by Claire Addison on March 6, 2010
When I learned I had breast cancer, I got serious about my health. I knew that I needed to change my lifestyle and incorporate more healthy foods in order to give myself the best chance at preventing a recurrence of this terrifying disease.
The real challenge for me has been finding recipes that both would benefit my health and please my family. In the process of discovering what needed to be done in order to improve my health, I uncovered that fact that I am also allergic to dairy products and eggs. Before giving up cheese, I was addicted. My goal was to incorporate recipes into our lives that would eliminate any residual cheese longing.
Giving up dairy for health reasons turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Little did I know that the majority of the migraine and sinus issues I had suffered from for years were a result of the allergies to dairy with which I was plagued. Simply by cutting out dairy and eggs, the occurrence of migraines dropped substantially. Plus, I stopped needing the Afrin nasal spray to which I had been addicted to for years.
To optimize my health, I wanted to get serious. I cut out processed foods, refined sugars and anything containing white flour. My meals now consist mostly of organic ingredients and I make them from scratch. No additives, no preservatives, no saturated fats. Only pure ingredients and heart healthy fats like those found in olive oil, avocados and wild caught deep-water fish, such as salmon.
Through trial and error, I realized that combining elements from both the raw food and vegan lifestyles, I could come up with workable food choices that would meet all of our needs. On my website, Cheap Healthy Meals, I discuss the reasons that I chose to model both vegan and raw lifestyles as well as share recipes that I have adapted or developed that quite my health concerns and please my family as well.
Popularity: 7% [?]
by Claire Addison on February 26, 2010
If you are one of those people who are afraid of ordering out or having a restaurant meal because it means bad news for your diet, then you are in luck as this article is especially for you. In this article you will find 10 rules for when eating in or ordering out. They will help you to make it more waistline friendly. Here’s how:
1. Avoid anything deep fried
Deep fried foods are a big diet no-no. So stay far way from anything deep fried.
2. Choose the cooking method smartly
Ask the chef about the cooking method and make sure that yours is either: baking, stir frying, grilling or steaming. Stay away from all the other cooking methods.
3. Stick to lean meat
Stick to lean meat and avoid fatty y meats. Good meat choices includes: lean red meat like sirloin and fillet, fish and skinless chicken.
4. Bulk food up with salad or vegetables
Half of your plate must consist of salad and vegetables in order to consume less calories and fat from the food.
5. Skip the chips
Chips should never be on your menu. Healthier options to include are baked potato and sweet potato.
6. Start with a starter
Starting your meal with a starter will help you to fill up and to eat less of your main meal.
7. Have salad dressing on the side
Never order your meals without asking for salad dressing on the side. If you do you will be getting in much more calories than you should.
8. Limit your alcohol intake
Drinking too much can cause you to eat much more than you should and as alcohol is high in calories, you will be getting in extra empty calories.
9. Have low fat sauces
Low fat sauces like chili and soy should be preferred over unhealthy sauces.
10. Share the dessert
When you are in the mood for dessert, only have half and give the other half to a friend.
Cheated on these rules?
When you did indulge in cheat foods, just burn the excess calories of with extra cardio. The best cardio machines are stepper machines and eliptical cross trainers.
So next time you eat out or you order out, keep these 10 rules for when you order out close by and your meal will be healthier and waistline friendly.
Popularity: 23% [?]
by Claire Addison on February 22, 2010
There are several benefits to almond butter that are really catching on with consumers and causing growth in sales. These spreads are very similar to peanut butter, but are made naturally with almonds instead of peanuts. There are several health benefits to this, and while almond butter spreads can vary from one company to another, in general this is a better choice than peanut butter is. Organic almond butter can be made from almonds processed one of two ways: almonds that are heated and blanched, and then also by raw almonds. It is important to note that just because an almond butter is labeled as organic, that doesn’t necessarily mean that its raw almond butter. That all depends on how the almonds are processed.
Why almond butter as opposed to peanut butter? There are several reasons.
Some raw almond butter benefits:
- Far fewer allergies. Some people have severe and potentially fatal peanut allergies. The same is not true with almonds, as almond allergies are extremely rare and generally far less severe.
- Less calories. Almond butter generally has less calories than peanut butter, and raw organic almond butter won’t have the added sugar that often comes with regular peanut butter.
- High in protein and fiber, and the fats are healthy fats.
These are just a few of the benefits of raw almond butter that makes it appealing to consumers. While early on it can be a little bit different to get used to, over time many people come to enjoy the texture and taste of almond butter even more than classic peanut butter.
Currently there are many medical and University tests being done to further study almond nut butter health benefits, as there is some hope that maybe this organic spread will show some positive strides in being part of a healthy diet to help fight things like cancer and heart disease. So if you’re looking for something to replace peanut butter with something healthier, take a look at almond butter as an alternative.
Popularity: 57% [?]
