Weight Loss: Queen Latifah’s New Reign At Jenny Craig. . . .

Don’t you just love Queen Latifah? I recently saw her in a commercial talking about her goal of getting to an ‘active’ weight. While Kirstie Alley and Valerie Bertinelli proudly announced the amount of pounds lost, Queen Latifah’s emphasis is…. . . . . . . . . .

Originally Syndicated via RSS from A Weight Lifted

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Healthy Cooking Healthy Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak With Grilled Caramelized Onions. . . .

Makes 3-4 servings This healthy cooking healthy recipe classic from Green Mountain always delights guests. With outdoor grilling in full swing, spring/summer is the perfect time to make it. While making the steak, you might as well grill some onions to add…. . . . . . . . . .

Originally Syndicated via RSS from A Weight Lifted

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Healthy People’s Meat - Legumes. . . .

Legumes are essentially the seeds of plants. They are a category of vegetables that include long beans, kidney beans, soybeans, chickpeas, black-eyed pes, green peas, and lenthils.

As legumes are relatively affordable and easily available as well as contain a substantial amount of protein as meat does, they are a good and cheaper alternative to meat.

They contain many important nutrients and phytochemical. Studies have also shown that diets rich in legumes help to lower cholestrol levels, control diabetics’ blood glucose, and reduce the risk of many types of cancer,

Nutritional Benefits of Legumes
* Body-Building Food

Legumes are a good source of protein, which our body needs for growth and repair. Hence for adults and children who do not eat meat or fish or risk suffering deficiency in protein, legumes are an important substitute for meat.

In fact, legumes are lower in fat than meat, and contain no cholesterol. It is no wonder that, these days, legumes are better known as “Healthy people’s meat”.

* Good source of Vitamins

Legumes are excellent sources of the B-complex group of vitamins(except Riboflavin), which helps to protect the body from diseases and releases the energy from food, so the body can be strong and healthy.

Vitamin C can also be obtained from legumes by sprouting or germinating the seeds. Vitamin C keeps the body tissues strong, helps in healing of wounds and in the body’s proper use of iron.

* Good sources of Minerals

Legumes are also high in minerals such as folate, potassium, iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium, all of which serve different but important health functions.

But all that Gas … A Minor downside.

The only problem that legumes can create for the body is increased intestinal flatulence or gas. This is caused by the compounds known as oligosaccharide found in legumes.

The amount of oligosaccharide in legumes varies. Navy and lima beans contain relatively higher amounts of these compounds, which also means that they generate the most offensive odours.

However, the amount of flattence or oligosaccharide in legumes can be largely reduced through proper cooking and sprouting. One way to reduce flatulence is to add digestive aids such as Beano to the dishes you prepare.

Cooking Legumes Right

Dried legumes need to be soak before they are ready for cooking. Soaking them six to eight hours or overnight in water (and preferably in the refrigerator to prevent fermentation) will rehydrate them, thereby reducing cooking time dramatically, and resulting in an ideal texture and a tender creamy bite.

If time is running short and soaking long is not possible, another way to reduce cooking time is to place the legumes in water and bring to boil for two minutes. Then cover and let soak for one hour, after which the legumes are ready to cook.

Do not add, any salt or acidic seasoning such as vinegar or citrus fruits before the legumes are cooked as it will increase cooking times and result in a tough texture.

Remember though that the soaking water must be discarded as the flatulence - causing compounds would have been absorbed in it. Cook soaked legumes in a new round of water.

Try to also use the liquid in which the legumes are cooked, as nutrients such as B vitamins and folic acid would have leach into if after the legumes are cooked for more than an hour.

You can also sprout or germinate legumes as a nutritious alternatives for consumption. Soak the seeds in a shallow container and cover with a thin cloth to keep out flies and other insects. Most sprouts will grow to about one inch long. They can be eaten raw or lightly fried in oil with meat or other vegetables.

It might be healthier and more economical to cook legumes yourself, than consuming those precooked and canned. Thus, use canned beans only if time is lacking, but remember to rinse the beans to drain off salt or other additives.

How Not to “Spill the Beans” to Fussy Eaters

Legumes are generally bland in taste to be of any fancy to some of our little ones. But fortunately, they are versatile ingredients for cooking, across different cultures.

Pureed beans can be the basis for dips and spreads. Mashed beans can be hidden in meals and your kid will have no ideas he is eating them.

Add legumes to salads, or cook them in curries, stews and soups. You can also grind them into flour, them mix the flour with water to make a paste that you can cook with vegetables.

Legumes when combined with legumes will form a complete or good quality protein that is equal to that found in meat or fish. Hence, you may want to combine baked beans with bread for your kids.

Chili Bean Casserole

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 carrot, shredded
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1 can (14.5 ounces) stewed tomatoes, broken up
1 can (16 ounces) red kidney beans, drained
1 can (16 ounces) pinto beans, drained
1 package (10 ounces) frozen cut green beans, or about 1 1/2 to 2 cups
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon liquid red pepper
1 to 2 tablespoons chili powder, to taste

Preparation:
Heat oil in large skillet; saute onion, shredded carrot, and garlic until tender but not brown. Add remaining ingredients; simmer over low heat for 25 minutes. Taste and add a little more salt, chili powder, and pepper, if desired. This bean casserole serves 6.

