8 Foods to Avoid at All Costs

These foods pack on the pounds, zap energy, trigger inflammation, and crowd out the more nutritious foods in your diet. Do your best to banish these unhealthy foods from your diet — or eat them on rare occasions only.

6 Foods That Boost Your Memory

Does your memory need a boost? Then dig into some blueberry pancakes and sip a chilled glass of beet juice, because food for thought has taken a cutting-edge twist.

Thanks to modern research, there is now evidence that certain components of vegetables, fruits, whole-grains, and fish can actually enhance brain function, and in some cases even reverse age-related memory loss. Read on and learn how to sharpen your noggin with these brainy bites!

10 Best Foods for Cancer Prevention

About 35 percent of cancers are related to nutritional factors. To help prevent cancer, eat a wide variety of foods rich in nutrients that protect your body's cells from damage, such as these.

The 5 Health Benefits of Green Tea

Tea is one of the most valued and widely consumed drinks in the world. Besides being a delicious, inexpensive beverage that has no calories, tea has a unique set of natural chemicals that provide various therapeutic benefits. As more research is conducted, tea, specifically black and green, demonstrates significant antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticavity properties.

7 Amazing Health Benefits of Peaches

Peach is a widely adored delicious juicy fruit. It is origins from China and now popular in all over the world. The health benefits of peaches are merely known to its regular eater. Peaches are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidant and other chemical contents.

9 Awesome Facts About Lemons You Should Know

When we were kids, our introduction to lemons wasn't so friendly. (It went something like this.) But now that we're all grown up, we actually like the tangy flavor it adds to our recipes for chicken, cookies and, most importantly, cocktails.

But now our relationship with lemons has moved from the kitchen to the bathroom, as we incorporate the citrus fruit into our beauty regimen. Lemons are a great source of calcium, vitamin C, magnesium and potassium -- minerals and antioxidants that improve the appearance and condition of our hair, skin and nails. So we present nine awesome uses for lemons you should know. Tip: Keep in mind that lemon juice should not be left on the body for extended periods of time and may have severe reactions when exposed to the sun. Always consult with your doctor if you have any concerns.

5 Unexpected Health Benefits Of Drinking Coffee

While taking care of your community, you need to do the same for your body. Drinking coffee might be a great way to keep your body healthy and ready for anything!

10 Foods You Should Never Eat

The world of food can be a dangerous place. We are constantly bombarded with messages of what is healthy and what is not, and food marketers are always looking for ways to get us to eat packaged food. Recently, many foods have been labeled “natural” or “low fat” and “low sugar.” A high-sugar product is marketed as low in fat to trick consumers into thinking it is a healthier food.The key to eating healthy is having these treats in moderation. If you totally restrict foods, you may find you crave them even more. Here are the 10 worst foods you may want to consider never eating and recommendations of foods to enjoy instead.

13 Scary Halloween Health Stats

It’s Halloween season — that festive time of year when it’s OK to collect pounds of unhealthy goodies and spend days — if not weeks — consuming them. But just how much are Americans eating and spending on Halloween each year? We’ve rounded up a few stats about this beloved, candy-crazed celebration. Warning: You’re sure to be spooked!

5 Signs You’re Over-Snacking

Snacking throughout the day is good for your metabolism and helps to prevent dramatic spikes in hunger, but it’s still possible to go overboard. So check your snacking habits: Are you an over-snacker?

5 Frozen Foods to Stock (and 5 to Skip)

Your freezer was created to preserve food for long periods of time. But filling it with junk can sabotage any healthy eating plan. Here are five items worth purchasing, and five you’re better off passing up.

5 Super-Easy Ways to Cut Calories (Without Even Thinking)

“The best diet is the one you don’t know you’re on.” Sage advice from Brian Wansink, Director of the Food and Brand Lab at Cornell University and author of Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think. Eating healthy doesn’t mean you must forsake all indulgences and subsist solely on oatmeal and salads. Instead, what if you just made a few small changes to your eating routine that could lead to gradual, sustainable results? Here are five tips to try when cooking and eating at home, inspired by Prof. Wansink’s good read.

How Often Should You Eat?

Many experts recommend eating small meals frequently throughout the day. However, a new school of thought has emerged that recommends eating larger, less frequent meals. So how often should you be eating?

How to Choose a Healthy Yogurt

These days, you can’t miss the yogurt aisle. Markets now have two, three or more cases designated to this creamy delight. But with so many choices, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and confused on which is healthiest.

