November 11, 2005
Don’t Judge a Fruit by it’s Cover
Have you all seen a kiwi fruit? Yuck ,right?! Have you ever tasted a kiwi fruit? YUM! Kiwi fruit perfectly illustrates the saying, “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover”. If we only ate beautiful fruits, humans would never have tasted the delicious flavors a kiwi fruit has to offer. Not only is Kiwi delicious, but it is also extremely healthy for you.
Kiwi fruit is actually a very beautiful fruit once you slice through the brown, fuzzy skin. It has a bright green body with a whitish center. Throughout a kiwi fruit are tiny dark purple seeds. When you think of an exotic fruit, a kiwi comes to mind.
This fruit is not only beautiful, but also has a wonderful flavor. When perfectly ripe, a kiwi is tender, yet slightly firm. The insides are juicy and sweet. The sweet is not too sweet because it has a little tang/citrus twist. It is a perfect little snack to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Kiwi fruit is also wonderful for your health. It contains about the same amount of vitamin C as an orange. Most people think oranges are the best source of vitamin C, but there are many other foods that can provide this benefit. According to Whfoods.com (http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=41), kiwi fruit has the ability to protect human DNA in the nucleus of cells. This healing property shows that it contains the ever popular antioxidants.
If your family is sick and tired of the regular banana or apple for lunch, try throwing a kiwi in the lunch bag and see how pleasantly surprised they will be.
November 10, 2005
5 Steps to Smaller Portions
1. Salads: Having a hearty salad before your entrée is a great way to curb your appetite. The quicker you fill your belly with healthy, fibrous foods, the less you will eat of the main course.
2. Keep pots on the counter: When you fix a large meal, it is tempting to bring the whole pot of goodies to the table with you. DON’T! This will just encourage you to take seconds when you are already satisfied. As a matter of fact, it takes your body about 20 minutes to feel full. Try to wait that long before helping yourself to seconds.
3. Split meal: One of the best ways to make smaller portions is to share your meal with someone else. This method is not only great for your waistline, but also for your pocketbook. Sharing a meal at a restaurant means you get two meals for the price of one. Who can beat that?!
4. Kid’s Menu: There are always instances where you MUST go out to eat. There might be a birthday party, or you might be celebrating an anniversary or graduation. Restaurants tend to have extra large portions. However, the meals on the kid’s menu are perfect size. These meals are also friendly to your pocketbook.
5. Small storage: When you cook a casserole or a meal that bakes in a large dish, it is very easy to store the whole dish in the refrigerator. However, this encourages larger portions. The better option is to store the food in individual storage containers. You can do this right away when you are done with your meal. When you go to work you can just reach in and grab a container. It’s simple!
October 31, 2005
Food for Less Migraines
Migraines are very debilitating. When I get a migraine, I want a cool cloth over my eyes, the lights off, and silence. To me, there is no pain worse than the pain of a migraine. I decided that if there was anything I could do to prevent these migraines from occurring, I would do it in a heartbeat. Then I found the website whfoods.com (http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=disease&dbid=6). This website had an article that discussed various dietary solutions to migraine problems.
One suggestion was to add more fish into my diet. Apparently the Omega-3-fatty acids in fish have been shown to reduce migraine attacks. Whfoods.com states that salmon, tuna, halibut, and cod are just some of the fish types with the most Omega-3 fatty acids. Red Lobster here I come!
Fish may help prevent migraines, but there are also certain foods in which to stay away. Salt and fats fall into this category. If there weren’t enough reasons to stay away from fat or salt before, here is another one. It seems the connection between salt and migraines is quite obvious, but the reason is unknown. When migraine sufferers cut back on salt, migraines tend to reduce.
Whfoods.com also stated that some researchers believe fat has a lot to do with migraines as well. Did you know that some even believe that migraines at a young age may be an indicator of future heart problems. Studies have shown that when people lower saturated fats in their diets, migraines significantly reduce.
Honestly, this is just another way for scientists to tell us to eat healthier. There are many reasons why we should eat more fish and cut back on the salt and fat. A reduction in migraines is just one more reason to add to the list.
October 23, 2005
Blueberries Save the Day!
We all know that blueberries are fruit, and therefore, good for us. However, what most of us many not be aware of is just how healthy blueberries actually are for us. Blueberries have antioxidants, help our urinary tract, and are age fighting.
Blueberries are the number one antioxidant containing fruit. Antioxidants have actually shown to be cancer fighting because they get rid of dangerous byproducts of free radicals. Not only are blueberries delicious, but they can prevent deadly illnesses.
