Fondue Date Night

Hubby and I stayed in last night with homemade broccoli cheese fondue and a great movie by the fire. I can't remember the last time we had such a relaxing night in. Lily is finally starting to display less and less constant puppiness, requiring less and less non-stop supervision. And thus, husband and I can enjoy more and more cuddle (and meal) time. Ahhhhhhhh :)

 Broccoli Cheese Fondue with carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and bread to dip

Today has been an ACTIVE day, to say the least. I started my day with hockey game #1. Husband and I cleaned ALL afternoon, and then it was off to hockey game #2 for the day (scored a goal, woot!). I'ddddd say it's about time for a shower, wouldn't you? Eeeewww.

How cute is this...

My hubby's family enjoys reading my blog and his aunt even reads it to his grandma. Grandma says that my husband is "spoiled" with my "gourmet" cooking. While flattering, Grandma H, I think any cooking going down in this kitchen is a long shot from gourmet. Palatable and balanced is probably more like it!

I have received LOTS of delicious-looking recipes to my inbox since yesterday. I am so excited about the "Prevention Cookbook" and I'm so happy to hear that you are, too! Don't forget to submit your recipe(s) by January 1, 2010! Mrs.RD44@gmail.com ! 

For more information, go here!

The more the merrier for us all...and then you get a copy, too!

Question: What are you asking for from Santa for Christmas?

Here's to a relaxing evening and some Elf viewing. Best. Movie. Everrrr. Ciao!

A breakfast of champions: turkey meatballs!

Kidding. But I have to fess-up to eating a meatball at 7am this morning!!! Actually 6:56am...

Ew, right? Nooo! I swear, meatballs are typically THE easiest thing for me to zoom by at a cocktail party or array of hors d'oeuvres (I am 99% sure that's the first time I spelled that French word correctly on my first try...even after 9 years of French classes!). These meatballs, however, are phenom! And...healthy! Spicy, too! Mmmm!

Juuuuicay!!

Sweet 'n Sassy Meatballs

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 Tbsp + 1 cup chipotle sauce, divided

1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs

2 Tbsp dried, minced onion

1 tsp dried oregano

3/4 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 lb lean ground turkey breast

1 lb Italian turkey sausage links, casings removed

1/2 cup reduced-sugar, all-natural apricot preserves

Directions

In a large bowl, combine eggs, Worcestershire sauce, and 2 tablespoons chili sauce. Stir in bread crumbs, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Crumble turkey sausage and ground turkey breast over mixture and mix well (hands may be required!). Shape into 1-inch balls.

Place on a rack coated with cooking spray in a shallow baking pan. Bake at 375 F for 15-20 minutes or until meat is no longer pink.

In a large bowl, combine apricot preserves and remaining chili sauce. Add meatballs and toss gently to coat. Place in a 15-inch x 10-inch x 1 inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until glazed, stirring every 3 minutes*.

*I omitted this last step as I transferred my meatballs to a crock pot for buffet serving.

Yield: 4 dozen

Serving size: 1 meatball

Nutrition Information (per serving): 42 calories, 2 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 20 mg cholesterol, 179 mg sodium, 3 grams carbohydrate, 0 grams fiber, 3 grams protein

Had to whip out the big bertha of crock pots from the attic to fit all the balls...

I even had to cut my crock pot liner (upper left) to make it fit!

And another great appetizer recipe which is also very colorful and fun...

Cold Chicken-Cheese Kabobs

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/8 tsp pepper

1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

2 tsp olive oil

5 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, cubed

16 cherry tomatoes

Combine salt, pepper, and chili powder; rub into chicken cubes. Transfer to a large bowl and add vinegar. Cover and refridgerate 3-4 hours or overnight.

In a large skillet, cook chicken in oil until no longer pink. Cool slightly. Alternately tread chicken, cheese, and tomatoes onto wooden toothpicks. Serve cold.

Yield: 16 servings

Serving size: 1 skewer

Nutrition information (per serving): 48 calories, 2 grams of fat, 1 gram saturated fat, 13 mg cholesterol, 132 mg sodium, 2 grams carbohydrate, 0 grams fiber, 6 grams protein

With the holidays coming up, these are 2 hors d'oeuvres worth some serious consideration in adding to or changing in your line-up!

Well, I've played hookie all morning from work cooking away for this afternoon's holiday party for our patients. Considering the circumstances, I am opting out of wearing scrubs to work for the second time this week...gasp! I know, right. So, off I go to put effort into myself. Have a wonderful weekend...

