Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts

Friday, December 31, 2010

Want To Lower Your Cholesterol? Try Oranges And Grapefruits

By Miranda Laranjo

In the United States, it is estimated that nearly 20 percent of all adults suffer from some degree of high cholesterol. With much public health focus upon the risks of cardiovascular disease, there is a drive in our society to find ways in which to promote a healthier outcome without significant prescription medication usage.

To prevent life threatening cardiovascular events, there are a variety of diet, exercise and lifestyle choices that must be made. The ultimate goal, however, should be to reduce blood cholesterol levels. With this information in mind, many adults are focusing upon natural methods in which to promote a healthy lifestyle, consuming more fruits and vegetables.

When choosing fruits and vegetables, it is important to understand that specific types of fruits may have a more advantageous impact on the lowering of blood cholesterol when compared to other types of fruits. In fact, the specific consumption of flavanoids and limonoids, found in citrus juice, may be the key component of food that naturally reduces cholesterol. In fact, the flavanoids found in oranges and grapefruits, known as hesperetin and naringenin, respectively, may be the two most profound natural components in the fight against high cholesterol. To be effective, however, it is necessary to consume three servings of these fruits per day, over a four week period.

If your physician has advised that your LDL cholesterol levels are too high, it is important to find ways in which to reduce those levels. With proper diet and exercise, you can manage your cholesterol levels more appropriately and reduce your risk for a cardiovascular health complication. For immediate results, consuming three servings of oranges or grapefruits may provide a powerful impact. However, for some cardiovascular patients, especially those with ulcer or prior gastrointestinal complications, the consumption of high levels of citrus fruits may lead to other health complications. For this reason, ask your health-care professional about the use of liminoids and flavanoids in your cholesterol-fighting diet.

With cardiovascular disease a leading health concern in the United States, many adults are turning to natural ways in which to promote health. Since cholesterol levels are significant in the gateway to cardiovascular disease, it is important to manage your cholesterol levels in a smart way by consuming healthier food choices. If your physician clears your use of citrus fruits, try consuming three servings of oranges or grapefruits, over a four week period, to lower your LDL cholesterol levels significantly.



This guide http://www.hdlcholesterollevels.org will help you with raising HDL Cholesterol Levels to ensure you remain heart healthy.It is essential that you
regulate your cholesterol levels by taking care of your food intake. Visit
http://www.hdlcholesterollevels.org

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Try Freezer Cooking For Tasty, Economical Meals

By Christine Szalay-Kudra

A lot of people enjoy cooking every night but it can become
boring. If you have a busy day, having to think about what
to make for dinner can be stressful, especially if you are
going to have very little time to cook that day.

The easy solution is to cook once a week or once a month,
divide the food into portions and freeze it. Another name
for this once a month (or week) cooking is freezer cooking.
Imagine spending one day making a month's worth of dinners
and then having twenty nine days where you do not have to
cook. Looking at it like that, it is easy to see the appeal
of once a month cooking.

The Best Recipes for Once a Month Cooking

There are all kind of meals, which freeze well, and they
will taste just as nice when they are thawed as when you
first made them. Cooking big batches of food is a real
time saver and if you have a busy weeknight coming up, you
can simply thaw your family's evening meal in the
refrigerator overnight and it will be ready to warm through
in the evening.

You can often get great discounts when you buy in bulk. A
big package of boneless chicken pieces, for example, works
out cheaper per pound than buying a pair of chicken thighs
or chicken breasts. Perhaps you spot some ground lamb on
special offer one week or turkey another week.

There are freezer recipes for all kinds of meats, poultry,
and fish. Meat and poultry in sauces and soups keep for up
to six months. You might want to make some tasty family
favorites like
(http://www.bonelesschickenrecipe.com/Chicken-Recipes/international-recipes/chinese-curry-chicken.php)
chicken curry or beef stew. Beef bourguignon, chicken tacos,
and beef lasagna are other freezer cooking ideas.

Freezer Cooking Tips

Pick a day when you will not have many commitments or
interruptions. Make sure there is enough space in your
freezer and make sure you have all your necessary
ingredients ready. Remember too that you can save time
buying other frozen foods on special offer like precooked
meatballs or cooked shrimp. Simply add these to your thawed
meals to liven them up.

