This really isn't a nutritional tip, so I am not going to number it. However, this is a kitchen tip I wish I knew about a long time ago.
It takes forever to shred cooked chicken. I don't have any fancy shredding equipment. Usually, I would just take two forks and have at it. Well, one day, my husband came home from work and pointed to my stand mixer. What in the world did that have to do with chicken?
If you have a counter top stand mixer, put one piece of chicken at a time in the mixing bowl. Attach the flat beater (not the dough hook or the whisk attachment). Simply turn on the mixer to the stir or #2 level. Run until it is the desired consistency. What used to take me about 15 minutes to do is now done in seconds. Hope that saves you some time too.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Tip #17
Make your own salad dressing.
If you read the labels to a lot of bottled salad dressing, you will see they are laden with preservatives and chemicals. Try making your own. There are a lot of recipes on line. One thing you need to watch out for is sugar. I like a basic balsamic vinaigrette.
1 c. extra virgin olive oil
3 T. balsamic vinegar
1 t. dijon mustard
dash of salt
If you read the labels to a lot of bottled salad dressing, you will see they are laden with preservatives and chemicals. Try making your own. There are a lot of recipes on line. One thing you need to watch out for is sugar. I like a basic balsamic vinaigrette.
1 c. extra virgin olive oil
3 T. balsamic vinegar
1 t. dijon mustard
dash of salt
Monday, June 11, 2012
Tip #16
Popcorn
Popcorn is a healthy snack right? Well, not the microwaved kind. Look at the list of ingredients and all the preservatives and extra additives on the list.
Invest in an air popper. They are not that expensive. You are then in control of the amount of butter, salt, or other things added to your popcorn. It wastes a lot fewer kernels as well. We like a little butter and salt, but also some Parmesan cheese.
Popcorn is a healthy snack right? Well, not the microwaved kind. Look at the list of ingredients and all the preservatives and extra additives on the list.
Invest in an air popper. They are not that expensive. You are then in control of the amount of butter, salt, or other things added to your popcorn. It wastes a lot fewer kernels as well. We like a little butter and salt, but also some Parmesan cheese.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Tip #15
Rice
Swap out white rice for brown rice. Just about any variety comes in brown. You will get much more nutritional benefit than just starch. The additional whole grain and fiber will help to keep you feeling full longer.
Swap out white rice for brown rice. Just about any variety comes in brown. You will get much more nutritional benefit than just starch. The additional whole grain and fiber will help to keep you feeling full longer.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Tip #14
Peanut Butter
If you read the ingredients on the average jar of peanut butter, you will find that fully hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, as well as a large amount are listed. Hydrogenated oils are trans fats, which is possibly one of the worst things you can eat. Instead, look for natural peanut butter. Some people don't like the oil separation that occurs. Whole Foods does sell a natural peanut butter with no sugar and no oil separation in their 365 brand. However Kroger does not have a bad store brand either. If you have to have the sugar (which truly is not necessary), Skippy Natural and Great Value Natural are better choices. They do not have the oil separation either.
However, if you want to get really brave, try making your own.
2 c. dry roasted, unsalted peanuts
3/4 c. coconut oil
2 t. honey
1 t. salt
Add ingredients in a blender. Pulse a few times to get nuts moved around. Blend/chop until smooth.
I have made this before, and it is quite possibly the best peanut butter out there!
If you read the ingredients on the average jar of peanut butter, you will find that fully hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, as well as a large amount are listed. Hydrogenated oils are trans fats, which is possibly one of the worst things you can eat. Instead, look for natural peanut butter. Some people don't like the oil separation that occurs. Whole Foods does sell a natural peanut butter with no sugar and no oil separation in their 365 brand. However Kroger does not have a bad store brand either. If you have to have the sugar (which truly is not necessary), Skippy Natural and Great Value Natural are better choices. They do not have the oil separation either.
However, if you want to get really brave, try making your own.
2 c. dry roasted, unsalted peanuts
3/4 c. coconut oil
2 t. honey
1 t. salt
Add ingredients in a blender. Pulse a few times to get nuts moved around. Blend/chop until smooth.
I have made this before, and it is quite possibly the best peanut butter out there!
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Tip #13
Replace mayo with plain yogurt.
Ok, of course you would not replace mayo with yogurt every time, but....
I like chicken salad. This time around, I replaced the mayo with plain yogurt (equal ratio), and seasoned as normal. I cannot really tell a difference, and any difference there is is a good one. Mayo is not all that good for you anyway. I am amazed at all the people here that eat it on their hamburgers. That is just gross to me. When I do use it, I prefer the Spectrum brand made with flax oil. Remember up to 93% of all corn and soy products in the US are genetically modified. Soybean oil is the predominant oil used in mayo. Yogurt takes care of all of that. I do prefer Greek yogurt, but that is just a preference.
Ok, of course you would not replace mayo with yogurt every time, but....
I like chicken salad. This time around, I replaced the mayo with plain yogurt (equal ratio), and seasoned as normal. I cannot really tell a difference, and any difference there is is a good one. Mayo is not all that good for you anyway. I am amazed at all the people here that eat it on their hamburgers. That is just gross to me. When I do use it, I prefer the Spectrum brand made with flax oil. Remember up to 93% of all corn and soy products in the US are genetically modified. Soybean oil is the predominant oil used in mayo. Yogurt takes care of all of that. I do prefer Greek yogurt, but that is just a preference.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Tip #12
This one was surprising to me.
Use unsweetened applesauce to sweeten cereals such as oatmeal and cream of wheat as well as smoothies. If you are trying to cut back on the amount of refined sugar you are using, this is a healthy alternative. Yesterday, I used it in my oatmeal smoothie.
Another great way to cut back on your sugar intake is to buy plain yogurt and put fruit or apple sauce in it. Make sure it is unsweetened. A lot of regular apple sauce has added sugar or high fructose corn syrup, both of which are big no-no's.
Use unsweetened applesauce to sweeten cereals such as oatmeal and cream of wheat as well as smoothies. If you are trying to cut back on the amount of refined sugar you are using, this is a healthy alternative. Yesterday, I used it in my oatmeal smoothie.
Another great way to cut back on your sugar intake is to buy plain yogurt and put fruit or apple sauce in it. Make sure it is unsweetened. A lot of regular apple sauce has added sugar or high fructose corn syrup, both of which are big no-no's.
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