...anyone have any exciting weekend plans? Do tell! I've got nuttin'!

And if you had to choose TWO favorite TV shows currently in-season, what would they be? (I can't choose just one, so that's why I'm asking for 2!)

Modern Family (highly rec!) and 90210 for me!
Yes, I realize this makes me completely lame!

And for all you Biggest Loser fans...this is a must-see!

Lazy potatoes, delicious soup, and a diabetes update

I've been in the kitchen ALL day. We had a holiday party for our patients (party one of two...next one Friday), and I was responsible for making chicken skewers and turkey meat balls -- both of which were delicious! I'll post the recipes with pictures on Friday. After my extensive morning meatball and skewer prep, I refused to dirty another pot and my stand mixer in order to make mashed potatoes! Heretofore, I made them in the microwave. Yep, that's right, microwave mashed potatoes. I realize this makes me lazy lazy lazy, HOWEVER...they were good! Secret ingredient: 1% buttermilk! After cooking my new potatoes (skins on!) in the microwave, I mixed them (with a hand mixer...whisks easily go into the dishwasher!) with Smart Balance Light, 1% buttermilk, an abundance of crushed garlic, and a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Mmmm!

Dinner was salmon with lemon pepper and fresh lemon juice and mashed potatoes (that portion looks HUGE...but it's about 1 cup!)

Also for dinner, I made a new recipe -- Spicy Senegalese Sweet Potato & Peanut Soup. I got this recipe from the National Peanut Board, which called for peanut oil and peanut flour. And being the lucky girl that I am, the National Peanut Board had mailed me these ingredients to try and recommend to patients.

 Thank you, National Peanut Board!! <3

 fresh ginger = a favorite!

 IF YOU WEAR CONTACTS...WEAR GLOVES WHEN CUTTING JALAPENOS!!!!!

Call me slow, but I learned the hard way...owwwwwwww!! And the hotness stays on your hands for DAYS!

Anyone else find this out the hard way? :-/

  

I have to say...

peanut oil + onion + garlic + ginger + jalapeno = Uhhhhhhhmazing scent! 

My house still smells so good!

+ sweet potatoes = SUPER Uhhhmazing!!!

 

Mmmmm!!

Oh, and the soup..the soup was delicious as well! Husband agreed that it was completely unique and had a very "gourmet" in flavor.

Spicy Senegalese Sweet Potato & Peanut Soup

1 Tbsp peanut oil

2 cups onions, peeled, diced

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 1/2 Tbsp ginger, chopped (I doubled this!)

1 jalapeno pepper, chopped

3 cups sweet potatoes, peeled, diced

1/2 cup peanut flour

1 1/2 quarts chicken stock (low-sodium if you prefer!)

1 Tbsp brown sugar (I used the Splenda brown sugar mix)

1 Tbsp peanuts, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large sauce pan over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, ginger, and jalapeno, saute 2 minutes until transleucent. Add the sweet potato and cook for 15 minutes. Add peanut flout, stir to coat.

2. Add the chicken stock and bring to a summer. Simmer 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

3. Transfer the vegetables to a blender and puree until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and brown sugar.

4. Serve sprinkled with chopped peanuts.

Nutrition Information (per serving): 198 calories, 7 grams fat (1 gram saturated, 4 grams MUFA, 1.5 grams PUFA), 8 grams protein, 26 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fiber

 And in the news...

The World Health Organization (WHO) declares diabetes is reaching epidemic proportion worldwide.

Illinois has launched an online survey entitled, "Speak Out About Diabetes" which includes questions such as, "Have you ever seen a dietitian about how to manage your diabetes?"

Hallelujah!!! Yet again, I am feeling empowered and blessed to be working in diabetes and working towards my CDE.

Question: What ONE area of nutrition interests YOU the most? Either as a nutrition provider, patient, or nutrition advocate.

Weight loss/weight management? Diabetes? Renal? Pediatrics? Nutrition support? Geriatrics? Bariatric? All-natural/organic? Sports nutrition?

P.S. I know I went a bit carb-crazy with my mashed potatoes AND sweet potato soup for supper. Ohhhh well : )

Butternut Squash Sauce...B12 & Weight Loss...Dental Health and Halloween...National Peanut Board

Happy Hump Day! I can't decide what I want to blog about today, so I am blogging about 4 completely unrelated things: Butternut Squash Sauce, B12 and weight loss, the best Halloween candy to consume to preserve your dental health, and blog post recognition from the National Peanut Board. And of course, my diabetic diet from yesterday (2 days to go!). So, here we go...

