The Story of the Donkey in the Well

A favorite inspirational story...

One day, a farmer's donkey fell down into a well.  The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.  Finally, he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway.  I just wasn't worth the effort to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him.  They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.  At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly.  Then, to every one's amazement, he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw.  With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing.  He would shake it off and take a step up.  A s the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animals, he would shake it off and take a step up.  

Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off.

Moral of the story:  Life is going to shovel dirt on you.  All kinds of dirt.  The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up.  Each of our troubles is a stepping stone.  We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up!  Shake it off and take a step upward!

'Twas The Day After Christmas...

 

Christmas and Hanuka are over.  Gifts have been shared, packages unwrapped, the excitement and anticipation have gone, and friends and family have been visited.  We've eaten cookies, chocolates, pies and cakes, and consumed more than our share of eggnog and other fun beverages. Our pants are tighter than they were a week ago.

And now what? "In The Bleak Mid-Winter..." Around here, the sun doesn't shine enough.  Moods spiral downward. Why did I eat so much of that fudge?  Did I really need to eat an extra serving of prime rib and yorkshire pudding? We avoid stepping on the scales, or if we do, we get even more depressed. Some of us feel so disgusted with ourselves that it makes our mood even worse. What's a person to do except eat more left over cookies?

This is the perfect time to focus on creating a Healthier You!
Don't wait until the New Year.  How many times did that work for you, really?
Start making a healthier you today!

1. Clean Out the Temptations.  Grab every goodie in sight and place it on the table.  Much of it is getting stale by now. You are done with it.  You've already tasted it and enjoyed it. Make a decision:  throw it away, freeze it to eat in small portions later, give it away to the neighbors, take it to your church or synagogue to freeze for the next gathering, donate it to a shelter, or put it down the garbage disposal.  Really.  It's going to waste or waist:  your choice.
2. Bring in the healthy stuff!  Go shopping.  Buy fresh fruits, veggies, lowfat dairy, whole grains, lean protein sources.  The plan?  to set up your home to support your healthy focus. 
3. Placement.  Put prepared veggies, cold water and fat free yogurt at eye level when you open the fridge.  Place a beautiful bowl of fresh fruit on the counter.  All other food needs to be put behind closed doors.
4. Plan.  Write down what you are planning to eat for dinner in the next 3 or 4 days. Plan a big dinner salad or soup rich in veggies as one of the meals. Schedule your workouts and put them in your PDA, day planner, or calendar.
5. Grab a new water glass or bottle and set it beside the sink.  Plan to drink a glass before every meal.
6. Write down everything you eat for 3 days.  Include every taste or bite you take.
7. Put your running shoes by the door and hand weights by the sofa to remind yourself to be active.  
8. Haunted by some out of control eating behaviors?  Write down everything you ate or things you did over the holidays that you are not proud of.  Pick up the paper in your right hand. Examine it carefully.  Now, crunch up the paper and throw it away.  It's over, let it go.
9. Find a support person or team to share your successes and struggles with. Find magazines, books and website that offer good advice on health.
10. And remember:

   "Success is not final, failure is not fatal:  it is the courage to continue that counts." Winston Churchill

All I Want For Christmas Is My Health

Do you still have last minute shopping to do or maybe you have a little holiday cash to spend on yourself?  Try a gift that helps to encourage better health:


For walkers and runners:

1. Pedometer. Clip it on and have fun seeing how many steps/miles you do in a day, or keep track of your walking distance. Mine quit working, so I'm hoping Santa remembers to bring me one!
2. Sports watch. Hit the stop watch button and see how long it takes you to do your run each day. The Garmin sports watch is highly recommended by Amy, one of our MM groupies.
3. Fanny pack.  Great for those who walk or run and could use a little zippered bag to securely keep keys and cell phone. I put this on my wish list after I lost my car keys in the snow while I was walking the dog at a park. NOT fun!
4. Yak Trax.  Very much needed for all of us in snow and ice territory.
5. Blinking lights to attach to clothing for safe walking in the dark.
6. Head phones.  Sport headphones that fit securely around the ear are great for exercise.
7. I Pod or other MP3 player.  Music can make the exercise more fun!
8. I Tunes gift card.  New tunes are great.
9. Water bottle.  I've been using a lightweight metal bottle, and it's very easy to keep clean.
10. Exercise tights, shorts or sweats.  We always need a new pair!
11. Reader Lisa suggested a subscription to Runners World or other fitness magazine. Great idea for information and motivation!