You can either cook one kind of meal at a time or have
several on the stove or in the oven, depending on your
cooking experience and what you feel comfortable with doing.
When you cooked meals are cool, divide them between freezer
bags or plastic food containers, seal them, and wipe the
edges clean. You will be able to fit a lot of meals in the
freezer if you store them flat in zippered food bags.

You will need a lot of plastic wrap and aluminum foil,
freezer bags or plastic containers. You will also need a
marker pen to write the name of the meal, the cooking date,
and any special cooking instructions.

Sometimes you can make a creamy dish but cream does not
freeze well so leave it out of the meal and add it when you
reheat it. Potatoes do not always thaw well either, so you
can either use slightly undercooked barley or pasta as a
replacement or add fresh potatoes when you reheat the dish.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

The Best Food Sources Of Vitamin D

By Andrew Desjardins

The health advantages of vitamin D are well known. Vitamin D
is crucial in supporting the absorption and depositing of
calcium into our bones, ensuring that bone density and
strength is enhanced, to a large degree preventing diseases
of the bone. Are foods with vitamin D the most important
source of vitamin D?

The most important supply of vitamin D is our own bodies. It
is the only vitamin that is actually synthesized by our
bodies, but it needs sunlight to trigger the synthesizing
process - that is why it is sometimes called the sunshine
vitamin. In some geographic areas people can actually
experience a deficiency in vitamin D because a lack of
sunlight exposure. As a matter of fact, this lack of
sunshine, and the resulting lack of vitamin D, has been
linked to various diseases, including depression.
(http://www.vitamin-d-deficiency-symptoms.com/tag/foods-with-vitamin-d)
Foods with vitamin D are one way of supplementing our
bodies' vitamin D requirements.

There are actually not very many foods with natural vitamin
D sources in significant amounts. There are foods that have
been fortified with vitamin D, and these are a valuable
source, although in itself will probably not be sufficient.

The following are known as foods with vitamin D:

Mushrooms (especially Shiitake & Button): Probably the only
source of dietary vitamin D suitable for vegans, these
mushrooms have surprising amounts of vitamin D. They are
also rich in the B vitamins. If you purchase the dried
versions, make sure that you buy those that have been dried
in sunlight.

Mackerel, Salmon, Herring, Tuna, Sardines: - in fact, most
fatty fish that are also rich in Omega 3 fatty acids are
good sources of vitamin D. A portion of mackerel can
actually supply up to 90% of your required daily intake.
Sardines in particular are excellent sources of dietary
vitamin D.

Cod Liver oil: Cod liver oil was one of the first sources of
vitamin D used medicinally for children with rickets. It is
very rich in Vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids; one
tablespoon of oil a day is sufficient. Research has shown
that cod liver oil prevents osteoporosis as well.

Eggs: Although only containing small amounts, eggs are
another food source for the vitamin.

Liver and liver products are also foods with vitamin D.

Fortified foods with vitamin D: Milk is generally fortified
with vitamin D in the usa, with 98% of the milk supply
containing significant amounts of the vitamin. Read food
labels before making purchasing decisions, as orange juice,
pastries and margarine are routinely fortified as well.

Supplementing your vitamin D intake with vitamin supplements.

It is very important to have sufficient amounts of calcium
and magnesium along with vitamin D supplements.

The health advantages of Vitamin D are incontrovertible.
Most people should get enough of the vitamin with sunlight
synthesis and in their diets. Interestingly vitamin D is
stored in the fat cells for up to sixty days, so strictly
speaking you do not need to ingest vitamin D on a daily
basis. There are excellent reasons to make sure that you
have sufficient vitamin D levels in your system. Look after
your health!

Looking to find the best information on
(http://www.vitamin-d-deficiency-symptoms.com) Vitamin D
deficiency symptoms, then visit
www.vitamin-d-deficiency-symptoms.com to find the best
advice on (http://www.vitamin-d-deficiency-symptoms.com)
Vitamin D deficiency for you.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Indian Food - The Misconceptions And Truths

By Rajeev Sinha

There are many myths and misconceptions about Indian food.
Lets just take a quick look at a few of them. This could be
interesting.

All Indian food is spicy: Though Indian cooking is hot and
spicier when compared with European or Western cooking,
there are lots of regions in India where the food is bland,
even sweet. In case you want to try something less-hot, go
taste some Gujarati dishes.