Last night I decided to make a modified version of a Butternut Squash Sauce recipe I ran across while perusing the Weight Watchers recipe board.

First I peeled and seeded one large butternut squash. I cubed the squash and simmered it for about 30 minutes in 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken stock with 6 cloves of crushed garlic, fresh ground pepper, and 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar. I added about 2/3 cup fresh chopped basil leaves about 20 minutes into the cooking process.

 

While my squash was simmering, I enjoyed a DELICIOUS (best beer ever??) Southampton Pumpkin Ale. YUMMMYYY!!!

 

Once my squash was nice and tender, I blended it into a thick paste.

I added the Butternut Squash Sauce to some whole wheat tube noodles. I topped the dish off with goat cheese crumbles and pine nuts (not pictured).

Question: Does this sound or look appetizing to you? My dear, dear husband ate this creation, Lord love him. The taste and flavors were WONDERFUL, but the consistency was that of baby food. What should I do differently next time?

In other news...B12 injections and weight loss. I feel the need to address this because I see SO many patients who hear that B12 injections will induce weight loss. This is COMPLETELY FALSE. Here's what Mayo Clinic has to say about B12 and weight loss...

Question: Vitamin B-12 injections for weight loss: Do they work?

Answer from Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.

There's no evidence that vitamin B-12 in any form — including vitamin B-12 injections — enhances weight loss. One study published in 2005 suggested that people who took a number of different supplements, including vitamin B-12, gained weight more slowly over a 10-year period than did those who took no supplements. However, many factors must be considered when interpreting the study results, including the fact that people who take dietary supplements tend to be more health conscious — which may contribute to better weight management. 

If you're hoping to lose weight, resist the lure of quick and easy solutions. What counts is a healthy lifestyle. Enjoy healthier foods and include physical activity in your daily routine.

Verdict from this RD: "If it sounds too good to be true, chances are it is!"

And...dental health for Halloween candy?

As an avid Julie Deardorff reader, I was happy to see this article in the Chicago Tribune today featuring the best and worst candy for your TEETH! New research is showing that the first line of defense in preventing cavities is xylitol-containing candies and gums. So, the low down on candy....

BAD ENOUGH
(Examples: Pixy Stix, Sweet Tarts)
Trick: Yes, Pixy Stix are a sack of sugar. But if poured directly on the tongue, it won’t touch teeth, leaving nothing for cavity-causing bacteria to feed on. Powdery candy also dissolves quickly, before bacteria can cause damage.

Why this scares dentists: There is no such thing as “best” candy for teeth.

BAD BAD
(Examples: Hershey’s Kisses, M&M’s)
Trick: Chocolate, which won’t stick to teeth for long periods of time, contains calcium, which could help protect tooth enamel. Research shows dark chocolate with at least 65 percent cocoa content is a potent antioxidant. Still, moderation and timing are important. “It’s better to eat four chocolates at one time rather than having one chocolate every three to four hours,” said Dr. Girish Herekar, a dental expert for justanswer.com.

Why this scares dentists: At room temperature, chocolate clings to tooth enamel. When it melts, it sinks into the crevices of teeth. Try freezing it to make it better for your teeth.

AHHH! BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD!
(Examples: Snickers, Almond Joy, Twix)
Trick: Caramel, nougat and other fillings add sugar, which may erase chocolate’s benefits.

Why this scares dentists:  Candy with fruit or nuts is “sticky and can get caught in the pits and grooves of teeth, causing decay,” said Dr. Julie Barna, a spokeswoman for the Academy of General Dentistry.

DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Examples: jelly beans, candy corn, Dots, Tootsie Roll, Skittles)
Trick: It takes longer to eat, so you may eat less. But the higher the melting temperature something has, the worse it is for teeth.

Why this scares dentists: “If a 5-year-old ate an orange jelly bean and didn’t brush, I could look three hours later and still see orange in the grooves of his teeth,” Weinstein said. “Sticky, chewy candies linger there for hours and can create a higher acid content, which allows the bacteria to feast.”

 Question: What's YOUR favorite Halloween candy? I'm a Twix and Butterfinger fan. Almond Joy, too. Oops! Ironic - I scheduled my dentist appointment TODAY.

