Complex carbohydrates, including grains, are an important part of our diet. They help fill us up, give us energy, lend variety to our meals and provide nutrients that are good for us.
Whole grains play a big part in losing fat and maintaining healthy weight--and cholesterol and blood pressure levels too.
Just be aware that "whole grain" is great fiber--but if the label reads "made with whole grain" that is not the same. It will typically have less than 1/2 the fiber--for the same calories! Be sure to look for "100% whole grain", or "100% whole wheat" or whatever grain you are looking for.
100% wheat flour is not the same as 100% whole wheat!
So read the labels when you want to enjoy grains, whether in breads or pastas. Get the most out of food and take in the least calories!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Hormone Free and Free Range Chickens
It is a common misperception that our poultry is laden with growth hormones. In the US, hormones have been banned from poultry (and pork for that matter) since 1959.
In other words, all chicken and turkey is "Hormone Free" whether it is labeled that way or not.
The distinction should be made between Hormone Free and Antibiotic Free. Antibiotics are given to animals for at least 2 reasons--1. to cure an illness and 2. to promote growth!
Most of our chickens do not live a long life...less than 2 months. I'd prefer if I'm going to eat chicken to eat one that had a healthy life and one that grew up without any outside "help"! I was not aware of this distinction until recently, but you can bet from now on I will look for Antibiotic Free poultry.
Another thing that suprised me was the "Free Range" label...I thought it was a great label. That's when I learned that fryers only live 6-8 weeks and they are so weak and vulnerable for the first 5 of those weeks they have to stay indoors.
I still think that "Free Range" is important for eggs. And eggs are a great food for those of us watching our waistlines.
In other words, all chicken and turkey is "Hormone Free" whether it is labeled that way or not.
The distinction should be made between Hormone Free and Antibiotic Free. Antibiotics are given to animals for at least 2 reasons--1. to cure an illness and 2. to promote growth!
Most of our chickens do not live a long life...less than 2 months. I'd prefer if I'm going to eat chicken to eat one that had a healthy life and one that grew up without any outside "help"! I was not aware of this distinction until recently, but you can bet from now on I will look for Antibiotic Free poultry.
Another thing that suprised me was the "Free Range" label...I thought it was a great label. That's when I learned that fryers only live 6-8 weeks and they are so weak and vulnerable for the first 5 of those weeks they have to stay indoors.
I still think that "Free Range" is important for eggs. And eggs are a great food for those of us watching our waistlines.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Is Organic Food Worth the Extra Money?
Most of the time, yes! It is ideal to have as few hormones, pesticides and other chemicals put into our bodies as possible.
Even though we wash our produce, it is next to impossible to get all the chemicals off. And for those of us who eat any animal products, what they have eaten and been injected with ends up in our bodies! Give yourself a fighting chance and eat as naturally as possible!
There is a strictly regulated process that has to be gone through in order to put "Organic" on your label.
Some farms are in the transition phase between traditional and organic. This means you might want to give them a try. Talk to the farmer (if you can) and see how long they have been working at the change. (It takes years to become certified organic...so they may have been following the principles for several years already but cannot call themselves organic.)
Wild fish (which is generally the best type of fish to buy) can be labeled "Organic". Since you really can't control or regulate the ocean...especially the specific place in the ocean from where that fish originated...not to mention they swim around, a lot (!) it isn't worth paying extra for "Organic" fish. Do look for the "Wild caught" or "Wild" label.
Even though we wash our produce, it is next to impossible to get all the chemicals off. And for those of us who eat any animal products, what they have eaten and been injected with ends up in our bodies! Give yourself a fighting chance and eat as naturally as possible!
There is a strictly regulated process that has to be gone through in order to put "Organic" on your label.
Some farms are in the transition phase between traditional and organic. This means you might want to give them a try. Talk to the farmer (if you can) and see how long they have been working at the change. (It takes years to become certified organic...so they may have been following the principles for several years already but cannot call themselves organic.)
Wild fish (which is generally the best type of fish to buy) can be labeled "Organic". Since you really can't control or regulate the ocean...especially the specific place in the ocean from where that fish originated...not to mention they swim around, a lot (!) it isn't worth paying extra for "Organic" fish. Do look for the "Wild caught" or "Wild" label.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
What is "Natural" Food?
My mother taught me to read food labels growing up...maybe yours did, too, or maybe she didn't.
Either way, there are new things to look for when reading labels...things that weren't in the foods we ate growing up!
One of the terms you see applied to food is "natural"--do not let that term lead you to believe it is good for you!
Even though high-fructose corn syrup is chemically processed (from dextrose, which comes from corn) it can be labeled "natural".
So can partially hydrogenated foods--which by now most people have at least heard off.
Both of these "foods" are really bad things to ingest.
Just because a food has a big "Natural" across it does not mean you shouldn't read the label. Read it and if it has partially hydrogenated anything or high fructose corn syrup, don't buy it.
Either way, there are new things to look for when reading labels...things that weren't in the foods we ate growing up!
One of the terms you see applied to food is "natural"--do not let that term lead you to believe it is good for you!
Even though high-fructose corn syrup is chemically processed (from dextrose, which comes from corn) it can be labeled "natural".
