Archive for May, 2010

Easy And Healthy Slow Cooker Meals

May 5th, 2010

People seem to think that healthy crack pot meals are boring and flat. Some also believe that preparing them is time-consuming and difficult. This kind of thinking is what we are here to change. We want to share with you healthy crack pot meals that you and your family will surely love.

First, we want to share with you a healthy chicken crock pot meal we call the chicken cacciatore. In Italian, the word cacciatore refers to a hunter. In a kitchen setting, this word simply describes a meal prepared “hunter-style” with onions, mushrooms, herbs, tomatoes, bell pepper and sometime wine. So, in preparing this dish, we need three pounds of skinless bone-in chicken thighs, 14 ounce of diced tomatoes with Italian seasoning, six ounce of canned tomato paste, half a cup of chicken both. To add more flavor to the dish, bring in some sliced onions, three cloves of minced garlic, and chopped bell peppers. To complete the dish, we need one-fourth cup of dry red wine. Don’t forget the salt and pepper to season it.

As soon as you get every ingredient on the kitchen table, simply place all these ingredients in a 3-4 quart slow cooker. Then cover and cook the chicken on low heat for 6-8 hours. It’s as simple as that. You can serve this with hot cooked pasta or rice depending on what you are craving for.

One of the healthy crock pot meals that you’ll surely find flavorful is the slow cooker pork roast and vegetables. This dish is a collaboration of pork sirloin roast with vegetables seasoned with all spice and apple butter.

For this easy-to-make and healthy crock pot meal, we’ll use three pounds of boneless pork sirloin roast, four peeled sweet potatoes, three tablespoons of prepared horseradish, a tablespoon of cornstarch and two acorn squash. To give the dish a unique taste, we’ll need half a cup of apple butter, half a teaspoon of ground allspice, and quarter of a teaspoon of pepper.

To get started with this dish, heat the oil in a heavy skillet. Then add the pork roast. Occasionally turn it until all its sides are brown. While you’re cooking the pork roast, cut squash into 8 wedges. Make sure that you remove the seeds. Without peeling the sweet potatoes, cut them into chunks and place them in the crock pot. Then, put the browned pork roast on top. The next step is mixing together the apple butter, horseradish, cornstarch, all spice and pepper. Then slowly pour the mixture into the crock pot.
Let it simmer for about seven to nine hours until the pork and vegetables are tender.

Now, we have two lovely healthy crock pot meals that would certainly change the way you look at healthy foods. If you are thinking of what to serve on a Sunday night, do away with the regular two-minute meals that you could prepare with your microwave. Give your family a chance of experiencing these heavenly yet healthy crock pot meals.
So let’s both get to the kitchen and start cooking.

Stay Healthy Tips

May 1st, 2010

Eating right, staying physically active, and not smoking are a few examples of good habits that can help you stay healthy. Eating the right foods and the right amounts of foods can help you live a longer, healthier life. People who are happier in their daily lives have healthier levels of key body chemicals than those who muster few positive feelings, a new study suggests. Try to balance the calories you get from food with the calories you use through physical activity (select for more information about physical activity). It is never too late to start eating right. Weighing too much or too little can lead to health problems. After age 45, many people gain too much weight. Don’t drink and drive. Don’t get into a car with a driver who has been drinking alcohol or using drugs. Medicines can also be given as metered dose inhalers, which deliver one dose of medicine at a time

Get regular exercise. Don’t use illegal (street) drugs of any kind, at any time. Don’t try even one puff, and try to keep yourself away from all cigarettes. Avoid situations where violence or fighting may cause you to be physically injured. Balance calories from foods and beverages with calories you burn off by your activities. Drink Alcohol Only in Moderation. If you drink alcohol, have no more than two drinks a day. Always use your seat belt. Some foods, like celery and gum, help you burn calories by chewing. Wear a hat and other protective clothing, as well as sunglasses, to protect your body from too much sun. Protection against sunburn is needed. Minerals, like calcium, iron, sodium chloride and zinc, are also essential to maintaining good health through nutrition.

Stay Healthy Tips

1. Eat a Nutritious Breakfast.

2. Choose healthy snacks.

3. Drink plenty of water.

4. Eat a variety of foods.

5. Get moving….don’t be a couch potato.

6. Avoid contaminated food or drinks.

7. Nutritional Supplements can be helpful.