And lastly, I received an AWESOME email from the National Peanut Board today! The email read:

Dear Nicole,

I want to thank you for posting the Q&A on peanut butter. It’s always great to hear a dietitian’s point of view on the healthful benefits of peanuts and peanut butter. The charts you provided were also wonderful. I will keep them on hand for future reference. I enjoyed your post so much I posted the link on my company’s, the National Peanut Board, Facebook fan page. You can check it out here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Peanut-Board/63476447613#/pages/National-Peanut-Board/63476447613

I would like to send you some nutritional information on peanuts and peanut butter and some peanut flour. Peanut flour is an emerging product from the peanut industry and is different from peanuts and peanut butter. In order to make the flour, fat must be removed during the process, making it a lower fat product that still contains all the protein and nutrients peanuts have. It can be used in many cooking applications from baking to soups, sauces, desserts and beverages. If you would like to try some please send me your address and I will ship it out to you.

Thank you again for the post!

All the best,

Lindsay Spencer  

Lindsay Spencer

Communications Coordinator | National Peanut Board

Tel | (678) 424-5753

Fax | (678) 424-5751

Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Flickr | Blog | nationalpeanutboard.org

­­­­_______________________________________________

I, of course, happily responded with my address. What a cool email to receive, huh? I've also asked Jenny of PB & Jenny to write a guest post on peanut butter. We'll see what she comes up with for us! Check out her blog, it's fun!

As for my diabetic diet yesterday, it went something like this...

Breakfast:

1 serving mini shredded wheat (3 carbs)

1 cup skim milk (1 carb) 

     Total: 4 carbs

Lunch:

2 cups chicken noodle soup (1 carb)

6 ounces fat-free Greek yogurt (1 1/2 carbs)

1 small apple (1 carb)

     Total: 3 1/2 carbs

Dinner (it was totally a random meal...)

1 chicken enchilada with black beans, chicken, 2% shredded cheese, and enchilada sauce (2 carbs)

1/3 cup whole wheat pasta (1 carb)

3 Tbsp Butternut Squash Sauce (<1 carb)

     Total: 3.25 carbs

Snack: 

1 graham cracker (1 carb)

1 Tbsp peanut butter (0 carbs)

Side note: Today was taste test #6 or 7 at work -- Buffalo Chicken Lasagna and it was a HUGE hit! I had the most participants to date -- 15!!! :)

Long...post...sorry...!!!

#1 Chili

People get very competitive about their culinary delights. Above all, I would consider chili a dish open to much debate. In the past, my chili has been very heavy on the beans and tomatoes and lighter on the meat (generally, I used 93% lean ground beef). Recently, however, I have had a change of heart and admitted chili recipe defeat.

During this (pathetic) college football season, our friends treated us to their version of chili, and man...it is GOOD! I would consider this chili VERY hearty and "manly", in the stereotypical sense of the term: meaty. The meat, however, is very lean and not red meat, but rather, 98% lean ground turkey and lean boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

In hopes of having a decent Illini game to watch this weekend (so far, status quo), I made the chili last night. While it's rather laborious, it is totally worth it! I am yet to calculate the nutrition information, but it is extremely low in fat and high in protein. I do have a feeling that it's somewhat high in sodium, however. 

So, here's how it goes...

"Josh and Tiffany's Chili"

Main Batch

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 lb ground turkey, lean

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, chunked

14 ounces low-sodium beef broth

8 ounces tomato sauce

1 large green pepper, diced

1/2 large sweet onion, diced

Batch One

1 Tbsp onion powder

2 Tbsp garlic powder

1 jalapeno, diced

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

2 chicken bouillon cubes

2 beef bouillon cubes

1 can kidney beans, drained

Batch Two

5 Tbsp chili powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

2 tsp ground cumin

1/4 tsp brown sugar

Batch Three

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

2 tsp chili powder

1 1/2 tsp ground cumin

In a large heavy bottom pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the meat, pepper, and onion and cook until meat is browned. Drain off drippings. Add the rest of the main batch and simmer for 1 hour. Add all of the ingredients from Batch One, stir and simmer for 35 minutes. Add Batch Two to the pot and cook for an additional 20 minutes, stirring often. Add Batch Three and cook for 10 more minutes before serving.

Diabetic diet yesterday went like this...

