Recipes - Hidden Valley Monthly Veggies

Hidden Valley has a great campaign, Love Your Veggies that focuses on educating parents and schools to incorporate more vegetables into children's diets - but as an adult I find it useful as well. You can check it out here: Hidden Valley

There's a great Vegepedia with full color pictures of different vegetables. If you click on one, it will open a new page dedicate to that vegetable complete with an overview, growing tips, pick/store/prep tips, recipes and even a quiz.

List of vegetables in the Vegepedia:
• Artichokes
• Asparagus
• Beets
• Bell Peppers
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Corn
• Cucumber
• Lettuce
• Mushrooms
• Peas
• Potatoes
• Radishes
• Spinach
• Sugar Snap Peas
• Summer Squash
• Sweet Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Winter Squash
• Zucchini

There's another section called Parent Wisdom with additional tips and recipes.

Food - The Top 12 Fruits and Vegetables to Eat Organic

Although there is a lot of advertising hype for organic products these days, there is also a bit of truth. For your own health, you should educate yourself on what is true and what is fluff.

There are two ways to produce food to sell. One way emphasizes all-natural, non-synthetic methods. The government does not subsidize organic farmers, and the results are mixed, so the price for the yield is higher. This method is deemed organic.

The other way is to use synthetic chemicals which is quicker, faster and because these farms are subsidized, the price is lwoer for the same products.

Now, there is some balance. Not all fruits and vegetables absorb chemicals the same way. And we don't eat all fruits and vegetables the same way. For example, if the produce has a skin that can be removed, you are probably safe to eat the inside unexposed flesh. So, that's why there is this list - the fruits and vegetables that are most likely to contain pesticides (and chemicals) that might cause long-term damage. If you don't want to expose your body to those chemcials, you should focus on buying those products as Organic.

The following fruits contained the most amount of pesticide:

1. Nectarines
2. Celery
3. Pears
4. Peaches
5. Apples
6. Cherries
7. Strawberries
8. Imported Grapes
9. Spinach
10. Potatoes
11. Bell Peppers
12. Red Raspberries

References: Organic.org - What is organic?
Gourmet Food at About.com

Recipes - Whole Foods Market - Budget Friendly Recipes

Whole Foods Market is a health-oriented grocery store that has a lot of organic and locally grown foods and even some interesting imported foods from a variety of ethnic groups. I love the variety this store offers and they often have sales and coupons (see the website) so you're not overwhelmed by the higher prices. And you can't beat the hot food and salad buffets they offer at lunchtime.

But, the one area on the website I really enjoy are the Budget-Friendly Recipes so you can get ideas on what to cook in a healthy way with organic products (from any store, really).

A Sample of their recipes includes:
• Double-Stuffed Deviled Eggs with Ham
• Irish Cheddar Potato Soup with Asparagus
• Honey Mustard Mucho Mango Dip
• Health Starts Here® Raspberry Nice Cream
• Carrot and Horseradish Roasted Cod with Red Potatoes and Lemons

Healthy Living - FREE - Aim for a Healthy Weight

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute has a free booklet, Aim for a Healthy Weight that you can download. It starts with the definitions of overweight (with a body mass index chart) and the risks of being overweight.

There's a section for daily food amounts (similar to the food pyramid but in chart format).

The food replacement section is really helpful. You can see how to swap your usual (more fattening) foods for healthier options. For example, whole eggs can be swapped for egg whites or egg substitute. Another example is to swap ice cream for frozen yogurt.

The next section deals with portion control - which is really important. They even show pictures of what a portion for a particular food group should look like. For example, one medium fruit is about the size of a baseball. One cup of cereal flakes is the size of your fist. Then you can visualize if your portions are too big.

There's a section on eating healthy while dining out and one for eating healthier ethnic foods.

Toward the end is a discussion on physical activity and suggestions on sneaking in some activities. I like the sample walking plan - something that requires no equipment and only a minimal amount of time.

Food - FREE 21 Day Vegan Kickstart Program

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) has a 21 day Vegan kickstart program that you can register for which will email you tips and recipes and the benefits of a vegan diet. Vegan diets differ from vegetarian diets in that vegans eliminate animal-based foods such as eggs snd milk. (A nice comparison can be found at this site: Vegan vs Vegetarian.

Join the kickstart program here: 21 Day Vegan Kickstart

Recipes - Rutabaga

A great way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet is to try new recipes by trying new foods. Rutabagas are an interesting, different root vegetable (known in some places as turnips) that can be used in a variety of ways - roasted, baked, broiled, boiled, stewed, etc. In Scotland, they are known as "neeps" and made in a dish called "neeps and tatties" where tatties are potatoes.

Here are a few recipes to try:
Rutabaga Hash With Onions and Crisp Bacon

Roasted Rutabaga

Rutabaga Oven Fries

Scandinavian Rutabaga Ham (Griljerad Kålrot)

Food - 20 High Fiber Foods by Huffington Post

Fiber has many health and diet benefits - it keeps you feeling full, it can lower cholesterol and blood sugar, it can keep your colon clear and avoid hemorrhoids. Huffington Post has a nice slide show of 20 high fiber foods. CLICK HERE to view it.

