Weekly Wellness
Issue 280
Featured Article
Liquid Meals -- Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, we need to get our nutrition from liquid meals. This article covers the most common ones, along with suggestions and recipes.
Fitness Tip
Cardio Tennis
Cardio Tennis is an on-court fitness class that combines tennis moves with a great aerobic workout -- no racket-related experience needed! If you haven't tried it yet, now's your chance. Last month 500 locations nationwide offered Cardio Tennis classes at no charge. To learn more and find out what may be in your area, visit CardioTennis.com.
Nutrition Tip
Herbs for Fat-Free Flavor
Fresh herbs embellish other flavors in a dish while adding a vibrancy of their own, all with no extra calories or fat. Sturdy herbs like parsley, thyme or oregano will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week inside a perforated plastic bag. Basil, cilantro and tarragon are more fragile: Snip the stem ends, place in a glass of water and use within a couple of days. Dried herbs are good, too, but their flavor can be powerful; use only about 1/3 of the fresh amount. See also: Compliment Your Cooking with Herbs and Spices.
Quip or Quote of the Week
Quip:
The first five ingredients listed on a food package usually make up more than 90 percent of the entire product.
Quick Recipe
Nectarines with Port
Combine 1-cup port or other sweet red wine, 2-tablespoons sugar and one, (3-inch) cinnamon stick and cook over medium-high heat for ten minutes or until reduced to about 1/3 cup. Remove from heat; discard cinnamon. Meanwhile divide six (not-peeled), sliced nectarines among six dessert dishes. Spoon port mixture over nectarines and garnish with fresh mint.
Tidbit(s)
Sugar, Sugar
Sugar comes in the form of many different names. When you check your list of ingredients, remember sugar can have many names: Honey, molasses, fructose, dextrose, glucose and corn syrup. Presweetened cereals contain about seven to eight teaspoons of sugar per bowl. To learn more about healthy vs. unhealthy cereal, read Healthy, Heart Warming Cereal.
Food Facts
The sulfer-smelling, greenish tinge on hard-cooked egg yolks stems from cooking the egg too long but won't affect the egg's nutrition or safety.
When a recipe requires you to cut raw chicken or turkey, partially freeze it beforehand. You will find it is easier and faster to slice.
After you squeeze an orange or lemon for juice, put the peel in a re-sealable plastic bag and freeze. When recipes call for peel, you'll have a ready supply, which grates very easily when frozen. Grate what you need and pop the peel back in the freezer for future use.
More Cooking Tips and Quick Cooking Tips on the Web site!