Gujarati cuisine has a touch of sweetness in almost all of
its dishes. Traditional South Indian cooking (except Andhra
Pradesh) is generally less-spicier than other regions in
India. Kashmiri cuisine also incorporates sweet tasting
dishes in its menu. So when someone tells you Indian cooking
is spicy, don't entirely believe them.

Most of Indian recipes are Vegetarian: Well, not entirely
true. While many sections of India are strictly vegetarian,
the array of non vegetarian food available in this part of
the world is immense.

Many of the Hindus while vegetarian have traversed to the
other side and there's a great population of non vegetarians
in India. Muslims and Christians in India also consume meat,
while Hindus do not eat them as they considered it sacred.

There is no variety in Indian cooking: Many, especially
foreigners and first time visitors to India, are of the
opinion that Indian food doesn't have so much of choices.
Indian cuisine is probably one of the most varied
food-culture on the planet!

This is actually a misconception around the world and even
in India. Chicken Tikka did not originate in India. It was
brought into India by the Mughals and has its origins in
Persia.

Indian food is all about Curry: Curry is something that was
again made popular by British-South Asian ethnic groups.
While Curry abroad may refer to a thick and spicy gravy
dish, India takes a different meaning altogether. In South
India, Curry may refer to a vegetable side-dish that is
often served with rice.

You will also find that in certain Indian regions, food is
served on a banana leaf or an areca nut leaf. These
traditions have been passed on to families since many
generations and many modern Indian continue to follow then
regardless of caste differences.

For further information and video recipes please visit the
buzzing food community at ifood. If you are an Indian food
lover you can also take a look at
(http://www.ifood.tv/r/indian/recipes) Indian Recipes and
(http://www.ifood.tv/network/south_indian/recipes) South
Indian Recipes.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Not Getting Enough Fruit & Veggies In Your Family's Diet? Try These 10 Tips

food and related products, healthy food, healthy eating, nutrition, fruit and veg diet, food and drink, home and family,

We all know by now that we should be eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. But knowing and doing are two different things, aren’t they? Sometimes it is just not easy to get them all in there. We are constantly tempted to fill up on convenience and junk food. If your family is anything like mine, they’d much rather fill up on a bag of chips or a bowl of rice or pasta instead of trying an apple or a plate of steamed broccoli. So we’ll have to get creative. Here are a few ideas to “sneak” some extra vegetables and fruits in your family’s diet.

1. Start the day with a breakfast smoothie. All you have to do is throw some fruits, low-fat yogurt and ice in a blender. You may also want to add a scoop of protein powder in there for good measure. Just blend for a few seconds and you have the perfect breakfast ready to go. I like to sip mine in a thermal cup on the way to work. To make it even more appealing for your kids, use some frozen yogurt or a scoop of ice cream in the smoothie. They won’t believe that you are letting them have ice cream for breakfast.

2. Dried fruit makes an excellent snack any time of the day. Add some small cartons of raisins to your child’s lunch box, pack some yogurt-covered raisins in your husband’s briefcase and keep some trail mix sitting around for snacking. You can also add dried fruit to oatmeal and cereal in the morning. My family loves banana chips in their breakfast cereal.

3. Add some fruits and vegetables to your family’s sandwiches. You can add some banana, sliced apples or strawberry slices to a peanut butter sandwich. Top a turkey sandwich with lettuce, tomato, cucumber and anything else they will eat. You can even make a sub shop style vegetable sandwich by combining several different vegetables with some mayonnaise and cheese on bread.

4. Have a salad bar at dinner. Set out a variety of chopped vegetables, some cheese and croutons as well as several choices of salad dressing along with the lettuce and let everybody create their own perfect salad.

5. Let them drink their fruits and vegetables. Keep an assortment of fruit and vegetable juices in the fridge and encourage everyone to drink them as a snack. Get creative. You could start “family cocktail hour” by pouring everybody a glass of his or her favorite juice over ice. Add some straws, cocktail umbrellas and sit together to talk about how everybody’s day went.

6. Try this for dessert. Put a small scoop of ice cream or frozen yogurt in a bowl and top it with lots of fresh or frozen fruit.

