Thursday, March 29, 2007

Cinnamomum

Hey cinnamon lovers!
If you already use a lot of cinnamon in cooking or like to put some in your coffee, you're not only experiencing the joy and aroma of one of the most ancient and revered spices, that may have even led to the discovery of America......but, receiving a health benefit as well, such as lowering ldl.Most cinnamon used in the U.S. comes from Indonesia and is taken from the inner bark of evergreens in the cinnamomum family.The bark is laid out to dry until it becomes curled into the "quills" we are familiar with.
Here's a quick recipe that's good anytime if you love cinnamon,crunch,nuts and health in your snacks!You'll need:

1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. allspice
1 egg white
3 cups mixed nuts
Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees then, mix sugar and spices and set aside in a small bowl.In a large bowl,beat egg white until foamy, add nuts and toss until coated,add spices then toss to coat.
2.Spread mixture out on cookie sheet
3.Bake 1 hour, stirring once.Remove and cool. May be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Calories per serving= 169 Sodium= 137 Cholesterol= 0 mg Carbs= 9 g Fat= 13 g
Protein= 4 g

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Fast Food Tips

Not all fast food is bad.It is unavoidable a lot of times, so here are some tips:
1.Avoid extra sauces or order the sauce on the side so you can control the portion.
2.Save on those calorific sodas..........drink water!
3.Consider looking up nutritional information online to make a more informed choice once you get there. Most chains have the information available online now.
4.Beware the salads.Use only half the dressing packet or ask for a lighter version.
5.Choose grilled over fried.


Ciao!

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Raisins for your Health

This is one of the basic pantry items to have on hand to add a healthy twist to snacks,baked goods, salads, meatballs or whatever you choose.

Fat free raisins are a nutritious energy source similar in energy density to the popular energy bars.Also, the energy provided is well utilized by the active body.The USDA has developed a measure or way to quantify antioxidant activity in foods which gives them an oxygen radical absorbance capacity rating known as "ORAC". Raisins rate very high in ORAC. As an example; the average daily recommendation of 5 servings of fruit and vegetables has an ORAC value of 1700. The same ORAC value can be found in 2 ounces of raisins, reason enough to keep some on hand!

Friday, March 23, 2007

Light Dessert

Eating light can be delicious as well as healthy.Try this simple dessert after a meal or as a breakfast topped with crunchy cereal.

Ingredients:
2 cups plain or vanilla yogurt
3 Tbsp. honey
3/4 tsp. lemon zest
1 Tbsp.+ 1 tsp. lemon juice
4 cups fresh strawberries hulled and halved

Instructions:
Combine first 4 ingredients
Serve strawberries in individual bowls with the lemon cream.

Nutrition information:
Calories=166 Calories from fat=12% Cholesterol=7mg Protein=9g Carbs=32g Sodium=82mg

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Teaching Kids Nutrition

I don't know how many if any folks, have taken notice that I've been away from my computer for a while and haven't posted. Well, I've been visiting my grandkids for a few weeks and observing their eating habits, which I find alarming! I think they are probably typical for their ages,5,8, 13 and a 14 year old who is my only granddaughter.I don't visit often so I don't have a lot of influence to wield! But I think with the population facing 60% overweight adults, teaching kids about good nutrition is mandatory! The problem is, as I see it,kids get addicted to the same things we do; namely salt,sugar,fats,white flour.That's what they run on until meal time, but they can get away with it because they burn it off.When they get older like the rest of us,if they continue to eat like they do now but become less active, then they will join the overweight bunch! Anyway I think kids need to be taught about good nutrition, but along with that, the importance of activity.Adults that aren't as active as they used to be for whatever reason, need to adjust their eating habits, of their own free will before circumstances take the choice away.