WIAW # 18

15 Wednesday Aug 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the student) on August 15, 2012 

Hi, Everyone!  The best day of the week is here again. Happy “What I Ate Wednesday”!  These are my meals from last Sunday. It was a very hot day at about 100 degrees. We spent the day in the Redlands area for a family birthday celebration. Hope you enjoy my day. Thank you to Jenn at Peas and Crayons for hosting the WIAW!

This month’s theme is summer staples and this day again does not feature any of my summer staples. My staples are smoothies for any meal, fresh summer fruits and water, water, water.

This is what I ate:

Breakfast (7:30am)

I started the day with a large breakfast at a random diner. I had coffee with milk and stevia (I bring my own) with eggs, sausage and hash browns.

Am Snack (10:00am)

Starbucks iced Caffe Americano with stevia and a splash of ½ & ½.

Lunch (11:45am)

We picked up sandwiches from the Olive Avenue Market. Whenever we are in Redlands we like to stop by here. This trip I had a sandwich called “The Sunset” which was a very good chicken salad.

Dinner (5:30 pm)

We had dinner at a pub restaurant called The Tartan. Their menu was heavy on steak and burgers, with the high temperature that all seemed too heavy for me. So my husband and I ordered several appetizers to share. We started with split pea soup and then potato skins (I don’t think I have had this dish for over a decade) and a shrimp cocktail. Leaving the restaurant we were lucky to see a beautiful rainbow.

Dessert (8:00pm)

Back at my family’s house with had black and white cupcakes for birthday cake. It was good! 🙂

Thank you for stopping by. I hope your day was full of healthy meals!

Here is a link to my exercise log for the week.

♥ ♥

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Product Review – Infuse Your Mood Tea

13 Monday Aug 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the student) on August 13, 2012

 

Recently, jenmijenmi received a package from Sun Chlorella USA containing Infuse Your Mood Tea. Jennifer and I were both excited to have the opportunity to review our first product.

We decide to sample the tea at Jennifer’s work, so we could have many unbiased opinions. We had about a dozen tasters, who sampled the tea and filled out a survey for us. We asked about taste and the relaxing qualities of the tea. We asked them to rate on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being the most desirable.

The tea was prepared according to the instructions on the box and was served plain without sweetener, lemon or milk. Infuse Your Mood Tea received an average rating of 4 out of 5. Most of the comments on flavor said the tea was smooth, bright and earthy and I agree with that description.

Secondly, we asked about the relaxing qualities of the tea. This tea received an average of 3.7; considering our testers were working I think that is a high score. Since this tea is caffeine-free I could see it was a relaxing drink after dinner.

Infuse Your Mood Tea is a 100% natural, caffeine-free beverage containing eleuthero, a herb that may decrease stress, improve concentration and memory and enhance inner calm and focus.

If you are a tea drinker and looking for a tea to help you relax give Infuse Your Mood Tea a try. Jenmijenmi recommends this tea.

We rate it : ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Disclaimer:  We was not compensated for this review.  My opinion of this product is completely my own.

♥ ♥

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August 12th – Exercise Log

12 Sunday Aug 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the student) on August 12, 2012

 

8/12/12            Off √

8/13/12            Walk/Jog 2 miles, Weight Train 15 min √

8/14/12            Off √

8/15/12            Walk/Jog 2 miles, Weight Train 15 min √

8/16/12            Yoga 1 hr class √

8/17/12            Walk/Jog 2 miles, Weight Train 15 min √

8/18/12            Walk/Jog 2 miles X

♥ ♥

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Book Review – “Please Feed Me”

12 Sunday Aug 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the RD) on August 12, 2012

This very unique vegan cookbook was written by a vegan punk rocker who spent years “…surviving on potato chips….”   The author not only includes recipes in his book, but also chronicles his punk lifestyle…gigs, influences, touring, etc…pretty interesting stuff!  I bought this book at Hot Topic more than 5 years ago.  It must be out of print now, because I saw that it is selling for over $70 on amazon.com and it’s not even a hard cover book!  The used version is also available for MUCH LESS!

My thoughts on the book…?  Some of the recipes are a little too simple and might be a little boring for some.  However, some of the recipes are actually very good and tasty, and really speak to the home cook.  There’s a recipe I like entitled Mixed Veg noodles that lists one of the ingredients as 2 handfuls of mushrooms (shiitakes, or whatever you can afford).  This is a good cookbook for “everyday” food and also for starving students or those watching their budgets.  Overall, I think it’s a great book to have on your cookbook shelf.

