Weekly Wellness
Issue 434
Featured Article
REMOVED
Fitness Tip
Aim for Good Posture
Sitting at a desk for eight (or more) hours a day can really do a number on your back muscles. Make sure to sit with your back against your chair (get a lumbar pillow if your chair doesn't allow this) and both feet flat on the floor. Another option: Try using a stability ball as your desk chair. Good posture is a must just to stay on the ball! Start off slow (20 minutes at a time) and if it feels good, stick with it.
Nutrition Tip
Eat Chinese to Lose Weight?
Recent research shows that the Chinese consume 30 percent more calories than people in other countries and yet weight 20 percent less. The secret? They eat nutrient-packed foods over foods full of sugar and fat . A few more Chinese eating secrets:
- In China, vegetables are as prized as meat. Order more vegetable dishes and ask to have your meat served on vegetables instead of rice or noodles.
- Pack your plate with five tastes- sweet, sour, pungent, salty and bitter - not just one. The Chinese believe that helps control weight.
- Think yin and yang. Yin foods (which are often steamed) provide a cooling effect. Yang foods, often grilled, warm you. The balance is thought to prevent weight gain.
- Drink hot tea. Enjoy it at body temperature - warm but not super hot. This will aid in fat digestion. But avoid iced tea; it can lead to obesity and lethargy.
Quip or Quote of the Week
Quote
"Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands and then eat just one of the pieces." Author Judith Viorst
Quick Recipe
Tomato Basil Pita Pizzas
2 pita breads (6-inches)
2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
8 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
1/4 cup shredded Asiago cheese
2 teaspoons olive oil
Place pita breads on an ungreased baking sheet. Layer with tomatoes, basil and cheese; drizzle with oil. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 14 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Nutrition facts: 1 pizza equals 269 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 362mg sodium, 37g carbohydrates, 2g fiber, 10g protein.
Diabetic exchanges: 2 starch, 1 lean meat, 1 fat
Tidbit(s)
Protein in Your Breakfast
Researchers at Purdue found that people who ate more protein in the morning in the form of eggs and Canadian bacon reported being more satisfied and less hungry than people who loaded up on protein later in the day.
Food Fixes
Studies have linked tea to increased bone density, reduced chance of stroke and heart attack, and lower blood pressure.
Don't toss lemon rinds. Grind them up in your garbage disposal instead. The rinds will help keep your drains clean and leave a wonderful smell in your kitchen.
Tasty Tidbit...
Revolutionary Cornbread: Use your favorite recipe and spice it up with a peppering of seeded and diced jalapeno, or stir grated cheese into batter before baking.
More Cooking Tips and Quick Cooking Tips on the Web site!