Breakfast:

1 cup mini shredded wheat (3 carbs)

1 cup skim milk (1 carb)

stevia (0 carbs)

     Total: 4 carbs

Lunch:

2 cups homemade chicken noodle soup (1 carb)

6 wheat crackers (1 carb)

1/2 pomegranate (1 carb)

1 small banana (1 carb)

     Total: 4 carbs

Dinner:

1 serving Frito Twists (1 carb)

1 1/2 cups Josh and Tiffany's Chili (1 carb)

2/3 cup Greek yogurt (1 carb)

     Total: 3 carbs

Snack:

1 small apple (1 carb)

1 Tbsp peanut butter (0 carbs)

Question: How would you describe your favorite chili dish? Beany? Meaty? Salty? Spicy? Loaded with vegetables? Beefy? Vegetarian?

Off for a bowl...have a great Saturday!!

Email forward fallacies and olive oil for ulcers

I don't send forwards. Never have, never will. I got a forward today about fruit, so I opened it as it was from my aunt who knows I'm a dietitian. I was nearly in tears I was laughing so hard. Check it out:

EATING FRUIT...

It's long but very informative

We all think eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. It's not as easy as you think. It's important to know how and when to eat.

What is the correct way of eating fruits?

IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUITS AFTER YOUR MEALS! * FRUITS SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.

If you eat fruit like that, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.

FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD. Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so.

In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and

digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil....

So please eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals! You have heard people complaining - every time I eat watermelon I burp, when I eat durian my stomach bloats up, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet etc - actually all this will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. The fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas and hence you will bloat!

Graying hair, balding, nervous outburst, and dark circles under the eyes all these will NOT happen if you take fruits on an empty stomach.

There is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter (is this even grammatically correct??).  If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the Secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.

When you need to drink fruit juice - drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT from the cans. Don't even drink juice that has been heated up.

 Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all. You only get to taste. Cooking destroys all the vitamins.

But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it.

 You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look!

Drinking Cold water after a meal = Cancer! Can u believe this?? For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

A serious note about heart attacks HEART ATTACK PROCEDURE: (THIS IS NOT A JOKE!) Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line. You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. Sixty percent of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive...was this forward about cancer and fruit or heart attacks? I’m now confused…..

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this mail sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.

Read this....It could save your life!!

*EYE ROLL* It SCARES me that there's this kinda crud floating around! Much less, people are reading and believing it! Research health claims that you hear and ask your medical provider before falling for any fallacies out there!

On a completely unrelated note....

While I like to think I teach patients things, they also teach me things, too! Like this week, for example, a patient asked, “Is it true that olive oil helps prevent stomach ulcers?” After swallowing my pride just a bit, I responded with an, “I’m not sure, but I’ll get back to you!”

Ends up, olive oil DOES help to prevent stomach ulcers according to WedMD.

A Spanish study from 2007 suggested virgin olive oil may help prevent and treat H. pylori infections, a leading cause of gastritis and peptic ulcers. Lab testing revealed that the antioxidant compounds found in virgin olive oil are effective against several strains of H. pylori. Other natural products such as red wine, green tea, and cranberry juice are rich in a class of antioxidants known as phenolic compounds, which can inhibit the growth of H. pylori [1].

Phenolic compounds are found to have strong antibacterial properties. Lab results show olive oil’s phenolic compounds are effective against 8 strains of H. pylori, including 3 that are resistant to some antibiotic treatments [1]. Go virgin olive oil!

[1]. Warner, Jennifer. Olive Oil May Prevent Ulcers. WebMD. February 13, 2007.

A Tribute to Crock Pots and Whack Weight Loss Products

It's no secret: I'm obsessed with my crock pot. I catch a lot of grief from my husband over my crock pot usage...who continues to inhale my slow-cooked suppers. So, thanks to Easy Reader News, here's a public tribute for crock pot users and lovers out there....'cause really, what's not to love about a crock pot?

Reason #1 to go crock: Vitamin and mineral preservation.
Similar to braising, crock pot cooking produces low, steady, moist heat for hours -- approximately 300 degrees for 4 hours on high and 200 degrees for 10 hours on low. When you place wholesome, nutrient-dense foods INTO the crock pot, that's what you get out of the crock pot. No nutrient loss!

Sarah Krieger, RD and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association explains the unfortunate vitamin and mineral loss through standard cooking methods. Nutrients are lost through heat, oxygen, and water. A crock pot, however, contains all of these elements throughout the cooking process and thus, retains nutrients in your food.

