Friday, November 28, 2008

The Joy of

Right now, someone is probably making a nice big sandwich piled high with delicious turkey leftover from yesterday's big feast! Bread slathered with mayo and maybe a little lettuce. But mostly turkey! They - whoever "they" are - say that turkey is actually good for you! Good source of protein or something - without a bunch of fat! Please pass the mayo....

I'm more into beef. Roast beef. Any beef. I love rib eyes and filets and TBones! And ribs and links and a great big, juicy hamburger now and then. Who knew that eating such delights would further global warming and the ruin of our environment.

A recent study, undoubtedly funded by government grants, reports that methane gas emitted by cattle is causing harm to our environment. The folks who offer these findings suggest that reducing the number of cattle raised for beef consumption will result in less harm to the ozone layer.

In my quest towards eating healthy I guess eating less of those tasty meats I so enjoy will eventually help improve our Earth's fragile environment!

So why not make lunch today with some good old fashion peanut butter - undoubtedly derived from pesticide-laden peanuts grown in ultra fertilized soil shedding nitrogen into our streams and rivers. Or I could roll the dice and buy some organic spinach and hope it lacks any strains of salmonella. Or bite into a tasty apple chock full of pesticide residue.

Or, Maybe I'll just fast today!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Roasted Sweet Potatoes


Sweet potatoes are abundant this time of year. Most stores are even cutting their price some for the Thanksgiving Holiday in the states. An excellent source of vitamin A and rich in healthy fiber, sweet potatoes make healthy eating easy!

Try some healthy roasted sweet potatoes at your next family meal:

Here's all you need -

4 or 5 sweet potatoes
2 chopped carrots
1 red onion - chopped
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese
Season with your favorite spices


Now, let's get cooking:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Cut sweet potatoes into large chunks.

3. Place in a medium bowl and pour oil over top. Add seasonings or Parmesan and mix well.

4. Spread an even layer on a baking sheet.

5. Bake for 1 hour.

For another tasty sweet potatoes dish - try these yummy sweet potatoes. Keep eating healthy and enjoy this wonderful time of year! To your Health and Wellness!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Eating More Healthy Fiber

Here's an easy way to get almost 1/3 of your daily fiber in one easy and tasty salad:

What you'll need:

4 cups fresh spinach
4 cups Romaine lettuce
2 cups chopped green pepper (or use red, yellow, or orange)
2 cups cherry tomatoes
1 cup chopped broccoli
1 cup chopped cauliflower
1 cup sliced yellow squash
2 cups sliced cucumber
2 cups chopped carrots
1 cup sliced zucchini

Simply wash and chop. Then combine all the ingredients in a big salad bowl and serve with your favorite low-cal, low-fat dressing!

Read on for more about healthy fiber.

Monday, November 10, 2008

What to buy for your favorite cook ( or parents )

What do you get your parents who seem to have everything? Maybe this year we’ll get gifts they will actually use. Mom and Dad both love to cook. Their delightful culinary creations have warmed our tummies for years. The pleasing aroma upon entering Mom’s kitchen is always a treat.

Her spaghetti sauce is one of my favorites. The unmistakable aroma of Mom’s marinara simmering on the stove top signaled a delicious evening meal was in the works! She’d start her preparations early in the afternoon. Washing tomatoes and herbs. Making sure her large sauce pan and large stock pot were spotless. Move loved making spaghetti and it showed! We loved coming home from school to that pleasing aroma.

Growing up in a large, middle class family we weren’t even aware that spaghetti sauce came in a jar or can. It wasn’t until college that I discovered you could shell out a couple bucks and get a jar of pre-made sauce. I’m all for convenience and easy. And still nothing comes close to Mom’s homemade spaghetti sauce.

Dad’s pizza night was always a treat! He loved making Pizza and we loved eating it! Growing up we didn’t know the ease and convenience of pizza delivery! Luckily we have a Dad who loves pizza and knows how to make an incredibly delicious pizza pie!

Maybe this Christmas I’ll get Mom another piece of copper-core cookware. She might enjoy a new Chef’s pan or maybe even another saucier. Luckily we can still buy gourmet stainless steel cookware made right here in the USA!

Maybe I’ll get her to cook some spaghetti over the holidays!

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Easy mashed sweet potatoes


Add a little fiber and a healthy full day's supply of vitamin A with this delicious and easy to make Sweet potato dish.

Here's all you'll need:
2 large sweet potatoes
2 Tablespoons yogurt, nonfat
1 Tablespoon maple syrup ( try real, Vermont Maple syrup! )
1 Tablespoon honey
a pinch or two of cinnamon

Now, all you need to do:
1. Prick potato skins with a fork. Microwave on high for 3 to 4 minute until soft and easily pierced with a knife.

2. Scoop out the soft, inner potato pulp into a bowl. Mash the potatoes and stir in the yogurt, maple syrup, and honey. Transfer to a microwave safe serving bowl and microwave for 1 to 2 minutes to heat through. sprinkle with cinnamon!

Autumn is a great time of year to enjoy the fruits of harvest. Sweet potatoes are abundant and inexpensive this time of year. Enjoy this delicious treat and get 10% of your daily fiber!

More healthy eating tips.

Here's another sweet potato recipe sure to please your family and guests this Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Tasty Quesadillas - Eating Healthy and Tastes Great

Try this easy to make, healthy snack anytime. You get a good amount of vitamin A and C plus about 20% of your daily calcium!

Here's what you'll need:

8 ounces fat free cream cheese
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
8 small whole wheat tortillas
1 cups chopped sweet red pepper ( or green )
1 cup of your favorite low-fat cheese - shredded.
2 cup fresh spinach leaves ( try to use organic - if available )

Preparation time:

1. In a small bowl, mix the garlic powder in with the fat-free cream cheese.

2. Spread about 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture on each tortilla.

3. Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons bell pepper and 2 tablespoons of the shredded cheese on one half of each tortilla.

4. Add spinach: 1/4 cup.

5. Fold tortillas in half.

6. Pour a little olive oil into a large skillet.

7. Turn to medium heat until hot.

8. Put 2 folded tortillas in skillet and heat for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

9. Remove quesadillas from skillet, place on platter and cover with foil to keep warm while cooking the remainder.

10. Cut each quesadilla into 2 or 4 wedges.

Serve warm! Yum! These are great tasting and good for you! Who said eating healthy is boring?