Posts Tagged ‘nutritious’

Rainbow Chard & Leek Saute with….+

November 7th, 2009

Chard & Leeks1

I’m really diggin’ our CSA box delivery service. So far the produce has been great and in order to use it all we’ve had to use our noggins and think outside the box a bit, so to speak! Who said you can’t have looks and brains?

This week our box contained organic Fuji apples, spinach, leeks, rainbow chard, broccoli, Valencia oranges & mixed peppers. This week's CSA delivery I turned to old faithfuls for some of these—I used the oranges for Jerk sauce and the mixed peppers went into a pot o’chili.

Each week when our box arrives there’s a newsletter inside from the farm talking about what’s in season and giving tips and such about the fruit n’ veg. They also give a recipe highlighting one of the veggies. I was intrigued by this particular chard recipe not only because I really like leafy greens but also because it used the entire bunch of chard, stems & all. Usually one would remove the stems and either put them in the stock pot as I do or into the compost heap. Either way they’re getting used but I’d much prefer to eat them. They have a lovely peppery flavour and they add brilliant colour to the sauteed chard. I can’t take any credit for this but it did turn out great and I combined it with a rice recipe which uses up some of the apples. Usin’ my noggin!

Continue reading the full recipe here and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the HEALTHY IRISHMAN Newsletter!

When you do you’ll receive a FREE Entertainment Booklet with recipes and tips for your next dinner party.

Fueling your body with healthy food. Fueling your mind with the wealth of health.

Copyright © 2009 The Healthy Irishman. All rights reserved
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Popularity: 9% [?]

Miso Marinated Cod with Sesame Soba Noodles

October 24th, 2009

Healthy Miso Cod

The first time I had Miso was in soup at a sushi bar, which I’m sure is the case for a bunch of you guys. Then a few months later I ordered the miso-marinated cod, which is usually an appetizer at most sushi restaurants and I was blown away by how good it tasted. I knew I wanted to recreate the dish but in more healthy way because typically this marinade is made with sugar and several ounces of mirin, which has a high sugar content. So I hit up the kitchen to make a better alternative without using Mirin or granulated sugar. I’m delighted with the outcome.

Continue reading the full recipe here and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the HEALTHY IRISHMAN Newsletter!

When you do you’ll receive a FREE Entertainment Booklet with recipes and tips for your next dinner party.

Fueling your body with healthy food. Fueling your mind with the wealth of health.

Copyright © 2009 The Healthy Irishman. All rights reserved

Popularity: 4% [?]

The Failure of the Health/Fitness/Obesity Industry

October 20th, 2009

Aaaaarrrgggghhhhh……I am so frustrated.

Yesterday, I met with new client for the first time.

Over the past 30+ years, this woman has tried and failed to lose 20 pounds and get into “shape”

  • She has consulted with doctors and trainers and nutritionists and naturopaths.
  • She has bought books and magazines and dvds and subliminal audio programs.
  • She has starved herself of calories and fat and carbs.
  • She has run and jumped and stretched and lifted and sweated…a lot.
  • She has taken thousands of pills and potions.
  • She has rubbed on various creams and lotions.

In short, she has done just about everything that every popular health/fitness/weight-loss expert has told her to do.

And yet, she has never really come close to achieving her health & fitness goals.

And she blames herself.

And so do the experts.

They told her that their program was guaranteed to work…but only if she followed their instructions with perfect compliance.

So, when the program failed, it was because she broke the rules. It was her fault.

What a load of B.S.

  • They are supposed to be the experts.
  • They promise a solution.
  • She pays them large amounts of money for that solution.
  • And yet they take no responsibility for their part in the process

The nutritionist/dietitian gave her a meal plan, but never told her how to cope with the cravings and hunger pangs that came along with it.

The trainer billed her $120 per session but never taught her the hows and whys of an effective training program.

The weight loss doctor gave her a diet and some B12 injections and then yelled at her when she broke her 1000 calorie / no-carb diet.

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So, why is it that after 30+ years of listening to the experts and spending thousands and thousands of dollars, this woman is still fatter and weaker and less healthy than she wants to be?

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Is it all her fault?

Is it the fault of the experts?

A bit of both?

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And, is there a better way?

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This is what happens when Health Habits doesn't eat healthy

October 19th, 2009

Yesterday was my wife’s birthday.

Instead of going out to a restaurant, I offered to cook one of her favorite meals:

  • Vegetable lasagna with 4 types of cheese
  • Garlic bread dripping with butter
  • Caesar salad
  • Ice cream for dessert
  • and a bottle of pinot grigio to wash it all down

veg lasagna

Mmmmmmm good…seriously. It tasted great. I make a really good lasagna.