So can partially hydrogenated foods--which by now most people have at least heard off.
Both of these "foods" are really bad things to ingest.
Just because a food has a big "Natural" across it does not mean you shouldn't read the label. Read it and if it has partially hydrogenated anything or high fructose corn syrup, don't buy it.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Have You Looked in the Mirror Lately?
It is important to look in the mirror and really see yourself. I don't mean the cursory I'm washing my face or brushing my teeth kind of looking--mostly at the face. I mean really look at your body.
Why? It is critical to have your brain recognize the changes your body is going through. Especially if you have been larger than you want for a long time. Otherwise, your brain will continue to believe that you are that larger person.
So as you are changing size, take it in. Notice the changes and appreciate them. Say loving things about your body and the changes it is going through.
This time, things are different. I look in the mirror and recognize and appreciate my body. It has gotten me through a lot! It deserves some love and respect and admiration for what it has done and is doing now!
Why? It is critical to have your brain recognize the changes your body is going through. Especially if you have been larger than you want for a long time. Otherwise, your brain will continue to believe that you are that larger person.
So as you are changing size, take it in. Notice the changes and appreciate them. Say loving things about your body and the changes it is going through.
- My butt is getting smaller--looking good!
- Wow, there's a waist showing up, giving me nice curves
- These "new" collarbones will really show off necklaces nicely.
- I like how my cheekbones show off my eyes
This time, things are different. I look in the mirror and recognize and appreciate my body. It has gotten me through a lot! It deserves some love and respect and admiration for what it has done and is doing now!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Healthy Apple Crisp Fall Day
OK, it isn't really apple crisp, but it is a crisp fall day and I am enjoying a baked apple!
So, why is that relevant to this blog?
1. Most people don't think of baked apples as healthy food choices
2. It is important to enjoy food
3. I have a special recipe
So, here is the "recipe"
Take an apple (I use small ones for myself or if I have large ones I generally eat half)
Cut and core the apple...slice it into about quarters
Place in microwave safe bowl
Sprinkle very lightly with:
Stevia*
Sprinkle:
Ground Cinnamon
Ground Nutmeg
Ground Clove
(other spices to taste)
Heat apple in the microwave for about 1 minute on high (times will vary depending upon your microwave and the number of apples. For 2 dishes today it was 3 minutes. Try one minute and rotate the apple if it needs more time.
Let the apple stand for a couple minutes. Voila! You have a delicious, healthy treat!
*Stevia is a fantastic zero calorie, natural, sweetener made from plants. It is super-sweet, so you just need to use a little bit. You can cook with it, add it to your drinks, etc, anywhere you would use sugar. You will want to experiment with the quantity though so you don't over do it! Look for Stevia in the health food store, a lot of regular markets don't carry it. If you don't see it, ask!
So, why is that relevant to this blog?
1. Most people don't think of baked apples as healthy food choices
2. It is important to enjoy food
3. I have a special recipe
So, here is the "recipe"
Take an apple (I use small ones for myself or if I have large ones I generally eat half)
Cut and core the apple...slice it into about quarters
Place in microwave safe bowl
Sprinkle very lightly with:
Stevia*
Sprinkle:
Ground Cinnamon
Ground Nutmeg
Ground Clove
(other spices to taste)
Heat apple in the microwave for about 1 minute on high (times will vary depending upon your microwave and the number of apples. For 2 dishes today it was 3 minutes. Try one minute and rotate the apple if it needs more time.
Let the apple stand for a couple minutes. Voila! You have a delicious, healthy treat!
*Stevia is a fantastic zero calorie, natural, sweetener made from plants. It is super-sweet, so you just need to use a little bit. You can cook with it, add it to your drinks, etc, anywhere you would use sugar. You will want to experiment with the quantity though so you don't over do it! Look for Stevia in the health food store, a lot of regular markets don't carry it. If you don't see it, ask!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
I Had to Buy New Clothes!
Hooray!
I am going to a conference next week and all my clothes are literally falling off, so I had to buy some new clothes. I was risking being arrested for indecent exposure by appearing in public in the pants I bought this summer...they were threatening to settle around my ankles...fortunately I made it through the store without an incident!
Since I'm not at my ultimate goal I didn't want to buy a lot of clothes, but two pairs of pants and a couple tops, and new bras. All much needed.
It is AMAZING the difference in how I look in the mirror. Same size body but new clothes and foundation garments...WOW!
I'm especially happy because I very comfortably fit into size 16 jeans! It has been more than 15 years since I could say that!
I am going to a conference next week and all my clothes are literally falling off, so I had to buy some new clothes. I was risking being arrested for indecent exposure by appearing in public in the pants I bought this summer...they were threatening to settle around my ankles...fortunately I made it through the store without an incident!
Since I'm not at my ultimate goal I didn't want to buy a lot of clothes, but two pairs of pants and a couple tops, and new bras. All much needed.
It is AMAZING the difference in how I look in the mirror. Same size body but new clothes and foundation garments...WOW!
I'm especially happy because I very comfortably fit into size 16 jeans! It has been more than 15 years since I could say that!
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