7. Offer fruits and vegetables as snacks. You can cut apples into slices and top them with peanut butter or cheese. Cube cheese and serve with grapes. Cut up some fresh veggies and serve them with ranch dip. And of course there’s ants on a log. Spread some cream cheese or peanut butter on the inside of a stick of celery and sprinkle raisins on it (wow, fruit and vegetable in one snack).

8. Try some new fruits and vegetables. Pick something exotic to get your family’s curiosity. With a little luck their curiosity will outweigh their initial apprehension to trying something new. You could try artichokes, plantains, papaya, mango, star fruit, or anything else you can find in the produce department of your local store.

9. Make a pot of vegetable soup or a stew that’s heavy on veggies and easy on the meat. Both of these make some great comfort food when the weather gets cold.

10. Start “My Veggie Day”. Each family member gets to pick a vegetable one day of the week. They qualify to pick a vegetable as long as they tried each vegetable the week before, otherwise they loose a turn and Mom gets to pick.

Incorporate a few of these ideas and you will have everyone in your family eating more fruits and vegetables in no time.

Here is another tip:

Now that everyone in the family has gotten a taste for it, make sure you always have plenty of fresh fruits and veggies available and ready to snack on.

Want A Simple Step By Step System For Shopping, Cooking & Eating The World's Healthiest Foods? Nutrition, Cooking & Lifestyle For Vibrant Health & Fat Loss




Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Saturday, June 20, 2009

10 Ways To Increase Your Potassium Intake

ways to increase potassium intake, foods high in potassium, importance of potassium, sources of potassium, nutrition, diet, weight loss, well being

By Daniel Jackson

Many people wonder why potassium is so important. The fact
is that your body would suffer terribly if you were to ever
have a deficiency. The first to suffer would be your heart,
it simply cannot function without it. A lack of potassium
would damage your cellular process and make you feel really
weak. Try not to ever get to the point of a potassium
shortage.

With the importance of potassium out of the way, lets get
down to how best to increase your intake.

1. Nuts and seeds have very high concentration of potassium
so eat as much nuts as you can, that should give you a good
dose to last you for the day.

2. If eating nuts is an issue then your next best bet would
be to eat a bowl of cereal which is high in potassium such
as bran flakes. While it might not seem palatable it does
work.

3. Eat some muesli and you won't have to eat the nuts or
seeds and you can definitely avoid the bran flakes.

4. Between breakfast and/or lunch, have a handful of dried
fruits
. They are very high in potassium.

5. You can also mix dried fruits into a food of your choice
such as a salad where something sweet wont be noticed too
much.

6. Do you like raisins? If you do that's great news as they
are very high in potassium content and could be another
source.

7. Do you like baked potatoes? Then you're in luck, they are
very high in potassium content and a single baked potato
will go a long way in terms of your daily intake. This does
not mean that you should be mixing it with anything else like
sour cream or cheese etc. Just the baked potato.

8. This might taste a bit unusual but the Cuban delicacy of
boiled plantains is a great source of potassium.

9. Whole wheat pasta and tomatoes are another great source
of potassium.

10. If you like sardines then that's yet another option.

Feeling motivated to increase your potassium intake?
Considering that twenty percent of Americans have
acute potassium deficiency and we all know where that can
lead to. Make the change today and get healthy.

Find out more about
(http://fatlossschool.com/blog/potassium-rich-foods/) Foods
High in Potassium at the (http://fatlossschool.com/blog/)
Fat Loss School.






Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Peer Pressure And Healthy Eating - How To Say No

Man Holding Drink and Pointing

If you are on a diet or simply enjoying a healthy lifestyle, then you probably know that peer pressure to eat foods that are not good for you is a major part of your life. If you are worried about the food that goes into your mouth, don’t worry—there are ways to overcome peer pressure. It simply takes a little know-how to get people off your back!

Parties are a major source of peer pressure, especially with alcohol. However, remember that alcohol contains hundreds of empty calories in just one drink. When you go to a party, people might be pressuring you to have a drink and relax, and it can be difficult to say no when they are constantly trying to convince you. Instead, offer to be the designated driver. This way, people won’t want you to drink and, in fact, they will probably be purchasing you waters and maybe even helping to pay for your gas. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.

Another time when you may feel pressured to eat is at work when the boss orders lunch for everyone at a meeting or when you have to visit a client. Instead of giving in to temptation, simply politely decline the food by letting your boss know in advance or order a meal that is healthy and split the portion in half so you have a meal for tomorrow’s lunch as well.

