Confession is good for the soul; it forces you to admit that there is a problem and deal with it. Now I don't think I have a problem yet but it is time to confess my sins. I can't stay out of the Christmas cookies and I haven't been exercising like I should. There! I said it. If I eat one cookie and it tastes so goooood, then I find myself opening the cookie tin and getting another, and another, and another. Our annual cookie party was this past Sunday and we have plenty of leftovers. Too bad there wasn't some of the mocha punch left.
Last week was not a good week for exercise due to the food poisoning episode so at least I have an excuse. I really didn't feel energetic until Friday or Saturday. Then there are all the holiday parties, concerts and the shopping to do which got in the way of exercise. I am back to normal this week though, so no more excuses.
The one thing I have continued to do though, is to try to eat light, well balanced meals between parties. Don't just give up around the holidays and think you might as well take a break and eat all you want. I always try to eat especially light and healthy the day of a big party where there will be lots of temptations. My family is still eating fish and chicken dishes with plenty of vegetables. In fact, tomorrow I am making a vegetarian dinner. I'm making a pot of navy beans for protein, braised cabbage and fried potatoes.
Cooking a pot of beans is one of the easiest things you can do. I rinse a cup and a half or so of beans (navy, pinto, cranberry, whatever you like) and put them in a pot with enough water to more than cover the beans. I add a bay leaf and bring the water to a boil. When the water boils, I cover the pot and reduce the heat so the beans are just simmering. I let them cook an hour or two until tender, then I salt and pepper them. Be sure to check the beans occasionally for tenderness and to make sure you don't need to add more water.
Fried potatoes is one of the few fried foods I make. I peel several red potatoes and slice them as thin as possible and place them in a large skillet. I add two or three Tb. of canola oil to the skillet and turn it on high. I flip the potatoes with a spatula when they are brown enough and continue cooking until they are nice and brown all over. Season with salt and pepper to taste. The braised cabbage recipe is in my index. I usually make a pan of cornbread to accompany this meal. As you can see, it is loaded with fiber.
I hope you will consider making a pot of beans soon. They are a fat free source of protein. Add a bit of ham if you like to flavor the beans.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
New Diet That Works
Sorry, I'm just joking. My husband and I are recovering from food poisoning and while we did shed a few pounds and don't really feel like eating much yet, I certainly don't recommend it as a way to lose weight. However, I do feel the subject is worth mentioning since we will all be attending parties and preparing plenty of special meals. Let's keep the season safe and healthy for all.
Food poisoning is very much like any stomach virus and has the same symptoms: fatigue, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, etc. Food poisoning can set in 2 to 24 hours after eating contaminated food and last 1 to 14 days. Stomach viruses take effect 1 to 2 days after exposure. If several people get sick after eating the same food, food poisoning may be the cause. My husband and I both ate the same salad at a restaurant on Monday and by about 2 or 3 on Tuesday afternoon, we were both sick so we suspect food poisoning.
Treat either by resting and drinking extra fluids as soon as your stomach will allow. Drinking pedialyte or Gatorade isn't necessary but may help. My family has always sworn by the BRAT diet after the stomach virus to ease back into food. Eat Bananas, Rice, Applesauce or Toast as these seems to go down well. Gingersnap cookies also help with nausea. You'll probably want to avoid heavy meals for a few days.
If the symptoms persist more than two days or are very severe, seek medical help. My son also suffered from salmonella once and was hospitalized for three days as he couldn't keep any fluids down and became dehydrated. He continued to have diarrhea for at least another week.
Please be careful in all your food preparations and make careful choices at parties and food buffets where food may have been sitting out too long. Make sure you keep food at the proper temperature when serving it; hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Don't eat food that has been left sitting out - toss it. Refrigerate leftovers as soon as the meal is over. When handling raw meat and eggs, wash your hands and all surfaces the food touches carefully in hot water. If you are traveling to Grandma's for the holidays, don't transport foods long distances. Prepare the food when you get there and leave the leftovers at Grandma's. Wash fruits and vegetables before preparing them and discard questionable looking or smelling items. Don't forget to wash your cleaning sponge or dishrags daily as these can harbor germs. Get a good thermometer and cook meat to the proper internal temperature.
