Weekly Wellness
Issue 292
Featured Article
Varicose Veins -- The facts on varicose veins and what you can do about them.
Fitness Tip
Importance of Cardio
Do aerobic exercise at least four times a week to increase your muscular endurance and improve your circulation (reduces stress, too!). Circulation controls your capacity to get fuel to cells as well as to remove waste products. The greater your circulation is, the greater your body's ability for growth and repair. See also: Introduction to Physial Fitness
Nutrition Tip
Try to Eat More Whole Grains
With a few almost invisible substitutions, you can boost fiber and eat healthier. Research shows that people who eat regular servings of whole grains -- such as whole wheat, bran and brown rice -- have a significantly reduced risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Try buckwheat pancakes at breakfast instead of regular; use at least half whole-wheat flour in any recipe that calls for flour; mix bran flakes in whenever a recipe calls for breadcrumbs.
See also:
Defining Whole Grains
Popcorn: A Whole Grain Snack
Quip or Quote of the Week
Quote:
The rest of the world lives to eat, while I eat to live.
-- Socrates
Quick Recipe
Perfectly Simple French Fries
Home made French fries don't have to be messy or high in calories, and they don't need to be fried twice in a gallon of oil, as most recipes suggest. For perfectly simple home-cooked fries for four to six people, pour 2-1/2 cups of peanut oil into a large skillet, but -- this is important -- do not turn on the heat. Stir in two pounds of raw potatoes cut into strips. Now turn the heat to medium-high and cook until golden brown, about 30 minutes.
Note: These slow-cooked fries absorb only about 1-tablespoon of fat per serving -- much less than most people slather on a baked potato via butter or sour cream.
Tidbit(s)
Don't Cook Vegetables In Water
Cooking vegetables in water significantly lowers the nutrient content because vitamins leech out. You wind up just pouring very nutritious cooking water down the drain. Steaming is your best option for cooking vegetables. The water makes no contact with the food and nutrient loss is minimized. Other options: Try it raw or steamed. Eating food in its most natural state keeps the nutrient content high.
Food Facts
To help prevent sogginess of hot sandwiches, place a paper towel under the bread while microwave heating.
Remember that every time you open the oven door the temperature inside drops about twenty-five degrees.
If you cannot soak beans overnight before cooking, use the "quick" method. Place the beans in a large pan and cover them with two inches of water. Bring them to a boil, then turn off the heat and cover them, leaving them to soak for one hour. Cook beans as you normally do or as the recipe requires.
More Cooking Tips and Quick Cooking Tips on the Web site!