Eating healthy is easier than you think. While many people do not have immediate access to a farmer’s market where they can find organic produce, your local grocery store does have many of the things that nutritionists will tell you are good for you. A good rule of thumb is to stick to the outside of the grocery store and avoid the aisles.

Along the outside wall of the grocery store you will find the proteins you need as well as the dairy products, grains, and fruits and vegetables that you need to maintain a healthy diet. Of course, this rule of thumb does not necessarily make it any easier to figure out how you should fill your cart. Here are some things that you should stock in your refrigerator to maximize your nutrient intake:

1)      DARK GREEN VEGETABLES – these are rich in B vitamins and Vitamin K and minerals like calcium, iron, and folic acid. They fall into two [general] categories: Leafy greens and cruciferous.

• Leafy greens include kale, spinach, collard greens, and mustard greens
• Cruciferous vegetables include cabbage, broccoli, cress, and cauliflower

2)      CITRUS FRUITS – these are rich in Vitamin C as well as fiber, which aids in digestion. Citrus fruits include oranges, red and yellow bell peppers, grapefruit, and lime.

3)      NUTS — high in protein and some essential oils (and yes, even essential fats), walnuts, almonds, and peanuts provide energy and a little flavor when you need a snack.

4)      SALMON — fish is the leanest protein you can eat and salmon is perhaps the most popular. Salmon provides essential fatty acids, which benefit nerve and soft tissue integrity, but is also loaded with many vitamins and minerals as well (like most proteins).

5)      TEA — tea leaves are full of antioxidants but herbal teas can extract various healthy components from the spices and herbs that are steeped.

6)      TOMATOES — high in the antioxidants lycopene and vitamin C this fruit is flavorful and juicy.

7)      BERRIES — excellent with nuts, berries are sweet and provide a variety of different nutritional benefits because they are full of various antioxidants.

8)      [NATURAL] YOGURT — it’s better to get the unsweetened Greek variety (because it is not flavored or sweetened artificially) yogurt can aid in digestion and provides many of the same benefits you find in other dairy products. It’s also a good base for fruit salad.

9)      SPICES — many spices provide health benefits that you probably don’t even know about. Ginger and garlic both have anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties. Other healthy and beneficial spices include black pepper, cinnamon, dried chili, turmeric, oregano, and fenugreek.

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To your food heaven

Dominic

While many experts agree that you exercise should be an important part of your life (if you want to be healthy—and who doesn’t?), good health begins and ends with the proper diet. After all, you need energy to be able to work out and you need antioxidants to repair the damage done to your cells when you work out (this is a good thing).

Where do you get these things? Well, you can always take a natural vitamin and mineral supplement, but for the best results you should simply try and eat better. Here are a few things you need to remember when trying to maintain a proper diet:’

1)      Whatever you “eat,” that is your “diet.” The word “diet” is thrown around a lot these days, but most people do not use it properly. “Diet” refers to the regular eating habits of an animal. Your “diet” is whatever you eat regularly. When you “go on a diet” what you are really doing is “modifying your diet” to focus on healthier foods.

2)      Eat a variety of NUTRIENT-RICH foods. The key here is in the term “nutrient-rich” foods, which is another way to say “natural” or “organic.” Processed foods are stripped of most nutrients and if the box says that the product has “vitamins and minerals” they are usually synthetic and added during the process.

3)      Eat a balance of fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins. The new understanding of the American diet shows that you should eat more vegetables than fruits and more grains than protein. However, they are all relatively equal, which is quite different from the food pyramid of the past.

4)      Balance your food over time. Nobody is perfect, and there is nothing in the “rules” that says you have to stay away from your favorite foods, even if you know they are not good for you. It’s not forbidden for you to eat foods that are high in salt, fat, or sugar, but just know that there should be a limit to how much you can have on any given day.

5)      Change is good, but gradual change is better. Like anything else, it is very difficult to simply change your habits and behavior in the blink of an eye. Have a plan for what you need to do and set a few goals. Change simple things at first and over time the big changes will become easier.

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To your food heaven

Dominic

According to goverment figures in England we waste a staggering amount of the food that we buy each week which is shocking considering many of us are struggling to survive financially right now.

The average family wastes £8 on unused food each and every week. So if you are trying to save money and you would like to do your bit for the environment at the same time this is your chance.