Baby showers, weddings, birthday parties, and other special events can also wreak havoc on your diet, even if you are good at resisting temptation on your own. When someone hands you a piece of cake and won’t take no for an answer, it can be difficult to know what to say! Here, little white lies might be appropriate. For instance, saying that your stomach was upset earlier in the day will convince a person that you don’t want to eat at the moment or pretending to have a chocolate allergy will get people to allow you to enjoy the party without a hassle surrounding food.

Remember, however, that while refusing bad foods is fine, you should be eating good foods. If you do not, dangerous eating habits and disorders can develop, which will give you, your friends, and your doctor a real reason to worry. It’s ok to say no to peer pressure, but don’t say no to food in general!


Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

How Crucial is Healthy Eating?

Fruit Salad and Spoon

Have you ever heard the saying you are what you eat? In some sense, this is true, because if you eat unhealthy foods you are prone to be an unhealthy person. The foods we ingest are extremely important to our ability to grow, maintain function, and prevent illness. Therefore, if you value your health, you should learn as much about healthy eating as possible.

Healthy eating is important from the day we are born. As a child, we grow quite rapidly and this is due in part to the foods we eat. Foods all contain nutrients that provide us not only with fuel to live our daily lives, but also with the very substances that build our bones, muscles, and organ tissues. Not getting enough of one nutrient or another can cause a variety of problems, including stunting our growth. For mothers who are nursing, nutrition is important because breast milk contains the nutrients a child needs to grow and develop properly. Upon growing older, these nutrients are then found in food, but don’t think that healthy eating isn’t important for growth after you’ve gone through puberty. Cells continuously break down and rebuild, so healthy eating for growth continues to be important until the day we die.

Healthy eating is also important for maintaining body function. In out daily lives, we use energy to think, walk, talk, breathe, and perform any other action. The energy it takes our body to do these things comes from two places: fat reserves in the body or our daily food intake. If you don’t eat healthy foods, you will find that you are storing more fat than necessary or that you aren’t getting enough and you feel sluggish or weak. Along with energy-providing nutrients, like fats and carbohydrates, we also need the right nutrients to allow our organs to do their jobs. Hormones and other substances in the body make sure that everything is working properly. If you don’t eat the right nutrients, your body cannot produce these hormones and, as a result, cannot function properly.

Lastly, healthy eating is important in order to prevent illness. When we do not get the right nutrients, our body’s natural defense system against diseases weakens, allowing viruses and bacteria to attack the body. It’s like a well-trained army—if the army doesn’t have enough to eat, it will not do well in battle. Without healthy foods and plenty of water, our bodies simply could not operate on a day-to-day basis. Learning how to eat healthy foods is therefore and important lesson, and one which we should begin learning as children.


Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Saturday, April 18, 2009

How To Cut Back On Your Sodium Intake

Differnt peppercorns


Have you recently been told by your doctor that you had to
go on a low-sodium diet? You are probably finding this to be
quite difficult as you discover that sodium seems to be
everywhere? Well you are certainly not alone as the typical
American eats way too much fast food when away from home and
at home they tend to gravitate towards those high sodium
comfort foods. Processed foods such as frozen, canned soups
and vegetables, boxed noodles, salsas and chips are all
loaded with sodium.

Those on a low-sodium diet are usually told to consume
somewhere between 2,000 to 3,000 milligrams (mg) of sodium
per day. That is the equivalent of about one teaspoon of
salt or approximately 2,300 mg of sodium.

So how can you cut back on your sodium intake? Here are
some tips to get you started on the correct path. As with
all major lifestyle changes the most important thing is to
just get started. As Confucius said A journey of a thousand
miles begins with a single step. By following these simple
rules you will learn to master your new low sodium lifestyle
in no time. Keep it simple, don't stress and remember:

1. Don't beat yourself up. The goal is not to
eliminate all the salt entering your system, it is to reduce
your sodium intake down to the level your doctor prescribed.


2. Stop adding salt to your food. Don't add it when cooking and
remove the salt shaker from the kitchen table. While these
old habits are hard to break you also have to not feel like
you are depriving yourself of wonderful taste. So instead
learn to experiment. Fill the old salt shaker with some
salt-free herbs and spices " basil, cayenne pepper, garlic,
lemon pepper, onion oregano and parsley are all great
options. Begin with small amounts until you find a
combination that you enjoy.

