Showing posts with label Recipes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Recipes. Show all posts

Wednesday, 8 September 2010

Low Carb Diets Recipes - How to Prepare Quick Low Carb Recipes

If you fancy low carb diets recipes, try any of the following treats:

  • Get a pound of eggplant and chop into desirable portions. Add a small zucchini (chopped as well). Have three (3) cloves of garlic and an onion ready. Of course, stock up on salt and pepper to taste. Roast all these ingredients for about 400 degrees for half an hour. Add nuts, yogurt and dill weed to for that irresistible, aromatic flavor.
  • Have your favorite yogurt ready in a blender. Add some almond milk and also some protein powder. A cup of oats will also be desirable. Blend all the ingredients to the consistency you like. Drink your way to good health.
  • Stir fry mushroom, spinach and broccoli. Add some tomatoes for a bit of interesting contrast. Prepare yourself some omelette with perhaps 2 pieces of egg. This will keep you full for hours on end.
  • Over a fire and on a grill, take a slab of your favorite meat and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon. Cook until grill marks are fairly visible on both sides.

There are other quick low carb diets recipes out there. What is important is that you must be consistent. You need to have a well thought-out plan that will allow you to integrate the recipes into your lifestyle. While there may be other plans out there that promise quick results, only a low-carb diet will help you keep your newly improved body. Eating healthy is a conscious effort and requires your full attention for it to enjoy long-time success. Try to convince your family and friends to switch as well; this way, you can have the support you need.

Take note that when you choose low carb diets recipes, you are embracing a whole new way of healthy eating. The key to success is easy. Just remember to cut back on carbohydrates and increase your protein and fat food choices. The body can only take so much carbohydrates and the rest just add inches to your waist. Good luck on eating healthier, looking younger, and feeling so much better!

Wednesday, 1 September 2010

Low Calorie-Substitutions to Make Those Fat Recipes Into Skinny Recipes

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D-I-E-T is a 4-letter word that so many of us wish didn't have to exist. But, since it is a necessary part of life, regardless of your metabolic make up, it would really be convenient to know what to substitute when cooking or preparing foods that will make them more wholesome with fewer calories, less sugar and more fiber. Diet is not only defined as that "thing" that you must endure in order to lose weight, but as your daily intake of foods, which if done in moderation and with a few simple substitutions can make either your maintenance of, or your achievement of your weight loss goals a reality.

The goal here is to lower your fat, sugar and salt intake while also lowering your calories and increasing your fiber, without sacrificing taste, which so many diet foods lack.

The following ingredients or foods are things you can either consume in place of or utilize in recipes as a substitution for the "fatter" alternative:
All-purpose flour-Whole-wheat flour. In baked goods you can substitute half of the flour with whole-wheat flour. You might want to use whole-wheat pastry flour in cakes and muffins as it is less dense and will produce a 'lighter' product. Bacon-Canadian Bacon, Turkey Bacon, Smoked Turkey or lean Proscuitto Butter, Shortening or Oil-Use Applesauce or Prune Puree for half of the butter, shortening or oil that is called for in a recipe. Oil is not an adequate substitution for butter or shortening though. If using it to prevent sticking, use a cooking spray and/or a non-stick pan instead Creamed Soups-Fat-Free Milk-Based Soups, Mashed Potato Flakes, Pureed Carrots, Potatoes or Tofu. Creamed soups are usually used as a thickening agent, so consider one of the substitutions, maybe adding a bit of low-fat, low-sodium liquid with the mashed potato flakes and adding fresh ingredients such as broccoli, chicken or cheese when those flavors are called for. Dry Bread Crumbs-Rolled Oats or crushed Bran Cereal. You can use these substitutions measure for measure. Eggs-Two Egg-whites per egg or 1/4 cup egg substitute for one whole egg. Enriched Pasta-Whole-wheat Pasta Evaporated Milk-Evaporated Skim Milk Fruit-Flavored Yogurt-Plain Yogurt with Fresh Fruit Slices. Cream Cheese-Low-Fat or Fat-Free Cream Cheese; Low-Fat Cottage Cheese or Neufchatel pureed until smooth. Sour Cream-Low-Fat or Fat-Free Sour Cream or Plain Yogurt. Ground Beef-Ground Chicken, Ground Turkey or Extra Lean or Lean Ground Beef. Main Ingredient Meat-Three times as many vegetables as what meat is called for can be used on pizzas or in casseroles, stews and soups. Margarine in Baked Goods-Butter Spreads or Shortenings that are Trans Fat-Free and formulated especially for baking or you can also experiment with the same substitutions used for Butter above. Oil-Based Marinades-Wine, Fruit Juice, Balsamic Vinegar or Fat-Free Broth. Garlic, Celery or Onion Salts-Garlic Powder, Celery Seed, Onion Powder or Finely Chopped Garlic, Celery or Onions. Soy Sauce-Hot Mustard Sauce, Low-Sodium Soy Sauce or Sweet-and-Sour Sauce.