Deal with your leftovers straightaway – It is important that you sort out your leftovers straight away rather than leaving them overnight. The chances are if you leave them overnight you are less likely to deal with them. Then they will end up in your fridge and before you know it you will be throwing them out. If you have leftover pasta mix it with some nice spare sauce, stick it in your spare container and put it in the freezer.

Store your leftovers in spare tubs – I often use my margarine tubs for storage and they work very well for keeping your food well contained. You can also use glass jars and any other food storage container. Don’t waste your money buying containers when you can re-use things you already have.

Create a leftovers day – By saving your leftovers on a regular basis you can then have a leftovers day and this will mean a reduction in your shopping bill as you will be buying for six days instead of seven. You could have your frozen pasta bake and then just add some salad from your fridge to it.

If you think about it carefully I bet you could make some amazing savings and stop your food waste problem. Last month my son was poorly and wanted a pudding and we just got a stuffed orange with chocolate mousse out of the freezer for him without having to make him something from scratch. Which is also very convienient for the busy working mum.

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To your food heaven

]]> http://simplyfoodndrink.com/mummy-kitchen-rescuing-your-leftovers/feed/ 0 http://simplyfoodndrink.com/top-10-food-downgrade-solutions-for-improving-your-diet/ http://simplyfoodndrink.com/top-10-food-downgrade-solutions-for-improving-your-diet/#comments Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:30:20 +0000 Dominic http://simplyfoodndrink.com/?p=602

Just by making some simple changes to your diet and by downgrading some of the different foods that you eat can make all of the difference and enable you to lose weight in both a fun way and without you having to think to much about it.

Here are my top 10 food downgrade solutions for improving your diet.

1/ When ordering a Chinese takeaway meal it can make a huge difference if you order boiled rice rather than egg fried rice. A portion of boiled rice contains around 370 calories where as a portion of egg fried rice is more than double this amount. When you realise this fact and take it into account it makes the choice of boiled rice a little easier to make.

2/ Wholemeal bread is a wiser choice than white bread. A good quality wholemeal bread is full of goodness compared to the white alternative which contains all sorts of chemicals and surprisingly sugar which makes a slice of white toast not such an attractive option.

3/ The same thing goes for brown rice over white rice. Brown rice is in fact one of the most healthy foods your could choose and should always be used instead of white rice wherever possible.

4/ If you drink full fat milk it is well worth opting for the semi skimmed variety, even if it is only for a few times a week. Full fat milk as the name suggests, is very fattening and if you are drinking a lot of it you will find that you are not doing any favours to your arteries.

5/ If you are preparing a lovely roast chicken it will not make much difference to the taste if you remove the skin but it will make all of the difference to your waistline because the skin on a chicken is extremely fattening, and takes away the benefits of eating white meat if you leave the skin on when the chicken is being served.

6/ A great food downgrade solution that many people don’t really think about is by using crème freche instead of cream in your cooking or when serving a desert. Please believe me when I say that the taste is absolutely gorgeous and it is far less fattening compared to the more traditional cream.

7/ Instead of ordering a Chinese or Indian takeaway have a go at cooking your own. It is great fun and you will find that compared to the usual takeaways, yours will have far less calories if that is your aim. Many Indian meals for example contain food that is deep fried as well as many dishes that are cooked with cream. It is true that they are lovely, but by cooking you own you will find that the quality will surprise you and they will contain far less calories.

8/ When you are going about your weekly shopping try and go for the low fat varieties of many of your usual day to day food. Examples are low fat margarine, yoghurt’s, sauces etc.

9/ Cheese is always a favourite for so many people but the full fat versions are bad for your heart if you over indulge. Choose a cheese that is lower in fat such as cottage cheese and hard cheeses.

10/ Finally, think about how you cook your food. If you fry your food use a good quality oil such as olive oil instead of lard or a cheap cooking oil. If the food you are cooking can be poached or oven baked then choose that option instead, it really will make all of the difference.

For a fantastic selection of free food recipes please visit my website:

http://www.dsmfoodlimited.com

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To your food heaven

Dominic

BBQ sauce is generally a basic mixture of tomatoes, sugar and vinegar. Tomatoes used can be in various forms such as tomato sauce, paste, puree and even ketchup. Sugar adds sweetness to the barbecue sauce and can either be corn syrup, honey or molasses. The addition of vinegar, on the other hand, lends a sour flavor to the bbq sauce and can be in the form of beer, white or flavored vinegar, wine or citrus juices. In general, bbq sauces can be used throughout the barbecue process from preparation to cooking.