For Swimmers

1. Aqua gloves or hand paddles to enhance your swim. 
2. Fog-free goggles. 
3. Water proof holder for MP3 Player.  I hear these are great for lap swimmers.
4. Mesh gym sack.  A must for after your swim.
5. Lap counter.  Great if you have trouble keeping track of your laps.

Other Exercisers

1. Yoga mat.  It's time for a bright new color.
2. Hand weights.  Great for strength training.
3. Exercise video
4. Active game for Nintendo WII or XBox
5. Work out journal. Logging your fitness progress really helps.

Other Ideas:

1. Healthy Cookbook.  I'm still an Ellie Kreiger fan.  We have both of her cookbooks and use them all the time.
2. Potted Herbs. Pretty on the counter and always fresh and ready.
3. Special herb or spice blends are great for the adventurous cooks.
4. Infused olive oil.  Truffle oil is amazing on salads!
5. Special vinegars.  Try raspberry vinegar on a berry, lettuce, pecan and blue cheese salad.
6. Good knives make cooking so much easier.
7. A good Food journal diary can make a difference for many people trying to lose weight.
8. Food scale.  I leave mine on the counter and use it for everything.
9. Fun measuring cups and spoons.  I saw some flower shaped ones at our local bookstore recently that looked like a great way to help with portion control. 
10. Bath salts and oils or beautifully scented candles for relaxation time.
11. Gift certificates!  How about a massage, pedicure, a session with a trainer, or the promise of a few hours of babysitting?
12. How about a gift certificate for a fun cooking class?  Lisa also suggested a kitchen knife skills class.  I'd love to take one of those.  I've always wanted to wield a knife more like the chefs on food network...

What are some other ideas you have? 


Wishing you the gift of health...

Calcium Supplements 101

As with all vitamins and minerals, it's best to get calcium from food sources.  However, as we learned in the last post, it can be difficult for many people to get the 1000 - 1200 mg needed from food alone.  Many physicians and dietitians will then recommend taking added supplements.  If you are unsure, consult your doctor.

Choosing a supplement takes a little detective work.  

• Select a supplement that has no more than 500-600 mg and contains vitamin D.  Vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of calcium.
• Look for "USP" (United States Pharmacopeia) or "CL" (Consumers Lab) on the label.  These are voluntary industry standards, but do assure quality, purity and its ability to be dissolved.
• Choose calcium carbonate or calcium citrate sources.  This is listed on the nutritional facts label.  
• Calcium carbonate is the least expensive and is a good choice for most people. This is a more concentrated form, so one pill is usually one serving. Calcium carbonate should be taken with food.
• For people with sensitive stomachs or with less acid production, calcium citrate is a better choice.  It's easier to absorb and can be taken without food. One serving size is usually 2 pills, so be sure to check the label. Anyone on acid blockers should choose calcium citrate.
• Avoid dolomite, oyster shell and bone meal sources.  These have potential lead and other toxic metal content.
• Take only 500 - 600 mg at a time.  No more than 500 mg can be absorbed at once, the rest would be excreted through urine, creating what one of my professors called "expensive urine."
• If problems with gas or bloating occur, spread supplements throughout the day and be sure to take them with food. Liquid and chewable calcium supplements are already partly broken down and are often easier on your stomach. If you still have problems, switch to calcium citrate or try a different brand.
• Constipation can be a problem with calcium supplements.  Be sure to drink 8 - 10 glasses of fluids each day, and increase your fiber intake by eating more whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables. 

It is possible to get too much calcium, though highly unlikely if you are only getting it from food.  If you are consuming supplements of any type more is not better! The upper tolerable limit for calcium is 3000 for children ages 9 - 18, 2500 mg for adults age 19 - 50, and 2000 mg for those 51 and older.