However, this morning…

I feel like crap.

  • No energy
  • My sinuses are all stuffed up
  • Headache
  • Bloated – my wedding ring feels like it’s be soldered onto my finger
  • Heartburn
  • Stomach rumblin’ & grumblin”
  • I am craving carbs like crazy
  • And my face is all puffy…I have “bread head”

Bread Head…dammit!!!

Popularity: 2% [?]

Family Style Artichoke Chicken

October 17th, 2009

artichoke chicken

Would you believe I’ve made this dish three times in hopes of getting a good photo?

Ah well, this is me best. Good thing it’s mouthwatering good! You’ll have to trust me on this one.

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Continue reading the full recipes here and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the HEALTHY IRISHMAN Newsletter!

When you do you’ll receive a FREE Entertainment Booklet with recipes and tips for your next dinner party.

Fueling your body with healthy food. Fueling your mind with the wealth of health.

Copyright © 2009 The Healthy Irishman. All rights reserved

Popularity: 1% [?]

Vinegar is a Fat-Burning, Waist Shrinking, Cholesterol Lowering Superfood

October 15th, 2009

vinegar

In yesterday’s post, I introduced you to a study which showed that plain ole’ vinegar is effective in suppressing body fat accumulation.

More specifically, the researchers found that laboratory mice fed a high-fat diet and given acetic acid developed significantly less body fat (up to 10 percent less) than other mice.

I was so excited by this low-tech, inexpensive weight loss trick that I contacted the author of the study.

And to my surprise, he emailed an even more recent study which looks at the fat-burning effects of vinegar on actual human beings….no more mice studies.

The Science

In this study, researchers investigated the effects of vinegar intake on the reduction of body-fat mass in obese Japanese students.

The 175 students were randomly assigned to three groups of similar body-weight, BMI and waist circumference.

During the 12 week study, the participants ingested 500ml daily of a beverage containing either 15 ml of apple vinegar (750 mg AcOH – acetic acid), 30 ml of vinegar (1500 mg AcOH) or 0 ml of vinegar (0 mg AcOH, placebo).

In place of vinegar, the placebo group ingested 1250 mg of lactate.

To make them more palatable, all beverages contained the equal amount of flavor and artificial sweetener.

The Results

After only 4 weeks, the vinegar-group participants saw their body-weight, BMI and body-fat percentages improve. These improvements continued  in a dose dependent manner for the entire 12 weeks

Translation: more vinegar = more fat loss

In addition to BF, BMI and BF%, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, LDL cholesterol and serum TG (triglyceride) levels also fell (starting in week 8).

These results can be considered to be due to the body-fat loss because the VFA (visceral fat), SFA (subcutaneous fat) and TFA  (total fat) values were significantly lower in the vinegar groups than in the placebo group.

Does the vinegar make these "diet" chips?

Does the vinegar make these "diet" chips?

Conclusion

15 ml (0.5 oz or 1 tbsp) of vinegar per day is enough to significantly improve your:

  • Body-Weight
  • BMI
  • Body-Fat Percentage
  • Waist Circumference
  • Waist-Hip ratio
  • LDL Cholesterol
  • Serum TG
  • Visceral Body-Fat, and
  • Subcutaneous Body-Fat

And considering that these health markers are associated with type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and metabolic syndrome, perhaps it might be wise to consider adding a tbsp or two of vinegar to your daily diet.

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Fresh Provençal Sauce 3 Ways

October 10th, 2009

Whitefish Provençal with Courgettes Filet Mignon with fresh Provençal Sauce

Thursday I wrote about our experience with the CSA box delivery service, which I am defo enjoying. In box 2 we received more delicious grapes, apples, sweet peppers (I just made more hummus with these because the first batch was so good!), red chard, lettuce, yellow onions and some beautiful end-of-season tomatoes. The chard went straight into two soups: black eyed pea & squash (I decided to sub chard for the spinach) and a new lentil soup (soon to be posted). For the tomatoes, I decided to make a big batch of Provençal sauce. Considering I eat pasta for lunch most days it made sense, but I also wanted to take this batch and make it last throughout the week in three different recipes. It’s a simple yet great way to use up your excess tomatoes that may be losing their summer sweet flavor. Slow cooking these bad boys allows the natural sugar in the fruit (yes, they are considered a fruit) to come out and you end up with a delicious tomato sauce.

I used the sauce in a variety of ways to show just how versatile it is–with fish, steak and as a vegetarian meal with pasta, which could also be a side dish. Who can’t use a little fresh homemade tomato sauce tucked away?