I hope these tips and reminders will help everyone to enjoy their holiday and avoid the stomach virus diet. You don't want your friends and family to remember your holiday bash by how sick everyone was afterwards.
Food poisoning is very much like any stomach virus and has the same symptoms: fatigue, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, etc. Food poisoning can set in 2 to 24 hours after eating contaminated food and last 1 to 14 days. Stomach viruses take effect 1 to 2 days after exposure. If several people get sick after eating the same food, food poisoning may be the cause. My husband and I both ate the same salad at a restaurant on Monday and by about 2 or 3 on Tuesday afternoon, we were both sick so we suspect food poisoning.
Treat either by resting and drinking extra fluids as soon as your stomach will allow. Drinking pedialyte or Gatorade isn't necessary but may help. My family has always sworn by the BRAT diet after the stomach virus to ease back into food. Eat Bananas, Rice, Applesauce or Toast as these seems to go down well. Gingersnap cookies also help with nausea. You'll probably want to avoid heavy meals for a few days.
If the symptoms persist more than two days or are very severe, seek medical help. My son also suffered from salmonella once and was hospitalized for three days as he couldn't keep any fluids down and became dehydrated. He continued to have diarrhea for at least another week.
Please be careful in all your food preparations and make careful choices at parties and food buffets where food may have been sitting out too long. Make sure you keep food at the proper temperature when serving it; hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Don't eat food that has been left sitting out - toss it. Refrigerate leftovers as soon as the meal is over. When handling raw meat and eggs, wash your hands and all surfaces the food touches carefully in hot water. If you are traveling to Grandma's for the holidays, don't transport foods long distances. Prepare the food when you get there and leave the leftovers at Grandma's. Wash fruits and vegetables before preparing them and discard questionable looking or smelling items. Don't forget to wash your cleaning sponge or dishrags daily as these can harbor germs. Get a good thermometer and cook meat to the proper internal temperature.
I hope these tips and reminders will help everyone to enjoy their holiday and avoid the stomach virus diet. You don't want your friends and family to remember your holiday bash by how sick everyone was afterwards.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Apologies To All
I must apologize for my unexcused, two week absence. The first week there were technical difficulties with the computer and my home computer nerd (son) was unable to help me work through them. The week after Thanksgiving my husband had the week off and we were trying to finish our Christmas shopping. Plus Tuesday was the last day of the Wanna Dance competition and I'm proud to say my partner and I finished a very close second. Check out our dance on youtube.com at wanna dance Brandy and Lisa if you'd like to see it.
I'm hoping you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. I believe time spent with those we love to be just as important to good health as anything else we do. I confess that I didn't think my Thanksgiving dinner was very good. First of all the turkey was simply awful and once again, there was no pumpkin pie. I must find out what the good people of Mississippi have against pumpkin. The best part of the dinner was the crab and brie bisque but that is not part of my Thanksgiving tradition. There were 48 members of Barry's extended family at dinner and we did have a great weekend visiting people we don't often see.
Friday we toured an old plantation and then stopped by The Old Country Store restaurant in Lorman, Ms. which has been featured on Alton Brown's show. Alton Brown declared that owner Arthur Davis's fried chicken was the best he'd ever eaten. Of course I was all about trying this chicken which was good but I still think my sister's is better. Arthur does know how to prepare vegetables. He only uses fresh ingredients, not frozen, and indeed, grows many of them in his garden. The greens we ate had been picked the day before and I had seconds. So often, vegetables are a neglected part of dinner so it's no wonder people won't eat them. If you are ever in Natchez, Ms., get directions to Lorman as it's not far and worth the drive.
So the season of too much and over indulging has begun. Try to eat sensibly between parties and family gatherings and don't neglect the exercise. Exercise will also help with the stress so many feel at this time of year.
I will try to get past the technical difficulties this week and publish that last post that was giving me trouble.