 ♥ ♥

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Featured Restaurant – Paninoteca Maggio

11 Saturday Aug 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the student) on August 11, 2012 

Paninoteca Maggio

195 E City Place Dr

Santa Ana, CA 92705

Phone # (714) 426-8095

Website: http://paninotecamaggio.com/

Hours: 10am- 4pm Tuesday – Saturday

Paninoteca Maggio, an Italian sandwich shop, in Santa Ana that has quickly become one of my favorite lunch spots. This small café is located in the City Place Shopping Center and is close to Mother’s Market. Inside this café it is rustic and modern and I am instantly transported back to Italy.

Orders are taken at the counter by the extremely friendly staff. When your order is ready it is delivered to your table. There are a couple tables inside and several tables outside, most with umbrellas.

The menu features sandwiches, a few salads and coffee. I cannot come here without ordering a café latte. They use Italian Segafredo Expresso with whole milk. It is a treat that I love.

 Cafe Latte

The sandwiches are really the stars here.  I think I have tried about half of them and they are all wonderful. My all time favorite sandwich is the Amalfi that has prosciutto, mozzarella, tomatoes, arugula, basil pesto and balsamic glaze. It is pure perfection. And my next favorite is the Lucca, which is a vegetarian sandwich. The Lucca has roasted eggplant, zucchini, red bell peppers, provolone, arugula, artichoke pesto and lemon aioli.

 Amalfi

 Lucca
 

I have also enjoyed the Milano, a roasted chicken breast sandwich with asiago cheese, arugula, sundried tomato pesto and lemon aioli. In addition, the Roma is another sandwich worth trying. The Roma has pork and veal meatballs with parmesan cheese, fresh basil and marinara sauce.  I think the most popular sandwich is the Toscana that features porchetta, arugula and lemon aioli and I understand its popularity.

 Milano

 Toscano
 

The salads change weekly and they are always good. If you are looking for something sweet try the Dolce. It is a nutella and peanut butter panini that is creamy and gooey in the best way.

 Roma
 

If you find yourself on the I-5 freeway in Santa Ana, close to Main Street, around lunchtime take a detour to Paninoteca Maggio. You will be in for a treat.

Thank you to Chef Sharron and his friendly staff.

♥ ♥

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Creamy Baked Mushroom Pasta

09 Thursday Aug 2012

Posted by in General, Recipes

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Posted by Jennifer (the student) on August 8, 2012

I have not had pasta in a long time and I wanted some that was creamy. So for a week I have been playing around with different versions of this dish and I think this was the best. I hope you enjoy it, it really satisfied my need for some creamy pasta. 🙂

Ingredients:

  • Olive oil (for pan)
  • 3 cups pasta (penne or what ever you have)
  • ½ pound Italian sausage, casings removed (I used vegan sausage)
  • ½ cup onion, chopped
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 24 oz jar of marinara pasta sauce
  • 8 oz cream cheese (vegan cream cheese will work)
  • 1 TBSP Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ½ tsp fresh ground pepper
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated (Daiya cheese will work)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9″ x 13″ baking pan with olive oil.
  2. Cook pasta according to the directions on package. Drain and place cooked pasta in a bowl and set aside.
  3. In a large non-stick skillet, over medium heat, brown sausage, onion and mushroom. If there is any oil or liquid left after browning, drain off.
  4. To skillet add garlic, marinara sauce, cream cheese, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
  5. Cook a few minutes until cream cheese is melted and all ingredients are incorporated.
  6. Stir in pasta and pour into greased baking pan.
  7. Top with grated mozzarella.
  8. Bake in oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until cheese is melted and slightly browned.
  9. Remove from oven. Wait 5 minutes before serving.
  10. 10. Enjoy.

♥ ♥

HouseofHepworths
Chef In Training Whipperberry

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Earthquake!

08 Wednesday Aug 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the student) on August 8, 2012

 

Has anyone else felt the earthquakes from last night and this morning? Last night, it woke me up and I though it would be about a 4.4 to 4.6. I was right on because they are saying it was a 4.5. I think growing up in California, that was the game we alway played trying to guess what a earthquake would be rated at. This morning, it felt stronger but I was also awake. 🙂

Did you feel these earthquakes? 

♥ ♥

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17th WIAW

08 Wednesday Aug 2012

Posted by in General, Healthy Inspirations

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Posted by Jennifer (the student) on August 8, 2012 

Hi, everyone! Happy “What I Ate Wednesday”.  This week the temperature has really risen in southern California. The heat has reduced my appetite; I am drinking lots of water and eating more salads, which is a good thing. These are my meals from last Monday. Hope you enjoy my day. Thank you to Jenn at Peas and Crayons for hosting the WIAW!