Further options are to always opt for the low-sodium or reduced sodium versions of your favorites and stop cooking with additional salt, especially if it is an "option" in a recipe. The taste difference is negligible when compared to the health benefits. Sea salt is also an option as it has less sodium, but you need the iodine in salt to some degree in your diet. You can use sea salt in a grinder on your table and iodized sea salt in your cooking if you wish. You can also easily cut calories and fat by using low-fat, reduced-fat or fat-free dairy products and whole-wheat to replace plain old white bread. Rice is also a preferred option to pasta and can fill out or extend a recipe, but use wild rice, brown rice, bulgur rice or pearl barley instead.

Now, isn't that easy? These are the most common "healthier" substitutions, but any time you are looking to cut fat, calories, sugar or salt, look closely at your recipe first and then think what you may be able to substitute instead. You may just like the new recipe much better and your family doesn't even have to know.

Tina loves cooking for her husband and to make her recipes even more tasty and healthy she grows her own vegetables. She has many fall vegetables which she can fertilize with jobes fertilizer spikes.

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Saturday, 21 August 2010

3 Simple Smoothie Diet Recipes

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Smoothies have been all the rage for quite some time, but are they really beneficial to dieters? Yes!

Smoothies help dieters maintain hydration, provide more fiber and vitamins than most foods, and provide plenty of natural fructose, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

All of this comes in an easily-digestible form that delivers the nutrients quickly and efficiently.

Here are three delicious smoothie recipes that will help you start your morning with a burst of energy and keep feeling good all day long:

The Ultimate Green Smoothie

Green smoothies are packed with rejuvenating chlorophyll and antioxidants that kick the immune system into high gear.

This one delivers several servings of dark green veggies along with sweet-tasting fruits to please the palate.

It also contains just enough healthy fat to help your body absorb and use the smoothie's many vitamins.

What You'll Need:
4 leaves of kale, de-stemmed4 leaves of chard, de-stemmed1/2 bunch of parsley1 large aloe vera leaf1/2 bunch of dandelion greens3 pears1 ripe banana, peeled1 avocado, peeled3 cups of waterDirections:

Remove stems from kale and chard leaves. Peel banana and avocado. Remove seed from avocado.

Place ingredients in blender. Add 2 1/2 cups water. Blend for approximately two minutes, or until completely smooth. Drink and enjoy!

The Vitamin C Monster Smoothie

This yummy recipe is a favorite during cold and flu season. It's packed with vitamin C to help your body fight off illnesses.

The antioxidants also help rid your body of free radicals that can lead to disease.

What You'll Need:
1 package fresh strawberries, leaves removed2 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced1 orange, peeled1 cup fresh blueberries1 kiwi, peeled and sliced1 cup cantaloupe, cubed2 ice cubes, crushedDirections:

Peel all fruits and slice as directed. Crush the ice cubes.

Place all ingredients in blender and blend on high power for two minutes, or until completely smooth and frothy.

Add a little honey for more sweetness, if desired. Serve or drink immediately.

The Quick Morning Hunger-Buster Smoothie

This is an easy recipe that can be made in minutes, but it will satisfy you for hours to come. It serves up a whopping 6 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber per cup!

Silken tofu adds a smooth texture and plenty of hunger-fighting protein, while the fiber from the apples and berries will keep your digestive system in top form.

The yogurt adds more protein, plus calcium

What You'll Need:
1 cup frozen mixed berries1/2 banana2 sweet apples, cored and sliced1/2 cup silken tofu1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurtDirections:

Combine berries, banana, apples, yogurt and tofu in blender.

Blend on high speed for two minutes or until smooth. This smoothie can be placed in a covered container and stored in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Bonus: Build Your Own Smoothie

You can create a custom smoothie recipe that perfectly suits your taste. Here's how:

Custom green smoothies can be made by taking your favorite dark leafy green vegetables (such as spinach, kale, or arugula) and combining them with your favorite sweet-tasting fruits (such as bananas, pears, or apples).

Add a fruit or vegetable with high water content (such as cucumber or melon) for added hydration. Blend on high speed until smooth.

