Building a Healthy Salad

  Salads are the image of "health food".  When we think "I'm going to eat healthily", we often default to salads. Although, when we don't build a well-balanced salad, we might end up overeating at snacks or later meals. The salad could be loaded with salt and fat and we feel as sluggish as if we had consumed a burger! In between these two extremes is a salad that will help us sustain energy, without yearning for more or feeling too tired to keep moving. This can be a great option if we make a great plan! As fresh vegetable season is around the corner, here is a guide for creating optimal salad combinations. Plate Method: this encourages a balanced meal with lean proteins, dairy/non-dairy alternatives, vegetables/fruits, grains, and heart-healthy fats.  Salads incorporating most, or all, of these in recommended [...]

Cooking With Fresh Herbs 

  Skip the salt shaker and start adding flavor to your home cooked meals with the help of fresh herbs. Herbs are a delicious and health conscious way to add life to dull dishes, without packing on the sodium from salt. Some of the world’s most renowned chefs swear these versatile leaves are the secret to a perfect dish. Coming in a variety of forms and flavors, herbs are sure to bring delight with every bite. Follow our guide to use more in your own kitchen. With these tips, your friends and family will think you’re a top chef! Basil This clover-like herb is one of the most popular in the United States. Basil comes in a variety of different forms with the most popular being sweet Italian and Thai purple. Adding basil to your dishes will give it a [...]

Don’t be Salty: The Facts on Sodium

The month of February is dedicated to heart health. A heart healthy lifestyle focuses on low sodium foods, a variety of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and regular physical activity. Making small changes to your diet can help support your heart. Let’s focus on some ways to decrease your sodium intake. Sodium is an essential nutrient, but most Americans consume too much sodium. Excess sodium intake can lead to high blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart and kidney disease along with stroke. Check out the following myths and the low sodium shopping list to help you kick excess sodium out of your diet. Myth 1: Sea salt is healthier than table salt. Fact: Sea salt and table salt contain the same amount of sodium.  Limit the use of all types of salt (sea salt, table salt, Himalayan pink [...]

International Spices for Heart Health

Your doctor recommended that you lay off the salt. The American Heart Association recommends less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day in our diet. Although in the US the majority of the population consumes nearly 150% of the recommended amount. Why is this a problem? Overconsumption of salt raises blood pressure which in turn raises your risk for heart disease. The good news is that simple lifestyle changes like eating more fruit and vegetables and swapping out seasonings for salt while cooking can make a big difference. In fact, cutting back on salt has shown improvements in blood pressure within weeks. According to the FDA, 75% of our salt intake comes from packaged food and restaurant meals. Cut back on salt intake by making fresh meals at home. Want to know how to make your salt-free kitchen exciting? Bring [...]

Salmon Rice Bowl Recipe

Coming up in February is American Heart Month! Any movements such as walking, biking, and other exercises that increase our heart rate can improve cardiovascular health. Good nutrition can also impact our hearts in a positive way. Ways to improve heart health through eating include: Less saturated fats such as butter, lard, and animal products Lower sodium foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes More fatty fish like salmon, cod, and mahi-mahi are high in omega-3 fatty acids Below is a recipe that includes salmon, brown rice, and vegetables that are perfect for a heart-healthy diet! Salmon Rice Bowl Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 15 minutes Servings: 2 Salmon Ingredients: 6oz Salmon Filet (3oz for each bowl) 1 teaspoon minced garlic ½ teaspoon ground pepper 1 Tablespoon lemon juice Rice Bowl Ingredients: 1 cup brown basmati rice or other brown [...]

Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte

Needing a PSL? Fall brings around the ever-devoured and sought after Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL). However, a drive through the Starbucks coffee line will have you consuming nearly 14 grams of fat and 50 grams of sugar. Instead, opt for making your own PSL at home with brewed hot coffee and low-calorie dairy free milk. Prep time: 5 minutes  Cook time: 5 minutes Servings: 1 Ingredients 8 ounces brewed coffee or 1-2 shots of espresso ½ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk 3 tablespoons canned pumpkin or homemade pumpkin puree ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice ½ teaspoon vanilla 2 teaspoons maple syrup, or sweetener of choice Sprinkle of cinnamon Instructions With a handheld frother or blender: In a cup or saucepan, mix together almond milk and pumpkin and cook over medium heat on the stove top or microwave for 35-45 seconds. [...]

Healthy Holiday Swaps

The holiday’s are a time for gathering with loved ones to celebrate the season. It’s also a time for lots of food. For somebody who is monitoring their calories and watching their weight, it can be hard to turn down all of the delicious holiday dishes. However, making simple adjustments to traditional recipes can be a sure fire way to avoid the dreaded holiday weight gain. You can still enjoy your favorite meals by swapping out ingredients for healthier alternatives! Gravy Swaps Gravy atop a mountain of food is typically loaded with extra calories, saturated fat, and sodium. Fortunately, you can still add gravy to your holiday menu by making your own. Add together some low-sodium turkey or chicken broth, skim milk, and fresh herbs. You’d never guess this combination has fewer calories than the traditional recipe. Casserole Swaps The [...]

One-Pot Cooking

After working all day, finding something to make for dinner can sometimes be a pain. Who wants to spend their evenings stuck in the kitchen prepping healthy ingredients? And after dinner comes the “best” part - cleaning up the dirty dishes! This scenario leads many to order local takeout or make their way to the fast food lane. Why Choose One-Pot Meals?  Instead of grabbing a bite to eat out, make a healthy meal at home with just one pot! While eating out is convenient and saves time on clean-up, studies show that those who consume more meals at home consume fewer calories, less fat, sugar, and sodium compared to those who eat out. Your next healthy meal is just one dish away! Convenience And Healthy Combined  One-pot meals are dishes that are easy to make and a breeze to [...]

Recipe-Overnight Oats

Overnight oats is the perfect grab and go breakfast recipe to make your mornings a breeze! Overnight oats are a no-cook method of making a nutritious and delicious breakfast with oatmeal. Instead of cooking the oats over a stovetop, simply add milk to a jar with oats and let sit overnight. Not only is oatmeal a delicious start to the day, they are also packed with essential nutrients like fiber and antioxidants. Overnight Oats 3 ways: Directions: Add oats, almond milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, sweetener of choice, and vanilla extract to a mason jar or cup. Stir until combined and there are no clumps. Cover with lid or plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight. Toppings can be added the night before or immediately before serving. Uncover and enjoy from the glass container [...]

Recipe- Melty-Cheesy Zucchini Boats

  Summer is here and so are a whole array of seasonal vegetables! Today, we are putting the spotlight on a summer favorite - zucchini. Zucchini is naturally low in calories and rich in nutrients such as potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. Check out the nutritious and delicious recipe below! Melty-Cheesy Zucchini Boats Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 30 minutes Serving: 8 Ingredients: 4 medium zucchini (about 8oz each) 2 tbsp olive oil, divided Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 lb ground turkey 1 tbsp minced garlic (3 cloves) 1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 small) 1 -14.5oz can petite diced tomatoes, drained 2 tsp Italian seasoning ⅔ cup panko breadcrumbs, divided ½ cup low-fat shredded mozzarella ⅔ cup shredded parmesan cheese, divided 1 ½ tbsp chopped fresh parsley Instructions:  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 13x9-inch baking [...]