I'm hoping you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. I believe time spent with those we love to be just as important to good health as anything else we do. I confess that I didn't think my Thanksgiving dinner was very good. First of all the turkey was simply awful and once again, there was no pumpkin pie. I must find out what the good people of Mississippi have against pumpkin. The best part of the dinner was the crab and brie bisque but that is not part of my Thanksgiving tradition. There were 48 members of Barry's extended family at dinner and we did have a great weekend visiting people we don't often see.
Friday we toured an old plantation and then stopped by The Old Country Store restaurant in Lorman, Ms. which has been featured on Alton Brown's show. Alton Brown declared that owner Arthur Davis's fried chicken was the best he'd ever eaten. Of course I was all about trying this chicken which was good but I still think my sister's is better. Arthur does know how to prepare vegetables. He only uses fresh ingredients, not frozen, and indeed, grows many of them in his garden. The greens we ate had been picked the day before and I had seconds. So often, vegetables are a neglected part of dinner so it's no wonder people won't eat them. If you are ever in Natchez, Ms., get directions to Lorman as it's not far and worth the drive.
So the season of too much and over indulging has begun. Try to eat sensibly between parties and family gatherings and don't neglect the exercise. Exercise will also help with the stress so many feel at this time of year.
I will try to get past the technical difficulties this week and publish that last post that was giving me trouble.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Thanksgiving Thoughts
Wow! Just a little over a week till Thanksgiving, that feast of feasts, that shark feeding frenzy, that hog wild eating event. Since I will be attending a family reunion in Natchez, Ms where we will eat at a restaurant, I won't be cooking this year. Nor will I have leftovers to eat or seconds to gobble. Controlled portions is a good thing. And if we have nothing but lemon pie to choose from like last time, I won't even have any dessert. Everyone knows you must have pumpkin pie, or pecan or at least sweet potato pie at Thanksgiving.
If you have been good and working out and eating like you should, the holiday season should be nothing to dread. If you haven't been exercising, you can still start today. Get off the couch and dance with the stars tonight or go back to the gym like you've been meaning to. Remember, exercising will get you in shape for Black Friday, that 24 hour long period of intense shopping the day after the feast. Only the fittest survive and succeed on Black Friday. The wimps stay home.
I know many of my readers have an unrealistic idea of just what we do and don't eat at the cardiologist's house, so today I'm sharing a new pie recipe. I made this pie for my sister's birthday dinner on Sunday. I recently bought the new Southern Living Ultimate Christmas cookbook for $10 at Dillards. All proceeds go to the Ronald McDonald House. Anyway, this recipe came from that cookbook and is a real winner. It's very easy and sinfully delicious but only God knows the calorie count. Make this as a sidekick to the pumpkin pie.
Caramel Chess Tart
1 refrigerated pie crust
1/2 cup butter softened
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 Tbsp. flour
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 tsp. vanilla
Powdered sugar to dust on finished pie
Fit pie crust in a 10 inch tart pan with a removable bottom or in a regular 9 inch pie plate. Bake at 450 for 9 minutes. Cool on wire rack.
Beat butter and brown sugar in a large bowl with a mixer at medium speed until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in flour and buttermilk. Add vanilla and stir well. Pour into pie crust. Bake at 350 until almost set. Cool on wire rack and sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired. Remove tart pan rim before serving, if using tart pan.
My goodness, this was so good, I'm surprised we didn't fight over it. Get your turkey now and start letting it thaw around Sunday. Check last year's blogs for some other recipes and ideas. You can also make some casseroles ahead so you aren't swamped and tired on Thanksgiving day. Divvy up the cooking and chores such as table setting and clean up. One person doesn't have to do it all.
If you have been good and working out and eating like you should, the holiday season should be nothing to dread. If you haven't been exercising, you can still start today. Get off the couch and dance with the stars tonight or go back to the gym like you've been meaning to. Remember, exercising will get you in shape for Black Friday, that 24 hour long period of intense shopping the day after the feast. Only the fittest survive and succeed on Black Friday. The wimps stay home.
