September 25, 2008
Posted by admin on Food And Recipes

Try And Follow The Food Pyramid

This article about food pyramid are looking to provide you with the proper education regarding the subject matter at hand, no matter what your previous experience on the topic are.

Many of us have our plates full, so to speak, with a merry-go-round of tasks and activities that keep us on the run. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that a proper diet is necessary to keep us going. Each family member may have a different schedule and gathering everyone around the dinner table may seem next to impossible. Does this sound like your family? Do you fret over your teen grabbing a frozen snack and calling it dinner?

The new food pyramid provides a handy way to make sure your family gets the nutrition they need, no matter the pace of life. Let’s take a look at how easy it can be to ensure good nutrition.

The food pyramid is divided into five major categories: grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and meats. We’ll offer suggestions on working these essentials into the daily fare with nary a complaint.

Grains encompass many of the staples we all have on hand in our cupboards. Food pyramid guidelines recommend the inclusion of whole grains, such as whole wheat, rolled oats and brown or wild rice. Try whole wheat pita bread for the lunch box sandwich. A baggie loaded with whole-wheat crackers in a mix of nuts and raisins makes a delicious and nutritious snack. Use rolled oats for a batch of oatmeal cookies.

Fruits provide essential vitamins as well as dietary fiber. Fresh fruits that are in season are at the peak of flavor and are less expensive than out of season choices. Pop a fresh peach in the lunch bag. Make your own granola mix with a liberal sprinkling of dried fruits. Fruit and yogurt make a tasty dessert or breakfast smoothie. Homemade fruit pie is always welcome.

Vegetables hold a prominent spot on the food pyramid and are easy to make into subtle dietary stars. As possible, choose fresh vegetables in season. Put them in pilafs, dinner salads, omelettes or casseroles. A plate of whole grain crackers, celery, carrots and cheese cubes with dip on the side makes a triple hitter for the food pyramid priorities.

Dairy products are excellent sources of calcium. Cheese, yogurt, calcium-fortified juices and soy beverages offer good alternatives for the lactose intolerant. A sprinkling of shredded cheese adds a dose of calcium to a dinner salad or layered into a sandwich. Encourage the kids to reach for a glass of milk or soy beverage instead of a soda.

Meats are best for your health when they are lean. Chicken breasts, fish and pork chops rate high on the food pyramid, as good sources of protein, while being low on fat. Vegans can keep their protein intake up with tofu, veggie-burgers, beans and nuts standing in for meats.

Use these tips to get nutrition on your family’s meal agenda. A quick glance at the food pyramid components can inspire healthy menus and snack items to keep you on track with good eating habits. Bon Appetit!

To learn more about food pyramid, ask your family for for help on the topic, or search the world wide web to get the information you are looking for.

Tags: chicken breasts, dried fruits, fresh fruit, fresh fruits, fruit pie, fruits vegetables, liberal sprinkling, new food pyramid, nutritious snack, proper diet, wheat crackers

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August 2, 2008
Posted by admin on Food And Recipes

Easy Soup Recipes To The Rescue

Less than enchanting economic times prompt you to look for ways to save on the grocery bill, while hectic days encourage you to have a small stockpile of meals that can be brought quickly to the table.

One of the easiest ways to satisfy both objectives is to spend a Saturday making a couple of quarts each of two or three easy soup recipes. Portion the soups in individual or family size servings to freeze for future cheap, quick-to-fix and delicious meals.

Here are two such easy soup recipes to get you started. These recipes can be followed exactly as given, but they are also generic recipes. Substitutions give a similar texture and body, but with different flavors. Suggestion for alternate ingredients follows each of these easy soup recipes.

One uses a cream base while the other uses a broth. You’ll be surprised to find how a few minor adjustments to each recipe can provide many distinctly different easy soup recipes.

EASY CLAM CHOWDER SOUP

3 Tb. Butter
3 Tb. flour
6 cups milk
2 large potatoes, cooked until almost done, diced in 2-inch cubes
2 3.5-ounce cans clams, with juice
1 15-ounce can corn
3 large mushrooms, sliced
1 large onion, diced
3 green onions, sliced
1 tsp. Thyme

Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Use a whisk to mix in the flour. Cook over low heat until the roux thickens. Gradually add the milk, stirring constantly. Add the remaining ingredients and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 30-45 minutes, or until soup acquires the thickness you prefer. Garnish with fresh parsley if you like.

Instead of, or in addition to clams, try shrimp, crab, Krab(, crawfish or catfish nuggets. Substitute celery, water chestnuts or spinach for any of the vegetables. Chives are good in place of green onions. Use a teaspoon of tarragon or 1/4 cup fresh cilantro in place of the thyme.

EASY CHICKEN VEGETABLE SOUP

8 cups chicken broth
2 chicken breasts, cooked and diced in 1-inch cubes
1 15-ounce can green beans
1 15-ounce can corn
1 large red bell pepper, diced
1 large onion, diced
2-3 stalks celery, sliced thinly
1 tsp. sage
2 tsp. minced garlic
a pinch of cayenne

Drain the canned vegetables. Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally. Cook for 45 minutes.

Turkey, sausage or diced ham works just as well as chicken. In place of the green beans, try fresh, sliced zucchini added to the soup just 5 minutes before serving. Substitute one orange and one yellow bell pepper for the beans and corn for a colorful and tasty soup. Rosemary, thyme or marjoram can replace the sage.

Once you try these easy soup recipes, you’ll see how adaptable they are. Use your imagination. Don’t forget to use any leftovers from the frig. In just a few hours, you can have many lunch or dinner servings ready to go in minutes!

Tags: chicken breasts, chicken vegetable soup, clam chowder soup, delicious meals, recipes, soup recipes

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