3. If you dont already own a peppermill go out and buy one. The
flavor and aroma of freshly ground peppercorns is not only
amazing but there are also so many varieties to choose from.
The most recognized is a common black peppercorn which is
typically a variety like Lampong. A more upscale black
peppercorn is the gourmet quality Tellicherry. For those
that really want to embrace exotic taste sensations try
Pink, Green or Sichuan peppercorns. For a milder peppercorn
with a European twist go for a white peppercorn as these
tend to have less bite than the black peppercorns.

4. Learn how to analyze food labels. when you are comparing
products side-by-side you will soon see some amazing
differences between products that may at first glance seem
identical. A good rule of thumb is that all packaged food is
going to have higher levels of sodium than fresh foods. But
when you know what to look for you can still make healthier
choices!

5. Go fresh. Typically you don't have to worry about high
sodium levels in fresh fruits and vegetables and as an added
bonus you can eat about as much as you would like and not
have to worry about packing on the pounds. Fresh lean meat,
fish and chicken tend to be low in sodium as well.

6. Learn how to fully experience herbs. Before adding herbs to
your dish crush them in your hand to bring out the full
taste. Also most herbs provide the most flavor when added
towards the end of the cooking process.

While it will be difficult to change your eating habits,
remember to start small. Begin with just one meal a day.
Once you always eat that one meal as low sodium as possible
then add a second meal. This approach will have you on the
right path before you know it. While it may take weeks
before you have a solid understanding of low-sodium foods,
you will learn to adjust. And eventually you will hardly
even miss the salt and your taste buds will come alive as
they are exposed to a world of mouthwatering new tastes and
flavors.


Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Get Better Health Through Health Wellness Coaching

Fitness Instructor


By Randal Pike

When it comes to living a healthy lifestyle, it's far from
easy. Yet it is achievable with health wellness coaching.
With health wellness coaching, a proactive approach is taken
through lifestyle changes or enhancements to ensure good
health and wellness. Through the expert guidance provided by
health wellness coaching, you can achieve, regain and
maintain optimal health and wellness.

Frustrated from not seeing results from your current health
and wellness efforts? Health wellness coaching evaluates
what you are currently doing and identifies problem areas.
Have low energy, or low self-esteem because of how you look?
Health wellness coaching can put you on track to feeling and
looking good. Have trouble getting started with something
new? Health wellness coaching includes trained professionals
to provide the motivation that you need.

Health wellness coaching features live personalized sessions
that can be conveniently accessed in person, over the
telephone, or online. Companies also utilize health wellness
coaching right on the work site. It provides an affordable
method for addressing high-risk behaviors of employees that
can become costly to a company. Many times, people have good
intentions for starting better health and wellness practices,
but simply don't have the time. Health wellness coaching is
designed to meet anyone's lifestyle, with sessions that are
under an hour for those with time concerns. It can also be
customized to accommodate your busy lifestyle.

There are many benefits realized from health wellness
coaching. One major benefit is easy access to an experienced
professional who can help you establish a health and
wellness plan and serve as a mentor as need be. Those who
utilize the coaching can reduce preventable medical problems,
which in turn lower health care costs. It is also beneficial
for dealing with life's many challenges and stresses, thereby
improving your overall health.

Through health wellness coaching, you identify your goals,
write down questions that you have about any health or
wellness issue, and set an action plan with your coach to
address your concerns and meet your goals. It can include
various components, among them establishing proper diet and
nutrition, maintaining a consistent fitness program, reducing
or eliminating health risk factors and helping to address
family concerns.

Health wellness coaching is beneficial for reinforcing the
healthy living and wellness goals you have set. Speaking
with someone reassures that you are on the right path to
healthier living. Through it, you gain the support of an
expert who can help you determine the best nutrition for you,
start you on an exercise program customized for your goals,
identify measures of self-care and address physical and
emotional measures that can hinder you from achieving your
health and wellness goals.

There is so much information out there about health and
wellness, some of it conflicting. But determining what
applies to you and what is right for your body can be
overwhelming. Wellness coaching helps to make sense
of all the information out there and apply it to your
particular situation, your needs are defined and met.