Black Bean Salad

Ingredients:
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (12 to 16 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained or about 1 1/2 cups thawed frozen corn
2 small to medium red bell peppers, chopped
2 tablespoons finely chopped sweet onion
2 to 3 green onions, sliced
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
dash garlic powder
dash ground cayenne pepper, or to taste
1/2 cup light or fat-free Italian salad dressing (Ken’s Steakhouse Lite North Italian Salad Dressing is excellent)

Preparation:
Combine beans, vegetables, and seasonings. Pour dressing over bean mixture; toss well. Serves 6.
A nice salad to make for a potluck. This salad can be easily doubled.

Texas Black-Eyed Pea Caviar Dip

Ingredients:
3 cans drained black eye peas with chopped jalapeno peppers
1 purple onion, chopped
3 tomatoes, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 avocados, chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 bunch of cilantro, chopped
Zesty Italian Salad Dressing

Preparation:
After you chop all this up, add enough Zesty Italian dressing to get the consistency that you want for a dip. Add salt and pepper and refrigerate overnight. Serve with tortilla chips.

Beans, Baked w/Pineapple

4 16-ounce cans vegetarian baked beans
1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup molasses
1 cup barbecue sauce
2 tbsp. mustard
1/2 cup soy “bacon” bits
1 16-ounce can french-fried onions, crushed
Salt
Pepper

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9″x13″ casserole dish.

In large bowl, mix together beans, pineapple, molasses, barbecue sauce, mustard, “bacon” bits, and 1/3 of the onions. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour into prepared dish and sprinkle remaining crushed onions on top.

Cook in oven for 1 hour or until beans are brown and bubbly.

Curry, South Indian Chickpea

2 tbsp. packaged shredded coconut, unsweetened if available
1 tsp. coriander seeds
1 medium jalapeno pepper, seeded, coarsely chopped or use 1 hot green chile
1 tsp. table salt
2 tbsp. water
1 medium carrot, diced
2 medium tomato, seeded and chopped
1 19-ounce can chickpeas (garbanzos), rinsed and drained
1/2 tsp. cinnamon, ground
1/2 tsp. cumin, ground
3 tbsp. plain fat free yogurt
1 tbsp. cilantro, fresh, chopped

Place coconut, coriander seeds, jalapeno, salt and water in a blender; grind to a paste and set aside.

Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set over medium heat. Add carrot, tomatoes, and chickpeas (garbanzo beans); cook until carrots are tender, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.

Stir in coconut mixture, cinnamon, cumin and yogurt; reduce heat to low and cook 5 minutes.

Casserole, Lentil

2 tbsp. oil
1 onion chopped
2 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. coriander seeds, crushed
350g carrots, cut into chunks
1 tsp. paprika, plus a little extra for dusting
100g red lentils, washed
420g can baked beans
600ml vegetable stock
400g small new potatoes, thinly sliced
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 200°C.

Heat 1 tbsp. of the oil in a pan and saute the onion for 4 to 5 minutes until golden. Add all but one tsp. of the spices and cook for 1 minute.

Stir in the carrots, paprika, lentils, baked beans, stock, and seasoning. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the lid and cook for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are soft and the sauce is thick.

Meanwhile, cook the potatoes in lightly salted boiling water for 5 minutes, then drain. (I microwaved a few sliced potatoes instead of the cooking the potatoes in a pot.)

Spoon the lentil mixture into a shallow, 2-liter oven-proof dish. Arrange the potatoes on top. Brush with the remaining oil, then sprinkle over the reserved spices and extra paprika.

Bake for 25 minutes in a medium oven until browned.

Chickpea Pita Pockets

INGREDIENTS

1 x 16 oz / 450 g can chick peas, rinsed, drained and mashed
1/3 cup chopped celery
1 t minced onion
2 t pickle relish (or piccalilly)
2 t egg-free mayonnaise
1 t mustard
Dash of garlic powder
4 whole wheat pitas
Lettuce, tomato slices, grated carrot, etc for toppings

METHOD
Place the chickpeas, celery, onion, relish, mayonnaise, mustard and garlic powder in a bowl and mix well.
Cut the pitas in half and open up into pockets. Fill each pita pocket with 1/4 of the chickpea spread, top with lettuce, tomato or other veggies and serve immediately.

Lentil Mushroom Bake

INGREDIENTS

8 oz / 225 g red lentils
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
Mushrooms, chopped or slivered
Margarine
Thyme, coriander, oregano, basil, pepper
1 T tomato paste
1 cube vegetable stock
1/2 cup bread crumbs

METHOD
Heat the oven to 375F/190C. Grease a bread pan with the margarine.
Put the lentils and stock cube in a pan, add some water and boil it all. Skim off the froth. Cover and simmer for twenty minutes. Drain the water.