Bechamel sauce or White Barbecue Sauce has a long and illustrious history. It has been a pet of the French food connoisseurs, since 1651. One of the mother sauces of French cuisine, the white sauce is nowadays made by whisking scalded milk gradually into a white flour-butter roux. However, it can also be made by whisking a kneaded flour-butter beurre manié into scalded milk. The thickness of the final sauce depends on the proportions of milk and flour. White Barbecue sauce, unquestionably adds a delicate flavoring to your meat dishes.

White Barbecue Sauces of Alabama are different from most other barbecue sauces in the use of their bases. These sauces are predominantly mayonnaise based, unlike the traditional and ubiquitous tomato. Chicken, turkey or pork – these white sauces are taste uppers beyond imagination. Like its tomato- and mustard-based cousins, white barbecue sauce comes in shades ranging from porcelain to putty. There are also differences in consistency. Some sauces flow like fat free milk, while others are more reminiscent of a creamy dressing. As for the ingredients, well, purists such as Myra Grissom, owner of Miss Myra’s Pit Bar-B-Q in Birmingham, insists there are only four items who play the role: mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, and coarsely ground pepper. Perking up salads or topping pulled pork sandwiches or grilled fish whatever you are up to these sauces are great.

Smuggler’s Run White Grilling Sauce and Big Bob Gibson White BBQ sauce are sauces that can be recommended, without any hesitation. Mayonnaise, Egg Yolks, Water, Corn Syrup, Vinegar, Salt, Spices, Calcium Disodium, Cider Vinegar, Onion, Garlic, White Pepper, Salt and Xanthium Gum are what goes into the making of this taste bud rocker.

Big Bob Gibson White BBQ sauce comprises distilled vinegar, sugar, salt, spices, egg yolks, mustard flour, paprika and garlic. Poultry, pork, seafood, and wild game-Big Bob, goes with them comfortably enough.

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To your food heaven

Dominic

Lemon, vanilla and the more elaborate concoctions such as pumpkin, chocolate chip, cranberry and blueberry are just a few of my favorite cheesecakes. The delight you experience when you take that first bite of your favorite cheesecake can be exhilarating and soothing at the same time.

And remembering loved ones at gift-giving time brings to mind even more exciting flavors that are available like raspberry, Neapolitan, bing cherry and key lime, another of my favorite cheesecakes, and one sure to be your favorite as well once you give it a try. There are times when nothing but the best will do, and that’s the time to decide to give a freshly baked cheesecake instead of flowers and chocolates.

There are many sources from which to buy your favorite cheesecakes. There’s the frozen section at your supermarket, specialty retail shops, and now the Internet is a reliable source as well.

Ordering online is an experience in itself as you browse through the pages looking at luscious Gourmet Cheesecakes that are sure to please everyone on your gift list.  Once you make a selection, the cheesecake is packed in a special container and can be delivered as soon as the next day for your convenience.

You are certain to find a cheesecake to please even the most discriminating palate when you view the selections and discover a world of delicacies that can be yours at the click of a button. Cheesecakes are usually available with a crumb crust or a more traditional crust that has been rolled thin.

And don’t forget the wonderful selections of a unique personalized cheesecake for special occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, Secretaries Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and other occasions to make cheesecake a favorite with everyone.

Send a Cheesecake to someone special today.

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To your food heaven

Dominic

Are you tired of your regular Joe life and your regular Joe cup of coffee that you start your day with? Then it’s time to reward yourself with something different. Why not jazz up your morning ritual with cup of rich gourmet coffee.

The dictionary defines gourmet food like this, “Gourmet food is that which is of the highest quality, perfectly prepared and artfully presented.” If you want the highest quality food you go to a top notch restaurant but if you want the highest quality coffee, you can do that at home yourself. That gourmet meal is probably going to stay at the restaurant unless you invite a chef over but gourmet coffee can be made in the comfort of your own home with just a little practice.

