Weekly Wellness
Issue 395
Featured Article
Cold Weather Ailments - In the heart of cold weather, most people are exposed to common cold weather ailments. You can fight back by keeping your body in shape to enable you to fight off any of those pesky germs you do get exposed to. What you can do...
Fitness Tip
Revitalize with Meditation
Time crunch? You can reap the benefits of meditation -- a hike in alertness and attention -- in three minute mini breaks. They're like little "tune-ups". Try an AM session before you start your day, a noon meditation and one before that mid-afternoon slump, around 3:00 PM. Find a quiet place (even if it's the bathroom) and mentally focus on an image that brings you pleasure: The ocean, a flower, the sun, etc. Continue to keep the image in your mind's eye as you breathe deeply (roughly 10 seconds for each inhale and exhale). With a little practice, you'll become more skilled at maintaining focus and can add more short meditations to your day, whenever you need revitalizing.
Nutrition Tip
Grains
Grains such as wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, and barley are naturally low in fat and provide vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates - all important
for good health. Examples of grain products are
breads, pasta, breakfast cereals, grits, tortillas, couscous, and crackers. Whole grain foods such as
whole wheat bread, brown rice, and oatmeal also fiber that helps protect you against certain
diseases and keeps your body regular. Fiber can
also help you feel full with fewer calories.
Quip or Quote of the Week
Quip
Wild rice is actually not a form of rice at all, it's the seed of an aquatic grass! But it IS very good for you as touted...it is a great source of Protein, folic acid, and B vitamins.
Quick Recipe
Better Bite Scones
Mix 2 cups oat flour, 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons raw sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 4 tablespoons vegetable shortening, 1 mashed banana, 1/2 cup soy milk, and 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract. For moist scones, add blueberries (about 1/2 to 3/4 cup). Roll out to 1-inch thickness; cut with a biscuit cutter. Sprinkle lightly with raw sugar and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minuts, turning pan halfway through cooking time.
Tidbit(s)
Beware: Betty Crocker Super Moist Carrot Cake Mix Bluff
The box of Betty Crocker Super Moist Carrot Cake Mix depicts a delicious-looking slice of cake with what appears to be chunks of carrots. But the mix contains no carrots and only a minuscule amount of carrot powder in a chemical cocktail that forms the "carrot flavored pieces".
Food Facts
Potatoes: Mealy potatoes are the best for baked and mashed potatoes. Waxy types are best for boiling (potato salad). If you are not sure which type you have, make a brine of one part salt to 11 parts water (11 fluid ounces water and 2 tablespoons salt). Waxy potatoes float, mealy potatoes will sink.
Quinoa contains more protein than any other grain. Find quinoa in or near the health-food section of your grocery store.
Tasty Tidbit...
Go for oatmeal (even instant) instead of cereal. Whole oats aren't processed and are a great source of whole grains.
More Cooking Tips and Quick Cooking Tips on the Web site!