Continue reading the full recipes here and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the HEALTHY IRISHMAN Newsletter! When you do you’ll receive a FREE Entertainment Booklet with recipes and tips for your next dinner party.

Fueling your body with healthy food. Fueling your mind with the wealth of health.

Copyright © 2009 The Healthy Irishman. All rights reserved

Popularity: 1% [?]

Drink more soda…it's good for you

October 8th, 2009

Not everyone is happy with the anti-obesity/anti-soda ad produced by the NYC Dept of Health.

soda obesity nyc

And it isn’t just the people who lost their lunches after seeing that globby/fatty/veiny cup of goo.

It’s groups like the Center for Consumer Freedom.

In fact, the CCF was so upset, that they produced their own rebuttal ad and had it printed in the New York Times

you are too stupid consumer freedom

BTW, a full page ad in the Times costs upwards of $158,004.

$158,004

And we’re not even including the costs associated with creating the ad.

We’re talking big money.

BIG MONEY

And thinking about that big money awakened the skeptic in me. And that inner skeptic started thinking…who is the Center for Consumer Freedom and why are they spending a ton of money defending our freedoms against anti-cola advertisements?

So, I did a little research into the CCF.

My findings?

Apparently, there are a lot of people who don’t like the CCF.

To them, the CCF is nothing but a front group for the restaurant, alcohol and tobacco industries.

It runs media campaigns which oppose the efforts of scientists, doctors, health advocates, environmentalists and groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving, calling them “the Nanny Culture — the growing fraternity of food cops, health care enforcers, anti-meat activists, and meddling bureaucrats who ‘know what’s best for you.’ ”

Over 40 percent of the group’s 2005 expenditure was paid to Rick Berman’s PR company, Berman & Co. for “management services. As part of its operations CCF runs a series of attack websites.

Sourcewatch

But, don’t take their word for it….Check out the “attack” websites

And, if that ain’t enough, watch this video…

Or listen to the man himself as Rick Berman is interviewed by MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow…

So, what do you think?

Is Rick Berman…

  • standing up for your freedom against the American nanny state?
  • or is he spinning lies in order to promote the interests of his anonymous donors?

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Can America's Food Producers Save Us From Obesity?

October 7th, 2009

30 of America’s biggest food producers have come together to form the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation.

It’s kind of like the Justice League of America, but instead of fighting comic book super villains, the HWCF is fighting against obesity.

Justice League of America

Their plan is to do this by “helping consumers lead healthier lives by making energy balance – calories in balanced with calories out – a daily habit”.

We will do this by increasing access and opportunities for physical activity, healthier nutrition options and raising awareness of the energy balance approach…

…in the marketplace….

…participating companies are committing to build on existing efforts and will be making changes to their products, packaging and labeling to make it easier for consumers to manage their calorie intake while preserving or enhancing overall nutrition quality.

Specific options companies may undertake include:

  • product reformulation and innovation;
  • providing smaller portions;
  • redesigning packaging and labeling;
  • placing calorie information on the front of products;
  • providing consumers with information and educational materials;
  • and in-store promotion of the initiative.

…in the workplace…

…participating companies will undertake new or enhance existing programs to help employees achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

This may include:

  • providing calorie information and healthier food and beverage options in cafeterias,
  • vending machines and break rooms;
  • providing access to exercise at work through individual and group activities;
  • offering weight management programs;
  • and implementing tools to track progress, like health risk appraisals.

…and in schools…

…the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation will expand the successful Healthy Schools Partnership to additional schools around the country.  The Healthy Schools Partnership integrates nutrition education and physical education through a school-based curriculum to help children develop lifelong positive healthy habits.

Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it.

  • Healthier food products
  • Improved and expanded nutrition information
  • and lots and lots of money being spent to help improve our fitness levels

So, how come I feel dirty.

Like I have just been lied to.

Hmmmm, it seems like my Spidey-Sense is tingling.

spidey sense

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Fatwashing is the new Greenwashing

October 5th, 2009

thierry henry play 4 life pepsico

Frank Lampard and Thierry Henry are the celebrity faces of a new anti-obesity ad campaign being launched by Pepsi.

Anti-obesity & Pepsi?

That’s an odd combination

soda obesity nyc

I always thought that soda helped to cause obesity.

But, if Pepsi wants to help me lose weight and get fit, then they must be one of the good guys…and therefore, I must drink more Pepsi

MUST DRINK PEPSI….MUST DRINK PEPSI….MUST DRINK PEPSI….

Nooooooo!!!!!!!

Help….I’ve think I have just been fatwashed by Pepsi

frank lampard play 4 life pepsico

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