Gourmet coffee is more expensive than say, supermarket brands but the taste is also much richer. Unless money is no object, why not save the gourmet cup of coffee for the weekends. Make it an end of the week tradition. Stick with the supermarket coffee for when you’re rushing off to work.

To make your own gourmet coffee start with the beans. Gourmet Coffee beans can be bought by the pound and there are many varieties to choose from. Some of the most popular gourmet beans include Kona, Jamaican Blue Mountain, and Sumatra types.

Coffee beans are similar to wine in that they name the beans after the region. In the world of wine you have the popular Sonoma wines which come from Sonoma Valley in California. In the world of coffee the equivalent would be Kona beans which come from Kona, Hawaii.

Kona coffee beans are grown in rich volcanic soil and the mild tropical climate of the Kona coffee belt on the western side of the Big Island of Hawaii. It has a wonderfully full, rich and smooth flavor with little or no bitter after taste. Be sure that you buy Kona beans and not a Kona blend. A Kona blend can legally be labeled as Kona with as little as 10% of actual Kona beans in it.

Next you’ll need to grind your beans. Ground coffee begins losing it’s flavor once it’s exposed to air. So you’ll want to grind just enough to make your desired amount. Store any leftover grinds in an air tight container. You’ll want to grind you coffee beans very fine but don’t pulverize them into dust. If you over grind them the heat and friction will vaporize the oils that give the coffee it’s distinct flavor.

When was the last time you cleaned your coffee maker? A clean coffee maker makes a significant difference in how your coffee tastes. At least once a month pour a mixture of half vinegar and half water into your coffee maker. Let the mix run through the full brew process. Repeat the process again using only water this time to rinse it out. Do this one more time if a vinegar smell is still present.

Now you’re work is done and it’s time for the coffee maker to pulls it’s weight. Use clean filtered water and fill the coffee maker to the desired level. Use about 6 ounces of water for every 2 heaping tablespoons of coffee. Turn it on and hang around while it brews. You’ll want to be there to enjoy the delightful aroma.

Everyday coffee is perfect for everyday life. But every once in a while you should treat yourself to something special. And what better way to start a special than that with a special cup of coffee. Gourmet coffees can really jazz up your day.

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To your food heaven

Dominic

In Italy, stylish dining has long been embraced as a relaxing way to unwind after a busy day. So before you order takeout and eat in front of the television, take a cue from the Italians and make each meal a treat.

Whether dining alone, with family or with your closest friends, turn an otherwise hurried meal into a chic expression of style with these tips from Ecco Domani Italian wines.

* Determine the décor. Whether you are dining at the kitchen table or in a more formal setting, it’s easy to add some pizzazz to your surroundings. Candles cast a warm glow once the sun goes down. Strands of small lights also enhance the mood; string them around the room or even bunch them in a Mason jar for a funky tabletop display.

* Master the art of mood music. Mellow jazz will help take the edge off a long day, and classical music can help lift your mood. Consider tailoring the music around the type of cuisine you are serving. For an Italian meal, for instance, play an assortment of Italian opera.

If you’re dining with family or friends, get them involved by inviting them to bring their favorite CDs. Set your disc player to shuffle so that everyone’s music selection gets played during the meal.

* Create a stylish menu. To help you unwind, it’s best to keep your meal simple. Luckily, delicious meals are a snap to make with fresh, easy-to-prepare foods. And you can add flair to any basic dish with just a few additions.

For an Italian meal, a tomato, basil and mozzarella salad is always a crowd-pleaser. Drizzle chicken and fish with olive oil and lemon for a fresh, light flavor. And dust colorful veggies with Italian seasonings to bring out their natural flavors.

Whatever your menu, be sure to select a delicious wine to accompany the meal. Ecco Domani 2003 Pinot Grigio is a perfect wine for everyday dining because of its crisp, fresh flavor, which pairs perfectly with today’s light cuisine.

It is easy to infuse any setting with glamour by adding a few small touches. In the end, nothing says style like taking the time to make each meal special.  – NU

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To your food heaven

Dominic

Here’s some sweet news: people all over the country can still enjoy that crown jewel of New Orleans, the King Cake, this Mardi Gras season.

