

I came up with this Light and Easy Guava & Cheese Empanada recipe for my pals at Right@Home, the bilingual website that has everything you need to start your New Year right.

In addition to healthy recipes and exercise tips, the Right@Home website has great ideas to help you clean, organize and reduce all that post-holiday clutter. Want to reinvent your living space on a budget? Check out their smart decorating ideas.

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A New Year and a healthier, more organized you… with Right@Home, SC Johnson’s online resource for information, tips and offers on their products including Glade®, Windex®, Ziploc®, Scrubbing Bubbles®, Pledge®, OFF!®, Raid® and more.

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