This is what I ate:

All Day

Water with lemon, I could not get enough.

Breakfast (6:30am)

I started my day with coffee with stevia and coconut milk in my London mug in honor of the Olymipics and a NuGo bar and an apple.

AM Snack (9:30)

Raw walnuts.

Lunch (1:00pm)

Vegan Fish Tacos from Healthy Junk were very good.

PM Snack (3:00pm)

We had a belated birthday celebration for my school friend Judy.  Featured a homemade chocolate chip pie, that disappeared quickly. Recipe here.

Dinner (6:30pm)

Ahi poke salad at Green2Go in Brea.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope your day was full of healthy meals!

Here is a link to my exercise log for the week.

♥ ♥

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Are You Getting Enough Sleep?

07 Tuesday Aug 2012

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MAUI Sunset 

Posted by Jennifer (the RD) on August 6, 2012

A few weeks ago, I took a required online health assessment through my employer.  My area of improvement was my consistent lack of sleep.  According to Harvard’s Women’s Health Watch, 75% of us have disrupted or inadequate sleep at least a few nights a week.  Although the number varies from person to person, on average, most people require 8 hours of sleep per night.    Why is this a problem?  Lack of sleep can lead to the following (and these are just a few):

  • Increased risk for high blood pressure
  • Increased risk for cardiovascular disease
  • Increased risk for obesity
  • Mood disruption
  • Decreased immune function

I just came back from a vacation in Maui and feel wonderful.  I actually got my 8 hours of sleep every night!  It was amazing how much better I felt.  Being in a truly stress free environment really helped me catch up on my sleep, but here are some other ways to increase the amount of hours of sleep daily

  • Decrease the stress in your life at work and at home (I know, easier said than done….)
  • Decrease alcohol intake
  • Decrease caffeine intake, especially before you go to bed
  • Improve environmental conditions (temperature, pillows, mattress, etc.)

Anyone else have any ideas?

 ♥ ♥

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25 Tips to Beat Sugar Cravings

07 Tuesday Aug 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the student) on August 6, 2012

 

Most of us like sugar more than we should. I know I have a sweet tooth and I find the more I eat the more I want. Sugar has little nutritional value and is high in calories. Diets high in sugar suppress the immune system and can lead to diabetes, kidney and heart problems, weight gain and pre-mature aging.

I have been trying to get my sweet tooth under control and these are some of the techniques I have been using.

  1. Don’t skip meals – preventing blood sugar drops will help prevent cravings.
  2. Drink plenty of water – prevent dehydration, which increases cravings.
  3. Choose whole foods – less processed equals less sugar.
  4. Incorporate protein and fat into eat meal – this will help to control blood sugar.
  5. Have fresh fruit – helps to overcome cravings and the fiber will keep you full.
  6. Chew sugar-free gum – help to satisfy cravings.
  7. Take a walk or exercise – it will take your mind off eating.
  8. Get plenty of sleep – with plenty of sleep you won’t need the boost from sugar.
  9. Remove temptations – don’t keep sugary snacks at home or at work.
  10. Don’t use artificial sweeteners – they will not reduce your desire for sweets.
  11. Learn to use spices – salty, spicy or tart flavors can break a sugar craving.
  12. Read labels – you will be surprised what sugar is in.
  13.  Watch out for sugar in beverages.
  14.  Drink green tea – it helps to stabilize blood sugar.
  15.  Learn all the terms for sugar – molasses, honey, corn sugar, corn syrup, dextrose, sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, etc.
  16.  Remember highly refined carbohydrates like pasta and bread act like sugar in the body.
  17.  Choose quality over quantity – a small piece of good quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa content) instead of cookies or a candy bar.
  18.  Limit desserts to once a week as a treat and use portion control.
  19.  Boost your serotonin levels “the happiness hormone’ with exercise and plenty of sleep.
  20.  Take vitamin B – to assist the body with its response to stress because stress drives sugar cravings.
  21.  Take vitamin D – helps to produce serotonin, increasing positive mood.
  22.  Take omega 3 fatty acids – a natural mood enhancer.
  23.  Take chromium – helps the body balance blood sugar.
  24.  Take L-glutamine – curbs sugar cravings.
  25.  When all else fails, try a sugar detox for a week.
What do you do to manage your sugar cravings? Post your replies.
 

♥ ♥

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