Hunger-busting smoothies can be created by mixing a few of your favorite fruits with a protein source (such as yogurt or silken tofu). Experiment until you find the mix that works best for you!

Remember: You can add powdered supplements to any smoothie recipe for an extra dose of protein or fiber.

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Friday, 20 August 2010

3 Healthy and Delicious Diet Recipes

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One unfortunate truth about diets is that when we're on them, we have a tendency to focus on all the foods we can't have. A better approach would be to look at a diet as an opportunity to try exciting, delicious, and healthier foods. Here are three heart-healthy, low-calorie meals that don't skimp on flavor:

Orange-Tamari Salmon

This recipe features an exotic blend of citrus and tamari, with all the nutritional benefits of omega-3s!

What You'll Need:

1 1/2 lb salmon fillets (4 equal portions)1/3 cup dry white wine2 tbsp low-sodium tamari1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice3 tbsp ginger (peeled and grated)1/4 cup chopped scallions1/2 tsp olive oil (extra virgin)1 tsp raw honey

Cooking Instructions:

Rinse fillets and pat them dry.

Combine white wine, tamari, orange juice, green onions, honey, and ginger in a bowl and whisk them until they form a well-blended marinade.

Place fillets in a baking pan with the pink flesh facing up. Pour the marinade evenly over all fillets. Cover pan with foil or plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 4-6 hours.

When you're ready to cook, remove fillets from refrigerator while you preheat your broiler.

Remove excess scallions and ginger from the fillets, and brush the scaled side of each fillet with extra virgin olive oil.

Place fillets, skin down, on broiling pan.

Broil fillets on high heat for 10 minutes, or until cooked through. The flesh should be slightly brown on top, and firm, flaky, and light pink throughout.

Spinach-Ricotta Portobellos

This vegetarian treat goes great with whole wheat pasta and a side salad. As an added bonus, each stuffed mushroom cap serves up a healthy dose of calcium and protein!

What You'll Need:

4 large Portobello mushrooms (caps)1/4 tsp sea salt1/4 tsp black pepper, divided1 cup reduced fat ricotta cheese1 cup fresh spinach leaves, chopped1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided2 tbsp kalamata olives,diced1/2 tsp Italian herb seasoning3/4 cup marinara sauce

Cooking Instructions:

Coat a baking sheet with no-calorie cooking spray and preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Place Portobello caps on baking sheet, gills facing up.

Sprinkle with sea salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Cook until tender (about 20 minutes).

While caps are cooking, mix ricotta cheese, spinach leaves, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, diced olives, Italian seasoning, and remaining pepper in a bowl.

Pour marinara sauce into a separate bowl and cook or microwave until hot.

Remove caps from oven and drain them. Place them back on the baking sheet and spread 1 tbsp marinara sauce on each.

Heap each cap with 1/3 cup ricotta spinach filling. Sprinkle all caps with remaining Parmesan cheese.

Bake for 10 minutes, and serve with remaining warm marinara sauce.

Sweet & Tangy "Fried" Chicken

This recipe puts a healthy spin on a Southern favorite. It's also packed with selenium, a vitamin that boosts the production of disease-fighting antioxidants.

What You'll Need:

3 tbsp Dijon mustard2 tbsp grade B maple syrup2 tbsp peanut oil, divided1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped3/4 tsp black pepper1/2 tsp salt, optional4 lb bone-in chicken pieces, skinless and fat-trimmed1 1/2 cups whole grain breadcrumbs

Cooking Instructions:

In a large bowl, mix Dijon mustard, maple syrup, 1 tbsp peanut oil, thyme, salt and pepper. Whisk until well-blended.

Dip chicken pieces in mixture until evenly coated on all sides.

Cover chicken and place in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (up to 6 hours).

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place a wire rack over a large baking sheet to cook chicken.

Mix breadcrumbs and remaining peanut oil on the surface of a large plate. Dredge the meatier side of each chicken piece through the breadcrumb mixture.

Arrange pieces on wire rack, dredged side up. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Serve hot and enjoy!

More Tips

Here are some more tips for putting together exciting and healthy recipes:

Try new meats. Veal, lamb, and bison are ultra-lean and full of flavor.Add color to your recipes. A balanced diet should contain plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables. Take this opportunity to try new varieties of produce.Use whole-grain rice and pasta. Whole grain products provide plenty of fiber and keep blood sugar spikes to a minimum. Many dieters also find them to be heartier and more satisfying than regular white flour products

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