5 Food Safety Rules You’re Breaking (Without Knowing It)

Skipping out on simple food safety rules may have bigger consequences than you think. Beyond resulting in a belly ache, it can have more serious outcomes for those with weaker immune systems, like young kids, pregnant women and older adults. Here are 5 food safety guidelines that most people forgo because they are busy, forget or just don’t know any better.

Guilt-Free Casseroles

These one-dish wonders are a perfect meal any night of the week. But loads of creamy canned soup, butter and cheese tend to sabotage most casseroles. Here’s how to make the comfort-food favorites with healthier ingredients.

7 Signs You’re Getting Bad Nutrition Advice

There’s tons of nutrition information swirling around and oftentimes you’re left wondering what or who you should believe. Here are 7 signs that you’re receiving bad (and sometimes even dangerous) nutrition advice.

5 Reasons You Need To Avoid GMO Food

As the medical science has been developing with the giant steps, everyone wants to know if all the products invented by scientists are truly safe for humans or not. The idea of producing food with desirable qualities such as: resistance to drought, insects, pesticides, being more nutritious and having longer shelf life led to the ‘’born’’ of genetically modified food. Since then, there hasn’t been any formation of proved conclusion and the debate raise on the disadvantages of consumption of genetically modified food. 

5 Healthy Snacks for People With (or Without!) Diabetes

Yes, you can snack if you have diabetes !!!

When your stomach starts to rumble, you need a snack that can curb your hunger without blowing your blood sugar. Just like meals, snacks should be a combination of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. Aim for one that consists of 15 to 30 grams of carbohydrates and 100 to 200 calories (depending on your meal plan and medication). Here are five that typically get a seal of approval from diabetes educators and nutritionists. 

1.Whole-grain crackers, grapes, and cottage cheese 

Nutrient-rich whole grains like cracked wheat, whole wheat, rye, and quinoa can lower blood sugar and cholesterol. The cottage cheese adds protein to stabilize blood sugar, curb hunger pangs, and provide calcium for strong bones. Buy your favorite whole-grain crackers, and make sure that the first ingredient is whole-wheat flour or another whole grain, such as rye. (Even if the ingredient list says "wheat flour," it is not a whole-grain food unless it specifies "whole-wheat flour.") Arrange on a small plate 2 crackers, 1/4 cup nonfat cottage cheese, and 1/4 cup grapes. Serving size: 2 crackers, 1/4 cup cottage cheese, and 1/4 cup grapes. 

Nutritional information—Calories: 138, Total Carbohydrate: 21.2 g (7%), Dietary Fiber: 1.5 g (6%), Sugars 11.9 g


2.Homemade popcorn 

Popcorn is high in fiber, and when made from scratch is an all-natural food without additives and artificial flavorings. Pour 1 tablespoon of mild-flavored oil such as canola into a heavy-bottomed medium-large pot. Cover the bottom of the pot with 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels spread in a thin layer. (If the kernels are too crowded, not all of them will pop.) Cover the pot and heat on medium, shaking the pot every minute or so until all of the kernels have popped. Take care not to cook too long, which could scorch the popped kernels. Sprinkle the popcorn with any of the following: 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon allspice, or 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese. Serving size: 1 cup. 

Nutritional information—Calories: 40, Total Carbohydrate: 5.8 g (2%), Dietary Fiber: 1.0 g (4%), Sugars 0.1 g

3.Apples and cheese 

Fruit is an important part of any diet, even for people with diabetes; it provides fiber and other important nutrients. Portion control is important, because fruit is naturally high in sugar. When adding fruit to your meal plan, choose fruits lower in natural sugars, such as berries, melon, and apples, and always choose smaller whole fruits (or cut larger fruits in half). The cheese adds protein to help stabilize blood sugar and curb hunger pangs, and provides calcium for strong bones. Cut and core 1 small apple into 4 wedges. Cut 1 slice of reduced-fat Cheddar cheese into 4 pieces and place on apple wedges. Serving size: 1 apple wedge and 1/4 slice cheese. 

