Category Archives: Healthy Inspirations

General Health

My Favorite Uses for Butternut Squash

30 Friday Nov 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the RD) on November 30, 2012

I just got my weekly box of organic fruits and vegetables.  I see that it’s time for me to start cooking more butternut squash.  Yum!  Here are some ways I like to prepare it:

  • Cut up and roasted (with olive oil, garlic salt, and pepper);  also roasts well with herbs such as thyme, rosemary, etc.
  • Butternut squash soup – a classic (it’s actually my sister that makes this for us and it is always good)
  • Roasted with other winter squash and cooled, then mixed in with a salad – MY FAVORITE USE
  • Sauteed squash mixed into hot pastas
  • Mixed into chili (my sister makes this for us too)

 ♥ ♥

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WIAW #33

28 Wednesday Nov 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the student) on November 28,2012

Hello, Everyone. Happy What I Ate Wednesday!!  I am sharing my meals from Thanksgiving day.  We had a very low-key holiday at my parents house. My mom and sister did most of the cooking. Thank you to Jenn a Peas and Crayons for hosting the WIAW!

This is what I ate:

Breakfast (7:30am)

Since the kitchen was already busy, we ran out to Starbucks to pick-up coffee for everyone. And we brought pastries from one of our favorite bakeries. I had a very tasty pastry that was sort a combination of a sugar donut and a croissant.

AM Snacks (11:00am)

Unpictured – I think we ate so quickly, I completely forgot to take a picture. 🙂

 We snacked on homemade guacamole (my husband’s specialty) and chips.

Dinner (4:00pm)

For Thanksgiving dinner I had turkey with gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, brussels sprouts, asparagus, sweet potatoes and rolls.  There were other dishes I skipped, my mom cooked for about 20 people but we are a small family of 5. 🙂

Dessert (7:00pm)

Pumpkin pie, of course. My sister made the pie and it was very tasty.

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

♥ ♥

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11/25/12 – Exercise Log

25 Sunday Nov 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the student) on November 25, 2012

 

11/25/12            Walk/Hike 6 miles – X

11/26/12            Cardio Dance 1 hr class – X

11/27/12            Piyo 1 hr class

11/28/12            Cardio Dance 1 hr class

11/29/12            Yoga 1 hr class

11/30/12            Off

12/01/12            Tennis 1 ½ hr class

♥ ♥

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The Health Benefits of Turkey

23 Friday Nov 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the student) on November 23, 2012

Source: williams-sonoma.com via Katy on Pinterest

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  I think the reason I love Thanksgiving is because it is a relaxed holiday centered on a great meal shared with family and friends. Another reason to love Thanksgiving is the leftover turkey.

After indulging in turkey, you can feel good about its health benefits. Turkey is a good source of protein and essential amino acids. Lean, white turkey meat is low in calories, sodium, cholesterol and saturated fat compared to other meats.

Benefits:

  • Helps to maintain healthy function of thyroid and immune system with selenium.
  • Boosts antioxidant defense system by helping to eliminate cancer-friendly free radicals with selenium.
  • Promotes in the formation of red blood cells with the vitamins B6 and B12.
  • Maintains healthy brain function and normal nerve function with vitamin B6.
  • Helps to break down and digest protein with vitamin B6.
  • Lowers bad cholesterol with vitamin B3.
  • Improves mood and promotes sleep with the amino acid tryptophan.
  • Promotes cell and tissue repair and growth with zinc and selenium.
  • Improves blood flow with arginine.

With a little imagination your leftover turkey will be gone in no time. Turkey can be used in sandwiches, soups, salads, omelets, curries, potpies and casseroles. Naturally low in fat and calories turkey is a healthy addition to your diet year round.

♥ ♥

 

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WIAW #32

21 Wednesday Nov 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the student) on November 21, 2012


 
Hello Everyone. Happy What I Ate Wednesday!  I am sharing my meals from last Saturday. This Saturday, my husband and I went to the Cleopatra exhibit at the California Science Center with a group of friends. We were able to try a new restaurant too. Thank you to Jenn at Peas and Crayons for hosting the WIAW.

This is what I ate:

Breakfast (7:00am)

I started the day with coffee and a power crunch protein bar.

 Cleopatra: The Exhibition at the California Science Center.

Lunch (1:30pm)

At the Daily Dose in downtown Los Angeles, I had a wonderful latte with a ham and cheese sandwich called The Taylor and finished with a chocolate chip cookie.

 Rosanne and Augie

 Mickey

Dinner (6:00pm)

Quick tofu tacos from Wahoos.

