Eat more greens!
After a recent trip to Whole Foods I found myself mesmerized by an educational poster in the elevator on the power of greens. Whole Foods uses the “ANDI” (Aggregate Nutrient Density Index) to showcase healthy food options in their store and this particular poster was emphasizing the nutrient density of several varieties of greens. I loved the fact that the poster highlighted some less-common greens, ones that rarely become make it to the average household’s dinner table. So I’d like to elaborate the poster and teach you a bit more about some well-known and lesser known greens that will do your body good.
Collard greens (ANDI score=1000) Out of all the greens in the cabbage family, collards have the greatest cholesterol-lowering abilities. They also have amazing anti-cancer properties, are packed with Vitamin C, soluble fiber and many other vitamins and minerals. Try sauteing them with a little olive oil, onions and garlic. They make the healthiest side dish out there!
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Top roasted salmon with a quick tomato-fennel salsa.
Fennel is underutilized by many home cooks. I’m not sure why because it’s fresh (ever seen canned fennel?), uniquely flavored and super nutritious. Maybe some Fennel 101 will get you stoked:
Flavor:
Fennel belongs to the carrot and parsley family and is a cousin of cumin, dill, caraway and anise (hence its subtle licorice flavor). The bulb is crisp and can be sautéed, stewed, braised, grilled or eaten raw. The bulb is a unique and fresh addition to warm or cold salads, vegetable and pasta dishes and risottos and is an excellent palate-cleanser between and after meals. The leaves (fronds) are delicate and taste somewhat like dill, making them the perfect edible garnish. Fennel seeds are often used to flavor Italian sausages and meatballs.
Nutrition:
Like many spices, fennel contains a unique combination of phytonutrients, including the flavonoids rutin and quercetin, plus additional compounds that give it powerful antioxidant properties. But the most fascinating phytonutrient in fennel is anethole, repeatedly shown to reduce inflammation and prevent cancer.
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Out with the old, in with the new.
The weather is getting warmer and spring cleaning is in full effect for many of us throughout the house. When you get to the kitchen, don’t stop after mopping the floors; take a look at the cabinets, pantry and fridge. It’s a good time to capitalize on the new season to overhaul your home food environment; clearing out unhealthy foods is a great first step toward making better eating decisions at home. But once you’ve cleared your pantry of the not-so-healthy processed foods (see our list of the 5 worst offenders and toss those first) and the foods that have been lurking for months past their expiration date, don’t make the mistake of filling your pantry back up with junk.
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Chia seeds aren’t just for growing a fuzzy green pet — or getting that annoying jingle stuck in your head. This small, nutty seed is gaining popularity thanks to its long list of nutrients. Full of fiber, protein and antioxidants, chia seeds are the perfect way to start your morning on the right foot. Toss them in to yogurt, bake them in to muffins or add a handful to thicken up smoothies.
Constantly on-the-go? Health Warrior‘s chia seed bars in coconut, acai berry and chocolate peanut butter make getting in a pre-workout snack as easy as tearing open a wrapper. Move over protein and granola bars, there’s a new snack bar in town.
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We're nuts about this . . . legume!
We’re nuts about peanuts, but they’re actually not a nut! Peanuts are part of the legume family along with lentils and beans. Seems we’re not the only ones going crazy for them. The average American eats more than 6 pounds of peanuts and peanut butter products each year.
Peanut Basics
Peanuts are also called groundnuts, earthnuts and in the South, “goobers.” Like other legumes, peanuts are edible seeds enclosed in pods. They grow underground in tropical and subtropical regions and are thought to have originated in Brazil or Peru. Today China and India are the largest producers of peanuts. In the U.S. the legume is grown in Georgia, Alabama, Texas, North Carolina, Florida, Virginia and Oklahoma.
Three main types of peanuts grown in the U.S. include Spanish, Runners and Virginias. Spanish peanuts have small-sized kernels, while runners have a medium-sized kernel. Virginias are also known as cocktail nuts and have large-sized kernels. Valencia peanuts have three or four small kernels in a shell but are not as commonly grown in the U.S.
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We’re not talking about zapping frozen entrees; how about real ingredients and healthy meals straight out of the microwave oven!?
Nuke It
You might already rely on the microwave for quick snacks or a cozy mug of hot chocolate, but how about breakfast, lunch and dinner in the microwave? There’s a right and wrong way to use your microwave — use our tips before you get nuking.
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Have you seen foods rated with the Guiding Stars rating in your grocery store?
With thousands of food choices at your local store it can be difficult to know if you are choosing foods that are truly good for you. In recent years there have been several types of nutrient rating systems derived to help you make better choices — but have you found yourself asking whether or not they are actually helpful? Find out what all those numbers really mean.
Glycemic Index: Measures how quickly food is metabolized into glucose when digested. The G.I. also estimates how much each gram of available carbohydrate (this equals total carbohydrates minus fiber, which is non-digestible) in a food raises a person’s blood glucose level following consumption of the food.
Examples: Glucose has a glycemic index of 100; all other foods have lower glycemic indexes.
Pros: Helpful for diabetics and those counting carbs.
Cons: Not as informative regarding fats and proteins.
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Making almond milk from scratch is much easier than you'd think.
The thought of making my own almond milk always seemed so cumbersome and unnecessary to me. But desperate times call for desperate measures: When I realized we forgot to pick up our weekly carton of almond milk at the grocery store, and I needed some milk for my cereal and tea, I decided to take measures into my own hands.
After a quick Google search for instructions, I simply blended a cup of raw almonds with four cups of water in my Vitamix. I didn’t even strain out the pulp – just poured it right over my cereal. I was instantly sold on the ease of preparation. The next time I wanted to make almond milk, I planned ahead by soaking my almonds. Soaking almonds for at least an hour, or overnight if you have time, is beneficial because it makes them softer to blend. Soaking also releases enzymes in the nut that makes them easier to digest and releases healthful nutrients.
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It’s almost summer — are you ready for beach season? How many of you have kept your January resolutions? Spring is a good time to reevaluate your 2012 health goals and get back on track if you’ve gone off course.
To help everyone get back on track and be fit for summer, we’ve set up a get-healthy challenge for the month of May. This challenge will be similar to our January Challenge, with small, weekly goals that when practiced, can turn into lifetime healthy habits.
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Are frozen fries healthy?
Think a box of frozen taters are a healthier option? We’ll fill you in on the pros and cons, plus give you a homemade alternative.
Good?
Frozen fries offer convenience – pop ‘em on a cookie sheet and toss in the oven. Your grocer’s freezer is bursting with a wide array of options in different shapes, sizes and flavorings. You can also find certified organic and sweet potato varieties.
Frozen sacks are easy to store and may be able to help with portion control – you can take out a moderate-sized portion (about 200 calories worth per person) and tuck the rest back in the freezer.
Bad?
Frozen fries are still fried! Even worse, many brands use trans fats and palm oil which aren’t ideal for heart health. While fries do need a sprinkle of salt, many bagged brands have at least 15% of the daily recommendation of sodium per serving.
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The 15 Healthiest Grilled Main Dishes
11 Light, Lemony Desserts
