Showing posts with label fiber. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fiber. Show all posts

15 July 2010

Why Does It Matter What We Eat?

Why does it matter, right? I mean we are all going to die someday, right? I hear this every time I visit my grandfather, but then again he always enlightens me on what he learned on that Food Network and what kind of salad he had this week... So, I feel like he knows better... Ha, I love you, Papaw!

I believe that all men are created equal, but all foods are not! Dr. Colbert says, some food should not be labeled "food" but rather "consumable product" or "edible, but void in nourishment." I say, Amen Brotha! There are two types of foods: Living & Dead foods!

LIVING FOODS:

Living foods are fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, and nute- exist in a raw or close to raw state and packaged in divinely created wrappers called skins and peels. Living food looks in fact alive. Living foods are plucked, harvested, and squeezed- not processed, packaged, and put on a shelf.


DEAD FOODS:

Dead foods are everything that living foods are not. They have been altered and deconstructed in every way imaginable way to make them last as long as possible and be addictive as possible! So, in order to do this manufacturers have to add sugar and salt and man-made fat.

Let's talk about the sugar real quick... Ever had a large party? Do you typically buy filet mignon for your cookouts or hot dogs... That is what I thought! When we are feeding the masses, we buy the cheaper alternative; manufacturers do the same to you and me. They have such a large quota to fill, so they cut corners. When adding to sugar to processed food, they add the cheapest sugar- bleached, refined sugar.

Now, I said, they use salt as well! Well, most of us know that is to preserve our food andenhance the flavor. What's a matter with salt? Well, nothing! In fact, even though it is zero calories it is an electrolyte and brings balance in our bodies. However, if we take in too much, pressure starts building in the body! We take in too much salt, and then required to take in too much water to filter out the increase in salt. Recommended Daily Allowance of sodium is 2400 mg to 3000 mg! Next time you are eating out, check the sodium count on your favorite dishes! Be aware, you cannot afford not to!

What's man-made fat? It is man made by taking natural oils such as vegetable oil for example (again cheapest oils) and heating them to dangerously high temperatures so that the nutrients die and become reborn as something completely different- a deadly, sluggish substance that is toxic to our bodies.

What do we do about these living and dead foods? Life breeds life. Death breeds death. When you eat living foods, the enzymes in their pristine state interact with your digestive enzymes. The other natural ingredients God put in them- vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, antioxidants, fiber, and more- flow into your system in their natural state. These living foods were created to cause your digestive system, bloodstream, and organs to function at optimum capacity.

Dead foods hit your body like a foreign intruder. Chemicals, including preservatives, foodadditives, and bleaching agents, place a strain on the liver. Toxic man-made fats begin to form in your cell membranes; they become stored as fat in your body and form plaque in your arteries. Your body does its best to harvest the tiny traces of from these dead foods, but in the end you are undernourished, overfed, and overweight.

29 April 2010

All About Artichokes

To be totally honest, I had never cooked artichokes until I got to culinary school! I had seen them in the grocery store, but I thought their main purpose was to be hidden in yummy spinach dip you often see on the appetizer menus! Turns out I have learned a lot more about artichokes since then and you can too!

Health Benefits
• Excellent source of fiber and antioxidants
• naturally fat free and low in calories
• 1 cooked artichoke contains 10.3 grams of fiber
Random Fact: Cooked artichokes were the top ranked fresh vegetable tested for total antioxidant capacity per serving by the USDA.

How To Buy
• Sound; When squeezed, it should make a squeak signifying it is fresh & hydrated. If the misters are spraying the vegetables at this time, hole the artichoke close to the ear! =) Its not a loud squeak.
• Stem: A proportionate stem  width compared to the globe is a sign of a big heart inside.

Cooking Tips
• Many ways to cook: steam, stuff, boil, bake, grill, crock pot, and microwave.
• Prevent browning with lemon juice directly after trimming.
• Don't be afraid to spread the petals after prepping to allow any seasonings to fall between the petals.
• Cooked artichokes can be sealed and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before eating or using in a recipe.
• Char cooked halves of artichokes directly on grill to add smoked flavor
• For "how to" cooking videos, visit oceanmist.com!

Serving Tips
Fill the center of the artichoke with dips for an edible bowl.
• Use artichoke petals for a low cal alternative to chips for dipping.
• No matter the size, make several servings from one whole artichoke by cutting it in half or quarters.

This is simple and to the point to taking down those artichokes! Don't be scared of unique fruits and vegetables! Remember, you just have to be 10% smarter than what you're working with! Get your artichoke on!

28 April 2010

Smoothies With A Twist!

I can't begin to tell you how many inquiries I get a week asking how to get more creative with healthy food! I absolutely love, love helping find healthy and natural solutions to others issues with food or even exercising. One issue I have had to overcome is getting enough calories in a day! First, I am busy, so as most can relate, it is very difficult to take a break when you are go-go-go! Second, I just don't flat enough. So, fellow co-worker suggested I try smoothies- adjustable calorie snacks/meals that can increase calories if needed. So, here is a handful of recipes that kicks the rut and offers a spin on typical fruit smoothies!

Breakfast Banana Shake
• 1 cup of ice
• 1/2 cup of nonfat low-fat almond milk*
• 1 banana, peeled and sliced
• 1 medjool date, pitted and chopped
• 1 tbsp. of almond butter
* If you just use almond milk for this, that works. It won't spoil quickly.

Nutrition: 307 calories, 11g fat, 5g fiber

Refresher Island Mango Chiller
• 1 cup of ice
• 3/4 cup of chopped mango
• 1/2 cup canned pineapple chunks
• 2 tbsp. pineapple can juice
• 1/2 tsp. lime zest
• dash of cayenne pepper

Nutrition: 155 calories, less than 1 g fat, 4g fiber

Green Tea Melon Cooler
• 1 cup of ice
• 1 cup cubed honeydew*
• 1 kiwi, peeled and chopped
• 2 tsp. agave nectar/honey
• 2 tsp. fresh mint, chopped
• 1/2 tsp. matcha (no more or you will bounce off the walls)
* Check the grocery stores in the deli for fresh cut fruit, usually discounted cut fruit there.

Nutrition: 150 calories, less than 1g fat, 4g fiber

Tangy Cherry Berry Sipper
•1 cup of ice
• 1/2 cup strawberries, sliced
• 1/2 cup cherries, pitted and halved
• 1/2 cup low-far greek yogurt
• 2 tsp. ground flaxseed
• 3/4 tsp. vanilla extract

Nutrition: 165 calories, 4g fat, 5g fiber

Triple-Berry Antioxidant Punch
• 1 cup of ice
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1/2 cup blackberries
• 1/4 cup drained silken tofu (trust me... what i steer you wrong?)
• 2 tbsp. acai juice
• 2 tsp. agave nectar/honey
• 1/8 tsp cardamon, ground

Nutrition: 149 calories, 2g fat, 6g fiber

If your thoughts are, oh, sounds great, but its just me eating these so the fruit would go bad... Problem solved! Try frozen fruit! I hope you venture out and try these smoothies with a twist! I personally don't crave a big breakfast, but smoothies are an awesome way for me to get my day kicked off right and getting the correct amount of calories for me!