Taking calcium supplements with some medications can reduce the absorption of that medication.  The thyroid medication levothyroxine, bone density medications such as biophosphates and certain antibiotics in the tetracycline class, need to be consumed at least 2 hours apart.

Some things can interfere with the absorption of calcium. 

• Medications. Antacids with aluminum or magnesium, some diuretics, laxatives and glucocorticoids such as prednisone, will increase the amount of calcium being secreted by urine.  Physicians will want to monitor long term use of such medications, and possibly ask you to increase the amount of calcium you consume during that time. 
• Oxalic acid found in some veggies such as spinach and beet greens actually binds with the calcium, preventing less of it to be absorbed by your body.  You will still get some calcium from the food, but not as much. 
• Very high intakes of caffeine, alcohol, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.  Consume these in moderation.

Calcium is so important to the health of our skeletal structure, muscles and nervous system.  It's best to get calcium from the foods you eat, but taking a supplement is recommended if you are not getting enough.  The key is to be mindful choosing your supplement and how you take it.  

The Calcium Connection

One day in 2nd grade wasn't going very well. I remember it clearly. Some unknown 7 year-old had neglected to drink all of their recess milk.  Yeah, serious stuff.  We were seated in traditional rows, all lined up waiting.  Mrs. Knaufala had decreed that no one was going out for recess until the guilty party confessed. We waited, and waited and waited...  I don't remember what happened after that, but the whole picture of Mrs. K standing there looking at us with those accusing eyes remains..

Granted, this was quite a few years ago, but why were we forced to drink warm cartons of milk?  (They always got delivered too early, so coolish-lukewarm was the best we got.) The message has been clear throughout our lives:  milk is good for you. Ads use celebrities sporting milk mustaches, "Milk, It Does a Body Good," "Got Milk?" We are encouraged by health experts to include 2 - 4 servings of dairy each day all of our lives.  Why?

Milk and many other dairy products contain the richest food source of calcium, a very important mineral to our health. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body.  99% of it is stored in bones and teeth, and the other 1% zips around in blood, muscle cells and in other body fluids.

As children grow, consuming enough calcium is important to help build strong teeth and the maximum potential bone size and density. It's also important for adults to consume enough calcium to maintain bone density and to maintain health.

Calcium is critical for muscle contraction and relaxation, enabling blood vessels to expand, helps blood clot properly, and helps transmit messages in the nervous system.  Since your heart is a muscle, calcium even helps regulate heart rhythm.  Studies have indicated that calcium helps lower blood pressure, and may in fact help reduce symptoms of PMS.

The bones act as a calcium bank for your body. Think of a savings account at the bank. If calcium levels are too low, your body will reach into calcium stores in bones, withdrawing calcium for necessary body functions. If you keep withdrawing all the time and neglect to deposit more calcium, your bones will become weaker and more porous, increasing the risk for osteoporosis and fractures.

High intakes of salt, protein, and caffeine increase the amount of calcium secreted in urine. One latte won't cause problems, but extremely high caffeine intakes for a long period of time may.

The recommended levels of calcium:
       Adults age 19 - 50       1000 mg/day
       Women age 51+          1200
       Men, age 51 - 70         1000
       Adults, age 70+           1200

Calcium Content of Foods:
      Yogurt, 8 oz plain                                  400
      Milk, 8 oz.                                             300 mg
      Soy milk, fortified, 8 oz                          300
      Yogurt, 8 oz fruit flavored or light            200 - 300
      Sardines, 4                                            240
      Cheese, 1 oz                                         150 - 200
      Artichoke, 1 med.                                   135
      Greens, collards, turnip, beet 1/2 cup       70 - 110
      Cottage cheese, 1/2 cup                          70
      Navy, pinto beans, 1/ 2 cup                     50 - 60
      Hummus, 1/2 cup                                   60
      Broccoli, 1/2 cup                                    45
      Almonds, 12                                           35

Are you getting enough calcium everyday? If you are a dairy consumer, it's much easier to reach the recommended levels. If you don't, it becomes a bit more difficult.  Calcium is now fortified in some foods like orange juice, cereal, and breads, which can help many of us achieve a good intake.