For those who don’t know, a King Cake is an oval-shaped bakery delicacy-a cross between a coffee cake and a French pastry that is as rich in history as it is in flavor. It’s decorated in royal colors or Purple for Justice, Green for Faith and Gold for Power: These colors were chosen to represent a jeweled crown honoring the wise men who brought gifts to the Christ Child on the Epiphany. A tiny plastic baby is hidden inside. Whoever gets the piece with the prize is named “King for a day.”

Some of the most popular King cakes are those created in New Orleans at the famous Randazzo’s Camellia City Bakery. Despite the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the store recently reopened its doors and took part in a special program with DHL to bring a taste of home to displaced New Orleanians, residents and others for Mardi Gras.

Explained Tricia Zornes, owner of Randazzo’s, “Continuing local traditions like Mardi Gras helps revitalize the New Orleans economy, improves morale and shows the world that we can rebuild and re-establish the culture that has made New Orleans special.”

To help the rebuilding and celebrate the reopening, shipping company DHL developed a festive, co-branded shipping box, specially designed to open from the top to protect the rich icing and traditional shape. In addition, according to Zornes, the shipper’s sales representative offered his own time and effort to rebuilding the bakery after nearly everything was lost, from the valuable baking equipment to the building itself. “In addition to helping us create a new distribution process, he went beyond the call of duty in offering to help paint, or do any odd jobs that would help us get up and running quickly,” said Zornes.

“DHL has been committed to leveraging its resources to support disaster relief and long-term reconstruction along the Gulf Coast, and is now pleased to be able to support the private sector in rebuilding their businesses and their livelihoods,” said Kay Hart, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, DHL Americas.

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To your food heaven

Dominic

British cuisine has always suffered from bad press. The simple homespun fare and plain preparation of most traditional British foods pales when compared to French haute cuisine, and it’s not uncommon for food critics to sound almost apologetic when writing about traditional British dishes as if there were something shameful in enjoying a good, thick joint of beef with an accompaniment of Yorkshire pudding. If they speak in glowing terms of anything at all, it is a nod to the clever naming of British foods, where dishes like bubble and squeak and spotted dick appear on restaurant menus.

And yet, for all the snickering and apologetic references, British cuisine at its best is hearty, delicious, simple fare on which to fuel the nation that influenced the entire world. There is no other nation in the world that does a roast of beef to such perfection, nor any better accompaniment to the succulent meat than a puffed, piping hot Yorkshire pudding prepared in its drippings, and few cuisines have a dessert that can compare with the pure heaven that is a well made trifle or treacle tart.

British cuisine is a blending of the practical with the nutritious. If it is, as some say, unimaginative, that may be because the food itself needs little imagination to fancy it up and make it palatable. It is certainly not because the British mind lacks imagination when it comes to food – the common names for everyday meals sometimes require a translator just so you’ll know what’s on your plate. A walk through a restaurant take-away menu offers such dishes as ‘mushy peas’, steak and kidney pie, fish and chips and bangers and mash.

There are well-known British dishes for eating at each meal. Some of the most popular include:

Breakfast:
A full English country breakfast includes meat, eggs, pancakes or toast and side dishes like hash and bangers and mash. It’s hearty fare, the sort that is set on the table for dinner in most other cultures. It often includes leftovers from last night’s dinner, diced and fried together with seasonings and butter, sometimes called country hash.

Tea:
The tradition of mid-afternoon tea is one that’s been observed by the British for centuries. Among the most common dishes served at mid-afternoon tea are finger-foods like crumpets with jam and clotted cream, dainty watercress sandwiches and scones with raisins or dried fruits.

Sunday Dinner:
The Sunday dinner has a long tradition as being a family occasion – the one meal of the week at which all family members gathered. A roast joint of meat – beef, lamb, pork or chicken – is nearly a requirement, and it is served with a potato and vegetable, and very often accompanied by Yorkshire pudding.

Puddings and custards feature prominently in British cuisine. Baked, boiled or steamed, puddings are usually made with suet and breading, and studded with dried fruits and nuts. One of the most popular and delightful British desserts is the trifle, and there are nearly as many variations as there are cooks. The base is a sponge cake, often left over from another meal. Soaked in Madeira or port, it is layered in a dish with custard, jam, fruits and Jell-O and topped with whipped cream. The end result is a delicious mélange that is features all that is good about British cookery – plain, practical cooking that is meant to fill the belly and satisfy the taste buds.

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To your food heaven

Dominic