Archive for September, 2009
Healthy Tangy Homemade Soup
This healthy tangy soup is a great favorite for fall weather. The ingredients include organic garbonzo beans and organic red lentils. These dried beans are filled with protein and fiber and energy producing goodness. Organic food is a healthy food providing fuller; and more vitamins and minerals.
Enjoy making this great recipe for your family and watch them asking for seconds.
Tangy Garbonzo and Lentil Soup
2 teaspoons olive oil
3/4 cup chopped celery
2 medium yellow onions, chopped
1 large yellow potato, peeled and diced
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 [28 oz.] can diced plum tomatoes, with juice
1 cup dried, rinsed red lentils
1 cup dried garbonzo beans
1 teaspoon salt
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1. Place olive oil in large pot over medium heat; saute celery, onions, and potatoes, along with curry powder, turmeric, and cinnamon, about 5 minutes.
2. Add canned tomatoes and cook for another 10 minutes.
3. Add 8 cups of water and the garbonzo beans, red lentils, and salt.
Bring to a boil, then simmer, partially covered for 45 minutes to 1 hour. [check that there is enough liquid; add 1 extra cup of water if necessary].
4. Just before serving, add lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and cilantro.
Makes 6 servings.
Eat Healthy - Organic Pasta Noodles
Provide your family with healthy food using organic pasta noodles. Organic pasta noodles are high in carbohydrates giving your body energy and endurance. They are also high in fiber and high in protein.
Organic pasta noodles can be served in a variety of ways. You can make your favorite casserole or serve them plain with butter and seasonings.
Here is a great recipe for organic pasta noodles.
Organic Pasta Noodle Mushroom Casserole
12 oz. of organic pasta noodles
1/2 lb. lean ground beef
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 15 oz. can Italian seasoned tomato sauce
2 cups mozzarella cheese
1 egg, beaten with 1/2 cup milk
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
2 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced
Cook pasta noodles, drain. Pour blended milk and egg into a medium bowl; Add cooked pasta noodles and toss to coat. Spread noodle mixture evenly in a lightly greased rectangular pan. In a large skillet, cook beef, onion, green pepper and garlic until beef is thoroughly cooked, then drain off grease. Add tomato sauce, season to taste and simmer 5 minutes. Spoon meat mixture over pasta noodles. Top with mushrooms and cheese.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting. Serves 6 to 8.
The Facts About Organic Wheat Berries
Organic wheat berries are known to contain 50% more nutrients, minerals and vitamins than non organic wheat berries. Organic food also retains the levels of nutrients much longer.
Our bodies will be more resistant to disease as it will have higher levels of the essential nutrients it needs to fight off infection.
You will have more energy through consuming lower levels of toxins and chemicals that slow the body down.
The average non organic food contains more than 20 pesticides.
Organic wheat berries have a fuller flavor and retains its flavor much longer.
Organic wheat berries are a healthy food and can be used in salads, casseroles and baking bread.
Start using organic wheat berries in cooking for your family and provide them with nutritious healthy food.
Fall Is Here - Cook with Dried Beans
Dried beans are a favorite for fall cooking and can be a great favorite throughout the winter.
Dried beans are a healthy food and are very economical. They are high in protein and high in fiber.
Including dried beans in your diet reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Here is a great recipe using dried beans.
Country Bean Soup
1 1/4 cup dried great northern beans
5 cups water
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup sliced celery [include the leaves]
2 teaspoons ham or chicken bouillon granules
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups diced ham
1 1/2 cups small new potatoes, cut into 1/4 inch chunks
3/4 cup diced carrots
1 1/2 cups [packed] chopped fresh spinach
1. Rinse the beans well and place in a 4-quart pot. Cover the beans with several inches of water and discard any beans that float to the top. Soak the beans for a least 4 hours, or for as long as 12 hours.
2. Discard the soaking water and return the beans to the pot. Add the 5 cups of water, onions, celery, bouillon granules, and black pepper, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally for 1 hour.
3. Add the ham, potatoes, and carrots to the pot, and cook for 45 minutes more or until the beans are soft and the liquid is thick. Add a little more water during cooking if necessary. Add the spinach and cook for an additional 2 minutes, or until the spincah wilts. Serve hot.
Nutritional Facts [per 1 cup serving].
Calories: 218, Carbohydrates: 38 G, Cholesterol: 8 Mg, Fat 1.5 G, Fiber: 11.5 G, Protein: 15 G, Sodium: 514 Mg, Calcium: 88 Mg, GI rating: Low
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Teaching Your Kids Healthy Eating Habits
Parents who constantly feed their children potato chips, soda, candy and sugar-packed fruit drinks make me cringe. There are so many things wrong with this feeding method that lacks nutrition it’s hard to know where to begin my tyrant of complaints. For starters, it speaks leaps and bounds about their parents and their lack of discipline. Children will always want the sugary goodness of sweets and other junk food, but regulating their consumption is essential to a healthy diet. Caving into their demands only diminishes any authority you have over what they eat and sets them on an early obesity track.
Well-balanced meals are easy to whip up, so don’t fall victim to the excuse that junk food is more convenient. And although kids shouldn’t be snacking too much in between meals, healthy food snacks are easy to find. Pack a few granola bars, yogurt and trail mix into your jumbo purse and you’ll be ready to take on a healthy day with your kids. The most important thing to remember is that if you brag too much about how healthy these foods are for them, they’re likely to be less compliant.
Same Taste with Healthier Options
When most people, especially kids, hear the word organic, their hearts skip a beat as their noses turn upward. Eating healthy definitely has its stigmas, but what the majority needs to realize is that eating healthy and dieting are two completely different things. Nobody wants to eat cardboard and sawdust to reduce their waste line; most people are content with their artery-clogging Big Macs and milkshakes. So, if you’re one of these so-called health food dodgers, listen up to a few words that could change your eating habits for the better.
Healthy food comes in a variety of options. And if you are one of those picky eaters, you’ll be glad to know that just because it’s good for you, doesn’t mean it tastes bad. In fact, the only kind of pasta I buy anymore is organic pasta noodles. Almost identical to the traditional white pasta, it tastes the same while providing you with a plethora of more nutrients for your body. Organic food will always be a tasty alternative to foods packed with preservatives, yum!
Healthy Red Bean Salad
Red bean salad is a great healthy food. Your family will love this tasty salad as much as you will enjoy making it. Red beans are high in protein and high in fiber; and is easy on the pocket book.
Here is a unique recipe for Red Bean Salad.
Red Bean Salad
2 cups organic cooked dried red beans
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 red onion, chopped
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
2-3 cups picante sauce
1 tsp. cumin
Cook the dried red beans until tender, cool.
Mix all the ingredients to the red beans.
Chill for at least 6 hours before serving.