Stay tuned for The Calcium Connection, Part II, when we'll examine the use of calcium supplements and any dangers too much calcium can create. Until then, enjoy a nice glass of milk or a cup of cocoa made with soy milk. To your health!

Creamy, Light Soups For You

Kathy is looking for good soup and salad dressings recipes.  She's also a fan of “white” soups and dressings and wants help making those with lighter ingredients. Definitely off to a great start, she's already purchased the two cookbooks by Ellie Kreiger that I have listed on the recommended list: The Food You Crave and So Easy. My husband and I have used both of these cookbooks frequently and loved everything!

Highly recommended soups include the Beef and Mushroom Barley Soup, Confetti Chili, Tuscan Vegetable Soup  and the Rhode Island Clam Chowder in The Food You Crave.  The Roasted Tomato and Black Bean Soup in So Easy is so wonderful that I used it to serve over 50 people at a soup luncheon.  The White Turkey Chili also looks great, though I have my own White Chicken Chili that I will share with you. It's perfect weather around here for good, hot soup. As a matter of fact, we had chili tonight!

When you're making cream soups lighter, try using evaporated skim milk to replace all cream or milk in the recipe.  Evaporated milk is twice as concentrated as milk, so it gives soups a nice, rich texture without the fat.  Avoid using fat free half & half, as it contains added syrups and sugar.  To add an even thicker texture, blend 2 - 4  tablespoons of flour in cold milk, and stir slowly into soup.

For lower fat "white" salad dressings, plain or Greek yogurt is a great base to start with. Blend in a little low fat buttermilk until you get the thickness you want. Yogurt gives a nice tangy flavor, but if you prefer, you can tame it down a bit by adding a tablespoon or two of light mayonnaise. I'm sure you'll love the De-Light-Ful Ranch and Blue Cheese dressings in The Food You Crave.


As for our family favorite...


White Chicken Chili


Saute until transparent:
     1 Tbsp. olive oil
     3 cloves garlic, minced
     2 cups white onion, diced
Add, then cook for 5 minutes:
     1# chicken breast, cubed
Add:
     6 cups chicken broth (low sodium is a good choice)
     48 oz. Great Northern beans, drained
     1 - 2 cans green chilies
Season with:
     2 tsp. cumin
     2 tsp. oregano
     1/4 tsp. white pepper
     1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
     3 - 4 drops hot pepper sauce
Simmer for 1 hour.


The Soup's On...Enjoy!


Do you have any other ideas for Kathy?

Ohhh, The Weather Outside is Frightful...

...But the snow is so delightful! Winter is here, at least where I live.  A light blanket of snow fell yesterday, making our yellow lab, Toby, very happy.  I don't know what it is about dogs, but playing in the snow is right up their alley along with all the kids!

I piled on an extra layer of clothing, and met my friend at a nearby park to do our 3 mile walk/run before dark.  As we started, it was 27 degrees, and a crisp wind was blowing at us.  We were pretty chilly when we started, but we soon were warmed up, loosening up some of the layers.  The sidewalk and trails already had icy spots, so we had to be extra careful with those. 

If you, too,  like to keep walking, running or playing outside during the winter weather, it's important to take a few precautions:

Dress warmly and in layers:

• Keep the layer of clothing next to your skin a synthetic fabric that wicks away moisture.  Cotton shirts will absorb all that moisture, and ends up losing its ability to insulate and keep you warm.  One popular brand to try is made by Underarmour.
• Good socks are a must.  I love the Smart Wool brand. We were given a pair to try in our walk/run group, and they were great: light, warm and non-itchy.
• The next layer should be wool or a lighter weight fleece made of a synthetic fabric. This provides a nice insulating layer.
• Wear a wind and water resistant nylon or Gore-Tex jacket as the outside layer.
• Be sure to don on a stocking hat.
• Put on those gloves or mittens.
• Get your neck gaiter on.  We were taught a great way to make your own: Take 1/4 yard of fleece.  Wrap it around your head, then cut the fabric to that length.  Stitch the shorter ends together to make a wide band. Use it to wrap around your neck, breathe through it when it's really cold out, or fold it over to make a headband.  I've made 6 already---2 in a Snoopy Christmas pattern! 
• Slip on your Yaks. Non-slip shoe grips like Yak Tracks really help when you are walking or running on snow and ice.  I wore mine all the time last year!
• See: Take a flashlight or wear a headlamp. 
• Be seen: Wear reflector strips or blinking safety lights. 