Melt some margarine and saute the onions, garlic and mushrooms until soft. Add the lentils, then add the spices to taste and the tomato paste. Add half of the bread crumbs and mix it all up.

Put it in the bread pan and sprinkle the rest of the bread crumbs on top. Bake for thirty minutes and eat it hot or cold.

Curried Bean Medley
INGREDIENTS

3 oz / 85 g shallots, peeled and finely chopped
1 T vegetable oil
3 T garam masala
1 t grated ginger root
1 x 14 oz / 395 g can chopped tomatoes
12 oz / 340 g cooked mixed beans (or a can of your favourite beans)
Sea salt
Freshly milled black pepper

METHOD
Combine the shallots and oil in a casserole. Cover and cook in the microwave on full power for 3-4 minutes until soft, stirring once during cooking. Stir in garam masala and grated ginger. Cover and cook on full power for 1 minute. Stir in the chopped tomatoes. Cook uncovered on full power for 5 minutes or until mixture is thicker. Stir occasionally during cooking. Add the beans and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on full power for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until the beans are hot.

Moroccan Style Tagine

INGREDIENTS

1 onion, finely chopped
3 or 4 small carrots, chopped
1 sweet potato, peeled and chopped
Smallish handful of dates, chopped
2 pickled lemons, chopped
1 tin chick peas
1/2 carton sieved tomatoes (or use a 400 g / 14 oz tin of chopped tomatoes)
Approx. 1 T soy sauce
Dash of tabasco/chilli sauce to taste
Pinch of pepper

METHOD
1. Gently fry the onion on a low heat in as little oil as possible in a large pan with the lid on for about 10 mins.
2. Meanwhile gently simmer dates and pickled lemons in a little water for 10 mins. Add to onions, along with carrots, sweet potato, chick peas and tomatoes.

3. Simmer for about 20 mins. Season with chilli, pepper and soy sauce.

Serve with rice or couscous.

Olan

INGREDIENTS

1 x 15 oz / 425 g can black-eyed beans, drained and rinsed
1 potato, cubed
400 g / 14 oz white or yellow pumpkin, peeled, seeded and cubed
2 green chillies slit lengthwise
200 ml / 7 fl oz fresh or canned coconut milk
A few curry leaves
Salt

METHOD
In a large saucepan, bring 450 ml / 16 fl oz of water to the boil. Add the potato and a little salt and cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes. Add the pumpkin and green chillies. Cover and cook for 10 minutes until all the vegetables are tender. Lower the heat under the pan and add the coconut milk, stirring gently. Add the beans and curry leaves, mix well and allow the beans to heat through. Serve warm.

No Quesa Quesadillas

INGREDIENTS

2 x 16 oz / 450 g cans pinto and/or black beans (drained)
1/2 lb / 225 g tofu, extra firm
1 cup salsa
Basil or oregano (2 T dry or more — this stuff makes the eating healthy recipe)
1/4 t salt
1/8 t black pepper
10 large tortillas
1-2 small chiles, to taste
1 clove garlic
Olive oil

METHOD
Cube the tofu into 1/4 inch / 6 mm chunks and mix it with the beans & salsa in a large mixing bowl.
Dice the garlic and chiles and saute in olive oil, then add to the bowl along with basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir the mixture well, then let it sit for 20 minutes so that the tofu absorbs some flavor.

Over low heat, place each tortilla in a frying pan (no oil needed) and cover half the tortilla with the stuff in the bowl (leave 1/2 inch / 19 mm or more around the edges so the filling doesn’t fall out). Fold the rest of the tortilla over, and remove from the pan after a few minutes. You can attempt to flip the thing over if you’re really brave, in which case you can crank up the heat a bit more. The tortillas should range from slightly crispy to golden brown when you’re done.

Cutting each filled, finished, folded-over tortilla in half will make them easier to eat, though I’m pretty well convinced that there’s no non-messy way to eat these things. Leftover filling makes a nice bean salad, in case you run out of tortillas or are feeling extra lazy.. . . . . . . . . .

Originally Syndicated via RSS from Healthy Yet Yummy Food - For Healthy, Delicious And Quick Meal Recipes

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Healthy Living: Staying Cool This Summer. . . .

The heat wave in the East broke last night to an awful lightning storm, but compared to the weather troubles in the mid-section of this country, we have no complaints. It’s a beautiful breezy morning here in Vermont — the…. . . . . . . . . .

Originally Syndicated via RSS from A Weight Lifted

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Weight Loss: Serotonin’s Role In Weight Loss. . . .

A brain chemical strongly linked to mood and appetite may also directly affect fat gain, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday. They said levels of serotonin, the nerve-signaling chemical targeted by many antidepressants, may also direct the body to put down…. . . . . . . . . .

Originally Syndicated via RSS from A Weight Lifted

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Diabetes: Men And Women May Metabolize Fructose Differently. . . .

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Men and women appear to differ in how they metabolize high levels of fructose, a simple sugar commonly used to sweeten drinks and foods. Short-term high fructose intake among young men resulted in increased blood…. . . . . . . . . .

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