Earthly Eating

The basics in any lunch or any meal at all is the main building blocks of anyone’s diet plan. Once people grasp the understanding of what their bodies need and what they aren’t given it, the “diet” fads will go bye bye. Here are some main ideas to keep in mind when making healthy food decisions.

Whole grains, fruits and vegtables (one of each), calcium and lean protein are the components of a healthy lunch. And the USDA recommends the following:

• Six onces of grains: half of the daily intake should be whole grains, but 100% is best. Whole grains contain fiber and vitamins that refined grains do not. Choose whole grain products when buying breads, tortillas, pastas, and cereal. Serve brown rice, quinoa, whole barley, bulgar or buckwheat as well.

• Two and a half cups of vegetables and one and a half cups of fruits: Choose fresh and keep it varied, since different fruits and vegetables offer different vitamins and nutrients. Include fruits and vegetables in a variety of colors, and buy what’s in season: apples in autumn, oranges in winter. Shop local farmers markets or join a community suppoerted agriculture (CSA) co-op that arranges food deliveries from a local farm. And always buy organic.

• Three cups of milk for children two to eight years old: Try to include l;owfat milk and cheese, yogurt, non-genetically modified (non-GMO) calcium fortified soy or dark, leafy greens.

• Five ounces of lean protein: Use lean varieties of turkey, chicken and ham. Fatty fish such as fresh salmon and tuna are packed with healthy omega 3-fatty acids. Low-mercury canned tuna and antibiotic and hormone-free meats, both great choices, are cold in many supermarkets, even as store brands. If the animal source protein is a problem try legumes, non-GMO tofu and tempeh are great alternatives. (Source: KIWI 2007)

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Earthly Eating Recipe

Creamy Rice Pudding
Serves: 8

1 1/2 quarts 2% milk
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup white rice
1/2 cup raisins
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Combine milk, sugar and rice in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a gently boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to simmer and cook uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. (The milk should just barely simmer, with bubbles breaking only at the outside edge of the surface. After an hour, the rice should be soft.)

Add raisins, increasse heat to medium heat, and cook, stirring frequently, until the rice has absorbed most of the rest of the milk, but not all, and the pudding is creamy (about 30 minutes longer).

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. When cool, pudding will thicken, but will be very creamy. Serve warm or well chilled.

Happy Eating!

The Truth About Folic Acid:
Foods to which folic acid has been added (like cerals and pasta) are what’s really responsible for the recent improvements in folic-acid blood levels not in dietary supplements found in common form which is unfortified items as recently thought.

How To Build Your Own Food Pyramid:
If the food pyramid was based on your eating habits instead of the ideal diet from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), what would it look like? Go to USDA/CNPP. Click on the link under the “Healthy Eating Index” , register and list your lastest meals. In return, you will get a non-hold-barred analysis of your diet, including a personalized pyramid. If it’s a little off, don’t fret. You can record up to 20 days’ worth of eating habits, so you have the opportunity to build a better pyramid.

Organic: What It Really Means:
Don’t give up if you don’t know the difference between products labeled “organic” and “100% organic.” Though the U.S Department of Agriculture just implemented its national standards, the word is still slow in getting out on what the many newly defined terms actually mean. To learn more, check out A Practical Guide to Understainding Organic by Stoneyfeild Farms.

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Earthly Eating Recipe: (Day 3 of Low-Fat Eating)

Low-Fat Milk And Your Diet:
Drinking low-fat milk before or with a meal helps you feel more full sooner and eat less the next time. The lighter the milk, the greater the effect. That is, fat-free milk works better than 1 precent, and both work better than 2 precent. Going low-fat also takes a load of calories out of your diet. Nearly every successful strategy for cutting fat from your diet includes drinking lower-fat milk.

Low-Fat Frozen Desserts:
Many people keep eating until the have had something sweet. Fortunately, that doesn’t have to be bad. Frozen desserts are a good way to satisfy a sweet tooth without piling on calories. A Creamsicle® weighs in at just 100 calories, and a Tofutti Cutie® vanilla or wild berry sandwich is only 120 calories. A half-cup of chocolate frozen yogurt adds a modest 115 calories to your dinner. Of course, people who have gotten used to this appraoch can use another treat. Have a satisfying amount of low-energy density food at your meal and then for dessert eat one piece of the most delicious chocolate you can find.