Another benefit of blueberries is the age fighting component. It seems now-a-days women and men constantly try to slow down aging. There are special creams, supplements, and even plastic surgery that have one purpose: to keep us looking younger. A more natural way to accomplish this is by consuming blueberries. There have been studies with lab rats that actually showed their appearance and mental capacity aged much slower when they consumed blueberries than when they did not. The blueberries have similar effects on humans as well.
Urinary tract infections can be a common problem for women. Fortunately it looks like blueberries can help in this area as well. The consumption of the tiny blue fruit prevents bacteria from attaching to the urinary tract walls. The result is less urinary tract infections.
What does all of this information mean to you? Does it mean you should go out and have a slice of blueberry pie? No, but a handful of fresh or frozen blueberries every couple of days would sure do your body some good.
Posted by Kay Dee at 01:55 AM | Comments (0)October 21, 2005
Does Grilling Really Cause Cancer?
It’s football season! That means tailgating, grilling, and beer. Until recently, the only harm in grilling that people could think of was consuming too much red meat. Now there is a new fear: cancer created from charcoal.
By no means does this mean we have to stop grilling completely. The American Cancer Society merely reports that an excessive amount of grilled meats can contain carcinogenic substances. The juices from the meat react with the high temperatures. Carcinogenic substances are cancer causing agents. Once again, the American Cancer Society said EXCESSIVE amounts can cause cancer. The fact is, there are few things in this world that do not have some negative effects. Nature is full of balances. The Yin and the Yang show that everything has negative aspects as well as positive traits.
I know I will continue to grill every weekend in my backyard. The reduction of stress I feel far outweighs the slightest chance of cancer. You make up your own choice.
Posted by Kay Dee at 02:31 AM | Comments (0)October 20, 2005
1-2-3-Dairy
Does Milk really make you lose weight? Well, apparently the dairy industry wants us to believe that it does. In their commercials they claim that in studies, the people who ate a low calorie diet and consumed three servings of dairy lost more weight then the people who ate a low calorie diet without dairy. Is there any truth to this statement?
Scientists all believe that dairy is good for our bodies. There is no doubt that calcium helps strengthen our bones and our teeth. Where some scientists disagree, however, is whether or not dairy actually causes weight loss. The studies are much too new for many scientists to make a conclusive statement.
The other point that the dairy commercials do not bring up is that you will not lose more weight if you already consume three dairy servings a day. Drinking more milk, or eating more cheese does not cause weight loss. What they are claiming is that people who have the recommended amount of dairy lose more weight then the people who do not.
All I know is that dairy is good for my body and good in my tummy. I am happy to have one more glass of chocolate milk, one serving of ice cream, one cup of strawberry yogurt, or one more cheese stick. At least now I have an excuse to eat more dairy. Even if it doesn’t make me lose weight, at least dairy is good for my body.
October 12, 2005
Food For Thought
Do you have a meeting in the morning? Does your child have a test? Believe it or not, there are some foods that actually improve your brain functions. Yes there is such a thing as brain food!
The brain uses about twenty percent of the sugar we consume every day. However, the brain does not like sugar surges and sugar lows. Good brain food includes foods that take a while to break down into sugars in our body. Great sources of foods for our brain include oatmeal, apples, oranges, and spaghetti. Fiber is always a great choice.
There are other foods, however, that can decrease brain activity. These are foods that spike your blood sugar. Foods to avoid are refined sugar and flour. This means that white bread and candy bars are not the best foods to eat right before a big test.
The moral of the story: If you child has a big history test, feed him/her spaghetti for supper the night before and oatmeal for breakfast. Even if you don’t believe in foods effecting your brain, it doesn’t hurt trying does it?
October 07, 2005
Sugar-Free Gum Is Your Friend
Teeth trouble? Me too! I just got back from the dentist and I had nine, count them, nine cavities!!! Granted, I hadn’t been to the dentist in five years, but come on!! I brush my teeth regularly and I floss. What gives? The dentist gave me one pointer that just may help solve my dental problem. He advised me that chewing sugar-free gum will help eliminate cavities.
It is best to chew sugar-free gum after meals. After you have eaten, food particles get stuck between and around your teeth and gum line. Sugar-free gum increases the amount of saliva in your mouth. This saliva basically washes away the excess food. For example: When you wash your hands, you do not turn the faucet to a thin stream, you turn it to higher water flow. The extra water helps remove excess dirt. It is the same with your saliva. The more saliva you have, the more dirt is removed.
Another way sugar-free gum can benefit your teeth is by preventing you from snacking. If you chew sugar-free gum after you eat a meal, you will be a lot less tempted to snack on sweets. Most sweets contain sugar which can cause cavities. Sugar-free gum can have the same sweet taste, but without the harmful sugar. Good for your teeth AND your figure!