Take care of your body:

• Be sure to walk slowly as you start your workout, then add speed accordingly.  Cold weather tends to make muscles tighter, thus more at risk for strains. Warming up those muscle fibers slowly is even more important in cold weather.
• Blood pressure tends to rise quickly when exposed to sudden cold. Wearing warm clothing including that hat and gator, and warming up by starting slowly will help reduce any strain on your heart.
• Asthma symptoms are often aggravated in the cold.  Take your inhaler with you if prescribed by your doctor. I find breathing through that neck gaiter helps me quite a bit.
• Be sure to consult your doctor if you have any questions about your own health and cold weather workouts.
• Stretch well after exercise (refer to the book, "Stretching," by Bob Anderson.)
• Drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise for good hydration.

And if you've got somewhere to go, let it snow, let it snow, and just go!

Elmo and the "Super Foods" to the Rescue!

I just love Elmo. He's the furry, red friend to millions of preschoolers and their families---a star on Sesame Street. And now, Elmo is helping to bring nutrition education to that same audience. "Food for Thought: Eating Well on a Budget," is targeting the 15% of households in the United States that include children not getting the foods necessary to meet their basic nutritional needs because of economic difficulty. That's an estimated 9 million kids.

The Sesame Street Workshop is reaching out with this program by providing packets to these families which include a video featuring the "Super Foods:"  banana, cheese, whole grain roll, and broccoli---great new characters to meet. Viewers learn that there are "sometimes" foods and "anytime" foods, that it's OK to try new foods, and parents are provided help with suggestions of how to prepare healthy meals for little money. Elmo's video has the potential to help all families to start eating healthier, regardless of income.

This project certainly earns all my praise. In the U.S., it's now estimated that close to 40% of the calories consumed by children ages 2 - 15,  come from empty calories:  soda, sugary sweet fruit drinks, cookies, cakes, donuts....etc. Utterly amazing. It's no wonder childhood obesity rates are sky rocketing. Sesame Street Workshop's focus on both young children and their parents should increase the odds of making real changes in the eating habits of families.  Let's hope that using this media to get the message out will have an big impact on the health of every family. I say, bring on the Super Foods Team!

Let's hear it for Elmo!!!!  Yeaaaaahhhhh!!!!!

My Thanksgiving Favorites

When my husband and I were first married 33 years ago, my old roommate gave us a subscription to Gourmet magazine. We were both foodies even then, though that term certainly hadn't been coined yet! Our first Thanksgiving dinner came straight from that magazine, and it included two recipes that I have made every year since, though they have been tweaked and lightened up along the way: Lemon Sweet Potatoes and Pumpkin Chiffon Pie.  

Lemon Sweet Potatoes

Scrub 4 pounds yellow sweet potatoes (Jersey Whites or other light
colored variety)

      Place in a pan with just enough water to cover them.

      Bring to a boil, then cook on low until tender, about 30 minutes.

      Drain well.

      Peel and place in mixing bowl.

Add:

      4 Tbsp. lemon juice (or to taste)

      1/2 tsp. salt

      1/4 tsp. white or black pepper 

      1 Tbsp. butter

      2 egg yolks

Whip until light and fluffy.

Lightly coat 2 quart casserole with cooking spray.

Place sweet potatoes into dish.

Decorate with thin slices of fresh lemon.

Bake at 325 for 45 minutes, or until steamy hot.

Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Into bowl mix:

      4 Tbsp. butter, melted

      1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs 
            (Crush cookies in a gallon size zip lock bag with a rolling pin 

            or use a food processor.)

Pat into 10 inch spring form pan that has been coated with cooking spray.

Bake at 400 for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool.

In a small bowl, mix:

      4 tsp. unflavored gelatin

      1/4 cup Drambuie or water

Let soften for 5 minutes.

Stir gelatin over double boiler until dissolved.