I know many of my readers have an unrealistic idea of just what we do and don't eat at the cardiologist's house, so today I'm sharing a new pie recipe. I made this pie for my sister's birthday dinner on Sunday. I recently bought the new Southern Living Ultimate Christmas cookbook for $10 at Dillards. All proceeds go to the Ronald McDonald House. Anyway, this recipe came from that cookbook and is a real winner. It's very easy and sinfully delicious but only God knows the calorie count. Make this as a sidekick to the pumpkin pie.
Caramel Chess Tart
1 refrigerated pie crust
1/2 cup butter softened
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 Tbsp. flour
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 tsp. vanilla
Powdered sugar to dust on finished pie
Fit pie crust in a 10 inch tart pan with a removable bottom or in a regular 9 inch pie plate. Bake at 450 for 9 minutes. Cool on wire rack.
Beat butter and brown sugar in a large bowl with a mixer at medium speed until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in flour and buttermilk. Add vanilla and stir well. Pour into pie crust. Bake at 350 until almost set. Cool on wire rack and sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired. Remove tart pan rim before serving, if using tart pan.
My goodness, this was so good, I'm surprised we didn't fight over it. Get your turkey now and start letting it thaw around Sunday. Check last year's blogs for some other recipes and ideas. You can also make some casseroles ahead so you aren't swamped and tired on Thanksgiving day. Divvy up the cooking and chores such as table setting and clean up. One person doesn't have to do it all.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Dance For Fitness
By now, you know I nag about getting enough exercise. Exercise doesn't just help keep the weight off, it makes you feel so much more energetic and keeps you young. That is especially true when you find something you love doing. When you are having fun, you won't notice that you are sweating and you somehow don't mind that you are sore the next day.
I have always been active; horseback riding (which includes cleaning the barn, toting hefty bags of feed, pushing heavy wheelbarrows, etc.) walking, bike riding and yoga. In the spring, I took up Latin dancing with my husband and we have both had so much fun. If you have ever thought about dancing, now is the time to start. Alex Lorenzana teaches Latin dance classes and Latin dance based fitness classes here in Jonesboro. Don't worry if you've never danced before or about joining an ongoing class. Alex makes Latin dance fun and easy to learn. He does make it a good workout! You will sweat your way to becoming more fit. So far, we've learned cha cha, salsa, cumbia and merangue. You can contact Alex at 870-761-8663 for more information.
Barry and I practicing salsa at home. That is my dress for the Wanna Dance competition.
Barry and I practicing salsa at home. That is my dress for the Wanna Dance competition.
I ran into a friend the other day who told me she loves my green bean recipe I've featured here. I sautee the green beans in olive oil until they are browned, adding garlic towards the end and seasoning with salt and pepper. I just want to mention that sugar snap peas and broccoli are good done this way as well. I use frozen peas and broccoli but steam them first, then sautee them. The veggies are very tasty done this way.
I'm hoping everyone has a wonderful weekend and finds the joy in exercise!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Pumpkin Goodness
First of all, let me apologize for only posting once last week. I've been very busy practicing for the Wanna Dance competition which is tonight!! Second, let me welcome new readers and followers. I hope you enjoy the recipes, health information and fitness tips. Feel free to post any questions you have and I will do my best to get you an answer.
One of my favorite foods is pumpkin. Some of you may be moving on at this point while others understand. Not only is pumpkin so good for you, but you can do so much with pumpkin besides pies. Yes, I love pumpkin pie too as do my kids. It's just not Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie. You may have seen the possum bread I made during my last attempt to make pumpkin bread but my pumpkin bars turned out delightfully as always. I've also made pumpkin chili and we love pumpkin pancakes on the weekend. My latest pumpkin recipe is pumpkin smoothies. Smoothies can be an excellent way to get extra nutrition into the pickiest of eaters or they can be fat and sugar bombs so be careful. The smoothies served at restaurants are almost always far too large and heavy on the calories so I avoid them. I make smoothies at home to control what goes in and how large the serving is.
Pumpkin Smoothies
1 banana
16 oz. carton Greek vanilla yogurt
2 Tbsp. peanut butter
1/3 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp. cinnamon
drizzle of honey
milk to thin as desired
Mix all ingredients in a blender till smooth. Makes 4 small servings.