October 01, 2005
Benefits of Whole Grain
The pendulum swings both ways. After years of low carbohydrate popularity, the new health craze is whole grain. There are many benefits to adding whole grains into your diet.
One of the main reasons whole grains are so amazing is the amount of fiber they contain. Foods high in fiber make us feel full quicker. The fiber in whole grains takes up a lot of room in our stomachs and gives us a satisfied feeling. Fiber also acts as a cleaning agent to our digestive track. It latches on to food that has not been digested and pulls it though our system.
Another benefit of whole grains is the decreased risk of certain diseases. Whole grains contain antioxidants which have been shown to fight off cancer in our bodies. Also, since it pulls food quickly though our digestive track, whole grains lower the risk of colon cancer.
The risk of Heart disease and the risk of type II diabetes are also decreased with the increased consumption of whole grains. In general, whole grains can help you live longer.
It is important when shopping for whole grains that you buy products that have the word “whole” on the label. Multi-grain does not mean whole grain. Whole wheat products are whole grain products. If you are careful to watch labels, your whole grain shopping will be a success. Whole grains are the new health fad.
September 24, 2005
Please Pass the Broccoli
What ever your age, what ever your gender, what ever your food habits may be, it is time for a diet filled with more broccoli. This flowered vegetable that children have notoriously hated has been shown to have tons of benefits for your body.
First let’s talk about cancer. The world is still on the hunt for a cure for cancer. While still researching, a great way to protect ourselves from this awful disease is by eating plenty of broccoli. Broccoli has plenty of fiber that has been shown to reduce the chances of colon cancer. It also contains a chemical that actually encourages our bodies to produce cancer fighting agents. I don’t know about you, but that alone is enough information for me to cut up some broccoli for supper.
When talking about the various nutrients vegetables contain, broccoli leads the pack. It is chock full of vitamin C, vitamin A, and calcium. As a matter of fact, broccoli beats out most foods associated with these vitamins. It has more vitamin C then oranges and the same amount of calcium as a glass of milk.
If you or your children despise this miracle veggie, here are some tips. When making a salad or a casserole, put a small amount of broccoli in the food processor. Finley processing this veggie will help mask the look, feel, and taste of the broccoli, while keeping the various benefits. Another great way to enjoy broccoli is with cheese. A vegetable smothered in cheese is always a welcomed favorite.
What ever way you choose to eat your broccoli, your body will thank you!
August 25, 2005
The Tuscans may be onto something
I had the opportunity to partake in a brief lecture on healthy diet and eating habits. It came as quite a surprise to me when the main speaker informed the attending that the least present food group in the average diet was legumes (beans and lentils).
I was honestly pretty shocked. I thought everyone was into beans! Forget the crazy lentil dishes I have grown accustomed to making, but what about MUSTS like chili and burritos???
Any form of bean or lentil is amazingly high in protein - minus the fat that comes with standard avenues like nuts, meat and eggs. I think the problem is that people have a fear of ingredients they are not handy with on a regular basis. The fact is, that beans can be worked into dozens of everyday dishes without much trouble. The great thing is that beans and other legumes are so great with fresh vegetables, so using them almost instantly increases the health level of the whole meal you are serving.
One type of cuisine that relies heavily on beans is Tuscan. Like most farming areas, Tuscan farmers have relied on ingredients that are abundant, affordable and local. And this has helped to shape their cuisine as a whole. Tuscany is like bean heaven! The freshest, widest variety of legumes seem to spring from every field in sight. Because of the mainly Italian heritage of the region, the Tuscan influence seems to fuse most with what would be considered standard Italian fare. Pastas are made with beans and mushrooms in place of beef, soups are thickened with lentils, and panchetta (Italian bacon) seems to be the only meat that is really put to use.
If you ever get a chance, check out David Rocco's Dolce Vita on The Food Network. Aside from the guy's absolutely insane obsession with truffles, nearly every show features some type of Tuscan influenced dish. I had heard of Tuscan Spaghetti, but I have to say that his Tuscan version of tuna salad (included below) was as delicious as it was simple.
Insalata Di Fagioli e Tonno
Ingredients:
2 x 19 oz canned cannellini beans, drained and rinsed (2 x 540ml)
14 oz canned tuna in oil or water, drained (400g)
1 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 lemon
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (120ml)
Salt
Pepper
Directions:
Mix cannellini beans, tuna, and celery in salad bowl.
Squeeze juice of half a lemon into the bowl. Pour in extra virgin olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
Posted by at 11:13 PM | Comments (0)