Health wellness coaching is a great way to help you start
and continue your journey to better health. Those who take
part in one-on-one coaching sessions are out fewer days from
work, are more productive and lead happier, healthier lives.
Health wellness coaching is a viable solution for making
lifestyle changes to ensure you remain feeling healthy and
staying well.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Chicken Stew - From Then Till Now

Chicken soup


If you are thinking about a warming, hearty dinner, chicken
stew is one of those recipes that always spring to mind. You
can make lots of different versions of chicken stew and this
dish has a very interesting history spanning thousands of
years.

A stew is two or more different foods simmered together in a
liquid. Hungarian goulash, beef stroganoff, coq au vin, and
beef bourguignon are all stews.

The "Apicius de re Coquinaria" is the oldest cookbook ever
discovered. It contains fish and lamb stew recipes, although
chicken had been domesticated by then too. There were three
Romans with that name living between 1 BC and 2 AD and the
book is believed to have been compiled by one of them.

You can actually go back even further because primitive
tribes used to boil foods together, which is what a stew
essentially is. Amazonian tribes used turtle shells as pans
and would boil the turtle entrails with some other
ingredients. Other cultures used large shells, such as
clam shells, instead of pans. Archeological evidence points
to this type of cookery going back seven or eight thousand
years. The invention of pottery, about ten thousand years
ago, made cooking stews easier.

Domestic fowl has been around for thousands of years and
chicken stew has been popular for a long time, with
different cultures having their own versions of this dish.
Examples include the spicy chicken stew found in Morocco or
the peanut butter chicken stew favored in parts of Africa.

Different Types of Chicken Stew

One very tasty chicken stew is called chicken booyah. This
is a cross between a soup and a stew and is popular in
northeast Wisconsin. In 1853, the first Belgian immigrants
arrived in Wisconsin and they spoke a language called
Walloon. It is believed that the word booyah comes from the
word bouillon and the non-French speaking Belgian just wrote
down how the word bouillon sounded to him phonetically.

Southern Chicken Stew

Perhaps you have tried southern chicken stew. It is a very
popular recipe in North Carolina. Southern chicken stew is
made with a whole chicken parboiled in a milk or cream based
sauce. Butter, salt, pepper, and other ingredients are used
in this recipe. The color of southern chicken stew varies
from white to yellow, depending how much margarine or butter
is used. It can be thin or thick in consistency and saltine
crackers are often served with southern chicken stew.

This dish is often served in the coldest months and "chicken
stew" can refer to a get together or gathering where this
food is served, rather than the food itself.
(http://www.chickennoodlesoups.com/Soup-Recipes/index.php#chicken-stew)
Chicken stew recipes are often thought of as comfort food
because they are comforting to eat and simple to prepare.
Chicken stew is commonly served at social get togethers,
such as church fellowships, community fundraisers, and
family reunions.

The chicken stew at these events will often be made in a big
cast iron or stainless steel cooking pot, maybe outdoors
over an open fire. You might get coleslaw, a grilled cheese
sandwich or rice served with the chicken stew.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

What You Can Do With Celery Seed

If you have simply bought yourself some celery seed on a
whim, or you are simply interested in finding out what it
can do for you, there is some information that you should
know about the seasoning celery seed. This seasoning has
been around for quite some time in a wide variety of
cultures, and you will find that with a little bit of work,
it can be easily integrated into your diet. Take some time
to look around and see what celery seed can do for you!

What is Celery Seed?

Celery seed comes from a plant called apium graveolons, not
the celery vegetable. There are a lot of other small, brown
seeds, which are similar in appearance, but the unique smell
of celery seed gives it away. They smell just like celery.
When you use celery seeds in your recipe, whether you are
making crockpot chicken noodle soup, a salad dressing, or a
vegetarian casserole, you will find these seeds impart the
flavor of celery without having to add stalks of celery to
the recipe.

How Can You Use Celery Seed?

You can use these seeds to flavor soups and salad dressings
as well as in pickling. Chicken noodle soup has a real kick
if you add some celery seed. If you suffer from bronchitis,
gout, arthritis, and various other inflammations, celery
seed is a scientifically proven homeopathic remedy.

Because celery seeds have a significant concentration of
phtalides, you will see that it has some scientifically
provable qualities as a sedative and a muscle-relaxant.
Consumption of celery seeds also leads to an antioxidant
effect.

How can I make a good celery seed salad dressing?