In a large saucepan, mix:

      1 1/2 cups pumpkin

      1/2 cup evaporated skim milk

      1/2 cup sugar

      3 egg yolks (or 1 egg and 1 egg yolk)

      3/4 tsp. cinnamon

      1/2 tsp. ginger

      1/4 tsp. nutmeg

      1/4 tsp. allspice

      dash of salt

Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes.

Stir in gelatin mixture.

Beat together until soft peaks form:

      4 egg whites (can use egg white powder often found in the cake decorating section to prevent any

            chance of salmonella) 

      1/4 tsp. cream of tartar

Slowly sprinkle in:

       1/4 cup sugar

Fold into pumpkin mixture until blended.

Pour into shell.

Cool for 6 hours.

Enjoy!  Let me know if you love these recipes as much as we do!

Giving Thanks and Taking Control

Ah, Thanksgiving. There's nothing quite like this holiday:  eating lots of food to celebrate having food.  It makes perfect sense in a environment where food is often scarce, but for most of us in today's American society, food is available 24 hours a day, and we can easily lose the focus of the holiday's original purpose. It does, however, create a time where we can gather with family and friend around the table.

For those of us who don't want to gain weight over the holidays, taking control of the Thanksgiving feast is critical. Focus is your key word for the week:

Focus on your head:

• Focus on what Thanksgiving really means to you. 
• Remember the "thanks" in Thanksgiving.  Be grateful for everything you do have in your life:  food, clothing, family, friends, health..and even life.
• Write down 5 things you are grateful for each day this week.  Steer yourself away from focusing on what you don't have.
• Tell someone "thanks" for something every day this week.
• Do something for others. Donate food to a local food pantry, serve the homeless at a shelter, visit or call someone to cheer them up or just to talk.  

Focus on your food:

• Eat breakfast.  Start your day right. Skipping only leaves you hungrier for pie.
• Drink water throughout the day.
• Eat small healthy snacks.  It's important to keep your blood sugar level in the normal range.  If you don't, odds are that you'll lose control around the stuffing.
• Place a fresh fruit or veggie tray out for the entire group to enjoy.
• Choose one or two things that you really want the most for your Thanksgiving meal.  Plan to have small or moderate portions of each---deprivation usually backfires. I plan to enjoy my lemon sweet potatoes and a piece of pumpkin chiffon pie.
• Take tiny portions or skip the foods you don't care about as much, or ones that you can have any time. Eat what you will enjoy.
• Make sure you can still see your plate when you look down on it.  This is a surefire way to exercise portion control.
• Half your plate should be fruits and veggies.  The ultimate healthy plate goal!
• Be mindful of your eating.  Sit down. Chew your food. Eat slowly. Enjoy how the food looks, smells and tastes.
• Stop eating when you are full.
• You control your food choices; don't let the food decide for you (or anyone else for that matter!)

Focus on your fitness:

• Take a walk before and after dinner.
• Play ball with the kids.  
• Put on the Ninetendo Wii, or another gaming system, and play the active sports games with everyone.

Focus on your success:

• At the end of the day, list all the wonderful things you accomplished.
• Forgive yourself if you slipped up. It's not what happened that really matters, it's what happens next!

Happy Thanksgiving to All!!

Pumpkin Bread, Healthy Style

We have a request for a healthier version of pumpkin bread from MM follower Lbbls. Pumpkin, as we talked about yesterday, is a very nutrient dense food, so it's wonderful to find ways to enjoy eating it.  Unfortunately, many of our pumpkin favorites are also loaded with fat and sugar. The average pumpkin bread recipe is no exception.

Here's my Pumpkin Bread, and I guarantee some yummy results!

Pumpkin Bread


In a large bowl, whisk together until well mixed:
     2 cups sugar
     2 cups all-purpose flour
     1 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
     2 tsp. baking soda
     2 tsp. baking powder
     1 tsp. salt
     1 tsp. cinnamon
     1 tsp. nutmeg
     1/2 tsp. allspice or 1/4 tsp. cloves

 In a separate bowl, blend together:
     3/4 cup low fat buttermilk*
     1/4 cup canola oil
     4 eggs
     1 -  15 oz. can pumpkin

Add liquids to dry ingredients, and mix with a whisk until just blended, being careful not to over stir (it will get tougher the more you mix it.)