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Raspberry-Orange Smoothie
Serves: 2

1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup frozen raspberries
1 orange, peeled, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup raspberry or orange flavored yogurt

In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Pour into glasses that are fluted and serve.

Happy Eating!

In pace of sugary cerals, serve whole grains sweetened with fresh fruit, a great way for you to start the day as well as your children. Whole grains, which break down slowly in digestion, helps lower the risk of atherosclerosis and inflammatory conditions. They also help reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. There has a links between lower heart failure to those who eat a whole-grain breakfast as well.

Whole grains help reduce blood pressure and the risk of stroke, benefit people with Type-2 diabetes, and may even enhance learning. Children who eat hot oatmeal preform better on memory test than those who start their day with ready-to-eat cereal. (Source: TFO 2007) Because whole grains are more filling than refined grains, they can also help maintain a healthy weight.

For your knowledge: Making a mealtime staple out of lean chicken breast may protect you and yours from colon cancer. White meat is the form of chicken is important in preventing precancerous polyps of the colon. While a direct line isn’t indentified, chicke is rich in selenium and calcium, both of which have been associatd with some benefits in reducing colorectal cancer risk. (Source: American Journal of Gastroenterology)

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Earthly Eating Recipe:

Carrot Flan
Serves 8

1 pound of carrots, scrubbed and sliced
1/2 teaspoon of honey
1 tsp. Broth powder
Water

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a sauce pan, include water until it just covers contents, and cook until the carrots are tender and the water evaporates. To microwave: rince and cut carrots. Place in a covered glass bowl with water clinging to the carrots. Microwave for 12-14 minuts until very tender.

2 tablespoons butter-flavored flakes
1/2 cup evaporated milk
2 eggs

2. Combine in blender with cooked carrots, then puree.

3. Pour into custard cups or individual ring molds.

4. Set containers in a pan of hot water and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes or until custard sets.

5. Serve hot in the custard cups.

Happy Eating!

Those successful at shedding at least 30 pounds, and keeping them off, do more than just eat breakfast regularly. Here are other behaviors that can help you lose weight, and the big additon is: THESE HABITS HELP YOU KEEP THE WEIGHT OFF AS WELL:

Crunch the numbers: Read lables, be mindful of the number of calories in food, and actively monitor and limit your daily intake to be sure that you are buring at least as many calories as you are taking in. Simple inattention leads to mindless over-eating of nonessential calories and fats.

Always in moderation: If your favorite past-time was sitting on grandma’s porch, packing back the nutty buddies and sipping on Kool-Aid® without a care in the world, and you still do this practice at the age of 30, STOP! A child’s metabolism is a lot higher than an average, healthy adults. Remember, you may like that Hershey’s® candybar, but only eat some and save the rest for later. You don’t want to undo what you have worked so hard to achieve. Plus, if you eat it all the time, it’s not a treat. Allow a day to give thanks to your grandma for such wonderful times on the porch and eat a FEW cookies in that/her memory.

Go low-fat, not low-carb: No matter how they initially lost weight, People say they keep the weight off by limiting fat, not corbohydrates, in their daily diets.

Exercise at least one hour a day: You have probably got this one covered, but if not here are some ideas to get your motivated. Everyone needs a break from their day to day activitys and choas. Go for a short stroll, possibly a 15 minute one at breakfast, and another one at lunch then head out just before dinner or after dinner for a 30 minute walk. If you have a treadmill in your home or office, it’s even easier than you think. Investing in exercise equipment like a treadmill, is never a waste of money (you have to use it though.)

Step in the scale: Those who maintain thier weight use the scale at least once a week, and they take action as soon as they notice the number tipping more north. Never be affraid of seeing how much you weigh. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, it is however, ashaming to not fix the problem. Be it over-weight or under-weight.