Reason #2 to love your crock pot: Lean and cheap -- make it great!
Cuts of beef such as chuck, shoulder, and bottom-round are exceptionally lean and cheap...but they're also rather tough. The low-temperature, moist-heat cooking of a crock pot, however, breaks down tough muscle fiber and connective tissue in these leaner, cheaper cuts. You're left with a healthy, iron-packed, tender beef cut...and gaining convenience in preparation!

Reason #3 to use your crock: There's better things to do during the evening hours!
The crock pot is a time-saver. Rather than meal preparation and cook time in the 60-90 minutes after getting home from work, I can enjoy the time playing with Lily, visiting with my husband, or going for a workout! After loading up your crock, your job is done! And crock pot liners save on dishes...big time. I highly recommend using them! If you've ever "finished" dinner before work, you know how great a feeling it is to know it's one less thing on your plate come 5 o'clock when you punch out for the day.

My friend Kristin recently  purchased a crock pot in order to try many of the recipes I post. Kristin, this post is in honor of your recent purchase....I hope it brings you many years of crock pot happiness and delectable meals!

On a completely unrelated note, ABC News put out a fun article entitled, "Top 5 Weird Weight Loss Products". I thought I'd share a recap as it was rather entertaining to read...

Weird Weight Loss Product #1: The Hula Chair
Gain an exotic dance workout inspired by dance-exercises such as Zumba and Kukuwa...by sitting in a hula chair! Dr. Steven Blair, professor of exercise science at the University of South Carolina stated, "Standing, you'd be burning even more calories, and standing on one leg, you'd be burning even more calories than before." Rather than buying this expensive, large hula chair, Blair suggests going on a walk...and saving your money. If you're looking for a laugh, however, Ellen DeGeneres trying to pour a glass of water while sitting in the hula chair WAS rather amusing.



Weird Weight Loss Product #2: Power Plate
A vibrating platform which supposedly causes the body to burn more calories due to the higher difficulty in balancing. Again, Dr. Blair recommends going for a walk for increased calorie burn. The Power Plate is beneficial for bone density, however.

Weird Weight Loss Product #3: Thermal Suits
Water weight through sweat is not a feasible means of losing weight. Using such suits can be dangerous, decrease endurance, and cause the body difficulty in regulating body temperature. Not smart, not useful.

Weird Weight Loss Product #4: Sound Waves for Muffin Tops and Belly Fat
This Vaser technology uses sonic waves to dissolve a layer of fat which is then sucked out through a vacuum. These procedures are marketed as "sculpture" liposuction and are meant to assist those who are relatively fit rather than the general obese population looking to shed lots of weight quickly.

Weird Weight Loss Product #5: The Tongue Patch
Dr. Nikolas Chugay, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, developed the tongue patch as a temporary way to lose 20 to 40 pounds. The procedures involves stitching a prolene patch to the tongue, causing discomfort and pain to chew and swallow food. Patients of Chugay's receive 700 calories of daily nutrition through a liquid drink mix containing carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins, and minerals. The patch is removed after a month. Wow, just wow.

Question: Has anyone tried one of the whack weight loss products discussed above? I've heard of a lot of Power Plate users in the Chicagoland area; that products appears the most feasible of the 5.

Looking forward to Biggest Loser tonight! Have a wonder Tuesday!

Omega-3 "Fortification"

First, let's set the record straight. Foods that are "enriched" have nutrients added back which were lost in the refining process. Foods that are "fortified" have nutrients added which weren't originally present in the food item.

So, with all the fortified omega-3 products out there, you can get in your omega-3's from just about any source -- butter, pasta, oil, juice, eggs...just to name a few. These products are not only more expensive, but they're also over-promoting health claims. A serving of salmon can have up to 50x more omega-3 content than most omega-3 fortified products [1].

So is the bang worth the buck? Not likely.

"But what if I don't like fish?" (I know that's the next thing you're thinking...).Well, omega-3 research is still undetermined for use among the general public. We know that elevated triglycerides, personal history of cardiovascular disease, or family history of cardiovascular disease are indications for adequate omega-3 intake or supplementation, however. For omega-3 content in fish, check out this previous blog post.

Bottom line: omega-3 fortified foods are not the end all, be all that advertising leads you to believe. Save the dough for fish or supplements if indicated.

Curiosity has the best of me -- do YOU supplement omega-3's in your diet? I do -- 3 grams a day.

[1]. Enersen, Jean. How Omega-3 Fortified Foods Compare to the Real Thing. King 5. September 4, 2009.