Pour into 2 loaf pans (9" X 5") that have been coated with cooking spray.

Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes.  Test for doneness by inserting a dry spaghetti noodle into the middle of the loaf, making sure it comes out clean.

Let rest five minutes in the pan, then turn out to cool on a rack.

*Substitutes:
       1) Put 2 tsp. vinegar or lemon juice in a measuring cup, and add non-fat milk until it gets to the 3/4
            line. 
       2) 3/4 cup non-fat plain yogurt

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Perfect

'Tis the season for all things pumpkin.  You can easily find pumpkin pie, bread, donuts, muffins, lattes, and even pumpkin ice cream. The mouth watering aroma of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves are absolutely pumpkin perfect.

Pumpkin is a nutritional powerhouse, an incredibly nutrient-dense vegetable: it contains lots of healthy vitamins and minerals with relatively few calories. (A Twinkie is very low in nutrient density.)  At only 50 calories per cup, pumpkin comes loaded with beta-carotene and fiber, and is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, copper, manganese, and riboflavin.

The deep rich orange color of fruits and veggies is a clear sign that it's a rich source of beta-carotene. Pumpkin, winter squash, sweet potatoes, yellow, orange, and red peppers, carrots, cantaloupe, apricots, mangoes, and oranges are a few of the beta-carotene favorites. The deep greens of kale, turnip, beet greens, spinach and Swiss chard are also good sources of beta-carotene.

Beta-carotene acts as a pro-vitamin:  it is converted by the body into vitamin A as it's needed. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps form and maintain healthy teeth, bones, soft tissue, mucous membranes, skin and hair.  It's also important in maintaining strong immune and reproductive systems, and helps to promote good vision, especially at night. Since vitamin A can be toxic in large doses, eating foods rich in  beta-carotene is a great way to safely get plenty of A.  Other foods high in vitamin A include eggs, liver and fortified milk and cereals.

Beta-carotene is also a wonderful anti-oxidant, working to shut down the effects of free radicals and in doing so, likely reducing the risk of heart disease and some cancers.

Be careful when using vitamin supplements.  Avoid taking more than the RDA of 2300 IU for women and 3000 IU for men, as toxicity can result in extremely high doses.  It's a good idea to look for rich food sources of vitamin A and beta-carotene as the best and safest way to get your vitamin A.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog, when we take on pumpkin foods masquerading as healthy!

Healthy Flying

He was sitting there next to his wheeled carry-on suitcase, trying to balance a MacDonald's burger in a box, a red envelope filled with fries, a Starbuck's coffee and his cell phone, as his briefcase rested at his feet. It's tough at the airport. I don't fly very often, but yesterday I flew to Connecticut to help celebrate my mom's 80th birthday.  I did a little observing...

Airport travel is not easy for the health conscious. As I walked down the long hallway to the furthest possible gate the airline could have chosen for my plane, I could feel the nervous energy as people checked their watches and raced to different gates. Some people look exhausted as if they had spent the night on a previous flight, or stayed up half the night in anticipation of their travels the coming day. The last thing they are probably thinking about is making healthy choices!

Along with anxiety and fatigue, one thing is certainly a challenge: the food.  Not ever known for high quality dining, airports are filled with fast food stops and little stores offering a huge variety of candy, chips, crackers and soda.  And the prices.  Even if you wanted to make healthier choices, the price tags alone convince many that a Snickers bar is the way to go for a quick meal. That's really unfortunate. Remember, eating well makes a difference on how you feel mentally and physically.