Some high fiber foods you need:
• Corn
• Beans (White, black, garbanzo, kidney, etc)
• Avocado
• Whole Wheat Pasta and Bread
• Brown Rice
• Edamame
• Lentils
• Pear
• Artichoke
• Oats and Oatmeal
• Raspberries
• Peas
• Broccoli
• Apples
• Almonds
• Barley

Exercise - Beginner Workout from Calorie Count

The Calorie Count website has a really nice introduction to working out for beginners with a series of articles. The website also offers calorie counts for foods and recipes (click on the Food menu tab). There is also a great community/forum with all sorts of topics.
CLICK HERE to explore calorie count's beginners corner

Some Articles available:
• Cardiovascular Exercise
• Strength Training
• Flexibility
• Setting Up a Complete Program
• Proper Nutrition
• Staying Motivated
• Beginner Ball Workout
• Total Body for Beginners
• Total Body for Seniors
• Strength Training for Obese People
• Interval Training for Beginners
• Beginner Cardio - Walking and Cycling
• Running for Beginners

Food - Feel Full Quick Tips from Health Magazine

One of the biggest setbacks on dieting is the lack of satiety (feeling full). After you eat your super-healthy rice cake, your stomach is craving more food which often prompts people to eat junk food.
Health Magazine has a nice slideshow of tips to feel full not just by what you eat but also how you eat. CLICK HERE to read the article.

Tips Include:
• Drink more water before you eat
• Use vinegar and/or cinnamon as flavoring
• Eat more green or orange vegetables
• Try belly-filling potatoes
• Learn to love fish
• Pop some nuts
• Add in more oats
• Try a new bean today
• Eggs are good hunger busters
• Fill up on fiber

Healthy Living - 6 Vital Nutrients Women may be Missing from their Diet

Baylor Health Care Systems has a wonderful article on 6 vital nutrients many women are missing from their diet. Each nutrient that is focused on includes information on why you need it and what (or how much) you need. They also include a remedy for getting more of what you need.
CLICK HERE to go to Baylor's article.

Nutrients discussed:
• Calcium
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Iron
• Folate
• Magnesium

Recipes - Healthy Recipes from Baylor Health Care Systems

Baylor Health Care System has some healthier recipes posted on their website, HERE.

Some recipes include:
• Roasted Winter Squash Soup
• Garlic Whipped Potatoes
• Lighter Green Bean Casserole
• Pumpkin Almond Cheesecake
• Peanut Butter & Dark Chocolate Fudge

Food - The Best and Worst Breakfasts for Your Health

Yahoo Health had a nice article, The Best and Worst Breakfasts for your health.

As we all know, eating breakfast is important for jump-starting your metabolism. When you skip breakfast, your body doesn't have the fuel it needs to be at its peak until your next meal. People who are not used to skipping breakfast tend to munch-out until lunch adding not only calories but unhealthy calories.

On the other hand, eating breakfast foods which are dripping in grease or full of fats are not benefitial either as they will contribute to heart disease and/or diabetes.

In this article, a study was performed to reveal the risks of eating different types of breakfast. They analyzed healthy participants before and after they ate breakfast sandwiches loaded with egg and cheese (the sandwich contained about 900 calories and 50 grams of fat). Two hours after they ate the breakfast sandwiches, their blood flow showed significant reduction to the heart - that's from one sandwich. Imagine if they ate that type of greasy food all the time. The blood's inability to reach the organs eventually leads to organ failure (including heart attacks).

Food - Oprah - Hidden Fat Traps on Restaurant Menus

Oprah's website has a great article this week on Hidden Fat Traps on Restaurant Menus. Learn to decode those advertising-slick words.

Salads - Ordering the dressing on the side can actually make you use more than the chef would drizzle over the top. Avoid empty calorie toppings such as crunchy noodles, croutons, sunflower seeds, and walnuts.

Avoid "crispy" because it indicates food fried in oil. "Crusted" means the item was covered in butter or oil and covered with breadcrumbs. "Sizzling" contains lots of oil.

Stay away from Miso soup which is high in sodium and Tempura which is deep fried.

Some vegetable puree soups contain lots of cream or sour cream, actually making them fattening.

Just because dessert has fruit on it, doesn't make it healthy. This article pointed out a chocolate cake slice which had less calories than a bigger slice of pear tart. Disappointing!

Food - Ending Your Sugar Cravings

One of my biggest weaknesses - and most people's - is sugar. It's an endless craving that happens all the time and any time - in coffee, for breakfast, for snack, for dessert, for afternoon snack, before dinner, for dinner dessert, etc. In time, it becomes habit, an addiction, and it's difficult to stop. I've read articles that compare soda with cocaine addictions. Sugar definitely affects the brain. So now what?

Once sugar or caffeine becomes an addiction, there could be withdrawl symptoms when trying to quit cold turkey. Your body has become used to these flavors/chemicals. When you take them away, your body freaks out. But, never fear, they eventually go away!

First, in order to break the sugar addiction, one must stop the every day habit completely and you must want to stop.