As well as being an excellent ingredient in homemade chicken
noodle soup, celery seeds are found in many types of salad
dressing. You can make your own by combining a teaspoon of
salt, a teaspoon of celery seed and a teaspoon of dry
mustard. Next, add a teaspoon of onion juice and trickle in
a cup of salad oil and a third of a cup of vinegar slowly.
The resulting dressing is mild yet tangy and is very tasty
on vegetable or fruit salads. You might prefer to add sugar
and pepper, depending on your taste.

What Foods are Good with Celery Seeds?

Celery should be added when you feel the recipe would suit
it. With a bit of experimentation, trial and error you might
even be able to come up with some fabulous new recipes.
Homemade chicken noodle soup is known for being extra tasty
with added celery seed, or crockpot chicken noodle soup if
you are at work all day and want to come home to a ready
meal. If you normally add celery to a certain recipe, try
celery seed instead for a change in texture. Coleslaw and
chicken potpie are other recipes, which suit a celery seed
flavor.

There are many reasons, as you can see, for using celery
seed. A bottle of celery seed keeps for up to 3 years so there
is no reason not to get some and experiment. Try making
some chicken noodle soup and adding celery seed
to taste. You definitely won't be disappointed with the
results!

Finally! a complete list of which foods are best to eat for
burning 38% more body fat. Discover the 110 amazing
fat fighting foods guaranteed to melt stubborn body fat =>
Fat Loss Foods

Thursday, December 4, 2008

The Strawberry - King Of The Berries

Don't you just love a fresh, juicy strawberry? There really
is nothing else quite like it. With fast shipping these
days, you can get strawberries almost any time now, but it
just is not the same as picking that perfectly ripe berry
right out of your garden.

Strawberries do not need a lot of skill to grow, and the
fresh taste makes it more than worth having a few pots on
your patio or a plot in your garden. Fresh strawberries are
delicious on their own with a little cream and sugar, or
added to other recipes.

Today's strawberries originate from a plant native to
America. The large berries we see now are a hybrid of a
South American strawberry that was crossed with a North
American strawberry. This allowed the southern plant to
survive the cooler climates in the north. Strawberries have
long been a symbol of health and luxury in Europe.

On the other hand, in Argentina, in South America, they were
considered poisonous until the middle of the 1800s. These
plants varied a great deal in size, shape, and flavor, they
usually bear the distinctive red color and nearly
heart-shaped fruit that have made them so popular.

While most people think of eating strawberries raw, there
are other recipes you can make with them that are
exquisitely delicious. A really easy recipe is to cut the
berries into small pieces, then place them in a bowl. Cover
the cut up berries with water and sprinkle white granulated
sugar over the top generously. Add some ice, and let the
whole mixture soak in the refrigerator for several hours.
When you are ready to eat it, you will find a lovely cold
summer dessert.

Many people love the firm texture of strawberries, but they
might not be altogether fond of the sweetness, or perhaps
they prefer their flavors a little more complex. If this
describes you, think about putting out a bowl of good
balsamic vinegar and powdered confectioner sugar, and then
dipping the fruit into first one, then the other. The
sweetness will be enhanced by the sharp taste of the vinegar
and you will find that this makes an excellent end to a good
meal.

Strawberries are not just for dessert. Add some sliced
strawberries to a spinach salad to add color and sweetness.
A dressing made of honey, mustard, balsamic vinegar and rice
vinegar makes a nice accompaniment to the spinach, berries,
red onion slices, and caraway seeds. Eat this for a light
lunch or serve it as a side salad at a dinner for instant
compliments.

Another great spinach and strawberry combination takes
tender baby spinach leaves and strawberries sliced on the
diagonal and adds them to a little Gorgonzola cheese and
tasty homemade croƻtons. Top it off with a little dollop of
ranch dressing and a grind of fresh black pepper. This
creates an incredible combination of crunch, sweetness, and
tartness that delights the palate.

Do not relegate strawberries only to shortcake. They have a
lot more to offer than the traditional dessert. Strawberries
are nutritious and flavorful, and are the ideal berry to
serve. There is a reason the strawberry is everyone's
favorite.

Finally! a complete list of which foods are best to eat for
burning 38% more body fat. Discover the 110 amazing
fat fighting foods guaranteed to melt stubborn body fat =>
Fat Loss Foods