“Laughing, smiling, singing & dancing generate more health & happiness than doctors & pills ever can.”
—Unknown
I love this time of year as it brings friends and family together and hope it brings joy to you. It is also the time of year when we reflect on the past and think about our goals and dreams for the new year to come. I urge you to get a notebook and write down what you want to accomplish in 2010. This will be a great way to hold yourself accountable and to track your progress along the way.
Have a fantastic holiday season and see you in the new year!
Best in Health!
~Amy~
Simple Steps To Getting You Cooking Healthier
Sometimes the easiest ways to bring healthy meals into your day means just making a few changes in the way that you cook and prepare your meals. Try the tips below and start eating healthier today.
- Eat whole grains like brown rice and quinoa. These grains keep nutrients and vitamins intact, providing your body with more nutrition such as fiber and B vitamins as well as keep you feeling fuller longer.
- Don't be afraid of fat - healthy fat that is. Unsaturated fats are your healthy options such as olive oil in place of butter or vegetable oil. Please note healthy fats should be used in moderation.
- Keep fruits and vegetables a part of every day and make sure to eat like the colors of the rainbow. Check out the
August Newsletter issue to read more.
- Sugar and sweeteners should be limited and in some cases avoided such as corn syrup and white sugar. As alternative sweeteners look to honey, maple syrup, and agave nectar.
- Sodium should also be closely monitored, especially those with high blood pressure. Most pre-packaged foods are loaded with sodium and on average a person should have no more than 1 teaspoon daily. One of the best ways to control this is by cooking food at home and limiting the amount you add into your own meals.
- Poultry is an essential part of every meal and eating the right kind is where you can make great improvements to your everyday. Choose lean meats, poultry or fish and to learn more check out July's Newsletter.
As a final tip, make sure to watch your portions. A lot of the time we have a tendency of eating more than our bodies need. If you are still feeling hungry load up more veggies on your plate and remember how easy it is to implement changes to start eating healthier.
Recipe of the Month: Ginger Cookies
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
Yield: 30 cookies
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup canola oil
- 1 1/2 cups raw cane sugar
- 1 egg
- 4 tablespoons molasses
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 cups whole wheat pastry - sifted
- 1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, mix together oil and 3/4 cup sugar until combined. Place remaining 3/4 of sugar into a small bowl and place to the side.
- Beat in egg until fully mixed followed by the molasses.
- Sift into the wet ingredients the whole wheat pastry flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and salt. Stir until all ingredients are combined.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and then roll each ball into the bowl of sugar. Place the sugary dough balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies until cooked through but still soft to the touch, about 10-14 minutes. Transfer to cooling rack and enjoy!
In the News
In breaking news this week the Centers for Disease Control recalled thousands of doses of pediatric H1N1 swine flu shots. It seems the pre-filled syringes have tested to not be as strong as the original strength and therefore not affective. This pertains specifically to vaccines provided to children aged 6-35 months and is not unsafe and may not require revaccination. To read more:
H1N1 swine flu shots for kids
Giving Back
I know I am not alone with having gift cards laying around my home that have some left over money on them. Whether it is a few dollars or a few cents, more often than not these gift cards tend to go to waste. This year why not donate those used gift cards and let charities benefit from the remaining funds. Gift cards, telephone cards and many others are accepted and will help those in need. Please visit: DonateCards.com
Action Items
- Try implementing just one of the simple tips to help get you cooking and eating healthier
- Donate your unused or used gift cards to benefit charities through DonateCards.com
- Check out the DietsinReview.com blog for the latest in health and fitness
Weekly Articles
Forward to a Friend
It’s such a pleasure to help those closest to us become happier and healthier. Please forward this newsletter to friends, family members or colleagues who might be interested and inspired by it.
Also, if there is something you are interested in learning more about or would like me to feature in an upcoming newsletter please contact me.
Eat, Live Laugh newsletters are intended for overall general wellness. If you have condition specific concerns please feel free to contact me.
|