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Earthly Eating Recipe:

Apricot Oatmeal Cookies:
Serves: Makes, 4 dozen large cookies

1/2 cup organic butter, softened
1/2 cup organic vegetable shortening
2 cups organic granulated sugar
2 large organic or farm fresh eggs
1-1/2 cup tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 cups organic rolled oats, finely ground
2 cups organic white or wheat flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup organic rolled oats
1-1/2 cups organis dried apricots, coarsely chopped
2 cups organic pecans, walnuts or almonds, chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degress and place rack in the center position in your oven. Beat butter and shortening with sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after weach addition. Stir in vanilla. Grind oats in a blender or food processor until fine, then combine together with flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Gradually stir flor mixture into butter mixture. Fold oats, apricots and nuts into batter and drop by heaping tablspoons, about 2 inches apart, onto lightly greased baking sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool 2-3 minutes, then remove to a rack to cool throughly before serving. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Happy Eating!

Variety, speed and ease are all important to a successful breakfast. These quick-menu ideas provide plenty of carbohydrates, lean protein and healthy fats to help you stay fueled through the entire day.

• Multigrain bagel with low-fat cream cheese, sliced melon, a glass of skim milk, and 100 precent fruit juice or sports drinks with low-sugar content.

• One to two cups of ready-to-eat, low-sugar cereal with skim milk, 1/2 cup of berries or one small banana, and juice.

• Fresh fruit salad, two slices of whole-whear toast spread with alond butter, a glass of milk, and furit juice.

• One cup of granola or muesli topped with nofat or low-fat yogurt and berries, and fruit juice.

• One or two whole-grain English muffins spread with whole-fruit jam, a handful of whole alomnds or trail mix without sugary additions (such as M&Ms) and a bottled low-fat smoothies.

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Earthly Eating Recipe:

Tropical Dessert Pizza:
Serves: 12 slices

1 package (18 oz.) refrigerated sugar cookie dough rounds
1 package (1.59 oz.) Freezer jam fruit pectin
1-1/2 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups peeled, cored, crushed pineapple (about 1 medium)
1-1/2 cups peeled, seeded, crushed papaya (about 2 medium)
1 cup peeled, finely chopped mango (about 1 large)
1 cup whipped topping
1/4 cup chopped macadamia nuts
1/4 cup white chocolate chips
2 tablespoons flaked coconut

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 12-inch pizza pan. Place cookie dough rounds in a circle in middle of greased pan. Press rounds to form a 9-inch circle. 2. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Allow to cool, about 15 minutes. 3. Stir pectin and sugar in a bowl until well blended. Add pineapple, papya and mango. Continue stirring for 3 minutes. reserve 1 cup jam. Set aside. 4. Ladle remaining jam into clean plastic 8 oz. freezer jars to fill line. Twist on lids. Let stand until thickened, about 30 minutes. Refrigerate up to three weeks of freeze up to one year. 5. Spread whipped topping over cooled cookie. refrigerate additional 5 minutes, just to set. Spread reserved tropical jam on top of whipped topping. Sprinkle ith macadamia nuts, white chocolate chips and cocnut. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Happy Eating!

For Preschool: (Ages 3 to 4)

Water or Milk: Don’t serve sugary juice drinks.

Turkey and Cheese roll-ups with organic string cheese: Try Applegate Farm’s.

Kashi TLC Crackers: Or other whole-grain crackers.

Newman-O’s: It’s similar to the classic Oreo® but packed with a lot more wholesome and organic qualities.

Kiwi and Red Pepper slices:Packed with vitamin C. If you child doesn’t like like red peppers, tuck in cherry tomatoes or red or green grapes instead.
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For Elementary School: (Ages 5 to 10)

Sandwich:Organic peanut and cinnamon rasin swirl butter, and sliced bananas on whole grain bread. It gives protein, potassium, and fiber.

Reduced Fat Milk:Try Horizon’s single-serving boxes of milk. It gives calcium.

Crisy Cheddars: Try Back To Nature.

Lemon Iced Cookies:Try My Family Farm. It has no artificial ingredients.

Organic peeles mini carrots with dip:Prewrapped sets like ones from Earthbound Farm com with ranch dressing.
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For Junior High School: (Ages 11 to 13)

Stoneyfield Squeezers: These tubes of yogurt are quick in kids lunches. And they give calcium too.