Healthy Tips for the Airport:

• Bring your own snacks. I brought along little snack baggies filled with small servings of roasted almonds and dried cherries.
• Avoid greasy foods, and opt for less fatty selections. Heavy foods can be uncomfortable as they try to digest while you're in the air.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes or sneakers.
• Walk if you have time. I had enough time before my flight, so I avoided the tram and the moving sidewalk and chose to put my own foot in front of the other to get more exercise. On longer flights, be sure to get up and walk around to ensure good circulation.
• Buy a bottle of water as soon as you can. Airplane travel is dehydrating, so be sure to hydrate often. They won't let you bring your own through the security gate.
• Buy fresh fruit.  I was thrilled to see apples, oranges and bananas available at the counter where I purchased my water.
• Choose your coffee wisely. Those fancy coffee drinks can have more calories than a Whopper. Stick to plain coffee or order drinks with non-fat or soy milk and be sure to say, "no whip!" You can lighten up many of the drinks by choosing sugar-free syrups. I enjoyed a skinny-skinny vanilla latte---non-fat and sugar free.  It was delicious.
• Stretch. I went through my neck stretches as I sat waiting for the plane.  Muscles like to tighten up on those long flights...stay loose.
• Use anti-bacterial hand gels often.  Lots of people on that plane means lots of airborne germs. My sister had antibacterial wipes that she used to clean off all surfaces around her once she was on board.
• Healthy drinks in flight. Try fruit juice or tomato juice to add a little nutrition to your trip.  I enjoyed tomato juice, while my sister ordered cranberry juice and seltzer water.
• Relax.  Release your tension and enjoy the flight!

It was a good flight and I arrived feeling great...a wonderful way to start off a family reunion and birthday celebration.

What are some of YOUR hints to air travel health?

Vegetarian Meals

Denise asks, "What about meals for vegetarians?"

Good question! Vegetarians should use the same basic guidelines for menu planning. The only difference is in the source of protein for the meal.

Vegetarians differ in their eating preference.  Vegans are strict vegetarians and eat no animal products at all.  Lacto-vegetarians enjoy milk products but no other animal products, ovo-vegetarians will choose eggs only, and lacto-ovo vegetarians will consume both milk products and eggs but not other animal products. A semi-vegetarian will choose an occasional fish or poultry serving but avoids all other meat.  A pescetarian adds fish to the otherwise plant based intake.

Protein (blog post, 7/31/10) is made of 22 amino acids (AA.)  Think of a long plastic chain made of 22 different colored rings. Each ring represents a different AA.  Eight of these AA are unable to be made by the human body, and are called essential amino acids. The other 14 are non-essential; the body can provide its own.  All animal products such as meat, fish, eggs, poultry and milk, are complete proteins, which means they contain all 22 AA. Plants, as a rule, are incomplete proteins;  they are a bit shy of a full chain.  Having all 22 amino acids available everyday is critical to nutrition and health.

Soy (tofu, tempeh, edamame, soy milk, soy nuts) and quinoa are exceptions to the rule.  They provide a complete source.  Other good veggie protein sources include dried beans, lentils, nuts and seeds. Fair sources are found in wheat, dried beans, lentils, corn, and rice.  All of these are incomplete proteins.

It's important that vegetarians be aware of where their protein is coming from.  If there is a daily intake of soy, quinoa, poultry, milk products, fish or eggs, there is no problem-- all 22 AA are supplied.  Vegans need to mindfully choose a variety of plant proteins in addition to whole grains, corn and rice each and everyday to be sure they are getting all of the essential amino acids.

Referring back to "Plan Those Meals!" (blog post 10/31/10) two of the meals are easy for vegetarians to enjoy, and some need a little tweaking.

• Load Your Own Baked Potato: Vegans will omit the cheese or use soy cheese, and will not add the salmon or tuna.
• Burritos: Perfect. Vegans choose soy cheese or none.
• Chicken faijtas, Chicken Chili:  Omit chicken, cheese and yogurt.  Add:
• beans
• porta bella mushrooms 
• cubed eggplant
• soy crumbles (frozen food)
• Spaghetti.  Omit meat.  Add:
• soy crumbles
• firm tofu
• porta bella mushrooms
• eggplant
• Meatloaf.  Try a recipe for a veggie loaf, or eat a Morning Star Farms spicy black bean burger instead (I love these!)
• Vegetarian Chili (blog post 12/26/09) This one is so good and so filling. My husband just made it last night--yum!

Veggie meals can be so delicious, colorful, and nutritious, too.  Higher in fiber, too.

What's your favorite vegetarian fare?