These smoothies would make a great breakfast with a bit of granola added. Be sure to use Greek yogurt as it is higher in protein and lower in sugar. My whole family liked these and I will make them again soon.
In the meantime, I must go put on my dancing shoes for one last practice. Remember you can vote online at thewomensdiscoverycenter.org if you can't attend and videos of our performances will be posted after November 30th.
One of my favorite foods is pumpkin. Some of you may be moving on at this point while others understand. Not only is pumpkin so good for you, but you can do so much with pumpkin besides pies. Yes, I love pumpkin pie too as do my kids. It's just not Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie. You may have seen the possum bread I made during my last attempt to make pumpkin bread but my pumpkin bars turned out delightfully as always. I've also made pumpkin chili and we love pumpkin pancakes on the weekend. My latest pumpkin recipe is pumpkin smoothies. Smoothies can be an excellent way to get extra nutrition into the pickiest of eaters or they can be fat and sugar bombs so be careful. The smoothies served at restaurants are almost always far too large and heavy on the calories so I avoid them. I make smoothies at home to control what goes in and how large the serving is.
Pumpkin Smoothies
1 banana
16 oz. carton Greek vanilla yogurt
2 Tbsp. peanut butter
1/3 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp. cinnamon
drizzle of honey
milk to thin as desired
Mix all ingredients in a blender till smooth. Makes 4 small servings.
These smoothies would make a great breakfast with a bit of granola added. Be sure to use Greek yogurt as it is higher in protein and lower in sugar. My whole family liked these and I will make them again soon.
In the meantime, I must go put on my dancing shoes for one last practice. Remember you can vote online at thewomensdiscoverycenter.org if you can't attend and videos of our performances will be posted after November 30th.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Time For Comfort Food
Finally cooler weather is here and that means time for some of our favorite comfort foods. My menus change drastically with the weather and season, to take advantage of seasonal fruits and vegetables and also because some foods seem too heavy and hot for summer. Comfort foods can be quick to prepare though they may need longer cooking times, like a pot of beef soup. I have two family favorite meatloaf recipes I use most of the time. I have already featured my meatloaf with shredded veggies so today I am sharing my other recipe which is actually easier too.
Brown Sugar Meatloaf
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup ketchup
1 to 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef or ground turkey
3/4 cup milk
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1 small onion chopped
3/4 cup finely crushed saltine crackers
Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 5x9 inch loaf pan. Press the brown sugar evenly over the bottom of the pan. Spread the ketchup over the sugar. Thoroughly mix remaining ingredients together and press on top of ketchup. Bake for an hour or until lightly browned on top and juices run clear.
Serve this with the roasted fingerling potatoes which also cook for an hour (recipe on blog) and a fruit or other vegetable. This meatloaf is sure to be a hit with your family.
I have been practicing several hours with my dance partner, Brandy, for the Wanna Dance competition. You can support our efforts by voting for us with dollars by going to the Women's Discovery Center website and following the link to Wanna Dance 2010. You can vote with a credit card or paypal. The website is thewomensdiscoverycenter.org and you can also learn more about the organization. Each couple's picture is posted with a vote button.
Brown Sugar Meatloaf
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup ketchup
1 to 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef or ground turkey
3/4 cup milk
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1 small onion chopped
3/4 cup finely crushed saltine crackers
Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 5x9 inch loaf pan. Press the brown sugar evenly over the bottom of the pan. Spread the ketchup over the sugar. Thoroughly mix remaining ingredients together and press on top of ketchup. Bake for an hour or until lightly browned on top and juices run clear.
Serve this with the roasted fingerling potatoes which also cook for an hour (recipe on blog) and a fruit or other vegetable. This meatloaf is sure to be a hit with your family.
I have been practicing several hours with my dance partner, Brandy, for the Wanna Dance competition. You can support our efforts by voting for us with dollars by going to the Women's Discovery Center website and following the link to Wanna Dance 2010. You can vote with a credit card or paypal. The website is thewomensdiscoverycenter.org and you can also learn more about the organization. Each couple's picture is posted with a vote button.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