Sparkling Tangerine Juice:Try Santa Cruz Organics soda. It has organic cane juice in place of high fructose corn syrup.

An Apple: It’s good to have hand-held fruit so children can handle it better. It also gives fiber.

Noodles with chicken and broccoli: Try eggnoodles with roasted chicken and steamed vegetables. Make sure to use nonfried ramen, panfried noodles may have trans-fats. Top the dish off with sesame seeds.
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For High School: (Ages 14 to 18)

Hummus with Whole Grain Pita bread:Whole gran pita gives vitamin B and fiber.

Dried Fruits and Nuts:Try Peeled Snacks’ Shockolate packs.

Jones Organics Red Tea Tropical: This beerage is caffine-free and has a cooling effect.

Spinach salad:It give iron, vitamin C, and Beta-carotene (an antioxidant). And Feta cheese is lower in fat then most cheeses.
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For The Office: (Adults)

Lentil Soup:Gives protein and fiber is filling and low-calories as well. Try Moosewood Kitchens’ vegetarian versions.

Mozzarella and Prosciutto Panini Half Sandwich:If you make it wil arugula and roasted peppers it adds fiber and vitamins C and A.

Lesser Evil Kettle Corn:It’s a natural snack and free of the sweetness of corn syrup.

Teany Herbal Citrus Cooler: It’s caffeine-free and keeps you lifted with energy through the afternoon.

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Earthly Eating Recipe:

Loaded “Baked Potato” Soup:
Serves 4

2 medium baking potatoes, unpeeled
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup milk
3 slices bacon, cooked, crumbled and divided
3/4 cup shredded chaddar cheese, crumbled and divided
2 tbs. sliced green onions, divided
1/4 cup sour cream

Pierce potatoes; microwave on high 5 minutes, turning over after 2 1/2 minutes. Cut potatoes into chunks. Combine potatoes, broth and milk in a large microwaveable bowl. Microwave on high 6 minutes, stirring after 3 minutes. Slightly crush potatoes with a potato masher .

Reserve 2 tbs. each of the bacon and cheese and 1 tbs. of the onions for topping; set aside. Add remaining bacon, cheese and onions to soup.

Serve topped with reserved bacon, cheese, onions and sour cream.

Happy Eating!

Try the Latin American diet pyramid:

The U.S food pyramid favors a diet hgih in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. But mixing it up can make your meals more exciting. Take a look a the Latin American food pyramid.

Try this food guide pyramid to tickle your taste buds with these appealing alternatives:

• Whole Grains: Tortillas, couscous, brown rice, arepas (corn-flour pancakes).

• Vegetables: Bok choy, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts.

• Fruits: Mango, papaya, kiwi, pineapple, guava.

• Beans/nuts: Edamame, peanuts.

View other pyramids here:

1. Asian

2. Mediteranean

3. Vegetarian
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Earthly Eating Recipe:

Lentil Confetti, Apple, and Turkey Wraps
Serves 6

4 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken stock
1 cup dried brown lentils
1/2 cup dried green lentils
2 stalks celery
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 medium tomato, cored, seeded and diced
1 small Fuji apple, cored and diced
1 tbs. freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 sheets whole-whear lavash, cut in half crosswise, or 6 12-inch flour tortillas
3/4 pound turkey breast, thinly sliced
1/2 head Bidd lettuce

1. Place the sotck, lentils, celery, carrot, thyme, and salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until the lentils are tender, about 30 minutes, depending on the lentils. (If they begin to dry out, ass water as needed.) Remove and discard the thyme. Drin and trasfer the micture to a bowl; let cool.

2. Fold in the tomato, apple, lemon juice, and olive oil. Season with the pepper.

3. To assemble a wrap, place 1 lavash sheet on a clean work surface. Spread some of the lentil mixture on the end nearest you, leaving 1-inch border all the way around. Roll up the lavash, slice crosswise, and serve. If using torillas, spread the lentils in the center, top with the turkey and lettuce, and fold up the bottom, left side, and right side before rolling away from you.

*Tip: through lentil don’t require it, you can soak them overnight in the fridge to reduce their cooking time by half.

Happy Eating!