Nutrition information—Calories: 30, Total Carbohydrate: 5.3 g (2%), Dietary Fiber: 0.8 g (3%), Sugars 3.8 g

4.Black bean salad 

Black beans are high in both fiber and protein, which help stabilize blood sugar and curb hunger pangs. Fiber can also help lower cholesterol. Tomatoes and other veggies add a variety of important nutrients as well as fiber. Rinse a 15-ounce can of lowest-sodium black beans under running water and drain well. Mix the beans in a medium bowl with 1/2 cup chopped fresh tomatoes, 1/2 cup chopped cucumber or celery, 1/2 cup chopped green-bell pepper, and 1/4 cup peeled, cubed avocado. Stir in 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, 1 clove minced fresh garlic (or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder), 1/8 teaspoon salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serving size: 1/2 cup salad.

Nutrition information—Calories: 57, Total Carbohydrate: 10.6 g (4%), Dietary Fiber: 4.0 g (16%), Sugars 1.3 g

5.Veggies and fresh yogurt dip 

Raw vegetables are rich in minerals, vitamins, and enzymes. The yogurt adds protein to help stabilize blood sugar and curb hunger pangs, and provides calcium for strong bones. Cut some fresh veggies such as carrots, celery, or broccoli into dipping-size pieces to measure 1/2 cup. (Prepare extra veggies in advance and keep in small, serving-size storage containers in the fridge for another day.) Create a simple, healthy dip by stirring together one 8-ounce carton of plain nonfat yogurt, 2 teaspoons of minced fresh dill weed (or 1 teaspoon dried dill weed), 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serving size: 1/2 cup veggies and 2 tablespoons of dip. 

Nutrition information—Calories: 31, Total Carbohydrate: 5.5 g (2% of Daily Value), Dietary Fiber: 1.2 g (5%), Sugars: 3.6 g

Cheddar Cheese Straws

Savory and rich with just a bit of a peppery bite, cheese straws are great party snacks. They're especially easy to make and travel well.

Blueberry Pomegranate Smoothie

This Super Fruit Smoothie made with blueberries and pomegranate juice is a great way to get the Antioxidants your body needs each day.

Benefits of Milk

Milk probably tops the more complete liquid food options available today and the benefits of milk are many. A lactating mother’s milk is the first food item ingested by an infant and milk has an equally important role to play in the later years of an individual’s life. Most lactating animals’ milk can be ingested and is capable of being digested by the body. Milk is obtained from various sources and the most famous source of milk is the humble cow. Buffalo milk, goat’s milk as well as sheep milk is also widely available. Camel milk, yak milk and reindeer milk are considered exotic in most parts of the world as they are available only in the regions where these animals thrive.

Honey: Is it really the bees knees?

With just as many calories as sugar, is honey really good for you? Read on to find out more.

Sharp Cheddar & Egg on Rye

Ingredients

1 large egg
2 slices rye bread, toasted
1 slice sharp Cheddar cheese
1 small apple, cored and sliced

Orange Juice Could One Day Help Prevent Cancer

Orange juice contains vitamin C and several other key nutrients, and has also been linked to a reduced risk of obesity in adults, but recently-published research suggests that it could also help prevent cancer.

Hold the Cream: 5 Vegan Substitutes That Are Just as Good

Heavy cream can elevate many dishes, but its high saturated fat and calorie content doesn’t exactly make it the healthiest option. And if you’re vegan or lactose intolerant, your meals may be lacking that distinct texture from the dairy product. Stop pining and get the creaminess back with these five vegan substitutes!

Need a Pick-Me-Up? Try This Coconut-Kale-Ginger Juice Recipe

My favorite way to start my day is with a glass of freshly pressed juice that I make at home in my kitchen with the help of my trusty juicer. Drinking all of those bright-colored, nutrient-rich fruits and veggies all at once gives me a boost of natural energy that makes me feel great and starts my day off on the right foot.

BBQ Chicken with Mango and Tropical Marinade BBQ Recipe

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken

Sparkling Cranberry Blush

Ingredients

Grilled Chicken Thighs with Roasted Grape Tomatoes

Although the tomato mixture and tangy lemon marinade

Pan-Grilled Snapper with Orzo Pasta Salad

Small rice-shaped pasta, orzo cooks quickly and soaks up flavor from the vinaigrette. Double the vinaigrette and spoon some over the top of the fish, if you like.

Hamburger Steak with Onions and Gravy

 

"An easy-to-make classic featuring tasty hamburger 'steaks' smothered in gravy and onions. Traditionally served with hot white rice or potatoes, it's a great way to dress up a pound of ground beef and you probably have all the ingredients on hand!"

