The Holiday season may bring for many of us indigestion,
flu and fatigue depending on the food choices me make. I
love the holidays and am trying to help you get through
them without adding extra pounds. The comfort foods and
the memories attached to them sneak up and control us for
months after the holidays. I want you understand the cause
and effect of choices made in the foods you will consume
this holiday season.
When the party is rolling and so is the alcohol and snacks
make sure at regular meal times you are getting what you
need to maintain health. Fatigue and the other symptoms
that come from over consumption of beverage and snacks can
be avoided if you remember to keep your regular meals and
holiday foods colorful. The colors I am referring to are
not the colorful cookies full of food coloring and the very
sugar and lard the will cause the before mentioned
symptoms. Fruits and veggies come in a variety of colors
thanks to phytochemicals, natural compounds found in
plant-based foods. Researchers believe that phytochemicals
have profound effects on health, and can play a role in
preventing chronic diseases.
Add some strawberries and blueberries to your breakfast,
some tomatoes to your salad at lunch and dark green spinach
as a side for dinner. At the after office party choose the
best quality snacks they have. It may be that the choices
are fun but not so fruitful. Be the one that brings the
nutritious snack.
Go to Whole Foods Market and get the whole grain pastries
you will be surprised how good they are. Most importantly
is they won't be made with Trans fats but good quality oils
and unprocessed sugars.
Humus is another good choice for party food; create a
Lebanese theme. Humus and steamed whole grain pita bread
to dip in the humus. Include a Tabooley salad of parsley,
bulgur wheat, garlic and lemon juice. You will have
created a great balance and an interesting table as well.
Both Tabooley and Hummus are available already prepared in
every city in the deli of the grocery stores. If you are
ready to cook in advance and really impress the crowd try
this;
LEBANESE CABBAGE ROLLS
1 lg. head cabbage
1 lb. coarsely ground turkey
1 c. brown rice
2 tsp. salt
Juice of 2 lemons
1/2 tsp. allspice
3 cloves garlic
2 c. canned tomatoes or 1 can tomato paste
Wash rice and drain. Add meat and 1 cup tomatoes or 1/2 can
paste. Add salt, pepper and spices. This is the filling.
Separate cabbage leaves and drop separately in salted
boiling water and cook a few minutes until limp. Cook all
leaves then let drain. Trim leaves of heavy stems. Reserve
stems and put in bottom of saucepan. On each leaf place 1
heaping tbsp. of filling and roll firmly. Place cabbage
rolls neatly in rows making several layers. Place garlic
buds among leaves as you roll. Add 1 cup tomatoes and
enough hot water to cover rolls. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp. salt
over all. Cook 45 minutes to 1 hour. During last 15 minutes
of cooking, add the juice of 2 lemons.
Every one loves corn chips and salsa be sure you are
getting chips made with whole grains and no hydrogenated
oils. Try three different salsas mild , hot and an
original Mexican with guacamole and pinto bean dip, be sure
the bean dip does not contain lard or other hydrogenated
oils.
Shopping at your local Health Food market will help you
find these products with higher quality ingredients.
The more natural colors from fruits and vegetables in your
diet, the more phytochemicals you'll take in. (Sorry -
orange cheetos and M&M's don't count!) Try something new
and healthy; give the gift of health. Show your friends how
to have a great time, delicious food and keep their health
during and after the holidays.
Make sure you're eating good, quality carbohydrates too,
not cakes and white bread. Good carbs are whole grains,
beans, fruits, and vegetables. These sources will provide
you with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals
much-needed by your body.
Be sure you include some form of protein at each meal. The
protein found in chicken, fish, lean beef, turkey, beans,
tofu, and nuts will help keep your blood sugar stable,
keeping you more full between meals.
Have what your bodies need daily and the occasional party
(or not so occasional) at this time of year won't take such
a strong hit on your health and weight. Look at your dinner
plate tonight...How many different colors do you see? Get
creative and be the host or guest with the most interesting
foods that benefit everyone.
----------------------------------------------------
Kathy Wright is a beauty and wellness expert, author,
speaker and CEO of B&P Company the manufactures of
Frownies Beauty patch and skin care line. Read other
articles written by Kathy at http://www.frownies.com/tips
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