Second, be cautious of substitutes. Aspartame (Equal, Nutrasweet, etc) can have undesirable side-effects and will not teach you to avoid sugar. Sometimes we use more sugar substitute than we should because we can't reach the level of sweetness we crave. So instead of one packet in our coffee, we use two or three.

Third, improve your diet. If you feel satisfied (and full), you are less likely to turn to sweets.

Fourth, stop buying sweets/sodas. If you don't have access to them, you won't eat/drink them. It will take time to get over the cravings, but it will be worth it to your health and your body.

Have a craving attack in the middle of the day? Try going for a short walk. Get your mind off the craving.

Maybe you simply have an urge to chew - try some sugar-free gum.

References: Sugar Addiction by L. Wilson, MD. WebMd - 13 Ways to Fight Sugar Cravings Nourished Health - End the 3pm Slump Cravings Dr. Mark Hyman - How to Rewire Your Brain to End Food Cravings

Healthy Living - 50 Ways to Lose Weight

Reader's Digest has this great article - 50 Ways to Lose Weight - which lists some tips to reduce calories and improve health overall.

Tips include:
• Once a week, indulge in a high-calorie-tasting, but low-calorie, treat
• Treat high-calorie foods as jewels in the crown
• After breakfast, make water your primary drink.
• Carry a palm-size notebook everywhere you go for one week - to make note of what you are eating.
• Buy a pedometer
• Add 10 percent to the amount of daily calories you think you’re eating, then adjust your eating habits accordingly
• Eat five or six small meals or snacks a day instead of three large meals.
• Walk for 45 minutes a day.
• Find an online weight-loss buddy.
• Bring the color blue into your life more often
• Clean your closet of the “fat” clothes
• Downsize your dinner plates.

Food - The 15 Most Pointless Foods in Your Supermarket

What I love about the 15 Most Pointless Foods in Your Supermarket article from Rodale News is how many items I actually purchased from the list! If only I'd read this sooner...

Media is brilliant in how they hype up new products including those wonderful packages and trick consumers into buying things that are not healthy. It's a real lesson in reading those ingredient lists!

Some of the examples include:
• Mio Water Enhancer
• Uncrustables
• Bagel-Fuls
• Splenda Essentials with Antioxidants
• Yoplait Low-Fat Yogurt
• Lucky Charms Cereal
• Special K Cereal Bars
• VitaMuffin Vitatops
• WhoNu? Nutrition Rich Cookies
• Chocolate Milk with Omega-3s
• Pediasure Shakes

Food - 7 Food Swaps That Will Make You Skinny

Rodale News has a great article, Seven Healthy Food Swaps That Will Make You Skinny that has a slideshow with some really easy changes you can make to start saving calories and eating healthier today. Each slide also includes the benefit of the swap as well as healthy perk or tip.

Swaps include:
• Cabbage or Collard Greens Instead of Bread
• Summer Squash Instead of Hash Browns
• Spaghetti Squash Instead of Pasta
• Cauliflower Instead of Potatoes
• Lettuce Instead of Hot Dog Buns
• Oatmeal Pancakes Instead of Flour Pancakes
• Portobello Instead of Pizza Crust

Food - 5 Healthy Breakfast Ideas

Women's Health Magazine has lots of great recipes and workout tips - that both men and women can use. Don't be intimidated that it's main appeal is to women...

This particular nugget I found shows some yummy breakfast recipes that are quick and healthy. We like quick.

Click here to see 5 Healthy Breakfast Ideas article.

Recipes Featured:
• Breakfast Burritos - these will keep you feeling full through the morning
• Strawberry Parfaits - you can easily throw in your favorite fruit(s)
• Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Salmon, Asparagus, and Goat Cheese
• Orient Express Oatmeal
• Multigrain Blueberry Waffles

Food - 5 Vending Machine Snacks to Avoid

Yahoo Health does a great job posting relevant food articles with nice slideshows. This article, 5 Vending Machine Snacks to Avoid (and 5 Healthier Options) comes at a great time for us - deciding what to buy to quelch those afternoon munchies! Snacks to avoid run around 280 calories (also check the number of servings on your favorite snack)

Snacks to Avoid:
• Lays Classic
• Famous Amos Cookies (which are my favorite!)
• Snickers (breaking into a Snickers Bar will cost you 280 calories)
• Skittles
• Entenmann's Jumbo Iced Honey Bun (I don't know about you but the ones in our work vending machine look like they've been rotting the past year!)

Healthier Choices:
• Triscuit Original
• Chex Mix Traditional
• Planters Peanuts
• Planters Trailmix (just keep an eye on the number of servings!)

Food - Vegetarian Recipes

You don't have to be a vegetarian to enjoy vegetarian meals. It's great for non-vegetarians to eat at least one vegetarian meal a week for a healthier, more balanced regimen. Mayo clinic has some great recipes here Recipes include: Chinese Noodles with Spring Vegetables, Soft Tacos with Southwestern Vegetables, Eggplant with Toasted Spices, Apple-fennel Slaw, Baked Apples with Cheeries and Almonds