Weekly Wellness
Issue 421
Featured Article
REMOVED
Fitness Tip
Bring on the ZZ's:
Eat foods high in tryptophan (e.g. protein foods like dairy, lean meat, eggs, peanut butter).
Relax with starchy foods like pasta or cereal because carbohydrates can raise serotonin levels, increasing the chances for sleep. See also: Calm Your Nerves with Carboyhdrates
Combine unsweetened carbs with protein, like a small bowl of cereal with low-fat milk or crackers topped with slivers of lean turkey. The combination of a high-carbohydrate, low-protein snack seems to help the brain use tryptophan more efficiently, thereby producing more serotonin.
Nutrition Tip
Yogurt Eaters Come out on Top
Yogurt eaters came out on top in a recent study of more than 3,000. They had body mass index (BMI) levels 15 percent lower than those of non-yogurt eaters, and consistently reached the recommended daily intakes of calcium and vitamin D. Just a few cups every couple of weeks may keep you in your skinny jeans. Top picks for yogurt are: Yoplait's Fiber One, which has 5 grams of fiber, Stonyfield Farm's YoCalcium gives you 40 percent of your daily calcium requirements, and Breyers Light is a low-calorie choice. See also: All About Yogurt
Quip or Quote of the Week
Quote
"Shallots are for babies; onions are for men; garlic is for heroes."
--An old saying.
Quick Recipe
BLT Dogs
These are great! Make them for kids - use lean turkey or beef "dogs". Use bacon bits sparingly - the flavor goes a long way - but be generous with the lettuce and tomatoes. Kids will never guess they're "healthy"!
Spread 4 partially split hot dog buns with 1/4 cup Lite or Fat-Free Miracle Whip Dressing. Fill with 4 lettuce leaves, 4 grilled wieners, 2 slices ready-to-serve bacon (crumbled) and 12 thin tomato wedges. Makes 4 servings.
Tidbit(s)
Think Yourself Thin?
"Food for thought"? The Daily Mail reports that you can "think yourself thinner". It says that researchers have found that "actively remembering your last meal suppresses appetite and reduces the desire to snack on junk food". It also says the study found that concentrating on food while eating makes you less likely to get hungry later on.
Food Fixes
Fresh juices sold at outdoor stands rarely have been pasteurized, leaving them vulnerable to contamination.
Visit farmer's markets as early in the day as possible to avoid produce that's been sitting out in the sun too long - it can become contaminated.
Tasty Tidbit...
Have a small snack before a party to fend off the urge to over-do on high calorie party foods.
More Cooking Tips and Quick Cooking Tips on the Web site!