Weekly Wellness
Issue 351
Featured Article
The Healthiest Energy Bars When you are pressed for time, an energy bar can substitute for a quick meal, thanks to an impressive array of nutrients. But not all are worth their calorie count.
Fitness Tip
Dropping Pounds
When you're on a mission to lose weight, slashing calories can help in the short term. But new research shows adding physical activity to the mix is what peels away the most stubborn pounds (think belly fat) and keeps them off for good. Those who don't exercise (the Centers for Disease Control says 69 percent trying to lose weight don't work out) risk a rebound. Wake Forest University researchers found that obese people who dieted for five months without exercise had no changes in abdominal fat cell size. Those who combined exercise with diet saw their fat cells shrink by about 17 percent. So a dieter who exercises often has smaller fat cells and a lower risk of heart disease.
Nutrition Tip
Sugar Free Sweets
Sugar free sweets --can you have your cake and bust that fat, too? Sugar free foods are great for people who want the taste but not the sugar of cake, cookies, ice cream, candies and other sweets. But some sugar-free foods contain almost as many calories as standard foods ... and not all artificial sweeteners are created equal: Acesulfame K and saccharin may promote cancer and sorbitol can cause diarrhea. See also: Sugar and Sugar Subsitutes
Quip or Quote of the Week
Quote:
Avoid fruit and nuts. You are what you eat. --Jim Davis
Quick Recipe
Turkey Panini
Leftover turkey in your freezer? For a quick and tasty lunch, assemble a turkey panini by layering leftover turkey breast slices, fresh romaine lettuce and crisp avocados on hearty bread slices. Top with mayonnaise and grill until warmed through.
Tidbit(s)
Pair Up When Paring Down
An eager weight loss partner can tip the scales in your favor if you are trying to slim down. Research shows that when people who are undergoing behavioral weight loss treatment work with a partner who is successful at losing weight, it boosts their own weight loss efforts. Find a friend, family member, or neighbor who is motivated to lose weight and work together to plan meals, grocery shop, and work out.
Food Fixes
All purpose flour is best for general baking needs. It comes bleached (which chemically whitens the flour) and unbleached, both of which you can use interchangeably. When measuring flour, spoon it into your measuring cup and use the flat side of a knife to level it off.
When a recipe calls for eggs, always use large-size unless otherwise specified. Crack eggs into a small bowl before adding to other ingredients so you can remove any pieces of shell that may have fallen in.
Hot cookie sheets may cause cookies to spread, so let your baking sheets cool completely before reusing.
More Cooking Tips and Quick Cooking Tips on the Web site!