Weekly Wellness
Issue 350
Featured Article
The Best Low Calorie Cocoa's I just started hitting that comforting old favorite, hot cocoa myself -- learn which low calorie cocoa's are rated among the best. Then indulge yourself in a warming cup of hot cocoa!
Fitness Tip
Beat a Cold with Exercise
Walking or riding your bike might be a good way to keep the sniffles away, according to a study published in the American Journal of Medicine. Researchers found that previously inactive people who walked or biked about 45 minutes, four days a week for a year had around half the risk of colds, compared with those who did not work out regularly. Nothing to sneeze at! See also: Clobber the Common Cold With Food
Nutrition Tip
Healthy Breakfast Each Day
To make a healthy breakfast each day, choose one item from at least three of the following four food groups:
- Fruits and vegetables. Fresh fruits and vegetables, 100 percent juice without added sugar.
- Grains. Whole grain rolls, bagels, hot or cold whole-grain cereals, low-fat bran muffins, crackers, or melba toast.
- Dairy. Skim milk, low-fat yogurt cups or low-fat cheeses, such as cottage and natural cheeses.
- Protein. Hard-boiled eggs, peanut butter, lean slices of meat and poultry, or fish, such as water-packed tuna or slices of salmon.
For a healthy breakfast on the go, munch dry, ready-to-eat cereal with a banana and drink a small carton of low-fat or skim milk. The best cereals are those that are higher in fiber. If counting calories, choose cereals that are lower in calories. See also:
Healthy, Heart Warming Cereal
The History of Cereal
Chocolate-Flavored Cereal Lowers Cholesterol
Quip or Quote of the Week
Quote:
"A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety". --Aesop
May you all have a peaceful and enjoyable Thanksgiving!
Quick Recipe
Spiced Cranberry Dip
The cranberry is uniquely flavored, versatile and offers a wide range of important health benefits.
Spread one softened package (8 ounce) cream cheese onto bottom of 9-inch pie plate. Mix one-half cup canned whole berry cranberry sauce, 1/4 cup orange marmalade and 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne); spoon over cream cheese. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds. Serve with your favorite crackers. Makes 1-3/4 cup or 14 servings, 2 tablespoons each.
Tidbit(s)
Combination Approach in Recipes
For many recipes, perhaps you've discovered that using ALL fat-free products doesn't work. The flavor may be off as well as the texture. For example, a cheesecake made with egg substitute and fat free cream cheese has a too-tangy taste and slick appearance and mouth-feel. But using a combination of fat free and reduced fat cream cheese, along with a whole egg or two, yields a more luscious, creamy dessert that is still much lower in calories and fat than traditional versions.
Food Fixes
For the best mashed potatoes ever, try using buttermilk and a small amount of the water the potatoes were boiled in. Make sure that the milk and water are still very warm before adding them to the potatoes.
When putting away leftovers from a meal, use masking tape to write the name of the food and the date, then place the tape on the lid of the storage container. This makes it easy to see at a glance what's in the fridge and how fresh it is.
Tasty Tidbit: Rub turkey drumsticks and wings with your favorite spice or herb rub and bake or grill for a finger-licking appetizer.
More Cooking Tips and Quick Cooking Tips on the Web site!