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

♥ ♥

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This Holiday Season Give Yourself the Gift of Laughter

19 Monday Nov 2012

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 Posted by Jennifer (the student) on November 19, 2012

Source: theworldofaclassylady.tumblr.com via Jennifers on Pinterest

The holidays are a wonderful time of year but it can also be a very stressful time. One of the best ways to reduce stress during the holidays is to find some “me time” everyday and try to laugh. Laugh about your day or something on TV; it does not really matter as long as you enjoy it.

Laughing has many health benefits both long and short term. Short term, laughing soothe tension by stimulating circulation which promotes muscle relaxation. Laughing increases the amount of endorphins released by the brain, which boost your mood. Laughter increases your heart rate and blood pressure causing you to feel relaxed after.

Laughter long-term improves your immune system by improving your mood with positive thoughts helping to reduce stress. Personal satisfaction is increased because laughter makes it easier to cope with difficult situations. Laughter causes your body to produce its own natural painkiller.

This holiday season laugh at life’s little annoyances and try to find the humor in difficult situations. Remember laughter is the best medicine.

♥ ♥

 

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Eating Well and Staying Healthy Through the Holidays

16 Friday Nov 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the RD) on November 16, 2012

Believe it or not, the holidays are already here.  Most of us are on the run and ignore our diets with all the craziness that accompanies the holidays.  It doesn’t help that there are so many eating opportunities around!  Here are some tips for surviving the holidays:

  • Take one day out of the week to plan out your meals for the week (make a shopping list, go to the market, etc.)
  • Take non perishable items such as granola bars, fruit, etc. with you wherever  you go so you won’t be tempted to eat too many of the tempting goodies out there
  • Don’t forget to make exercise a priority, no matter how busy you are.  Try not to let your busy schedule be an excuse for not exercising.
  • When dining out with family and friends, pick a very simple dish that won’t contribute too  many unwanted calories.  Pictured above is the shoyu glazed black cod from Yamashiro in Hollywood.
  • Host a holiday gathering with friends at your home so you can control the menu
  • Try not to overdo it throughout the holiday season.  You can’t do it all…

Does anyone else have any suggestions?

♥ ♥

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WIAW #31

14 Wednesday Nov 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the student) on November 14, 2012


 Hello Everyone. Happy What I Ate Wednesday!  I am sharing my meals from last Saturday. This Saturday, I ran lots of errands and ate on the run. I hope you enjoy my day. Thank you to Jenn at Peas and Crayons for hosting the WIAW.

This is what I ate:

Breakfast (7:30am)

I started the day with coffee and a pumpkin smoothie ( my recipe).

AM Snacks (10:00am)

A pink lady apple and pumpkin seeds.

Lunch (11:30am)

A small green salad topped and a Greek turkey burger at the Orange Tree Deli.

PM Snacks (2:00pm)

Cheddar Cheese. 🙂

Dinner (5:30pm)

Grilled fish with tomato slices and coleslaw at The Crab Cooker.

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

♥ ♥

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What is an Eggling?

12 Monday Nov 2012

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

Meet my Basil Eggling.  I got this as a gift from my friend Kyoko and wanted to share it with you.  It’s a really cute way to start a mini herb garden.  A porcelain egg comes in a really cute, nicely designed box.  All you have to do is crack the top of the egg, add water daily, and watch your herbs grow.  It is really easy and looks awesome on your window sill.  I think it is also a great gift for the cook in your life.  You can find more gifts like these at:  www.eggling.com

 ♥ ♥

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The Health Benefits of Butternut Squash

10 Saturday Nov 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the student) on November 9, 2012

Source: youbeauty.com via Jennifers on Pinterest

Butternut Squash is a popular seasonal vegetable that is loaded with nutrients and many health benefits. This squash is part of the gourd family like pumpkins, melons and cucumbers. It is technically a fruit because it contains seeds.

Butternut Squash is rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants. The tangerine hue of its flesh signals an abundance of nutrients. This squash is low in fat and calories and is high in fiber.

Benefits:

  • One of the best sources of four carotenoids: Alpha-Carotene, Beta-Carotene, Lutein and Zeaxanthin, which offer a multitude of benefits from cancer prevention and protection from heart disease.
  • Promotes healthy skin and eyes with Vitamin A.
  • Protects the body from free radicals and prevents damage to healthy cells with Antioxidants.
  • Helps to regulate the digestive tract and lowers cholesterol with Fiber.
  • Improves bone health with a significant amount of Potassium and Calcium.
  • Boosts the immune system with Vitamin C and Zinc.
  • Helps to reduce depression with Folate.
  • Promotes proper function of nervous and immune systems with Vitamin B6.
  • Promotes vision health with Lutein.

Butternut Squash can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. Since it is loaded with nutrients and has so many health benefits it is worth trying to work it into your diet this fall and winter. Butternut Squash can be used to replace pumpkin and sweet potatoes in any recipe. An added benefit of roasting the squash, your house will be filled with its nutty, buttery smell, making your house smell like fall.

♥ ♥

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