Chicken Piccata

Are you looking for something simple, easy, elegant and most of all delicious? This recipe is all that. I love the simplicity of this recipe and isn’t it most often in life we find the simple things bring the most pleasure. Enjoy!

Simply inspired: Roast Chicken with Potatoes, Lemons and Capers

Roast Chicken with Potatoes, Lemons and Capers makes a flavorful, beautiful one-pot meal when paired with a salad. Recipe below.

Meyer Lemon Chicken

ingredients

 Chicken thighs (or 3 split breasts), trimmed with skin on

Grated zest and juice from 1 Meyer Lemon
¼ cup – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
⅓ cup – Dry white wine (Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc)

 Garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp – Dried Thyme leaves
1 tsp – Dried Oregano
½ tsp – Dried Rosemary, crushed

preparation
Meyer Lemon, cut into wedges
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 400ºF.

In a medium bowl, combine, Meyer Lemon zest and juice; olive oil; wine; garlic; and dried herbs.

Arrange chicken pieces skin side up in a glass baking dish or roasting pan. Season lightly with Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pour combined liquid mixture evenly over chicken. Arrange Meyer Lemon wedges between chicken pieces.

Bake, uncovered, until chicken is done — about 30 minutes. If a darker brown skin is desired, place under broiler for a minute, or two. Remove from oven; cover; allow to rest for about 5-10 minutes.

source

Fowl-mouthed inspiration: Riffing on Gordon Ramsay’s Sticky Lemon Chicken

Lemons, garlic, honey and thyme bring a lively flavor to the table quickly, for a delicious weeknight dinner. Sticky Lemon Chicken recipe below.

When children are very young, their first experiences of playing with other children are actually playing next to other children. They don’t truly interact with one another, but for them, playing side-by-side is the beginning of their social lives. There’s a school of thought in cooking that mirrors this experience, the idea that putting ingredients next to one another actually achieves some meaningful interaction among them.

Smothered Pork Chops

This rich sauce gets its velvety consistency from a flour roux, chicken stock, and a touch of half-and-half.

Ladyfingers Lay The Foundation For Simple, Elegant Dessert

For any number of reasons, you might find yourself without a dessert for your dinner party. Maybe you were too tired or maybe you thought no one would have a sweet tooth.

10 Health Benefits of Strawberries

his is one of my favorite fruits! It is delicious and has many health benefits. Here are ten great benefits of strawberries: 

1.One cup of strawberries contains only 43 calories, has fiber that helps lower blood pressure, and curbs overeating.

 2. Antioxidants: Strawberries contain chemical compounds called phenols. Anthocyanin, a particular phenol abundantly found in strawberries, lends the rich red color to the fruit. Strawberries also contain vitamin C, folate, and the flavonoids, quercetin and kaempferol.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

This lightened version of Chicken Cordon Bleu remains tres délicieuse despite a modest amount of butter. Fix mashed potatoes and a side of green beans while the chicken bakes.

Ingredients
1/4 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
5 teaspoons butter, melted
1 large garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1 teaspoon paprika
4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 thin slices prosciutto (about 2 ounces)
1/4 cup (1 ounce) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Cooking spray

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.
Place broth in a small microwave-safe bowl; microwave at high 15 seconds or until warm. Stir in butter and garlic. Combine breadcrumbs, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and paprika in a medium shallow bowl; set aside.
Place each chicken breast half between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap, and pound each to 1/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Sprinkle both sides of chicken with salt, oregano, and pepper. Top each breast half with 1 slice of prosciutto and 1 tablespoon mozzarella. Roll up each breast half jelly-roll fashion. Dip each roll in chicken broth mixture; dredge in breadcrumb mixture. Place rolls, seam side down, in an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Pour remaining broth mixture over chicken. Bake at 350° for 28 minutes or until juices run clear and tops are golden.

source

Almond-Stuffed Chicken( Super Delicious)

The nutty, cheesy filling spices up chicken breasts and is a snap to make. Toast the almonds in a skillet before you cook the chicken and you'll have just one pan to clean. Serve with couscous and haricots verts.

Want to Shed Weight? Eat These 4 Types of Fruit

Don’t toss that peel–it may help you burn fat. When scientists added ursolic acid (found in apple skin) to the high-fat diets of mice, the mice gained less weight.


“Ursolic acid ups muscle and brown fat, which boosts calorie burning,” says lead researcher Christopher Adams, MD.


