Make Healthy Meals

I posted earlier today about how eating vegetarian is a generally healthy way to eat, so long as you don’t overdo it on the fatty vegetarian choices such as cheeses and peanut butter. But what is the best way to drop that weight?

Eating right, of course. But the challenge is figuring out how to do that. Kristin Gerstley thinks she has the answer, which she calls Super Foods. She’s used these foods to go from a size 14 to a 4-6.

I’ll quite willingly say that size 14 is not that bad. Not comfortable for many people considering how they tend to be looked at for being somewhat overweight, but really not horrendous either. Then again, I know how I’ve felt going to a 10 from being an 8 before having kids. Being a 14 would probably be a pretty emotional experience for me too, despite it being smaller than what my sisters wear. And I think they look good and carry it well.

The idea of superfoods is that they give you more energy and help you to lose weight. Pretty much what everyone wants. Her ebook covers all kinds of tips to help you understand what superfoods are and how they can help you.

If you aren’t too sure about the ebook, you can try out her newsletter first, free. I’ve always found the free newsletters to be a quick and easy way to decide if this is a person I want to buy from.

There’s an assumption that if you go vegetarian you will lose weight. After all, you’re cutting out all those fatty meats, aren’t you? You ought to be dropping weight when you do that.

And on the whole, if you meet a vegetarian they are likely to be at what is considered a pretty healthy weight. Not always, as there are still plenty of fatty foods for vegetarians.

Vegetarians can make plenty of poor food choices. If you eat vegetarian foods but constantly drizzle it in oil, fry it or otherwise add a lot of fat to your meals, you can still gain weight. If you eat tons of full-fat cheeses and peanut butter, you’re getting a lot of fat from those sources.

Stir frying is still a good option, but only if done right. Use about a tablespoon of oil when you stir fry. That’s enough to do the work needed to cook your stir fry correctly, without adding an excessive number of calories. Choose low fat options when you buy cheese.

Technorati Tags: vegetarian, healthy eating, low fat

2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 cup uncooked pearl barley
1/2 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 (14.5 ounce) cans vegetable broth Read the rest of this entry »

1 can garbanzo beans, drained
1 tsp olive oil (optional)
Choice of seasonings

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Put garbanzos in a bowl. Add oil if desired, then mix in spices. I like ground garlic, curry and turmeric.

Spread garbanzos on a cooking tray. If there is no rim you can improvise one by lining it with foil, folding to make edges so that the garbanzo beans do not roll off.  Cook for 30-40 minutes.

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup honey
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tbsp spicy or Dijon mustard Read the rest of this entry »

Bread is an important part of a meal to many families. It’s sandwiches. It’s a part of dinner.

But many times you don’t choose the healthiest breads. Many families strongly prefer white bread to wheat. But if you want to think about which is best for you, wheat is the obvious choice.

Wheat flour offers much more nutrition. The flour used for white bread is typically bleached, and many of the original nutrients are gone, replaced with enrichments that don’t generally beat out what the original wheat had.  Some brands use high fructose corn syrup as well, to make the bread sweeter, which is more appealing to children and many adults. Read the rest of this entry »

1 can quartered artichoke hearts
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1-2 cloves minced garlic
2 tbsp Italian salad dressing
2 tbsp Parmesan cheese (optional_

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a small square baking ban, mix all ingredients until artichoke hearts are sufficiently breaded. Bake 20 minutes and serve.

Technorati Tags: artichoke hearts

There are a few words that are pretty much synonymous with the 4th of July. Fireworks. Summer. Barbeque.

The challenge can be in keeping things at least reasonably healthy when you’re throwing foods on the barbeque. Hamburgers and hot dogs and ribs  generally leave a lot to be desired in that area. But all is not lost.

First of all, it’s just one day. Sometimes you can just relax about it all.

Secondly, there are plenty of ways to work in healthy foods. Maybe instead of hamburger and hot dogs and ribs you can throw a combination of meats and vegetables on a skewer. Or make a salad. And of course watermelon is a great addition to your 4th of July meal, and it’s pretty good for you too.

It is just one day, and sometimes you do just have to have a little fun. I hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July.

Technorati Tags: food, 4th of July