Other likely slimmers:

Bergamot oranges: Studies show that compounds in the fruit may decrease cholesterol and help with weight loss.

Blueberries: This superfruit may reduce belly fat by affecting fat-burning and storage genes, says a recent study.

Pears: They’re high in flavonoids and catechins, antioxidants that help women ward off weight gain.

Food preparation mistakes responsible for food-borne illness

Elderly people are at increased risk of food-borne illness because as they age, their immune systems become weaker. It is estimated that each year about 48 million people get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die from food-borne diseases. The most severe cases tend to occur in the very old.

Food poisoning can be prevented if you follow proper home food safety practices.

Common cooking and food preparation mistakes can result in unsafe food and potential food poisoning.

Cross-contamination

Bacteria in raw meat and poultry juices can be spread to other foods, utensils and surfaces. To prevent cross-contamination, keep raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods and fresh vegetables. For example, use two cuttings boards: one strictly for raw meat, poultry and seafood; the other for ready-to-eat foods like breads and vegetables.

Wash cutting boards thoroughly in hot soapy water after each use or placing them in the dishwasher. Use a bleach solution or other sanitizing solution and rinse with clean water. Always wash your hands after handling raw meat.

Leaving food out too long

Leaving food out too long at room temperature can cause bacteria to grow to dangerous levels that can cause illness. Many people think it's okay to leave food sitting out for a few hours. But that's a dangerous habit. Food should not be left out for more than two hours. And if it's over 90 degrees, like at an outdoor summer barbecue, food should not be out for more than one hour."

Improper re-heating

Its common knowledge that meat should be cooked to proper temperatures. However, most people don't know that even leftovers that were previously cooked should be re-heated to a certain temperature. Foods to the proper temperature can kill many harmful bacteria.

Leftovers should be re-heated to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. "Harmful bacteria are destroyed when food is cooked to proper temperatures," she says. "That's why a food thermometer comes in handy not only for preparing food, but also for re-heating."

Eating leftovers

How long it is safe to eat leftovers?

Fish and beef expire maximum after three days in the refrigerator.

Pay attention to the foods that are eaten, how food is prepared, and properly maintain the food in the refrigerator, and you may avoid an illness that could cause great discomfort, weakening of the body or even death.

Ways To Move Without Spending Money

 The benefits of exercise are numerous for the mind, body and spirit. One of the biggest barriers to getting more physical activity is figuring out what to do. Expensive gym memberships or pricey fitness classes are big turnoffs for some folks but the truth is, they aren’t necessary. There are plenty of ways to get moving that won’t cost you a cent, just ask the First Lady. In a recent interview, Mrs. Obama revealed one of the ways she encourages kids — her own and those she meets — to move.

Diet 101: Flat Belly Diet

Seems like everyone has been asking me about ways to lose belly fat lately. Is the Flat Belly Diet the way? And which foods does the diet recommend? Find out.

Overview
From the editors of Prevention magazine, the Flat Belly Diet claims that followers can lose up to 15 pounds in 32 days. Researched in

11 Superfoods to Boost Your Health

Tags: Health, List, Superfood, Lists, Broccoli, Blueberries, Tea, Spinach, Vegetables, Walnuts, Fruit, Edamame, Soy, Bananas, Brazil Nuts, Kiwi, Flaxseed, Chocolate

We've all heard the buzz about "superfoods" in recent years, but do you know how much of them you need to eat to get benefits, or what they actually do for you? Superfoods are usually classed as those high in antioxidants – molecules which prevent oxidization and can

Top 5 Foods for Runners

      Calling all runners! Want to choose the best fuel for your performance? Here’s a top five hit list.

  Oatmeal

 The fiber in oatmeal helps prevent spikes in blood sugar, giving you energy evenly and consistently–a must for longer distance

One Small Change: The Smartest Sip for Weight Loss

 

What if I told you that there was a “pill” that, when you consumed it, helped you get a better workout, which of course leads to more strength and better calorie burning? The same pill would also help you focus at work or home so you could get the important things in your life done better and faster.Oh,and by the way, it’s been shown to lead to an increased metabolism, lower calorie intake at meals and better weight loss. How much would you pay for that pill? $10 a bottle, $20, $40? How about free?

Smarter Late-Night Snacks

With a jam-packed refrigerator and junk food lurking in every corner, late night snacking can really mess up your attempts at healthful eating. Here are some tips for those who like snacking after dark.